Three Olives

13 thousand square feet

2012-01-27T17:39:00.000-05:00

I have decided that I am most drawn to 'collegiate' homes. Defined {by me} as those that look the part of an esteemed campus...known to architecture buffs as the Georgian Revival style. They look planted. Permanent. And their English grandeur is not lost on me. Siding be damned. I want a hundred year house that has plans to be around another 500 or so.

This one ought to work...

For $1.7 million you even get your own coat of arms

Care to dine with me under my original hand plastered ceiling?

Maybe we should just chat about my moldings in the sitting room?

If any of it's 26 rooms aren't doing it for you, we could retire to the pool and tennis courts out back.

I wonder if you could ever make 13 thousand square feet of living space cozy?

I sure wouldn't mind trying.

Dream Cars

2012-01-23T14:10:00.000-05:00

Brian's circa 1923 stick shift SUV no longer goes into reverse.

I would pay money to see him in his scrubs and cap pushing his vehicle out of his parking garage space every evening.

He has to strategically park wherever he goes.

For some reason I find this fact to be hysterically funny, when the reality is that the very last thing we can afford to do right now is 1. pay a lot of money to fix a ten year old jaloppy and 2. buy a new car.

If we won the lottery {and if we played the lottery} these are the cars that would be on the top of my list.

A Porsche Panamera. Because it is hands down the best looking car on the road.

A Range Rover. Because they're yummy.

And because this is MY list of dream cars...mine is a Mercedes station wagon.

Followed closely by a 1988 Jeep Grand Wagoneer (I have a thing for station wagons) that I would keep at the white and wood (see the theme here?) house on Lake Michigan that was also purchased with lottery money.

And then when I start fulfilling my dream of rehabbing houses, because I won the lottery remember, I will buy me one of these...a 1967 powder blue Chevy pickup. With a stick shift. That actually goes in reverse. Notice that Brian needs the car and he gets one while I get three. One for him, three for me.

Yes. This is absolutely positively a most ridiculous and materialistic blog post. One in which will never happen. It is, however, helping to take my mind off the impending car situation. Let's hope B can push himself out tonight...

Spin Art

2012-01-20T08:47:00.000-05:00

Damien Hirst was on Charlie Rose last Friday and it reminded me of all the spin art he did a few years ago.

{I have to pause and confess that when it comes to television I am a total nerd. Ok, books too. Yes, I watch Charlie Rose on the regular. As well as PBS News Hour with Jim Lehrer, CBS Sunday Morning, America's Test Kitchen (best show on tv and if you don't subscribe to Cook's Illustrated you're totally missing out), Downton Abbey (aaamazing), and on occasion Nova. I have decided that I simply cannot subject myself to reality television as it makes me so uncomfortable that I literally cannot fall asleep. Confession made.}

{Casa Sugar}

This one fetched a record $200 million at Sotheby's back in 2009.

{Elle Decor...I think}

Tamara Mellon has an original hanging over her fireplace. Although if I had to pick I would choose the wall to wall leopard carpet.

Designer Laura Day used one in her playroom. I spy a vintage campaign desk.

We received two spin art machines for Christmas...I wonder how we can blow up our own masterpieces. I kind of like them.

For the record, the Crayola Color Twister works far better than the Melissa & Doug.

Katie Ermilio

2012-01-19T14:47:00.000-05:00

I recently read an article on Katie Ermilio in the Wall Street Journal and have been intrigued ever since.

Somehow this morning I found myself on her site.

The granddaughter of Grace Kelly's personal clothier, Ermilio has been designing clothing since she was 12. She launched her own line at 25 which, in my opinion, is pure perfection.

Elegant yet bold. Playful while at the same time totally glamorous.

Pastel perfection.

I'll take one of everything please.

Another One

2012-01-16T09:17:00.000-05:00

Spotted at one of my all time favorite stores...Pieces in Atlanta (online here).

I don't mean to beat a dead horse, but ever since I found this chandy on Craig she's been popping up everywhere. This one is being sold for $1,695.

Gets me every time.

2012-01-13T15:07:00.000-05:00

I recently watched Crazy Stupid Love and holy hotness. I've never really been the biggest Ryan Gosling fan {and I'm still not sure I am} but wowza can that man wear clothes. It was a pretty ho hum movie made totally enjoyable by Goslings outfit changes {does anyone else do this during lame movies? Watch the decor or the wardrobes rather than what's actually happening in the film?}

There's something about a well dressed man that gets me every. single. time.

A well tailored jacket, a pocket square, a pressed shirt. Pants that actually fit. Good shoes.

To me, it says, "I like who I am and I take the time put myself together." Which, in turn, translates directly into confidence. And let's be honest, a man without confidence is no man at all. My father recently told my husband {in a very loving way} that he was intellectually arrogant. I like that. A whole lot. I find it very attractive...his intellectual arrogance that is.

This all comes from the fact one of my favorite bloggers is traveling to Atlanta next week and one of the stops she's making is at Sid Mashburn. If somehow some way you've missed all the press it has received over the years, it's a tiny men's bespoke shop specializing in "fresh interpretation of old standards." Everything from custom suits to Converse.

With vintage kilim rugs and oversized horse photography, what's not to love?

And when the employees look like this...

And the store looks like this...gold library lights and vintage Barcelona chairs....

Well. Confidence surly abounds. I told Brian last year that one day, some day, I'm taking him there. Me and him (Ann Mashburn is next door) and a weekend of bespoke.

Speaking of well dressed delights...the Romney boys. I suppose voting for Romney based on the fact he has attractive offspring wouldn't be quite right...if only he would give me another reason.

Just spotted...

2012-01-12T14:28:00.002-05:00

On one of my favorite Tumblrs.

See that chandy? Yup. Same one I found on Craig.

Craigin'

2012-01-06T15:26:00.000-05:00

I was hoping January would bring with it all sorts of treasures to the Craig...sadly, I was mistaken.

There are, however, a handful of goodies to be had.

The first being this amazing bamboo bed. I was hesitant to include it because I wasn't sure anyone would see the potential. Then, last night, I was reading last month's Southern Living (sometimes I get a little behind in the mag department) and what did I spy but an amazing bamboo bed all gussied up with a splash of Regency glamour. For $50 this really could be incredible...

(sorry about the quality, I had to scan it)

A big brass boat. What occasional table doesn't need this?! It's slightly Z Gallerie but for a {negotiable} hundred bones I think it has the potential to be pretty fabulous. Annnnd to top it off, I'm pretty convinced it's a Curtis Jere skeleton sculpture (think midcentury here) which are currently listed on eBay for a whopping $1,500. Go getcha some.

Next. A George Nelson Bubble Lamp. These retail at DWR for around $500. This one is $250...

(in a room...mmm Wishbone chairs)

Brass bamboo bar cart. In South County. For $30. If I had a place for this it would be mine.

I considered this lucite chandy for Finny's room but the thought of leaving it behind when we move made me sad. Imagine this in a dining room with de Gournay paper...I kind of love it. $250.

Oh, did I mention that I'm pretty sure it's the same exact chandy as this one one being sold on 1st Dibs for $800? It's true.

Sometimes Craigslist makes my stomach hurt...why are people getting rid of this stuff?!

Another Kicker. This guy is getting rid of a set of Thonet chairs. He's selling FOUR of them for $60. Not $60 a piece but for all FOUR. You know how much you could make on eBay if you resold these?!

I'm not sure this person even knows what they have...the listing is for the larger 9-drawer dresser from the Henry Link Bali Hai collection (1970s). I searched {and searched} for these dressers before finding my own last year. This one is in perfect condition {comes with the mirror} and yours for only $150.

Leave it as is or turn it into something fabulous...

And lastly, this. Amazing in every way. I only wish I had a place for it...

The One Piece

2012-01-05T07:37:00.005-05:00

Ever since having children, I've really come to appreciate the one piece.

Not only is it uber practical but I dare say a smidge bit sexier than its two piece counterpart.

With multiple trips to Michigan in the spring/summer months and an impending trip to Hawaii, I'm on the lookout for a great new suit.

Here are a few that are tickling my fancy.

And while the above are all in the running, it's this little ditty from Miu Miu that I can't stop thinking about. It's like formal wear for the pool.

1. Diane von Furstenberg
2. Tory Burch
3. Mara Huffman
4. Zimmermann
5. Diane von Furstenberg
6. J. Crew
*Find them all at ShopBob, NetAPorter, Neimans, or J. Crew

Oh. Hello 2012.

2012-01-04T15:12:00.000-05:00

The past two weeks were {and, no doubt, will continue to be} the year's crescendo. Anticipation, anxiety, and a whole lot of crazy. There was a seven day stretch where we opened presents on six of the days. Whew. I woke up this morning with pep in my step and song in my voice. A return to school and a schedule is welcome indeed.

Christmas brought with it a nasty case of RSV. For the entire family...and all we came into contact with. Yeah. Sorry about that. Coughs were so bad that blood vessels in eyeballs were broken, making for lovely Christmas photos. They all kind of look like this...poor babe.

At my mom's house on Christmas Eve my brother and I found a card sent by my great uncle- a 90 something West Point grad who served during World War II.

Can't read it? Please. Let me go ahead and translate for you: We hope all is well with your family. We are aging more or less comfortably. (Here's where it gets good...) We do fear most deeply for our country and its out of control economy, its Marxist (oh yes he did) leadership, and its idiotic foreign policy. God help us if this Islamic President (can't stop laughing) gets re-elected! (And then wrapping it up as if it were a totally normal card to have sent...) We love you all!

Perhaps the most humorous thing about the entire thing is on the left side of the card (you can kind of see the arrow sticking out) he writes, "as you can see I'm starting to lose my mind." The reference is to the mistaken Grandma/Grandpa instead of Aunt/Uncle titles, NOT to the words above. This thing literally made my evening. I can only hope that when I reach my 90s I say just as many absurd and completely unPC things...moving on.

Our baby turned two (and yet continues to think he is four). We are officially done with Pull-Ups at night and naps. The independence in this one is fierce- heaven help you if you try to pick out his underwear, his pajamas, put him into his crib, help with his shoes, or just about anything else. He is as stubborn as a mule. His way or the highway. This morning I let him pick out a Dora to watch while I started the laundry and he sang the eeny meeny miny mo song to make his decision...

I turned 30. We celebrated multiple times and with lots of friends. I'm pretty sure this will be the very best decade ever. I look forward to it with anticipation.

In other news, Parker woke up a few days ago and no longer fit into any of his pants or shoes. I've been in a scramble to find 6/7s that are seasonally appropriate and size 8 shirts that can do winter/spring duty. Shoe size 1. Are you kidding me? I cannot keep up with that child.

All in all, the holiday was a raging success filled with lots of family and fun prezzies...looking forward to the boring days of winter.

What day are we on again?

2011-12-23T20:14:00.000-05:00

We waited for hours to see Santa.

Every. Single. Year.

Why can't we get it together to go early December?

Bear got sleepy.

P and F got crazy. And apparently turned into karate gangsters as well...

Two hours later and we finally arrived...

It may not be the best pic, but there were no tears. Milestone.

Merry Christmas!

{Day 19}

2011-12-19T16:00:00.000-05:00

Babaloo!

We love watching Babaloo perform and this morning did not disappoint.

{Day 18}

2011-12-19T15:50:00.000-05:00

Cookies!

We made dough on Saturday and spent 10 hours with our oven on on Sunday.

The children came home from Grandma's house to find Elfie in the fridge with waaaay too much cookie dough...

Although lots of dumping did occur, I was super impressed with the babes decorating skills this year.

Gingerbread cookies. No Christmas is complete without them. I perfected my royal icing recipe this year. The secret ingredient? Marshmallow creme.

This one thought cookies made an acceptable dinner and was not so pleased to have been told no more.

After a super sneaky pass under from sister...

All was well in the world once again.

{Day 16}

2011-12-16T15:26:00.001-05:00

We went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Our family took up an entire row at the theater.

Unfortunately, my iPhone camera wouldn't take a picture in the dark.

We found Elfie in the bathroom...

Advent Catch Up

2011-12-16T15:15:00.000-05:00

I'm not so great at this blogging every day thing...

{Day 10}

We planted Paper Whites. Which are almost about to pop (this picture is from this morning).

And scolded Elfie for being so irreverent.

{Day 11}

We read every. single. Christmas book in our house. Of which there are many.

{Day 12}

We wrote letters to Santa. Unfortunately I forgot to take pictures.

Elfie played pinball in the dark.

{Day 13}

A drive through Winter Wonderland. No Christmas is complete without it.

{Day 14}

A trip to the library to pick out Christmas books.

Elfie took a ride on the reindeer.

{Day 15}

Gingerbread house making. Most successful year thus far.

Executive Decision

2011-12-16T14:38:00.001-05:00

If you're one of the 100+ people we send a Christmas card to every year, we didn't pass you over.

We're not sending them.

Which is sad face to be sure.

Especially when you're family photos are as fabulous {in my opinion} as these...

On a related Christmas card note, did anyone happen to read this?

It's a pretty critical look at paper and correspondence etiquette.

Does anyone (besides me) out there even notice?

For the record names should always be listed with the woman's first, man's second, and then children in descending order....just as your married monogram should always have the woman's initial first so too should any and all correspondence.

Sooo, if we were to send out Christmas cards they would read:

Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!

Brooke, Brian, Finley, Parker and Harrison Meek

{Day 9}

2011-12-09T21:19:00.000-05:00

It was our turn to bring school snack this morning.

Resisting the urge to send a box of peppermint JoJos, we dipped pretzels and then rolled them in crushed candy canes. Can you guess which part was most fun? Parker gets so excited when a Ziploc and a rolling pin are produced...

After the images of the Elf and Barbie circulated a few days ago, our own Elfie (yes, that is his given name) couldn't wait to take the vintage Barbie Ferrari for a spin.

There might have even been some hanky panky happening in the front seat...

{Day 8}

2011-12-08T15:37:00.000-05:00

Today we made gingerbread loafs for our teachers.

My jammied helpers.

We made 9.

I'm too lazy to type out the recipe but I will say that unsulphured blackstrap molasses, espresso and applesauce make this bread deeelicious...

A dusting of powdered sugar, a celo bag, some ribbon and ta da!

Who can resist a chipboard letterpressed gift tag?!

Merry Christmas teachers!

{Day 7}

2011-12-07T14:34:00.000-05:00

We decorated the children's tree.

Again, really stretching this tree thing out.

We have an over achiever in the house.

This Amaryllis doesn't know she's supposed to wait until Christmas.

Ever since forgetting to move 'Elfie' on Day 3 (which resulted in tearful fits about how Harry must have touched him and his magic disappeared), he's really been on his game.

Advent

2011-12-06T14:54:00.001-05:00

This year {and every year hereafter} our advent calendar has become a Christmas to-do list of sorts.

Candy and cheap toys are out.

Daily Christmas-ing is in.

I used old {read, ugly} gift tags. Each pocket/day has a different holiday happening on it.

My plan was to take pictures {because I've been lacking in my photography as of late} of our daily doings.

I had the best intentions.

Really I did.

And yet, here we are. Day six and nada.

Let's catch up...

{Day 1}

We kicked off December with our first holiday party of the season.

(Does anyone else think my twinsies are starting to look more like twinsies?!)

{Day 2}

Friday nights are typically movie nights around these parts.

We rented Rudolph and turned it into a holiday theme.

{Day 3}

We visited the tree lot (ok. so it was just Lowe's) and picked out a tree.

{Day 4}

Decorated said tree.

{Day 5}

Made reindeer ornaments for tree.

(Yes. I really stretched this tree thing out...)

{Day 6}

Visited Santa and watched the Elf puppet show at Oakland House.

Harrison decided he would be responsible for narrating the entire thing (I was late in turning on the video but him ripping open the snaps on his longall and saying "oh man" had me dying)

Sillies

2011-11-30T11:49:00.000-05:00

Last week we were at Whole Foods when Parker spotted a woman with purple hair. He quite loudly stated, "Look Mom, that lady killed her hair." Not sure what he meant by this, I asked him what he was talking about. He replied, "You know, like how you 'die' your hair, she 'killed' hers too."

We've been talking about the United States Government a lot lately and at the dinner table a few nights ago I asked Parker what the name of our President was. He paused and then with {a whole lot of} confidence shouted, "O-DRAMA." I did not correct him.

I have a Tervis Tumbler with a Republican elephant emblem on it. Finley asked what it meant. Parker told her that it means 'American.' Again, no correction was made.

In the car this morning I was about to change the Maroon 5 song "Moves Like Jagger" when Parker told me to leave it. He said that "Moves Like a Dragon" was his favorite song ever.

That Parker. He sure is a funny guy.

Chin Chin

2011-11-29T16:45:00.000-05:00

The holidays are upon us.

Tis the season to cocktail.

We have multiple events in the upcoming weeks and while none of the following are in my wardrobe, I sure wish they were...

Ralph Lauren Black Label cashmere turtleneck

Gerard Yosca earrings

J. Crew sequin spectator pumps

Talbots houndstooth hostess skirt

K. Slademade tassle clutch

ASOS winter white bow mini

CC Skye crystal leaf earrings

Christian Louboutin watersnake Altadama (I dream of these shoes)

Tibi orange crush silk mini (highly desire)

Kenneth Jay Lane emerald earrings

Badgley Mischka bow pumps (ok. I lied. I do own these)

Giving Thanks

2011-11-24T08:38:00.000-05:00

I sat down to write a post about family, friends, and everything that I am thankful for this holiday season and it all seemed kind of off. Empty. My thoughts keep trailing to this past weekend where I watched as one of my very closest friends and her family buried their father. It was sudden. And unexpected. And so very, very hard.

It was hard not just because the world lost a great man who touched the lives of so many, but because of the pain, suffering and grief the void has left. Watching these women who over the years have provided such strength and guidance mourn and grieve, has been one of the most difficult things I've ever experienced.

Through my tears over the past few days, however, I can't help but break into smile. You see, this great man was a Vietnam Veteran. He had cheated death time and time again. It was his time, and he knew. He had a funny way of always knowing.

On Monday morning, as Jefferson Barracks opened before us, the sacred ground in which so many of his brothers lie for eternity, I couldn't help but think that he had been waiting for this honor. As the bugle played and the shots rang out, we all stood a little taller. A little prouder. To have known a man as loyal to his country and his family is a great honor indeed. When the flag was presented to his widow the crowd was racked with sobs. Audible wailing. There was no stopping it. I watched as she clung to those stars and bars as if she were saying goodbye to him for the last time. Perhaps she was.

Later that afternoon a friend and mother of two asked what I would do if one of my sons wanted to join the armed forces. I didn't hesitate in my answer. I can think of no more honorable an act.

And so today, while I am thankful for my family, my children, our health, a roof above our heads, and our wonderful friends, I am most thankful for the United States Military. For those men and women who volunteer to serve our country bravely, proudly and tirelessly. For those individuals who believe in democracy and protecting the rights and freedoms enjoyed by all Americans, even when the mission is hard and, at times, a bit blurry.

For Matt Caras, for Dan Brooks, for Angel Rodriguez, for Matt Dolan, for Mark Parcells, for Rodney Frey, for Larry Lukens, for Joe DesJardins, and for Bill Hartrich, who served and continue to serve with an unparalleled honor and bravery. I thank you. My children thank you. And your Country thanks you.

Happy Thanksgiving. May we never forget the sacrifice that these brave men and women give to protect us all.

Rifle Paper Co.

2011-11-23T07:05:00.000-05:00

I picked out our Christmas card today.

It reminded of these that I've been eying for the past three years.

They custom make each card based on photos you send. They can do pets too.

Slightly on the hipster side, but I can't help loving them.

Anthropologie is carrying a lesser priced (stock) version this year.

The whimsy and detail make me smile. Have you picked out your Christmas cards yet?

Stairway

2011-11-22T15:28:00.000-05:00

I started this project approximately 2.5 years ago.

I had the silhouettes done two years ago for our Christmas card.

The frames I've been collecting from Hobby Lobby over the past year and a half (I buy them when they're 50% off).

The matting I had done at the beginning of the summer.

The ceiling medallions I found in a bargain bin for less than $5 a piece.

The 4" ribbon came from Micheal's.

And last weekend I finally put everything together.

This picture shows the issue I was having with our staircase. It's in the middle of the house and when you're standing at the bottom you can look up and see the ceiling of the second floor. Because it's walled in, it felt kind of cavernous with just the frames- even though they're pretty big. I think the ceiling medallions (sprayed with Valspar high gloss black) and ribbon add to the height and really fill in the extra space.

Maybe one day I'll have a runner to show off. I'm thinking washed out leopard...

Just a wink...

2011-11-19T22:19:00.001-05:00

...of Martha Stewart's Ballet Slipper Pink.

It's the same color as her curtains.

You can barely see it.

Just the kind of detail I love.

I think it's positively the most perfect pink...a little dusty, not too sickeningly sweet, sophisticated, and glamorous all at the same time.

It's looking a little naked under that starburst mirror, huh?

The very last piece of furniture we need for this house is bedside tables for Fin.

I have my eye on these snakeskin bar carts from Society Social.

I love them a lot. A lot, a lot.

The herringbone gold lamps aren't so bad either.

Find them here.

Maybe an amazing Christian Chaize photograph thrown in for good measure?

Perfection.

While the above won't be happening in the near future, at least we have lipstick.

Goodwill

2011-11-17T09:20:00.002-05:00

...is online. It's true. How was I not aware?! Shopping, shall we?

Fire King Jadeite winner...

Seriously, French bistro bar stools? These retail for thousands. A piece.

Teak folding chairs. Great to have. Even better at $4 for six.

Four vintage bentwoods...ten dollars. In Indianapolis. Run.

Marble

Glass

Blue and white

I would really enjoy owning this gold giraffe. Think bookshelf swag.

Vintage brass cricket box...I've seen these on OKL for hundreds, this one is less than four dollars

Gold birds. Big fan.

Sidenote. Have you seen all the brass and silver birds lately? West Elm, Dwell, etc. etc.

The greatest thing? Listings only last five days...that means new stuff to peruse every few days.

Family Photos

2011-11-16T14:59:00.000-05:00

I lifted these from our online gallery.

Need a photographer?

Kristie at L Photographie. She's the best.

Lessons from a weekend alone

2011-11-15T14:49:00.000-05:00

1. My house is very very quiet when it is missing four bodies...even with MJ blaring.

2. Hand waxing and buffing floors takes a really long time.

3. My 'to do' lists are always unreasonable. Always.

4. I should have put lipstick on my doors long before now.

5. Wielding a paint brush for 48 hours leads to bad things. I may or may not have three more black shiny doors.

6. 4:30 in the A. M. was a ridiculous time to arrive home in college, it is even more so when you are on the verge of turning 30.

7. Roxanne's is weird.

8. Maybe the Ritz didn't get the memo that La Crema pinot is $17 a BOTTLE in the rest of the world...they think that's fair for a glass.

9. I can think of no better way to spend a Sunday afternoon than wandering the aisles of Whole Foods. Alone. For two point five hours.

10. I am so thankful for a house of crazy. I would be lost without it. Pictures to come.

Lipstick for Doors

2011-11-11T15:54:00.000-05:00

I originally spotted this image at Bijou and Boheme, one of the prettiest blogs around.

I loved it instantly.

The Alan Campbell for Quadrille China Seas paper with complementing wall color.

Then there's that wink of orange.

It's kind of cheeky. And sneaky. All at the same time.

My doors need some lipstick...

This past week has been a roller coaster of emotions- two great friends welcomed new babies, another rushed theirs to the emergency room where she remains in the ICU, a best friend's dad hospitalized, a case of E. Coli, three babes with coup, and some nasty colds all around.

I am thankful for three days of solitude while B takes the babes to visit his parents.
Just me. My paintbrush. A wine glass. And some old school Madonna.

Lipstick is in order.

Why I dislike Pinterest.

2011-11-02T02:07:00.000-05:00

I joined Pinterest about six months ago.
Since then I have read post after post on its greatness.
I tried to like it. Really, I did.
I think it's an amazing 'image browser.' It blows Google Images out of the water- especially for design trends.
But that's about where my love affair ends.

As an information seeker I find it very frustrating to use.
You stumble upon a great image, you pin it, and then you can't find a lick of information about it. What is the paint color? Who designed the room? The name of the textile? Where can I buy that sweater? And on and on. Furthermore, you don't own the images. Importing them to Blogger is impossible. Emailing them is a no. You are basically just making boards of pictures. And then looking at them. Meh.

I started using Skitch a few years ago (which now syncs with Evernote, making it even more awesome pants) and can't get enough. I Skitch all my photos and save them to my hard drive files- or boards if you will. Skitch automatically captures where they came from and has cool editing tools so you can write on your pics, draw lines, etc. You just drag it where you want it to go. Love that. I own my pictures and can import or email them at will...

{see that image? I Skitched it.}

I think Pinterest is a great tool when you're working on an actual project- say a birthday party or a wedding. Or putting together some photos for someone for a bedroom so that they can see the inspiration board. Overall, however, I think it's kind of a waste of time. I'm glad I'm not the only one.

Halloween

2011-11-01T09:04:00.000-05:00

Everyone wanted to be a Star Wars character this year.

I thought it might be fun to go as a theme.

We found this one at Target...

Special ordered this one...

And this one from Amazon...

What did the children end up going as?

***

Wait for it...

***

Last year's costumes.

Le sigh.

As Blogger as my witness I am not buying Halloween costumes again until an hour before we leave the house for trick or treating and only after the dress up bins have been thoroughly scoured.

Just to make this Halloween double fun, we added the diagnosis of croup to the day.

The steroids {and candy} seem to be helping.

Happy Halloween!

Project Rusticize

2011-10-31T14:02:00.000-05:00

Last winter I fell for the wrapped rope trend when this picture arrived in my mailbox.

It's Serena and Lily.

I found this image somewhere on the world wide web but funny enough I was digging through my 'home inspiration' file box and I came across the hard copy. Guess I really loved it.

I used to have a bed just like that. Now its' home is in my brother's guest room. Hint hint.

I think you could do this to any piece of furniture. It would be perfect on the Ikea Lack side table.

Mirrors. Picture frames. Anything really.

Lamps seem to the be all the rage lately.

Eddie Ross just did this one for Woman's Day.

Tutorial found here.

I'm not super crazy about the nylon.

I prefer the thick natural jute...

This one is from Anthropologie and at $168 is a pretty good deal for a lamp.

I wonder if you could Mod Podge a thick piece of rope and mold it over a light kit...I bet you could DIY this one.

Anyways.

Project Boy's Room is underway and I've been searching for the perfect {and cheap} lamp for their dresser.

I was thinking antlers but that went out the window when the faux taxidermy was ordered.

Then I thought about driftwood. The cheapest thing I could find was almost $500.

Then I remembered the rope trick.

I picked this up at Lowe's (I prefer the thicker, darker rope they sell by the foot but because I was using a square lamp I wasn't sure it would turn the corners neatly). The entire package was less than $7.

Using the lamp that was currently there- a Target special that I'm pretty sure harkens back to the University of Michigan dorm days- and a hot glue gun I roped her up. Two tricks. One, cut the beginning and ending of your rope on the diagonal so that it lays flat when the pieces meet. Two, make sure you're pulling it really tight- work in small sections, it's easier.

I started in the back with a smidge of epoxy, just because I'm hard core. Not sure you really need to.

Two hours and lots of arthritic fingers later we have a rope lamp...that cost a whopping $7.

You'll have to wait for the reveal when the boy's room is finished.
It's coming together nicely.

Fall Photos

2011-10-28T14:58:00.000-05:00

The obligatory pumpkin patch.

Somehow we left with no pumpkin photos.

This one's eybrows are in a constant furrow.

Horseback riding...it's on the bucket list.

I have a feeling we'll be seeing a lot more ponies in our future.

See? Furrow.

Pumpkins.

This is where I tell you that I'm a grouch when it comes to 'fun family activities' like pumpkin carving because two pulls of pumpkin goo later and I was alone with four pumpkins to carve. To Finley's credit, she did add ears and a bow to her kitty cat all by herself.

When he's not furrowing he's glinting.

This look says, "whatever I do, I will totally get away with it because I know my mom wants to devour me."

Winter Projects: The Boys Room

2011-10-27T15:47:00.000-05:00

My boys are getting all growns up and lately I've been feeling like their room is in need of a grow up too.

Nothing major.

Just a few things here and there.

Inspiration a la Badgley Mischka's Kentucky horse farm...

Rustic hunting lodge meets little boy whimsy.

That's the plan anyways.

Those monograms are happening.

So is plaid.

Vintage Pendleton, Johnstons of Scotland, or Ralph Lauren tartan? I can't decide.

Vertical striped curtains similar to these (found on DecorPad).

Maps as wallpaper in the small reading alcove.

And faux taxidermy. I'm leaning towards the cardboard but I think the DIY shields with sticks could be pretty great if multiple were made.

Olio Board.

The whale picture looks weird on this but it's from a letterpress shop and navy blue in real life (I just threw it on that frame so you would get an idea). The lamp, shade, campaign dresser, and bed (that's the Craig pic of the bed) are all currently in the room. We own the club chair although our is upholstered in a sage green chenille. I would die to have reupholstered in a cognac leather. The curtains are a DIY and will be done in the same navy as the whale picture, the lampshade, the bed linens and the monograms. Stay tuned for the real deal.

Two Things

2011-10-26T13:24:00.000-05:00

One.

Jenna Lyons is divorcing her hubs, Vincent Mazeau, of ten years...she is leaving him for a WOMAN.

He wants the Brooklyn townhouse...

...and sole custody of their five year old.

The battle is playing out for juicy Page Six fodder.

Two.

My November Town and Country came yesterday.

I was beyond delighted to see the editorial on Rosamund Pike was shot by none other than Koto Bolofo.

His images did not disappoint.

Picture Time

2011-10-21T20:43:00.000-05:00

This is happening tomorrow morning.

Hoping for good weather, smiles, and that huge gash between Parker's eyes to miraculously be healed tomorrow morning.

The Greatest Show on Earth

2011-10-20T15:10:00.000-05:00

We took the babes to the Circus over the weekend.
Grandpa scored front row seats which included an hour of pre-circus activities...dressing up in circus costumes, trying out the tight rope, meeting the jugglers, and a private elephant show, to name a few.

We had such a wonderful time- the babes LOVED it! Thanks Grandma and Grandpa!

Obsession

2011-10-19T19:32:00.000-05:00

I stumbled upon this photograph by Koto Bolofo and cannot get enough.

Bolofo is the famed photog behind Hermes (he has been with the brand since 2004). He recently released a book, La Maison, which reads as pictoral history of the famed fashion house. His behind the scenes shots and editorial work are all frame worthy...the book is at the top of my Christmas list.

But it's this photo that I am dying over. The soft blush pink sky and the charcoal of the horse. The expression. The bridle. I would die to own this. Blown up huge over a couch it would be divine.

It would be the icing on these otherwise already gorgeous rooms...

Stephen Gambrel

Jonathan Adler

Nate Berkus

Elle Decor

Jollifiers

2011-10-15T14:10:00.000-05:00

Finley came home from school with this yesterday...

That girl is so on trend...peach, mint and a splash of black

(the iPhone pic doesn't quite do the colors justice)

The combo is leading the pack this fall for fashion and home

In the weekend WSJ this morning there was a fabulous article on the "10 Odd, Yet Essential, Elements of Style." The author claims, "...the most stylish homes are ones that are comfortable and inviting, in large part because they are imbued with the sensibility and spirit of their owners."

One of the things that made her list (number 2) was 'Jollifiers.' Defined as, "sentimental things that spread a little joy every time you cast your eye upon them. They are among the easiest decorating tools, as they require no skill, no sophisticated understanding of color, texture or composition."

This little jollifier is getting a big antique gold frame and will be hung as 'serious' art in our bedroom.

You better believe it will jollify.

Gold Sequins

2011-10-13T03:52:00.002-05:00

I have a thing for them.
Wildly inappropriate for the playground, and yet so totally fabulous.
Hoping someone I know has a black tie wedding so I can wear this...

Or that I can find the source for this pin...originally found here.
So that this blazer can find its way to my closet. Stat.

Fall Fails

2011-10-12T06:44:00.005-05:00

I follow a ton of 'perfect' blogs.

The ones where recipes always seem to turn out perfectly.

Home decor is meticulously curated and perfectly executed.

Self portraits are never a bad angle.

Perfect children in perfect clothes with perfect parents.

It's all a sham.

At least that's what I'm telling myself...

Because sometimes the imperfectly perfect is the best kind.

Like when my ghosts and ghouls turned out like this...I'm pretty sure Martha is cringing somewhere

Or when I purchased this candle at the Maxx and it was all apple-cinnamon-nutmeg delicious smelling in the store and then when I came home and started burning it all I got was curry. Every time I walk by my kitchen it smells like tikka masala at House of India. Fall scent it is not.

It was right around the time I began getting whiffs of curry that I noticed my brand new $14 worth of gourds from the farmer's market were covered in mold. These puppies were supposed to last until Thanksgiving.

I ate all of it.

Weight loss fail.

Pull ups at nap time. Potty train imperfection.

What I thought would be a delightful combo turned out to be disliked by all.

And lastly. My two year old thinks he is four. No, really. He is convinced.

When the stars align...

2011-10-11T15:57:00.000-05:00

...a perfect weekend is created.

One in which a bestie comes for a surprise 24 hours.

Where grandma graciously babysits at a moment's notice so wine can be consumed outdoors free of responsibility.

Cinnamon rolls with Dad. Because he was home. All. Weekend. Long.

Soccer practice and haircuts.

Firehouse tours.

Another bestie volunteering to watch the babes for Octoberfest.

An evening filled with wonderful people I feel privileged to call great friends.

Beer pong. I'm not lying. It happened.

Birthday celebrations with family.

And a Monday morning sleeping in while hubs took care of the morning routine.

Weekend perfection.

On Turning 30

2011-10-06T15:37:00.000-05:00

Lately the children's favorite thing to say is, "Can we do (insert place, activity, trip) one day."

My response is always a resounding 'YES.'

Because one day we WILL play sand volleyball.

We WILL see the Great Wall of China.

We WILL see a whale swimming in the ocean.

I believe life is only as big as our dreams, and I want my babes to dream BIG.

Every senior class at our high school made a banner during retreat with a quote representative of their class.

Ours was "Shoot for the moon and you'll fall amongst the stars."

I love that quote.

The stars aren't such a bad place to be.

They come by it honestly.

While I would pick a closet full of red soles (don't judge), my husband would always choose adventure.

Our 20s were full of adventure.

Dining on the Vaci utca in Budapest, pints of beer while strolling the Charles bridge in Prague, fraternity and sorority functions, Michigan football Saturdays, tossing our caps into the air and tossing a life free of responsibility with them. Medical school, a masters degree, marriage, and three children in three years. Big moves, a new house, and a residency full of 100 hour work weeks. There were weekends at the cabin, trips to Arizona, California, Texas, Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, Michigan, Florida, New York, Illinois, Connecticut. Years of Indy 500s, Colts games, and watching the Redbirds. Parties and dinners. Lots and lots of BBQs. Disney on Ice, Sesame Street Live, the Circus, the Fox, the Muny, the Murat, and Broadway. Old friendships nurtured and new friendships made.

A paragraph could never do this past decade justice.

I've started and stopped this post a million times in the last few weeks.

Putting into words how jam packed the last ten years have been and with how much excitement I look forward to in the next ten has been a daunting task.
Turning 30 feels like opening a new chapter in our lives.

A chapter I am thrilled to begin.

Soaring above the clouds seemed a rather apropos way to cap the decade.

Brian has always wanted to learn how to fly.

Not one to say no to dreams, I happily obliged.

Brian had no idea.

When we pulled into the airport and I casually mentioned that it would be a beautiful day to go flying the smile that spread across his face was infectious.

It didn't leave.

It was bumpy and beautiful. I loved it and hated it. Seeing him in his element, taking the controls, doing 45 degree turns, learning about every knob, button and lever...my heart was happy in the back of that little ol' plane. I dream of the day when he can take Parker to the airport and go flying for the afternoon. Parker would be in heaven. All those things to learn about. Maybe one day he'll fly us to the ski hill or to the beach. Maybe dinner in Chicago with friends just because.

Shoot for the moon...

We stepped out of the plane and back into time.

An hour drive found us at the best microbrewery I've ever been to.

Nestled in the foothills of the Ozarks. A tiny cabin of a place. Oh boy was the oatmeal stout to die for...

Over a yummy picnic lunch we discussed life. Our dreams. Our goals. Our wants and our desires.

We filled a notebook. Things to check off and things to work towards. Some silly (I couldn't leave owning herringbone floors off the bucket list) others quite real (watching our children graduate).

From there it was to the carriage house of a quaint bed and breakfast.

A walk around historic downtown Ste. Genevieve and dinner at the oldest brick building West of the Mississippi.

Best fried chicken and coconut cream pie I've ever had in my life.

I wish I had taken pictures. The thing is that when I'm with B I'm really with him. There's never an unfilled silence. Never a moment of 'we should capture this' because we are living it. We're savoring it and remembering it and holding on to it like no image could.

We woke up to breakfast in bed and didn't get dressed until double digits.

We watched CBS Sunday Morning in bed. Best. Show. Ever.

Then capped off the weekend with the last Cards game of the season.

Against the Cubs. In Cardinals Club seats. They won.

I cannot wait to turn 30. For another decade with this man. For whale watching and flying.

We're shooting for the moon...

Iconic chairs I wouldn't mind owning...

2011-09-23T16:14:00.000-05:00

I watched Toy Story 2 this afternoon. It was raining. This was the first time I've seen it in its entirety.

My jaw dropped when Woody was escaping from the creep's apartment and there in the corner stood a Cherner armchair.

Whoever drew that scene has some crazy good taste.

I wouldn't mind having an entire dining room full of them a la Alexandr Petrovsky in SATC...

It got me thinking about all of the other iconic chairs I wouldn't mind owning.

Maybe a Wegner Wishbone (or five)...

A dozen or so Tolix chairs for outdoor eating purposes...

A Louis Ghost Armchair at a desk may be passe, but I still love it. I'll take one for Finny's room please.

The star of the show. Thonet bentwoods. These are happening in my future. I love them.

Panton chairs paired with reclaimed wood. The combination can't be beat.

Did you happen to see the latest Harper's Bazaar? Maybe you happened across Delfina Deletrrez's, jewelry designer and heiress to FENDI, Paris apartment?

She has a George Mulhauser Plycraft lounger...

The same exact chair I found on Craigslist last week...just sayin'.

20 Month Joker

2011-09-17T13:41:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago Harry started telling jokes.

I think they're fabulous.

Translation

Me: What's your knock knock?

Harry: O-tay

Me: You do it

Harry: Knock knock

Me: Who's there?

Harry: Baby

Me: Baby who? (which I think he thinks is boo hoo)

Harry: Don't cry

Spring 2012

2011-09-14T15:31:00.000-05:00

It's fashion week in New York.

While it's rainy and {finally} starting to get cold here, Spring looks are going down the runways.

There are a bagillion things I love in this fall/winter collection from J. Crew.

Spring? Um, not so much.

Maybe Jenna was just joking with this one...

Yikes. I get that bright/acid yellow is the IT color for spring but paired with lavender and teal?

Nothing about this is even remotely wearable.

This is a joke

Shape flattering fail

Teddy bear legs and sequin nightmares

Really with these shirts? Looks like a college girl walk of shaming it home in a frat tee.

I mean... I don't even have words.

Straight out of the Goodwill pile. Again with the length.

Ethnic meets nautical disaster

What is this? The shirt has wiskers and the coat is satin. Yowza.

Really? Other than the Stubbs and Wootton knock offs on her feet this is terrible.

Epic fail in my book.

Missoni for Target

2011-09-13T15:52:00.000-05:00

Unless you've been living under a rock you're well aware that this morning was the launch of Missoni for Target.

I didn't have high hopes.

In fact, I was kind of annoyed by all the hype.

Margherita in my Elle Decor to pimp out the 400+ goods kind of annoyed me.

Doesn't anyone remember the disaster that was Calypso? Liberty? John Derian? Zac Posen? Orla Kiely? And on and on...

In all fairness, the ideas are good. It's the execution that's lacking.

And yet, I still went.

I was there with the masses at 8am and let me tell you that place was crazy cray.

I've never seen anything like it. Women were running. RUNNING down the aisles.

This was Kirkwood, not New York. I didn't think things like this happened here.

People were grabbing. There were fights (ok. slight exaggeration).

When I left at 8:45am shelves were empty. Empty.

My total was four figures. I am not lying.

I was throwing things in my cart left and right...so caught up in it all.

This stuff was good people. Things I would actually wear. Glasses I would actually use.

And then I got home, did a little searching, and discovered that the throw I purchased for thirty bucks was going on eBay for TWO HUNDRED.

Target.com has been down all day.

Word on the street is that the Missoni line was completely sold out online by 8am this morning.

I left with bags and bags and bags full of stuff.

At the rate these things are going on eBay I may end up with nothing...what should I keep?

See anything you want and couldn't get?

Back to School

2011-09-07T13:10:00.000-05:00

Our first day of preschool

Sometimes I feel like this child is 4 going on 40. Last night (an hour after going to sleep) he got out of bed to ask if the "cold air that brings the snow in the winter time comes from the Arctic."

And this one. Back in her element. At school with all of her 'best friends' she has already arranged multiple play dates for next week.

I love school. As the search for our grade school continues I am so excited at all of the amazing possibilities. St. Louis is truly blessed to have so many incredible options.

1st Dibs, meet Craig

2011-09-03T14:22:00.000-05:00

I love love love perusing all things 1st Dibs, but sometimes I seriously have to wonder who in the world is paying those prices when so many of the antiques can be found for next to nothing on Craig.

For example:

Antique kidney desk on 1st Dibs, $140,000

Antique kidney desk on Craig, $75...

Lucite and glass coffee table a la 1st Dibs, $2,500

Lucite and glass coffee table a la Craig, $100 (someone PLEASE buy this awesomeness)

Lucite chandelier from 1st Dibs, $3,250

Lucite Chandy from Craig (which I dare say is much cooler), $700

Pink murano glass lamps (pair) found on 1st Dibs, $2,500

Pink milk glass lamps found a la Craig (pair), $80

Plycraft George Mulhauser Lounger on 1st Dibs, $2,250

Same exact identical chair found on the Craig, $350

Glass and brass dining table (ok, so this one IS waay cooler than the Craig version), $12,000

HOWEVER, this one is pretty amazing and for ONE DOLLAR you get chairs too!, $1

Large brass and glass coffee table on 1st Dibs, $4,950

Large brass and glass coffee table on Craigslist, $350

Brass and glass etageres on 1st Dibs, $2,650

Brass and glass etageres on Craig, $90

I could do this all day...who is paying these absurd amounts of money?! I am continually perplexed at why people buy new furniture when there are such amazing finds to had on the Craig...the love affair continues.

Dream House of the Week

2011-09-02T08:05:00.000-05:00

I suppose while I'm wrapping my head around staying in the STL I might as well go {virtual} house hunting.

It's funny how after living here for so long there are places I would absolutely love to call home and others that I would rather poke my finger through my eyeball and squish it around in my brain before moving to. They might not be the places you'd expect.

One being the Central West End. There are haters (ahem, mother). But I for one kind of love it. For those of you not familiar with our geography, the CWE or West End as it's known is midtown if you will. Past our second downtown of Clayton but not quite to the real downtown of St. Louis. It's situated on the East end of Forrest Park right next to Washington University and our big hospital, Barnes (otherwise known as B's place of work). It attracts a fairly young crowd as well as the older set who are moving to the pent houses there in droves. It's slightly hipper than its Clayton counterpart, yet boasts far more crime and much worse {city} schools. It is the mecca of all things culinary. The hot seat of great restaurants and nightlife. The old old old mansions of Lindell and surrounding streets are simply awe inspiring. The details of which can be surpassed by no other zip code...

For example this 'little' (I mean, it's only 11 THOUSAND square feet) stunner off of Hortense...

Jefferson be damned. Holy house. But the best part?

Can we please check out the pool peoples?! Grass with cement paver perfection. In my altered reality there can be no other way...

Yes please. And yes please to this bathroom floor and fireplace (I think I would replace that teeny tiny sink with something a tad more substantial). This could all be yours for the measely price of $1.9 clams.

Moving right along...down the street we have this little gem. While the outside is not so grand it's the inside that does it for me.

What's this? Herringbone wood floors throughout the ENTIRE main floor. I think it's pretty safe to assume that wherever I live I WILL have herringbone wood floors...

These walls are begging to be lacquered Ben Moore's Hague Blue. Begging.

Carrara WALLS?! It keeps getting better...

But then. Oh, but then. These folks up and did this...

I just puked a little. Yikes. What a terrible terrible tragedy of a kitchen. Now you may be thinking, what in the world is wrong with it? Granite counters, dark cabinets, stainless steel. Yes. All of those things are great for a brand new house in T & C but in a one hundred year old beauty?! It's a travesty. I would imagine this is the exact reason this century home has been reduced from $1.1 to $800k. It's a steal if you're willing to gut the kitchen.

And so we stay...

2011-09-01T13:17:00.000-05:00

The past few weeks I've been off.

We found out last Tuesday that we'll be staying in St. Louis for B's fellowship.

This is good. No, this is great.

Over the past year, however, I've hyped myself up for a move. Planned it. Come to terms with it. Accepted it.

And then all of the sudden we weren't moving.

It's like the wind was sucked out of my sails.

I can't describe it any other way.

I plan for things. I prepare for things. I know the ins and outs of every way a situation could go. Yet, I didn't plan on this.

A huge part of me was hoping for an adventure. Perhaps is was the OCD control freak in me wanting to let go. To pretend that I was good with change in hopes that by pretending I could would lead to a new me who was when in fact I'll never be that person. Follow? I like things to be just so. I depend on things to be just so. Our days run a certain way and our future is mapped out. Until it wasn't. And so once again life has laughed at my planning ways and proven, that despite the best intentions, sometimes we have to let go of what we can't control. I don't like to let go, I like to control.

Maybe in staying I'm feeling slightly stagnant. It's almost as if now that we're here, we'll be here forever.

Growing up I never planned on staying in St. Louis. I went to a high school where I knew no one. I attended a university where I knew no one. Why wouldn't I move to a city where I knew no one?

My best of friends have always come from taking a leap of faith. The most incredible experiences in life have come from me diving head first into the unknown. And yet, here I am, still in St. Louis.

Last month I was discussing our unknown (at the time) future with a favorite aunt. She looked at me and told me that, "you don't have to leave to realize you have a great thing."

So why do I feel like I do? Why is the grass always greener with me? Why am I always wanting the best when what I have is pretty damn great?

It's strange feeling as if I need to accept the city I've called home for the past 29 years. Clearly it has already accepted me. We have wonderful friends, an amazing support system, family, a great house, incredible schools...what's missing? Why in the world do I have the blahs about staying?

I suppose it took months to wrap my head around leaving. Perhaps I need a few months to get used to the idea of staying. On the positive side, there are lots of house projects to do now that I know we'll be here another two years (let's be honest, I'll be in this house for another four years before we buy our forever house down the street after B takes a job with BJC and we live in 63119 for the rest of our lives...). Finny's room is getting finished. As is the boys room. The kitchen is {finally} going to get crown on the new bank of cabinets and some much needed window valances. Maybe something new and crazy in our bathroom...library lights and BMs Hague Blue is my combo of choice at the moment. School starts next week and I'm excited to get back into a routine. Football Sundays and cool weather are on the horizon, maybe it's just the combo I need to lift my spirits.

Reading x two

2011-08-23T18:59:00.000-05:00

We have been practicing our sounds for weeks now.

I'm not sure why it took me so long to pull out the Bob books for her.

Last night I did.

And she could read them. Lots of sounding out, but reading nonetheless.

We made it through the first two.

Proud mama. There might have even been a few tears. I love age four.

This is her second try at book one...

Untitled from Brooke Meek on Vimeo.

Birthday Carnival!

2011-08-22T13:59:00.000-05:00

The rain held off {miraculously} and, Saturday night, we celebrated.

We celebrated the birth of my two littles getting one year older.

There were games and prizes, cupcakes and candy, face painting and bouncing.

Best of all there were friends and family.

Thank you to everyone who came to celebrate with us and to those of you who helped pull it all together!

Pop of Pretty

2011-08-19T13:27:00.000-05:00

I'm knee deep in red and white striped fabric and completely stressing over tomorrow's forecast- 50 people inside has disaster written all over it- and somehow I managed to find myself on Ralph's website. Because, well, who doesn't wish they lived a Ralph Lauren life? Ballgowns on yachts? I'm totally there. Teepees in the wilderness? Sold.

His latest line One Fifth just launched and it's pure glamour...high gloss black coupled with gold.

While some of these pieces have the potential to go Liberaci pretty fast, somehow he manages to make it work. Of course he does.

The post where I tell you my children are giants...again

2011-08-18T13:58:00.000-05:00

I think it would be safe to assume that not too many mother's are told that their just turned four year old is now safe to sit in a backless booster with a seat belt by their pediatricians.

At fifty pounds and 45 inches tall we have yet to see the plateau that everyone keeps telling us will happen. Parker is now the size of the average six year old. He is in a size six pants and is quickly outgrowing all of his size 6-7 shirts. We are buying 8s for the winter.

My hipster little boy just picked these out this morning...in a size 13.

At age four Parker can breeze through beginner books, understands the concept of addition and subtraction, can do simple math problems, can easily write his first name, and can tell time (and move the hands of a clock to reflect time) on the half and whole hour. He can count into his teens and can swim about 15 feet on his own. At four years old Parker is obsessed with all things Star Wars and shooters (i.e. Nerf guns). On the Denver Scale of Development (that we fill out at the Drs) he can answer questions through an 8-9 year old level- although I'm not convinced that those things are that accurate.

Finny is not so far behind. The peanut of the family at 39 pounds (it's funny that 85% equals the smallest) and 42 inches. Fin measures the size of the average five year old. At four years old she is tough to dress. Pants and skirts that are a size three fit her waist and yet are about six inches too short. We're buying size 5 dresses for the winter and skipping pants entirely. She now wears a size 10 shoe and I am thrilled that she'll be fitting into Parker's old McAllister boots and Sperry's this fall. We just purchased these to girl them up a bit...

I really love when shoes can do triple duty in this family.

At age four Finley can easily write her first and last name along with a dozen or so other words. She can write all of her letters and loves to draw and paint- people, animals, rainbows....She can recognize all of her letters and knows the sounds of each. We know about half of our numbers and can count into our teens. We're working on reading small sight words, however, she gets frustrated easily and doesn't last long. At four years old Finley understands the concept of addition and subtraction and can do simple problems verbally. She too is beginning to understand the concept of time and we're working hard at how we move the hands on a clock.

Finley also completed the entire Denver Scale...balancing on one foot for 11 seconds, then hopping, and hiding pieces of paper. Those questions seem kind of silly...

At age four we're totally over Dora and Sesame. We are currently loving Electric Company (and on occasion Wild Kratts). We have a movie night every Friday (with Ben Franklin penny candy!) and movies are getting tougher and tougher to find- everything they want to watch seems to be rated PG. Why are children's movies PG?!

Both children know their address, their town, their city, and their state. They know how to dial 911 from the home phone and a cell phone and know what to say when the police answer. We're working on our phone number.

Lately I'm not a wanted playmate. The children will head down to the basement or play upstairs for hours before they reemerge. It's fun to see and hear their imaginations...puppy's at the doctor, princesses and castles, boats out of pillows, etc. etc.

I love this age more than any other. Although, I'm pretty sure I've said that about every age. I love parenting big kids. The small development milestones seem so much more exciting to me than the big ones...learning what a vowel is and why it makes two sounds, or writing using our wrist and fine motor skills over our entire arm. I love these little nuances of intelligence. They really excite me.

Four is going to be a great year- we're really excited for it! Our first year of preschool starts in three weeks!

My babies are FOUR

2011-08-16T07:58:00.002-05:00

Parker and Finley's Fourth Year from Brooke Meek on Vimeo.

America, meet your 45th President

2011-08-14T20:24:00.000-05:00

Out with Barry, in with Perry

Let's go Craiging, shall we?

2011-08-13T15:19:00.001-05:00

I am currently sitting in the office packed to the rafters with all things red and aqua. There are things to spray paint, cut out, attach, hold punch, print, and be assembled. The 'to do' list is so long that I'm throwing in the towel for the day on all things fourth birthday party and virtual shopping at my favorite store instead...

This could be good lacquered a bold color...bamboo table $60

I think these nightstands are great the way they are. Pickled/bleached wood is making a serious comeback. The entire set is $600. See if they would sell the stands for $100.

For $99 this is a steal. Great table already painted. I would be curious to see what those chairs look like under the slipcovers...Table and four chairs

This demilune console is amazing. The hardware is already good. It just needs a shiny black coat of paint. Perfect for a bar tray, entryway, even a tv stand. I kind of want this. $95.

I love these lamps and for $40 this one is a steal.

Holy amazingness. This table is fabulous. Obviously pair it with some better chairs. $150!!! Someone please buy this

This would make a great coffee table. I have a thing for vintage steamer trunks. $150

More great vintage brass lamps. Pair for $15

Here's another one. $40

...and the winner of the day. This could be amazing. Black and brass and glass all for $45

I've never seen a brass bed with square brass before. In the right room...$95

Floor lamp. Acrylic and brass. $30

And finally, I've been seeing a ton of screens/room dividers on Craig lately and wondered what in the world people did with them. Then Emily Henderson posted a screen-behind-the-bed post and I was sold. Some inspiration:

Some screens. This one is red and all kinds of Asian inspired. $55

This one is pricey but considering it's an Anthro piece it could be worth the $300

This one is stunning. Just because you use an Asian piece by no means requires you to make a room 'Asian.' This one is $600 and is hand painted.

Holy Moroccan...I LOVE this one and so on trend for right now. Yours for $250

The Journey IS the Goal

2011-08-12T17:17:00.000-05:00

As parents, we think often about what and who we want our children to be. The goals we have for them and the end result. I would imagine the majority of us would claim we want nothing more than happiness for our children. Happiness in life, in career, in job, in spouse, in family. That would be the 'goal,' if you will.

I was reading an article a few days ago written by a Zen Buddhist mother and tucked inside the passages was the quote, "...the journey is the goal." I stopped reading there. "The journey IS the goal." "The journey IS the goal." I haven't been able to get these five words out of my mind since reading them.

We all know to 'slow down,' 'enjoy the small things,' 'stop and smell the roses,' the quotes could go on and on. But what about going a step further and realizing that those small things, those roses in life, are the actual goal. That there is no 'end' in parenting. That the entire journey IS the goal.

The journey IS the goal.

*******

Lately our journey has been full of fireworks, goggles, and diapers at the park.

This child's combination of maturity and sensitivity continually blow my mind. His sense of humor is pretty out of this world too.

I don't even have words for this one. He's just plain awesome. Case in point. Who doesn't take their shorts off to slide with American Girls?!

And this one. Oh, this one. The most complex of the bunch and lately our journey has been so good. Her kindness and helpfulness have really been front and center lately. Out of the three she tends to be the 'shy' one, although if you get her on a stage with an audience she will rock your world. (She's to the left of the little with a white skirt on)

Closets

2011-08-11T14:53:00.000-05:00

Every once and awhile I get an uncontrollable itch to organize things. Like every. thing.

A few days ago I started the drawer by drawer, room by room, closet by closet process.

Arranging the children's fall clothes and shoes. Organizing my own closet and drawers. Putting things away in my storage room. And on and on and on.

I finished the task two days later feeling great about the state of our lives and how pretty everything looked. Then it dawned on me that I use a system of oversized Ziploc bags and the space under my husband's dresser for storage. Organized? Yes. Pretty? Not even close.

This = fabulous organization

This = not even attempting. And yet at the time I thought it genius.

This = serious glamour. Hello Missoni wallpaper...

This = my oh so glamorous children's 'too big' and 'too small' closet

This = amazing closet doors

This = I'm lucky if I can get mine to shut

I considered making a trip to Organized Living to glam things up a bit but then realized that whatever purchases were made would only be the lipstick on my pig. I did manage to fill a few bags for the Vietnam Vets to pickup...at least I have that going for me.

Not bad for a family reunion pic...

2011-08-10T14:36:00.000-05:00

Made my day

2011-08-03T13:44:00.001-05:00

I received a fabulous package from a bestie in the mail this morning.

Seeing Finny in sequin bum skinny jeans and P in his first ever denims almost made up for the fact that I am still driving a buttered-popcorn-vomit-engine-oil smelling minivan (no. that's really what it smells like).

Thanks friend- the high waisted bells kind are kind of rocking my world!

Minivan

2011-08-02T14:33:00.000-05:00

Nothing involving the DMV is easy- especially when you have three small children and don't know how to read. This is the story of how a mother and her three children tried to renew their license plates {which expired TODAY.}

I try very hard to be prepared before walking in to the DMV. I gather tax receipts, proof of insurance, the entire car file- just in case. Because inevitably what happens is that I pick the BUSIEST day of the year to pull a number and stand in line. My children somehow all manage to throw simultaneous tantrums and I end up apologizing to the man wearing a leather vest with no teeth and the woman whose face is twitching due to the stress my children are causing her. Then it's my turn and {OF COURSE} something is wrong. I'm missing that obscure picture of my trunk that I must have to get my damn license plate sticker or I have a check because I swear to God that's what the website said I needed when really I have to have a platinum American Express or Diner's Club card. And you know those employees could give two hoots if you have one child or fifty. They don't even make eye contact. To the end of the line. Come back prepared. And just like that my two hours of agony are over and I'm forced to start it all again with the proper documentation.

This time it was the emissions inspection. I know what you're thinking. Duh. Of course you have to have one of those. Well, according to my dentist who drilled a hole in my tooth right before hitting the DMV (apropos, no?) your model year car does not need a safety/emissions inspection for five years (i.e. mine is a 2009 so I do not need these until 2014). So off I went...to wait. And be told that I was an idiot and of course I did. Who believes dentists anyways?! (That is a joke- we have about 182 dentists in our family.)

To Jiffy Lube. Unload three children in 110 degree heat only to be told they no longer do emissions inspections. It just keeps getting better.

Down the street. Sure. No problem. It will just be an hour. Of course it will. Ten minutes later and I'm being returned my car keys because I have a check engine light on so my car automatically failed. To be honest, at this point my whole day failed.

The dealer can take me the next morning at 9am. Perfect. Fast forward and we're waiting in a line of a dozen cars to pull into the garage. It's 9:30 before we even check in, somehow we managed to lose one of Harry's shoes, and I have been hit on by a man with gold teeth. We make our way to the 'lounge' where my children fight over the last {very} stale looking doughnut and complain loudly about the Today Show and why they can't have cartoons. Somehow in the chaos of my one shoed one year old knocking over the candy machine and my three year old trying to bribe an elderly woman for quarters we missed the shuttle. An hour later and we're finally on the bus to go home. Three children whom the state has mandated be in car seats are strapped so tightly in seat belts that I'm pretty sure their insides have permanent damage. I was sweating through my shirt coming up with all the possible scenarios of how we could survive if we were broadsided by a semi. highways+no carseats+babies=ohmygodsomuchstress

Then I get a phone call SIX hours later explaining how they couldn't get to my car today but that they went ahead and made a reservation at Enterprise for me to have a 2012 Impala. I could come down to Kingshighway anytime and pick it up. First of all, are you serious? Second, please do not insult me by acting as if I won the lottery to be driving an Impala in which all of my children cannot possibly fit. I need a Britax showroom NOT a three seater. Third, how in the hell am I supposed to get to Kingshighway with NO car and NO carseats.

Today Jer {pronounced JARE- I cannot make this shit up} called to tell me that my engine problem will take a 'couple of days.' Which is just perfect considering I have plans Wednesday and Thursday morning before heading out of town on Friday. Keep in mind I still have to have an emissions inspection AND stand in line at the DMV. AGAIN. Thank your lucky stars if you have a husband that works remotely normal hours because these are the exact times when being a single parent could not suck any worse.

This afternoon I am planning on waking my children from their slumber (which always equates to great things) and getting back aboard the Don Brown Chevy shuttle to claim my Town and Country minivan. It will be the first and very last time I ever drive a minivan. After all this SUV drama I have my sights set on a new car. I'm bringing back the station wagon...don't think I'm joking.

Fall Must Haves

2011-07-28T14:57:00.000-05:00

We all know my obsession, nay addiction, to the Crew and Kate but this season there's a new love.

Dsquared.

I am currently coveting every single thing from their Resort collection.

Those pink wide legs are a serious must have.

Camel and neons- check.

I need more leather and animal prints in my wardrobe.

More color blocking.

And both pairs of those shoes please.

These things have more of a chance of actually seeing the inside of my closet.

Those hot pink pants have been ordered and I covet that calf hair clutch.

Mint green and dusty lilac is a killer combo.

Too bad the pic of that camel blazer is so god awful because in person that jacket is amazing.

Denim on denim. Get on board.

Three weeks of 100 degree heat is making me miss my chambray desperately.

Cold weather please.

pics 1 & 2 style.com, pic 3 J. crew

And here's how I would decorate it...

2011-07-27T15:11:00.000-05:00

My dream cabin on lake Michigan that is.

Lots of white and wood.

Color free and a smidge more modern than I normally care for.

I'll take the horizontal paneling of the top left, top right and bottom right.

The wood open shelves and butcher block island of the bottom left.

The overall feel of the top left.

The size of the top right and the double island on the bottom.

Please.

I have dreams about this combination- reclaimed wood table and white Pantone chairs.

Excellent for wet bottoms and so good on the eyes.

I'll take mine to seat 18 please.

The thing about cabins is that they are made for entertaining.

My biggest pet peeve is to have guests and not have seats for everyone at a dinner table.

I don't like eating on my lap sitting at a couch.

I still have a soft spot for a Saarinen nook.

Open cathedral ceilings, white slip covers, nautical touches, caning, and a maj chandy thrown in for good measure.

A stellar combination.

My family room would also include a perfectly beat up cognac chesterfield.

I normally abhor the 'open concept' but am kind of embracing it for this little dream cabin of mine.

Who says cabins can't be glamorous?

White, white, and white with a smidge of sisal, linen and grass cloth (you knew it was going to make an appearance).

I love the unfussiness of all of these rooms. Simple curtains and white bedding.

A room full of twin beds is also a must (although mine wouldn't be outfitted in Dwell sheets).

Barn doors inside.

I know it's weird but I really love them.

This to me is layering perfection.

The paneling throughout this home is fabulous.

The piece de resistance? My back porch overlooking the lake.

Pops of Hermes orange on outdoor wingbacks I can do.

Take me to the lake.

Please.

Found

2011-07-21T13:29:00.000-05:00

I've been pining for one of those 'mommy' necklaces for awhile now.

But every time I'm about to pull the trigger something stops me...

Etsy, Vintage Pearl, Cody, even Jennifer Meyer. None of them seemed me-ish. Too run of the mill boring.

Until this morning when I saw this:

It's Lulu Frost and I am smitten with it. Find your number here.

{It comes in a necklace version too}

It's Happening

2011-07-20T13:02:00.000-05:00

A few months before P and F turned two I had the brilliant idea to take the sides off of their cribs.

Everyone thought I was mad.

In fact, it was pure genius. They were so young that they had no idea they could actually get out of their beds. To this day, they have never, not once, come down stairs. After a few conversations they understood they could get out to go potty and then when they woke up in the morning.

Since that time my mornings have gone like this:

* 7:30ish I hear little footsteps on the stairs coming down
* They go to the fridge to get out their milk/water
* They then walk into the family room where I leave the remote on the table and debate who gets to push the 'big red button'
* PBS comes on
* I lazily take my time getting out of bed, waking up, going to the bathroom, and getting a cup of coffee
* BLISS

Then the Bear came along and a wrench was thrown into our perfect morning routine. When P would wake up and come down Harry would scream at the top of his lungs (he shares a room with Parker) until I dashed upstairs to retrieve him.

No more.

Last week I sleepily heard three sets of little feet coming down the stairs, getting milks and finding their way onto the couch. Morning awesomeness has returned to the Meek household.

Things out of the mouth of my babe

2011-07-16T19:53:00.000-05:00

Tonight as we said goodnight Harry said, "Love you forevah."

I died. And then melted.

While we were in Michigan Harry requested to color- "I wanna colah." I explained we could not color because I didn't have crayons or markers. He said, "I wan cran." I then explained again why we could not. He looked at me. Cocked his head and said, "Wha?"

It is his new go to. Both when he doesn't understand what I'm saying and when he does not want to understand what I am saying. For example, "Harry, please help to pick up." Harry: "Wha?" "Wha?" It's hard not to laugh at this child.

Tonight we were diaperless before bath. The inevitable happened and for the first time Harry came and got me, took my finger to lead me to the site of the crime and then stated, "Go pee pee." The last box of diapers has been purchased. The third and final round of PT and I am so excited to never change a diaper ever forever never again.

The Fourth

2011-07-14T14:05:00.000-05:00

I know I'm late to the game, but the Fourth is in my top three fave days and I hate not to document it.

We celebrate the United States and all that it entails on a daily basis here in the Meek household. One of the things I am most grateful for is being an American. Maybe that's strange to some but when I pray I thank God for my family and for my country- in that order. I've never heard the National Anthem without crying. I've never seen a man or woman in uniform that I didn't personally thank. My heart skips a beat when I see our flag. Democracy, freedom and capitalism are incredible tenants to our society and I'm excited to teach my children just how important those things are.

Dressing up in our red, white and blue {all weekend long} is a great place to start.

We braved the rain and joined the masses at the parade. One year I'm going to take pictures of all the century homes decked out in their stars and bars on Swon...

BBQ at a great friend's house. I love that our children are becoming such good friends with our high school friend's babes (follow that?). There is something so comforting about looking to the future when they come home and tell me stories about so and so or date so and so and we have known them since birth and their parents for decades. If we move, that will be what I miss most.

Yes. I was sweating that much. Yes. Parker really wore those goggles all night long. You should have seen him with his 'frog gloves' and glow bracelets...

Already looking forward to next year's festivities. I wonder where we'll be...

PS. B has received interviews at Northwestern, Cleveland Clinic, and a position at Barnes. Proud wifey.

PPS. For those of you dying to know, I did not drive to Kansas City for my table. It was sold by the time I called.

PPPS. Did you see it a few weeks ago on Million Dollar Decorators? Sigh.

This one.

2011-07-01T07:34:00.000-05:00

This one is trouble. The kind of trouble that you can't possibly be mad at. This one will be the one who comes in hours past curfew and gives me those puppy dog eyes and an 'aww mom' and is somehow instantly off the hook. This one is 18 months old. He is equal parts snuggler and bruiser. He likes to greet strangers on the playground in one of two ways, a two handed push to the chest or a finger poke to the eyeball. Doesn't matter if said individual is 6 years old or 6 months. I'm pretty sure hockey is in his future. To his credit, he does say 'orry.' He fears nothing but small dogs. Separation anxiety is non existent with this one. This one talks in full sentences. His words number into the hundreds. He loves to get jobs- "Bear, can you go feed the dog?" And he's off. Yelling, "No, Inny. Get. Get." all the while. This one eats with utensils and drinks out of a cup. His highchair and booster were retired months and months ago. He can climb out of his crib but chooses to save this feat when he's mad at us and wants to prove a point. This one hums the Star Wars theme song approximately 5 million times per day. The ABCs and Twinkle Twinkle are other faves. This one weighs almost 32 pounds and is currently wearing a size three. I thought P was in a class of his own until the Bear measured only half an inch shorter. At 36 inches tall he is a giant just like his brother. This one has the sense of humor of a 25 year old. He is sly and goofy and, let's be honest, gets away with everything.

Look at that face? How could he not?!

I'll take the lake...

2011-06-30T15:10:00.000-05:00

I spent the majority of my summers growing up in Northern Michigan.

We sold the cabin, or 'camp' as we liked to call it, when I was in college but I can remember its details perfectly. The way it smelled of lake and dogs. The old orange and brown velvet sofas that welcomed wet bottoms and sandy feet. The way the heater clanked and banged during the chilly Michigan nights. How we could roam the woods freely, and did so. Late night skinny dipping under the Milky Way and Northern Lights. Spending our Fourth shooting roman candles at one another. Boring days without television or cell phones or computers. How when we drove into town it opened before us like a Norman Rockwell painting, Lake Superior churning to our right while perfect little houses nestled into the hillsides on the left. When we were older we would spin tales around the bonfire about escaped prisoners living in the woods. We would dare one another to swim the length of the lake and always regret the decision half way when the seaweed engulfed our legs and the exhaustion had set in. King of the raft was a morning ritual as was ice cream at Frosty Treats in the late evenings. The sun never sets there, or so it seemed as a child. Handfuls of us packed into the back bedroom to sleep. Sometimes there were bats. There were always card games. And lots and lots of laughter. I remember the laughter.

B on the beach at Lake Kawbawgam in college

I remember funny things too. Like when I wiped out on trick skis (I thought I was soo cool I could do a 180) but forgot to let go of the rope and lake water leaked out of my bum for days. Or the toilet paper holder and how it said, "Howdy folks, don't forget the high cost of livin' handle this with special care, it seems we ain't got none to spare, if everyone is paper hogs we'll have to go back to usin' catalogues." Yep. It was that kind of place.

B about to jump off of the Black Rocks at the Island into {freezing cold} Lake Superior

We spent months at a time there and it's wonderfulness is seared forever into my memory. I want those same memories for my children. There's just something about the stillness of a lake, the quiet fog in the morning, and the deep surrounding woods. Being lakeside puts me at ease like nothing else in this world can.

While our little lake in Missouri hardly comes close to Michigan, we love spending time there just the same. Fishing, throwing rocks, picking blackberries...

These past few weeks have been tough. B is now averaging 100+ hours per week in the hospital (try to wrap your head around it...2.5 full time jobs) putting him home roughly two nights per week. Finding time is nearly impossible. After an 18 hour shift on Friday we headed to Innsbrook where he slept and we played.

Concerts in the barn and sparklers at the cabin. It doesn't get much better.

Our little slice of heaven. We're stealing time where we can get it and desperately trying to create lasting and wonderful memories for our babes. Lake style.

We head to Michigan on Tuesday. I cannot wait to show my children where I spent my summers. I have a feeling they're going to love it as equally as I do.

Someone please talk me out of this...

2011-06-21T01:46:00.000-05:00

I need a new coffee table. We've been on the hunt for what seems like ages. I even reupholstered an ugly bench to buy us a smidge more time...

I love this one from WS Home. It is $600 (on sale from $750) which equals no dice.

It is really perfect in every way other than the hefty pricetag. I have been searching eBay and the Craig for something similar. Nada. Nothing that is until today when I saw this:

And then, then, oh my god, my pulse started to race and my palms started to sweat. Could it be? Are you asking yourself why in the world I would get excited about this? Or perhaps you're scratching your head because this AWESOME table looks vaguely familiar to you? Maybe because you saw it on the cover of AD less than six months ago.

Or, better yet, you oogled over it when you were searching through 1st Dibs during nap one afternoon. You thought that it was beyond perfection until you laughed out loud at it's price tag of $28,000. Yes, that is correct. TWENTY EIGHT THOUSAND DOLLARS.

It is a limited edition bronze casting by Leon Francis Chervet made in the late 1950s. Look a little closer at that picture up top...now, it may very well be a knock off but it's TWO HUNDRED DOLLARS. The thing is that it's located in Kansas City, four hours away. Am I out of my mind to drive eight hours for this table? I want it so badly it hurts. I think I'm driving to Kansas City on Thursday.

When John Johns Attack

2011-06-20T13:30:00.000-05:00

Have you ever read that 'It Happened To Me' article in Parent's or Parenting or something of the like?
You know, the one where children fall out of their highchairs, mommy hairs get wrapped around infant toes, mirrors in Target spontaneously fall on toddlers...
Those articles always make me laugh- an unfortunate reaction to be sure- and then think.
What if something like that happened to us?

Harrison has been donning Jon Jons for the better part of Spring and Summer. Despite stacks and stacks of shorts and polo hand-me-downs I have sought out the cutest shortalls possible for my littlest. I think this is my subconscious trying in vain to keep him my baby forever. For those of you wondering, Jon Jons were popularized by Jackie O. in the 60s when she dressed John Jr. (hence the name) in one for his father's funeral. I suppose they're kind of a southern thing (which us St. Louisans love to claim we are)- found here, here, and here to name a few. They are sweet sweet sweet...until they almost claimed Harry's arm.

While some shortalls have side tabs, the majoirty (namely those from Orient Expressed which was the culprit) have a back strap (for lack of a better term) with a button or two in the middle . You can kind of see it in this picture- I circled it in pink (although this was not the John John he was wearing)- almost like a belt around just the back.

I never thought much about them- especially not the safety of them. And then last week he woke up from his nap screaming. Wailing. I went bolting up the stairs into his room to find that he had somehow managed to put his arm through it and wrap it TWICE at the elbow. The lower portion of his arm was a strange shade of purple and so sore that he wouldn't even let me touch it. Upon removing the belt it quickly returned to its normal color but I'm sure he fell asleep like that. I shudder to think of what would have happened had he somehow managed to get it up and over his head, around his neck. From now on we'll be unbuttoning (or changing) before napping in our John Johns. FYI to all the mommies out there with sweet little boys...

De Gournay and Chinoiserie

2011-06-17T14:04:00.000-05:00

Ever since seeing this image in Domino (bedroom by Miles Redd) I have been smitten with De Gournay papers. This room is wonderful to me. The ruffled drapery panels, Anthropologie Bird Cage bed, the gourd lamps, Weinrib rug. I love everything about it.

Then there was Aerin Lauder's dressing room in Canada's House and Home. It too is perfection.

Soon everywhere I was looking chinoiserie was popping up.

Paired with classic French furniture or midcentury modern, it seems to work with everything.

Elle Decor

Domino 2007

Veranda

(This 'tip' makes me laugh...use this bagillion dollar hand painted wallpaper on the tallest walls you have)

The company hand paints panels using the same technique as the original arbiter of such papers, The East India Company. You can even have them custom make a paper if you're so inclined.

Grant K Gibson's custom De Gournay for the Elle Decor show house

Most recently this paper has caught my eye and seems to be making its rounds.

Elle Decor

The Zhush

I think I prefer the chintz. But let's be honest, I would gladly take any.

Dream House of the Week

2011-06-16T14:04:00.000-05:00

If all I had to do was look at houses all day I would make a stellar real estate agent.
It is unfortunate that there is so much more to it.

This house belongs to a friend's parents.
It is for sale and I would move in tomorrow...if it wasn't $2.9million dollars.

Revel in it...

Dance Recital {in pictures}

2011-06-12T19:05:00.000-05:00

Finley's Dance Recital from Brooke Meek on Vimeo.

Downloaded

2011-06-11T19:28:00.001-05:00

I plug my iPhone into the computer approximately two times per year. These are some of the resulting goodies.

Harry sans clothing at his 1 year check up

Ballet. Only picture this year. Lame Mom.

A couch that I am kicking myself for not purchasing.

A hot picture taken by my three year old

Mmmm, socks with slippers. Good look Brooke.

Bedtime in Chicago

Soccer

Twins

A profile pic for a major project happening in our house right now

Harry at 15 mos cheering on his bro

DQ dance party

My child likes argyle. Heart swells.

Do people really put their children in these things?!

It was funny until it wasn't.

Random picture of my feet...it is a far better look than above

Finny eating octopus at Whole Foods. She BEGS for these little critters every time we go in...she loves them.

Patio chairs that I desire to acquire

Finley draws people now

And they are awesome

An ice cream date with my youngest

Solo bath time is happy face...

I love this kid

Gross. This guy took a ride down the highway with me.

Cicadas are disgusting. 'Eww gross' to be exact.

It is Hot Here

2011-06-07T14:19:00.000-05:00

The past few days have been so oppressively hot in the STL that all I can think about is pools.

If I had a pool it would look like this:

Pink! Yes.

View?! Double yes.

I would run to this one.

And this one. No to the dog. And day beds. And lanterns.

Favorite.

Next favorite. (Ryan Seacrest's pool)

Rectangle with concrete pavers and grass. It is such a good combination.

Images via Sketch42, Elle Decor, Architectural Digest, and Ten June

The Blank Kitchen Wall

2011-06-04T12:52:00.000-05:00

When we put the last bank of cabinets in we were left with a white 'cabinet' wall on the side of our fridge. Because we have a total of FOUR drawers in our kitchen and one five inch wide junk drawer we needed a spot for stuff...

This weekend I finally got around to finishing this:

The perfect solution to a kitchen storage problem. The top and bottom boards are magnetic and can be used with push pins. They hold our contractor contacts, our weekly meal planning recipes, menus, and other odds and ends.

The calendar was found in the bottom of a clearance pile at Home Goods and while we keep an electronic version, I love seeing our plans every day.

The two shelves are from PB and hold all the rest of the junk that tends to accumulate in our kitchen.

And a place for all those lovely magnets...

Bear and I went to the pool this morning. Swimming with one child is bliss.

Front Entryway, Rugs, and Cupcakes

2011-06-03T15:04:00.000-05:00

Harry and I made cupcakes yesterday afternoon when he woke up from his nap. I'm not sure he's ever had one before. Life with one child is strange. Our house seems so empty without Parker and Finny.

Brian and I went out to din last night with lots and lots of people with Ms and Ds after their names. We went to the St. Louis Club and while it was a great evening I'm not sure I would ever in a million years pay to be a member. Just saying.

I finally finished painting my front entryway doors (it took four coats- yowza). I had read about this product and was excited to try it- it will knock your socks off. If you're looking for a true lacquer (not a high gloss), this is a winner. It comes in true black and white. Unfortunately it can't be tinted. You can find it at Ace Hardware. I kind of love it.

After finishing it was tough not to paint every door in my house. I am more obsessed with black doors now that I have them than ever before.

The light fixture is original to the house (i.e. 90 years old) and I felt like I couldn't change it. The pieces of 'artwork' are preschool originals- P's on the top, F's on the bottom. I'm not a saver of all things art but I do keep the good ones. It was love at first sight when these came home in the school bags. The two frames were custom for someone...I found them at the Goodwill for $2 a piece (look for brown paper backings and you know you have a winner). I really really really wanted a Meyer Lemon tree for this space. I thought the pops of yellow would be kind of cool. Unfortunately they're super expensive and when I found this dead ringer (sans the lemons) for $12 at Lowe's I knew she was a keeper. The pot was on clearance at Home Goods. It's funny how a little bit of paint can make such an impact.

The problem I'm having is with the rug. Here's the view from the living room.

And this one from the dining room:

I need a 3'6" x 5'6" which is kind a strange size. I've narrowed down the options to these:

From top left: Home Decorator's, Martha Stewart, Ballard, Garnet Hill, Pottery Barn

The black and tan one looked terrible. The jute with black binding was a definite no go and the grey and cram on the bottom right was too blanket like. I ordered the one in the middle this morning and if it fails we're going with the one from Ballard. We'll see.

On a more exciting note I think I finally came up with a solution to my baby-gate-in-the-fireplace screen (see above picture). I saw this picture recently and knew it had to be.

It's lucite and amazing. This one is two pieces but I think mine will be one. I'm having it made from the people at Plexi-Craft. They will custom make anything you can dream up. Since we don't have real fires and are really more in need of something to block it off than be functional I think it will be perfection.

It's waaaay too hot to bend wire around jars so the mason jar chandy has once again been put on hold. Sad. The kitchen command center, however, is finished. Finally. Happy. Pictures tomorrow.

Camp Mimi=Camp Project

2011-06-02T14:05:00.000-05:00

Parker and Finley left yesterday for Camp Mimi (and to be fair, Pops too). Two states away for the weekend. Last year I was nervous. This year I was counting down the hours until they pulled in. They were excited. I was excited. It was good.

Last night my babe cried himself to sleep. Harry has never been without his brother and sister. At one point B went upstairs to check on him and through his tears he pointed at P's bed and cried "ah ker" "ah ker" (Parker). It was sad. Really sad.

While the babes are away we have much house projecting to accomplish. I am promising myself that this is it. We have one more year in this house and there must be no more project. Done.

First up was our back porch. I painted the forest green and terribly ugly floor a cream and white. It has the potential to get real dirty real fast but it looks pretty for now. The rug was found on mega clearance at Target.

The old {very old} church pew is from our next door neighbor. They are abundant (and super cool) on the Craig.

And the shoe holder is the old changing table repurposed. I removed all of the drawers and made shelves (I still have to cut and stain the bottom shelf- shoes will not be on the floor). I'm glad we could reuse such a useless piece of furniture.

This little beauty was rescued from the curb a few months ago (Brian was in the car and I'm pretty sure he was mortified to be a part of my dumpster diving). She was missing a leg and was pretty beat up. I gave her a few coats of Antique White and while it was drying on the driveway Bear decided to run her over with his Cozy Coop. It took a fall and suffered some serious damage. I let it dry fully and then went to town with a sanding block to make it look beat up all over. Not typically my thing but I suppose it kind of works out here.

One project down millions more to go. Here's a sneak peek of one...remember last year when this was in the works? Maybe this weekend I'll finally accomplish it...

STL Craig

2011-05-26T15:22:00.000-05:00

I've been slightly disappointed with our Craig as of late. Not much to offer. Here's the best of this week...

Replace the shades with big black drum shades. On bedside tables or a long console. These are brass and only $30 bucks for TWO. Brass lamps.

If you can stomach a little DIY this comode could be amazing. Painted in a deep inky blue or even a gray the oval is already cut out of the top. Bottom drawer is fully functional. $20 buys you a new bathroom vanity.

What can I say? I'm hopelessly addicted to bamboo. Table, four chairs, two leafs, $275.

Midcentury delights. I kind of like them as is. Could be fabulous painted and reupholstered. $175 for four.

If you're into the crazy industrial Danish furniture movement this cart turned coffee table is for you. It's the real deal Missouri factory cart. Yours for $650. Identical ones can be found at RH for twice as much.

Yes. I also have a thing with old brass beds. This guy won't sell the bed separate from the mattress otherwise it would be in my boys' room. $300.

Ok. Now I'm getting random. But clawfoot tubs are awesome and this one is completely restored and only $299. That's an amazing price for an antique tub.

I would buy these to use for dessert tables- add a fun paper straw. I love these. A case of 30 is only $25. I wish I had some place to store them.

And this week's piece de resistance. My heart started pounding when I clicked this link. I have never seen a collection this large of pink Fire King dishes. To say that I want these would be a gross understatement. I am in love with pink milk glass. Sad that they are located three hours away and while $300 is dirt cheap for this extensive of a set it's $300 I certainly don't have to spend on fun brunch and coffee place settings (can't you just see these at a table setting for a baby shower?!). Sigh. Maybe you want them too? Find them here.

"Silence is the greatest failure of people today"

2011-05-25T22:24:00.000-05:00

I normally think this show is pretty cheese. Tonight, I think this show rocked.

Then and Now

2011-05-19T03:24:00.000-05:00

She Can

2011-05-18T07:05:00.000-05:00

I regularly struggle with what I want for my children. What is it I want to instill in them? If I could choose one thing, one solitary thing, what would it be? Honesty, faith, loyalty, reasoning? For me, it's different with my boys than it is for Finley.

Tonight, as we sat on the front porch waiting for daddy to come home I looked at our yard and realized that we hadn't mowed in almost three weeks. Our grass was past the children's ankles. Almost half way up their tiny little legs. I have only operated a lawn mower once, but in that moment I decided it needed to be done.

As I heaved that push mower up our hill wearing my pixie pants, chambray, and some major earrings, it dawned on me, I want her to know that she can.

That she can pull off that neon mini. That she can ace calculus. That she can be stronger, mentally and physically, than the boys. That she can wear an apron just because. That when she gets a flat tire she can jack up her own car and throw her body weight onto that stupid wrench to loosen those ridiculously tight nuts. That when the pick up truck pulls up to help she can wave them off because she can. That she can cook her family a five course meal on a Tuesday. That she can have friends from every walk of life. That she can give herself completely to a cause. Or not.

She can do and be anything simply because she can.

A few months ago we attended a dinner party where the ~~gentle~~man of the house chuckled at a comment I had made and then made the snide remark, "I know your type."

No. No sir, you do not know my type. You do not know that if your sink sprung a leak I would know how to fix it more adeptly than you. That I'm crazy good with a paint brush or that I spackle like a pro. You do not know that I devour newspapers and could debate you blindfolded. You do not know that I run our household, pay all of our bills, and handle our investments. I do all of this not because I am forced to but because I can. Because I do not need to wait around for someone else to do things for me.

So while it appears that I might be the 'type' who likes to shop and a has a thing for four inch heels, you do not know that I can.

That I can do anything and everything I put my mind to.

I'm raising my daughter to do and be anything she wants. I'm showing her that setting a table and hosting a fabulous dinner party are equally as important as picking up a hammer or opening an Excel spreadsheet. I'm showing her that no matter what happens in life she can. She can be self reliant, self supporting, and self motivated.

Because life is not about the 'I mights.' Life passes us by when we sit and wait for someone else to do it, to wear it, to buy it, to be it.

Life rewards the 'I cans'...even if it means smelling like gasoline and getting a few honks along the way.

Best Ever

2011-05-17T13:59:00.000-05:00

Every once and a while you come across something that is just too fabulous not to share.

I've never been a repeat offender. My closet doesn't hold any duplicates in different colors. Until now.

These are undeniably the most fantastic pants you will ever own in your lifetime. I have three pairs.

They are thick enough to hide everything yet thin enough to be the most comfy pair of pants in your closet.

Old, young, big or small, with heels out, boots in the winter, sandals in the summer, these are awesome.

Who doesn't love a bum zipper?!

I share this because I love you and because they are on sale and because you too will be obsessed with them. The Pixie pant found here.