We'll Be Picnicking

I am growing anxious thinking about summer ending.  The next few weeks, I'm determined to spend as much time as possible outside and savor summer to the last drop.

I am always amazed at how calm my little one gets when he is outside.  He gazes at the trees looks for birds in the sky and generally appears to be deep in thought- pondering the world around him. I guess I feel like this too when I'm outside.  Being outside is good for the soul.  

Tomorrow's Agenda: go to the farmer's market, buy all the peaches-corn- tomatoes I can before summer disappears.  Agenda two- be sure to actually eat them!

The Hunt

A few weekends back we spent the whole weekend looking for treasures. We went to a tiny shop not too far away and found so many things but left with just one- a giant metal hand.  There's a pic of it in my last post.  It is big and bold- black with white lettering.  I love it.

The next day, we went to a giant antique fair by the bay.  You get to rent vintage shopping carts to wheel around your finds.  They are huge and loud- wheeling up and down around the rows.  Jonas was such a good little guy.  He only complained a little and was overall very happy to people watch and point at things.  We found him some toy blocks so he was happy.  

One of my favorite parts of the fair was seeing people haul away their treasures so pleased with themselves and their new find.  Some carts were completely overflowing- I could have people watched all day, honestly.  It was so nice to be outside, enjoy the ocean breeze with my favorite people.  I love hunting for vintage treasures and am really lucky to have a husband that thinks its pretty fun too.

Weekend Time

Hooray for the weekend!  We will be lazing around the house mostly. Playing peek a boo- snuggling- and chasing our little one.  Doing some cleaning and taking care of my flowers while baby naps- and maybe enjoying one of our new favorite desserts- Bourbon Vanilla Coke floats- yum!

Work It

This work week is dragging and there's still one more day before the weekend.  It is a fine line between feeling in control and feeling chaotic.  I'm feeling disheveled and a little out of balance right now. Just when I start to feel like I have it all together something seems to shift.  I think it is a bunch of little things that add up.  Our house is really messy.  The banana's I bought on the weekend are already brown.  I haven't been eating my normal smoothie for breakfast and salad for lunch and choosing less healthy options- because I'm rushed. We haven't made any of the meals planned for this week.

 I am tired.

Still one more day 'til the weekend.... but for now,

I am enjoying my newly thrifted Mug filled with dark black coffee-  and I'll have a blueberry scone for breakfast.  It's the little things right?

Container Flower Garden

This summer I got the gardening bug.  And now I have about 20 potted flowers in my container garden.  This summer has been pretty mild in this area so most of them are thriving.  At first I was afraid of the commitment of watering and caring for them.  Working full time and enjoying time with Kev and Jonas, I wondered if I really had the time to keep a garden. Honestly, it really only takes about 15 minutes every other day - not bad at all.  It has given me more pride in the yard and makes this place feel even more like home.  I love to decorate the inside of our house, and haven't been able to do much this year.  Starting this garden has satisfied my decorating needs at least for now.

Jonas loved watching me plant the flowers and I let him touch them every once in a while so that he felt engaged.  This boy loves the outside.  His skin is so fair though that we seek the most shady spots, use lots of sunscreen and a hat everywhere we go.

The morning I planted these, we got up really early ate a quick breakfast and headed outside.  Jonas loved the change of routine and was giddy with excitement.  I love watching him experience new things- it really was the best.  I know he was just dying to get out of his playpen and play in the dirt with me.  I can picture us next year, covered in dirt planting our veggie garden together (my goal for next spring).  Ok, maybe me planting and him digging the seeds/ plantlings back up --- should be fun ;).

Captain

This is Ahab, Captain Ahab.  Bravely traveling the the open seas.  Rough Seas, Uncertain Weather, Creatures of the Deep- nothing moves him.  You will always see him in his black overcoat with shiny gold buttons- always always.  He is a quiet captain, quiet and strong- with kind eyes.  He is a loyal captain, and dependable.  You will most often find him standing proud among bubbles and with 1st hand Jonas and rubber duckies in tow- surveying the waters, surveying and protecting.... adventure after adventure.

Fighting Frumpy

As a new mom, it is so easy to slip a little too far into the comfort mindset and further away from style.  Constantly my mind is on the baby, dinner, work the next day.  I have little to no time to think about what I look like.  I can use this as an excuse and continue feel frumpy or I can say that I will make time for what is important to me.  I'm not trying to be the most stylish person I know but am really talking about wanting to feel good about myself again.  Taking a few minutes to paint my nails a bright color, put on lipstick and try that new braid I found on pinterest-  These things affect more that just the outside, those few extra minutes can energize me again.

I think it is important to be the best I can be each day and feeling fresh and put together on the outside is a part of this.  I remember that when I was little my mom made it a priority to take care of herself- by getting dressed early and adding a touch of lipstick every day.  She wore easy to wear comfortable dresses and always looked put together.  This has always stood out in my mind.

Since having my baby I have freshened my wardrobe a bit but mostly for work.  On the weekends, I find myself fighting the frumps.  So I am on a quest to pick up a few key wardrobe pieces that will enhance what I already have and pull everything together in a fresh new way.

Hunting for :
Accessories
Jeans
Flats
Jacket


Mindset:
Edgy-Versatile- Fresh

Last week, I found a few things.  These Minnetonka Mocs.  They are so comfy and the studded detail make them look less casual.  I can see myself wearing these for the rest of the summer into the fall.  I bought the brown #502's.  I love them!

I love wearing scarves and found one with a fun navajo print.  It is super lightweight which is perfect for these last few weeks of summer.  I wore this to work on casual day but this also is a perfect wrap to throw in my bag and would work with a super casual outfit on the weekend.

These two finds have already brightened up my weekend wardrobe. Hooray!  More to come as I slowly rebuild my wardrobe.

Image Sources: 
Image 1 http://global.rakuten.com/ko/store/patriot/item/minnetonka-studded-moc/
Image 2 http://www.polyvore.com/navajo_print_scarf/thing?id=62645613

Plans and Planning

I am a planner to the max.  I love lists and organizing my lists and looking at my lists and everything to do with lists.  Lists help me make sense of my day and my life.  Sometimes I feel like I'm just holding it all together with a tiny thread- the list helps me feel more in control.  Instead of keeping it all in my head, I can write it down and let it go.  

I'm realizing more and more how essential it is for me to write things down. To record not only future plans/ shopping lists/ ideas/ home to do lists- but also memories and summaries of the week/ month/ year.  Organizing goals and memories on paper helps me to attain and enjoy them more.

For List organization-I am going to start using the process found here (so simple, can't wait to try it!)

 I am also excited to start recording memories using Project Life.  If you haven't heard of it you should check it out here. Such a fun/ easy way to record life.

*I better go buy some more pens!*

Night Night