{budget} love notes

I don't know what's gotten into me, must be all the rain, but I'm on a serious crafty roll. The hubby and I decided not to spend money on gifts this year, but to make something instead (I just heard him using the saw in the garage?!). I went with "teeny tiny love notes", using cool love-song lyrics (think bob marley, ben harper, bob dylan...) and placing them in these tiny little envelopes. Ruby helped me hide them around the house for a bit of a valentine's day caper. Total cost...$0 Total Love Impact...big. xo

{happy friday!}

Friends ~ have a lovely weekend and a cozy, romantic valentine's day, xo amber image by the uber-talented: i. anton

sneak peak {barn wedding invites}

I'm crazy busy today trying to finish up these barn wedding invitations I've been working on. Sewing burlap is officially my least favorite thing to do, it moves and shifts and...well, at least it looks good. I'll have better pics when everything is complete!

sometimes I'm distracted...

...by this little dumpling! Layla is now 2.5 months, and 12 pounds of smiley, chunky goodness. I find myself talking in a high pitch voice and doing some really embarrassing dancing just to make her smile. The sleeping is going ok, she's still up about every 2-3 hours, but still, when I see her in the morning light, somehow the night doesn't matter anymore. xo

{blowing hearts} valentine's

We just finished up Ruby's sweet blowing hearts Valentine's Day goody bags. I took the photo against a white wall, followed by a bit of photoshop, a few hearts here and there, and voila! No need for those store bought Hannah Montana cards (which I succumbed to last year), these personalized ones are way cooler.

c'mon, guess where...

Tarjay, my friends! The ikat ottoman and those chunky nesting tables?? Sometimes they just get it right. And...that dreamy light will be making it's home above my dining table very, very soon. canary print chair, ikat ottoman, light, nest tables

{happy friday!}

Here's to trying some new things - like taking a Zumba class (I did and loved it) and taking pictures in the rain (for a little project I have planned), xo amber  image Shelby Nycole

{SPILL it!} urban flea

This week's spill comes from the lovely Katherine of Urban Flea...let's see what she's got here in this oh-so-neatly-organized {SPILL}:
- My little wallet for my massive purse (it was a Christmas gift from my always tasteful parents, hey, better than socks!)
- My vintage Christofle business card holder. It looks pretty beat up, but I feel like a 1920s Wall Street mogul when I'm using it.
- You can't see it very well, but that's my "Smokey Eyes" shadow kit from Benefit.
- My moleskin notebook for jotting down notes and inspiration; I'm not even really sure how many full ones I've got, but I can tell you, there's a whole arsenal of them!
- What's that you ask? Reading glasses! Sad, huh? I'm 24, and already headed down that squinty path.
- My bright red Revlon lipstick. Once again, we're going with the 1920s theme.
- I love my Sonia Kashuk makeup brush. And yes, I may be a bit on the vain side.
- My favorite necklace that I chucked in my purse the other day when I put my scarf on; now it's tangled beyond belief. Let me know if you have any good detangling methods?
- More makeup. I know, I know.
Thank you Katherine - love the smokey eyeshadow & fancy business card holder, totally professional! however, that necklace is going to be a total beeee-otch to detangle... xo, amber

wall paint {decisions, decisions}

I'm a big fan of neutral walls - at least I think I am. We're repainting our dining room & kitchen, which are closely joined together, so I'd like the colors to be in the same tone. Lately I'm thinking neutrals just don't feel that warm to me, so we're changing it up and adding a bit of color. I'm not getting crazy here, but still, it's a big step. I like this palette of designer's favorites - relaxing, but still vibrant with that muddy yellow...you like?

{pretty little} frocks

What does one do on a cold overcast weekend day when the laundry's been done, kids are occupied and the husband is busy watching football? Go to Anthropologie and try on new Spring dresses, of course! (That cute little number on the left isn't in the store yet, but I'm so hunting it down when it arrives). xo

{happy friday!}

Have a lovely weekend everyone, I'm going to enjoy the first bit of sunshine we've had in a long time...xo, amber  image:calico courtney brook via lovely clusters

{SPILL it!} petunia face

The lovely Susannah of Petunia Face has spilled her purse for all of us today, but don't worry, peeking in is encouraged! Here's what she can't live without:
papier poudres (carried somewhere on my person since I was 16)

hair stick thingie (may at times be substituted with black rubber band)

leather hippie wallet (bought at not-so-hippie Anthro for a very un-hippie price)

Clean Well all-natural hand sanitizer (the only one I've found that doesn't smell like an alcoholic ass)

glittery compact

moleskin for emergencies of the fashion-victim kind

evidence of my search for the perfect pink/reddish moisturizing lip stuff: rose salve, fresh sugar rose, propoline, (not pictured: 4 others in hidden pocket). But, really, who am I kidding? I always seem to fall back on good ol' cherry chapstick.

cherry throat lozenges mixed with quarters, sand and inexplicably some pesos (because apparently you never know when you might wake up on a Mexican beach with a sore throat and an overdue parking meter)

strange rotating array of kid crap. Pictured today: rubber rat, bird-shaped Rescue Pet, Eloise's Guide to Life: How to Eat, Dress, Travel, Behave & Stay Six Forever!
Thanks, Susannah, but seriously, where are the tampons & snotty tissues?? xoxo

winter {happy place}

I don't know about you, but a trip to this gorgeous Australian shop would definitely ease the winter blues. via inside the loop

{SPILL it!}

You know how us bloggers are...we love to peek into eachother's stuff. I'm starting a new posting series called "SPILL it!" - each Thursday one of my favorite bloggers will spill their purse open and tell us what they can't live without. A bit too voyeuristic, you're thinking? Maybe, but you want to peek, right? So, this is my spill, it's rather light since I'm usually hauling a diaper bag around these days. Can't live without: my Hobo wallet, Her Glossiness lipgloss, black hair bands, and my favorite silver ballpoint pen. Come back each Thursday for the next big SPILL!

word.

I'm blogging over at Design Crush today in Kelly's "Word." series. It was so much fun, she sent me a picture to write about - no rules - just writing. Fun stuff. xo image via fffound/rednails

hearty soup goodness

I made this super flavorful, hearty tortilla soup last night, and it just so happens to be gluten free (bonus!). I cheated a bit and bought a roast chicken to shred, topped it off with avocado, cilantro, jack cheese and baked corn tortilla strips. Oh my, was it tasty - my husband had thirds.

{happy friday!}

It's been raining for 5 days straight, these flowers remind me that Spring will be here in no time at all...happy weekend, my friends! xo, amber  image:ceciliaivy via flickr

kale chips {freakishly good}

Is it possible to OD on kale? I won't dork out on you, waxing on about how I've been eating my weight in healthy greens, but seriously these kale chips are insane. A little salt, lemon & olive oil, 20 minutes in the oven (weird, I know), and there you have it. I make a fresh batch daily and finish every salty green crumb. Still need convincing? read even more about them here, here & here.

{w.o.w}

Omg. Did you see this dress??? I didn't think it was possible to make a dress of such pure perfection, but here it is, and beyond stunning on Halle. My jaw is still dropped since watching the Globes last night.

{bedtime} mix+match

I've always had a thing for all-white beds, so clean and fresh, ready for uninterrupted dreams. Maybe I'm evolving, but now I want pattern and color, and lots of it! I'm drawn to the mix + match Indian prints by Kerry Cassill and the to-die-for Indian block prints from John Robshaw. The best thing about these prints? They all really do look good together, and of course they make one cozy bed.

mmmmm.

Last night, over dinner, a friend mentioned how he used to have a bread machine and would wake up to the heavenly scent of freshly baked bread. Sounds like pure gluten goodness. Last fall, a friend brought over a gorgeous just-out-of-the-oven bread on a chunky wood cutting board to our potluck - I still think about the simple/rustic presentation - perfection! I've never baked a bread, but I think it's about time I tried. Gluten free update: yes, I fell off the wagon, but I'm back on. Quinoa, here I come!

casitas, bungalows, villas...

Usually around this time of year we escape the frigid temps, pack up the family and head somewhere tropical. We didn't get to planning anything this year, so instead I've been dreaming of secluded beach front casitas, sandy yoga studios and fresh fish tacos. Close your eyes...can't you just feel it??

cookware {a collection in the making}

One thing that became clear this holiday season was my lack of just-the-right-size cookware, it seemed each one was either too small or shallow. Le Creuset seems to be the ultimate in cookware, the big daddy of dutch ovens and by far the best color options around. I'd like to start my own collection, maybe a piece a year (they're pricey, but worth it). The big question is whether to stick with one color or mix it up? Love the caribbean blue and the new casis!

{well, hello!} 2010

Wishing everyone a warm & wonderful New Year and a big thank you for all of your inspiring ideas and comments, you're just the best!  Our new year's day tradition is to head out to the beach for brunch and beachcombing, what are your plans?? xoxo, amber

farewell gluten {it's been real}

Call it a cleanse, a fresh start to the new year, boredom, either way, I need to drop a few post-prego pounds. Starting January 2nd (I love a new year's day brunch, so definitely not the 1st) I'm kissing gluten goodbye for a month. I'll just say no to warm crusty bread, creamy pasta, and my morning cheerios. This site is chock full of recipe ideas, I'm thinking big salads, grilled chicken and hearty quinoa dishes -  does anyone have a suggestion to throw my way? image: 101 cookbooks

s'more kits {sealed + delivered}

I had grand plans for holiday gifts this year, but I quickly learned that crafting to completion with a 3 week-old baby was kind of...a challenge. Baking? Not so much. So we came up with these s'more kits, complete with twigs for roasting. A simple canning jar, s'more ingredients, cloth, self-made labels, and oila! - sweet holiday treats at the ready. The only caveat, and one that left this sleep deprived mama stumped at the kitchen island, was how to fit square grahams into a round jar. Solution? We used kitchen scissors to cut each graham into neat little circles. Happy holiday roasting! 

merry christmas!

May you all be surrounded by family, love and holiday warmth. See you in the new year! xo, amber

{happy friday!}

Hoping you get all your holiday shopping wrapped up this weekend - and wouldn't it be grand to find a festive street like this one?? image: i.anton

the holiday table {done right}

Pure table love, people. Seat me at this gorgeous table and I might not get up until they dragged me out. It's all kinds of perfection, right?

{wish*list} wednesday

Is it Wednesday already?? I kind of love wishing for things...

pom-pom ottoman, brocade dress (and a party to wear it to), Frye Caroline Campus boots, gold hoops

{I just HAD to go}

Word to the wise: do not, I repeat, do not wander into Anthropologie 2 weeks after you've had a c-section just because you think you're feelin' good - it's a hoax, I tell you, your body is plain tricking you, and you will pay dearly for that divine scented candle and metallic woolen scarf. Lay low, stay home, light the fire...you're so much better off shopping online (if you're me, that is).
It had been 2 very long weeks since my last visit to my favorite shop of holiday wonder. Granted, I was busy having a baby, bringing baby home, figuring out life with a baby, but still, I was like a junkie and I needed my Anthro fix. I must have overdone it though, because for the last 2 days I've been in agony, every stitch aches and the stairs to my bedroom seem to have become steeper. Oh the things we do for a little retail therapy...

{wish*list} wednesday

Lest you think you've lost me to the deep trenches of mommyhood...not so! My posts may be sporadic due to major lack of sleep, but I just can't help but be inspired by all the holiday goodness out there right now. I must have this amethyst necklace (with the just-right price), and paired with this amethyst grey shadow - hellooooo holiday party!

and the winner is...

3StinkyBoysAndMe! said:
I'd wear those pretty pieces with EVERYTHING, both jeans and a cocktail dress. So pretty!
send me an email and I'll mail out your sparkle, xo

{happy friday!} sleepy edition

Isn't it amazing the kind of love a newborn baby brings into the home?! We can't get enough of sweet Layla! Nights have been pretty rough, but daytime naps are nice little treats. xo

holiday sparkle {giveaway!}

Years ago, my friends & I went to NY in January, for a fun-filled week - shopping, great food, late night dessert bars...it was goood. Leaving our apartment one morning, we see a woman so tall and so beautiful pass us by, leaving us frozen in our tracks. It was Iman, and she was stunning. She didn't smile or say hi, that really only happens in movies, but when I saw that she designed these vintage-inspired holiday earrings, it brought me right back to that brisk NY morning. 

Send me a comment on where & when you'd wear her sparkling jewels and the winner will receive a piece from her new line! {winner will be chosen randomly on 12/6}