{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}

{ thankful }

Layla Jade

7lbs / 5oz

November 25, 10:01am

We are

completely, 

undeniably,

over

the

moon.

{wish*list} wednesday

I know, it's not Wednesday, but since I'm having a baby tomorrow I thought I'd get one last wish-list post on the record before I enter baby-land. Each of these are books I would adore, use, and peruse through on rainy days. all available on amazon.

ruffles, chandeliers & pink!

Late-night irish coffee followed by a lazy scone + pastry brunch the next morning - I want to have an all-out girls-only slumber party in this house! Can you just imagine...

{happy friday!}

Who could resist these gorgeous illustrations - all flowing haired beauties with a come hither look. Have a lovely weekend! xo, amber  via design lovely

{wish*list} wednesday

This printmaker's sideboard is quite possibly the coolest piece of furniture I've seen in years and I have to have it (I've measured and it will fit my entry hallway just right). It's one of those pieces I long to find at a flea market but know that someone who came at 4am would already have hauled it off.
oh. my. This candle smells like pure heaven, like a sun-filled home with wet beach towels hanging to dry. I need it...I really do.Spreegirl hipster-undies just look so sweet & sexy - they come in the best patterns, and I never say no to a ruffle.

coco {before chanel}

Amazing! It has all of the ingredients of a perfect film: gorgeous Audrey Tautou, visually stunning sets (like living in an Anthropologie photo shoot), and the story of a woman who makes dreams come true from hard work and passion. I saw this with my girlfriends and haven't stopped daydreaming ever since...totally recommend it!

{9 days}

9 days.
9 days until I have this baby girl. 9 days until I can eat more than 5 bites without feeling like I'm about to explode. 9 days until I can sleep on my stomach without 12 pillows, oh the joy! 9 days until my brain functions somewhat normally and I might remember what I was supposed to be doing once I reach the top of the staircase. thank you for always being kind, and for your words of encouragement! xo

the nursury {+ happy friday!}

The nursery is finally complete! It's such a cozy little spot, I have a feeling someone will be very snug in here. The fact that we turned our closet into the nursery was such a challenge, but when I look at it now, I can't even remember what it looked like before. It was hard to capture images, with the sunlight beaming in, but you get the idea. Still waiting on a rug and a few more things for the wall, but come in & take a peek! for-like-ever, yellow pom-pom trim, daisy pendant light, sun+moon mobile, dwell bedding, crib (hand-me-down free =good), knobs

{canvas} for the peepers

My sunglasses came with a huge case that takes up serious purse real estate. I think one of these cute, super affordable, canvas numbers would be much better, no?

{wish*list} wednesday

Silky finish & brilliant shine - yes, please! The very first item on my holiday wish*list is this new Moroccan Oil that's supposed to work pure beauty magic into hair like mine (wavy, curly, a little out-of-control). It comes in a glass bottle (even better) and the line includes shampoo, conditioner, masks and gold glimmer shine - can you say gorgeous holiday hair?