5 awesome things for the weekend.

+ planning on busting out the traditional trail mix for general conference this weekend. (it's going to be streaming live on saturday and sunday. are you excited?!)

+ this Elder Uchtdorf talk from the general young women meeting was so uplifting and riveting from the get-go. i love hearing him speak.

+ i've recently discovered sally hansen's insta-dry anti chip top coat. it's ammmmazing. it dries quick and looks glossy for a very long time. my sista thought my nails were shellac.

+ raining today. benji reminds me, april showers bring may flowers. will be making a fort later for a readathon. he has discovered richard scarry books. this makes me entirely happy.

+ am joining the masses on instagram! after a friendly dose of peer pressure i am loving the quick snapshot and connection with friends. find me @martawrites. a whole new addictive substance.

25 happy things. go.

opening mail has never been so fun.

+ warm enough to don the onesie without pants. (on seth–indoors–that is.)
+ we took a spontaneous (and successful!) family photo the other morning right before church. we were all wearing a touch of green. we grabbed a neighbor, click and bam: a decent family portrait. yay.
+ daffodils are (nearly) blooming like crazy. this makes me so happy since all our flowers died so miserably at the end there last year.
+ made vats of italian tomato, artichoke and sausage soup for a church function. the house smelled divine. i figured i would have tons leftover.. not even one bowl.
+ working on three design projects concurrently. it's good to get my feet wet again.
+ one of them has me squealing; a little marta calligraphy (can i call it that?!) letterpressed! i've only seen late night cell phone pics of them so far, but i'm dying over it. can't wait to reveal our collaborative efforts.
+ a very happy thing; texting other freelance mamas in the wee hours to discuss ideas, give pats on backs and virtual high fives.
+ planning an epic weekend in vegas with this little lady. (have you seen her new site?!) planning a trip (and where to eat!) is half the fun.
+ my taxes are (almost) done!
+ my favorite flipflops are back in business. (they are an investment; but they last and last and last.)
+ meanwhile benji is still wearing his boots to go biking. i had to remind him about crocs! oh the love of kiddie crocs in the summertime.
+ o.p.i. elephantastic pink fingernails.
+ a new belgium waffle & frittes place just opened up next door to my gym. talk about living dangerously.
+ last saturday we spring cleaned the garage. seriously, we were so proud of ourselves.
+ easter is right around the corner. planning egg hunts galore.
+ discovered a new fabulous font: Belluccia. gorgeous.
+ i finally fit into old pre-baby tops. hello peter pan collars. nothing like shopping the closet.
+ i braved up and went to zumba. felt like a fool. but a happy dancin' fool.
+ ate two homemade eclairs with the kitchen staff at said church function. i love the behind-the-scenes chit chat. p.s. anyone else tempted to run to target for the new JT album?
+ this body scrub smells amazing. admittedly that store can be annoying. just focus. run in, run out. you won't regret it.
+ glad the bachelor's over. oh man, that show. now i can have my mondays back.
+ met old friends jer and mallory for some authentic thai. more coconut curry, yes please.
+ finally cashed in a gift certificate from my birthday for a facial. happy belated to me.
+ counting the days to the field trip to the aquarium. benji is beside himself with glee.
+ the other morning i went with dan's grandma and mother to our favorite local bindery, Schaffer's. it's a true mom / pop shop, the best bindery in town. bernice, age 95, chose the hue of cloth for her book cover and picked between gold and silver foiling for the title and spine. (we're printing 50 life histories!) this kind of thing made me remember how awesome it is to create something from scratch. especially for people you love a lot. seth was a rockstar and slept in his carseat the whole time. three cheers for learning to juggle priorities.

february is one of my favorites. / and a disclaimer.

waiting for mama to get ready for church, benji hangs out in the newly-painted living room. 

oh my, there is a lot of catching up to do.

disclaimer. i must admit, for better or worse, i no longer feel so attached to this blog that i have to keep it up to date on every single happening in life. it's a bit of a relief to know that i don't have to blogument every detail, as i once felt was necessary. having two kids and a home to take care of has put things in perspective for me. it has forced me to put first things first. it's good to look at the bigger picture. the other night my cousin asked if i missed blogging (regularly). i used to think about, plan out and check stats of my blog constantly. i was obsessed with google reader, gaining hits and making sure i was savvy enough to be a legit genuine blogger. being a blogger was my thing for awhile. i have (obviously) completely let that go. it feels good, sad in some ways that my organized scheduled neat post-it life has become chaotic and messy. but it is chaotic and messy in the best way and i'm trying to embrace it. i love the freedom of not trying to be a mass blogger and–instead–just do what i do, when i can and spill my words when they come. thanks for riding the wave with me. my dear mama-friends tell me that my feelings of being on a rollercoaster ride is pretty normal with baby numero dos. thank goodness for girlfriends and sistas who can pat me on the back and encourage me!

here are the recent details i'd hate to forget.
+ we (whit and i) painted the front room. this is the fifth room we've painted! we are sneaky; it was a surprise for dan's birthday. the best gift ever. he was shocked (and super happy). he loves benjamin moore revere pewter, so we slathered it on. it took a village (babysitters, helpers, secret keepers etc.), but we did it!

+ the boys were sick last week and in my arms the entire time. oh man, i hate it when something creeps up on us. fortunately i love their pediatrician! she is getting to know us (and benji's bear!) quite well. am realizing (once again) that motherhood is not for wimps!  it's the best job ever. and the most exhausting, full-time, round-the-clock job there is. so happy they're feeling better. better enough to get a temporary pirate ship tattoo placed on cheek and worn to church. yep, i would've done about anything to make him smile. use up all the band-aids for fun? check. puppet shows? check. extra bubbley baths? check. endless silly stories? check. letting him eat whatever he wants as long as his apetite is back? yes sir. remembering just how little and sweet and precious they are?! check, check.

+ valentine's in full swing. cupcake decorating, envelopes sealed with kisses and garlands hung. (the amour garland was made by my friend, sue!! she printed the letters on pages from a vintage dictionary!! darling, right?! how fun to have a friend who surprises me with pretty paper goods.)

+ trying out green eyeshadow (with nude lips) for a wild change. (i am digging MAC lucky green. a pinky paradisco is my usual go-to shade.) benji noticed and mentioned something about an armadillo. since we were walking out the door, i took it as a compliment. how much do you allow your uncensored children's comments dictate what you wear?

+ dan is thrilled with all this crazy snow we've gotten this winter. and his inherited snowblower. i love men and their can-do attitude when it comes to snow. dan turns into a boy, spinning donuts in parking lots. i splurged on a new H&M scarf to hold me over until spring comes. speaking of which, i love how benji comes into the kitchen searching for a snack saying, i'm just looking for something to hold me over. ha! he is his mama's boy.

+ my little man seth celebrated an unbirthday (6 months!!) and is rosy and so smiley. he charms everyone with his hedgehog cheeks and toothy grin. i put him in an orange striped shirt and he was like a blue-eyed little carrot. there is nothing more cheerful.

+ hmm. what else. baking and meal planning and a tad of reading have taken over my spare time. if you can call it that. i have started four new library books at once. this of course reminds me that i want to write a book. which of course reminds me that i can barely write an email. which of course reminds me to tell myself that there is a season for everything. tis the season to mother my boys.

p.s. can we please discuss downton abbey!? am loving it. genius twists and turns. how are you liking this season??

am a fan

am a fan of parents in plaid (holding grandbabe and spreading christmas cheer)!
am a fan of babies discovering their toes and coo-ing constantly.
am a fan of family reunions in log cabins!
am a fan of sleigh rides with the whole fam.
am a fan of kitchen karaoke with sisters and impressionable nieces.
(dixie chicks, abba and wilson phillips all in attendance.)
am a fan of light saber madness.
am a fan of coordinating hanna andersson jammies.
am a fan of flattering soft sweaters gifted from husbands.
am a fan of luna bars stuffed in my stocking.
am a fan of actually pulling off a few surprises!!
am a fan of sweet smelling conditioner.
am a huge fan of this. (that wedding dress! the white pennant banners!)
am a fan of starting new books and re-reading old favorites.
(resolution: read lots of books this year.)
am a fan of my vacuum still smelling like christmas pine needles.
am a fan of party planning. #makingconfettigarlands.
am a fan of pretending to know about hashtags.
am a fan of "picking my poisons" when it comes to social media.
am a fan of keeping it simple. #longliveblogging.
am a fan of clearing out the old and starting anew.
am a fan of making puppets with my preschooler.
am a fan of smooching on new years eve (even if it's at ten o'clock).
am a fan of oxiclean. i feel like i'm on a commercial every time i use it.
am a fan of landing a bit of a routine with my two-toothed tiny. #knockonwood.
am a fan of spontaneous dance parties while making eggs.
am (shockingly) a fan of night sledding.
am a fan of making fewer (yet smarter) resolutions this year.

favorite finds / gold edition

+ dying over these gold polka dot sheets; a little metallic touch in the bedroom.
+ caitlin wilson design debuts her metallic line of throw pillows!
+ i love everything danni does. here are her metallic spools of twine.
+ washi tape is a must in my studio. this set is perfect for the holidays.
+ i fell hard for these golden note cards. hooray for rifle paper!
+ oh joy does it again. check out her line of clothes for littles.
+ keiko lynn has gorgeous, glowing makeup tutorials and much more.
(am excited about her adorable, fashion-ey, new-to-me site.)

p.s. golden leaves are falling all over the lawn in our backyard. they are so beautiful, piling up in mounds of rich color. it looks like a painting. we have a church raking activity this saturday. can't wait to bundle up and get out early in the morning to rake up a storm. hope it's not too wet! last year benji was the official leaf pouncer. hope you're enjoying november to the fullest. it'll be over before we know it!

today is ten, eleven, twelve

today i will post an unedited snapshot of me and seth.
look at that hair! and look how tired we both look.
dan always tells me he loves my freckles. (here they are!)
today i will sip some cider.
and walk benji to pre-school.
and then walk him back home after a few hours.
and enjoy crunching the first fallen leaves.
today i will rock my babe and make him smile.
he has the best giant grin. his eyes twinkle, people.
today i will make soup in the crockpot. or maybe chili.
and i'll play pirates with benji.
and discuss costumes.
and read berenstein bears and the spooky old tree.
today i will make my bed. (and maybe nap on it too.)
and wipe the counters.
and sweep the floors.
and maybe catch a little kelly & michael.
i will play catch up with my inbox.
and maybe pull out my winter wardrobe.
which sounds a lot more glamourous than it is.
really it's more like dusting off a giant rubbermaid bin.
today i will wonder if miranda has had that baby!
and launder more clothes.
and maybe fold them during 30 rock.
today i will likely not put on a stitch of makeup.
but i will rake through my hair several times with fingers.
today i'll dive into some design archives for a client.
and perhaps clear off my desk. but not likely.
today i'll try to eat something healthy.
i cut up some broccoli into friendly little tree bites.
experts say that means i'll eat it.
today i will clean out the fridge. because i love a clean fridge.
and i'll marvel at dozens of polished green apples waiting for caramel.
today i'll feed and soothe and rock and repeat.
today i'll wonder about a new book. i'm on a roll.
just finished and thoroughly loved this one and
then quickly read (and laughed my way through) this one too.
we're listening to this lately
and am dying to get out christmas cds.
even though there are cottony cobwebs on the shutters outside.
i love halloween. am so happy it's fall.
enjoy the day, friends.
happy ten, eleven, twelve.

the best things aren't things. / and some goals.

a date night out with my men (aren't they cute?!) / the copper onion / downtown salt lake

birthdays are my favorite time to resolve to be a new, shiny person.

am planning to
enjoy the best things in life.
figure out how to get this baby weight off.
(any good workout tunes suggestions?)
care more about what i put into my body.
drank a mexican coca cola last night.
it'll be the last one for a long time.
am hoping to write in my diary a lot more often.
for some odd reason, i don't count the blog as real documentation
i ought to print some posts out (anyone successfully done this?)
i need to put pen to paper and write about my life in detail.
i love having written. the actual writing part is hard.
hope to get back into the groove of designing.
in the inbetween times.
am letting go of my house always being clean.
am not going to look at my phone everytime it beeps.
(am not getting a smartphone any time soon.)
more picnic lunches with dan.
more long chats with sisters on the phone.
less time in front of the tv.
more time in front of my kids.
less hurry up, hurry up.
more getting up early.
and eating good healthy breakfasts.
and exercising first thing.
will try not to avoid hard tasks.
i hope to be the type of person i hope my kids will be.
discipline with a lot of love.
go on more date nights! (try new restaurants!)
eat excellent desserts.
read wholesome uplifting books (and blogs) in spare time.
carve out more spare time.
bathe in bubble baths.
feel less guilty about what i haven't gotten to yet.
participate in some kind of athletic event.
support dan in all of his!
learn a new skill.
find ways to make someone smile.
keep building family traditions.
find a lesson in the tough times.
be optimistic!
blog more worthwhile posts.
remember to read scriptures and apply them to my life.
start handmade christmas gifts early (like now).
put more heart and soul into my work (including housework!)
try hard to remember others and serve them.
pray and communicate with God.
be kinder and ready to listen.
make others feel important.
live without regret.
be genuine.
make good decisions. (be more decisive!!)
write sincere thank you notes.

little tidbits.

photographing a yawn is harder than it seems.
the red hair kills me. in the best way.
so much is fleeting, i want to bottle up the good stuff.
a weekend getaway in the mountains is very, very good for you.
so is getting up on a horse even if you're kind of scared.
being brave is sometimes faking it until you make it.
i've realized that life is not slowing down anytime soon.
am learning to juggle. am figuring out what is worth letting go.
am in love with blonde eyelashes.
writing benji a love note (with a real envelope) pretty much made his whole day.
forgot how much little things matter to little people.
am going on not much sleep.
the girls getaway didn't help;
i have a reputation for staying up all night long (my favorite).
and inflicting it on others.
we're talking about halloween costumes already. and you?
(what date do you actually commit to a costume?)
i have a handful of new goals in mind.
am thinking i need to flex my muscles in discipline.
benj is currently watching a show and doing jumps off the couch.
he just said in his best olympic announcer voice,
mom watch this. this is my final jump.
i need to read a good book. any suggestions?
(i love memoirs or self-help or parenting or cookbooks!)
i played the name game this weekend and contributed the name: lightning mcqueen.
and mr. seth had his first day at church.
his spit up rolled down my ironed shirt immediately upon entering the chapel.
kids are so good for me.
almost like i have a comment box:
insert humility-inducing experience here.
already the middle of september?! no way.
happy autumn leaves to you.

right now.

illustration by kit & adam of trafalgar square etsy shop.

right now i'm oohing over these sweet illustrations (all on sale)!
am loving the patterned lines of freshly mowed lawns, family walks,
the late-in-the-evening sunshine,
and the watermelon slices stacked up high in my fridge.
did you know a nice fat yellow spot on a watermelon is a good thing?!
it means it rested for enough time on the ground to ripen in the sun.
right now i have a pile of paperwork that needs sorting.
i've been ignoring it for days.
right now his little baby thump thumps from the inside are making me smile.
right now i am post-it-noting this cookbook like crazy.
i always read cookbooks from back to front. magazines too.
we bought the babe a little present; benji picked out a stuffed puppy.
he seems genuinely excited to give it to his baby brother.
am corralling my nail polish into a pretty basket to contain my enthusiasm.
elephantastic pink and hot and spicy by O.P.I. are my latest faves.
i'm loving the summer rainstorms that hit hard for an hour and then pass by.
right now i'm passionately writing to-do lists as if they were love letters.
i should gather them up and make a book of them.
back pains are rolling in like thunder, reminding me of this little thing called labor.
my mom made me a turkey avocado sandwich for lunch today.
like being right back in the kitchen of my childhood. on those red barstools.
she butters that bread like nobody's business.
everything felt right in the world.

29 weeks / a broadway baby

we are still stuck singing grease tunes, rama lama lama ke ding a de dinga dong, in this household. and it seems as though this babe is bouncing right along with the lyrics. i must take full advantage as there is only so long in a boy's life wherein he will tolerate his mother's music choices (and bop around in the car to them). the belly is definitely big. my favorite thing is when benj and i read stories (side by side these days instead of on my lap) and he rests the crook of his elbow on my bulging stomach, as a handy little armrest. plus, now i have a nice dry spot for resting my book on while in the tub. my doc even called it an official basketball belly. i think there was a compliment in there somewhere about my narrow hips, but still, you never get used to people saying how big you are growing. it's an odd thing. but oh, what a worthy cause it is.

these days, i ...
am sleeping with a million pillows and the ceiling fan swirling.
am keeping the ice trays full for big gulps of water.
am loving maxi dresses. this dress is my fave. it is so comfy.
am just starting to dive into this book.
am planting flowers left and right (i am new at gardening)!
(my latest love is creeping purple phlox...)
am loving my upbeat cheerful doctor.
am stocking up on limes (on sale for 8 cents each)!
cilantro chicken soup is on the menu this week.
am attempting to cut back on baking sweets.
(we just polished off some pumpkin chocolate chip bread.)
am so grateful for motherhood, in all its forms.
am so thankful i am in the portion of life where motherhood defines me.

hope your weekend was happy. xo.

summer fun from the archives

magical image found via pinterest

i can hardly believe it's may. i feel like i was just vacuuming up christmas tree pine needles! anyway, this is the most fun time of the year for me. reading on the patio, cuddling benji during midnight thunderstorms, enjoying every warm park day, being barefoot and pregnant, waiting for baby, devouring fresh produce, planning summer activities for our little threesome. (dan has already hatched many-a-camp-out plans.) to think that just last may we had a family vacay to new york city and we moved back to utah and started the house hunt (which lasted all summer long). and oh boy, i'm glad that's over. so much has happened in one year. here are a few of my favorite summer activities from the archives.

+ summer kiddo countdown chain
+ a relaxing spa party for one (at home!)
+ the 50th anniversary party invitations 
+ a movie night in the backyard
+ i scream for (homemade) ice cream
+ parades, dress ups and amusement parks
+ the best summer drink: cucumber limeade 
+ i-spy telescopes
+ hunting for huckleberries with friends
+ my favorite picnic pasta salad

p.s. i want to string outdoor lights on our patio... any tips or light suggestions?

coming home from vacation. the list.

+ i packed all our darling easter spring clothes for our easter spring vacay. i forecasted sunshine and suntans. unfortunately the short sleeves remained packed. we wore turtlenecks and parkas the whole time. in fact, in a moment of motherly weakness, i let benji hunt for easter eggs in his camouflage sweat pants. (gasp.) he also got a temporary tiger tattoo that day. on his face. it still hasn't come off yet. i'm deeming myself as awesome mom. he was unbelievably happy and it was too chilly to make him wear his charming argyle vest and plaid shirt. and the way he says hello to tiger every morning in the mirror is pretty cute. i'm learning to let things go. and come to think of it, i'm totally fine without that perfect picture of him hunting for eggs in a catalogue-worthy outfit. small steps, people.

+ dan calls him a tiger on the slopes. so, it is a fitting symbol. as all tats should be.

+ one of the highlights was watching the skillful woman in the lobby put together the easter floral arrangement as i cozied up by the roaring fire. the fresh flowers smelled divine. and the assortment was taller and rounder than me (if at all possible). it was a huge assortment of lilies and hydrangeas and all kinds of colorful blooms somehow perfectly placed in symmetry. i also liked watching the delicate flowers balancing in the assistant boy's hand while she took her time creating the huge masterpiece. he was attempting to text someone and hold a garbage bag for the clippings at the same time. my favorite was the florist's professional method, as if she does a hundred of these arrangements in her sleep. she still  loves flowers but is no longer drunk off their scent. at the very end of her tango around the blooming arrangement, she took out her camera and snapped a quick shot (just one) of her incredible creation and turned away as quickly as she arrived. i liked seeing that teeny glimpse of pride in her work.

+ laundry. i dreamt about bountiful towers of folded laundry (and termites!) last night. termites that mutated into giant scary creatures. and something else called 'laundry cake' that supposedly smelled and tasted delicious, with a touch of downy. bizarre. i got the message; my laundry and cake-eating habits need to be attended to.

+ re-reading tina fey's bossy pants on the road. alas, mockingjay was not available at the local library (go figure). i was happy to share our easter vacay with tina. she's hilarious and self-deprecating, in a really likeable way.

+ the cold did not deter the fun of the vacation, of course. the boys skiied. we relaxed. and ate. i read every magazine on the rack at the glorious bookshop that has a mammoth assortment of legos for kids to play with while their moms get in on free relaxing and reading (not unlike a spa treatment). i shopped around town. and balked at a 300 dollar scarf. actually a whole wall of 300 dollar scarves. the lady working there came over to me and kindly handed me a plastic egg with a ten percent off easter coupon inside of it. guess how many scarves i bought. 

+ tiny silver earrings. i finally found some in a sweet gift shop. for under $300. i am happy. and will likely be wearing them for years to come.

+ cable tv and a swimming pool and endless supply of bubble bath. the little lovelies of hotel life.

+ introducing benji to strawberry sprinkle pop-tarts was another highlight of the trip.

+ not being able to fall asleep on the long drive home. rare treat indeed. while b slept the hours away, dan and i had a chance to catch up–just the two of us. plus i didn't miss passing all the gorgeous sunlit fields, tractors, and bugs splattering on the windshield.

pictures to come. / how was your weekend?

one for dan

sledding in sun valley / his favorite place 

happy, happy birthday to my favorite valentine.
i love that february comes in with a kick.
thank you for asking me out at the bakery (after i offered you a free sandwich).
your ham and swiss on wheat was always my favorite of the day.
thank you for taking us on so many adventures.
nothing else like being on a train in a foreign country with your main squeeze.
thank you for speaking japanese on random occasions.
nothing else quite like sharing a bowl of ramen in japan either.
thank you for knowing how to do the perfect tuck in.
thank you for loving our little boy so completely.
thank you for knowing so many songs.
nothing else like singing our hearts out in a duet.
thank you for knowing me and still loving me.
nothing else like sweats, crazy hair and ratty slippers.
thank you for showing me how to have courage.
thank you for making goals and following through.
nothing else like looking back and seeing how far we've come.
thank you for watching silly shows with me.
thank you for being comfortable and predictable.
thank you for surprising me and being spontaneous.
thank you for continuing to challenge yourself.
thank you for never giving up.
thank you for being rad.
thank you for the art of the road trip.
nothing else like a mix cd, snacks, a good book and a stretch of road.
(thank you for stopping to read historical markers, just like my dad did.)
thank you for reading my writings.
nothing else like having my number one fan be you.
thank you for explaining the lawyerly stuff, even when i don't understand.
nothing else like talking about torts and may it please the court...
thank you for being brave. especially when it comes to karaoke.
thank you for supporting me when i have to work late.
thank you for working hard for our fam.
thank you for making us a top pri-o.
thank you for speaking my language.
thank you for showing me what love means.
thank you for making un-fun stuff totally fun.
thank you for taking me skiing, even though i suck at it.
nothing else like watching your girlfriend roll down a snowy slope.
thank you for doing all the little things; especially when i don't notice.
thank you for being an amazing cook.
(thank you for making pioneer woman's chicken fried steak on a whim last sunday.)
thank you for being such a darling to your grandma bernice.
thank you for making me laugh. all of the time.
thank you for being so happy-go-lucky.
thank you for leaving me funny messages.
thank you for calling my mom and making her laugh.
thank you for having passion in your hobbies.
thank you for making the shed so nice and tidy.
thank you for letting me craft my little heart out and praising my efforts.
thank you for the best first date of my life.
(thank you for letting me talk your ear off for the rest of our lives.)
thank you for always reaching out and making new friends.
thank you for being opinionated and open minded.
thank you for always making a morning mix; two types of cereal in one bowl.
thank you for always making an effort.
thank you for always being there.
thank you for knowing scripture stories and explaining them so clearly.
thank you for showing our boy what it means to be a good husband.
thank you for making our life more awesome.
am so happy we found each other.
am so happy you kept coming into that bakery.
thank you for giving the girl wearing the bandana a chance of a lifetime.

happy birthday babe.

valentiney vibe / it's almost love month

secret garden by nick scott

valentining from the archives.
soon i'll give you an updated peek at our preps for february.
tomorrow is dan's birthday, so we've already baked a cake. 

+ watercolors & gummy hearts
+ benji's first valentine project
+ favorite quotes about love
+ little ways to say i love you and more guy valentine ideas here
+ remember this from 2008?
+ sugar cookie love

a list of thirty

i turned thirty in september. here are my thoughts on the matter.

+ now that i'm thirty i know better; life goes on after high school, toddlers are way more awesome than i once imagined. marriage is much better than dating. fresh minced garlic is good sauteed with almost anything. surprises are still super fun. you never get sick of balloons. or confetti. or handwritten letters. or bananas with peanut butter.

+ now that i'm thirty i ought to have a regular bedtime.

+ now that i'm thirty i thought i would've outgrown sugar cereals by now.

+ now that i'm thirty paying more for fine dining, lush stationery, crusty bread straight from a bakery shop or having an expert vacuum out the car are luxuries i'll never take for granted.

+ now that i'm thirty i am sinking into who i am and what i stand for.

+ now that i'm thirty i want to write my stories down for safekeeping. i am realizing more and more how important our personal stories are. whenever i sit down with my parents, dan's parents or his grandma bernice and listen to their tales, i want to wrap the feelings i have up in a linen box and save it for generations to come.

+ now that i'm thirty i think i should seriously start wearing glam lipstick. if not now, when? i recently picked up nars velvet matte lipstick pencil in cruella. we'll see where it takes me. (benji kept saying, wow mom, pretty red lips.)

+ now that i'm thirty i am excited about planning kid parties which is lots less stress than planning a wedding.

+ now that i'm thirty i should have a boatload of good books to recommend at book club.

+ now that i'm thirty i shouldn't be fearful to raise my hand. in any situation.

+ now that i'm thirty i count my blessings; so many people are suffering hardships like disease, death, depression and divorce. i feel unbelievably lucky.

+ now that i'm thirty i've mastered the art of cleaning out my fridge (tossing unidentifiable leftovers), figuring out how to hook-up the internet, get stains out, organize important paperwork, know where our passports are (at all times), book a flight, paint my nails without a smudge, juggle a baby, a cell phone and a pot of pasta at once among other fine things that come with being a housewife.

+ now that i'm thirty i should write letters to the teachers of my past; ones i think of often and appreciate.

+ now that i'm thirty i understand a wee bit more that we are not in control of what happens to us or our loved ones. we are only in control of how we react on the road we are traveling.

+ now that i'm thirty i think i ought to have a few recipes memorized. and some poetry. (and my mom's new phone number!) just to have on hand / in mind.

+ now that i'm thirty i wish i were better at giving directions. i'm horrible at it!

+ now that i'm thirty i need to start acting more like a woman. more thank you notes and kindly deeds. more lipstick and heels. and good haircuts. and making soup for the sick and holding doors and visiting the elderly and looking semi-presentable by noon.

+ now that i'm thirty i should start embracing the fact that this blog is more writerly than anything else. and i shouldn't be shy about mentioning it; but admittedly it's a funny topic of conversation to someone you've just met. usually i just let them discover it about me along the way. what about you? when do you tell someone you have a blog? it's a little like unveiling a hidden tattoo. 

+ now that i'm thirty i should have a list of real favorites. nine year olds are pretty solid in their favorites. we'll see if i can patch an updated list together.

+ now that i'm thirty i should stop wavering about getting into facebook. most people tell me it's not worth it. what do you think? do you use it; personally or for business? i guess i like to think i'm using my energy elsewhere. (maybe when i'm thirsty for new business, i'll go that route.)

+ now that i'm thirty i am super glad i never got any random piercings.

+ now that i'm thirty i ought to acquire a legit coffee table. with glossy coffee table books.

+ now that i'm thirty i've embraced the concept of the purse. whole-heartedly.

+ now that i'm thirty i am cool with being short. still not so cool with my cankles.

+ now that i'm thirty i wish i had been a better friend. i was a drama queen when i was on the playground.

+ now that i'm thirty i am grateful with my travelogue thus far and can't wait for the time to come to introduce my kids to the world with dan by my side.

+ now that i'm thirty i've stopped looking for facial cleansers; cetaphil pretty much does the job.

+ now that i'm thirty i ought to quit thinking i was just in high school. it was indeed awhile ago; i just can't believe i pass as a grown up now.

+ now that i'm thirty i'm so glad i took creative writing in middle school, cub chorus in elementary school, public speaking in high school and photoshop in college. i use what i learned in those classes every single day.

+ now that i'm thirty i wonder what the next thirty years have in store.

good girl talk / topics

spent martin luther king, jr. day with my sisters and all the kiddos and my mom. siblings are so awesome. sure, we get into deep conversations sometimes with controversial topics (usually around a roaring campfire). but when the girls get together, we can just skim the fat and dive right into the good chit chat (silly mindless topics husbands won't put up with for too long). we don't always agree–for example, half of us believe in paying good money for a haircut, the other half believes in going to any breathing body at fantastic sam's for a quick trim. however, those who shall remain nameless were well endowed with perfect hair from the beginning. they can't possibly understand–we always talk up a storm and learn a little too. (i have a list of books to read and mothering habits i should acquire.) and there is always a little poking fun at each other, for good measure.

girl talk.

funny memories.
sad stories.
our kids.
our childhood.
our hair. 
recent recipes.
blogs.
cleaning.
best household gadgets.
dieting.
non-dieting.
exercising.
best healthy snacks.
best brands of chocolate.
facebook updates.
non-facebooking.
books to read.
songs to hear.
new musicians.
new youtubes.
tv shows.
bizarre dreams.
royal mishaps.
happy accidents.
embarrassing moments.
high school flames.
good movies.
lame movies.
so-so movies.
actors we can't remember the names of.
clothes.
shopping.
vanity sizing.
husbands.
kids.
politics (for two minutes, max.)
and again back to the hair.
fine hair vs. curly hair.
blonde vs. brunette.
growth patterns.
the swoop bangs.
people we admire.
party ideas.
styles we want to attempt.
babies.
pregnancy.
birth stories.
raising boys.
raising girls.
stories so funny they make me cry.
stories so sweet they make me cry.
and then before we can catch our breath,
it's time to say goodbye.

what are your favorite topics of discussion with your besties?

a list for tuesday

last year's christmas letter-ing. pretty much the same scene as this year, but with new postage stamps and a new cluster of pens. i really can't wait to tell you about the pens we landed upon. however that will have to wait as they somehow got tucked into my in-laws' car with santa's satchel of to-be-hidden presents.

here's a list for today.
+ we went to the park at noon. it was sunny, bright and wonderful. i even had my camera. we shared a mini frosty. it was brilliant. one of those days i won't soon forget. maybe the cutest was when i asked benji if he wanted anymore ice cream and he replied, i scream, you scream, we all scream for ice cream. and came over for a big spoonful. i love when they shock you with things they know. like conquering tall twirly slides and curved ladders. kids are awesome.

+ i'm excited to debut a design i've been working on these past two days in my little aqua workshop. my cousin abby gave me the idea and, as it sometimes happens, the project has turned into something with a mind of its own. think printable poster. think custom canvas. get excited. i hope you'll like it. i was going to wait to post about it until i have it all printed pretty and framed and then photographed in good light, but the season is coming, the goose is getting fat, so i'll be posting it sooner than later without all the bells and whistles. (hopefully you can envision its potential.)

+ a giant thank you to those of you who placed cyber monday mini diary orders. they will be shipped by this weekend. and thanks for saying nice things about our family canvas montage. it's branching out for me, but i really do love it. thanks for the affirmations or affi's as we have termed them in this house.

+ i am thinking about the new michael buble christmas cd. i'm suddenly a bit fascinated by him, ever since a little blurb about him in the people magazine i slurped up on the way home from sun valley. what about you? any new holiday faves we should know about?

+ and what about christmas work party fashions? any ideas on going fancy but not too fancy? am considering a pink sparkly cardigan. because cardigans have never led me astray. and pink is festive, is it not?

+ i have a load of laundry to fold, dinner to make and a few stocking stuffers to wrap(!). so, i'm off. hope you have a happy tuesday. i seriously can't wait for december to begin. i love these inbetween days.

a list / sunday evening smatterings.

image by rachel whiting photography.

+ i still feel all over the place; but the house is coming together. i'm sure you're sick of my house ramblings, but that is all i can think of. like i was telling dan; my life is being a housewife, a stay-at-home mom and a freelance designer from home (ala aqua studio!). and a bit of an OCD nutcase. thus, the making of the house is of utmost importance to me.

+ i did manage to scrub the border of a hand-me-down woven rug (yay oxyclean!) and put out some halloween decorations in the front room. i even glittered a pumpkin with some newfound friends for the porch. it catches the moonlight (and spreads glitter all over too). we have some of our favorite fall books out; including this thanksgiving storybook.

+ am already thinking about christmas cards. what about you? do you do christmas cards? are you so over christmas cards? am leaning towards tinyprints, minted or moo. do you have a favorite resource? this holiday kermit made me smile.

+ there was much dreamy talk about quilts and bedding (ala my quilting cousin) over soups and cider and curry rice (not all in one sitting) this weekend. am officially switching over from a puffy duvet to layers of quilts. i know this isn't groundbreaking news. but i have a happy memory of staying in a bed & breakfast in delft, holland when i was thirteen. my brother and i had the attic room with a skylight and two charming twin beds piled high with dozens of mismatched warm quilts.

+ am itching to blog another am a fan post. there is a lot of cool stuff out there. as you know.

+ the husband assembled this and this over the weekend, while cooking curry and playing trains. he also watched two boys and mowed the lawn, criss cross applesauce style. he was mister productive. he is such a hero to me. i am so grateful to have him in my life. i don't brag about him enough on the blog.

+ i have a few more incredible handpicked home sponsors to plug this week. i'm excited. these are all companies / products i truly like and feel they deserve a spot in the sunshine. i hope you'll click in and check them out. most of them have killer packaging too, which always helps.

+ anyone interested in mini diaries for christmas / festivus?

eight a.m. ramblings.

spectacular subway tile. a new thing i just learned about. source via apt. therapy..

this post is going to be a speedy post. as my child is still sleeping. hurrah. ever since we moved in, he has started this new habit (knock on wood) of not waking up at 6 a.m. thus giving me the perfect extra little space of time to hunt for houses online (but mostly skim blogs and pin stuff on pinterest in rapid fashion).

+ thank you entirely for your good comments and questions on my last post. they sparked my interest and i plan to gather my answers and give you some good juicy posts. i appreciate you more than words can say.

+ none of the homes we looked through yesterday resembled anything close to the 'dream homes' you find in the nooks and crannies of pinterest. i'm realizing that i'm going to really have to put some sweat into a new place to make it ours. to make it feel like home. to make it cozy and perfect. i realize that home-making is an artform. i'm realizing i have a lot to learn.

+ case in point. yesterday whit and i chatted over salads (greens, tomatoes, blueberries, craisins, raspberries, parmesan cheese, poppy seed dressing) and she taught me all about the joys of subway tile.

+ the reason i'm awake while bear is sleeping (a rare thing indeed) is because we've been going to spin classes with my father-in-law. nothing like getting whooped by your favorite senior citizen. seriously, this man is a machine. anyway, i have decided that my butt has not been properly calloused for this class. i've also decided that i don't know why people do this kind of thing for fun. however the instructor shows all these clips of lance armstrong biking his guts out. when you're pumping your legs like a maniac, it's nice to feel like you're right behind lance. it feels a little like we're taking a bit too much advantage of his victories up the hills in france, but hey, i doubt he minds. (and me waking up at 5:30 to ride on a saddle is a personal victory for me. i must admit i thought of eleanor roosevelt this morning while trying to enjoy the ride.)

+ i'll leave you with a few favorite eleanor roosevelt quotes.
You must do the things you think you cannot do.

You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.

It takes as much energy to wish as it does to plan.

You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'

What one has to do usually can be done.

a dozen things

01. is anything more dreamy than being in central park with your best friend husband?! i think not. thank you for coming along with me on my nyc vacay recap. you are too kind.

02. bear took a monster nap yesterday. the hardest thing is knowing if one should awaken a little one from a nap or not. usually i opt to let the boy sleep. he loves his sleep. somedays i go in and pick him up and feel like i can see his growth right before my eyes!

03. i had a close encounter with a celebrity the other day. it was equally exhilarating and embarrassing. i'm not quite ready to discuss it in detail. lets just say i was starstruck at the sight of him but tried to keep my act together as i completely admire him. i am not so sure if i seemed sweet or stalkerish or downright dorky. still it was a thrill, though i'm trying to forget it so i don't keep going over our meeting in my mind.

04. i've gotta quit thinking that if i meet certain celebrities we'd instantly be besties.

05. bloggers on the other hand really do feel like real friends. so approachable and awesome. i am a firm believer that the comment box (and straight up email) is the best way to befriend bloggers in real life. don't be shy. speak up.

06. all of you who watch bethenny on bravo say aye. 'aye.'

07. my friends, julie, hilary and i saw mindy gledhill in concert. there were globes on the stage, hanging upside down umbrellas and twinkle lights. it was perfect for her music. i loved mindy. she wore a black dress, converse shoes and butterfly wings and she came to idaho. she is adorable. did you know she's pregnant? and simply darling and friendly and wonderful. we'd totally be besties if we lived on the same street. the song hourglass made me cry.

08. sooner or later i'm going to draw up a post wherein you (hopefully) ask questions and i'll answer them. i'm running on empty when it comes to personal post ideas.

09. all of you soaking up the last episodes of oprah, say aye. 'aye.'

10. splurged on jumbo strawberries and dipped them in chocolate and sprinkles for girls night out.

11. am excited to hang out with family and celebrate at my dad's big event this weekend.

12. blogger somehow misplaced this post and lost all the comments. boo.