Friday Fotos

Happy Birthday to Designing Mom Jackie's boy, Graham who turned the big 5!
Have a happy Friday and weekend everyone!

Shop: Asher Jasper

Oh the vast wonders of felt!  I fell head over heels for these customizable "family portrait" felt creations by Vicky at Asher Jasper.  Just send her a pic and she'll craft your family from wool felt and tuck your semblances into an egg carton (brilliant packaging!).  Just too much cuteness...

Best of Our Blogs: Anatomy 101

Designing Mom Lori is contributing today for our "Best of our Blogs" series.  She has a great mid-week feature on her blog called "What He Said Wednesday..." and this is her all-time favorite.  I laughed so hard...talk about teaching mom some anatomy 101!  

from lori:

every friday the little dude brings home a folder full of worksheets and artwork that he’s worked on throughout the week. this past friday was no exception. as i glanced through the packet i came across the usual worksheets and artwork. as i examined one of the worksheets more closely, i noticed something that didn’t seem quite right….

i secretly hoped that what i saw was just another piece of food that was lower in the mouse’s belly. however, in my heart, i knew what it really was. the fact that it seemed scribbled over made it even more certain for me. i called the little dude in to look at the artwork with me. i started easy by asking what the artwork was about. he showed me all the different food that he had drawn in the mouse’s belly….and that was it. i had to step it up and address the obvious. “so, this red piece down here….is that another piece of food?” the little dude looked up at me with a guilty look that confirmed my suspicions and quietly and shyly admitted, “no, that’s his junk”.

Make: Origami Crafts

by Designing Mom Aya of Chronicle Books

I occasionally contribute to Chronicle Books' blog. This one was my very first. I am not a big crafter but enjoy making a little something here and there. These are some of my instant craft projects, using origami papers that I designed.

Click here to read the full post!

Shop: Summer with Nonchalant Mom

It's way too early to start reminiscing...but I think it's right about this time of year (when the San Fran fog rolls in and out of the city) that I start collecting my "hits" of summer.  Below are a few of Designing Mom Carina's (Nonchalant Mom) favorites.   I second the salmon pasta! 

from Carina:
- summer clothing: Layla
- summer color: anything fluorescent and still in love with blue (cobalt blue)
- food: summer salmon pasta
- reading: Star - how Warren Beatty Seduced America
- my kids are crazy for putting on shows right now... one just about every day... come on over and see if you like!? 

Shop: Crewcuts

 There's a sense of the Great Plains and great discovery in the new arrivals at J Crew's Crewcuts...

Happy Blogiversary

Be on the lookout for a new series called "Best of our Blogs" to highlight favorite posts of the Designing Mom's personal blogs and sites. And I invite you to share your blogs as well by sending in a link to your favorite posts ever (send to designingmoms@gmail.com)!

Speaking of blogs...I wanted to wish Designing Mom Lori of Fin + Roe a very happy Blogiversary! Her blog is five years in the running and she's doing a GREAT giveaway of one of her photographic prints, 5 Marzipan greeting cards, and a set of alphabet magnets (below)! Click here to enter.  

Shop: Rock On

There are great choices for one a kind rockers that meet form and function for the nursery.  I'm partial to some that I found on Ebay that were vintage or upcycled office furniture...


Above: Ron Arad rocking chair
Phillipe Starck Hudson rocking chair
Snooze Rock Chair







above: all Ebay finds

Decorate: Alice in Wonderland Party

Talented Designing Mom Erika of Delphine and her work was recently featured on Wedding Chicks.  
Her beautiful stationery was designed for an Alice in Wonderland themed wedding put on by Couture Events.  From tick tock rehearsal invites to Welcome to Wonderland menus... I could easily see this theme being used for an all out whimsical baby shower or children's tea party! 

photos by Joie Lala

Decorate: Chic Pink Baby Shower

Designing Mom Carina of Nonchalant Mom had all the rumblings of pink in its color scheme, but I love how sophisticated it turned out.  From rustic pies to deep plums...this was such a wonderful grown-up "pink" fete to celebrate the mom-to-be!  Click here for the full post. 

Friday Fotos: Summer Love

I love having the chance to visit all of the fellow Designing Moms' blogs...
This lovely foto is from Designing Mom Rubyellen's blog (MyCakies) and her hubby in Sonoma. 
Have a happy Friday and weekend everyone!

Balance: Workout = Working it Out

Against doctor's orders, I decided to rehabilitate my joints (post-baby) by going back to my old kick box classes taught by my friend James.  Returning from a year long hiatus, I was slower, in pain, almost hobbling in fact...   I showed up each week and plugged on until I could start to feel my body not only respond but crave the challenges.  It's been months, but I've happily returned to running, huffing up and down the San Francisco hills and other things I swore I would probably have to give up in motherhood. 

Dare I say it but a sweaty gym has been my antidote for rehabilitation as well as being a sane mom.  In exchange for an intense round of punching, kicking and sweating I receive a chance to press the reset button, be at one with my body, clear my head and basically map out a guaranteed crazy day..."working out" has certainly proven to be my modus operandi to "working things out."   

Below are some pics from the other day when Designing Mom Shinmin joined me for one of James' classes.  I can't tell you how excited I am to have a fellow endorphin junkie to kick around with! 

Story: Being Preggy Never Looked So Good

by Designing Mom Jackie of Avocado and Papaya

My good friend Lisa (of Picnic) is 32 weeks pregnant with twin boys. She recently asked me to do a photo shoot to document herself with two little buns in the oven. Here are a few highlights:

Decorate: Libby Langdon

If you watch HGTV's Small Space Big Style or any of Rachael Ray's decorating segments, you probably see Libby Langdon giving her best tips and solutions for sprucing up interiors.  So what happens if you have a small space, big style AND little ones? 
We're so fortunate that Libby and home tech expert David Gregg were able to answer some questions I had for us about creating spaces for moms to create, work and live in... 

Click on the video below for my questions and their answers for them!

Download: Summer Reading List

Designing Mom Erika of Delphine Press has a wonderful download for all of us today! I hope all of your little ones are having a great summer catching up with their books.  I think this list will definitely come in handy for the fridge or as a bookmark.  Be sure to click here for the download!

Shop: Delphine Sale

Friday Fotos: Kelle Hampton

I've been following Kelle Hampton's blog, Enjoying the Small Things ever since the birth of her daughter Nella...   You'll have to visit to experience it fully (and if you do, click on the "start here if you're new").  She is a true triumph and I'll never forget her first photos of having just given birth to her daughter.  She knew almost instantly that her baby had down syndrome and the photos captured her joy, raw fear and confusion at their greatest heights.

Just last night I re-visited her blog and her latest post was a wonderful update, saying she floats happily now...still aware, but floating on happiness.  And the most current photo (at bottom) of Nella says it all.  What an inspiration. 

Have a happy Friday and weekend everyone!

Shop: Mookah

If you love color, print and pattern and as much as I do, then you'll love Aussie based Mookah.
The beanbag covers are adorable! 

Make: Swing

by Designing Mom Ryan of Tin Parade

When I was a kid so many people had a nice wooden swing in their yards. Maybe it’s because I live in Los Angeles, but I don’t see those anymore. I love the way they make you feel like life is so simple. My Tin Parade partner Kristen made this swing with the help of a skilled friend. Our kids loved it.

They cut the wood and drilled holes (and sanded and stained it). Then a nice rope was tied though one side’s hole and the rope thrown over the tree and then tied in the other side’s drilled hole. Voila!

Make: Cheap Thrills Railroad Tracks

by Designing Mom Jackie of Avocado and Papaya

On Tuesday, I was welcoming summer with open arms. I was singing the praises of said warm season, dusting off my flip flops and prepping our leftover watermelon for homemade popsicles.

Today I wore a wool sweater, scarf and my faux-uggs around the house, trying to think of fun indoor activities to avoid a chilly afternoon outing to the playground. The blue painter's tape came out and a wonky train track was born.

 
Simple, fun and cheap.

Graham's eyes lit up when he watched an ordinary tape roll turn into an impromptu train track on our kitchen floor. We even made a little shed to hold their animals (not pictured). Unfortunately, I ran out of tape about a third of the way through finishing the railway ties. G was disappointed, but we compromised with some string, which he used to link the trains together. Simon was digging it too, along with his snack of cherry tomatoes which have officially been added to his A-list, just like his big bro.

Now, Mr. Sun, this does not mean you are off the hook. When are you coming back to these parts?