a week of thanks

Would you believe the boys' first birthday is less than three months away, and there are STILL thank you notes from the weeks surrounding their birth that I've yet to write?!? How embarrassing!

With so many gifts that have gone unthanked, but hardly unappreciated, I'd like to spend a little time this week paying tribute to some of the M+M's [and my] favorite things. Starting with this sweet apron from Becky.

Not only has this saved me from many a spit-up and blow-out [once or twice simultaneously], but so have the great list of tips Becky sent for getting along these first few months of motherhood. Tip #1: Buy the darkest version of everything you can find-especially onsies, t-shirts-and bibs. Miles 'the Mess' and I thank you kindly for this advice Becky!

my uniform at suzanne cabrera illustration

I love the Mossimo tees from Target. Right now I have them in six colors...one for nearly every day of the week. I'd like to extend the collection to two weeks.

What's your uniform staple these days?

sock feet

this post is carbonated and hyphenated

When it comes to fashion, I have a very low-maintenance approach. An old friend once described me as being a t-shirt and jeans kind-of-girl. At the time I took offense to this 'accusation', but now I'd say it's quite accurate.

I do, however, have a soft-spot when it comes to dresses, especially ones that hearken back to another era. Enter Shabby Apple.


I recently discovered this online store and am fairly certain that included within it's collections are the dresses of ever woman I ever dreamed of being as a little girl. Part Sterling-Cooper-typing-pool, part pin-up and part lets-blow-this-popsicle-stand-and-hit-the-beach, the clothes cover all the bases.

I recently ordered the San Gabriel as I see it being a dress that can work in spring, summer and fall. I plan on adding a cardigan and a pair of boots and calling it a day....until the next day when I'm back in my t-shirt and jeans.

one of those days

all that glitters isn't gold

I'm exfoliating! Learn more here.

the cookie incident

You can imagine my dismay as I reached for a business card and pulled out bits of a crumbled cookie instead. I'm always struggling to keep my purse neat and tidy. This didn't help matters...not in the least.

in need of a second opinion

Seeing as how the bag I purchased back in the spring has turned from summer white to a shade of winter tan, I decided it was time to invest in a new purse. The only problem is that I've found two I like and do not know which one to keep and which one to return...so I'm turning to you. Which bag is the winner?

OPTION ONE : feels good, smells good, but I question whether this color can take me through the fall and winter seasons; lack of interior pockets may lead to further disorganization
OPTION TWO : the "leather" is somewhat questionable and I have some doubts about the quality of its construction; however, I like the structure and size of the bag; will hold a large sketchbook.Please vote. Its your civic duty :)

big girl : ridiculous footwear

I distinctly remember being little (maybe 4 or 5) at JCPenny and my parents wanting to buy me a pair of Smurf bedroom shoes. (You remember the kind...the ones with the big Smurf head on the toe) I also remember throwing a tantrum in the middle of the shoe department because I wanted some big girl slippers, not baby ones.

Fast forward 25 years to what I wear around the house at night.


I don't understand either.

blue monday : brown suede shoes

So much for never drawing leopard print again!


Hope your week is starting off well. I'm afraid I'm having "a case of the Mondays" that started on Sunday afternoon. Don't you hate when that happens?

i've got the blues...shoes, that is

I don't know if you've ever shopped for blue shoes before, but....well...it's difficult. I had to take a whole week off from blogging just to find the right pair :)

loosening up

After a extended break, I'm trying to get back in the routine of going to the gym on a regular basis. If there is one thing I've been reminded of by this experience it is that the same rules apply to exercising as they do to drawing: both take diligence, improvement doesn't happen overnight and just as it is important to be loose when drawing, it is important to loosen up before exercising. OTHERWISE, you feel like I do today...awww, eek, awww, eek, yikes...every single move hurts.