duvet jacket

     I'm not sure how I missed the Maison Martin Margiela

collaboration with H&M for which they re-issued their famous duvet jacket.  It's been sold out for weeks, although a friend of mine just scooped up this precious bundle at a random store in vegas, it looks like ebay is the only shopping spot now for these coveted cozies.  They even come with a grey striped cover.  When you snooze you lose, I guess. 

coffee date

How was your holiday?  I've been so immersed in family time and the relaxing days that follow the December craze that I had taken myself off the hook from blogging, amongst other things.  Until this morning, when I stumbled upon Alissa's Coffee Date Friday link-up and I decided that a coffee date I did not miss.   This week, the coffee of choice has been Intelligentsia's El Diablo and I'm on about a two and a half cup routine.  I just want to savor these mornings when the kids don't have to rush off to school, we don't have to rush off to work, and everyone can just be.  We can awake slowly, lounge in our pj's for hours, and cozy up to each other around new games and books.  I can say yes to question after question like, "can we do this craft, mommy?"  There's no where to be, no deadlines, no conference calls, no homework, and I can be the YES mom for awhile.

at the people spot in front of heritage bike store
 

Sometimes, you just need to take yourself off the hook for things to take the stress level down a notch.  When my son was born, I took myself off the hook for holiday cards, we do Valentine's cards instead.   I'm even taking myself off the hook for downloading the photos that I was thinking of including in this post and instead including ones that I never posted from this summer.  So, take yourself off the hook for something today and enjoy.

And just so you don't think I've lost my usual undertones, I am typing this from my favorite part of the day - the early hours of the morning when I'm the only one awake in the house.  I'm currently the YES mom, but I'm also the - please don't wake up for another hour so I can drink my coffee in peace mom, too.

link up your coffee date post with alissa

holidaycraft

This goodie of a holiday craft comes from my mother-in-law.  Gifts of sand, beach glass, and shells from her beach in these simple glass ornaments.  Beautiful, thoughtful treasure that evoke memories of summer days playing in the sand and listening to the waves.

 

Coming to you from 10,000 feet in the air and behind tear filled eyes as I still cannot fathom last week's tragedy.

Maybe you have seen this facebook post, maybe you haven't but well said Matthew Nicholas.

Hey kids. You. The Ones that left us today. The ones who experienced the worst that humanity can do. You little angels who closed your eyes in a living Hell this morning. I'm so, so very sorry that this world didn't give you a chance.

I'm a nobody guy from a small town in Michigan. You would've never known me. 

But in all of this overwhelming sadness of today, I just want to let you all know that you matter. Even though you didn't even have a chance to realize how big the world is, today, the sad end of your lives affected MILLIONS of people. It's probably little comfort for you at all, but tonight in America, in Europe, in Asia, in Africa, Australia....everywhere.... mommies are holding their kids a little tighter and a little longer. Daddies are listening to their kids and showing them more love. 

Your twenty little souls were set free this morning and there is nothing good that could be said about that. But because you left, and the way you were taken, millions of kids still here on Earth tonight will be shown more love than any other ordinary Friday.

Your short and precious lives had a value and a purpose.

Godspeed.

If you'd like to help, you can donate here.

There are no words for what happened today.  The families of the victims are in my prayers.  

It's really unimaginable. 

Aren't these booties screaming for sequin footie socks?  I've found that sequin footie socks are quite hard to come by.  According to the Nordstrom Associate, she's never seen sequin footie socks.  Perhaps this is my next gig?  Sitting home and making socks.  I'm picturing it...liking it.   Because America should run on sequins and booties!

groceries and glam

Did you know that our besties across the northern border can pick up any of the above in the same trip (and store) where they purchase oranges, milk and their ingredients for the week?  My new Canadian bestie explained how she can easily come home with double the amount of "grocery" bags when there's a Joe Fresh department store in the middle of the produce section.  A cross between J Crew, Zara and H+M, but at grocery store prices, it would be hard to resist.  Lucky for us american gals, Joe Fresh crossed the border last year but only lives by our east coast friends.  And their goodies are not available online yet, so if you find yourself "up north" or "out east" it may be worth a Joe Fresh google or trip for some groceries.  Because you never know when you could run out of juice boxes....or sequin shirts.

Oh yes, they have a kids line too!

Faves for my girl....

 

And faves for my guy....

bike ride

I've never gotten along so well with bikes.  When I was ten and rode my ten-speed around the block, I'd always wipe out at the same spot about a half way around the block and skin my knee.  For some reason, I thought this gravely part of the street would change, but it didn't and I walked around with a band-aid on my knee that entire summer.  When my husband and I started dating almost two decades ago (when I was 12), he would suggest bike rides along the city.  How romantic, I thought.  Riding downtown Chicago through traffic after 4th of July fireworks more often than not, lead to me walking my bike on the sidewalk, and not romance.  Flash forward another decade to when there was a break in in our basement and several bikes were stolen.  Mine was one of them.  It was a summer miracle.  My bike riding days were over!  But, now the kids love the idea of family bike rides, and it's difficult not to participate.  Last year, my husband and a neighbor found a bike in the alley and it was later coined as mine.  So, a few weeks ago, when the temperatures hit 60 degrees, I found myself hopping on a bike for the first time in 7 years.  The kids (pointing and all) were amazed that I even knew how to ride a bike.

My new found bike is a cruising bike.  It forces perfect posture while riding.  As I rode down the lakeshore path, I found myself getting a lot of waves and smiles from other people on cruisers.  Is this some club I didn't about it, because I love it. Maybe it's just the posture that makes everyone seems extra ducky.  Whatever it is, I'll take it and my biking attitude may just take a turn down the right path, basket and all.

Gap jean, Madewell striped shirt, puma kicks

touch gloves

I don't build any extra minutes, even seconds, into my day to account for unexpected delays for getting where I need to be.  For example, I did not anticipate a stoplight being out on Ashland Avenue this morning, thus making me late for an appointment.  Stoplights, garbage trucks blocking side streets, street closings, long lines at Starbucks, and yes, even removing my gloves to search for that email that tells me where I need to be can knock me off my schedule in a second.  And this is why the people behind Echo Design's (previously posted about their bags  here) touch gloves are pure genius.  Perfect stocking stuffer for that fast texting friend.

echo touch bow gloves $42.00

natural skincare class

Chicago besties, mark your calendars!  There's a natural skincare class at the Peggy Notebart Nature Museum on December 12 @ 6pm.  I've posted a few homemade recipes in the past and can't wait to learn and share a few more.  We will also learn which product ingredients to avoid (yes, this feeds my paranoia but also makes me feel smart about the products I purchase).  With this class, my beauty bag may almost be complete with all the commercial and homemade products that I can feel good about.

cheki pop fun

Love the instant fun that comes with the old school polaroid cameras.  And the mini madness that this Cheki Pop camera served up was even better.  I received this camera about 12 years ago as a business gift from some Japanese clients, as their gift giving custom is taken very seriously.  Serious, though, I was not after I received this gift.  Giddy?  Yes!  Love love love instant cameras.  Everything about them.  This goodie followed me to London on a girls getaway and I am surprised it held up after all the abuse.  Cute 4x3 souvenirs slide out of this simple machine bringing instant gratification and giggles.  So, last month, at about 3am on a Saturday, when I was working on a shoot in a Walmart, I could barely contain my excitement upon seeing this FujiFilm (Cheki Pop) in the camera aisle!  They're back or maybe they've just made it across the continents.  All I know is that this would make a great holiday gift and over the top hostess gift.  Just make sure to get extra film packs.  You are going to need them!

 

 with my sis at her bachelorette party (b.c.)

conversations i cherish

during our walk to school this morning. 


Daughter:  "Mom, we have five people in our family, right?

Mom:  "You mean including the fish?  Yes, then five."

Daughter:  "But we have cousins and other people too."

Mom:  "Yes, but in our immediate family, we have five, including the fish."

Daughter:  "Yep, five."

Son (finally listening):  "No silly.  We only have four."

Mom:  "She's including the fish."

Son:  "Oh, right then, five.  I totally forgot."


In all dead panned seriousness....and little do they know that our "fish" is actually the sixth member (the original fifth member bit the dust over the summer but I couldn't tell them)  #momsecrets  #momwimpiness