little flowers.

There were a few planning snags at our wedding. Really wanted benches for the beach ceremony but on a rural barrier island, I came to find out, the logistics and rental costs were more than we could justify. The next big one, surprisingly, were finding flower girl dresses. With only five months between engagement and wedding, summer wear was not easily found in New England by the time we got to 'wardrobe detail' in the Fall. A November destination beach wedding down south made for difficult planning when all we could find was cashmere and holiday wear up North. We found plenty of overly shiny or synthetic versions not suited for warm, outdoor weddings. Alas, J.Crew delivers. As always, their classic, unfussy flower girl dresses in bright sorbet colors are breezy and comfortable for all the little flowers in your wedding.

Top photo Credit

it's a girl thing.

Lets face it- a wedding is a day to celebrate the love between two people. Wedding planning, however, is entirely different. It's a girl thing. Mom's, sisters, girlfriends and female colleagues all jump into the fun details. Brides are always looking for the perfect way to thank these special women for the year long advice and logistic sessions that go into the wedding planning.

With Mother's Day around the corner- this might be the perfect gift from our friend and talented photographer, Maggie Conley for a particularly special mom in your "planning committee". The Mother and child portaits. Maggie says I created this portrait after falling in love with so many of the Madonna and Child masterpieces in the Italian museums. This portrait is an experience; it is more elaborate than a normal portrait and may involve very deliberate choices as to lighting or symbols. Depending on your taste, you may choose between the following three styles to guide the vision:

Modern :simple backdrop with an eye towards the simplicity of form.
Renaissance: dramatic lighting on a dark backdrop with classical styling.
Au Naturale: an outdoor setting with or without backdrop.

Maggie has a gentle, fun, natural manner that puts you at ease the way your best girlfriend would. And her work? It speaks for itself.

in like a lion, out like a lamb.

March seems to be baby month. I have gotten two birth announcements this month and two more colleagues and friends are expecting their firstborn any day now. On a recent trip to IKEA with my sister, I was reminded how the Swedes do it right when it comes to kids. Vibrant decor, cotton clothing and wooden toys.

Years ago, when work took me overseas for six months to Scandanavia, one of my biggest impressions was how the new moms seem to have a good thing going. Active and connected to community they would stroll down the city streets and parks of Stockholm with the other moms (on 18 month maternity leave!) with these little cherubs wrapped up. The baby snuggled into little duvet pockets in off roading strollers and older sibling playing with a wooden toy. Seriously. Little excess, no plastic.... just a few hand selected quality items. And the kids did not seem deprived and longing for their Hannah Montana plastic microphone.

This is my collection of European inspired kid wares that just seem to make sense. I love the animal onesies with big elephant ears to mop up drool via Spoon Sisters.

Wouldn't it be wonderful to be a household full of these items, reduce waste and even support some local artisans? Some of the little March lambs will surely receive an item or two from this Swedish inspired board.

|Top down | Left to Right|
Baby and pillow Dwellshop, Monkey Sock Kit via Posh Chicago, Kid Prints Mahar Dry Goods, Toy Chest Owyn, Kid socks papastour, Italian Marbles Posh Chicago, Bib via Spoon Sisters, Little Girls Dress Tallulah Jones

Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown

Valentines Day has a real magic in Kindergarten. The biggest task of the week is to make an envelope to hang on the edge of your desk to catch all of the love of your classmates. Doilies, pink cupcakes and the cut out heart signed by your first crush. Pure joy. We relived that magic looking through all of the sweet surprises in Lucy's carefully decorated bag. Her smirk gave her away. Yep, Luke is her definitely her first crush. So today-maybe get back to pure basics. Fold a piece of red paper in half, cut that familiar curve, decorate with all your heart and give away. It has a funny way of keeping that magic alive. Happy Valentines Day.

|mike and erica|



Left to Right
Martha Stewart Kids via Black Eiffel (Kids Valentines)
Beautiful Couple Max Wanger