hello weekend

Anyone else wondering where fall went? It's almost 80° here! We're not complaining though... we're soaking up the sun by playing tee ball in the yard. I hope the weather stays nice this weekend because we have a few outdoor activities planned... apple and pumpkin picking (finally) and a trip to the Scituate Art Festival. I'm also helping to lead a girls retreat tonight, so I'm sure I'm in for a late night! Tomorrow I'm hoping to do a deep clean of the house and then we're celebrating Matt's mom's birthday (check out last year's celebration right here). And if I can squeeze it in, I hope to finish this quilt. What are you up to this weekend?

- can you spare a minute or two? go here and vote for my mom's quilt... scroll down and check the box next to "Jodi's Sampler"
- did you know you can make an omelet in a Zip-loc bag?
- cool illustrations of J.Crew's Spring 2013 line
- one of the best things about fall: layering
- and how to relish autumn. on it.
- really cute care packages: one and two
- gah! an elephant on a bicycle! I want it.
- some thoughts on style. I concur.
- and some brilliant thoughts on getting ready for baby

If you have one, enjoy the long weekend, and I'll see you back here on Tuesday!

image via The Yard

hello weekend

Looks like we're in for another rainy fall weekend here, but I'm not complaining. Rain makes things kind of cozy, and it's the perfect weather for curling up with a book and cup of tea. Might have to do just that tonight. If you're local, check out the schedule for the First Works Festival in Providence tomorrow night. It looks like a super cool event - I want to check out Bandaloop, the Papermoon Puppet Theatre, and Squonk Opera. Now you're intrigued, right?

Also, so many good finds this week! Check 'em out...
- bunk beds are my favorite
- score! loads of free script fonts
- the two best photo shoot props are a heart-shaped kite and a yellow scooter
- one of my many dreams: live in a converted schoolhouse
- this vintage trunk restyle turned out way better than mine
- aren't these ideas for a housewarming party great?
- must make my own wheat thins
- love the name of this local letterpress shop
- check out the fab new children's lifestyle blog, Small Fry
- need an excuse to make a three layer peanut butter pie
- this subdued shared space for a boy and a baby is my kind of room
- the sweetest little dress up busy book I've ever seen

Have a wonderful weekend!

image via Emerson Fry

hello weekend

Ahhh, the weekend. It really feels like fall here - crisp air, rustling leaves, and of course, terrible leaf blowers practically every minute of the day. To escape the noise we're heading to the farm tomorrow to pick apples with Ezra. I can't wait to see him taking bites out of each and every one. What are your plans for the weekend?

- I love everything about this townhouse
- can't wait to try zigzag binding my next quilt
- absolutely love following along with this beautiful adoption story
- birthday cookies are the new birthday cake
- why didn't I think of confetti business cards?
- what a sweet gift exchange between friends
- an adorable book turned clutch, via Design Mom

Have a good one!

image via I ART U

hello weekend | we're back!

After a week of being back home I finally feel like things are getting back to normal! We returned from Paris last Friday and the smoke has finally cleared, so I'm ready to start sharing some photos and all my favorite places from the city of light. I'll put together a few posts on our trip, sort of a mini guide to Paris. Very mini. (To start off, the photo above was taken on the steps of The Pantheon.) Once I finish that up I'm excited to get back into the swing of things. Now that fall is here (!) there are apples to pick, pumpkins to carve, and pies to bake, so expect regular posting from here on out! Thanks for reading again... it's good to be back!

hello weekend

It's the weekend but it feels like an extra long one to me... the reason? Like I mentioned the other day, I'm taking the entire month of August off so I can fully dive into planning our upcoming trip to Paris, and I'm starting my little blog vacation now. Things will be quiet around here for about a month, but I promise that once we get back I'll have lots of fun things to share. So right now, while I reserve a car to transport us from CDG to our apartment, make lists of outfits to wear, and bookmark my eleven guidebooks, here are some links to love... 

- I love everything about this house tour
- thoughts on one year of marriage, and celebrating ten!
- love these shots of our friends by Matt
- this tour of Rachel Castles studio is amazing
- one of the best ebay knockoffs around
- definitely wish these came in my size

Have a great weekend! And month! Wish me luck as we head to the city of macarons and striped tee shirts!

image by Paul Ferney for Oh Happy Day

hello weekend + Ezra's first haircut

So we finally went through with it! Ezra got his hair cut last night by our friend Jill (she cut my hair, too, but I don't have any pictures of the 'do yet) and I couldn't be happier with his new style. He sat on my lap throughout the cut and didn't fuss at all, except when Jill tried to put a cape on him so we decided to forgo it. I'm wearing one in the photos though... please don't think I'm wearing a zebra cape as my outfit. Anyway, Ezra loves his new haircut and so do we. Thanks, Jill! To celebrate we're going out to eat tonight (not really, we were going anyway but I like celebrations so why not pretend?) and maybe to the Children's Museum if we have time (did you know it's free on Friday nights throughout the summer?) after dinner. Tomorrow we're having our own family photo shoot by the lovely Steph Mills (Matt's doing their photos, too!) and then we have a birthday party for one of Ezra's little two year old friends. We probably won't make it there, but I have to mention the Cirque du Square going on this weekend on Wayland Ave... someone check it out and let me know how it is, especially the ice cream throwdown! And here's some weekend reading...

- an ice cream picnic tote might be the only picnic gear someone like me needs, via Poppytalk

- free invitations for that popsicle party I've been obsessing over (and lots more free printables right here!)

- the best ice cream shops on the East coast... road trip, anyone?

- this gigantic party bow for your hair is to die for

- some new rubber stamps to add to my growing collection

- this funny makeup kit would make mornings so much easier

- this post makes me want to revamp our fireplace

- this made me smile

- never say 'no' to chocolate and peanut butter

- some thoughts on going gray 

- made the most amazing chocolate chip cookies yesterday!

- I'm loving these things, too

Have a great weekend! 

hello weekend

Welcome to my blissful weekend of absolutely no plans whatsoever. Okay, we don't have a completely clear calendar, but dinner with friends and some morning yard work is nothing compared to the cookout/wedding/camping circuit we've had lately. What's on your to do list this weekend? Hopefully something that involves a tall glass of lemonade...

- if you're in RI this summer, take your kids to play at the park or to storytime at the park 

- another popsicle party! It must be a sign...

- love the idea of a sweet and simple birthday breakfast

- tips for styling fine hair

- make yourself some simple sparkle top pencils

- there are so many resources for modern quilting these days!

- tie dyed bed sheets... seriously?!
- these polka dot square business cards are pretty much perfect

P.S. I'm still thinking about these houseboats!

image via september wren

hello long weekend

As I mentioned earlier this week, it's time for our fourth annual camping trip to Burlingame State Park. I'm busy rolling up our sleeping bags and packing the cooler, but I still wanted to share my favorite finds from the internets this week. Enjoy! 

- the perfect movie + gelato date night

- such a cute second birthday party celebration at the zoo

- sparkly dress

- new planners one of the good things in life

- PSA: free picnic partyinvitations available for download!

- whole wheat flatbread and other good ideas in the kitchen

- love this rustic room for two

- have you ever considered online grocery shopping?

- this mod chevron baby quilt is next on my sewing list

- on being crazy busy

Have a great weekend!

image via Oh, Pioneer!

hello weekend

Happy Friday, peeps! (Remember when people said 'peeps'? Do people still say 'peeps'?!) I feel like I accomplished a lot this week and it's such a good feeling. Don't you love that? We're getting ready to launch a new ministry for high school girls at church and there's so much to do to prepare! I can't wait to get started on it all. More work on that this weekend, for sure. It's turning out to be hot and humid today, so we're semi-hibernating inside next to two fans right now, and we have plans to visit the Children's Museum tonight with Matt. Then tomorrow some friends are getting married at Goddard Park...  I can't wait to get dressed up! What are your plans for the weekend? 

- don't have long hair? make a fishtail braid bracelet instead!
- you can make your own ice cream cart. for reals.
- I love downloading new free fonts
- get yourself to a post office to buy these pretty stamps
- more pretty (and free!) iPhone wallpapers (and no, I still don't have one)
- some pretty cool printables for kids, via How About Orange
- you might find these grocery shopping tips to be helpful
- what a cool graphic of this Audrey Hepburn quote
- I want to make my own painted canvas sketchbook
- temporary tattoos are pretty old school but these authentic looking ones make me want to order myself a set

Have a good one!

image by me, from a recent playground visit - look for a guide to the best toddler friendly playgrounds in Rhode Island soon!

hello weekend | a few links + the weekly menu

It's been a hot one so I haven't been blogging much... not sure exactly how those two things correlate, but I think that's the reason things have been slow over here. I hope to get back in the swing of things soon. A few things are going to change around here though - I hope to have a slight redesign completed in the near future and I'm going to devise some sort of summer schedule that I can stick to. Also, the menu of the week posts shall be no more... I'm still going to write about food from time to time and may even do a menu post once in a while, but I've found that writing about what we eat each week for five or so months in a row gets a bit boring. I know it's not Monday, but here's the last one for a while - 

black bean and butternut squash burritos - We love any combination of black beans and orange veggies. 

spaghetti with braised kale - Simple, and the kale brings up the health factor since you're eating plain pasta.

crepes with goat cheese, wilted spinach, and toasted pine nuts - I declare my first time making crepes a smashing success. Just be careful of keeping the heat too high... I had to turn the burner down a bit to get good results.

falafel pita pockets - Another first for me, and they came out great, too! The falafel mixture was easy to prepare and they cooked quickly. Definitely serve with yogurt - so refreshing! Along with all the fresh veggies, of course (we had sliced yellow peppers, shredded carrots, green lettuce, and cucumber rounds).

shrimp scampi over couscous - A nice twist on a classic. My recommendation: use fresh shrimp, not frozen... the flavor is so much better!

And the link list to get you through the weekend, whether it's a heat wave or thunderstorms. I'm hoping for some of each. Okay, well maybe not a heat wave, but warm weather with some scattered showers would be nice... 

- how to host a tea party
- a popsicle party is in the works!
- super cute birth announcement
- such a cool mood board... love that Orla Kiely print
- making playdough will be a fun project when Ezra is a little older
- loving this round up of neon accessories
- have you ever made root beer? (I have!)
- I wish we had something like this around here!
- happy thoughts on getting dressed
- lovers of fabric, take note - inspiration from Denyse Schmidt
- just put visiting a peony farm on my life's to do list
-  a picnic on the first day of summer is a tradition I can get on board with

image via Seven Eleven Studios

hello weekend

It's time to make jam! A couple years ago my mom, two of my aunts, and one of my cousins and I got together to make strawberry rhubarb and peach raspberry jam. We wanted to do it again last year but it just didn't happen, so I'm really excited that we're making time for a jam session tonight. I'm off to Jaswell's to pick lots of strawberries... we'll see how that works out with Ezra in tow. Then tomorrow I'm going to a brunch hosted by the PVD Lady Project at Local 121, and Matt us bringing the bluecube... so much fun! And let's not forget about the French toast. Mmm...

- tips for nice summer skin

- how to date your husband

- love this fun party fan photo booth backdrop

- cute baby shower invitations of the free download variety

- I wanna make this secret storage box

- thinking of using these labels for the jam we make tonight

- an unusual vacation idea 

- so many pretty colors and patterns all in one quilt

- very cool custom illustrations of your brownstone, building, block, or city

- a super cute twist on the top knot - a hair bow!

- looks like a perfect picnic lunch

- enjoyed reading these practical playground tips 

- did you hear the news? Pottery Barn is coming to Garden City!

image by Leela Cyd Photography for Salt & Straw via the Kitchn

hello weekend

I don't even like donuts but I love this illustration, so there you go. I just couldn't resist the look of that shiny pink frosting. And the one with the jimmies. Anyway, I hope you had a good week! Ours was wet and dreary for the most part, but we still had fun splashing in all the puddles. Plus, our friends Jared and Amanda welcomed their third child (a baby boy!) into their family this week - hooray for babies! I can't wait to meet the little guy and squeeze his cheeks. This weekend is jam packed with plans - today we're going to check out Our Big Backyard at the zoo, tomorrow we're going to a parade in my aunt and uncle's neighborhood (Ezra's first!), and then we have a friend's backyard lakeside wedding after that. On Sunday we'll be at church and then off to a little birthday celebration for my father-in-law - phew! That's a lot of things to do. Will your weekend be busy, too, or low key? 

- this is my new pretty desktop wallpaper for June

- homemade cheez-its just went straight to the top of my to do list

- take a couple minutes to watch this short of a letterpress in action
- for my next birthday I'm definitely having a unicorn party
- slices of tea! via Black Eiffel
- check out these sandwiches by state, via Wit & Delight
- such a sweet nursery for a little girl
- get beachy waves a la Ashley Olsen
- the anatomy of a pinata

illustration by Joël Penkman

hello weekend

It's the first of June! I know Memorial Day sort of signals the beginning of summer but now that June is here it really feels like it. I've been getting our summer calendar in order - with all the weddings and miscellaneous shoots Matt has scheduled I need to maximize our free weekends. We always go camping in July so that's on the calendar, and we have a two week trip to Paris planned for August- yippee! I'm so excited I think about it every day. Do you have any plans for the summer? 

Some things I wanted to share with you...

- are you going to the Providence Art Festival tomorrow?

- loving the Kate Spade clutch print from Bright Bold & Beautiful 

- handpainted bees on a wall may be my next home project (scroll all the way down)
- definitely one of the better looking tissue paper flowers out there
- these pretty buns and bows make me want to grow my hair out (I'm noticing a theme...)
- would you ever get lash extensions?
- bright colors to wear this summer
- we went to Not Your Average Joe's last night and loved it

Hope your weekend is a good one!

image by Delesie via Plum Pretty Sugar

hello weekend

It was my birthday yesterday so I had to post a pretty birthday cake today. Matt made the day special by having our families and a few friends over for dessert - he made this yummy confection and everyone was so sweet. Tonight I'm going out to dinner at Rue De L'Espoir with a friend... I think I might get the fig & pistachio salad. On Saturday there are more mystery birthday plans - hooray! I'm hoping they involve a certain carnival that recently went up by our house. Oh, and it just occurred to me that it's a long weekend! My birthday week is even longer! Yes, I'm claiming Monday as still part of my birthday week. We're going to Colt State Park with some friends from church for a little cookout and lots of ultimate frisbee. Fingers crossed that the sun is shining! 

- such a sweet way to wrap a gift

- if you're a local, check out these free fun Fridays in Massachusetts throughout the summer
- this dress might need to come home with me... after all, it is my birthday week
- the prettiest printable stationery, via creature comforts
- go here for a free dirty dozen download
- I want to make a little liberty quilt, too!
- can't wait to take this funny quiz with Matt
- this little herb garden in an egg carton is the cutest

Hope your weekend is an awesome one.

image via Bakerella

hello weekend

(illustration by Danielle Kroll)

Yesterday felt like the start to my weekend because Matt ended up home sick. Sounds like a bummer, but he ended up being mostly okay so we were still able to spend some quality family time together and took Ezra to zoo and went for a bike ride. Ezra looks so funny in his helmet! I'll have to post pictures soon. Today is looking to be pretty good, too - this morning we (Ezra and I, that is) went out to tea with Hillary and then visited the playground at India Point Park. When Ezra wakes up from his nap I plan on taking him to the Providence Children's Museum. Then later on I'm finally getting that massage - remember when it was cancelled?- I think I need it more this week anyway. Tomorrow morning while Matt heads out to do a shoot I'm going to take Ezra to the first outdoor farmers market of the season, and then we're having a little Morrocan-inspired lunch at our house with a few friends. I love this weekend already. What are you doing this weekend? 

- great read on jumpstarting your creativity

- this it the funniest pin cushion ever

- pretty things at the National Stationery Show (the card with the balloons!)

- why didn't I think of that?

- my friend Ashley is having a giveaway of her homemade sugar scrubs - go here to enter!

- definitely putting mushroom ragu on the menu for next week

- this bouquet is pretty much perfect

- finally, a braid I think I might be able to pull off

- check out this free printable of Isaiah 40:31 (scroll all the way to the bottom of the post, after ogling all the chalkboard walls)

- once again, I wish I could go to Dandee's craft camp... I'll just have to host my own some day!

See you next week! I have a new menu, a special quilting project, some family photos, and the next stop on the tea tour in store!

hello weekend

(image via {frolic!})

After a very wet week I'm excited to enjoy the warm weather this weekend. I have an obsession with sheep shearing so hopefully we'll have time to go to Watson Farm tomorrow morning to see the little lambs get their spring time hair cuts. Then I'll be celebrating a friend's upcoming nuptials at her bridal shower. On Sunday we have big plans for a Mother's Day luncheon at our house after church. I'm planning a southwestern inspired menu complete with chili, enchiladas, and flan! 

- dining al fresco gets me every time... this picnic party is no exception

- what a neat frosting trick

- these illustrated herb basics are helpful and pretty, too!

- this pretty braid makes me want to grow my hair out

- a swanky birthday party with vintage flair looks like a perfect celebration

- a new twist on grilled cheese - chard and gruyere!

- love this funny Mother's Day card - download it and send it along to your husband!

Have a lovely weekend! Especially all you moms out there... 

hello weekend

(image via Vita Nostra)

Let me begin by saying that the above image is my way of willing the rain away this weekend. It's been dreary all week and I've been wondering how people do it in Seattle. This rain is seriously getting me down and it's cold. Alright, sorry, enough of that. There's a lot to be happy about even if it is drizzly and dark. Tonight I'm getting a much needed massage (this cold weather has been making me so tense!) and then coming home to read and go to sleep. On Saturday we're going to a Cinco de Mayo block party on and around Westminster Street with our friends Jared and Amanda... maybe I'll see you there! Then on Sunday we're going to church and in the afternoon I have two fun things lined up - an open house brunch at The Cupcakerie and then a visit to watch Erika of Foxtrot Press in action. Sounds like a perfect weekend to me. What do you have going on these next couple of days?  

Here are a few (okay, so there are more than a few) things I wanted to share with you this week...

- a simple and pretty watercolor silhouette DIY project

- love these third birthday portraits (that crown!)
- adding tiny clay houses to my list of things to make
- this concert attire for a little guy is amazing and I want to copy it for Ezra, especially the suspenders
- maybe I'll take up finger knitting (hey, it's a start) so I can make a pillow like this one
- some bright and stripey invitations for you to download and print

- how to make your own bubble solution (and wands, too!)
- new and fresh paint chip art that I can't wait to try for myself
- listen up local(ish) brides! you can win the bluecube for your wedding... go here for details and good luck!
- been thinking a lot about this post I wrote last year on balance because I still need improvement... any tips or suggestions?

Happy Friday, everyone! Enjoy the weekend, rain or shine.

hello weekend

(image via Camille Styles)

Last night was the second PVD Lady Project event at Bravo Brasserie... once again Hillary and I met some pretty cool people and I'm looking forward to future collaborations. Also, Erika of Foxtrot Press gifted me with some of her awesome cards and a print, too! Will definitely be sharing those here next week. The weekend is already looking like a busy one - this morning I'm going to a "yard" sale hosted by John Orton Events (it's really much more than that - see details below) and later in the afternoon I hope to make it to the LLL meeting in Providence. Maybe I'll stop by Seven Stars for a pastry. Mmmm. Tonight Matt and I are visiting our friends and their new baby and I can't wait to squeeze his little cheeks. Then tomorrow we plan on finally getting some mulch so I can finish the flowers beds in the front yard. Oh, and I'm making these for Matt's grandmother's birthday celebration on Saturday night. On Sunday it's church as usual. What do you have going on?

- certainly don't need new ones, but I'm drooling over these sneakers
- this wallpaper is making me seriously wish I had an iPhone
- super sweet gift ideas for Mother's Day
- free printable rainbow invitations for your birthday girl or boy
- definitely adding an animal circus train to my list of things to make (and out of empty tea boxes!)

- I want my whole house to look like this bright space
- Matt just unveiled the new bluecube, a revolution in photobooths
- pretty (and free!) printable gift tags

P.S. The weekend yard sale details...

Maybe I'll see you there!

hello weekend

(illustration by Caitlin McGauley for Lonny)

Isn't warm weather the best? We've been enjoying being outside all week long and I'm so looking forward to a sunny weekend. On the agenda: a bike ride along the Cranston bike path, maybe a pit stop at Sundaes, and yet another birthday party for one of Ezra's one year old friends.

the list of things that distracted me this week:
- such pretty details at this watercolor shower
- I think my dream home is a converted barn
- these cards for Mother's Day are so great
- doesn't this pecan and coconut granola sound wicked good?
- I'm really loving bright white spaces lately and this nursery is no exception
- the word on the street is that domino's quick fixes special edition is finally on newsstands... have you picked up a copy?
- even though I love my set of matching mugs, these are irresistable
- I would never refuse a gift of cookies in a canister
- check out this new to me blog, pretty light... it's a new fave (look at the little dolls she makes!)

Enjoy the weekend! I know I will.

hello {early} weekend

(image via Sintwister Photography)

I've been a terrible blogger this week and I really have no excuse. There were a few ideas for posts floating around in my head but I didn't get the pictures taken so they remain unwritten. Consider them something to look forward to. And I'm heading out early this week because Matt has the day off tomorrow, so I'm thinking of scheduling a massage in the morning. It's been a while since my last one (I was still pregnant with Ezra!) so I'm really looking forward to it. Since Matt will be home, I hope to get lots of loose ends tied up around the house before we head out to a historic inn for the weekend. I can't wait to spend the next few days exploring a new town with my two boys. Any Southbridge, Massachusetts area recommendations?

Here are a few links to keep you busy until the real weekend begins...
- these little chocolates look so easy... and fancy!
- a rainbow cake made with natural dyes is on my 'to bake' list (yes, I have a 'to bake' list)
- a few words on cookies and being a mom
- still haven't made sock monkey, but this tutorial has inspired me
- definitely making these push pins for my new inspiration board (pictures to come!)
- this post got me thinking about my own wardrobe basics
- love the combination of neutrals and bright colors in this studio
- this guide to table manners is spot on

Hope to see you back here next week! I promise I'll be a more responsible blogger.