You know those weeks when your brain has shut off and the slightest tasks seem to take all of your energy? This week is one of them. I even tried writing some posts and they were so terrible, I thought nothing was better than something mediocre. Think it is time for a creative break. Hope you all are having a great week. Hopefully I will be back in the swing of things by Monday. xo Erin

Best & Worst Dressed SAG 2013

The SAGs, much like the Golden Globes is a party that makes you feel like you want to be invited. People are relaxed, drinking champers at their table, and usually choose fashion that is a bit more adventurous. There were plenty of pretty dresses last night, some I am not even mentioning, because honestly there were a lot. 

Let's start with my Most Improved category for the night. These girls do not usually get it right according to me. Either picking the wrong dress or wearing the same dress over and over. Last night, they turned it out. 

Sofia finally dropped the mermaid gown and wore something different. The cream is pretty on her. Jenna, or Pam as I like to call her, usually chooses matronly dresses and I love this dress she picked. She finally did herself justice and looked hot. Amy has to be one of my favorite people on earth, but somehow missed the mark most nights. This Oscar is gorgeous on her, love. Busy Phillips has that Bohemian vibe on the red carpet that usually just does not quite come together. She rocked her bump and went clean and elegant, and looked amazing. 

 I call this category, my WTF?! picks. As in WTF did these ladies pick these dresses?! 

They all look pretty, but seriously girls, could you please have picked something else? Lady Mary, your boob is coming out, did you know that? The color of Jennifer's dress is just not right and she looks amazing, but somehow uncomfortable. The cheer top and bottom of Anne's dress bugs. Her make up is stunning and the dress is just not. Totally disappointed! 

You know who did not disappoint? This lady...

Marion is by far and away my best dressed of the night. I love everything about this dress, her simple shoes, fresh face, sleek hair and jewelry. 

The rest of these ladies rounded out my top looks of the night...

Jennifer also wore Dior and looked totally chic. The little girl from Mad Men won me over! Giuliana made a huge comeback from her Goth look at the Globes with this Max Azria, the color is beautiful. Somehow Julianne Moore is the only person who could wear this and I would like it. Jessica looked classic and sexy in red. Claire went dark with her lips (love) and her dress in Givenchy. Normally a choker necklace makes me want to die, but Helen hunt pulls it off and I can't get over how amazing she looks. Amanda probably could have taken it a little farther, but her Zac Posen is a gorgeous color and that necklace is to die.  

And finally, the worst of then night, at least in my eyes...

January's actually would not be that bad if it was not for that hair. Wow. When did Edie Falco go from siren to grandma? Julianna's dress has way too much going on, she is so stunning so it pains me that she wore this. Nancy's dress speaks for itself, WAY too loudly. Jane's dress looks like a Step-Mother of the Bride dress, just cheesy. My one and only man on the list, Justin has to be joking, right? 

What were your favorites? Hope your list matches mine. 

xo

Erin 

Paris Couture Fashion Week for Oscars 2013

There is no doubt that I am opinionated about what is worn on the red carpet for awards season. Maybe a little too harsh. My view though is that these girls get to pick from the very best dresses from the world's most talented designers and wasting that opportunity makes me angry. I am sure the stylists that are used are very nice people, but sometimes they get it wrong. Not to say I would do that much better, so I thought I would put myself to the test. The couture shows wrap up this week in Paris and there have been some seriously gorgeous gowns that are perfect contenders for the Oscars. Here are some of my favorite gowns and the girls I would put them in. 

Amanda Seyfried is young and gorgeous and she needs to edge up a bit. This Altier Versace gown is sleek, modern and will help her stand out. 

Anne Hathaway has a pretty good chance of walking away with a little gold man. She needs something stunning so those pictures last a lifetime. This Ellie Saab would be beautiful with her skin and hair.  

I have no idea who would wear this, but I am in love with this Chanel. Would love for someone to go out on a limb and rock it. 

Jessica Chastain has been kind of lame this awards season and she is so gorgeous. This Valentino is structurally interesting and true couture. Maybe they could make it in more of a blue or blush for her. 

Adele always wears black, I think it is time she broke out of that. I thought of her immediately when this Giambattista Valli was shown. The models red hair shows you how amazing Adele would look in it. The cut is also flattering and forgiving for a mew mum. 

Naomi Watts is flawless and classic. This Dior is the same with a bit of a twist. The color is amazing and I think she would seriously take home best dressed if she wore it. In LOVE with it. 

Jennifer Lawrence is a wild card. She is young and has that "I don't really care" attitude that makes her able to pull off almost anything. This Atelier Versace has a print, which I love and I think she could steal the carpet with it. (lose the hat and the bar on the shoulder)

Jennifer Garner will be on the arm of Ben, at least we hope! This red Ellie Saab would be the perfect compliment to her dashing husband. Since she is not nominated she can only go so far, but this lace and the red color are gorgeous. 

Helen Hunt is such a babe now, but she is of a certain age. This Ellie Saab would be beautiful on her and still sexy.  

Photos from Style.com 

What do you think? 

xo

Erin 

Simplify for Baby

Sometimes it feels like having a child requires way too much stuff. And it is everywhere. Even the places you swore you would keep "toy free." I got to thinking about how many toys a child really needs. 

Clearly we spoil our kids with every shiny new object that we think will occupy them happily for hours (lets face it, minutes). I really have been trying to reel it in, even at Christmas. I got him just two new toys. Mostly knowing that the grandparents would be coming with quite the lot. 

I came across a great article on Cup of Jo that had some great advice. The excerpts are from Simplicity Parenting, a book that sounds fantastic, that I will never get around to actually reading. It basically explains how less in your child's life actually will make them more aware, inquisitive, and calm. 

From Cup of  Jo: 

* The number of toys your child has should be dramatically reduced. Dr. Payne encourages parents to put all their kid's toys--bath toys, blocks, cars, balls, everything--into one big pile. That pile should be halved, and halved again, and maybe even again. Why? "An avalanche of toys invites emotional disconnect and a sense of overwhelm," Dr. Payne writes. (That makes sense, even as an adult, don't you think? Imagine how much calmer you feel sitting at your desk when it's clean, versus covered with notes and papers; or how soothing your bedroom feels when everything's put away.) Parents sometimes fear that their kids will be bored without as many toys, but the outcome is typically the reverse: Kids become moreengaged once their toys are reduced. "As you decrease clutter, you increase a child's attention and capacity for deep play," writes Dr. Payne. And it can be surprising to realize how many toys you've accumulated (especially if you have lots of relatives:)

* Organize the room so your child can only see a few toys at a time. (Keep other toys stored in baskets or bins under the bed or in a closet.) With Toby, I've been putting a blanket over his toys, so he can focus on playing with one thing at a time. His room looks simple and inviting with just a few favorite toys. So much calmer than it used to, when it was covered in Legos and books and Elmo paraphernalia! 

* Reduce the number of books in the room. Have just a few favorite books accessible at any given time. "Kids need the time to read deeply, and often repeatedly," says Dr. Payne. Then you can rotate out the books once they've thoroughly enjoyed the first batch.

* Keep just one of each type of toy. Toby LOVES cars, and I realized that he has a toy taxi, a school bus, six race cars, two police cars and a digger. But, the book points out, just because one car brings him joy, it doesn't mean that eleven cars will bring him eleven times the amount of joy. Instead, too many cars might seem overwhelming and devalued. Same with a stuffed animals, balls, etc.. Dr. Payne recommends just keeping the favorite one (or two) of each type of toy. The rest can be stored in a "toy library" in a closet for later, or given away or donated. That makes a lot of sense--I kind of slapped my forehead when I read that--and then put away ten cars:)

This plan sounds perfect, except for those moments when you literally go through every toy in the house to capture your child's attention when you try to make dinner/blow dry your hair/fold laundry/sit down for ten minutes. The funny thing is that it is every day objects, not toys that work best. Winter makes it tough too when you are contained mostly to the indoors. 

For the next week or so I am going to try a few of these ideas. Just a couple toys at a time, a rotation of just a few books, etc. 

What do you think of the article? 

xo
Erin 

Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons

Dunking a hot grilled cheese in comforting tomato soup is as classic as it gets. Or course Ina thought up the idea to make croutons out of the grilled cheese. This vegetarian meal is perfect for the current cold weather. The soup is flavored with saffron, which is a pricey ingredient, but so worth it. There are very few ingredients in the entire recipe, so a little splurge on the saffron won't hurt too much. I made the recipe exactly as written, except I used extra sharp cheddar instead of Gruyere. This will be on heavy rotation for the coming months. 

Easy Tomato Soup & Grilled Cheese Croutons
Barefoot Contessa Foolproof 2012
serves 4 to 6

For the soup: 

3 tablespoons olive oil
2 onions, chopped
3 cloves of garlic, minced
4 cups chicken stock
1 - 28oz can crushed tomatoes
Large pinch of saffron threads (in the spice aisle)
1/2 cup orzo
1/2 cup heavy cream

For the croutons: 

4 slices country white or sourdough bread
2 tablespoon melted butter
4 oz Gruyere cheese, grated (I used cheddar)

In a large pot or dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and cook over medium-low heat for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until golden brown. Add the garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Stir in the chicken stock, tomatoes, saffron, 1 tablespoon salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring the soup to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 

Meanwhile, fill a pot with water, add 2 teaspoons salt, and bring to a boil. Add the zoo and cook for 7 minutes. (It will finish cooking in the soup) Drain the orzo and add it to the soup. Stir in the cream, return soup to a simmer, and cook for 10 more minutes, stirring frequently. 

Heat a panini grill.* Place the four slices of bread on a cutting board and brush lightly with the melted butter, being sure to butter the corners. Turn the slices over and pile the cheese on two of the slices. Place the remaining two slices on top of the cheese, buttered sides up. 

Grill the sandwiches for about 5 minutes, until nicely browned. place on a cutting board, allow to rest for 1 minute, and cut into 1 inch cubes. 

Serve soup hot with the croutons scattered on top. 

*If you do not have a panini grill, use a frying pan and place a plate on top of the sandwich. Turn the sandwich over once toasted on one side and repeat on the other until cheese is melted and both sides are nicely browned. 

Enjoy! 
xo
Erin 

Rifle Paper Co.

Why do girls have such a soft spot for paper? Pretty calling cards, loopy monogrammed stationary, letterpress greeting cards, we love it. Guys could care less and usually rely on office supplies and gifts from Mom. Too bad for them that would not get as excited as us for this ridiculously sweet paper shop, Rifle Paper Co. I am totally obsessed with their illustrations and the ability to customize it. The style is vintage with a bit of kitsch, in a good way, and pretty. I came across them when I saw this adorable family portrait on Pinterest. 

It is their stationary that was framed for their house. How sweet is that? 

The floral prints slay me. I worship these calling cards, thinking about getting them as my new business cards. 

A bright citrus print would be cute in the kitchen. 

Love this cowboy invitation for a little boy's birthday party. Doesn't it remind you of Wes Anderson movies a bit? 

The different ways you can monogram stationary is lovely. The little portrait ones are amazing. The floral monogram would be perfect for a wedding gift to the bride. 

The wedding invitations are so pretty. I would have died to have any of them as mine. 

How perfect would this be for a shower invitation? 

Maybe the most perfect valentine cards ever. 

Might be doing some damage on this site today. I can't help it, just like how you might not resist either. 

xo

Erin 

Renovation Results: Family Room

This scary looking space....

Has become my favorite place to chill out and watch the little man play. 

All the construction, mess, waiting, has been more than worth it. 

And I am so in love with the sectional from Lee Industries (Vienna Navy). It is deep, soft and perfect for lounging. Kate Marker Interiors was sweet enough to help me with it. The rest of the furniture was from our old family room. I originally had those pillows in our condo in the city, but glad I relocated them. They are no longer available from the Etsy store I bought them from, but these are similar. Ideally, the treadmill would have another home, but I can live with it. Still am so in love with the teepee. 

We designed all the built ins with our contractor. It was literally a sketch that Matt drew up and it came to life beyond what we imagined. 

The bookshelves  still need styling, but that could take years. ha

I plan on having a pad made for the bench, which has the best toy storage hidden in it. Got to love a place to throw stuff in. 

The goal of keeping things light and bright really paid off. The wall color is Benjamin Moore Pebble Beach. See the rest of the renovation on this floor here. 

Now that the pictures are hung and the sofa is in use, I can finally say I am done. It was a labor of love and it is nice to just relax and enjoy it now. 

PS: Make no mistake that there are toys everywhere almost all of the time. Let's not pretend that my house looks this clean except for right after my housekeeper comes. We don't live in show rooms, right? 

xo

Erin 

Casual Friday

While it is fun to get inspiration from our favorite ladies for dressing up, it is really dressing down that we do more often. I am constantly trying to find that perfect balance of comfort and chic. Trying to stay away from yoga pants and oversized sweaters is so hard! These three girls show us that perfect mix and how to execute it right. 

Miranda is pretty flawless and I love the leather leggings with the wedge sneakers, which I am kind of getting into. 

 moto jacket (obsessed) $79 / bag $1500 / leggings $130 / sunglasses $32 / sneakers $149

I always thought that Hayden was kind of cheesy, but after her chic look at the Globes and this outfit at the airport, she has won me over. The peace sign, not so much. 

leather bomber $232 / fur scarf (obsessed) $188 / cropped skinnies $185 / boots $129 / hat $78

A blazer and jeans is so classic and easy to put together. You know Rachel is off doing something fab, even on a day she is dressed down. 

blazer (obsessed) $130 / t-shirt (the best) $80 / jeans $218 / sunglasses $225 / satchel $165

Happy weekend loves! 

xo

Erin 

The Great Rug Debate

Thank you so much to all my Instagram followers for voting on my rug choices. To fill you in on where this is actually going to go, here is a visual. 

I LOVE my navy and blue rug, but it is not as plush as I would like for this space. It also is a bit too graphic for this area for me. The ikat pillows are gone and the ottoman has been moved to the basement family room. 

I want something more neutral, but with a fun pattern. The choices were narrowed to two options... 

This fantastic, super dense and thick, rug from Crate & Barrel has more brown tones with beiges and grays. 

The Tribal print is killer. 

Option number two is from Masland Carpet and Rug. I got the sample from my friend Kate from Kate Marker Interiors, who works with great vendors. 

This rug is also a beige tone, but with much more blue and gray. 

Ultimately, the winner is option number two. Because of the beige sofas in the room, I really need something with some color. Even if it is just a little bit. The light color makes me a bit nervous about stains, but I plan on treating it as soon as I receive it. 

Think I made the right choice? What is your favorite? 

xo

Erin 

(Almost) One Year In

I wish I could say that it feels crazy that a year has gone by, but honestly it feels like a lifetime since bringing our little guy home. Those first couple months of complete exhaustion and cloudy hormone-crazy brain seem far in the distance. Yet the time in between really has flown by. Now that he is more like a person and less like a baby, it seems like I have graduated in a sense. 

From endless self doubt on the many details of raising a baby, to pouring over baby blogs filled with crazy women ranting about what I was doing wrong, and now I feel a sense of peace knowing that none of that matters. Maternal extinct feels so much easier to channel once your hormones have settled down, your baby sleeps through the night, shows you his personality, and you finally realize that even if you did a fraction of what you do for him now he would still turn out to be great. Because lets get serious, you are probably doing a pretty bang up job, it just does not feel like that most of the time. Or does it ever? 

For those of you in the newborn trenches, this too shall pass. And I say that in the best and worse sense of it. You will miss that tiny little bundle, that smell of perfection, those first glances of recognition, and the complete excitement of becoming a parent to an actual human being (that actually does not go away completely). You will then pass those milestones that feel selfish, but really just make you a better person. Sleeping through the night for you and the baby, getting on a bit of a schedule, being able to translate every coo and cry, and figuring out how to have a life and baby at the same time.  

We all have a different way of parenting, of raising these tiny humans, and I could not be more glad to be a part of it. Especially with the ladies that I connect with on the subject. My friends, my readers, my long distance Facebook moms, because we all have no idea what we are doing. Even almost a year in and I know everything that I know now will be useless months because he will be a different little guy. But we are making it through, loving the process or at least embracing it, and hoping to laugh a lot together along the way. 

xo
Erin  

White Washed

We have a living room in our house. Do you? I want it to be a room that we will actually use, not one that sits there looking pretty. My thoughts are that it would be nice to make it another family room with no television. That way it has a comfortable feel that makes it usable daily, yet I also want it to have style for entertaining guests. In my search for inspiration, I have found myself gravitating towards rooms painted white. Which is strange because I am really a color person. Although, lets get serious, I usually choose some version of gray. White walls seem so chic with neutral furniture and pops of color from plants, pillows, art, or window coverings. Here is what is steering me this way...

Love that mustard settee in the middle of the room and the striped rug. 

Traditional sofa and wing back with modern wood chairs. So Cool. 

Gray, gold and white is such a great combo. 

The rugs are little random for me, but that painting is gorgeous. 

I love the ease of this room, yet it also looks comfy. Worship the rug. Anyone know of one like it? 

I for sure want a fiddle fig like this one, and I like the texture of the ottoman. Z Gallerie has a similar one. 

Again, loving the stripes and the fiddle fig. 

Very neutral with geometric pillows would be easy to put together. And there is that striped rug again. 

Striped sofas. yes. 

A few too many patterns for me, but I like the striped fabric. And those tables, I saw them at World Market on sale. 

Classic, with wood accents and brass. 

Think I am going in the right direction? Can't decide if white is boring, or leaves you with endless possibilities. 

xo

Erin