PB Crib

Did you see the new Pottery Barn crib? I love it. It reminds me of Santa Claus's sleigh.

Running Shoes

I'm in desperate need of new running shoes. I've been running in old shoes, and my feet are just throbbing and need some TLC. I'm a huge brand loyalist to Nike shoes. So I think I'm going to buy some Nike shoes and stick to what I know. I love their shox shoes but I guess they are too heavy for a long run. These are a few of my choices. Finishline has quite a few on sale.

Only Two More Days Left

Now is the time to get that swimsuit, dress or abolutely adorable shirt! THIS Saturday is the last day to receive 10% off all Layers orders placed through me. This includes all the new summer items (check it out on the website slideshow) and all clearance items. Also, spend $175 and get free shipping. Those of you who live by me, I will be happy to combine orders to get the free shipping (check or cash only). Also those of you who live a far, find friends to combine orders to receive the free shipping. Below are some of the new styles. Email me to get more info on colors and price.

We're So Glad When Daddy Comes Home...

The kids are so happy to have their Daddy home.

Sea Shell City

At every beach I went to while at St. John, I would collect seashells, urchins, corals. I found a beautiful purple sea fan on one of the beaches. We went to a few coral beaches, so you can imagine the treasures you can find. Toward the end of the trip, I had a pile of beautiful sea items that I was excited to take home. Well, before heading out I found out that you have to go through customs, eventhough St. John is a US territory. Bummer! but I hope someone else will enjoy the beauty. Anyway, Sea Shell City has some neat nautical decor similar to what I was planning to take home.

Beach Dwelling

Beach Dwelling is actually a shop in Birmingham AL, but you can order online. I love their breezy, comfortable style. And other good thing is that they carry a lot of tailored slipcover upholstered pieces, which is good when you have kids.

Think Again on That Garage Sale Find

At least that's what I'm going to do when I go to my next garage sale. I know there has been numerous times when I passed up a tattered chair--not envisioning what it could be. Not these chair owners. They found a great find, some updated fabric, then recovered and now they have a beautiful new chair. I love the blue chair with black and white fabric. She took normal paint and give it a new stylish look.

Mt. Rainier Recap

Well, Seth safely returned home to us with only a dislocated shoulder. Besides that he is all in one piece, and tells me he is putting extreme mountaineering on hold for a while. Thank goodness! Hearing about his trip was pretty terrifying--80 mph winds (which constantly sounds like a jet airplane), hiking on 5 ft wide ice bridges between 100 ft wide/1,000 ft deep crevices, freezing weather to the point where you can't move your fingers or mouth, blazing sun, two scary ice pitches, lack of sleep because wind is so loud and it's so cold. At one point Seth dropped his gloves, but luckily and thankgoodness retrieved them (mind you, everything is ice and vertical). And on the way down the summit, somehow he tripped and started to fall down an ice chute but his ice ax basically saved his life (hence the dislocated shoulder). Amidst all that, they did make it to the top. Here's a few pictures taken below the summit. Of course, pictures sometimes don't do justice.

Chef Secrets

I'm no chef, but I do like to cook good food for my family. As per Domino's "culinary boot camp" article, here's a few chef secrets from the Culinary Institute of America:

• Start with High heat--searing imparts taste, in everything from mushrooms to meat.
• Shallots instead of onions--sweeter and less of a bit.
• Ditch iodized salt--sea salt is delicate and tasty.
• Blanch for color and flavor--boil vegetables for a minute in salted water, then throw in and ice bath, which halts the cooking process.
• Dress salad--delicate greens use lemon and olive oil. Heavier lettuce use balsamic or mayo base. Always pour dressing into the bowl first, then throw greens and toss.

Reunion Dress

I'm trying to find a dress to wear to my high school reunion. First off, I have no idea what to wear or even look for. What do you wear at a reunion? So I haven't had much luck, but I'm putting this classic BCBG dress on my list of possibilities.

Pink Old Bathroom

Instead of updating, this owner added some personality to her old-school bathroom. She painted the ceiling and walls with pink paint and used masking tape as a guide. She dolled up the cabinets with pink knobs and found matching fabric for the shower curtain. And of course the vintage chandelier gives the bathroom a dash of glamour.

{via Domino}

Mt. Rainier

Seth should start his decent off Mt. Rainier tomorrow. He's been climbing the mountain this week. We are sending lots of prays his way. Here's some facts about Mt. Rainier:

• It's a dormant volcano and the highest peak in the Cascade Mountain Range--14,410 feet


• It last eruption was about 2,200 years ago


• Outside of Alaska, it has the largest single-peak glacier system in the United States


• Rainier's summit is formed by two craters and are filled with snow and ice. Steam rises from the craters

Cardboard Playhouse

If I had a playroom, I would buy this cardboard playhouse for my kids. It's meant to be painted and colored on. I like it because it's not specified as a girly doll house but something little boys would like also. Good for letting the imagination soar.

A Little Girl's Fantasy Party

Ahhh, I love this Alice in Wonderland party. I'm sure most of you saw this on Design Mom . But I had to blog about it because it is such a cute, darling little party that I would want to go to. The photographs are beautiful. And I love the attention to detail--real china teacups for each little girl, oversize chairs, tall flowers and butterflies, face painting, petting zoo. What a fun birthday! Lucky little girl.

Are You a Collector?

I'm actually not much of a collector. But I've always found it interesting to go into other people's home and see their collection. When I was growing up I liked to check out my friend Lauren's mom's collection of salt and pepper shakers that she got from around the world. And she had beautiful artsy shakers. I wonder if she still has the collection. What's your collection? Are you a rooster, camera or baking pan collector?

{via Cottage Living}

My Baby is One

Can't believe how quickly time flies! Lucas is turning one and it feels like yesterday when he was in my tummy. Maybe it is having two kids--more distractions. Well, I didn't want to cheat him out of not giving him his first birthday party, so we are going to do something very small and simple. Here's his cute little invites.

Scented Stationery

I like these scented stationery from Anthropologie. It comes with six cards and envelopes and perfume to spray your love letter before you send it away. Yes--a small confession of something I would do before mailing to a long-distance boyfriend.

Walk Jog Run

Since I don't have a gps watch, I've been using WalkJogRun to find running routes and figure out how many miles I've run. The other day I thought I ran 10 miles in an hour and 15 mins. I was like "wow--it looks like training for the marathon is going to be pretty easy". Well after I walkjogrun my route I found out it was only 8 miles. A little disappointing especially since I was hobbling all that day.

Spontaneous Decorating

I like the unexpected furniture choice in this breakfast room. Traditional meets modern. And I love the detail of the pottery collection.

{via Cottage Living}

Layers Clothing Stylist Sale

If you are interested in purchasing Layers Clothing, contact me to receive your 10% discount. Sale through end of June.

SeaCloth

SeaCloth has great casual fabrics--all are cotton/linen blend. Perfect for beach house furniture. And I also think they are just so lovely, especially since one of the owners lives near my house.

Little Black Dress

The perfect little black dress. Love the cut. Very Audrey Hepburn.

Handmade Book

For the baby shower, I asked each of the guests to bring to the party an advice card (which was enclosed in the invitation) filled out with words of wisdom or encouragement. I then asked my friend Carmen, who makes beautiful memory/journal/note books, to crafted together a little book for the guests' advice card. She did such a wonderful job. "The Little Book of Motherly Wisdom" is so darling, and something I hope Lindsey will cherish forever.