Pack Mule

A typical day's contents of my bag

I've always been known to carry strange and random things in my purse (fork, anyone?), but since I've become a mom it's gotten ridiculous. Now I have to carry emergency items for 4 people instead of just one and that means my load gets pretty heavy. And the saddest part is that despite everything I lug with me, I never have what I really need in a pinch! Here's what I was lugging last Saturday afternoon (beginning from top row, left):

- kid's spoon
- Strawberry Shortcake Happy Meal toy and matching cookie cutter
- pacifier
- various coupons and sale flyers (some long expired)
- kid's story CD
- pen
- vegetable peeler (because sometimes Darren needs to peel an apple in an emergency!)
- diapers
- my real purse with a million other things inside
- dance tights
- steroid cream for Grace's occasional rash
- extra invitation to Sophie's birthday party (in case I run into someone in an awkward "oh, the invitation must've gotten lost in the mail" situation)
- baby wipes
- ballet shoes
- tap shoes

Diva

Sophie got a fairy costume for Halloween ("Silvermist" from the Tinkerbell movie, if you must know) and now we're going through the stage where she insists on putting on 1,000,000,000+ hair accessories, necklaces, bracelets and sometimes shiny flip flops and going to sleep with them. I guess you have to pick your battles...

Ballerina

When I was younger, newlywed and childless, I used to go get coffee next to a ballet studio. On Saturday mornings, there would always be moms escorting their cute little girls to class in leotards and tights and I would wish that one day that would be me. Well, my fantasy has come true....introducing: my ballerina!

Bistro

image via Canadian House & Home

I'm currently in love with this kitchen. I'm going to copy two key looks to replicate in my own house: black floor cabinets and creamy white upper cabinets really break up the space and make the kitchen more interesting...and those floors! Loving them. I can't take up the bamboo we currently have in the kitchen, but one day when we pull up the basement Berber, I'd want these floors in our basement with some rugs laid over them.

Nate Berkus at HSN

For a couple of years now, I've been following Nate Berkus's line of home furnishings and accessories at HSN. This season, there are so many pieces I admire but have no place to put in my home. Here are my favorites:

Love the tone on tone creaminess of this rug. I want this for my living room!

Handwoven wool striped rug, $400


If I had a big dressing room or walk-in closet, this would be right in the middle of it.
Hexagon Cocktail Ottoman, $400


This is one of my all-time favorite lamps. It's glamorous and has a lot of impact for its size. It sold out a few seasons ago and was brought back by popular customer demand!

Orbit Table Lamp, $130

Extra seating is a breeze with this pouf. It has an adult look, but a very kid-friendly finish (in other words, I could use wipes on this!)

Metallic Pouf, $100


This large and substantial ikat bowl is the perfect finishing touch for my coffee table. I want to pot an orchid in this, or just display it atop some coffee table books.

Porcelain Ikat Bowl, $30

Two Months

Look at this cutie pie

Gracie's developing quite a personality! She loves looking at faces and smiles and coos all the time. I took her to the pediatrician for her well-visit and she's growing very nicely!

Her stats:

Height - 23.5 inches (89%)
Weight - 12 lbs, 9.9 ounces (91%)

Cox Farms Fall Festival

We had fun this morning at the Fall Festival, but I have to admit, the oppressive heat was a little too much. My cousin, Nicholas, tagged along and helped out a bunch with Sophie (he is an awesome babysitter). I don't know what we would've done without him...seems like these days our family needs three parents for just the two kids!

Having fun on the slide the first time around...

...and then not so much fun the second time.

Love that free cold apple cider!

Grace and I were melting in the heat.

My sister Michou and my niece, Remy.

Silly

Bathtime

Look how big she's getting! My little baby barely fits in the sink anymore. I'm soooo going to miss moments like this when I return to work in a month....

Brown Sugar Glazed Pork Chops with Buttery Corn

I tried this easy-peasy recipe from Real Simple last night and it was a keeper. Only a few basic ingredients, about 10 minutes of prep, and 20 minutes in the oven (instead of the grill), and voila!

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup Worcestershire sauce
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 4 pork chops
  
• Kosher salt and black pepper
• 4 ears corn, shucked
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 2 sliced scallions

Directions

1. Heat grill to medium-high. In a small bowl, mix together the Worcestershire sauce and brown sugar.
2. Season the pork with ½ teaspoon salt and ¼ teaspoon pepper.
3. Grill the pork, turning often, until the internal temperature reaches 150° F, 20 to 25 minutes. Brush with the Worcestershire mixture during the last 5 minutes of cooking. Let rest for at least 5 minutes before slicing.
4. Meanwhile, grill the corn, turning occasionally, until slightly charred, 6 to 8 minutes.
   
5. Cut the kernels off the cobs, place in a bowl, and toss with the butter, scallions, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon pepper. Serve with the pork.

Snapshots

It's an understatement to say that life has been hectic lately. I don't have time to keep up with the latest happenings with cyberspace, read a book (let alone my shelter magazines), or keep up with current events. One of the biggest things to suffer is this blog, my stress outlet. So, in the absence of any real entries, I thought I'd leave you with snapshots of my week...

Grace is more interested in her surroundings, so I decided to wear her in the forward facing position.

Keeping up with my long-distance cousins via iChat

Sophie has thoroughly confused her teachers with our family nickname for Grace.

First ballet class

Enjoying a candy necklace

Love my sweet baby!

Tassel Top

Girls' water lily tassel top, $40 ($28 if you buy it today)

J.Crew is having one of their sales and I picked this cute top up for Sophie to wear next Spring.

Birthday Planning

Sorry I've been too busy to blog, but you see....this is coming up: