paintballin'

I have become rather obsessed lately with wearing skater dresses. I love the twirl and the flippy skirt. Something about it makes me feel like a kid again. 

Perhaps I'm channeling my inner school-girl since my little guy started Kindergarten this week. I can't believe I am typing those words. It seems like just yesterday that he was a tiny little baby in my arms. I sure do miss his days as my sweet baby, but there is nothing more amazing than getting to know the super sweet and thoughtful, imaginative little person he is becoming. 

And he's becoming quite the blossoming photographer. Carl and I have decided its definitely something we want to foster.

Sutter took all these shots, directed me like I was a real model - and then quickly got distracted and starting snapping shots of the sky... 

These shoes have become a serious wardrobe staple as of late. A $4 thrift store score and I can't think of anything I don't want to wear them with. The soft, off-white linen is just getting better looking every time I wear them. For a self-professed heel addict, this is quite a leap. 

Going full force with the schoolgirl look, I also went for two french braids. Eventually, I started making hash marks on a sheet of paper each time someone called me Heidi or Pippi Longstalking. 

I only wish I could show you the bottom of this picture because my skirt is twirling so pretty and ruffling along the edges. Unfortunately (or rather fortunately for everyone), I'd have to stick a big black bar across the pic though. Nothing says classy like twirling along in a parking lot and later uploading pictures a getting a giant surprise when you spy your bum sticking out.

On that note...I've got a pillow calling my name. Not my bed though - a dahlia petaled number I've been working on for way too long. Its my first real sewing job from a pattern and boy do I know how to pick 'em! Lots of small pieces. But I'm super excited to finish it and I promise to post it soon. 

Good night!

XO,

Chelsea

a piece of furniture that's architecturally sound...

this ikea hack is seriously awesome. 

Based on a Power Plant by Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius, Jeff Carter of Chicago made this beauty using all IKEA materials. This is the first in a series of hybrid furniture-sculpture pieces he's making that are models of Gropius pieces around Chicago that are being demolished.

His feat is pretty amazing. I find it somewhat sad that pieces of historical value are being torn down, however, since this particular building is a power plant, I would hope that its to make way for something renewable in its place. Architecturally cool solar plants?

XO,

Chelsea

Happy National Waffle Day

That's right, folks, today in 1869, marks the day of the first US patent on the waffle iron.

I love waffles. They are amazing in their ability to be both crispy and soft at the same time. 

 (source)

Yes, this is an entire post dedicated to the deliciousness of waffles. 

 (source)

If I wasn't sitting at work, I'd be whipping up a batch of waffles right this minute to enjoy as an afternoon snack.

My waffle-maker is by far one of the favorite gifts I've received.

I life to put rainbow sprinkles in the mix because they melt into very fun tie-dye blobs. Although blueberries are pretty darn tasty too. 

How amazing does this chocolate-dipped waffle-pop look?

(source)

I foresee waffle-coffee-ice cream-nutella-sandwiches in my very near future. 

How about you?

Are you a waffle or a pancake person?

How do you like your waffles? Drizzled in syrup or spread with jam?

XO,

Chelsea

last person on earth

So I'm pretty sure I'm one of the last person's on earth to do so, but

I finally got some Tom's yesterday!!

I know, not earth-shattering news, but I still wanted to share that I picked some up with my lovely birthday gift card from my auntie.

I went the plain-jane route and got gray since I feel like everything else I own is pretty loud. You know your wardrobe is colorful when your office-mates have nicknamed you Ms. Coral Pants and constantly remark on your electric blue high heels...

We decided to take a little post-dinner walk last night. I feel like a kid savoring every last bit of summer before school starts up again...except this time its not me starting school. Sutter will be in Kindergarten in about 3 days and I just can't believe he's that old. I need to sprinkle some anti-grow formula on him in his sleep to keep him from getting any bigger and less attached to his mama.

As you can see, we had some fun with the camera last night too. 

On our walk, Carl suggested that what if everyone wasn't inside watching TV and rather outside enjoying the sunset. How cool would it be to meet your neighbors out for an evening stroll at twilight?

What about you? 

Would you give up your TV and take a walk after dinner?

XO,

Chelsea

follow me on bloglovin'

Just added the bloglovin' button to the site for anyone who prefers that to the Google...

Follow my blog with bloglovin

Thanks!

XO,

Chelsea

oh how I love...

Brinner! 

Brinner = Breakfast for Dinner

Easy, fun and a great way to clear the fridge

The kids love it...and so do I!

Last night's "brinner" was some whole grain toast, broiled with bruschetta and buratta (say that 5 x fast!), topped with a fried egg and sprinkled with basil. 

Do you make brinner? 

What's your favorite brinner recipe?

XO,

Chelsea

more than your 15 minutes

Wow. Two of my favorite things in one awesome package...

Now if only I could answer the question, To Drink or Not To Drink?

XO,

Chelsea

happy birthday...

to me!!

Even though I'm working on my birthday, its been a splendid day already. Fancy breakfast at The Biltmore, nice daydreamy lunch with my sweetie and anticipating a wonderful dinner with my family this evening. 

Yay for Birthdays!! 

Do you have any birthday traditions?

XO,

Chelsea

VIVA LA...

FIESTA!

For 5 days every year Santa Barbara literally shuts down and turns into a giant fiesta! The smells of taquitos, tortas and churros are everywhere. The streets are littered with confetti that has spilled out of brightly colored eggs. Festivities start at sunrise and continue far past sunset. Santa Barbarans get very in the spirit of celebrating the town's Mexican heritage with Flamenco performances, Mariachi music streaming out of every watering hole (and the streets) and a red rose tucked behind the ear of every senorita. I've lived in SB since I was 3 and fiesta brings back lots of memories. I even got into Flamenco dancing when I was little. Yes. A blond, skinny little Flamenco dancer.

(dressed:

H81 top,

H81 jeggings,

old navy wedges)

Last night we went to the Mission to see the Fiesta Pequeña - Fiesta's opening ceremonies. It was a delicious picnic of cantaloupe, brie, crackers, and a zucchini-tomato tart I made. There may or may not have been a few glasses of wine passed around amongst the girls as well. Beautiful twirling skirts against the Mission background is quite a sight to see.

We will still be finding confetti long after Fiesta is over....

The making of the bird's nest

My little girly-girl was super happy to have a girl's night...even though her brother was there was add some male element. 

And he was even able to make a few friends on the walk home. Challenge you to a lightsaber duel?

What special events shut down your town every year? 

XO,

Chelsea

military + pink

I made a fun discovery today.
My son is an awesome photographer. Not sure why I hadn't thought of it sooner, but the kid really has an eye. Their smiles and the peachy tint of twilight made last night's shoot a fantastic adventure. Plus nothing says adventurous like stopping by an antique railcar. Whatever can be done to quench the wanderlust.

(dressed:

jacket: gap

dress: H81

heeled brogues: Tribeca, old

socks: jcrew

sunnies: thrifted)

My favorite time of year has finally arrived. Fiesta celebrations in Santa Barbara have created some of the best memories of my life. The music, the dancing, the food and celebrations all mingled under the curtain of stars against a backdrop of palm trees and the American Riviera is pretty surreal. It doesn't hurt that it also falls on either the week before or week of my birthday. Life in Santa Barbara comes to a halt as everyone flees work to descend upon the Mission, the mercados and the streets. Mariachi bands on every corner, Flamenco dancers at every turn. Giddyness!!

XO,

Chelsea

some love around this home

I've been very busily lovin' my home, but haven't shared any peeks in a while.

For some reason I am extremely picky about butter dishes. I never think they are quite wide enough to actually accommodate and they are either way too plain or way too ugly. But this little one caught my eye...and then its wayward brother and sister caught my eye as well a few shelves down. For $4 all in, it was hard to resist. Butter dishes, really? The things I obsess over sometimes...

This sweetly made heart has been on my to-be-framed list forever. I even had the shadowbox sitting out waiting to be filled ever since my sweet little guy made this for me. I'm proud to have such a creative little soul as a son.

What are you loving at home this week?

XO,

Chelsea

PS - I mentioned a few posts back that I'd be having a giveaway as soon as I hit 20. Well, that time has come so I'll be back tomorrow with a little something!

more norway

the light in Norway is simply amazing. we had such perfectly beautiful weather, enjoying the people out walking and picnicking in the park. afternoons on the water, miro at the museum and never getting enough of the goods at United Bakeries.

window-wings

<3 <3 <3

Summer is my favorite time of year, but I'm already excited to see how amazing Norway looks at Christmas. 

XO,

Chelsea