fancy friday - almost May

Happy Friday folks!


I can't believe how quickly this week zoomed by. The Honey and I started the week off right with a little anniversary celebration on Sunday at the most amazing restaurant - Seagrass Restaurant. We went all out and got the 7-course tasting menu, which was just insane. 


I had quite a gruelling work-week that has left me in a bit of a daze. I'm looking forward to our Live Jazz cruise on the Double Dolphin this evening, soccer for the kids Saturday, a day of fun moonlighting at Consilience Winery and a day of rest on Sunday. Here's my little list of things I Fancied this week. 

1. I've been madly in love with my Polaroid 600 for many years. I'm loving the Impossible Project's re-release of all kinds of cool instant film. I just ordered the limited edition pack featuring package design by Maurizio Galimberti - who created the awesome collage above. 


2. I'm on the hunt for some Creme de Violette so I can sip on a purple-hued Fizz a la Violette. I love old-fashioned drinks and a pastel potion sounds right up my alley. 


3. A great way to use up old fabric scraps and perk up kids (or my) sneakers for spring - braided laces


4. The new S/S Stella McCartney kids line is so adorable - I'm wishing it came in mama-size.


5. Bodie and Fou owner Karine Candice gave readers a peek inside her London home last Friday and it is to-die-for. Her leather sling chairs, taped up mood board and simple white walls all add up to a beautiful, modern space. I picked up the Feathers poster so I can recreate some of that goodness in my own home. 


It's sort of a wimpy list this week, but there hasn't been much time for blogging with work being crazy, The Honey working from this week, milestones being reached,  and me forcing myself to get to bed before 11 this week. Next week is sure to be one of catching up and carving out some me-time. It is Mother's Day after all, and I plan to milk it for all it's worth! 

What are your weekend plans?

xo,

chelsea

growing up

This big 4 and a 1/2 year old girl of mine learned to tie her shoes yesterday. I was incredibly impressed when she got it down in about five minutes flat. She was so proud this morning she asked Carl to take a picture to send to Amma, Farfar and Aunty Friday in Norway.

She also chose to go head-to-toe Hello Kitty outfit to celebrate.

She was so pleased that I couldn't help but share. I love that girl so much. It's also nice that we live in an age where I can document all these milestones digitally. I'm not much of a scrapbooker so someday I'll just have to say, "see, Mommy blogged it".

xo,

chelsea

gee-ode

I've been a reader of A Merry Mishap for quite some time now. Her curated finds of simple, clean interiors always makes me feel soothed and relaxed. Plus she's got some serious thrift karma; need to make note to check out thrift stores when in Idaho...whenever that may be.

When I saw her post on some new jewelry she'd made and posted up on Etsy, I scooted over there and snapped some up right away. My first thought was that they were unique and cool. Now, I just can't stop wearing it! I had to head over and pick up some of the bright stuff too - some purple and neon yellow earrings are heading my way soon. Why stop the berry binge?

xo,

chelsea

Berry Bright

I'm always happy when springtime rolls around and the bright colors hit the stores. It's ironic, I finally warmed up to the layered neutrals trend, and now it's bright and bold everywhere I look. I'm always a fan of a colorful life so it's all fine and dandy by me!

Apparently I can't get enough rich berry colors, as evidenced by some recent thrifting loot. Silky, sorbet blouses seem to be hot on my radar. Can't wait to mix these into my warm-weather wear.

A little sneak peek at the new bed I picked up on Craigslist. I'm constantly amazed at the amount of stuff I can squeeze into our little 2-door Honda. All 8.5 feet of this headboard monster fit INSIDE the car. Amazing. I've dubbed it the little Honda That Could. Some new bedding, a decision on those drapes above the bed and I would say the bedroom could be certifiably done. That is until I have another hair-brained idea. A week before finding this bed I look at live-edge wood slabs to make a headboard and then went a full 180 after this showed up on CL. It's safe to say my guy thinks I'm nuts. Although he's rather pleased with the Plycraft Lounger I also just picked up...so it's a fair trade - he deals with me being wacko, I bring home kick-butt furniture.

And this sweet face. It melts me each and every time. He lost a tooth last week. I can't believe how wonderful he gets with every day.

And this absolutely silly girl.

Happy Wednesday everyone!

I can't wait for Thursday - it's when my love comes home from his weekly work trip. 

What are your Easter plans?

xo,

chelsea

goodbye Grandpa Boppy

Well, here we are on another Monday and I completely neglected blogging all last week.

It's not that I haven't wanted to blog, but I felt like I would be remiss in going on blogging like normal without saying a few words about Albert Locatelli. We lost Al last Friday, April 8th. He was a loving father, grandfather and friends. And although he's technically my "ex-father-in-law" we are still family. He was the most wonderful grandpa to these kids and I know they will miss him terribly. As sad as we are to have lost him, he wasn't well and he had made peace with the fact that it was his time.

In the last few years of his life, an interest in Buddhism grew into a deeper study. He had Taken Refuge at some point in the last year or so and planned how he would like us to commemorate his passing. A beautiful ceremony was organized at the Hospice House where he had spent his last days. It was an intimate and intense feeling to be in the room with his body, mere hours after his passing, surrounded by all his loved ones. I had never been part of a ceremony like that and it was very overwhelming - in a very positive way.

This is my first experience dealing with the passing of a loved one that was so intimately involved in my children's lives. As difficult for all of us as the experience has been, I feel fortunate that they are surrounded by so many people that love them and have supported them through this time and beyond.

Grandpa Boppy - we love you!!

If anyone else out there has experienced a similar situation with their little ones, how did you deal with it? I'd love to hear others' take on how they handled it. 

Thanks and Happy Tax Day!

xo,

chelsea

holli zollinger

Wandering across the interwebs today looking for some fun Chevron fabric for a project or two, I came across the work of Holli Zollinger. An artist from Utah, Holli's textile designs are fun without being overly cute or kitschy. I love the scales of her patterns and the colorways. I'm mostly drawn to the naturally inspired prints. Check out a few favorites:

I can't help but think of Florence & The Machine when I see this one. 

I love that the fabrics are offered in several different weights and finishes. They're the perfect small touch to add color to a room, although I could see an entire upholstered piece looking amazing in one of these.


I picked up these two for a fabric bin I plan to whip up for our living room. I say "whip up" as if I'm fast on the sewing machine or something...

Happy Friday All - I hope you have a fantastic weekend planned!

xo,

chelsea

Braided and Plaited

I'm having a continued love affair with braids. They're the perfect answer for a messy hair day. They dress up, they dress down and look darn good doing it! 


Some recent plaited pretties:

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And check out this awesome how-to from B. Jones Style - she does some seriously amazing hair posts!!

Braids, love or hate them?

xo,

chelsea

KiddoCraft - money magnets

Here's a fun little DIY craft project I put together with the kiddos on a rainy weekend. It's a great way to display and use coins picked up from foreign travels and for holding up those reports cards and art pieces on the fridge.

What You'll Need:

• Pair of Scissors
• Magnet - we used the roll variety but the small dots work too. If you go with the magnet dots, you'll need some strong adhesive as well. I wouldn't recommend Super Glue for a kid project, but any craft store should have the right glue to get the job done.
• Money!! I had some coins collected from our trips to London, Norway, Denmark and Sweden. The Scandinavian coins have some very cool and graphic looking minting on them.

(looks like Sutter snuck a dime in there too!) 

1. Begin by cutting your magnet strip into sizes small enough to fit on the back of your money. Sutter was super precise about getting them all the right size!

2. Decide which side you want facing out, flip it over and stick your magnet strip to the back! 

3. Voila! Money Magnets. Something fun and pretty to look at in just a matter of moments.

This was easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy as the kids like to say.

What's your go-to rainy day craft?

xo,

chelsea