4 and 5

Posts 4 and 5 on my August Break.

xo,

chelsea

Fancy Friday - 7.22.11

I had the following Post prepared to run today, but it feels silly to finish it after hearing about the horrific events in Oslo today. My heart goes out to all the families there who have lost loved ones. I can't begin to imagine how frightening the scene must be at the moment. Luckily we've heard from our family and know that everyone is safe. 

Here's the original planned post...

I went into shock as I typed the date in the title of this post - how is it almost the end of July already? While the end of July can signal a close to summer for a lot of people, it's sort of just beginning around here. June and July tend to be foggy in the mornings...but August and September are really beautiful!! August is kind of my favorite month...and not just because it's my birthday. I have always looked forward to Fiesta and there's usually some pretty amazing concerts at the Santa Barbara Bowl to look forward to. There's nothing quite like that venue, I love it! It also marks Back to School - which is very exciting this year since both my littles will be now be in Elementary School. It's crazy to even begin to think about that!

Things have been pretty snoozy around the ole blog, apologies for that. We had a nice little vacation in Portland, full of eating and site-seeing and of course some rain. I always think I'm going to blog more on break, but it just never happens. I've spent the last week trying to get back into a routine, but I've really been just blatantly ignoring house work and stepping over piles of stuff. I'm hoping to get some house projects completed over the weekend and get my head put back on straight. 

Here's a quick little list of some things I fancied this week.

Saw Beginners last night. What a fantastic movie. Have any of you seen it? What are your thoughts? 

Had dinner at Clyde Common, the restaurant attached to the Ace Hotel Portland, over the weekend. Delicious! It was simple and inventive at the same time, with really fresh, local ingredients and great ambience and decor. 

Happy 113th birthday Alexander Calder!

A gorgeous dress I came across while searching for something to wear for an upcoming black tie wedding.

Kinda in love with the saturated colors of fall via J.Crew. 

Dreaming of sitting outside and sipping an agua fresca.

Has anyone checked out the sales on Fab yet? Today they are featuring some Penguin Books which would be a fun addition to anyone's book collection!

Happy Weekend everyone!

What are your big plans for the weekend??

xo,

chelsea

Independence Day

A few quick snaps from our 4th of July...

xo,

chelsea

friday sleepyhead

[image source]

I had every intention of putting together a Fancy Friday post today. Truly, I did. But after a very hectic week and the launch party for WinWin Living last night aboard the Tamsen yacht, I really am just too sleepy to put together anything that will actually be readable. 

Instead, I just sort of wish I was escaping to this tent with lots of books, wooly socks and snuggly kiddos. Of course I'd be too exhausted to actually erect said tent, so I'd need some sort of tent set-up assistant or something. Luckily, it's Friday and we have lots of relaxing with friends on the schedule. 

Where would you like to escape to?

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

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

a birthday

We threw a little impromptu birthday party for my sweetie last Friday. His real birthday was somewhat derailed by tantrums and bad weather, so we wanted to make it up to him and surprise him after a long work-week out of town. I stayed up late Thursday night baking (somewhat unsuccessfully) a frozen Daim cake, making banners and hanging streamers. The kids were so excited they were shouting surprise before we even got in the front door.

(that fan...it's just hideous. If this were not a rental, it'd be gone in a heartbeat. ok, I digress)

A homemade birthday banner

a little strumming on the guitar. This was my mom's guitar way back in the 70s. When I took lessons from one of the nuns at my Catholic school, this is what I learned on. Now we're working on cleaning it up so either me or one of the kiddos can learn on it again. I love having some kind of instrument in the house.

Some homemade Daim cake. Not the best attempt, but I'm making a promise to make it again and perfect it! I got the recipe from Carl's mother and it's a birthday favorite of his.

I love this little photo that Sutter took (you can see the shadow of his head in the foreground). He loves learning about the camera and he was super anxious to capture the pizza in all it's glory. We tried our hand at making Shaman Bread inspired by one of our favorite restaurants, Full of Life Flatbread. If you're ever in the Central CA area, it's a must-try - and don't forget to save room for their homemade s'mores!

All in all, it was quite a successful little party. We played records, strummed the guitar, ate pizza and cake and played until it was late. So much fun that we even found my little man asleep on the floor in his jammies.

Happy Wednesday everyone!!

xo,

chelsea

thrifted and new

A few peeks from around the house lately...

Thrifted a little enamel pot with wooden handles and a Dutch pewter pitcher with wooden handles. Hoping to shine up that wood a little, but they're nice for now.

The leftovers of a fun St. Patrick's Day bouquet. I could stare at lilies all day. They are so beautiful and erotic.

My new bag from Fabric & Handle. It's even more gorgeous and versatile in person and Salinya was such an absolutely lovely person to work with! It's quite perfect.

Some potatoes we started on St. Patty's Day. The heart-shaped one is so cute! Now I have something nice to look at while I do the dishes.

The kiddos are on Spring Break this week which makes for some chaos. Sutter gets to go to camp and Harper gets some extra time with family including my mom who is sure to spoil her rotten. Sutter asked me last night why I don't get a Spring Break from work. Good question, kiddo. At least I get to take Friday off so we can go camping...can't wait!!

Is anyone else on Spring Break? What are your plans?

XO,

Chelsea

Halloween!!

Halloween definitely has to be one of my favorite holidays. My mom always made our costumes as a kid and I have continued that tradition throughout my teens/young adulthood and now as a mama. I think its so much more fun and special to source or make your own costume than to just go with a packaged one. Its all about getting creative, which I love!!

Our Halloween weekend was mighty hectic. Both kids had parties at school on Friday, we had an office Mad Men party and then we hosted a spooky kid-friendly cocktail party at our house. Bleeding heart martinis, shrunken head cider, blood soup with eyeballs and bat wings were all on the menu!

They performed a sweet little poem at Harper's school. I'm loving her one Tink slipper and one sparkly shoe. She's such a silly girl!

Lunch at Sutter's school, plus craft time in the classroom. He was the cutest little muscle man at school on Friday. His real costume wasn't exactly ready for the class.

Saturday was a whirlwind of last minute costume assembly for Carl (who became Magnum PI) and getting the last of my own things for my transformation into Lady Gaga along with about 7 other of my girlfriends who were different versions of the Gagaloo. It was a pretty insane gaggle of Gagas we had running around an adult party at the rooftop party of the Canary Hotel.

This photo is missing the drop-dead sexy red-hooded Gaga in our clan, so I have to include an additional shot of Alison looking fabulous as Lady G.

Sunday was the final stretch as I finished up the kids costumes, did a major cleanup of our house and then discovered that our garage had leaked in the rain and a bunch of my books were ruined :(

But nothing can stop the force that is Halloween

This is Harper doing what she called the Pippi-stand.  And Sutter, as Atreyu from the Neverending Story could not have his chest puffed up more. The blood was even his idea. Those kids crack me up!

Trick-or-treating was an insane adventure. A pirate house that looked like the Pirates of the Caribbean ride at Disneyland, another Pippi and an awesome zombie bride made for a pretty fun evening.

When we got home, the kids got set to sorting out their candy, cleaned up and crashed out hard at bedtime.

It was quite the whirlwind weekend. I'm kind of glad to get back to life as usual, but secretly I'm already planning for next year!!

How was your Halloween??

XO,

Chelsea

Happy Happy, Joy Joy

Four years ago today I gave birth to a beautiful, sweet, strong-willed baby girl. She has changed my life in so many wonderful ways. I am so proud that I get to be her mama.

I ♥ you miss Harper Lee!!!!

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

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

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

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

Baby Needs a New Pair of Shoes

I finally cashed in my Mother's Day new pair of shoes coupon.

When my grandmother was in town a few weeks ago, we took a little trek downtown with the kiddos and I picked out these beauties. I must've tried on at least 10 pairs - which was a slow process considering they'll only allow you to have 2 pairs at a time to try on. Really?!?! Where have I been that I didn't know this was a rule? I guess its been quite a while since I tried on multiple pairs. I usually have my sights on something and just make a beeline. What made it really interesting was that some salespeople (ahem, the menfolk) were sticklers with the rule and then another would shuffle over to help me and she'd keep piling up the shoes. She knew there was a coupon for shoes burning a hole in my pocket that just couldn't wait. Do not get in the way of a woman on her way to buy shoes. It could be deadly.

You can tell I'm smitten by the way I'm adoringly checking them out.

That weekend's visit from my grandma was super special. I grew up spending most weekends and almost all summer long with my grandparents and my grandma has always been one of my favorite persons in the whole wide world. Except perhaps the time she puked all over my lap on a tour bus in New York City. Other than that, I just love her to pieces. She's crafty, a world traveller, good at games and has a keen eye for antiques. Its pretty safe to say, she's awesome.

Its been a pretty hectic week and shaping up to be just as busy of a weekend. I'm off to catch up on sleep and wish on shooting stars...

Happy weekending!!

XO,

Chelsea

sweet surprises

Who doesn't love surprises?

While I was busily making dinner tonight, the little pips spent the early evening popping in and out of the house. Always full of questions, always full of energy. They both tried to steal all the carrots for my Moroccan carrot and chickpea quinoa salad, and I spent a good amount of time spelling out words for Sutter's thank you card to his GG (great grandma). I finally managed to get a few minutes of quiet time in the kitchen. Whew!

Then I went outside to join Harper in checking on these newly planted babies

and that's when I found this sweet little surprise

And then I was reminded of a sweet surprise gift from a friend,

a surprise chance at playing captain,

and a surprisingly still moment of sweetness,

Sometimes you just have to shoo everyone out of the kitchen long enough and you'll remember all the little sweet surprises that make up life.

What's your favorite surprise?

XO,

Chelsea

fancy fridays - hello summer!!

Well, around SoCal, spring usually brings some summer-like temperatures, along with May Gray and June Gloom...its sort of a schizophrenic time as far as the weather is concerned. We've already had a few hot streaks. But I never feel quite in the summer spirit until Memorial Day rolls around. I know its not even really "officially" summer until June, but the onset of Memorial Day is the reality check that bikini(eek!!) and BBQ season have finally arrived!!

We've already had our fair share of BBQs this spring - Carl even whipped up his own BBQ sauce to dress up our drumsticks last weekend. However, I've been feeling less than thrilled about the actual "bikini season" part of things. Not to mention the impending trip to Norway (meeting his family - yikes!) which has put me in healthy-eating and workout mode.

With a good deal of our friends out of town, it means no prior commitments or the tempation of last-minute soirees that we're quite fond of hosting. I'm looking forward to a weekend of hanging out, chilling out, working out and cleaning out our very messy office and possibly the garage. I have high hopes, I know!! It sounds lofty but I'll be happy if I manage to spend some time snuggling my loves and working on some crafty projects I've had lurking around the house.

Prospects for the weekend that I'm most excited about:

A sunset cruise aboard the Double Dolphin with both the kiddos in tow. Sunsets in Santa Barbara are among my favorite things to experience.

A trip to the Farmer's Market on Saturday morning is definitely in order. Its the perfect thing to inspire my clean eating, pick up some cilantro and tomatoes to plant, and pick up some picnic goodies. 

With our Farmer's Market goodies in hand, I'm hoping to head over to the Mission to check out the I Madonnari offerings...

 and settle in for at picnic in the famous Mission rose garden.

And that's just between now and Saturday!

I'm also super psyched to try out Brandi over at Mucho Mucho Bueno Bueno's awesome t-short tutorial,
 another T-shirt redo into a pretty dress for Harper,

and something I always mean to do but never get around to...

give myself a pretty manicure!! Although I'm positive mine won't be nearly as elaborate and pretty as these. I'm happy if most of the polish ends up on my nails and not everywhere else. And I promised one very sweet little girl some polished toes too! She got her very first "pedicure" at preschool the other day and now she's pretty much obsessed. There are the cutest pictures up ate her school of her with her little feet in the tub and getting her little toes polished! I just love that sweet little girl!!

And my one last goal for the weekend - buy the stinkin' Tracy Anderson videos already. Kassi and I have been chatting it up about these and I finally need to just do it already (and hope my honey fixes the projector so I have something to watch them on)!!

What are your plans for the long weekend??

XO,

Chelsea