Weekly Roundup...on Saturday!

Last minute Halloween costume-Where's Waldo?

Some lovely things have been happening around the inter-web lately-too much to handle!  I have been busy working and living, trying to enjoy each moment I have with my little family when I get home instead of trying to document everything.  It has been nice and much needed.  I was feeling uninspired and way too much pressure to blog everyday while working & mama-ing.  So, I am just trying to let it happen naturally and write when I feel the groove.  

We were busy this week, with Halloween shenanigans (ours was pretty simple & last minute), a sick baby and a sick mama!  Whoa.  But, I am so happy it is November!  I am anxiously awaiting Christmas because our nephew, Mav's cousin Dylan will be arriving in California for all of us to finally meet!  They are only 2 months apart and we can't wait to see them together.  Oh and Thanksgiving food is where it's at!  Excited to let Maverick try all sorts of yummy eats at Thanksgiving dinner.

I will be relaxing, snuggling in a blankie, drinking hot tea, watching movies and maybe making it to the Farmer's Market for a new Beeswax candle this weekend.  What are you up to?  Here are my links to love this week!

DIY Kid's Tee-love this easy DIY from artist Oana (I simply love all that she does!)

The Perfect Autumn Scarf-I have loved Yokoo's scarves on Etsy for some time now.  They are so breathtaking!  This one is my fav, in Hazelnut.  You can win one on the Design Love Fest blog!

Styled to Last-great post over on Baby Blackbird on hand-me-down styles for the kiddos.  I appreciate any tips on recycled fashion, especially for the babes since they outgrow everything so fast!

Listen to French Music-a casual, Fall inspired Tomboy look over on One of Each's blog.  I love me some classic plaid and I adore her 60s vibed out ponytail!

Trick & Treats-a beautiful post about my most favorite holiday...the light, the mood, the colors of these photos are so inspiring!

Boots & Pine-a breathtakingly glorious photographic poem to a few Toronto neighborhoods...just click, you won't be disappointed!  Too much pretty to handle:) 

Happy Weekend!!

♥

Weekly Roundup: Introspection & Links!

The in's and out's of daily life have have been exhausting and wonderful.  I find myself with not enough hours in the day to soak everything up and check things off my long to-do list.  I know it takes time to get used to working and being a mama, and I am finally figuring out some balance in that department.  Weekends have become a time to truly unwind, slow down and savor family time.  This whole mom thing is a constant juggle and I am reminded daily of the awesomeness, beauty and transformative power becoming a parent has had on every ounce of my life.  It's no joke.

I am also very lucky to have a husband who takes pride and joy in caring for our son.  He showers him with such warm cozy love and always has hugs to give me too when I come home.  Right before I fall asleep at night, I often think about how much I appreciate what he does for our family.  We both have made sacrifices and manage to keep the laughs flowing.

The significance of this time in our lives is not lost on me-I hold the magic and power of this time close.  And, this time of year always seems to bring much needed introspection and reevaluation.  It's a time to take inventory.  This time a year ago I was preparing for the arrival of Maverick, dreaming about his face.  Now, I am dreaming about the future of our small family, aspiring to live a slower paced life filled with good things.  Desiring a simpler life.  Makes me happy to think about Mav growing and being able to teach him new things and simply be present for him-no need for big things.

Personally, I am always working on caring for my whole being and not being so hard on myself.  The Hub and I have had a pretty rough few years with so much anxiety over the sale of my grandmother's house (in which we lived for a while), pregnancy and preparing for a baby while I was not working, sacrificing many things in order to pay for Mav's home birth (will never regret it), the blur of having a newborn, having to move with a 3 month old, and my job searches for the last six months.  Whew!  There were many a moment where we felt pretty helpless and oh so tired.  In times like that it's easy to forget to care for yourself and pat yourself on the back for the wonderful things you are accomplishing, no matter how small they seem.  Now, things feel so much more secure and on track.  And even though  I feel regret for the time I wasted on stressing out during my pregnancy, I have worked on moving on and feeling gratefulness for all the good times.  That is why, when Mav turns a year in January, I will be overcome with emotions-for the loss of his baby-ness, but also for making it through the rough patches and doubts as a new mama.

So I am happy to welcome the changes this season has in store for us.  I am excited about spending time with family during the holidays and taking time to savor these last few months of baby-hood.  I am also hoping to get more comfortable at my new job and find happiness in that part of my life (it is still a bit murky at this point, but trying to be positive).  I also want to enjoy meaningful time with good friends with good food and conversation.  Just breath in all the spiced deliciousness that is Autumn!

Major link to love this week?  The Color Me Whimsical tumblr, where all the above images are!

A few more links from this week...
     ▼I love Roberta's cozy chill out picks for the weekend!  Makes me want to lounge around, sipping on hot beverages in between cat naps all day.
     ▼Still love the Milk-Friendly blog.  As a breastfeeding and now pumping mom, I appreciate all the fun style tips (it really does matter what you wear as a pumping mom, unless you wanna strip down!)
     ▼I love Kelly's blog and I especially enjoyed this post-relates quite well to what I have been feeling lately!  Beautiful words.

    What's been inspiring you lately?

Whimsical Weekly Roundup

Hello lovelies!  I went back to work last Thursday, therefore there was a bit of silence over here on the blog.  It will take me a little while to work out the kinks, get used to working again, being away from Maverick (which I don't think I will ever get used to) and trying to schedule in blogging time.  Whew!  It's a lot to process!

So, here is my weekly roundup...two weeks worth!  Hope your weekend is restful and fun!  All I want to do is sleep in or just sleep in general.  See you back here on Monday with a new Tomboy, Polka-Dots & Stripes post!

❖I always enjoy Erin's weekly roundup of her fav outfits for the week...so good!
❖This post from We Three Pilgrims really hit the spot for me-right in my heart.  Not only are the photos magical, but her words on "soul care," present and simple mothering are sentiments that I have been sharing lately.
❖I have quietly stalked knitter/blogger Tara-Lynn ever since I first started reading blogs...& I adore her beautiful knits!  I am so going to purchase one of her perfect for fall knitted turban headbands!
❖Fell in love with these handmade mustache and bow tie onesies...it's more challenging to find stylish baby boys clothing & I have a baby shower to attend in a few weeks, so I just may be getting a few of these for baby-to-be!
❖A Farewell to Summer music mix...I will miss those long summer days for sure!

Link Lovin'

Happy Friday!  Well, it has been a whirlwind of a week over here!  I have been cleaning up a storm and trying to de-clutter.  I had one of those moments where I wanted to rip the house apart and get rid of everything!  Ever feel like that?  So, I am trying to streamline things as much as possible with my closet next up on the list of things that need shaking up!  I have another good reason for cleaning things up (besides being crazy): this mama is going back to work!

I had a special interview last week that I was almost certain I would get but I didn't want to jinx myself. Well, I just found out yesterday that it is official and I will be returning to work faster than expected.  I am a bit freaked out and excited all at once!  What's really freaking me out right now is pumping enough milk for Mister Boy while I am working.  I know I can do it though and am trying to remain calm and positive.  Mom's out there, please send any working while breastfeeding advice/tips!

Ok, back to the fun stuff.  Here are the things that made me say ohh la la this week!

➸Go check out Love Fox Vintage!  Faith just started, so expect great things to come as she works it all out!  There are some cute things in there right now and that blouse above is my favorite!  I love the slouchy boho shape and bright colors that will enliven your fall duds!
➸➸I have become obsessed with beeswax candles, so I was delighted to see the DIY on Elsie & Emma's blog, A Beautiful Mess!  It's like they read my mind!
➸➸➸Since I am newly in love with Instagram, I loved reading Sweet Thing blog's instagram editing process-so fun!
➸➸➸➸Have you seen this series?  In love!

Link Lovin'

A new month has snuck past our shimmering eyes already!  A new month always signals fresh starts to me.  A reset button if you will.  Even more so with the changing of the season and moons.  I am approaching this month with an open heart, positive attitude and exuberant spirit.  And, I don't know if it's the season change or what, but I just want to de-clutter and revive my space.  I am craving simplicity (more on this subject later).

Here are my happy links for the week, all with a nod to the simple things!  Hope your weekend is filled with beauty!

▼These two lovely calendars from Dear Friend (left) and Oana Befort (right)...go grab one!
▼This post from Three Wild Things about keeping it real-so good!  She talks about the sometimes chaotic realities of having kids & how we get bogged down with feelings of inadequacies while looking at blogs out there that seem to depict parenthood as dreamy & idyllic.  Thank you for this!  It's easy to forget that the inter-web is only a fraction of people's realities & that not being perfect is ok.
▼Loving the simple beauty of small farm life from Fig and Fauna.  Lots of yummy, wholesome recipes and appreciation for the natural world & all its creatures.
▼Check out MadebyLon's blog-lots of clean, modern design and fashion inspiration.  Totally inspired to tear apart my house & make it more minimal!
▼I am inspired by James from Bleubird to really reign in my cluttered, filled to the brim closet!  It's very difficult for me to let go of things because I am so darn sentimental.  But, there are loads of things I haven't worn or looked at in quite a while and I need to let go.
▼Melissa's post on the sweet heartbreak of watching our children grow so fast made me cry.  She has such a magical way with words.

Check out my new boards on Pinterest: Style Mama's and Stylish Couples!  Lots of eye candy!  
...what are your favs from this week?  Leave a link to your weekly roundups in the comments if you like-I always love to see what you are loving!

♥

And, thanks to those mama's out there that commented on my last Motherhood post-your words mean the world to me!  Hugs!

Link Lovin'

Another week has breezed by!  We are this close to September-wowza!  That means that autumn is just around the corner and that Mister Boy is closer to being a month older already!  I wept a bit the other day when I realized that he had lost his "baby" smell.  Where did it go and why?  I have a sense that all moms go through the rest of their child's years trying to smell that sweet smell one more time.  Things and people must grow, it is our lot I suppose.  While I go snuggle Mav, enjoy my roundup of pretty things from this week!

Clockwise from left...
     Attic & Barn Fall 2012 Collection-I am all sorts of smitten with this collection!  It's probably my favorite collection & one I am most excited about.  The vintage vibe with more modern shapes/cuts & the superb styling are spot on.  Yes, I want every piece!  Thank you.
     DIY Polka Dot Denim-another polka-dot DIY to try.  Easy-peasy!  I am a tad obsessed with the dots lately!
     DIY A-Frame Tent-I have been dying to make one of these for Maverick!  This DIY is excellent & I know Toby can rock this out in no time.
     DIY Canvas Tote-another rad DIY tote from one of my fav blogs, Say Yes to Hoboken.  This is a great tote for your child's books or your books too!  Love!

and, a few more things:
     Found this new photo blog that I am sorta in love with-Rose & Crown
     Read this post from My Little Loves and it totally hit the mark with me!  Amazing honesty and
     bearing of the soul!
     The new stuff from Bobo Choses is outrageously cute!  Maverick would look super cute in
     everything, duh!
     And lastly, my sister from another mama Faith re-opened the Love Fox online shop!  Such cute
     vintage at great prices, with more to come!  So, go have a look and hooray!

  What are you loving right now?  Favorite reads from the week?  

Happy Weekend!

♥