Back on Track

After more rest than I thought I could stand, my foot is now completely healed. I've purchased new running shoes, and am ready to resume training. My original goal was to run a half marathon (London's Run) in January. While I plan on running it, I've started to feel the need to push for a full marathon. Consequently, I'm now looking for a half marathon to run in September, and am thinking about registering for a full marathon to run in February. Perhaps this is too ambitious, but I feel that there's no harm in trying. I've really missed running. Almost immediately after I was injured, I felt the difference in my mood. It's incredibly hard for me to stave off depression when I don't have that daily runner's high, and I have been unable to find a comparable workout. So I'm looking forward to being happier. And hopefully a few pounds lighter. {image via}

Robots

This weekend we'll be seeing this:

and making these:

I guess we've got robots on the brain. Have a great weekend!

Death and All His Friends

We bought Viva La Vida last week the instant it was released. It became our trip's soundtrack. *sigh* It's nice to see Coldplay become so successful, but part of me mourns the days when we seemed to be the only ones listening to them. Jared and I saw Chris Martin play acoustically at Martini Ranch (a tiny bar in Scottsdale). I was close enough to touch his shoes, and at the close of his performance, caught the guitar pick. Now that Coldplay is a household name, I can guarantee that won't be happening again anytime soon. The new album is also wonderful in that broody way that I adore, so I won't complain as long as they keep on coming. 

More cleverness!

After seeing some of those clever ads, Jared pointed this out to me. Pretty good, no? 

Hot

It's supposed to be 112 degrees today, so I'm packing up the kiddlinks and headed to the splash park. I'd promise pictures, but our camera is broken. :( 

{image by kamila kulik, found via black eiffel}

This nursery...

...made me think of my mom. See more at Design Sponge. 

The Underminer

Remember when I was offering evidence of the existence of my sense of humor? Let me present exhibit B. It's so mean, it's funny. 

Clever!

Obviously, with so much screaming for our attention nowadays, ads have to do more than just be visible. These are pretty creative, don't you think? Found via Black Eiffel. 

Oddly Touching

At first this is just funny. But after a few minutes, it becomes oddly touching. I was surprised to find myself tearing up. Doesn't it just make you love people?

Back {with a vengeance!}

We had a wonderful time this last week. We spent about 14 hours straight at Disneyland. I haven't been there in 20 years, and it made me kind of weepy when we first walked through the gates. It was such a full circle moment- I was a KID last time I was there, and suddenly I was undeniably a parent. We were one of the first ones there when they opened, so we got a nice shot of our daughter in front of her princess castle. 
Though there were melt-down moments, the kids did really well. They were patient through long lines and fine with missing naps as long as we were fine holding them a little more often. My son's favorites were the Buzz Lightyear ride and anything with cars or pirates. The fireworks were also pretty impressive.
We spent the rest of the time on the beach, relaxing. The day after Disneyland, the baby slept THE ENTIRE DAY. He'd wake up long enough to nurse, then would zonk out again. We must have really worn him out. Either that, or the sound of the waves was really soothing {in which case, I have got to get a 'sounds of the ocean' cd!}. The kids enjoyed digging in the sand and letting Jared teach them to boogie board. Now that we're back, it's hard to get out of vacation mode. I'll be spending the day at home watching movie in my pajamas, since both the baby and my little boy woke up sick. Not a bad way to transition back to busy life. 

Vacation

We're off spending a week on the beach! Sun, surf and lots of sand castles. I'll be back to posting on Monday! {image via Toast}

Happy Father's Day...

...to my Dad. You are Bit-o-Honey and Pendleton shirts, Altoids and farm-figurin', John Denver songs and daily scripture study. The first word I uttered was in imitation of you, and to this day I'm proud to be your favorite daughter. 
And to the father of my children: you've waded neck deep into parenthood with me, never shirking your fatherly duties (including wearing embarrassing homemade ties in public!) Someday, our kids will get misty-eyed at the sight of David's Sunflower seeds or the sound of a train whistle. Thank you for being such a devoted father. I love you for that.

Weekend

Summer is in full swing around here. It's popsicle weather and the basil is wrestling with the rosemary for dominance over my herb garden. I think I'll use it to make some home-made pesto. Have a dreamy, contented weekend, all! {image via}

Regina Spektor

I like this. I know it's been around for 3 years, I don't care. It's new to me. Maybe it's new to you, too.

Mini Cheescakes

I made these last night for a little 'Munch & Mingle' event with the ladies. They turned out well, even though they were an improvisation after I discovered that I was missing one ingredient for my originally planned recipe.

Mini Lemon & Raspberry Cheescakes

1 c graham cracker crumbs

2 Tbs butter

1 Tbs honey

1 envelope unflavored gelatin

1/2 c sugar

1 c boiling water

2 (8-oz) packages cream cheese, softened (I used 1/3 less fat variety)

1 tsp lemon zest

1 pkg fresh raspberries, halved

Prepare mini muffin tins with paper cups. Mix graham cracker crumbs, butter, and honey. Press graham cracker mixture into bottom of paper cups and top with half a raspberry. Mix gelatin and sugar in small bowl; add boiling water and stir until dissolved (about 5 min). Mix cream cheese and lemon zest in large bowl. Slowly beat in gelatin mixture. Pour into prepared cups and refrigerate for 3 hours. Top with another half of a raspberry and serve. 

All Things French

I've been noticing French things today. It makes me wish I could remember more than a few words of the language. I like this song by Jeanne Cherhal found via Stephmodo. This little french girl is adorable! This french music video is quirky and I love the way they filmed it. Watch the field. And finally, click here for a live shot of the Eiffel Tower.

A Thousand Words

Don't you love the wealth of information contained in this one image? I find it utterly fascinating. {by Sam Javanrouh via Happy Mundane}

Baby & Child

I really love Restoration Hardware's new Baby & Child collection. Everything is clean, classic, and beautiful enough to make me want more babies. Here are a few of my favorite treasures:
Suitcases are so old fashioned and charming. I want these for myself. And I LOVE the tent. Perfect for a reading  nook.
Baby stuff is always so garishly plastic and brightly colored. I love the simplicity of this, and would snatch it up if it weren't so expensive.

Surviving

Oh, that bed. Those white, clean sheets. How I wish I was sleeping like that! The baby has been refluxing badly again, which means he's in a lot of pain, won't sleep, won't stop crying. We increased his dose of Prevacid, but to no avail. It is very hard and I. AM. TIRED. Two things that are helping right now:

1) Watching Kate deal with so many more children. She does an amazing job, but just watching how stressful it would be to raise two sets of multiples makes me grateful that my biggest challenge is holding a screaming baby for hours and hours.

2) Reading about this woman's pregnancy. I'm already of the opinion that pregnancy is a horrible, cruel and torturous thing, but this woman really goes above and beyond what any woman should be called to do in order to bring life into this world. I ache for her. I pray for her. 

Something about these two women help me to put life into perspective. They are not glamourous, they don't live 'fashionable' lives, but I admire them greatly. They are doing the fundamentally important things, which is going through great hardship in order to raise healthy and happy families. It's easier for me to be patient when I can see the larger good in what I am enduring. And it helps to know that I have company.

{image via Toast}

Two by Two

I hate being tagged, but I love Janae, so instead of ignoring it, I'll fill it out. Enjoy- it's probably the last one I'll ever do!

Two names you go by:

*Mommy (by the kids)

*Babe (by Jared)

I will also answer to Darling, Lovely, and Hey There, Beautiful. 

Two things you are wearing right now:

*Tank top

*Smudged mascara from the night before

Two favorite things to do:

*Try new food. Especially tasting menus. I love when I don't have to decide what to eat, but can leave it up to the chef.

*Sleep through the night (a rarity these days).

Two things you want to do very badly at this moment:

*Go for a long run. My foot is still injured, and I desperately miss running.

*Wear my size 2 clothing.

Two favorite pets:

*I only have one. My cat Shady, and only because she hated everyone except for me. What a wonderful grouch. :)

Two things you did last night:

*Made dinner while wearing this apron over my dress and 3 inch heels.

*Rocked the baby back to sleep. Five times.

Two things you ate today:

*3 squares of chocolate out of the freezer

*Ice water

Two people you talked to last:

*My 2 children (the baby doesn't count).

Two longest car rides:

*Any drive with a crying baby or fighting children in the backseat.

*Washington to Yellowstone to Minnesota to Arkansas to Washington.

Two favorite holidays:

*Thanksgiving (All the food and family, none of the Christmas stress!)

*Halloween (Dressing up! Candy! What's not to love?)

Two favorite vacations:

*17 days in Europe

*Our recent trip to Mexico

Two favorite drinks:

*Pellegrino with a wedge of Lime

*Virgin Pina Coladas

This is where I'm supposed to tag two more people, but mercifully, I'm letting the tag die here. Rest in Peace. {image via}

Vanity Fair does Hitchcock

I'm not the only one who thinks that Hitchock never goes out of style. Check out Charlize Theron, Jodie Foster and other modern actresses recreating classic Hitchcock films for Vanity Fair. {found via Got Ads?}

Zoo Ads

I love these ads for the Bronx Zoo! They inspire me to be creative. 
I wonder where they found a brick wall with those colors? Perfect. {found via Black Eiffel}

Music Video

Remember when Jared wanted to film something in that abandoned mining town? After a friend approached him about making a wedding video, this is the result. :)

Vogue

Alright, I know I'm in the minority when I say that I've never really watched Sex and the City. Even so, these photos are enough to make me an instant fan. The famed Annie Leibovitz shot them for Vogue, and they are absolutely stunning. 

{All images via Vogue found via Cup of Jo.}

Weekend

Here's to an uplifting weekend! I sure know that I could use one. {image by Christopher McLallen}

Swimsuit Season

I'd like a new swimsuit. I find polka-dots rather appealing, especially with extra large sunglasses and some sassy red toenail polish.

{Red & White suit found at Toast, Black & White found at Urban Outfitters}

Bed, Bed, Bed

The advantage of marrying a cinematographer is that you get great videos like this of your children! Jared had them act out portions of their favorite bedtime story and put it to music. It was a night-time staple in this household for months, and is now a beautiful time capsule of that portion of their youth. Enjoy. :)

Beach House

One day I would love to vacation in a lovely beach house on the east coast. For now, I stare at images like these and feel my breath catch in my throat. I absolutely love this color palate. The beams on the ceiling. That chair. Those floors! Oh my. 
Someday, when my children are grown, I will have a white room. I will. 
I love the dark door amidst so much white. And all that wood! I live in the wrong state. Stucco makes me want to scream. 

{Photos by Don Freeman for House Beautiful. Found via Habitually Chic)

Drew Danburry

This quirky little music video makes me smile. Thanks Nicole! 

Lisa Solomon

Sweet and simple, these really caught my eye today. {via Miss Jane)

The Cure

Jared bought last minute tickets to go see The Cure last night. I'm still a novice when it comes to The Cure: basically, if it's on their Greatest Hits album, then I recognize it. So to get in the spirit of things, I really wanted to go Goth, but by the time we were dressed and makeup applied, I realized I had morphed into a Tenenbaum. I was channeling mod in my black mini dress and knee high boots rather than Goth. After some consideration, I decided that was more 'me' anyhow. It was a fun show- over 3 hours of music, and we were in the balcony {indoors!}, so we were free to sit when we pleased. During "Fascination Street" Jared turned to me and said, "They are using way too many colored lights for a song that feels black and white." and I thought, "Now see? This is why I love you." It was a good night.