it is finished

I have wanted to do a black + white photo wall for quite some time. Before we came out here, I bought a bunch of frames at Target and the Crate & Barrel outlet with the thought of making this a "rainy day project." Well I finally got around to it and I think it turned out nice! I printed out photos from Mexico, Spain, Vienna, Venice, and the African Durbar Festival along with various family photos. Then I studied a page from the Pottery Barn catalog for hours and played around with it until it finally came together. It also helps to follow the classic design rule of hanging a collection in the shape of an "e" so the eye can easily follow it.

I love it. It just makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside every time I look at it and it reminds me of how blessed I am. 

fully stocked

So this post isn't very exciting, but sort of interesting, right? I mean, does YOUR freezer look like this?? This represents many hours spent at Costco and Walmart, completely depleting their stock of Oh's cereal and Chex Mix. Notice the dates on everything? Yeah, I'm not throwing anything away this time. Last year I had to throw away about 10 bottles of salad dressing. Did I think I would be eating copious amounts of salad in Africa? 

I bet Costco makes a killing off suckers like me...does ANYONE actually go through a 5 lb bag of baking soda? I'm still working on making a dent in the small canister (and I actually bake a lot). Maybe I thought I'd use it for cleaning purposes...ha!

4 months

Dearest CW,

Today you are 4 months old and I can hardly believe it. You are growing so well and we are so proud of you. I haven't weighed you yet but my guess is that you're right at 15.5 lbs. You are a chunker monker, but we don't mind because your weight gain was an issue at first. We're just glad you're healthy and strong...you can eat as much as you like :) 

You have discovered your hands and thoroughly inspected every inch of your tiny fist. You are able to grasp a toy now and bring it to your mouth (everything goes in your mouth). Your favorite toy is Freddie the Firefly...you love to hear his wings crunch and chomp on his head. You're such a happy baby. My favorite part of the day is when I go to get you from your crib in the morning...you give me the biggest gummy grin that just makes me melt. You're the funniest person I know...you make the craziest facial expressions. 

You luuuuv the bath. We've started blowing in your face and splashing water on you so you're not afraid of the water. Since your name means "from the wild water," this is only fitting. We took you in the pool for the first time yesterday. You weren't sure at first, but you didn't cry and by the end you were smiling...you're so brave. 

You have found your voice. Sometimes I can't tell if you're crying, but I think you just like to hear yourself shriek. 

You're a wonderful sleeper. This weekend you slept from 7:30 pm-7:30 am. Then you slept for another 2 hrs after an hr of being up. It was very nice of you to let Mommy and Daddy get some extra sleep! 

You love music. Anything from Michael Jackson to Chris Tomlin, you love it all. You perk up and start kicking your feet. And you give me the most beautiful smile whenever I sing to you.

I love you more than you know and it is a joy to spend each day with you and watch you grow.

Love,

Mommy

coastal cruzin'

When my dear friend Jenn and I lived above the crazy French lady in Virginia Beach, we would ride our bikes on the boardwalk in the morning before work. I can't remember if they were the owner's or Jenn's, but they were cute little beach cruisers like this one. Right now through Sept. 31, People readers get 20% off all items at beachbikes.net (enter promo code PEOPLEMAG at checkout). Score! I knew I subscribed to that magazine for a reason! This website has a great selection of bikes in beautiful colors and they even sell baskets and bells. Wouldn't she look cute parked outside the beach cottage?

the british are coming!

So we had dinner with some British friends the other night and I was thoroughly impressed (and intimidated) by their hosting skills. We were greeted with a glass of champagne and led out to their fabulous patio that was all a-sparkle in twinkle lights. After dinner we were offered French-press Ethiopian coffee on a tray with the cutest little cream and sugar set. I imagine it's probably standard practice to offer after dinner coffee with dessert (I brought brownies on a plastic plate...cringe), but I always forget this part.  And even though my china cabinet is stocked with an arsenal of serving pieces, I realized how much I still need. On my list of things to buy:

1. demitasse spoons

2. serving tray

3. cute cream + sugar set

4. ice bucket (why am I still breaking out the plastic ice trays??)

5. tea set

6. cake stand (I am loving this jadeite one from poshchicago.com)

7. 3-tier stand

Did you know that there is a proper way to place food for tea on a 3-tier stand? I sure didn't. According to Christian Gradnitzer, executive chef at Jumeirah Essex House in NYC, the scones go on top, sandwiches in the middle, then sweets on the bottom (from Party Confidential) I told K this and how impressed I was with the British and he just rolled his eyes and called me a traitor.

coat of many colors

How much do I LOVE this coat?? I was inspired to check out Boden's new fall line of coats at the tip of my artist friend, Anne, and they did not disappoint. I discovered Boden 2 years ago when they started sending me catalogs in the mail and I absolutely love their clothes. They are so ME--classically tailored with a bit of a spunky vintage twist. And so began my love affair with all things British...

Nevermind that I live in Africa and don't need a coat. This one is too fab to pass up. It also comes in dark grey and celery green, but my favorite is the navy one with hot pink piping. AND best of all, they're giving away 10 free orders every day until August 15. Hmm...my birthday is coming up! 

funky little shack

I am beside myself with glee because my parents are going to look at this house for us this weekend. Ain't she cute??

Since we don't have a home to call our own, I have convinced K that we need a vacation home that we can return to occasionally and rent out while we are away. The market is so good right now, how could we not?? It needs to be close to Richmond and DC, in case we end up back there one day. So I've been trolling the web and considering all locales...Nags Head? Too far. Lake Gaston? Again, too far. VA Beach? Too pricey. 

I've always wanted a little cottage by the sea, complete with a white picket fence and big bloomin' hydrangea bushes. I remembered Chincoteague from when K and I took a B&B weekend getaway there a few years back and that there were a lot of the older Eastern Shore-style cottages on the island. There's also a super cute Main Street with coffee shops, art galleries, and even and old movie theatre. It's about the same distance from DC and Richmond, so that's where I started my search and came across this little gem of a house. It has an old kitchen (complete with drainboard sink), a white picked fence, and best of all...pink hydrangea bushes in the back!! No matter that it's only 780 sqft...additions aren't that expensive, right Dad?

Yes, it's TINY but I feel like I could make it work. I've already designed it in my head. Ugh, please be in good condition...I can't stop thinking about it. Oh, and the address is too much: Ocean Blvd. Can't you just picture the address labels?