San Francisco: Ferry Building

The Ferry Building Farmer's Market: It's this gorgeous, magical place, situated directly beside the bay, with fresh food, flowers, cheeses, coffees, oysters... It's no wonder it gets thoroughly packed on the weekends. 

It's easy to be lazy and prefer to stay in and lounge around, especially on holiday weekends. I'm always far more pleased when we make the decision to get out and explore and enjoy the beautiful places and things right at our fingertips. 

The extra nice thing about the Ferry Building? They've built a lovely playground directly across the street, so that when the kids are through smelling the flowers and tasting every fruit and cheese sample, they can run, climb and swing their little hearts out beside city skyscrapers.

Everyone goes home happy. ;) 

Style Me Pretty Living

Photo by Pictilio 

One 90 degree day last year, Brian and I had a date.

We drove to Half Moon Bay with a perfect picnic, and the prettiest picnic spread, on an almost entirely private beach surrounded by cliffs, accompanied by some of the finest photographers around.

It's a day dreams are made of, and I'd re-live it in a heartbeat.

Now, here's the fun part: those photos live to see another day today, on StyleMePretty Living. Go on over and look at all the pictures {there are a lot}! ;) 

Thank you for being photography geniuses, Pictilio, and for letting us be a part of such a fun shoot! xoxo

Photo by Pictilio

Photo by Pictilio

The Anatomy of a Great Week

Somehow a balanced life can be tricky to accomplish: we often plan too much or plan too little... are you with me? When you feel like the exact balance was struck by the end of a weekend, it's a REALLY good feeling. 

It's Monday. Let's make it a good one. 

xo

Birthdays are the best

Gorgeous sweets all created with love by my dear friend Hilary // The Sugar Studio.

 (The Happy Birthday song was a bit unnerving for both of my girls at their 2nd birthday). ;)

Maggie at 2:

Loves puppets & Mickey Mouse and friends. Says "okay" to everything (!!). Adores her sister, calls her "Vivi" and copies her dance moves. Requested at her 2nd bday party to eat her cupcake with a spoon and took 30 minutes to do so. Likes to eat anything we've ever given her, except zucchini. Can read books by herself on the bed for a looong time (15 minutes is ages in toddler time). Colors until every inch of a picture is filled. Spins and says "whoooaaaa" until she's dizzy enough to fall down, for kicks, daily. Takes paper bags or boxes, puts them on her head and runs full speed around the house (thoroughly terrifying her mama). Sings one note as loud as she can for as long as she can hold it. Clutches a neon pink stuffed octopus every time she falls asleep... or else falls asleep in a fit of tears. Takes off her diaper any chance she gets. Brings her dishes to the sink and tosses them in after most meals... also tossing food wherever she goes. ;). Wants to wear jackets every moment of every day. Takes shoes on and off as much as possible. Squeals and jumps up and down when her daddy comes home. Watches the garbage trucks out the window every week in awe (both girls do). She is sunshine on any cloudy day. xo.

Can't wait to celebrate your every year with you, little Maggie girl.  

Ps. (The Sugar Studio is amazing. Take classes with Hilary & buy all her sweets (they'll change your life... or at least your pallet... with their fresh deliciousness).

Sweets // Puppet Theatre // Temporary Tattoos // Puppets (tutorial soon!) // Striped Paper Cups  // Candles // also, thanks to Manus for photo help. :) 

Summer to Fall

That chill is coming and it's one I know and love: FALL. Crisp leaves, cider, coats, yes please.  

We had the most fabulous little photo shoot at Blink Inc. the other day, which is where I got these amazing pics of my kiddos... One, painless little 10-minute photo shoot was all it took! I'm baffled at the skill level.

We created the shoot as a way to show how my girls like to transition their summer staples into their fall wardrobe. (I managed to forget to bring Sophie's jacket, like any good mother taking their children in 65 degree weather, taking pictures for fall, but we can all use our imaginations and get the idea...)  

Maggie likes shorts. I like when Maggie wears shorts because it means it's nice and warm out, and I'm probably exploring the city and smiling and laughing a lot. Shorts are a one-season item, right? Wrong. Shorts are crazy-adorable on little girls who want to look their preppiest in the fall. Shorts with grey tights and sassy moccasins and their favorite green peacoat hand-me-down. Happy all around.  

There is nothing my Sophie loves better than a good twirly dress. Her go-to is a floral number that she has worn or requested to wear 23 of the 24 days she's owned it. She loves it to bits. It has a halter though, and that's just not necessarily a practical decision when the temperatures drop a bit. What do we do when she wants to hit the playground in her favorite dress when it's a misty morning? Knee high socks, rain boots, warm scarf, and any basic jacket or sweater! 

The moral of the story? KEEP the summer gear!! Be creative with it, and have your kids' clothing live to see another day, stylishly! 

The other moral of the story? Find Blink Inc. ASAP and book a session. Photographic brilliance in mere minutes. GREAT for the kids who just don't love long photo sessions, and SO much fun to do with props!

Cannot wait for the next chance to get more picture gems of my kiddos. 

xoxo

That Was Fun: Lake Tahoe

It's a bit hard to truly describe the time we had in Tahoe. It was different from any trip we've ever taken because (most of) my extended family all stayed in one big house together. We went on VRBO and found a spot that had bedrooms, bathrooms, a pool table, a movie theater, pingpong, foosball, a hot tub, a little play structure... everything we could possibly need. A couple people were in charge of each meal to spread the work evenly. We had a 3-week baby and my grandparents- all the generations in one beautiful home. 

I think that while we were there, we were all overwhelmed by how totally blessed we are. It can be an easy thing to forget when we're all in our separate places, spread apart, and doing our own things with our own ups and downs... but when all is said and done: we're there for one another through it. I think families who go through tough times can feel closer later, and it seems to be the case with this family. When my brother went through his battle with cancer, almost all my memories have a bit of extended family in the mix- from both sides, being there to console, to do overnighters, to bring gifts and food. I think that stuff sticks, and makes family closer than ever for the long haul. I'm hoping/praying it carries through the next generations because family is seriously such a gift. 

I'm also glad I have a blog going to document stuff like this so I can't forget the best times. :) 

Ps. How fabulous is it that Sophie & her cousin Em both hit up the gap 40% off sale and got the same swimsuit? They couldn't get over the excitement.