Weekend Links / June 8, 2013 by Kate Brightbill

Oh Happy Day asked Sophie to model fancy DIY watercolor party hats, and hold balloons. #yesplease

Not much is more summery gorgeous than bright ice confetti balls in a beverage!

I love citrus fruit... in every form.

I've seen a lot of people credit luck for success, particularly online success, so I love this backstory; it's proof that hard work is what works best.

We're all putting chia seeds in everything right? It's for our health.

Speaking of health (errr), now I want ice cream sandwiches (it all balances out).

I couldn't love this blog anymore than I do.

It doesn't get very hot around here, but I want to try all 8 recipes anyway.

I'm always eyeing stylish little girl dresses, and this one is my current favorite... 30% off this weekend makes it so tempting...

My favorite pin of the week is this one (open faced sandwiches are a major weakness of mine).

My favorite Etsy shop of the week- particularly the dishtowel that says "butter makes it better." True that...

Happy Weekend.

xo,

Kate

I Love Links / May 31, 2013 by Kate Brightbill

Here are ten of my favorite finds of the week around the good ol' internet:

I cannot even describe how much I love this spread. I want to dig into the cheese- like right now- actually all the food. It's like the perfect picnic.

I'm so intrigued by the endless uses of coconut oil that I bought some. The jar had yet to be opened, but this week a friend tweeted a link to this article, and I opened it the next day and I'm sure it'll be gone in no time (also- if you have additional suggestions on how you use coconut oil, I'd love to hear)!

The 'burbs battle. It's always a bummer when my city friends move away, so this totally resonated with me.

A simple, beautiful summer bucket list. One that isn't daunting. ;)

Oooh, they came out with a kid's version!

My favorite find on Pinterest this week. Seriously adorable.

I think I might do this for a birthday party goodie bag sometime. I mean, if I get my act together, the possibilities are endless and the price SO right.

This is what I'm craving right now. San Franciscans, have you tried it? Do you love it?

You guys, my new favorite site. SERIOUSLY. I want to pin and print EVERYTHING!!

Also super cute.

This quote is what convinces me that it can be good to write about things that aren't lollipops and gumdrops. (thanks B)

Last: if you haven't already, I'd love it if you'd follow me on Bloglovin'.

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

xoxo,

Kate

I Love Instagram: 01 / May 17, 2013 by Kate Brightbill

I have a love/hate with most social networks, but the one that I almost always LOVE is Instagram. I love taking pictures, I love viewing pictures. Pictures are the way to my little heart. Obviously, following my friends is my favorite... I can always see what they're up to and how cute their kiddos are... BUT I also cannot get enough of the bloggers, artists, and photographers I follow on Instagram. There is no end to the talent out there, and it kind of feels like we get a glimpse into the "real life" of people whose work we so admire.

Here are just a few Instagramers I think you should follow:

(clockwise from top left)

1. ShopSweetThings- Bits of home, events, kids, food & all beautiful.

2. ModernKids- San Francisco photographer with a modern eye for design.

3. ChloeFleury- An illustrator who creates pretty paper masterpieces. I love the cheerfulness of her feed.

4. Pomverte- Everything is in French, but the styling of her every photo is impeccable. No one could make the word "hello" look more lovely.

(again, clockwise from top left)

5. SilvanadiFranco- She manages to make everything that is ordinary look extraordinary. She has that photographer's eye so many want, but so few have.

6. PetitsFournier- Photos of handmade perfection, lovely shots of products in process, travel, watercolor, and Anabel's life. The knitters are lovely ladies from Bolivia, and make their living creating dolls, toys and beauty.

7. SophieandLili- My favorite sketch-artist's instagram. Her doodles in notebooks should be in frames and her watercolors are perfection. Did I mention she makes dolls? So much good stuff here. Her Instagram also includes glimpses of her adorable daughters and "real life."

8. TeaandKate- Ohhh, such beauty in little things. Bits of life and Kate's children, their travel, and everything just gorgeous.

Happy Friday!! Enjoy your weekend!!

Love,

Kate

Ps. Feel free to follow me on Instagram too! xx

Bits of Life & Links / April 12, 2013 by Kate Brightbill

I skinned my knee at the park the other day. It was the most legit skinned knee I've had since my childhood, I'm pretty sure. It was so sunny that I decided to try the monkey bars with Sophie, and they just don't make those things tall enough. So much for trying to be 4 years old again... and whatdayaknow... those things HURT.

Speaking of pain, yesterday I took a run for the first time in six months... not kidding on that. I was on the cross-country team in high school, and that's always helped me easily get running a good 4 or 4.5 miles when I started back after some time, but apparently there's an expiration date on that "picking up where I left off because I used to train to do this" thing. Also, I'm no stranger to giant hills, but yesterday I thought I might die before making it to the top. The good thing about the hills is that SF is full of gorgeous views whenever you finally make it up those terrible/wonderful hills. I felt as accomplished as if I had run a marathon, even though it was 2.5 miles. Anyway, we'll see if that run leads to a life of being in shape, or if I don't get back out for another six months... you never know!

This week was warm and beautiful: we painted, played outside, had good moments, had challenging moments, and ate really, really good grill food (there was the most perfect steak ever accompanying that food picture above- thanks Brian)!

Now for a little:

Link Love

I love links. Hope you do too!

First of all, my cousin Erin Taylor, is doing a walk for water. They're raising support to build wells for clean drinking water for the people of Uganda. HERE is her fundraising page... there's only about $100 left for her to raise, so even like $5 would be a big help.

The cuteness of all these striped party ideas is a little ridiculous. People are amazing with all their simple but perfect ideas.

Loving this tee.

This post about dressing a boy is my favorite. If I had a little boy, I'd take some of her tips for sure!

My new favorite app tracks my steps.. apparently 10k steps per day is what an "active" person walks? I'm only between like 7k and 9k, and that's on a sunny week. This is what motivated my run yesterday, actually.

Photo from Studio DIY

Have you guys ever gotten fresh flowers on the top of a present? I have and LOVE it. I pinned this one (pictured above) so that I'd remember to do that next time I need to bring a gift somewhere.

Personally, I'd love to win a pair of See Kai Run shoes. Here's a giveaway.

These dotty leggings went on sale and are tempting me big-time. Especially because there are always extra 30% off sale coupons... hmm.

The most gorgeous prints went on sale too, and this one is my favorite.

LAST, don't forget to enter our giveaway! So simple to enter!! Ends tomorrow!!

Happy Weekend!

Kate