Average Day Post by Kate Brightbill

After Pilates this morning, I vowed off bagels for life if I could never go back to that exercising pain, you know? ... Then I opened the mail and had an ad for some bagels & I'm vowing to go to Pilates again tomorrow so I can have one.

Speaking of eating, Maggie just put a couple of minnie mouse's shoes in her mouth. Why is it that just when you think a 2-year-old is over the whole random dangerous habits bit, they pick it right back up where they left off? They love to keep our heart rates nice and high.

Just another average day around these parts.

Exactly half of my home is seriously clean. Like tidied, vacuumed, wiped, clean-clean. The dining table is included in the clean mix, so my children were treated to sitting on the kitchen counter for breakfast this morning. Everyone was happy. I'm not generally crazy-mom about these things, but sometimes I just want that half of the house to stay clean just one more half-day, so I do crazy things.

We're heading to a playground soon. The weather is strange today. It was so windy in the early morning that the old windows in our home were rattling. It sounded like a storm outside, but it was actually a bit warm... someone called it earthquake weather- gosh, I hope not. The sun shine is becoming such a standard here. It may be time to invest in succulent stock because we're basically becoming desert-like around these parts. Whenever it rains this year, it makes the news headlines. 

I like to regularly put up a post without pictures and talking about everything and nothing all at once, just to be rebellious. Do you know bloggers are never supposed to do that? It's true. The thing is: sometimes I just don't think anyone reading needs a picture of my freshly vacuumed rug, or my Pilates sweats {ps. I didn't do laundry in time, so I actually DID wear sweats this morning to Pilates, which is NOT what you do... yoga pants or bust! I figure my dignity is gone the moment I try my first move in class anyway, so how much additional dignity is gone by wearing sweats? At least I'm there.

Now it's time to get going... green veggie smoothie for lunch, bagel smothered with cream cheese, or something in between?

I'll never tell.

Shop Talk by Kate Brightbill

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That little countdown chain is telling us we only have 8 days until shop opening! EIGHT DAYS.

Yesterday, I let you in on the little secret shop opening next week. Today, I want to give you a little background about why and what the shop is about...

I'm always on the hunt for great products for stylish living with kids. Just because I have two pre-school aged children does not mean that I want my home or our life to be filled with plastics and chaos.

I want to maintain clean aesthetics... style that translates seamlessly between the things my children wear, to the toys they enjoy, to the home where they live. I believe it's possible to have a bright, beautiful life without submitting to messy, disorderly stereotypes. 

I'm not big on breaking the bank to accomplish these goals. I'm queen of consignment. I rarely purchase without thinking thoroughly about how much use a product will get. I love toys that entertain for long periods of time- for many years. Accessories that bring smiles to my girls' faces with their spunk and shine. Kids' bedroom products that function, while adding brightness and cheer to walls, shelves, and beds. Less is more, but "less" can be GREAT. When I make a purchase I want to love it, I want my children to love it, and I want it to be used over and over and bring a little extra dose of fun to the day-to-day.

So. The verdict?

It was time to get a shop opened. A shop that will include pieces from artists and makers who create beautiful and functional and affordable things, so you don't have to do all the research on your own. A one-stop shop for birthday gifts, for beautifying, for the items that add a little something happy for both parents AND children.

I've hand-picked every piece. Everything has been cleared and approved by my toughest little pair of kid-product critics. Our little team {ie. Sophie, Maggie & I} are so excited to show you! 

8 days to go! 

{Follow along on Instagram HERE}.

Loving & Linking by Kate Brightbill

These are the cutest animals-- created with paint chips! 

Now I want to throw a party with mini everything... particularly those tacos and lobster rolls! Mmmm.

She is beautiful inside and out, and her words are also beautiful

Energy-infusing breakfast options. I will be trying every one of these- so simple + so healthy. 

We REALLY need to know this: best time to book your plane flights.

She's soooo entertaining: Jennifer Lawrence's best moments at the Oscars.

Do you wash your clothes before wearing them or no? So curious after reading that. I never have, but may start now! ;)

I love this simple way to dress up a cake

Happy Weekend! xo

That Was Fun: Marimekko Store by Kate Brightbill

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A couple weeks ago, Jeanne from Shop Sweet Things invited Sophie and me to a Marimekko event at Stanford Shopping Center in Palo Alto. I have been a fan of the brand forever, and we were free to make the drive that day, so we spent the day in the bright, colorful wonderland together. Balloons, face-painting, mini cupcakes and FUN... yes, please! 

Sophie and I walked the runway in Marimekko brights, and we had a little one-on-one time eating cupcakes, catching balloons, and perusing the new American Girl store across the way. 

We took home pretty new lunch boxes in exchange for modeling the pretty dresses. We'll be packing those boxes daily for my Sophie in the fall {Ohhhhh how can it be? Kindergarten is just around the corner!}.

I could have snagged SO many pieces they had to offer. Tons of cuteness in one small space. 

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Some photos by Shop Sweet Things // Others taken by me with my iPhone. ;)

Marimekko Palo Alto: Stanford Shopping Center #71 180 El Camino Real, Palo Alto, CA 94304

Spring Dreaming by Kate Brightbill

Spring and fall clothing are by far my favorite. Plenty of layering for breezy days, but not bundled to the point of discomfort. During the spring, the warm temps start showing, and flowers start blooming, and I get a terrible urge to go and shop for brights, patterns, and stripes.

Here are some cute ones for the little girls out there: 

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