1. Flowers started blooming, yayyyy!
2. This IS San Francisco, so the fog obviously remains (beautifully. ps. Brian took this shot).
3. Sophie put the candles on her papa's birthday cake.
4. We went to Sonoma last weekend and had adventures. :)
5. Mostly we spent the week in Spring cleaning mode... HERE is the Honest post with our tips.
Happy Weekend! Links to come!
XO,
Kate
I'm in major spring cleaning mode, so out with the old, in with the new. It's funny, when I started the clean-out, I realized there are a few things I haven't used in YEARS, but there are definitely items for every day that I could use around here...
1. Plates. We're down to five full-sized plates here folks. How did this happen? I don't know, but I've been married almost eight years and it seems I've lost a plate per year until this year. Is that a good or bad turnover? Whatever it is, I'm ready for new ones. I'm thinking patterned rather than solid this time around. There are plenty of good options, including these beauties from West Elm, of course.... though I may prefer color too.
2. Console. A skinny console table is exactly what is needed behind my couch. I've done away with the hideous side table we were using, which cleaned up the living room look immensely, but we're in need of a spot for mugs and such that children cannot easily access.
3. Candles. The house needs to smell good, and I absolutely LOVE walking in to a lightly fragrant home. These brightly colored candles are pretty decor too.
4. Coasters. They are used every.single.day around here (no rings!), so it'd be nice to put out a fresh, cohesive set that wouldn't look bad sitting on our coffee table all day.
5. Cutting Board. My cutting board recently cut in half. Weird right? Overuse, clearly. It was wooden and it started getting a crack that just kept getting deeper and deeper. Now it's gone and I'd love to replace it. The flimsy plastic ones just don't get the job done as well. I like this one from Etsy a whole lot better.
Hope your Thursday has been a little more exciting than mine! Back to cleaning...
- Kate
I kind of think everyone wants to be a kid, most days. For some reason, kids think grown-up life is the BEST (endless ice cream and no bedtimes!), but I think most grown-ups agree that there's just nothing quite like the enchantment of childhood.
When you're a child, every dream is ahead and every day's objective is to play. There's no shame in lunch being splattered all over a tee shirt, there is no bashfulness about whether or not your outfit matches, and when you fall, you're not checking to see whether anyone noticed-- you're just looking for a kiss and patterned bandaid.
Your jumping jacks are all wrong, but you think they're all right. Your art is collected shades of brown, but it definitely deserves a magnet on the refrigerator. Your hair is unbrushed to the point of dreadlocks, but that sparkly headband makes you sure you're a princess. You'll try to repeat words in other languages without being concerned whether your accent is perfect or not.
You don't live to be an image of perfection. You just live to attempt and maybe succeed, maybe fail. You love to learn, you love to dream.
You are hopeful and beautiful and imperfectly perfect.
Childhood is forever appealing... it's a beautiful gift of possibilities and faith and hope...
How glad I am to have two beautiful little teachers keeping me in line every day. ;)
XOXO,
Kate
Thank you Silvana di Franco for perfect pictures of a happy, messy childhood.
Today I want to write about today.
I don't have it all together today. I don't even have things close to all together. Projects are half-complete. Laundry has piled. I need to go to the store. The girls have not taken their naps. Today I had to take away the privilege of going to the park because of disobedience. I'm making headway... but I'm okay with the in-between today. Some days I'm not okay with it, but today I am.
Today Maggie ate a coin. And Sophie sobbed and said "I can't believe it! Maggie ate a coin. Her tummy will be ruined! She will be so sick. I can't believe it." Maggie was giggling and running in circles and thinking the whole scene was fantastic as I called my cousin {who is in medicine} to have him assure Sophie that Maggie would be fine (and we'll just keep checking on her in the next couple days...)
Today it's 70 degrees. The trees are sprouting green and white in the most beautiful way. Today my view is perfection. The birds are singing and I think they think it's a pretty darn good day too.
I haven't been sleeping well for one reason or another lately (aka. small children in my bed & scary movie nightmares), but today I feel rested. We've gone on a couple family day trips in the last couple months and today I realize that they are refreshing me. Without staying the night or having elaborate vacations, I have been refreshed by day trips and the adventure with our little family this year. Try it. Seriously.
Today I need to keep doing the things that need to be done, but today it felt so right to sit and think about how grateful today is making me.
Love,
Kate
Casey is an artist with the clearest appreciation and passion for motherhood. She inspires me to "feel" moments to their fullest. Casey shares her joys and sadness, her art, her faith and her heart on her blog The Wiegands. Follow her on Twitter, Facebook, and on Instagram. Also visit her at The Wiegands and read more about Hope Spoken HERE.
What is your favorite part about being a mother?
Being a mom defines so much of my heart. I longed to be a mom for as long as I can remember. Becoming a mom gave me such a love and purpose that I never knew existed. My heart swells in motherhood- I love every part of it.
What are your children's names/ages and your favorite characteristics of each?
My oldest is Aiden (3). I love Aiden's sensitivity and tenderness. I see so much of myself in him and can really connect with him in a unique way. My second is Ainsleigh (2), and my favorite characteristics in Ains is her contagious personality and loving spirit. She's my little sunshine girl! Blessing everyone she comes in contact with! My third is Apple (6 months), and Apple is joyful and easy going. Her spirit is just absolutely precious. I am so smitten with all three of these babies; they carry my heart in each of them!
What is your favorite part of the day or week?
When we are together as a family, away from tvs/ phones/computers- just truly enjoying one another. I am so grateful for the family God has blessed me with and enjoying them is such a treasure to me.
When do you feel most relaxed and content?
I feel most relaxed and content when I am organized, when I have stayed on top of work/ house work/ quality time with family. Basically when everything is working as it should!
What is an ideal date night for you?
Dinner on a beach, watching the sunset and then walking down to an art gallery or a local candy shop.
How do you balance your home life and your blogging life?
The balance is constantly changing. I really only want to create when I am inspired so what this means is I will write when my heart is moving and I will save it in drafts...then I will publish it in my blog schedule when it allows for it. I try to not work when my babies are awake so that is always a bit tricky but somehow we make it work. My husband is amazing and incredibly supportive. He works from home so if I have a deadline for Disney baby or something that really needs to be done, he is great about trading off!
What is your "style uniform?"
My style uniform is normally jeans/pants, white t-shirt, sneaker wedges and a fun headband or hat!
What are your favorite Etsy shops and small businesses?
Rayna Jaye, Dream Catcher Baby, and Candy Kirby Designs
What are your favorite brands and stores to shop?
My favorite brands are Gap, lots of handmade shops & Anthropologie.
What is Hope Spoken? Tell us about the heart behind it.
On March 15, 2012, I wrote THIS post. I had a huge dream and strong push in my heart to host a Dallas conference. Then I started having complications with my pregnancy with Apple and heard a soft whisper to wait. Then two sweet girls scooped me up and asked me to walk along side them in their dream and that was an incredible honor. An honor to see God use them and to see their dreams come true. But I still had a pull in my heart. I still had my vision and my dream. So I took the leap. Emily Anderson and Danielle Burkleo also have a dream and ideas and creativity and hopes and all of this collided into one beautiful event, Hope Spoken.
Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. // Romans 5:1-5
You're very passionate about your faith and sharing it. Can you tell us about your heart and your beliefs?
I am an evangelical Christian- Saved by faith and grace. God rescuing me is humbling and I forever owe Him my life. If my purpose here on earth is to share with others His love then by all means I should be using the platform that was given to me to so unashamedly. I am faithfully His. I make mistakes but I can promise that I will always share of His impact in my life.
Casey, THANK YOU. You're an inspiration to me to share my own "story" and and I am so grateful.
ALSO, be sure to read some favorite posts on Casey's blog: My Life Changed, For Words, and Movement in my Soul.
Clearly I'm loving the brights right now... spring, are you here yet?
1. Perfect styling of beautiful fruit. I want this image blown up to size gigantic in my kitchen or dining room. Citric fruit is my absolute favorite.
2. Beautiful meatless tacos. I really want to start making better food decisions... sometimes I get lax and go nuts eating donuts in excess, so this recipe inspires me to get back on the nutrition track!
3. Obviously the most amazing collection of Easter egg styling goes to Victoria from A Subtle Revelry. :)
4. Delighted Magazine collected the best (reasonably priced!) art options for her new home and I kind of want every one of them too.
5. The prettiest hand-knit top went on sale! I love this brand and this deep red would be adorable with some printed leggings on a cute little girl...
6. I want to write a happy note in Tokketok's perfect notebooks. Doesn't hurt that they're sitting next to gold paperclips, which are just wayyy better than standard silver.
Happy weekend to all!
XOXO,
Kate
