On the Road //// Chicago

Hello! We're in the midst of cramming for a big photo shoot next week, which is why I haven't had time to spend on the blog. But I did want to show you a few pics from our quick trip to Chicago last weekend. 

My little brother's wedding was beautiful (so was his bride!) and it was great having some concentrated family time. We ate some Chicago-style pizza pie, walked around downtown, took the architectural boat tour, and piled into my parents' hotel room for some (not so) late night hang out sessions. Thanks for all of your suggestions! Wish we could have done more, but you might know (or can imagine) how it is when you're traveling in a group of 9 adults and 2 small children. Nothing is quick and easy. Ha ha.

I have to say that I was very worried about traveling with a baby, but Ingrid was a champ. She loved seeing new things, trying new foods, and staying up late. But flying with a baby -- even a good natured one -- has made it onto my least favorite things list. 

p.s. Kristin taught me how to put my hand lettering and drawing on photos. I can tell I'm going to have a lot of fun with this!

On the Road ///// Chicago Tips?

My little brother is getting married in Chicago this weekend, so we're taking a quick trip to the windy city. I think we'll have a little bit of time for exploring and I'd love to hear your tips!

p.s. Ferris Bueller's Day Off is one of my favorite movies. Wouldn't it be great to spend a day doing everything he did?

images ///// via tmdb

Sycamore Street Press ///// Seeking Intern!

Pretty Projects ///// Embroidered Felt Garland

I hope you don't mind I have another handmade gift to share this morning. :)

Ingrid's aunt Kirsten made her this pretty banner of felt doves and leaves. It hangs from a shelf in the nook. The colors fit perfectly in the room, and I love how she embroidered a slightly different design on each dove.

Wrapped Up In Books ///// Les Petites Filles Modèles and others

When I was in high school, I received a set of vintage French books as a gift. I was studying the language in school and although my reading comprehension wasn't yet up to the task, I fell in love with the books anyway. I still love their pretty yellow spines and charming watercolor illustrations.  Has anyone read them? I think I should try again...

Author /// La Comtesse de Ségur ///// Illustrator /// André Pécoud

We Go Together ///// Goldenrod & White

I'm really into white kitchens with yellow, black, and natural accents right now, so I'm loving this collage that Caroline put together. What is your dream kitchen?

Un Citron by cw2389  Slideshow - Room Finder | PointClickHome, $1"Easy Breakfast & Brunch" Cookbook, $20 Le Creuset Almond traditional stove whistle kettle, £52 Mango Wood Bread Board, £35 Fiesta Dinnerware, Jam Jar, $17 Set of 4 Porcelain Yellow Measuring Spoons, $2.50 Mario Batali Polenta 3-Quart Soup Pot, $80 Chilewich® Dahlia Gold Placemat, $7.95 Michael Aram 'Apple' Honey Pot with Spoon Goldplate One Size, $72 Cake Stand Jadeite 12", Glassware, American Glassware at..., $75

Our Place ///// Ingrid's Nook

Ingrid sleeps in a little nook in our room. As you can see, her crib is only a couple of steps away from our bed. This poses an interesting dilemma while decorating the room (and at other times, I'll admit!) I want her space to blend well with ours, but also be distinctive.

We decided to stick with the same color scheme, but bump it up a bit. We painted the walls in the nook robin's egg blue, and added pops of warm, faded pink and orange. (Our side of the room is mainly warm white with soft shades of blue, green, and brown.) My grandparents gave me the hand loomed Polish wall hanging. My grandmother made the quilt, Kirk's mom made the crib sheet, and Ingrid's friend Blythe gave her the mobile. At night or during naps we simply pull the striped blackout curtain across the nook.

We like our set up for now. Eventually, I'd like Ingrid to have a room of her own. But that will require adding on.... yikes.

(To see this room before, click here.)

Looking Lovely ///// Daniel Everett

My friend Daniel Everett never ceases to amaze me with his ever-expanding body of work. I love that it's highly conceptual and seems clinical at times, but is also very personal and can be quite playful. See more of his work here, and read an interview with him at Mossless Magazine here.

Pretty Projects ///// Cloud Quilt

I think it's about time to get back to documenting our little lady's handmade gifts.

This photo of Ingrid is one of my favorites. Her little pursed lips, that tight cuddly bundle of a baby, the beautiful handmade hat and quilt...

My friend Claire made the quilt, and we've used it countless times. It was the perfect size for swaddling Ingrid as a newborn, and later, for draping over her in the crib or car seat. Claire sews exclusively with quality vintage and secondhand fabrics in her line of goods, my favourite dress. Because of that, the blanket felt soft and buttery from the first time we used it.

I didn't notice at first glance is that Claire had hand-quilted this piece. Not only that -- the quilting is in the shape of clouds! What a charming detail, don't you think?

Ingrid is one lucky girl. See her other handmade quilts here and here.

At The Table ///// Summer Spoils

It's easier to eat quickly and healthfully during the summer, don't you think? There are so many delicious, fresh things to choose from. My mom has a huge patch of lettuce growing that I can clip from whenever I want. And I've been adding basil from the big clay pot near our front door to nearly everything. Yum.

Do you have any favorite cookbooks that feature simple, seasonal cooking? Although Kirk and I usually just throw things together rather than following a recipe, I love finding new combinations and ideas in cookbooks. We've been enjoying Martha Stewart's Great Food Fast, but I'd love to hear your suggestions. Thanks!

Elsewhere ///// Hither & Thither Guest Post

While in California, we took Ingrid to the beach for the first time, and it did not turn out as we expected!

See more photos and hear the whole little story on my guest post at Hither & Thither, the blog of NYC based traveling couple Ashley and Aron Bruhn.

p.s. If you're not familiar with their blog already, and you like good food and traveling (2 of my favorite things), you should really check it out!

Sound & Vision ///// Dream In Pink

I made a mix for July. Sorry it's a little bit late! Things have been crazy. (It seems like I say that every week, though.)
But this mix is a cure for the craziness. Enjoy!

Click here to listen. 

///// Dream In Pink /////

1 / Shadow ///// Blouse
2 / Hysteric ///// Yeah Yeah Yeahs
3 / Hyper-Ballad ///// Bjork
4 / Anthonio (Fred Falke Remix) ///// Annie
5 / Keep You ///// Class Actress
6 / Remember ///// Air
7 / Scrambled ///// Ok Ikumi
8 / Just Like Honey ///// The Jesus and Mary Chain

Looking Lovely ///// Clean, Bright, Beautiful

Their names are Jóel Pálsson and Bergthora Gudnadottir, they design an organic line of clothing, and have an amazing home. Could these two get any cooler? Yes, actually. Because they happen to live in Iceland -- home of Björk, Sigur Rós, and some might say the most wildly beautiful landscape in the world.

All images ///// Emily Anderson for Rue Magazine

We Go Together ///// Aqua & Goldenrod

I love this mood board that Caroline put together. A baby girl's nursery decorated along these lines would transition so well as the girl grew older, don't you think?

Sometimes I wonder if Ingrid will be interested in these kinds of things. I can remember loving fabrics, furniture, and tile as far back as when I was 4 years old. Do many kids notice the way the colors, style, etc... of the interiors around them? Or just those who go on to be interested in design and interiors later in life? I'd love to hear your insight!

So Happy Together by cw2389. Time to Deco-rate Clock in Sun, $40 Canary Print Slipper Chair - Yellow : Target, $75 Thomas Paul Banner Coral Cotton Pillow, $70 GiGi Nightstand, $149 Simply Striped Linen Pillow - Kidney | Pillows & Cushions | Wisteria, $69 Bungalow 5 Ceylon Table Lamp In Yellow - Bungalow-5-ceyl-lmp-yel |..., $463 Sherbet Blue Fabric Throw, £28 Bone Photo Frame - Rectangle | Decorative | Wisteria, $29