Curious Bird

Sporty Spice

I haven't worn Keds since 6th grade, but I would totally sport these Steven Alan Ikat Keds. A little pricey, but very cool. Love the purple and teal.
They're available on the Keds website beginning May 1st.

-L.

Babies on the brain

As promised, I wanted to share a little bit about the movie Babies. I was fortunate to get my paws on some advanced tickets for a screening a couple of nights ago. But first, I have to say that my husband is a total trooper. He accompanied me without hesitation, well, maybe just a little, and crammed his 6'-4" frame in to a packed theater surrounded by mostly ladies to watch 80 minutes of nonstop baby cuteness. He only complained about feeling claustrophobic a couple of times before the film started, which I totally understood -- every single seat in the theater was taken and I was feeling a little claustrophobic myself. Like I said, total trooper.

Getting back to the movie...it was great. I mean, it's not too hard to reel most people in when you make a film about babies (or little animals) so it was obvious that it would be an easy one to sit through. The thing is, it wasn't just cute and funny, it was really beautifully shot (Mongolia is stunning) and the film maker did a nice job making the point that having and raising a child is a universal experience. Getting to see the world through the eyes of a little one is so special -- D and I are both really looking forward to that. Oh, and Dustin had two other take away messages he mentioned as we walked home. 1. Junebug needs a sibling, and 2. One day in the future, we definitely have to get a couple of goats.

Farm livin' is the life for me...

More soon,
L.

:merci:

I have a baby shower coming up and I love these sweet Thank You cards from Rifle Paper Co. 

 

Finished. Done. Complete.

I am officially done with school for the year! Final assignments were handed in, the pager and office keys have been returned, goodbyes were said, and the cupcakes I took for my last day today were all devoured in a matter of minutes. I'm telling you, the carrot cake cupcakes by Ina Garten are total crowd-pleasers.  I figured I'd go out with a sugary bang and I think it worked.

For now, I'm just going to sit here with Mortimer (and of course Junebug who happens to be kicking like crazy) and soak up all the nice feelings that come from completing something huge.

And later tonight I'm going to see an advanced showing of this. Dustin predicts that I probably won't be the only pregnant lady there, and I'm sure he's right. I'll let you know how it is.

More soon, friends

L.

our snowcat

 

It's been a while since I have posted any photos of my sweet boy Mortimer. These are two from last weekend...I'm not sure he should be allowed to nap in the garden bed (nothing is planted in there yet), but honestly what Mort wants Mort gets. He's spoiled like that for good reason. And although he is adjusting to life as an only kitty -- we said goodbye to Motown over a month ago already -- he certainly acts more needy than he ever has. Frankly, I think we act a little more needy with him too. One thing I have never mentioned, mainly because I simply could not bring myself to post yet another sad pet post,  is the fact that Mortimer has also been diagnosed with kidney disease. I know, I know...what gives? According to our vet --she's the greatest, by the way -- he is a miracle kitty with very little kidney function left.  She  says, "keep doing whatever it is you're doing." So...we continue to power on with the sub-q injections, the special diet, and the meds. We don't mind any of it one bit because he is still with us and seems to be hanging in there for the time being. I certainly hope the Bug gets to meet him. He's so gentle and I know he will make a wonderful baby snuggler, under supervision, of course.

Be well,
L.

Things I like: Botany Factory

 

 
If you like terrariums, then you have to check out the lovely Botany Factory. So beautiful...and I think I see some of my favorite John Creech. Thanks for link, Aimee! 

Welcome

Hi there,

I am now convinced that asking for a little help from you guys is a pretty great idea. Remember on Friday when I asked you to send some labor-inducing mojo to Dustin's sister in Iowa? She was a few days past her due date and very ready to meet her baby (like us she and her husband didn't know if they would be welcoming a little girl or little boy). Well, it worked. Yes sirree. She gave birth on Sunday afternoon to a beautiful baby girl. Welcome to the world, sweet Hazel Mae! We're so glad you're here and can't wait to meet you.

 

I must admit that seeing Hazel makes waiting for my Junebug a little harder than before.

Have a great day!

xox,

L.

a belly update

(earlier belly shots)

And just like that, it's Friday, and even wackier, I'm heading into my 32nd week of pregnancy. Only about 8 more weeks to go. I just read that Junebug is supposed to almost double in size in the next 8 weeks, too. Double. In. Size. I already have a hard enough time sleeping -- the pillow throne is in full effect -- and to all the people behind me as I climb the stairs out of the subway, I apologize. I am sloooow, it is just the way it is. I'm only going to get slower too, so feel free to pass. It's cool.

This week has been nice. My little seedlings are going wild and lots of dinners have been enjoyed outside. I've been craving strawberries and leeks and homemade limeades. Luckily not all together. I've also had my fair share of gelato. So far the thai coconut milk and kiwi was the most enjoyable, but tangerine and pear was pretty tasty too. 

Only two more weeks of school to go. One more paper to start (this weekend. boo.) and finish (by next weekend. boo.) then Summer will officially begin, and that means lots of nesting and projects and gardening fun. Speaking of gardening, if you live in Philadelphia (and have a Philly address on your license) you can get 33 gallons (a trash can) of free compost per day at the Recycling Center in Fairmount Park. I'm all about it. It's decent compost and well worth the trip out there -- but don't you dare forget your license, the guy who runs the place takes his job pretty serious. 

Okay, thanks for letting me ramble on in this space.
Have yourself some fun this weekend.

L.

p.s. If you happen to have any labor-inducing mojo, please send it to my sister-in-law in Iowa. She is a few days past her due date and is anxiously waiting for things to begin. Remember to send it to IOWA, not Philly...I'm all set until early June.

things I like: the generation

A couple of weeks ago I was debating which TOMS to get ; I decided to go with red and I'm really glad I did.  After reading about my slipper shoe quest, Amy sent me a link to a super cute Etsy find called The Generation. I haven't purchased anything just yet (baby gear has taken over my already meager shoe budget for the time being) but I certainly plan to in the future. Super cute, don't ya think?

things I like

 
I have always been a fan of houseplants. Throughout my childhood, my mom's best friend had the best houseplants. She grew amazing prickly cacti and succulents and her fair share of ivy and tropical plants as well.  Whenever I heard someone refer to her green thumb, I knew I definitely wanted to have a green thumb one day too.

Fast forward twenty-five years and here I am. I don't have near the green thumb she had/has, but I do okay, well, with the exception of growing  jade plants, which is totally baffling considering how unbelieveably easy they are supposed to be. I vow never to give up trying and right now I have a little jade my friend Jules gave me that seems to be doing pretty well. Granted the plant she cut it from is probably the most healthy jade I've ever seen (it's something like 15 years old), but still,  I think I may have found my jade mojo, at least temporarily.

My new favorite plants of the moment are ferns -- I love the variety of ferns out there and I love figuring out how to best care for them. A new fern was purchased at Terrain last weekend and man is it soft and wispy and green. The perfect pot has yet to be found, but I think I have an idea about repotting a couple of things and switching some stuff around. We'll see...

This isn't a houseplant, but one of my new favorites for out back  is the super hardy, Sedum spurium John Creech. You probably remember all the snow we had during the Winter, well, my John Creech was outside and I thought it was a total goner, but I was way off.  It bounced back with a vengeance and looks lovely once again -- quite a nice surprise. If you're looking for a spreading succulent for outside, I highly recommend getting some of the "Creech".

I would love to hear about your favorite plants. And any tips for growing jade plants are definitely welcome. 

Have fun,
L.