Country Girl.

It's getting pretty difficult to listen to the radio with The Bug in the car lately.  That Rihanna song isn't exactly kid friendly.  So, I've switched the dial to country which seems to have some options that don't require me answering a lot of questions.  (Why doesn't he feel like doing anything today Mommy?  I want to be lazy too!)

Here are a few of my new faves...(maybe Kenny isn't exactly childproof, but it's a good song!)
 

Any other new country faves I should know about?

Tie Bar.

My friend Mollie posted about Matt Bomer from White Collar the other day and I have to agree - babe. 

The Texan and I watch that show and one of the things I love about it is how great the lead character looks week after week.  Always (always!) a perfect fitting suit topped off with an accessory - hat, umbrella, vest, pocket square.  But my favorite?  The tie bar. 

I've noticed the tie bar making a comeback.  Most of the fellas I work with sport one and they seem to be showing up on our favorite actors as well. 

Classic, quirky, casual - I love it all.

Maybe one of more of Matty - he's nice to look at, right?

Frost-ing.

Vintage + Modern = Timeless Classic.  That's kind of how I would like to describe my style (even though I struggle with the vintage part...)  And it's how Lulu Frost describes her incredible line of jewelry. 

Earlier this year, Lulu Frost partnered with J. Crew and put out some pretty fabulous statement pieces.  But it's her more subtle fine jewelry collection, CODE, that has me swooning.

Inspired by the room numbers at the iconic Plaza Hotel, the line is made up of 14k and 18k gold rings, necklaces and earrings.  I particularly love the rings.  How you wear them is up to you!

Favorite number?  Think you're numero uno?  ATM pin?  Me, I would probably create a combo of numbers that has meaning to my family and stack them on my finger. 

What do you think?  Like Kate in How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, do you want to be Frosted?  (Most horrible campaign slogan, btw.)

Wedge for Work.

Here we are at the end of summer and I have yet to find a cute black sandal that is appropriate for work.  (And I'm already ready for Fall!)  Enter Kimchi & Blue Suede T-strap Wedge from of all places, Urban Outfitters. 

One of my managers has these in black and ivory and they are adorable!  And she claims, comfortable.  Which is key.  Working on hardwood floors and also chasing a toddler around can be tough on your toes.

I also like that they are suede as I think that can take me a little further into fall and the wedge heel is great for height and comfort.  Think I will head over to Urban later this week, squeeze past the hipster teens and try to snag myself a pair. 

Weiwei Fascinating.

When The Texan and I were in London, one of the things on my to-do list was to visit the Tate Modern.  I'm not really the artsy type, but I had an interest in seeing this museum.

We strolled through most of the halls pretty quickly stopping to say "Hey, there's a Jackson Pollock" or whatever artist we happen to recognize.  Then we stumbled across the Sunflower Seeds exhibit by Chinese artist Ai Weiwei.

This may look like nothing but a giant pile of sunflower seeds.  But it's literally millions of unique "seeds" that have been made with porcelain and painted by hand by more than 1600 Chinese workers.  No two are alike.  It's stunning in person.

And stunning that it began as a pile of 100 million seeds that Londoners were invited to see, touch and walk on before being shaped into the conical structure you see above.

The story behind the work is even more interesting.

For Ai, sunflower seeds (a common street snack in China) represent a gesture of human compassion, an opportunity for pleasure, friendship and kindness during a time (the Cultural Revolution) of extreme poverty and uncertainty.  He remembers sharing them with his friends. 

He also also intended for the seeds to represent mass production; hoping the viewer looks more closely at the "Made in China" phenomenon, particularly as they were walking or laying all over them.  It's pretty deep if you want it to be. 

The artist was actually arrested in April of this year and the art community got itself all in a tizzy about it.  He was held for several months and has since been released and presumably working on his next installment.

Egg in a Hole.

I forgot about this oldie but goodie until yesterday when I was doing a little recipe research. 

So delicious and so easy.  I had one this morning for myself.  Neither husband or The Bug were interested in anything that involved a "runny" egg.  More for me I guess!

I should have added a little of Ina's bacon to really start my day off right.

Happy Sunday!

Desk-cessories.

I'm currently on the hunt for accessories for the desk in my library room.  Desk-cessories, if you will.  Right now, just my laptop sits on top.  I definitely need a lamp, maybe a little stack of books with a cute topper and some typical office stuff (pen holder, etc.)  Here are a few things I am loving...

West Elm's Owl Lamp is killing me.  He's so cute.  And whimsical.  And only $99!  Too bad the West Elm near me closed.

I've always loved the Tilt Bowls from Crate & Barrel.  I think it could be cute on top of a stack of books or magazine.  But my concern is that I will feel the need to fill it with candy...

It may be time to pull the trigger on the Lucite Trays I see everywhere.  I especially love the Peacock pattern offered by Etsy shop, Pretty Smitten. 

Decisions, decisions!  Anyone have any favorite desk accessories I need to know about?

Peru.

I love a hotel.  Really, who doesn't?  You don't have to make your bed, clean the bathroom and there's always someone willing to hold the door open for you.

I love it when Travel & Leisure comes out with their list of World's Best Hotels.  It allows me to dream about our next vacation spot.

One of the hotels that always lands in the Top 50 is the Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel.  And it's one I've actually had the chance to stay in. 

It's an 85-cottage luxury hotel in the Andean village of Aquas Calientes.  It's UNREAL.  You feel like you have stepped in to a giant spa, except the sound of the rain forest and birds chirping are actually real!  The grounds are gorgeous, the people are friendly and South American cuisine is actually pretty tasty.

And the insanity of Machu Picchu is mere minutes from your doorstep.  Seeing the sunrise over Machu Picchu is a memory I will never forget.

I highly recommend Peru.  It's the trip of a lifetime.

Fall Fashions.

As you know, I'm excited for Fall.  The fact that the pool had to close this afternoon due to a child's untimely "accident" in the water was the last straw for me. 

Get me to a season where I can wear blazers, pants and sweaters stat!  And if you can make those blazers, pants and sweaters exactly what Izzie Burch is wearing in August's Vogue, I will be one happy mama.

Izzie Burch (step-daughter to Tory/Woven's Designer at TB/Parsons student) is basically my Fall Wish List.  A little boyish while still being girly.  I refuse to say "borrowed from the boys" but oops!  I just did.

Gorgeous leather wrap-around watch (Bulova), Peter Pan collar top in a to-die-for color (Maje), super prep blazer (Rag & Bone) and a modern peacoat (Derek Lam).  And more proof that it's ok to wear white after Labor Day!

Loveth.

Seaside Perfection.

It really is the most perfect place on Earth. 

Seaside, Florida. 

I am a so excited that the family and I just booked a trip to perfection for Labor Day Weekend. 

Looking forward to staying in my BFF's gorgeous home and having our families together...

Taking bets on when the sun will set at Bud & Alley's...

Family walks along the perfectly white beaches....

Maybe even sending a postcard back home from the world's cutest post office...

Have you ever been to Seaside?

 

Happy Anniversary.

Tomorrow marks a special day in our household.  Six years ago, The Texan and I said our "I do's"!  There's nothing terribly special about the sixth year, but we've had lots of special moments together.  A few of my faves...

Rowdy New Year's Eve in NYC, 2006.

Beaver Creek, 2007.

Summer in KC, 2010.

UK, 2011.

There are many things about you that I love, but the two that are the most important to me...

You love my mom...

Seaside, 2007.

You are the best dad in the world...

The Bug's arrival, 2007

Chicago errands, 2008.

Mwah!  Lots of hugs and kisses to you on this day, my dear husband.  Here's to many more years!