Of the Young and the Restless

I just had to write about my old pal Pearce. I have known her since high school, and she is has always been one step ahead of everyone else. She is creative, and original, and funny! The best thing about her right now...is that she is pregnant! And, of course since having my little guy 3 months ago, I get so excited when my friends are pregnant (I would've before I was pregnant too, just for the record!). I envision her yet to be born little one and my Ollie being friends and hanging out!
Pearce runs a very bitchin textile company from Charleston SC, along with Courtney Loadholt, another friend from high school! They have been featured in Domino magazine (RIP) as well as on Design Sponge and Apartment Therapy. Quite a feat!
The textiles are all hand painted first, then printed right here in the US.
The prints are amazing. Be sure to check out Y&R here. I especially love the houndstooth in black, and the Thorny Rose in honeymoon.
In the meantime, here are some pics of the adorable Pearce and her belly!

artist Stephanie Levy

I had to write about artist Stephanie Levy after I saw a write up on her on one of my favorite blogs, poppytalk. Please check this awesome site if you haven't already!
These are a few of Stephanie's pieces that are inspired by her travels. I love how almost dainty some of these pieces are, while still being strong enough to stand on their own.
Check out Stephanie Levy's etsy site here.

Happy Friday!

birth announcements

This A-dorable birth announcement was spotted by yours truly on one of the blogs I read religiously, you are my fave (courtesy of black eiffel).
This is absolutely something I would've done, I think it is the cutest idea. And since I am new to the whole blogging thing, I emailed Melanie at you are my fave and she was not only cool enough to write me back, but was also witty in the process! Definitely check out her blog if you haven't yet.
Birth announcements have certainly come a long way. There are sooo many really original options out there. I personally copied one I saw here via Mighty Girl. Not very original, but it did the trick, and yes I told everyone that I copied it and that I did not come up with that clever idea on my own!
I would love to see yours if you have any to share!

surfer girl

A new surf video released by the name of Dear & Yonder has been garnering alot of attention int he surf industry. Sadly, I wonder if it is because it is one of so few. There needs to be more girls surf videos in my opinion, although I have yet to see this one.
This movie was created by Tiffany Campbell, who happens to be married to another well noted surf film creator Thomas Campbell, who's videos include The Seedling, Sprout, and The Present.
The Seedling was so different when it first came out, unlike any other video at that time. The surfing was different, the music was different, the feel was just different. It has since become a benchmark of sorts and has been mimicked over and over.
I haven't been in the water in a long time, since I was pregnant and then had Ollie, but I look at the images of these girls surfing and remember exactly what it feels like. It is something my husband and I hope to share with our son. Hopefully he will let us. I start to think that he will definitely not be into surfing, because that is what his parents did - and you know how you rebelled against yours!!! He will be into something indoors and non athletic! that is okay though, I will love and support him!!! :)
So Dear & Yonder came out awhile ago, but the other day I opened my inbox and my husband had sent me a photo from the movie that melted my heart. He wrote, "This reminds me of you an Ollie." I almost cried. almost. wink wink.


*photo from Dear & Yonder

emmy awards

The 61st annual Emmy awards were held on Sun night in LA. I have always loved watching the red carpet, since I love to see the fashion, and what everyone chose to wear. To be honest, I wasn't overly impressed, there didn't seem to be one that I absolutely loved. I thought Kyra Sedgwick looked good, and if memory serves me correctly, I almost always like what she wears to these events. I remembered this dress from s previous awards(Giorgio Armani Prive):
Kyra Sedgwick this year in L'Wren Scott:

I did really like the dress January Jones wore. I have been reading in most places that they refer to this dress as "modern", but I feel like it almost has an architectural feel, a nod to art deco (Versace):

Drew Barrymore looked great in Monique Lhuillier. I loved her soft look, and her lipstick was perfect!

Lastly, I also really liked Chloe Sevigny (Isaac Mizrahi). I know alot of people won't like this dress, but I do think she has great taste. See the Emmy dress for yourself:

what time is it?

For the past 6 months I have been wanting a classic style men's watch. I know this has been around for awhile, but I still want one! I really like the way it looks on a feminine wrist. I started wanting one when I saw my boss with hers...it looks very chic, but also modern when it is piled on with other bracelets. There is also a sort of vintage, classic feel to it, like I borrowed it from my dad or grandpa. Above are some of my faves...
1 - urban outiftters
2 - Swatch
3 - Rolex
4 - Michael Kors
5 - Nixon

where the wild things are

I probably do not have much to say that hasn't already been said about this movie, but like most of us, I am so exited to see it.
The fact that Spike Jonze is directing the adaptation of the Maurice Sendeks classic children's book makes it all the more exciting. Just watching the trailer gives me goosebumps, and I am sure it will do the same for you.
I am slightly surprised it hasn't had more mainstream publicity. In case you haven't seen the trailer, check it out here.

Stranger Than Fiction

I read soo many interior design blogs, but, truth be told that if I could get my house to look like something I have seen before, it would be Maggie Gyllenhaal's character Ana Pascal's place in STRANGER THAN FICTION.
The Set Decorator (Ford Wheeler) and Set Designer (Kerry Sanders) are brilliant! I absolutely love: the way her bedsheets (I know, weird, right?) are mixed and matched, her headboard, the awesome pendant lamp behind it, the chandelier downstairs, etc., etc. I could go on forever. I have even seen posts on Apartment Therapy where people share my enthusiasm (ok, OCD) on this topic. Yet, I still could not find a picture that I thought did it justice, so here are a couple I found, courtesy of bohemian hellhole.
Besides all of that, I do love this movie, and it provides some of the best scenes ever, like when Will Farrell sings:

as well as when he says "I brought you flours"...

If anyone has any ideas on how I can make my bedroom look like this, let me know!!

j crew/ fall

awww fall.
Well sort of.
In San Diego, we don't get much "weather" as they say. I do miss thunderstorms, I have to admit. I can't remember the last time I saw lightening or heard thunder. There is something so great about summertime storms.
But we have been having glorious weather here the last week or so - the kind that makes Southern California famous. Warm during the day, cool in the mornings and evenings, no humidity. I do feel I need to clear up one misnomer however. Southern California DOES NOT always have nice weather. Now, I know compared to the Mid West or NE we do, but it really isn't perfect all the time. And I do not miss the humidity of the South East that just drenches you...it does rain here, it does get chilly, and it is NOT sunny all the time.
But I digress.
The reason why the cooler weather gets me excited is that I received the J.Crew fall catalog awhile ago, and only is it just now entering my consciousness. I love how well merchandised the outfits are, and their designers did SUCH a good job for this season. I have tried to wear socks with heels before, but can't pull it off like it's done here. I feel they were really able to hang onto their signature image while still pushing forward.
If you have yet to see it, check out J.Crew. Above are a few of my faves....

star trousers

since today's entry seemed to be more of a "mom" post, I thought I would keep with that theme and talk about something I just discovered. I am not sure how these brilliant companies do it (since I always unclick the promotional box when I buy things online), but lo and behold in my mailbox arrives this adorable catalog called Mini Boden. Now, I asked my sister about it and she has long heard about this company, and they also have regular people clothes (for us "adults") as well. There were soo may cute things in there, but I especially liked the pants with the little star knee patches. I am always a sucker for a good stylist/merchandiser and they did a great job. All of the outfits are the perfect amount of not matchy matchy for my taste. Check them out if you haven't already: www.bodenusa.com

big boy

I went to bed last night thinking about my little son, and how he was going to be 12 weeks tomorrow. I was so excited to be with him on his "birthday". I can hardly believe that 3 months ago I gave birth to him. People always say that it changes your life, and that you have no idea that you could love like that and IT IS SO TRUE!! The 1st few weeks are tough, I am not going to lie, and even then, I remember specifically saying to my mom (who was good enough to fly out from Atlanta to SD for a month) that I didn't think I loved him the way I was supposed to - the way everyone says you do. And she just looked at me and said "you will". What I didn't know a week or 2 after he was born was how emotional you are still are, how crazy your hormones are, how much you still hurt physically. And shortly after that, I felt like I had never felt before. It was like my life had hardly existed up until that point.
Of course not every day is all roses. There have been some tough ones! Which leads me back to how excited I was falling asleep last night thinking about Ollie's big day today. So what happens when morning comes??? He has been in a wretched mood!!! But this is what it is about now, and I do love it. I was going through pics and laughed so hard when I saw this one again, our dog Louis has the perfect sentiment on his face, it is like he knew things were about to change! That was shortly after we brought Ollie home, so I wanted to include a current pic as well, taken by our very talented friend Aimee (www.capturedbyaimee.com).

Kanye, Kanye, Kanye

sooo I am not a fan of Kanye West, by any stretch. I like some of his songs, but always dismissed him as so egotistical I couldn't bare it. I especially liked the South Park episode that made fun of him.
However, last night as I watched the Jay Leno show, I couldn't help but feel bad for the guy. He appeared genuine and sincere in his apology for what happened at the VMA's. I think he really does realize what an a*# he is.
What do you think? Do you think he was sincere?

Proj Runway

does anyone still watch Project Runway (especially now that it has moved to Lifetime)???
i have to admit, i wasn't following the past 2 or 3 seasons..but i recorded the 1st episode of this season and i am already into it! i am loving that there are not 1, but 2 talents from charleston, sc!!! i love Carol Hannah and Gordana! i am so excited to see them representing my old stomping ground..and well, basically "home" since this is where all of my family always ends up!!! i really think that both are creative and have impeccable sewing skills...i can't wait to see next week!!!!

hi there, it's me girl oliver

I am new to the whole blog thing, even though I have been reading them for quite some time.

I am hoping to use this blog as a way to network with other new moms, find out about people that navigate life in a simpler way than most of us, capture new fashion and creative people, and hear from those that find really cool vintage items at flea markets! All of this and anything else that becomes interesting along the way...