Spotted

Wow, check out these beautiful moth paintings I saw here. I'm in the mood for a new painting. 

Oh Baby!

We had a fantastic photographer come over a few weeks ago and take some really special shots of Gus. Alex Herring is a super nice guy and put us totally at ease. For all NYC parents here his site and details: alex@alexherring.com Here are a few of shots and happy rainy New York Wednesday. xo

Bag It!

We all know we use way too much plastic, we bring our own bags to the grocery store, we recycle, we reuse etc..this film looks really interesting and explores the subject of waste, plastic and all things green! Here is a link to an interview with the film makers. 

The 3/50 Project

I love love this idea, the 3/50 project, was started by Cinda Baxter, you can check out her blog here. The premise is to choose three independently owned stores in your neighborhood, for instance, your favorite coffee shop (mine is two blocks down, i visit it almost daily), or your favorite little book shop, mine is McNally Jackson's in Nolita or your favorite clothing shop. Spend $50 a month at one of the stores and it can really (and truly) make a big difference to your community and quality of life, not to mention the struggling business owner. I love living on New York's upper west side but I fear it is turning into one giant mall. My husband, a born and bred New Yorker, who grow up in this area, said the change is shocking. In one way, street crime is way down and it is much more kid friendly but gone are all the mom and pop shops, the fabulous Shakespeare & Co bookstore, the Mystery book store, the diners are also fast disappearing...So go out there and choose your 3/50!

Food!

Now that Gus is eating, cooking his food is something I so so enjoy! I just love feeding him good, nutritious food. It makes me happy and I think he likes it too

Paris Magic

Check out this magical Parisien apartment...

Solar Rainbow Maker

How about that!? A solar rainbow maker for baby!

Red Tub

In the house I grew up in, my sister and I had (at times) the attic bedroom to ourselves. In the bathroom was a giant red claw foot bath tub, it was awesome. I wish I had a picture of it. I'll never forget the day we had a contractor in the house (I was about 8 or 9) and the tub starting to crack the floor below, the contractor ran down the stairs in this absolute panic and for some reason we thought it was the funniest thing. One day, I'd like to have a red tub again, maybe something like this:

Food!

Now that we are feeding Gus food, this chart is such a great little tool. Found on the Moomah website. 

Parenting

It has often been said, there is no manual to parenting. First time parents (myself, one of them) must fumble, stumble and find our own way to being a confident, self assured parent. There are so many (well meaning) people, willing to give advice. The best person to listen to, I've found is yourself. This article hit a chord with me, mothers are just trying their best everyday without having to worry about a 6 month old 'babbling vowels'. A friend told me the other day, it really all depends on the rhythm of the mother, is she happy, is she calm etc...and I couldn't agree more. Sometimes, I feel like I've got it all sorted out and then the next day, I feel like I'm flailing (just a little flail here or there:) Every parent I've ever known only wants their child to be healthy and happy, it is universal. I try to read as much as I can about being a good mother, but I might start to listen more to the mother inside me instead of the mother on the written page. 

The Art of the Bookshelf

Rita Konig (love her) has a great post all about the art of the bookshelf. Books are essential for me and I love having a home full of coffee table books, worn through paperbacks, latest off the shelf hard back books...They mean so much to me, reading is such a big part of my life. I love this short post about bookshelves...check it out. 

The Cricket

The Cricket, what a genius idea. The architect behind this camper/trailer extraordinaire, works for NASA. Check it out here.

Cool Gallery Wall

* I don't have the credits for this, sorry:(

Dreamy

I've fallen for Canadian Photographer Barbara Cole, her work is so dreamy. 

Dutchess County Fair

We went to the famous Dutchess County Fair this past August - what a visual treat. Funnel Cakes, magic shows, rides, games, animals...

Flower Chain

I know I'm late on the Emmersonmade blog love, but I had to post this. Check out the belt too. 

Flying Gus

I still can't believe Gus is 15 weeks old. He's such a happy little guy, I feel so blessed. 

Cottage Life

A few weeks ago, my good friend S, invited my family up to her husband's cottage in Southern Ontario. Cottage life is big in Canada, specifically Ontario. I just love this shot of the dock, so very inviting. Thank you S&P for providing us with such a gorgeous place to convalesce. 

In loving memory of Ted Parks

My dear Dad died on Sunday, June 19th (the day before Father's day) of an inoperable brain tumor. He died with so much dignity and grace. I miss him so much. Dad loved his family, he loved skiing, tennis, playing bridge, road trips, picnics and traveling. But above all else he loved to talk about the accomplishments of 'his girls', (much to the embarrassment of me and my sister) but now I look back and it gives me great comfort to know how proud he was of us.

Life goes on and he was adamant I live life to the fullest. We had several lucid days with him before he died, we really got to say everything we wanted and we heard everything from him too; how much he loved us and how proud he was of us .I will be forever grateful for those days. I love you Dad.  

This was taken at Christmas a few years ago. 

My Dad as a boy (he was 9 in that picture) and my Dad as a handsome man of 35!

Yellow

I'm kinda loving yellow these days, from our new living room yellow to spring dresses to a cool photo to theses lovely yellow ceramic bowls. 

1. Elle Decor

2. Boden USA

3. 20x200

Urban Oasis

Check out this fantastic urban garden post from Apartment Therapy 

Toms

Finally, my search for Toms Shoes are over. After going to three shops nearby, (sold out after 1 week!) I got lucky on my fourth try, my new kicks are black (I live in New York after all) and hot red - don't you think they would look just a little fantastic with an all white outfit? The silver is on my maybe list. The best thing about Toms, is when you buy a pair, they match it with giving a brand new pair to a child in need. 

Before and After

Ever since we bought the house upstate I have wanted to put a big window in the living room & paint it. This spring we added a gorgeous picture window and painted it a fresh coat of yellow, da vinci's canvas from Benjamin Moore. My sister has this colour in her house and I have always loved it. It has an ochre look about it and brightens the room up. I just love this yellow. 

Before:

After:

The picture window (now I just need to do something about that horrid chandelier)

Book shelves for the nursery and beyond

I love the idea of reading book after book to Gus. Here are some very cool and practical bookshelves. 

These two are from Apartment Therapy. I love the blue cloud...

This tree bookshelf is sweet. Source unknown to me.

These are some pretty spectacular bookshelves! From Marvelous Kiddo.

Lonny

The New Lonny is out...

Rent our Hudson Valley House

Upstate Escape: If anyone is interested in renting our 1860 fully renovated farmhouse in the Hudson Valley of New York, please email me, michelleparksmccourt@gmail.com. The house has a 3 bedrooms, plus a nursery and sleeps 6 comfortably. There is a daybed in the library off the living room for an extra person. The back of the house is park like, very private with a gentle stream that cascades into a waterfall. Full BBQ set up and outdoor games and lawn furniture.There are walking trails in the back and a state park with a beach like lake only 2 miles away. A great place to get away from it all. We are offering short term rentals; weekends and week days. Happy thursday. xoxo

Introducing Gus

Our little boy arrived last Saturday 4.24 at 11:47 am, weighing in at 8.6 lbs. We are thrilled and completely besotted. Welcome to the world, Gus Xavier Malachy McCourt. 

Cherry Blossoms

We went for a lovely walk in the park and the magnificent, gorgeous cherry blossom trees were in full bloom. Bring on Spring!

image from here

Home stretch

With six more days till my due date, I'm in the home stretch. Can't wait to meet this little one soon enough. xo

Spring dress

This dress is so pretty & feminine - and spring like!

From Garance Dore

One day...

At 38 weeks pregnant, the idea of getting into a swimsuit is a scary one indeed. But one day, one day...if I can get my "uni-thigh" back into shape, I would like to dream about wearing one of these. A girl can dream...

From anthropologie