Summer totes

its been awhile since i last posted, lots on over here. i've been thinking about summer plans, the beach, swimming and totes. here is a round up of some i think can work & still look somewhat chic.

The Classic LL Bean

Utility Field Bag

Marimekko, love the graphic print. I had one in pink....lost in transportation somehere

Just ordered this from Hansel From Basel

Loft Love

This loft in NYC is amazing, I love the way the designer made the open loft into very distinct spaces. Love the blue too. All images from my new favorite site, an afternoon with. 

FULL LIVES

I had heard of Hillman Curtis and his amazing artist series, but didn't know the breadth and depth of his work until (sadly) he passed away in late April. He lived life to the fullest and seemed to be revered, not just for his pioneering firsts in the world of web design, but also because he seemed like a really decent guy.
Check out his Artist series here 
And you can read his obit here
Lastly, this article from The Guardian really touched me. Check it out here. 

House plants

I've been trying for some time to source a great plant for our living room, I want one with volume and height since we have tall ceilings. Last week when we are at the AMAZING winvian spa, I fell in love with their plants. Each one was strategically placed and perfect in height and scale, it made a huge impact. Emma from The Marion House Book, had her lovely home showcased on House and Home, her plants are also perfect in every way. I love the one in her living room, which she kindly informed me was a ficus lyrata or fiddle leaf. I think I might beed to get me one!

Emma's gorgeous living room and Fiddle leaf
The Marion House Book

Ficus Lyrata or Fiddle Leaf

Two very different days

Today in New York City it was gorgeous, just one of those super sunny, lovely days that makes New York shine. My day was both kid friendly and I also got to sneak in some quality time with my Mum, who is visiting from Toronto. We hit the shops in the morning and had a coffee at Cafe Sabarsky, love that place.
While I was at the park with Gus in the afternoon, I got this pic and text from my twin sister and best friend, Lisa. I love how we are both loving our days but in such varying and completely different ways. 

What my day looked like in New York!

What Lisa's day looked like in Tahoe!

Coffee at Cafe Sabrasky @ Nueu Gallerie

Getting Away...

We are going out of town for our "romantic getaway" sans kiddos tomorrow. A whole glorious 30 hours of just down time together. I can't wait. Here are a couple of shots of where we are heading -Litchfield County, Connecticut, 
Hidden Valley B&B...Doesn't it look pretty. 

Cole

When Cole was born, I was so overcome with love and emotion. They put him on me, skin to skin. I loved the feeling, I loved him, all was right in the world. That night, he slept by my side, I nursed him (every 90 minutes!) I was exhausted but loving it. 
The next morning, Conor came to visit us and for the first time, we noticed very visible red markings across the left side of Cole's cheek, running up to the brow. It looked like a big splash of red. And that's when it all started, what is it? does it go away? what is it called etc...Before Cole was born, I couldn't even pronounce the word hemangioma, now, Conor and I have become quite versed on the world of birth marks! Most go away within a few years, the type Cole has doesn't go away on its own and is linked to a very devastating syndrome, called Sturge Webers (SWS). About 10% of children born with a port wine stain in the V1 (brow and above) have it. We wanted Cole to have an MRI as soon as possible. After a nerve racking 3 hour MRI procedure (they had a hard time getting a reading), we were later told the good news; negative, normal brain activity. We were overjoyed, I couldn't stop crying. Since the stain doesn't go away on its own, we have been going to a dermatologist to have it lasered off, it is harder for me than him, and I know in the long run it really is best for Cole. Life is hard enough as it is without a big old red stain across your face. I get asked a lot, "what's that?" or "did your son take a tumble?" or the best "what is that red splotchy thing?", yes, someone, an adult, no less, asked me that. I guess my point in this post, if there is one, is to me, Cole is perfect, and I want to capture the way he looks now, before the stain is removed. In the meantime, here are some shots from the last few weeks. 

How cute!

Love this little tote, organic cotton with a solid bottom so can handle a laptop.

Romantic getaway

Conor and I are getting away sans kids in a few weeks. Here are some amazing (and sadly over budget) places I've been stalking. 

Inn at Windmill Lane

Mayflower Inn

Winivan

Minnie me

I think I might have found the perfect pair of pants, the minnie from J Crew. They fit like a glove and are hands down the most comfortable pair of trousers I have ever, yes, ever, worn. I might get my size in every color, perfect for the playground or the office. LOVE it. 
PS this is not a sponsored post from J Crew- but if they want to give me a few pairs, I'd have no problem with that as these babies aren't cheap at 90 bucks a pop. 

I love browsing the sartorialist, he has such an amazing eye. and i love seeing a stylish person all put together so well. this image struck me for a number of reasons, first, i have all these different pieces, mocassins, jacket, hat etc....and i now have a new way of looking at these items in my wardrobe. 

Almost 5 months....My little Cole St. John. 

SOLD...almost

We have an accepted offer on our house in the Hudson Valley, closing in 10 days. This past weekend (after the ER incident), we held a big huge contents sale. We sold most of the furniture, knick knacks etc...the cutest couple dropped by, they had just gotten engaged and were looking to furnish their first home together. So sweet, they bought a whole bunch of stuff from us...here's a look back at the house. We'll miss it, but time for a new chapter.

Gussie's first stitches

Sweet Gus has had this first (and probably not his last) stitches at the ER on Saturday. I put Gus down for his nap, around 2:30 on Saturday, I didn't hear any noise and was keeping an ear out while getting the house organized (we are selling our house upstate, another story). I heard him chatting away, no crying, then a little crying, 5 minutes later, full distressed crying. I ran up the stairs, into his room and couldn't believe my eyes. I truly was stunned to see blood everywhere, all over his face, his hands, his clothes, his crib, it took me a full 15 seconds to take it in and understand the situation. I just couldn't believe my eyes. Gus had managed to pull down a framed picture of my Dad off the wall, it shattered to the ground and somehow sliced the inside his little finger in the meantime. I yelled for Conor, who took control of the situation, very calmly. We rushed him to the bathroom and then to ER where he had to have two stitches! I cuddled and cuddled him and was so glad I was there for him. 
Luckily, Gus's godmother jumped to rescue, cleaned the nursery, top to bottom, followed by watching over Cole, while we were in ER. S, you are a real trooper.
The ER nurse asked me if our second child was a boy, at which point she said - two boys, you'll be back! 
Gus with his spongebob sticker and stitched up hand. 

Love

Love Rory O'Kelly's work, he's a Canadian artist that has a beautiful lines and strokes. I love the colors. 

Downton Abbey obsessed

Love love love this show. Am already excited for season three next year! This slide show from Paper Mag showing the stars in their period dress and in "real life" was so neat. I love how transformed they were for their particular parts. 

Switcheroo

 A beautiful and funny series from gorgeous Vancouver based photographer, Hana. Her series features couples as they are and then dressed as their spouse, including mimicking gestures.

Phone Date

I have started a phone date with one of my oldest and dearest friends, (and amazingly talented graphic designer) - Loo. We call each other every Thursday morning and just touch base. Our check in phone dates are something I look forward to each week. Maybe we follow up on a doctor's visit, updates on our families, challenges of being a mother and juggling a career, nothing prolific but keeps us current on the latest in our respective lives. I read somewhere that having a community or a regular gathering with friends increases one's longevity and health. In fact, this article stated that a once a month meeting of friends, just once a month, can really improve one's well being. I like that. 
image from here

White Sofas....

For some reason, my white sofa doest look this chic..I'll spare you a pic of mine. Below is a swedish living room (of course). I'm also loving the Arne Jacobsen lamp, in red!
Image below from the always inspiring - Desire to Inspire. 
Image of lamp found at Danish Designs. 

Paradise Lost

A few nights ago, we watched this brilliant documentary, Paradise Lost. Three young innocent boys (now men) spent 18 years in prison for a crime they didn't commit. One of these men, really hit a chord with me; Jason Baldwin, what an amazing person. If you get the chance, check out the three part documentary on HBO. 

Love.This.

West village apartment for under $400....Manhattan's real estate lottery would be living in a large rent controlled apartment. This article says it all. 
PS I'm a big fan of the rent controlled apartments, my in laws live in a classic six on the upper west side, it is where they've been since 1963, and raised their children, step children, grandchildren and have had many many dinner parties, a wedding, post funeral events, you name it. I'd love to post it, one of these days. 

Roast Chicken

Since I've been home on maternity leave, I've been really into cooking. One of the dishes I've been making is the super easy Roast Chicken. LOVE it, so simple. I am a devout follower of Ina Garten, here's her recipe. 

Off the Grid

Every summer, my family convenes in Toronto and spends one week together up a cottage. Its a slice of heaven; swimming in lakes, spending time with the family and close friends, canoe rides, great meals...you get the picture. So naturally, I was bowled over when I saw this gorgeous off the grid cottage, wow. 
Image from Cottage Life

Radio Head

I'm a big NPR junkie, love the shows and listen to WNYC pretty much every morning. I love This American Life  while cooking...My old, very old radio was on its last legs, so I bought this super neat old school Sangean.

The Boot

Wow, just love this boot, but its a little over my budget at $550 on SALE?!

Funny fact - the Loeffler in Leoffler Randall worked at Ogilvy for many years, I took over his very office when he left to start his little shoe company with his partner Jessie Randall!! 

Perfect

A few posts ago I lamented about my non existent entry foyer. I tried to create one with this chair and eames hang it all...but this is really how its done. I love this apartment, especially how she created a landing strip. Seen on Apartment Therapy.

California

We got back from California last week, a red eye with two under two is a challenge to say the least. I think I got the better end of the deal as Cole slept the whole way..Gus squirmed and squealed and was unable to really fall asleep for the first two hours...
We had the most perfect weather and fell madly in love with Bay Area. I especially loved being a short walk from my sister and her three boys. Gus just loved playing with his cousins and their incredibly sweet dog, Reba.