Madewell Tee, Abercrombie & Fitch Shorts, Alice & Olivia Blazer, Gianvito Rossi Pumps, Prada Handbag, Piper West Watch
It’s halfway through the summer and I’m desperately trying to get time to stand still. It’s ironic that the winter days seem to drag on with no end in sight, and you blink and summer is over. This summer has been one of the best in years. Not because there’s been anything particularly exciting taking place, but for the contentment of living in a season of simplicity. With so many monumental changes that have taken place over the last three years, I feel as though I’ve been treading water, barely keeping my head above the water line. There have been so many times over the past couple of years that have been lonely and isolating, living a life that was unrecognizable from the one I navigated a few short years earlier. I resisted the urge to make any big changes, letting myself sit in the silence and stillness of it all. Within the last couple of months I have felt the time was right to not be still. To embrace the changes yet to come and make choices to allow the new in. I love blogging, I love writing, I love sharing in the fashion community, and I’m loving making space to do more of that. There’s so much to come, and I can’t wait to share it with all of you.
Photos by Kiera Schussler
Aritzia Trench Coat, Levi’s Denim, Alexander Wang Tee, Saint Laurent Pumps, Chanel Handbag
While last summer was a scorcher, this summer is coming in strong as unarguably cooler. I have to admit, this I don’t mind, as it gives me a chance to sneak in some pre-fall fashion that otherwise wouldn’t be making an appearance for a couple of months. I love a fabulous trench coat, and while I have a closet full, last summer I didn’t get the chance to don any as it went straight from winter to summer, with no spring season in the mix. I love waking up and throwing on a pair of cut offs and a tee as much as the next gal, but fall fashion is my heart. So while the rain stays I’ll gladly be slipping into my ripped denim every day of the week.
Equipment Blouse, AGOLDE Denim, All Saints Leather Jacket, Celine Pumps, Alexander Wang Handbag
I love dressing for spring, being able to throw on a pair of jeans, heels and a fabulous leather jacket has always been such an easy uniform. Spring weather is my jam, crisp enough for a jacket in the morning and often warm enough by afternoon to go sans outerwear. Summer weather has been full on here this week and I cannot deal. I’m definitely not a sun seeker, as I was in my days of youth, and dealing with those high double digits with kids presents an entirely new set of difficulties. I’m obsessed with making sure they have enough sun screen, that their hydration levels are topped up, and their hats remain fully on their heads. Relaxing in the sun, I think not. Unless there’s a bottle of Rosé open, and then I’m able to wind it down, just a touch.
It’s taken me a while to post the pictures from Oscar’s 2nd birthday, I cannot believe my baby boy is two. That I have not one, but two little strong willed human beings blows my mind. Our Oscar is the most wonderful mix of heart and adventure. He’s compassionate and caring and wild with abandoned enthusiasm. He adores his big sister, plays hide and seek like it’s his job, and is never walking when he can be running. He loves vacuuming more than anyone should, is a master stick-finder on walks, and is never without his trusted stuffed bunnies. The amount of joy and love he has brought to our lives is immeasurable, and I feel so lucky to be the Momma to this sweet little boy.
Oscar has been very into Toy Story as of late, and when we asked what he wanted to do for his birthday he enthusiastically requested a Toy Story party. We had our nearest and dearest come to the house, tried to stay on theme, and managed the sugar rushes and crashes. I made Mr. Potato Head cake pops as take homes for his guests, tried to incorporate some fruit and vegetables to offset the sugar, and rounded up some decorations to pull it all together. I used this Brown Butter Crispy Rice Treats recipe and applied melting chocolate to resemble Woody. I made a variety of cookies, including this Peanut Butter Oatmeal Chocolate Chip variety, funfetti alien cupcakes, and had juice on hand. My day was made when my eight year old niece, after viewing the set up, said to me, “Auntie, you’ve really outdone yourself”. Serious heart melt. It was a fabulous day celebrating our boy, and while it wasn’t fancy or elaborate, it was everything to have our friends and family together celebrating our sweet little Oscar.
I had this idea that when I had kids we would blissfully bake together in the kitchen. They’d have their little chef’s aprons on, obediently listening for the next direction, executing my orders like proper little sous chefs. Let me tell you, that shit is not real. When I bake with my two and three year old in the kitchen it’s more like an episode of Game of Thrones, but in place of blood it’s flour, sugar and eggs that coat the floors and walls. With my three year old daughter confident that it was time for another round of baking with toddlers, we settled on these utterly delicious Mixed Berry Crumble Top Muffins from the Butter Baked Goods cookbook. These muffins are just the right amount of sweet, and combined with the tartness of the berries it’s hard to stop at one. We used raspberries and blueberries, but you can truly use any fruit that you fancy. It’s a simple, straightforward recipe that resulted in minimal destruction of both the kitchen and the outcome of the muffins, and we will definitely be making these gems again.
