I probably shouldn’t even write this post. We are at the point in a renovation when you hate everything and everyone and swear never to do this again. Kind of how I imagine people feel after 12 hours of labor. Or hiking. #hyperbole

But seriously.

This is not the part anyone wants to think about/remember.

As a refresher, our backyard was consumed by a giant pool 5 feet off of our back door which beyond not being a great use of space gave me massive anxiety every time I looked out our windows.

Pool too big make the ride too hard. Tell that b*tch get out- walk the boulevard. Rack city…

After much debate we decided to fill in the old pool which, because of its shape and size was difficult to safety-proof, and regain that space for good grassy kid-friendly yard.

Then we would add a smaller pool designed for as much safety as possible (separated by a step, fence, pool cover and with a shallow bench all around the edge) in the area behind the pool that we couldn’t ever use anyway.

I was super excited about the progress so far. And while I am still happy we decided to make the change, my resolve is waning.

Why?

Well Tuesday last week they cut our cable/internet. You would have thought Pete and I were feral cats, moaning and wailing about our lack of internets.

And then Wednesday they accidentally cut our power. All day. Then as we were returning home from dinner at 7:00 to give Grace a bath and put her down for the night, we got an email that we no longer had gas or water.

The next day we were informed it would be…10 DAYS BEFORE WE GOT OUR GAS BACK!!! I told them “haha, that’s funny. Try again.” And they said they would put us up in a hotel for a night while they figured out a temporary solution for our hot water.

Baby for scale.

Here we are a week later, still no gas. We have hot water, thank buddha, but that means we have been eating out every night for a week. With a toddler. Awesome.

However, this makes it worth it.

The old pool ended a foot before where the new one begins. That giant patch of dirt will soon be beautiful grasslands for our progeny to play in.

 Kaftan, Umbrella, Chaise, Sprinkler Sprayer, Sunscreen, Bather, Cali Highballs

I know the worst part is over now, and we have been promised it will be ready in time for Grace’s 2nd Birthday in August so now it is time to plan some pretty decor…and a party!

Grace is a full on big girl now, y’all. A tall, gangly little-big-girl.

All of her 18 month pants are high waters now, but 2 year clothing is just a little too big. I have been styling some summer looks for my girl- and oh my LORD how much fun is it having a little girl? I am going to enjoy this next year so hard- until she gets too big to let me dress her up.

Summer shorts!

1. Eyelet Top 2. Bermuda’s 3. Sneaks 4. Top 5. Ruffle Shorts 6. Sandals 7. T-Shirt  8. Neon Shorts 9. Neon Pink Sandals

Gracie favors a separates look, however, she also told me she must have this dress from J.Crew.

And I must request J.Crew make it in adult sizes. Please and thank you.

And THEN, I was having so much fun styling up some Grace Gear- I decided to try a little Mom&Me ensemble.

1. Top 2. Sunglasses 3. Basket Bag 4. Bensimon’s 5. Shorts 6. Dress 7. Sunglasses 8. Purselet 9. Baby Bensimon

I know! I hate me too! I never thought I would be like this…But I can’t help it.

Big & Little

Oops. Did it again. Sorry!

Harold is near and dear to my heart. Inspired by our blue room, and named for my Grandfather. He’s whimsical and classic in navy constellations and stars with larger grey accented stars. All of the zodiac constellations are featured in the print, and because of the way the pattern is placed, each sham is slightly different. He might be my favorite.

He is also versatile.

His most obvious pairing is our Powell stripe in gray.

But he can embrace his feminine side with Mackenzie Hot Pink & Navy and Amber Hot Pink.

But, I feel at least, he shines the brightest with his homies Paul Orange and Pete Orange & Navy.

Harold is available as a extra small, small, and medium tray. Harold bedding is also ready for immediate shipping!

What do you think of Harold? What mix would you choose?

I have mentioned before that Maddie, Caroline and I all work together in the 200 sq foot back room at Biscuit. 8 hours a day, 5-6 days a week, and often we even choose to hang out together after business hours. We’re…close. Maybe even to the point of morphing into one another. Customers regularly comment on how we are dressed alike- and we won’t have even been aware of it.

If you follow us on Instagram you might remember this twin-cident from a few weeks ago.

We have sort of developed a Biscuit uniform- statement jeans, fun flats, top, and cardigan. Comfy flats are essential since we are on the floor all day, and jeans are just easier when we are climbing ladders fetching items for customers. We tend to layer our tops because the store is about 10 degrees colder in our office than on the floor and none of us can regulate our body temperature.

It’s a sensible ensemble.

What makes NO sense is that we showed up to work yesterday dressed like sister-wife-triplets.

AG Stevie jeans, white peplum tops, and colorful cardigans. It was too weird not to photograph. So we hit the streets at lunch and did our best impression of fashion bloggers.

On Maddie: AG Heart Jeans, Peplum Top, Sweater, JCrew Ballet Flats, Ralph Lauren Cardigan, FEED pouch, KV Fringe Necklace

On Bailey: AG Emerald Green Stevie Jeans, Ella Moss Peplum Top, Kate Spade Cardigan, Charlotte Olympia shoes, KV Fringe Bracelet, Emerald Green Giraffe Bracelet

On Caroline: AG Lilac Stevie Jeans, JCrew Peplum Top, Tory Burch Cardigan,  Loren Hope Necklace, Tory Burch Sandals

Obviously we are quite fond of AG Stevie Jeans. We each have completely different bodies and wear different sizes, but they are super comfortable and flattering on all of us. I am obsessed with Caroline’s color combo inspired by her necklace, and dare I say our Holly dining room project? We voted my Ella Moss peplum shirt the favorite- it has just the right amount of stretch and short sleeves. And I am still kicking myself that I never got Maddie’s neon pink ballet flats when they were available on J.Crew- bring them back for me Jenna? Pretty please?

As ridiculous as we felt 1. when we showed up wearing the exact.same.thing and 2. strutting down my street photographing ourselves, it is kind of fun seeing how each of us put a twist on our favored uniform.

Introducing the new Biscuit Class of Spring 2013. 

You’ve got crowd favorites Pete, Paul, Grace, Katie and Joanna returning in new color ways.

And soon to be prom court contestants: Alaina (eiffel towers), Amber (ikat), Erika (stripes), Jenny (floral), Harold (constellation), and Mackenzie (bows). So who is your favorite? Who is coming to live with you? We will be giving you the full background on each print, but I suggest you snap some of your own up quickly.

Find all of our new prints in bedding and trays here.

We were busy bakers yesterday preparing all of our delicious new Biscuit treats for y’all.

New season bedding, trays, coasters and catchalls will be available for sale online today- but it takes some time to upload all the freshness. There are a few pieces on there now, and the rest will be trickling in throughout the day.

The good news is that this time- most bedding is ready to ship immediately and the rest only has a 2-3 week lead time.

I will update y’all here when everything is ready to go!

Every so often I get the inclination to up and move to the country. While Pete has an appreciation for a fresh air and the lush verdure, I don’t think he really shared my dream, but- he had never really been out to the Texas hill country. The whole time we were out there Pete kept saying, “I could do this”.

And what’s not to like? Gorgeous scenery, The Hunt Store, Crider’s Dance Hall & Rodeo… 

Your own personal replica of Stone Henge next to the little league fields?

Unfortunately the hill country is a solid 4-5 hour drive, but there are plenty of charming towns 1-2 hours outside of Houston (Brenham, Round Top, Brookshire) where I can see us one day dabbling in the simple life.

Nothing extravagant, just some land.

A Tiny Texas House.

There will be healing waters for sure.

Oh- and farm animals. Bunnies, lambs, maybe a Bessie cow.

Sometimes I can’t decide if the decor will be fancy country?

Like a pair of city mice who fell on hard times and had to choose only a select few items of finery to go into exile with?

Or if I’m more into embracing it- pairing down to a more spare aesthetic.

Either way, it’s going to be amazing. Inspired by Pete’s newfound love of Texas scenery (and one of our best friends moving there for the summer) we are considering a family trip up to Marfa. Downside: The 8 hour drive.

Upside…El Cosmico.

“An artists collective and vintage trailer hotel” by Liz Lambert of Hotel St. Cecilia.

It might be a bit too country for Pete, but I think we could swing it for a weekend.

I mean if Beyonce can do it…

I can’t decide if I would prefer to stay in The Beyonce Trailer:

Or a teepee.

Have any of y’all ever been?

What about your country dreams? Do you ever fantasize about moving out yonder? Where would it be? Lake, Beach? Countryside, river? And if you need even MORE country decorporn, Jenny and I apparently have our stars aligned and she posted on her country dreams today as well. Lot’s of good inspiration there.

**AND CONGRATULATIONS: JESSIE! You are the WINNER!**

Please email me to learn how to collect your prize.

I am PADDING hard after the greatest wedding weekend of my life.

Padding= Post.Alcohol.Depression=P.A.D.=PAD-DING. Except it wasn’t really the alcohol, we were on best behavior actually, but I was love-drunk this weekend watching one of my oldest, bestest and most beloved friends get married to her handsome love.

The wedding was held in the Texas hill country, the actual ceremony/reception was at her families river house. The wedding party mostly stayed at a camp nearby- that I happened to attend as a nugget. #Memories. Friday night was a casual bar-b-q welcome party at the camp.

Smoke Shack BBQ catered it, and it was delicious.

Oh, and there was Blue Bell, with these spoons. I couldn’t agree more. Except I would say, “all you need is love…and blue bell ice cream.”

There were late night shenanigans… $1 dollah dollah billz yo.

And then Saturday morning my girlfriends and I and went on a hike-lette.

Followed by BrideSide vs. GroomSide kickball. Two physical activities in a row. That sort of athleticism is unprecedented.

There was a lot of merriment.

And a lot of natural beauty.

And then a lot of bridal beauty. #stunner.

I wore this dress from Old Navy kids on Saturday and got lots of compliments on it.

$16 y’all! 

I got a large and it’s a little snug in the armpits but otherwise, it fit like a comfy coverup. This is me trying to smile with whitestrips on. Lookin’ goofy, but the tassels! So cute.

Magic.

It could not have been a better time. I+J are two of the most charismatic, loving, fun people you could know and the whole weekend was reflective of them. Sweet, casual, fun, and beautiful.

Although, while I was more excited for camp than anyone, Pete and I slept six to a camp cabin (read: one bathroom) with our two best couple friends. In bunk beds. I had top bunk. With one thin foam pillow and camp-issued bedding (‘cept I brought my kumi so I can’t complain). Needless to say, we are a bit sore and exhausted. We loved it though, and the whole weekend got us thinking about the pleasures of country living. Pete had never been to the Texas Hill Country and is now completely obsessed/contemplating packing it all up and becoming a permanent river rat.

How was your weekend?

Did you get a chance to enter our giveaway sponsored by Bauble Bar? Winner announced tomorrow.

Happy Friday, everyone! And to celebrate the Freakin’ Weekend, the generous ladies at Bauble Bar are giving away $100 to the store.

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13.

So many cute pieces and SO reasonably priced. For a chance to win, check out Bauble Bar and come back leaving a comment on what your favorite pieces are. One winner will be randomly selected from the comments and announced on Tuesday!

Started with a trip to Chicago. And ended with a visit from my girls, Molly and Sally, and the loveliest of all parties. An outdoor drive-in picnic party.

We call this one #OnMyWayTo30k:

All of these beautiful pictures by MBM. Though she didn’t have the opportunity to work her magic post-shot, so I am sure hers will be even lovelier.