stephmodo

Tolix Kids

2012-02-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

A couple of years ago, when we were living in France , I spotted a little red Tolix chair underneath the staircase at Merci. It was so cute I would've pinched its cheeks, had it cheeks to pinch. I'm not sure there is anything more precious than a pint-size Tolix chair! I toyed with the idea of figuring out how to bring a few home, as there was no need/room for them at La Maisonnette; but quickly wisened up once I started thinking through the logistics for a few seconds (this was definitely another I-wish-I-had-access-to-a-container moments).

Aaah, but I have some good news for fellow Tolix fans! I just noticed that Chicago-based Antiquaire is now carrying the entire Tolix Kids line, well beyond the red chair. I'm dying over every little thing and now know what my daydreams will be made of for the next little while...

images via Antiquaire and Tolix

Chalkboard Heart Clips in the Shop

2012-02-06T23:05:00.001-08:00

Just a heads up that I added the last of my heart chalkboard clips over in my etsy shop...just in time for Valentine's Day next week! There are a million ways you could put them to good use, but my favorite would be anything involving a treat, as indicated by the photos I chose today :)

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Real Life Home - Erin of Clementine & Olive

2012-02-06T00:56:00.000-08:00

Through a stroke of good luck, I discovered Erin's blog, Clementine and Olive, via Craigslist here in Seattle. You see, Erin's brilliance lies not only in her design savvy, but in her ability to transform a sad, dated piece of furniture into a modern work of art. And while sometimes she places these pieces in her own home, she often sells them either through her blog or through C-list. So lucky me, to have found her, as she is a true inspiration and you're about to see why!

Today Erin is letting you peek into her Tacoma-area home, a restored Craftsman with great bones, which she shares with her family and lovingly cares for. Erin combines a deep love for antiques with her signature "vintage glam" style throughout her home. Influenced heavily by her upbringing, mainly in Ireland, she is keenly aware that a space is enhanced by old, even secondhand pieces of furniture. In fact, 80% of her furnishings are secondhand...can you believe it? That leaves just a little extra for the occasional splurge. I have to say I am quite impressed with Erin's resourcefulness; it's really a fantastic strategy for decorating if you have skills in this area.

Before deciding to stay at home with her twin boys and begin a new career in upcycling and design, Erin worked with several local sports teams as a massage therapist. She truly epitomizes what this series is all about as she is entirely self-taught (for those of you just tuning in, this series showcases living spaces decorated by people who are not formally-trained interior designers).

I adore those yellow, vintage wingback chairs, don't you? True statement pieces for sure. But the real statement in this room is that fabulous daybed Erin recovered in DwellStudio fabric (nap, anyone?). But don't forget to take note of the supporting roles in the room--a great lamp, mirror, Louis Ghost chair, art on the bookshelf and neat stacks of books (Erin, how do you do that with toddlers? So jealous!).

Proof that it's possible to have a well-styled, yet kid-friendly home! Erin's philosophy is to give her sons a beautiful home to grow up and play in, without taking it too seriously. That's one of the main reasons she enjoys thrifting so much--because "if something breaks, it's okay!".

p.s. loving all the pops of color here and there as well as those fabulous high chairs tucked away in the image above.

p.p.s. if you look closely throughout this collection of images, you'll notice that Erin moves around art and other accessories to keep things interesting--a great design secret in fact!

A gorgeous Danish mid-century modern dining set--a style I too love and dot my own space with. A full set like this is hard to come by...what a treasure!

Can you tell Erin loves DwellStudio? :)

I love how she creates thoughtful displays everywhere, even at dinnertime!

A beautiful mid-century sideboard with another pretty display. Loving on the tray-with-Pellegrino idea. Keep in mind as you view these images that Erin re-purposed/upcycled almost every piece of furniture you see. What a useful skill to have! I'd totally trade in one of my not-so-useful-skills (like hula-hooping for 10 minutes straight) for the ability to transform a garage-sale find into a gorgeous piece of furniture.

Proof that dreams really do come true...Erin has dreamt of having a tub like this since she was a little girl! Also, it looks like Erin was lucky when Missoni hit Target...

I love how Erin takes note of her bedroom. Instead of being an afterthought (such a temptation with the master bedroom I think), she's created a beautiful space full of warmth and femininity. She mixes and matches patterns with confidence and shows that it's okay to not always be matchy-matchy if you don't want to be.

This pretty accent chair is another one of Erin's upcycled pieces. Stunning fabric choice.

And that trundle under the bed is actually where her dog sleeps (gorgeous dog duvet found here). There she is paying attention to the details again...:)

Lest we not forget where her two pride and joys slumber peacefully (most of the time!) in the nursery...

So brilliant--that orange door! A clever way of visually dividing the room and adding color to an otherwise muted color scheme.

Erin, thank you for letting us peek into your beautiful home! Friends, you can read more up on Erin and her latest projects over at her blog, Clementine and Olive.

Peek at more inspiring spaces in the Real Life Home Series:

Real Life Home No.14 - Nadia's Converted Barn in Vermont

Real Life Home No.13 - Dottie Angel's Mossy Shed

Real Life Home No.12 - Aunt Patty's sophisticated mid-century home
Real Life Home No.11 - Rubyellen of Cakies and her French-inspired flea market finds
Real Life Home No.10 - Julie's coastal home with reclaimed materials
Real Life Home No. 9 - Petra's Tower in downtown Seattle
Real Life Home No. 8 - Kayce's Nashville Home that's both Southern + sweet
Real Life Home No. 7 - Sara's colorful and eclectic Portland Home
Real Life Home No. 6 - Amy's Calming Neutrals in California
Real Life Home No. 5 - Lynne of Sugar City Journal and her whimsical details
Real Life Home No. 4 - Emily's gorgeous whites and woods in Dallas
Real Life Home No. 3 - Kirsten of Simply Grove's clean and textural Idaho home
Real Life Home No. 2 - Maria of Two Peas and a Pod and her white kitchen
Real Life Home No. 1 - My sister Cherilee's eclectic, mid-century home

images by Erin Corcoran

Menu of the Week + Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto

2012-02-02T23:13:00.006-08:00

Alrighty...I'm officially over pre-packaged ravioli and Freschetta this week. Time for a bonified menu! I'm in the mood for lots of homemade food and some time in the kitchen, which is one of my favorite places to be. I hope you glean some inspiration for your own meal planning endeavors!

Roasted Butternut Squash Risotto with Mushrooms and Chives - this past month I've been more-than-mildly obsessed with roasted butternut squash (it's like candy!!) and this risotto recipe is the result of that obsession. Serve it with a good, crusty bread and a simple salad (as in bibb lettuce + a vinaigrette - done).

Spaghetti with Slow Cooker Bolognese - it's been awhile since I've used my slow cooker; I sometimes forget it's there, you know, in the back of my pantry gathering dust. Last month's Real Simple featured some good looking recipes so I'm giving one a try here. If you see this recipe again on a "menu of the week", you'll know it's a keeper.

Frittata with Herb Roasted Potatoes, Haricots Verts - this is a fast, inexpensive meal that's kind of breakfast-y (anyone else love pancakes for dinner some nights?), yet substantial enough for a quick dinner too. Plus, it's one my husband can make! Believe it or not, my Ben can put together a mean fritatta. He doesn't use a recipe, but it'll probably be something like this, but with leftover vegetables. This is one of those times when I'm grateful we keep a thick wedge of Parmigiano-Reggiano on hand.

Green Curry with Peppers, Haricots Verts, Peas, Thai Basil and Jasmine Rice - Basically I dumb down the curry recipe outlined on the jar of Thai Kitchen curry; meaning, I add a lot less curry paste than the recipe calls for. My kids won't eat it if I pack too much heat! The recipe calls for chicken, but I'm omitting meat this time and making it full-on vegetarian. Also, this is one of those recipes that makes me incredible grateful for my rice cooker.

Black Bean Tacos with Avocado Wedges - I'm loving on those Tortillaland fresh tortillas from Costco and am feeling the need to make this easy meal pronto. My kids love these black bean tacos and I love how simple and inexpensive they are to make. I'll add in a salad and maybe some chips and homemade salsa from the new Mexican place that opened up in our neighborhood just for fun.

Per usual menu planning, I'm going to leave one night for cheap takeout (hopefully!) and one night for leftovers (or maybe pancakes! ha!).

What fun recipes have you made lately?

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Kayce Hughes Style GIVEAWAY + a Huge Sale

2012-02-01T22:02:00.003-08:00

Congratulations Meg! You just won a $150 gift card to Kayce Hughes...lucky you! Thank you for entering everyone and I wish you luck on the next go around. Meg, please contact me with your information. Merci!

I've been picking up little pieces here and there from Kayce Hughes for years now; I love the classic styling and am a particular fan of their children's wear. Think: oversized Peter Pan collars, smocking, ruffles, corduroy and piping. So many fun details you rarely (if ever) see elsewhere. The quality is excellent and I find that everything holds up nicely over time. Kayce recently added accessories to complement her women's line, which is very feminine and classic as well. There is truly so much to love!

Today, I am happy to announce that Kayce Hughes would like to offer one reader a $150 gift card to spend as you like on their website. Use it now or use it later; but, know you'll have a lot of fun scoping out the perfect finds. And speaking of perfect finds, right now Kayce Hughes is hosting their annual warehouse sale, which is a big one friends--75% off if you can believe it. I actually just finished purchasing a few dresses for summer and Fall for my almost-5-year-old and cannot wait till they arrive. It feels good to be getting ahead (holiday skirts and dresses would be a great buy too) and getting an outstanding deal at the same time. I did notice that items are moving quickly (I actually lost a few things I left in my cart earlier today), so hop to picking up your own great deals!

Giveaway Guidelines

- You have 5 days to enter this giveaway (closes Monday, February 6th at midnight).
- Make 1 comment on this post to enter.
- Anonymous comments will not be considered, so please make sure I know who you are!
- The winner will be chosen via random.org and announced next week at the top of this post--so make sure you peek back and see if you're the lucky one.
- If you win, please respond within one week of the winner announcement to secure prize. Thank you!

Makeover

2012-01-31T21:59:00.002-08:00

Hello, hello! I am sorry I've been missing for a couple of days; I realize that isn't like me. They've been rough ones, but I'm back to my usual daily posting and have so many things to share with you this month! In fact, I made a very long list...

First off, I want to follow up with you about this makeup post from almost 2 years ago (where has the time gone?). Since then I've given my makeup bag a makeover, based on some of your recommendations...so thank you! There were so many comments made and I wonder if any of you made over your makeup bags too.

I kept the Neutrogena Tinted Facial Lotion (a great alternative to foundation and more affordable than the well-reviewed Laura Mercier version), Labello lip balm, MAC powder and the concealer (links all below). I added a new Bobbi Brown color for lipstick, a new eyeshadow palette (I had the old one for a dangerously long time), and a different mascara. All in all it's a good mix of drugstore and department store finds, which I believe is the ideal balance; some things you just have to try on before buying and somethings you don't! Also, I recently started wearing a little blush a few times a week as it's nice to have a little color, particularly in the dead of winter. I'm still learning how to apply it correctly so if you see me and I look a little uneven, you'll know why :)

What is in your makeup bag right now? Is there anything new you've discovered? What about the perfect red lipstick? I saw a lot of that at ALT, but am not sure I can get away with it myself. Help!

p.s. I did look into the NARS blush in "orgasm" per your recommendation, but didn't feel like it was quite the right color for me. Oh and I blushed when I asked the saleswoman about it too...isn't that funny? I guess we have to laugh at ourselves sometimes, right?!

Labello Lip Balm / Bobbi Brown Blush in Tawny / Bobbi Brown Creamy Lipcolor in Brown / Neutrogena Facial Lotion - Light Tint / CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara / MAC Pressed Powder / Bobbi Brown Eyeshadow Palette / MAC Studio Finish Concealer

ALT's Greatest Hits

2012-01-26T23:59:00.002-08:00

Perhaps you spotted all the buzz on Twitter or Facebook last week about the Altitude Design Summit held in Salt Lake City, Utah (speaking of FB, I finally joined in...come say hi!). Sure, it's a lot of mixing and mingling, but it's also about giving and receiving useful advice and loads of inspiration. In case you weren't able to attend, or you were there but missed out on certain panels, I thought I'd share the tips/advice/words of wisdom I gleaned from the conference. I'm hoping these three points will resonate with you as well:

1. Brooke Reynolds of Inchmark said during the panel on Work/Life Balance, "Decide which balls to put down and which to juggle. Not all balls are created equal and some weigh more than others. And some balls cannot be dropped". I thought this was a clever way of putting perspective on priority maintenance. Brooke also advised us to not be reactive by starting our day answering and checking the "gibber gabber" (i.e. email, twitter, facebook, etc.), but to instead be proactive about achieving your goals. Lots of sage advice from that lady's lips :)

2. My friend Joslyn of the blog Simple Lovely, shared some thought provoking tips as well (as usual!). She said, 'when collaborating (and may I add, not just on blogs), be sure you don't "pair off"; meaning, always talk about everything together and be inclusive. Don't gossip.' And perhaps what is my favorite tidbit from ALT is Joslyn's reminder that there is room for everyone to be successful and that there is no need to be jealous. Everyone can experience success with grace, honesty, kindness and hard work.

3. Our closing keynote speaker was Gretchen Rubin, author of The Happiness Project--a book I've started to read little by little (it takes time to process each of her points I think). Gretchen shared loads of wisdom, but I think one of the most interesting points she made was that `happiness is not selfish. In fact, it will actually make you more selfless. Studies show that happy people are more concerned about the problems of other people and are more likely to help out.' Gretchen goes on to say that "one of the best ways to make other people happy is to be happy yourself; because we all want to be around happy people!".

I'd love to hear your thoughts too...y'all are always full of great insight yourselves!

image by Justin Hackworth--more images from ALT can be found here.

Registration Details - Food Photography Workshop w/Aran

2012-01-25T22:04:00.001-08:00

I am so grateful for the opportunity to host another food styling and photography workshop in the Dordogne region of France this year with the over-the-top-talented Aran Goyoaga. In fact, registration takes place tomorrow, Thursday, January 26th (that's today for some of you already), so I want to review the details of signing up for those interested. Aran, her assistant Nadia (whose gorgeous home was featured in my "real life home series" last week), and I, are so thrilled to be sharing another fabulous week with 8 new friends amongst castles, cliffs and breathtaking views.

Here is how registration will take place:

1. At 10 o'clock PST (1 p.m. EST) a post will go live on Aran's blog, Cannelle et Vanille, indicating an email address where you'll need to send your intent to register. Please make sure you are online at this time if you are interested in attending this workshop as we will accept participants based on the order in which emails are received. It wouldn't hurt to have a basic email formulated ahead of time. Last year the workshop filled in one minute if you can believe it.

2. Once you hear back from us via email (within 24 hours), you will be required to complete some paperwork and then return it to us via fax, email, etc.

3. Payment will then need to be made to secure your spot and can be completed in 3 ways...1. via e-check on PayPal (no fee)...2. via "send money" option on PayPal ($90 fee to cover PayPal commission)...or 3. via check or money order. In the case of the latter, the money order will need to be received within 1 week (by February 2, 2012). Once payment is made and requested forms are signed, your spot will be secure. At this time you'll receive an email from us confirming the good news (!!). If you are not able to secure your spot at this time, we will be sure to add your contact information to a waiting list.

4. Once all 8 participants have passed along necessary documents and payment, we will share the week's itinerary with all attendees (this part makes us particularly giddy!).

As a reminder, this is going to be a unique workshop, not only for it's picturesque and inspiring location in France, but for its size as well. Limited to just 8 people, you will be given the opportunity to spend a significant amount of time with Aran each day as she guides you through the thoughtful process of procuring, styling, creating and photographing food. We like to think of it as a 4-day party with amazing food, accommodations and experiences. The workshop will begin the evening of the 23rd of September and run through the late afternoon of the 27th.

The workshop includes 4 days of cooking, styling and photographing food in a beautiful manoir nestled up against a stone cliff overlooking a lazy river. The cost is $2240/person for a shared room (5 available) and $2740 for a private room (3 available); and covers 4 nights accommodations in a luxurious bed and breakfast, 4 gourmet breakfasts, 4 lunches, 1 dinner, transportation during workshop hours, 3 days of full instruction with Aran Goyoaga, and 1 day of sightseeing in the area...just to start.

Our 2011 workshop was an incredible experience for all who attended and we are excited to share another magical week with you. See you tomorrow at 10 a.m. PST, 11 a.m. MST, 12 p.m. CST or 1 p.m. EST!

images by Aran Goyoaga for Cannelle et Vanille

Date Night

2012-01-23T22:55:00.000-08:00

Have you ever noticed that the longer you are married or in a committed relationship, the messier the bedroom becomes and the less frequent you find yourselves out on a date? Isn't it ironic that the most important relationship gets more or less tossed to the back burner and less pressing matters take center stage? This is an interesting phenomenon I've thought a lot about in the past few years as I've observed couples pay less and less attention on each other (and more on hobbies, work and their children). I've learned that scheduling time for date nights makes a sizable impact on the happiness and satisfaction you feel within your married relationship; this is particularly true if you have children.

If you have a trusted babysitter or family member nearby, why not call or text them right now and schedule a night out for the upcoming weekend? If you don't have either, perhaps consider a babysitting swap with a friend. Often good friends are just as helpful as family and chances are you have a trusted friend in the same boat. Maybe one weekend night you tend her kiddos and then she tends yours on the other. We actually participate in this type of babysitting swap at least once a month. Date nights are far more relaxing when we don't have to worry about forking out $15/hour! That being said, even if you don't have the opportunity to participate in a babysitting swap, "...recognize that a babysitter is cheaper than a divorce" (source).

Frequency of date nights is also important. Making time for two dates each month is typically ideal for most couples. If you have children, allow yourselves to spend some time discussing your children and their needs on one of the two monthly dates. Then be sure to make that second date all about you and your spouse. No kid talk allowed :) If your spouse works extremely late hours and/or travels during the week, then you may want to consider upping your dates nights from twice monthly to once a week. If you have budget constraints, then plan a date night "in" every now and again. A movie and takeout enjoyed after the kids are in bed can be a lot of fun too!

Here are some fun date night ideas beyond dinner and a movie, (which have their place mind you!), to jump start your next date night:

1. a music-themed evening--the symphony, a jazz club or an outdoor concert are all interesting and provide a change of scenery.

2. hanging out in a bookstore together--I love the idea of holing up in the dark corner of a locally-owned bookstore, but often the only ones open at night are Barnes and Noble so we typically head there.

3. dance lessons--I actually bought these on Groupon (which for the record has encouraged me to do so many things out-of-the-box), because I don't feel like my dancing skills have improved since middle school (shuffling around in a circle doesn't count as dancing, right?). Deals on Living Social or Google Offers often offer similar activities.

4. stay outdoors--night skiing, a bike ride, a walk along the beach, a picnic on the lawn, and a carriage ride downtown, to name a few.

5. double dating--it's not just for high-schoolers :) Especially when it comes to bowling, which we can technically make #6 :)

What are some of your date night ideas?

image snapped on an iPhone outside Bi-Rite Creamery in San Francisco's Mission District

Affordable Art: Jenny Vorwaller Paintings + Prints

2012-01-23T00:29:00.002-08:00

Whenever I spot beautiful art for a reasonable price, I always love to share my discovery with you. Today, may I introduce you to local artist Jenny Vorwaller? She is a talented, modern painter who happens to live here in Seattle and for the moment is quite affordable. You should peek at her original paintings, killer iPhone covers, and fine art prints here. Nothing is over $100 and most things are priced around $30...how's that for affordable art?

p.s. curious what this gorgeous redhead looks like? Peek at her fabulous family photograph here.

San Francisco Birthday Party

2012-01-19T00:00:00.005-08:00

When I asked my daughter what kind of party she wanted for her birthday, she asked if she could have a San Francisco party with cherry crumb cake. I raised my eyebrow and asked, "Are you sure? What about a polka dot party? So cute, right? Well, she didn't like that idea so much so I said, "okay, we'll do it!" Initially I thought it would be impossible to plan, but after it's all said and done I'm now totally convinced it's possible to plan a children's party around just about any theme!

We found an adorable little stamp set from Yellow Owl Workshop that set the tone for the party. Those Painted Ladies and Golden Gate Bridge debuted on the watercolored invitations and then made their way onto the cupcake toppers, the favor tags and the drink labels. Definitely got our money's worth out of those little stamps :)

She requested Jaime's Cherry Almond Crumb Cake, so I modified it to cupcake form with an almond buttercream frosting; although I have to admit I love Jaime's version better :) Cupcake toppers were made from toothpicks and cardstock...so easy to put together. The print is from Loose Petals, simply mounted on a piece of mat board with a little vintage French ribbon I've been saving for a couple of years. It just happened to be the same color as the Golden Gate Bridge...

I left my heart in San Francisco...

My daughter loves art and loves crafts so we sat down with her party guests and painted a few favorite scenes from the city. Lots of Golden Gate Bridges...

Clam chowder and sourdough bread were in order for lunch...served in mini cocottes.

The morning of the party I realized I hadn't planned any party favors, so I had to improvise and try to come up with something I could make with on-hand supplies. Pie boxes, Painted Ladies and more cherry crumb cake it was! No one complained about more cake :)

Sources:

Invitations + envelopes
Stamp set
Striped Straws
Scalloped Punch
San Francisco Print
Pie boxes

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Welcome Famille Summerbelle + a Giveaway

2012-01-17T23:37:00.003-08:00

Okay! We have our 5 randomly chosen winners...congratulations! Please send me an email with your contact information/mailing address. Thanks!

1. Grace Coutelen who said, "My French husband and I live in Paris..."
2. Chelsea who said, "I want one of those maps! Darling!"
3. Amie, who said, "J'adore la belle Paris"
4. Summer, who said, "Yes, please!"
5. Janelle-a-belle, who said, "I've had the London print on my wishlist for ages..."

It's always a pleasure to welcome a sponsor that I've admired and even blogged about in times past. I'm so happy to have UK-based shop Famille Summerbelle as a new sponsor. I am a particular fan of all their Frenchy stuff like cute Paris wallpaper (think: accent wall in a kid's bedroom), vibrant totes, family trees and folksy tea towels. But perhaps my favorite little pretty from the shop is the Paris map print in blue, based on their original hand cut map (Londoners, San Franciscans and New Yorkers will find equally gorgeous maps of their towns). The colors are spot on and the designs are one-of-a-kind. And with that I'd like to share some good news...

Famille Summerbelle would like to offer FIVE readers one of their gorgeous map prints. I'm so excited to announce 5 winners! Five of you will get to choose one print in the color of your choice...your walls are begging you for something gorgeous so here is your chance! If you just can't wait to find out who wins the giveaway, you are welcome to take advantage of a special sale going on--20% off all orders over $90. Sweet!

Giveaway Guidelines

- You have 5 days to enter this giveaway (closes Sunday, January 22nd at midnight).
- Make 1 comment on this post to enter.
- Anonymous comments will not be considered, so please make sure we know who you are!
- The winners will be chosen via random.org and announced next week at the top of this post--so make sure you peek back and see if you're one of the lucky five!
- If you win, please respond within one week of the winner announcement to secure prize. Thank you!

Real Life Home No.14 - a Converted Barn in Vermont

2012-01-16T00:02:00.003-08:00

What would you give to call this lane your driveway? And how would your life change if you enjoyed this beautiful expanse each day of your life? A view that some say is the best view in Vermont as it covers four mountain ranges in four different states. I, for one, cannot imagine such a thing as I can see hundreds of homes from my living room window. Perhaps that is what makes this "real life home" so precious to me. That, and the lovely woman who calls this converted barn in Vermont, home sweet home.

I only met Nadia a few months ago when she accompanied Aran and I to France for the workshop, to act as Aran's assistant. She was a stranger to me at the beginning of the week, but a friend to me at the end. Her heart is as welcoming as the home she shares with her husband, Kevin, and I'm so excited to share a slew of images with you today.

Imagine Nadia driving home from the local farmer's market with a big basket full of locally-grown produce (Nadia owns the best market basket!). She walks inside, drops down her bags, checks on the kittens and sits down for a moment to enjoy that gorgeous view. How could she not? Oooh, but it's a bit chilly so perhaps a fire is in order. Especially these days...

Now that the fire is crackling, it's time to unload those market bags and start thinking about dinner.

{I'm loving that red stool peeking around the corner. What a great way to mix "old" and "new". Oh and that green armoire!}

Time to check on the chickens...in fact, an egg or two would be delicious poached over one of those gorgeous garden tomatoes.

{Anyone else experiencing chicken coop envy? And backdrop envy for that matter. This setting is about as surreal as the driveway!}

{Love Nadia's signature felted wool jewelry collection. She wore one of her favorites a few times in France and looked so beautiful.}

Miss Nadia loves her reds and she'll take it any way she can...pretty apples, an iron chair, a stool, a pillow and paintings.

Nadia has quite the menagerie...she's rescued several animals over the years--horses, ducks and chickens to name a few--and lovingly cares for them everyday. This one clearly appreciates the view, as he should!

And those creamy, white dishes all stacked up on the shelf. Simple yet so pretty.

Aaah, and now the inspirational writer's shack settled down in the most exquisite of settings. Something so many of us dream of, yes? I died when she sent me this image. My first thought was, `is this for real?'

So now I have chicken coop envy AND writer's shack envy :)

Those who are lucky enough to stay with Nadia get to rest their pretty little heads on this sweetly adorned bed upstairs in the attic. I know my kids would jump up and down with joy over the chance to slumber here.

"How are the horses doing?", Nadia wonders as she peeks out the window.

Idyllic.

Nadia's own respite (I just realized we have the same chair from IKEA...who else has that uber versatile chair?!). Vintage paintings, that awesome market bag I referenced earlier, and a collection of books about subjects she loves. A tasteful, well-edited collection is always something I appreciate in others' spaces.

I love what Nadia says about the antiques in her home, including the artwork on the wall here, "I love paintings and often buy them because I feel as if I cannot leave them behind; others I find in antique shops piled behind junk. I feel as if the pieces I have at the house have come to me with purpose. I know that I am the curator of these things for a period in time and one day someone else will be."

It's only apropos to conclude today's tour with another pop of red and a painting of blueberries--a wild fruit that takes over the state in the Summertime. When we lived in Boston we slipped away to visit my brother-in-law and his family as much as possible. One such trip was during blueberry season and I"ll never forget the millions of blueberries lining the highway. Oh how I wished we could just pull off the interstate and eat, eat, eat. I have no doubt that Nadia enjoys these sweet, little treats all over these rolling, green hills.

She writes in appreciation for this home, "I love how bright the stars are at night, how the sunsets and sunrises take my breath away every time. I love that I can take long walks in the forest, snow shoe for hours, pick apples, pears and berries from our yard and make fresh bouquets from acres of wild flowers. I love the quietness of living in a secluded place and the noises that come from a big variety of birds and wild life- not to mention dogs barking, cats meowing duck quacking and horses galloping!". Now that's what I call a "real life home" indeed. Thank you for sharing your home with us Nadia~

You can catch up with Nadia and her life on 100 acres in Vermont over at her tranquil blog, La Porte Rouge. Again, that "red" comin' through :)

More lovely, well-edited spaces for your viewing pleasure:

Real Life Home No.13 - Dottie Angel's Mossy Shed

Real Life Home No. 12 - "Aunt Patty" (sophisticated mid-century)
Real Life Home No.11 - Rubyellen - (flea market finds with a French flair)
Real Life Home No.10 - Julie (elegant whites + reclaimed materials)
Real Life Home No. 9 - Petra (living in a tower w/kids)
Real Life Home No. 8 - Kayce (southern + sweet)
Real Life Home No. 7 - Sara (colorful + eclectic)
Real Life Home No. 6 - Amy (calming neutrals)
Real Life Home No. 5 - Lynne (whimsy + details)
Real Life Home No. 4 - Emily (whites + woods)
Real Life Home No. 3 - Kirsten (clean + textural)
Real Life Home No. 2 - Maria (white kitchen love)
Real Life Home No. 1 - Cherilee (mid-century modern)

images by Nadia Dole

A Darling Children's Book about Paris

2012-01-13T00:01:00.004-08:00

My preschool-aged daughter chose this book for her bedtime read last week and I was reminded how much I love this little book for its gorgeous illustrations of Paris and for the sweet storyline. Set in the City of Lights about a hundred years ago, we follow a girl named Adèle and her little brother Simon as they try to make their way home after school. The siblings stop at many famous Parisian landmarks along the way, weaving a beautiful path through the city. While not a vintage book, it certainly has that feel, and is a darling read for little boys and girls--especially one who dreams of Paris like my kids do.

Also, happy to report that Adèle and Simon is on sale now too...ten bucks for an award-winning hardcover is not too shabby! I should probably stock up on a few for birthday gifts myself...

Have a great weekend!

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Organizing Tip #27

2012-01-11T21:45:00.000-08:00

It has been such a long time since I've posted anything related to home organization...hmmm....maybe because I've been so disorganized this year? Well, I'd say it's time to get that party started and what better month than January. Here we go:

If you have a small child in the midst, create a toy drawer in the kitchen, at his/her level.

I learned this valuable tip from my mother-in-law several years ago when my first child became mobile. It seemed that I often spent time in the kitchen--tidying, prepping, cooking, baking, writing, etc. My toddler, wanting to be close to me (and I to her obviously), would open drawers and cupboards and make all sorts of messes, as little ones do when they're curious. So I decided to free up space in one of my bottom drawers (it was a sacrifice in a studio apartment, but worth it nonetheless) and fill it with all sorts of fun, age-appropriate toys.

What happened next was wonderful! While I stirred the risotto on the stove, my daughter stacked blocks, pretended to talk on the phone and drove cars around my feet. Instead of being bored and subsequently demanding, she now happily entertained herself under my watch. Definitely worth the precious real estate in my small kitchen! In fact, I still practice this tip with Baby Gray, my fourth child; here we are 9 kitchens later and still making space for a "toy drawer" :)

One important note about toys for toddlers...make sure that the toys you expose your child to are not choking hazards. As a rule of thumb, anything that fits inside a toilet paper roll is considered a "chokable". My own adorable baby sister passed away a very long time ago from choking on a toy and I would never want anything like that to happen to you or your child. So don't feel like you're being overprotective by protecting your child...better safe than sorry, right?!

Peek here for 26 more organizing tips if you're feeling inspired. I promise there isn't anything too overwhelming mixed in there :)

images by Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Links to Love: Color, Style & a Better You

2012-01-10T23:18:00.001-08:00

A little mid-week link love to liven up this gray January day...

A classic trench for every budget...I have to chime in that I love my trench from H&M.

Sometimes I don't start thinking about New Year's resolutions until a week or two into January; and I'm glad I waited because this delightful collaboration between Danyelle and Lindsay is unexpected and sweet.

Jason Wu for Target? Oh man this could be the best one yet!

All about satsumas and what I did last night with Ziploc bags.

Looking for a pretty palette? This blog is the best resource.

Food photographer Karen Mordechai snapped the prettiest images of the pie boxes from my etsy shop holding a chocolate lavendar pie (yes, please!). Take a peek at the recipe and more pictures over on her beautiful blog, Sunday Suppers.

image 1 - Stephanie Brubaker / image 2 - Target / image 3 - Karen Mordechai

Food Styling + Photography Workshop in France Part Deux

2012-01-10T07:20:00.000-08:00

Today, I am happy to announce that I am hosting another food styling and photography workshop in France this year with Aran Goyoaga of the award-winning blog, Cannelle et Vanille. September proved to be the perfect time of year in 2011, so we've decided to press repeat for this next workshop, which will take place September 23-27 of 2012. The workshop will be limited to just 8 guests. Think: delicious food, castles, picturesque villages (one of which will be your "home" for the week), comraderie and up close and personal instruction...in France.

More details about the workshop are outlined on Aran's blog today so take a peek if you're the least bit interested in upping your game when it comes to food styling and photography. We would love to have you with us that week in the Dordogne region of France! You can peek at images from last year's workshop here, here and here.

images by Aran Goyoaga of Cannelle et Vanille

At the Beach

2012-01-08T23:46:00.001-08:00

I realized this week that I haven't shared any personal photos with you in awhile, so here is a peek at our recent excursion to the beach on a sunny, glorious day. Here in Seattle I've learned to stop everything when it's sunny and just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy every last ray. It was a fine coincidence that I'd just pulled a loaf of banana bread out of the oven when the sunshine debuted over our neighborhood. We quickly donned our wellies and hit the beach with a foil-wrapped loaf of banana bread to enjoy; which we did in under a half hour! Ha! Talk about spoiling our appetite :)

p.s. I really appreciate all the emails about how much you enjoy my banana bread recipe...thanks friends!

Harajuku Mini for Target

2012-01-08T23:27:00.000-08:00

Last week I took my once-every-six-weeks trip to Target--I find I can't stay on budget if I visit more often :(--and became smitten with a couple of sweet, little dresses from Gwen Stefani's Harajuku Mini collection (cute 30-second commercial here). Not everything in the collection is my taste, in fact most things aren't, but this infant girl dress and this toddler polkadot dress could not be passed over; especially since there were so few left. I've learned that lesson the hard way at Target...they don't bring fabulousness back so get it while it's hot!

dress 1 / dress 2

images 1, 2 - Target / image 3 - screen shot from Target commercial via MTV Style

Theo Chocolate Factory

2012-01-05T23:38:00.005-08:00

I recently toured the only organic, fair trade, bean-to-bar chocolate factory in the US, (which happens to be five minutes from our rental here in Seattle!), because let's face it, how could I not when it's so close by and so delicious? Jenny organized the tour over at Theo and all we had to do was show up, pay $6 and don a silly-looking hair net. I had to chuckle at the room full of grown adults wearing hair nets with street clothes--we were definitely a sight.

Theo Chocolate bars are a bit spendy, like all good chocolate, and even though I want to bite into every tantalizing bar they make when I spot them at the market, it's simply not easy on the wallet. So having the chance to sample every type of chocolate before purchasing is really useful...and scrumptious. The tour lasts for just the right amount of time (1 hour), leaving a few minutes to browse the retail shop for everything chocolate-related (including coconut chocolate chapstick...tempting). If you are a Seattle local and haven't taken a moment to pop over to Theo, you must do it soon! Read more details about tours here.

While you're in Fremont, why not make a date night out of it and head to Chiso nearby for amazing sushi and exotic, house made lemonades (lychee is a favorite). It's one of our favorite date night restaurants and we've always loved everything we ordered there...miso, rolls, even non-sushi offerings too. The few blocks between Theo and Chiso will create an "opportunity" for you to work up your appetite and browse the interesting shops along the way.

Enjoy and have a great weekend!

image 1 - Seeds of Fruit via Theo Chocolate / images 2-4 - Stephanie Brubaker for stephmodo

Dutch Bicycles

2012-01-04T23:00:00.000-08:00

This week I began a campaign to convince my in-laws, who live in the Netherlands for a little while longer, to bring me back a Dutch bicycle :) Ha! We will see how successful I am, but I am dreaming of one of these pretties anyway. When in Holland last year it seemed like everyone rode their bikes everywhere regardless of how old or young they were. It was so inspiring! Granted they have dedicated bike paths all over the place, better ensuring their safety, but still, I feel there is something to be learned from it all. Maybe if I had a lovely bicycle I would be better about staying in shape? Kind of like if I had an organized, well-lit laundry room I would actually do the laundry? :)

images 1, 3 from Beaux Mondes, a blog showcasing a pretty girl riding around on a pretty bicycle / image 2 - Copenhagan Cyclery

A Touch of Green

2012-01-03T05:00:00.010-08:00

Many years ago my friend Beverly, (who is also a party planning maven) shared with me a tip about placing "a touch of green" inside your living space. I decided to give it a try and scattered a few plants about my apartment...on the bookcase, on the kitchen counter, etc. I felt an immediate difference by infusing life into my home with all sorts of green...moss, fern, succulents, hardy kalanchoes, etc. As an added bonus, the project isn't spendy; most smallish plants cost around $5.

As far as planters go, I love a pretty terrarium...always (sources: 1 / 2 / 3 ). They are particularly ideal for those of us with little ones running around as the plants remain protected. If you feel like your thumb is more brown than green, start with a succulent-based terrarium, which requires little maintenance. Another option would be a closed top terrarium, which requires little to no watering. If a terrarium just isn't your thing, consider adding your "touch of green" in a different way; these new ceramic wall planters from the Shane Powers for West Elm line are pretty nifty. Last, I love the Scheurich line of pots and planters found at nicer nurseries. It's a modern, German line that is reasonably priced and features clean lines. Here in Seattle you can find many of them out at Molbaks, as well as a more limited selection at Swansons (they go on sale tomorrow - 25% off).

p.s. here is a great tutorial on how to plant a terrarium if you're interested.

image via West Elm

Look for Less

2012-01-02T22:55:00.000-08:00

Do you remember that old TLC show, The Look for Less? Ooh, I loved that show. For those unfamiliar with it, basically a stylist showed an average gal how to achieve a polished, designer-y look on a budget (usually $50 - $75 per outfit). Every now and then I spot something that reminds me of that show, and this week it's a popular dress at Anthropologie.

The Anthro version is priced at $188 and the budget version at Macys is on sale for a mere $50. Besides the color, the dresses look practically identical. So there you have it, a stylish, striped dress for less! This comparison is making me think I need to consider department stores again.

Anthropologie Tiered Striped Dress / the "look for less" at Macys

Year End - Your Favorite Posts

2012-01-01T23:54:00.003-08:00

To properly end one year and begin another, I thought it would be fun to put together your favorite ten posts from 2011--a year end tribute of sorts to the topics you liked the most. Enjoy and thank you, as always, for your continued support! xo

1. our renovation in Beynac, France (we think about it everyday and appreciate your continued interest in the whole experience as well. Merci!)

2. a Paris birthday party

3. the Real Life Home series

4. s'mores with a French twist

5. a hot air balloon birthday party

6. life changing advice.

7. 25 stylish ways to wear a scarf

8. Pantone markers and other favorite pens

9. easiest way to seed a pomegranate ever

10. simple ways to preserve your child's artwork

Also, Happy New Year! Let's all hope {and pray} that 2012 holds great things for each of us. Here's to putting forth your best self!

all images by Stephanie Brubaker

Olive Juice Kids | $10 Outlet Sale

2011-12-30T21:35:00.001-08:00

I have a yearly tradition of posting about the semi-annual $10 outlet sale over at Olive Juice Kids...it's just too darn good to not mention. This is the time when I purchase the bulk of my Olive Juice Kids goodies; the chance at gorgeous, quality French-inspired children's clothing for a dime is just what I'm looking for right after Christmas. Hello sweet Peter Pan collars!

Important things to know about the sale:

1. Per request, the nice folks over at Olive Juice Kids extended the $10 sale through Saturday night at midnight EST. Items go quickly at these prices so pop in to the sale as soon as you can. I noticed they even added a couple of new items tonight.

2. The coupon code you'll need to receive the $10 price is "MERRY". Apply this when checking out and the promotion will pop up.

Enjoy shopping the outlet sale and I'll see you on Monday!

images via Olive Juice Kids