{cute day}

cute ideas and pinterest

2011-11-15T07:26:00.000-08:00

Do you Pinterest? I have been a member for a while but recently I sort of got a little teensy weensy bit obsessed with it. If you need an invite, email me or maybe you don't need one more awesome inspiration board in your life. And if you want to follow me that's cool too!

So in (or is it on?) my pinterest I have this pinned

Which inspired my living room as such...

Dear sister (letters to London)

2011-11-08T15:56:00.000-08:00

Dear Kjrst,

When I read your last letter I was brought to tears thinking about how much I missed you too. But I have to also say that I knew your "change was gonna come." I felt it too. Weird since I'm not your husband or mother or anything but I felt it coming. Maybe it was a message you were sending me? Or just a sister thing? But when you told me you guys were thinking about moving abroad I was in no way surprised. Excited for you! Happy for you. But not surprised. I know exactly what you meant when you said that a song can just bring you right back into another time. Music (and smells) can be a time machine for memories. Not unlike that day when we were sitting on the mats in the gym of детский сад 1007 when I put my headphones on your head and played that one song from our childhood on the Mighty Columbia. Just thinking about all the times you have missed (and I have missed) makes me a bit weepy. I just miss you.

Anyway, my boys both have handfootmouth virus. A.k.a. Coxsackie virus. I know you can just hear Duff's jokes right now! Rhett's hands and feet look like gourds. I will spare you the photograph because it is something for the science books, no doubt. Macrae has it in his mouth and hasn't eaten in two days. He is losing muscle and looking "cut" more like a bodybuilder than a 4 year old boy. Yesterday after I gave him advil he asked if he could go to school because he was "feeling better" because he's just a good boy like that. It has kept me up at night all night, every night, for all except one of the last 4 nights. I am so tired I can barely make a grammatically correct sentence.

Needless to say, all outfit photos for today were a gigantic FAIL. My outfit was cute but for the life of me I could not get a decent photo. My self timer skillz were not very skilled and well, after 36 photos, I gave up. The following will have to suffice.

{dress: modcloth, sweater: anthropologie, tights: h&m, boots and earrings: target}

When Rhettsy saw my outfit he came up to me and hugged my legs saying "Mommy, I aunt high corn shirt me too." Stay with me...he wants an acorn shirt (dress) too. Now if that kid doesn't just make my day every day! He's still the 3rd child for sure!

I will leave you with this photo of my entry way. It only took me living here for 4 years to finally decide on a paint color! I wish you could see it. I have redecorated my whole house. New couches, pillows, and all of the treasures I picked up at the Madsen "home sale" have been put in new places. I do need some help with finishing touches though. And well, I could really use your expertise! So, here's a little peak of what we have going on at the house of Parker.

(someone really awesome took those photos on the right)

Love,

Anna

sweater season!

2011-11-04T07:01:00.000-07:00

It's the most wonderful time of the year!

All 'Jumpers' from ASOS

Dear Sister (letter from london)

2011-11-02T12:35:00.000-07:00

Dear Anna !!!

Thank you for the Halloween update! Oh my goodness, your boys are growing like puppies! It makes my heart glad and sad! As their auntie, my love for them couldn't be much less than the love of a grandmother which is only one degree less than a mother (if that!) I feel like I am missing so much of their lives... like will they even remember me? We had a fun night of trick-or-treating and the girls costumes, although rushed, turned out great! (SEE HERE) I think I was getting a bit frieghtened the day before, creating a tropical storm in my head, when really all was well on the glassy waters. I was worried I wouldn't find all those last minute pieces, the finishing touches which are so important! In the States- I would know exactly where to go for them, but here, it's another story. I haven't figured out all the shops yet. And sometimes I can't even get tape or hairbands at the "BIG" grocery store... so how am I going to find a genie lamp and a "star" witch wand on the very day of halloween? Well, I did it. so all my whining in my last post was all worth not.

photo taken with mamiya rz67 and fuji 3000b film

I didn't end up having a costume... lack of time, brain activity, etc... and I am still a bit bummed out about it. Which brings me to something I have been thinking a lot about lately...

Regrets.

The one that got away.

I have this incredible memory of all the things I tried on (like that long-ish anthropologie skirt with the leaves scattered about) and hemmed and hawed over, and eventually decided against it. Only later to wish I had gone for it. Along with that, there are the thrift store finds (a gorgeous gold rimmed platter at St. Vincent De Pauls thrift store) and the photos I missed (the time I was supposed to shoot that delicious Rafael's birth but I missed him by a day!) not to mention the shows (My Morning Jacket playing in Portland for supa cheap back in 2006) the list goes on and on...

It's such a pity to have regrets.

That is pretty much how and why I landed here in London you know.
The opportunity came up out of the crazy nowhere blue. As you know our life in Portland was pretty great, and there was nothing more we could want or ask for. But well, As it turns out, we were a little bored with the same old. We wanted a challenge. Pete and I were both feeling it coming on for about a year. Wishing for a change and some growth, we sent our thoughts out into the universe and what came back was an opportunity to be here. We did the hard thing, we chose to leave everything we had behind. We said goodbye to the dearest of friends, beloved family and sold our cars, house, furniture, clothing, etc. Arriving to London with about half of what we had previously owned, and a prayer in our hearts.

The first few weeks were grand, overwhelming and magical. The summer flew by, and then school was upon us. I was just so thrilled these girls got into school (this is very difficult to do when you come late to the registration party like we did) that I hardly even mourned the loss of summer. And now the leaves are falling and blowing around on the old cobblestone streets, and the holidays are just around the corner, and I am downright missing my family.

It's no surprise that being here is sometimes hard. Physically (no car, walking everywhere etc...) Mentally (missing friends and family) I knew what I was getting into. There are stages to being an expat and getting settled in a foreign country. An adjustment period. I was hoping I could skip it all or at least graze over some of the stages. For the most part I think I have. I don't mind being carless, I appreciate hand-holding with my girls all the way across town to and from school each day. (that's like 45 minutes of hand holding- each way!)
But then it happened.
About a week ago Pete booted up my old Portland phone, to connect to our wireless and goof around on it. (yes we finally have the internets, that is another story) As the phone finished booting and I heard my old ring-tone chime, I was suddenly sent to the past at the speed of a rocket. Right back to my old home, life, feelings, surroundings, and state of being. I felt them all inside my brain, and all around me. For a spilt second I was home, back in my old life feeling EXACTLY how I felt in Portland. It was surreal. And so strange how a simple little tune transported me so fast and powerfully back in time. And then as quickly as the feelings came, they were also gone. Has that ever happened to you?
I'm not here to talk about the pros and cons of living abroad, there are lots of both. I think it's sort of a waste of time. I think doing things like that could possibly keep me from fully enjoying my time and life here. But I will say, being here, sometimes, is really really hard. Mostly, you see, because I miss you. You and the rest of your crew, and the whole dang Dyer clan.
I hold on to the knowledge that we are thicker than an 8 hour time difference and an Ocean between us. I hold on to the fact that this is not permanent. I hold on to the knowledge that you will visit me someday, and I will visit you someday. I hold on to the fact that if I hadn't taken this once in a lifetime chance to move over here, taken this risk, then I would be sitting in my same old life in Portland having pangs of regret for saying no to London. So we are giving this life a shot and we have no regrets about it. Except there is one thing... that I didn't spend more time with you before I left.

(And all of that to say... I miss you let's SKYPE SOOOOOON!)

XO

~Kjrst

Dear Sister (Letters to London)

2011-10-31T22:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Kjrsten,

I can't wait to hear all about SPAIN! We skyped with your girls last weekend and it was delightful. But I need to hear it from you. Call me soon. k?

It was Halloween and all those things today. Witches, Pumpkin heads and black cats, spooky spooks and black bats! Oh it's HALLOWEEN! We celebrated American style with both tricks and treats in the neighborhood as well as a good old (easy and lazy way) trunk or treat. What about you guys? Do the Brits do Halloween since that's where the headless horseman is from? Isn't he?

We had planned to go as the Wizard of Oz (or Biz da Boz as Sophie used to call it) family. Rhett would don the Tin Man costume we inherited from Meme, Macrae the Cowardly Lion, Isla would be Glinda the Good Wich, Mom as Dorothy and BP would be the Scarecrow. We had all the costumes ready to go. But Rhett refused the Tin Man and since he was ruining the whole show I decided to go in normal clothes since it was below 40 degrees (and as you know, Dorothy is bare-legged!) and of course Brandon didn't need a reason to NOT dress up. But really, I was hoping for a costume party at Duff's again but it didn't happen this year (because Keirra was in that car accident last week whereupon she was rear ended and her neck really hurts! )

But still, I ate enough candy to deserve a week off sugar completely and I think the kids made off with some serious loot. I don't know if Isla's count is correct but it seemed somewhere near 100.

Anyway, I have news. Today I did that birthday thing that we like to do with mom. We went to Anthropologie and H&M at the University Village and boy did I score! I have some fabulous outfits planned. And also, I did some redecorating and painting so I am planning on some "cutehome" posts to come!

Wish you were here!
Love,
Anna

oh hey

2011-10-29T08:43:00.000-07:00

We are back from eSpain and diving head first into Halloween prep. And not a moment to spare, with 2 days left to get it all together. Sometimes I hate halloween, but only when I don't have a good costume.

Did you know they celebrate Halloween over here in England? It's growing around here, and especially in the American-heavy neighborhoods. We have friends in one of these neighborhoods so we will be joining them on the blessed night. I wish we could just say "Hey girls, we are in London, and Halloween is not a thing here, so we are gonna skip it this year, because you know, when in Rome!" But no. We have to be Americans and go to the American neighborhood and do as the Americans do.

Am I turning into a curmudgeon or what?

Can you tell I don't have a good costume this year? (that is the real problem!)

product placement

2011-10-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

are there things that you CAN NOT live without like no matter how hard you try, any other brand / product simply WILL NOT DO!

Like... you love them and need them so bad in your life, you would buy a lifetime supply right now if you had the funds, just to ensure that if, (heaven for bid) they ever went out of biz, or changed their recipe, you would be set.

Do you have any products like that?

I remember my mom had 5 items that she never wavered from even when other brands to choose from were aplenty, she stuck with her old favorites that were tried and true.

Growing up these were/are just so my mom. Insomuch, that when I see these products on shelves to this day, all I can do is think about her, and subsequently remember my childhood when I see them.

Val's top 5:

1.Aveda spray-gel

2. Great lash mascara (you'll know these by their classic pink/green bottle)

3. Clinique Moisturizer

4. Clinique Lipstick

5. Aussie Shampoo/Conditioner

Here's my top 5

A. La Roche Posay Deodorant (the only one in the world that ACTUALLY works for me. trust me I have looked high and low, I stubbled upon it in France last spring, and now I will die before I live without it) I order 3-4 at a time. you know just to be safe.

B. Umberto Gannini Dry Shampoo (for those "running late" mornings)

C. Mavala 3 Paris (it just lasts and lasts, and also, the color is perfection)

D/E/F. Anastsia brow kit Seriously changed my life (face) I have the craziest eyebrows, but now they look halfway normal. no, actually, they look pretty dang good!

G. Silk Road Caravan Perfume for my purse! this is the only perfume that smells good I me. take mord for it. I don't mix well with fragrances. I like the 'to go' version because it's never too strong and it's portable.

*I was not payed nor did I receive any gifts, free product, or compensation for this post. these are simply the products I use and love.

Dear Sister (letter from London) (oh you mean these shoes?!)

2011-10-21T04:00:00.000-07:00

Dear Anna,

I am glad you always like my gifts. you are about the hardest person to shop for, because your taste is just so, your taste. I think I know you pretty well by now but sometimes I hold my breath, hoping it's TOPS, because that is your style you know.

Oh yes, the shoes from last christmas?

These? yeah, they are my faves ever. Many many pairs of shoes have died a slow and gruesome death over the last few months of London walking, but these, they have remained calm and carried on. thankfully, they are pretty sturdy as well as pretty cute.

Now, do I look tired or what? That is no photoshop, it's real dude. I was so-so tired today. And with that in mind, I did indeed forget to do make-up and brush my hair, but at least my outfit was nice? I had a long day yesterday, which is why I was a complete wreck today. besides my usual day of to and fro around the city, I had book club last night. Book club kept me out past 11 on a school night. Of which I rode Pete's bike to get there. Club meeting was being held about a mile and half from here, and I had a friend to ride with so it's safe to say that we were quite safe with our reflective gear, flashing lights, buddy system and so forth. Now I want a bike of my very own for this city. It sure beats walking.

Next week I will be looking and feeling much better. Looking better because I will be getting some sun to this London fog skin, and feeling better because I will be sleeping in and relaxing on the beaches of SPAIN! Sooo, pray for your sister that she may have hot hot weather, and travel safely, AMEN.

Love you, I'll send you a postcard. And did you buy your ticket yet or what?! When are you COMING!!!!!

XO

Kjrsten

Letters to London

2011-10-19T15:38:00.000-07:00

Dear Kjrsten,

It was surreal seeing your face on the Skypes this week. The best part was seeing you in your parlor hawk tee before bed because it's the same one I had worn to bed the night before. I guess we still dress like twins. Ha! But also I hope you have made a decision on that topic we were discussing.

So remember last Christmas when you had my name and you bought me this rad dress? I pulled it out of the "fall clothes" closet last week and nearly got teary-eyed remembering the moment I unwrapped it last year. It's still my favorite and I might wear it tomorrow and the day after. I don't know how you do it but you seem to be the only person in the world who can buy me clothes and be spot on.

Also, do you see this sweater I am wearing? I purchased it last year after Christmas on the day all of us went up to Seattle to shop with our Christmas monies. I tried to talk Jenny into getting it too because you know I like my sisters to go matchers with me. Do you remember that day? Because I think that was when you got your favorite boots. Am I right?

And do you also remember last year how we opened our presents at like 10pm and it was so boss that we swore we would always open our presents late at night after all the Christmas day hoopla was done?

If you are picking up what I'm putting down I hope your answer to the question (about that topic) is yes because if not then bummer.

Love, Anna

{dress: fossil, sweater: anthropologie, skirt: target, tights: anthropologie, boots: aldo, earrings: F21}

High Tea

2011-10-14T02:56:00.000-07:00

One of the things I learned to do really well during my time living in Russia was drink tea (in Russia it's known as chai.) My Russian mother served tea in the morning at breakfast, and after dinner. I loved that part of the Russian culture, relaxing in the evening around the table each and every night with my host family was such a tasty way to unwind and share our stories from the day. The British culture has a special affinity with tea as well. I held my own proper high tea, including cucumber-mint sandwiches, homemade scones (that turned out kind of sad) along with sweet fruit tea, and even sweeter little guests!

*Film used: Portra 800 & Fuji 400h

Now go have some tea this weekend, it's the perfect fall treat!

XO

dear sister (letter TO London)

2011-10-12T13:41:00.000-07:00

Dear Kjrsten,

There once was a time when I had the memory of an elephant. But carrying three babies possibly did a number on my brain synapses. I don't remember calling a cute boy a "fox" but I DO remember a smuggled walkie-talkie at girls camp in which a certain "red-fox" led a "grey-squirrel" to the meeting point. One thing I do remember, my foxy husband was part of the scheme. (and he's still a fox today!)

Did you hear the news? Duff came by our house unannounced, on a weeknight, dressed to the nine's. I joked about him being over on "official church business" since he looked all dapper and such. And that's when the laughter died! "uh oh" i thought...the joke was on me! I was released from my 3 year stint as the "Best" Sunday School teacher in the ward (my penchant for baked goods in class might have had something to do with my reputation but I like the Sunday School president to think otherwise.) It's true. I graduated. I was asked to be a Relief Society Teacher and then was told by many how it is a very coveted job in the ward! Coveted? But oh, to break a commandment for something so trivial as to what manner of service you render a ward? It couldn't be THAT great. But oh sister, it was! The beginning of the lesson I was a bit nervous. I could tell the peanut gallery was waiting to pounce on me! However, I quickly made eye contact with mom who came to support her daughter. Her comments were on point and it was as if I had planted her in the audience to segway topics. (Oh, but she did need quite a nap after church since staying for 3 hours AND being seated wore her plumb out! Talk about sacrifice!!) It was amazing and now I know what everyone was talking about. Just don't tell anyone so I can stay here a while.

So, what did I wear to my first lesson in front of grown ups? (Because of course I considered this carefully!) Well, I didn't want any of the elderly women to be too distracted by my outfit to be participants in conversation so I chose with prudence. My first thought was to go totally conservative. But then I remembered this little ditty I had picked up at our favorite vintage store a couple weeks back. It was perfect! Cut modestly, has pockets, and from a time when women wore this dress at home to bake bread and vacuum the sitting room.

{Dress: vintage, Belt: The Limited, Shoes: Anthropologie}

I miss you.

Love, Anna

dear sister (letter from london)

2011-10-10T03:35:00.000-07:00

The Neighborhood Fox

Dear Anna,

Have I told you yet about our neighborhood fox? Before I tell you, first do you remember in elementary school we used to call the cute boys 'fox'? I mean there were the boys who were 'fine' and then there were the boys who had us saying "HE IS A FOX!" the fox was reserved for the finest of the fine boys! Pete, zooiemama, he is a fox!

Now about my other fox. A few months ago, back when we were still pretty new around here (we are still pretty new, but when we were GREEN new) I was chatting with a woman at church who was the same new as me, to London. We were discussing, getting settled in, being expats, finding doctors, schools, the checklist of 'sights', and generally just comparing notes, when she says to me, "have you seen any city foxes yet?" and I am thinking... yeah I have seen them, girls and boys alike here are so well dressed, they are quite a few VERY good looking people in the city! But she is saying, you know the actual animal, a real fox! Why NO- NO I hadn't! I didn't even know foxes living in the city was A THING?! This was welcomed news to me (you know I get excited about weird things like wild foxes living in cosmopolitan places!) turns out not only are fox sightings common here, with an upwards of 10K foxes roaming the streets, if you see a fox in your neighborhood, that means he lives there. He is your neighborhood fox! As luck would have it the following morning I would see my first fox! We arose early that day to catch a train. It was a bank holiday. The city was still asleep when we left the house. Upon shutting our gate door, to what do our wandering eyes should appear? A fox sauntering down the sidewalk infront of our house. As if he belonged there. calm, confident, cool. As if he owned the place. We had our very own neighborhood fox! That was my first and only day sighting of the Fantastic Mr. Fox. Now I only see him at night. Always walking down the sidewalk, like it's nothing. That is the Fantastic way you know, sneaking around at night, stealing what he may. I think you should come for visit, if only to see my neighborhood Mr. Fox. WORTH IT.

what do you say?!

PS I LOVE THIS (click you won't be sorry!) Genius!

PPS

put a fox on it, it's the new put a bird on it.

Jacket: Anthropologie
Scarf: H&M
Sweater: Anthropologie
Dress: F21
Sweater Cable Knit Leggings: Topshop
Shoes: ??? some random store in London

WINNING!!!!!!

2011-10-08T04:40:00.000-07:00

I swear to this day I have never won anything in my life.

Except maybe a cake walk at Sunset Elementary. but I can't decided if that is a real memory or a fake one? (anna can you back me up on this? either confirm or deny because I seriously want to know)

Then there was this one time I entered a drawing for an all expenses paid trip for 2 to London at the TCBY when I was 15. I won the trip! When they called to tell me I won, they mentioned I had to be 18. I wasn't. I didn't go. I had failed to read the fine print.

As it turns out I didn't need that trip because well you know. I live here now.

So it's not so bad if we don't win sometimes, or like me, never at all.

right?

...

no?

Whatever, it still sucks to not win.

But guess what, Kinsey you win!!!

Fallish Delights

2011-10-07T05:45:00.000-07:00

ETSY Sweater

Camper Satchel Backpack

ETSY Skirt

Zara Outfit

Green Mini

ASOS Tights

Athropologie Boots

ENJOY YOUR WEEKEND!

HOLGA LOVE

2011-10-06T09:20:00.001-07:00

I finally opened an Etsy shop.

It's a nice place to house and sell all of my Holga, Polaroid, and other Artsy photographs.

There will be some England

some France

some Spain (coming next month)

and even some horses up in the shop.

be patient while I get everything loaded, I have about 20 more I want to list, and don't hesitate to ask if you need a different size.

HERE IS THE LINK (which can also be found on the sidebar)

a dry shampoo kind of day

2011-10-05T05:21:00.000-07:00

If it weren't for the small kitchen fire (more like a toast smoke bomb) I would have had a shower before I left the house this morn. I was partially undressed when the fire alarm went off. I swear it's 10 octaves higher and louder than the ones in the states. So a scrapped the shower, threw in some dry shampoo, and made sure things were going alright with the littles in the kitchen.

Hi, I match my couch. whateves.

What you can't tell by the photos is that I am wearing day old underwear. And dirty jeans. And the T-shirt that I slept in last night. But my socks were clean! Just in case you thought I was turning into a Redcoat, I'm still a Yank through and through as you can see by my Tee!

Dropping kids off at school means I take a train across town for one child, then a bus for a mile or so for the next two, then a bus back home. All of that means once I leave the house, I pretty much stay out, for a while. It takes so much effort to get to the schools and get home again, I find it best to get my stuff done since I am already hitting the streets. Meaning 8am sweat-pants in the carpool line at school are no longer.

this is my 8am...

Oh can we talk about these shorty gap boots?

I may have walked 200 miles in them already. No joke. I mean I have lived in London 90 days now, and I walk a minimum of 2 miles per day but more like an upwards of 4. and they are insanely comfy, and rain proof.

OUTFIT

Jacket: H&M

Jeans: Gap

Boots: Gap

Bag: UO

T-Shirt: Gift

Want free stuff from gap/old navy/banana republic?

GO HERE>

$50 @ Gap

2011-10-03T05:17:00.000-07:00

Now, what's this all about?
This is about me helping you, for helping me.
I would like to give away a $50 GC to one of my readers in exchange for a little feedback.
Positive or negative. Either way, I want to hear your thoughts.

Those of you who have been reading HACD since the early days will remember that we started our blog to breathe life back into the the everyday style of women, of all walks of life of course, but we tended to hone in on moms more specifically. Why the moms? Anna and I (because we are moms) run in many circles of moms: friends, family, church communities, school PTAs, etc... Within these circles we noticed that sweat pants, and dressing down were the norm. Nothing wrong with that, do what makes you comfortable we always say! But why isn't dressing cute comfortable? For us dressing comfortable means dressing cute. Dressing for the proper occasion is what makes us feel the most at ease. For example: yoga pants to yoga, but a dress to a lunch date! I mean why not wear a dress to a lunch date? Is a dress only for church? But why? We likened our style aesthetic to that of the women of the greatest generation. (I know that is so passé) Even if our Grandmothers never knew how to navigate in HTML we like to think that they still knew a thing or two. Dresses and skirts can be for everyday, not just Sunday's best. So that in a nut shell is what HACD is all about. If your appearance is so important in first impressions, then why not start your day dressed for success?

Along with posting our outfits, we posted outfits of our readers too. We had the steady stream of submissions, and it was fun to highlight readers as they talked about how dressing cute helped them feel good throughout the day. Between that and our own outfits, we were feeling very outift heavy. And eventually we grew tired of posting our outfits ALL.THE.TIME. Because there is so much more to our day then just our outfit, it starts there with the outfit of course, but then there is everything else we do, see, go, play, whatever. So we were posting that too.

At some point I started getting comments like : I really miss your outfit posts, and, you should post more outfits, or, finally an outfit post! when I did.

Well, LOUD AND CLEAR people! I hear ya. But I can't just post my outfit everyday and tell your where I got it and where I wore it and whatever about the weather. My sanity just won't let me. So have a cute day evolved, as all things tend to do. And you were left with my more sporadic posting and less daily outfit posting. I am sorry it bothered a lot of you. But it would bother me more to post things that I didn't want to.
So now where does that leave things for HACD? I want HACD to keep going. But I want it to be a happy place for all. Now I know there are a lot of ways to write a blog, some people are very open, real even. And other bloggers are just all sunshiny and gumdrops and lollypops. We like to share too much occasionally on here, and we would like to keep it that way. We do lead happy lives but of course we occasionally have problems, and want to keep it real yo. So please do the same for us, leave a comment and tell me a few things if you want to win a $50 Gap GC:

-1. Tell me about yourself, who you are, anything at all, or everything if you must. (we talk a lot about ourselves but we want to know more about our readers)
-2. Why do you read HACD
-3. What is your favorite thing about HACD?
-4. What do you want to see more of?
-5. Anything else you want to say?

FINE PRINT:
And that's it. Do those 5 steps and you will be entered to win a GAP GC.
(it works @ oldnavy, Gap, & Banana Republic)
(this is not sponsored by the gap. this is my own GC purchased by me)
(WINNER will be announced on FRIDAY- Oct. 7, MIDNIGHT PST, you have until then to tell me what's up.)
(this Gift Card is only valid in the US)
(you may only enter once- with one commment, double entries will be deleted)
(if you do not have a blogger or other ID please leave your email in the comment so I will know how to get in touch with you)

the entry way

2011-10-01T03:21:00.000-07:00

I was reading an article written for babble the other day by the darling as ever NatTheFatRat, remember her?

Which inspired me to write my own landing zone story.

No it's no martha space. Our rain boots don't match the curtains. It's real life.

Real life: like I leave the house at 7:50 am and ride a train and then a bus for 1.5 hours to drop all of my girls off on foot at catholic school across the city, the rainy dirty city of London, and then do it all over again to pick them up a few hours later.

So with our daily logistics, we need to be organized!

So how does a family of 5 move into a tiny space with no closets and still stay organized?! that's what I would like to know.

Step one was figuring out how to have a coat closet without actually having a coat closet.

thank you the Ebays of the UK. I measured my under the stairs space and converted the inches to centimeters, (why does the US always have to be so different from the rest of the world!) and in search of some sort of cabinet I went. Fortunately they have a lot of theses things called wardrobes over here, it's kind of like a portable closet, and usually houses a mirror or some fancy labels on the shelving, like: ties, socks, scarves, shoes. In case you don't know where to put things, or to help you find something?

While on the Ebays with my measurements handy, it became clear that a classic wardrobe would not fit under the stairs. However, a child's wardrobe would do the trick. Sort of. It fits alright. In the space that is. ALL of our stuff sure doesn't. (that must be because it was built for a small child? and not 5 people?)

So this is the best I can do with our given situation.

The wardrobe for coats and regular footwear, a coat rack for school bags and handbags, a wire basket for wet items like umbrellas and rain boots, and of course a catch all tray. I think the catch all try is the corner stone of any good entry space. It keeps keys, sunglasses, lipgloss, loose change and whatever else in check. It's like a junk drawer but with stuff you actually need to find.

on aging and makeovers

2011-09-29T04:31:00.000-07:00

For many (MANY) months now, I have been lamenting (in my mind) over the poor state of the Cute Day Blog's appearance. I was even loosing sleep over the it! (like at least 20 minutes each night, as soon as the lights were out and all was dark and quite my blog troubles would begin to haunt me) Now generally I am a fan of growing old gracefully, and will forever refuse the idea of Botox or facelifts. But when it comes to blogs, there is a proper time and place for an upgrade. And with my decaying layout, sad graphics, and junked-up sidebar limping along in saggy old style, I was in dire need of help. In the state of my disheveled (life) summer, moving across the pond, getting my kids into british school (trust me, it's no cup of tea) an so on, I scarcely had time to devise a "save my blog" plan let alone put one into action. And out of the blue, I find Erika of the Fairy Blog Mother, or rather, she found me! (isn't that just how a fairy blog mother should be!)

And so, thanks to Erika and our blog makeover, things are really looking up around here, wouldn't you agree? Dontcha just love it?! And isn't she a cutie!

Hello - Goodbye

2011-09-28T04:07:00.000-07:00

What is worse than being alone after a 3 week long visit from your mother and sister? Add to that the fact that they had to travel across the great Atlantic ocean to get there. Now add to that a mother who is dying of terminal cancer! Little- there is absolutely little that is worse than that! It's the feeling of the last day of summer x100, or the feeling when your whole scoop of ice cream pops right off your cone onto the dirty pavement x1000!

We had a great time (as seen in previous video post)

All I can do right now to cheer myself up is
1. crack open a cold diet coke. check.
2. pop in a LOVEFILM movie. check.
3. multi-task movie while sorting some photos. check.
4. post some fun-happy photos I never shared with you of a family Luau we had this summer! check.
I'm feeling a bit better now.
enjoy!

Photography by Jonathan Canlas
Flowers by my mom
food by Anna
decor by Anna and Marion (the large ball *3rd photo down on right* is made with cupcake papers)

more vids

2011-09-26T02:09:00.001-07:00

2011-09-23T10:26:00.001-07:00

There are still some really good items left in the sale...and plenty of Anthropologie too! Just remember there's a SUPER-DOPE handbag raffle going on for all those who purchase something! Contest AND sale end Monday afternoon at noon Pacific.

2011-09-22T10:14:00.000-07:00

sale today... over here!

shopping the sale means you are helping to reunite the cute-day sisters in London, AND you are also being entered in a contest to win a darling new handbag (see here) it's a WIN.WIN.

kayloveyathanksbye.

Also

2011-09-21T13:13:00.000-07:00

Not for SALE...FOR FREE

This messenger Bag from LeMode carried by many fashion bloggers...such as Kendi. Everyone who buys something from the sale will be entered in a drawing to win this NEW BAG! That's right, NEW, Never Used! For FREE! All you have to do is be HERE tomorrow at 9am Pacific and buy something. Any item. Any price. Buy more than one item? You will be entered in the drawing for each number of items you buy.

SEE YOU ALL TOMORROW!

It's serious

2011-09-21T12:46:00.000-07:00

It's been too long since you've seen me on here. And well, I miss you. Just so you know, I'm knee deep in getting the sale ready for tomorrow. Before Kjrsten left she loaded me up with a ton of her clothes that were not going to fit into her London Closet. And lucky you! Because you can be the benefactor of her closet downsize. I'm using the money to see what her new life is all about! There's going to be a lot to look at...and don't just LOOK...BUY!

OH, and here's what I'm wearing today while photographing, uploading, and pricing.

top: F21, belt: the Limited, skirt: vintage, jacket: target, shoes: anthro