Loving {May}:

1. Barre Workouts. I recently joined a barre studio nearby and I am loving it! Seemingly easy moves (borrowed from yoga, pilates, and ballet) that use your own body's resistance are combined with a little bit of cardio and strength training. Beware! You're muscles may start shaking at some point and you will definitely work up a sweat.
2. Wild floral arrangements. I was honored to take a two hour class from the lovely ladies of Studio Choo on Mother's Day weekend (more on that later), and was so inspired that I have started arranging any blooms I can get my hands on. I think this is the floral style I've been looking for my whole life!
3. Dry Brushing. I know it sounds weird-brushing your dry body with a brush before you hit the showers and all, but I love it. I've been doing this off and on since last summer and I always see an increase in softness after a week of consistently brushing before my shower. Bonus: it totally wakes you up in the morning! If you're curious, you can read more about it here. Get the brush pictured above here.
4. Fitted tees. I used to dress up a little everyday, but now that I am more busy, my t-shirt collection has mysteriously grown much larger. I think I've finally found the perfect tee-fitted where you want it to be, soft, and affordable.
5. A familiar read. I just read "Gift from the Sea," by Anne Morrow Lindbergh for the second time and fell in love all over again. I'm not sure exactly what it is, but the wisdom of these pages and  her lyrical way of writing have struck a chord for me. I think every woman can benefit from Anne's calling to seek out peaceful solitude and live from the center of who you are. I greatly admire Anne for being an independent woman (and mother of five!) far before her time.
6. Twisted updos. Having long hair in the summer means finding a variety of ways to get it up off your neck. I love this twisted chignon (pictured above), and this low dutch braid the most.

What are you loving lately?

one / two / three / four / five / six

Little Swoon: Collaborative Art

Recently I did a collaborative painting project with Ellie and I just love how it turned out! I really believe that preschoolers have the best ideas when it comes to being creative. There was something special about doing this together and I think it turned out much better than if we were both doing paintings of our own. I would love to do a whole series of paintings with both her and Addie to fill up our "gallery" wall, which is situated at the end of the hallway we all walk through everyday.

With all of that said, it can be difficult to make something with your child, especially if they are five years old or younger. To read all about our approach, head over to my post today at Playful Learning!

Happy weekend to you, I hope it's a good one!

18/52

"a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013"

Ellie: Has more energy than anyone I have seen. From birth I knew.

Addie: Fierce, but sweet. My funny girl.

Jack: Exploring the world with complete abandon (and fistfuls of forbidden items from around the house!). Had to include two photos, lest I forget the daily trouble making.

17/52

"a portrait of my children, once a week, every week, in 2013"

Ellie: You are growing up right before my eyes! Your concern for others surprises me all the time and I love to watch your view of the world widen almost daily.

Addie: You are at an age when one can completely lose themselves in the magic of make believe quite easily. Your big, confident singing voice makes me smile, I hope you always use it with abandon like you do now.

Jack: Silly haired, silly, hilarious boy, oh how I love you. You make my life interesting and new.

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Bear with me as I play a little catch up with these photos? The camera is full of captured life, but they are just now making their way here.

A Hand-lettered Print for Mother's Day.

It's been six months since I worked on a hand-lettered project. After a trip to the art supply, I was inspired to pick up my pen and make something. I still have a long way to go and a lot of practicing to do, but I love the process of planning, making, and finishing a print like this.

I thought a hand-lettered print with one of my favorite verses would make the perfect gift for the Mothers in my life. I am fortunate to have an amazing group of women to look up to (including many of you!). And of course, my own Mom is my ultimate inspiration. They all embody the spirit of this quote. In a world where appearance and social standing are placed on pedestals, these woman have chosen to cultivate an inner peace and beauty that will last. And the powerful strength that comes from leaning on someone greater than themselves too. They've all made, and continue to make incredible sacrifices to raise their children in the best way they can.

I would love to share this little print with you too...just click here to download. Actual print size is 8"x10" and would look lovely in a frame.

Hats off to all of you amazing women and Mothers! The world would literally not be the same (or possible) without you!

Take me to the river.

We escaped to my hometown this past weekend and enjoyed a few relaxing days in the sun. The favorite activity, as always, was heading down to the river to take a ride on Nana and Papa's boat.

Jack loved it and spent his time trying to wrangle out of our arms and into the water. Once he was happily crawling on the floor, I actually got to read half of a chapter in my book, which never happens when the kids are awake these days!

We went home on Sunday with full hearts and perhaps a better tan. Hope your weekend was just as wonderful!

Make it: Tin-Can Stilts

Spring break happened a few weeks ago. While I loved sleeping in a bit and the ease of an open schedule, I noticed a little thing called boredom creeping in by the end of the week. If that was any indication of what summer is going to look like, I better start preparing now. I've been slowly compiling a list of possible activities and projects to whip out when the toys have lost their luster and every game has been played at least five times....

First up: stilts made out of tin cans! We had a great time making these and racing each other on our homespun stilts. Perhaps you would like to add these to your "boredom buster" list too?

Hop over to my post at Playful Learning today to see all of the details. I hope it's starting to look like Spring wherever you are!