abstract color by Tobias Tovera

I love how open to interpretation these abstract paintings by Tobias Tovera are: in them I see landscapes, geodes, galaxies, cave formations, and vaguely sezzual floral still-lifes a la Georgia Okeeffe. His analogous and monochromatic color schemes are so vibrant, and I love the translucency of what I assume is watercolor. So beautiful!

via my modern met

Animal Baby

Welp, were back from our trip to The North. We all had a great time, and Felix learned some new tricks, ate some new foods, and made some new friends. But maybe the biggest deal of the whole trip, for Felix, was all of the animals! It all started at the Shedd Aquarium: 

He loved seeing all of the fish, and so many of the creatures featured in his nautically-themed picture books--although he was inexplicably afraid of every turtle we saw. He also used to be scared, or at least wary, of dogs, but he seems to have changed his tune because every time we saw one in Chicago he said dogdogdog and got really excited. He was in for a treat when we arrived at my Dads house and met the two dogs that live there. He even tried sharing his cheerios with them!

But I think of all the animals, Felix took the most delight in meeting the Cats. He loved petting them so much that he could barely contain himsel, and he even learned to make a sort of meow sound that is almost indescribable except for that I can say its probably the cutest thing youll ever hear. I wish I could get a recording of it, but it seems hell only do it when theres actually a cat in the room. 

Just one more reason to get a kitten, I guess. 

the guide to gifting your favorite nomadic mother: 2012

1

In my opinion, the best kind of mothers day gifts are the ones she'd never buy herself--like lipstick! Its small, so you know she has room for it, no matter how full her bag is. Plus, its fancy and will make her feel beautiful. Heatwave, a bright reddy-orange shade by Nars, is currently at the top of my list, and is so now.

2

I dont care who you are: if youre a mother, you need a good tote bag. That goes double for anyone who travels. While they may serve the exact same purpose, they are infinitely preferable to carrying around an actual diaper bag. This Madewell tote is the one I have now, and I love love love it. Its a little pricey, but made of pure leather, and Im literally bombarded with compliments whenever I wear it.

3

If shes one of those foodie moms, might I suggest a Moleskine Passions Recipe journal? I have one my self, and its proved very useful for recording, not to mention organizing, recipes while on the go. A marked improvement over my old method of saving recipes by scribbling them down in whatever random notebook is to hand, never to be seen again. Also, it comes with stickers!

4

A framed picture of her sweet baby child is an obvious gift for sedentary mothers, but not so condusive to travelling. Instead, why not an adorable little golden ring with said baby's initial? I'm a big fan of Catbird jewlery (its where I got my wedding band) and these alphabet rings were made for stacking--perfect if the mother in question has more than one little one. And so portable! 

5

Perfume is another classic mothers day gift, but if she's travelling she needs something that will comply with airline carry-on allowance. Sephora has a great selection of roller-ball perfume applicators, all of which are well under the 3 oz. limit (Aqua di Gioia is my own mothers favorite!) 

6

Stationary is the perfect gift to encourage your lady mother to keep in touch during all of her travels. A handwritten note is so much sweeter than a dumb old facebook message--and besides, connecting to the internet is still a little touch-and-go on several airlines. Monogrammed cards feel that much more personal--I really like this set, by PenelopePress. 

7

Fact: ladies love cashmere. This J.Crew cashmere sweatshirt is the perfectly comfy cozy thing for wearing on a cold airplane, and lightweight, so it wont take up too much room in her carry-on. You should get it for her! She'll love it, I promise!

8

 Speaking of airplanes, travelling typically doesn't present one with many opportunities for bubble baths and the like, but Mothers Day is all about pampering. This Jurlique face mist is ever so indulgent, and just the thing for maintaining a motherly glow while on a long and drying flight to who-knows-where.

9

If shes an efficient packer, she probably only has room in her luggage for one (maybe two) good pajamas. Make them count! I saw this slip at an anthropologie in Chicago, and fell. in. love. with. it. But get her whatever you think will make her the most comfortable!

10

Having something to read is important for any traveller, and theres nothing this mama loves more than a good glossy. If she's lucky enough to have a tablet (thanks, Chase!) then get her an e-subscription to her favorite magazine. She'll love it. If she doesn't have a tablet, and you happen to be super loaded, well then, buy her one, dummy!

And of course (and I feel like I shouldn't even really have to say this) the best place to present her with any gift is always, obviously, over brunch!

mothers/fathers days/days

Our first Mother and Fathers days as Real Parents are coming up soon, and it makes me look at the ubiquitous gift guides for each of these holidays in a new light. As disparate as the population of ''parents'' must be, is there nevertheless something that unites us all in a way that narrows our wants and interests, allowing them to be evaluated and prescribed by capitalist media? Apparently, yes: when I read mothers day gift guides, I find I really do want many of the items suggested; and Chase probably would appreciate that bottle of whiskey, or nice new tie (to go with his one other)--and if he didnt already have an iPad you know he'd want one. So I guess we're just regular old parents after all. Just buy us a subaru station wagon and a dry-erase weekly calendar for our refridgerator and we'll see you at our place next Thanksgiving.

Isnt it interesting how both Fathers Day gifts (think sports paraphanalia, barbeque accessories, and various electronics) and Mothers day gifts (think boquets of flowers, bubble bath, slippers, and kitchen gadgets) whether intended for indoor our outdoor use, so often pertain to the domestic sphere of a parents life? But what about us? That is, nomadic parents with no bath in which to soak or kitchen in which to tinker?

 I'm a blogger now, guys, so I'm pretty much obligated to present you with some gift guides. Right? My focus will be on young, super hip and sexxxy travel-oriented parents (thats us!). Stay tuned, I'm working on them right now!

I love gift guides! omg!!!!1 shopping!!1

And so it begins

Welp, after months and months of waiting, finally our travels are beginning! And now it seems like everything is happening all at once. Chase and I spent the day packing, donating old things to Goodwill, and generally tying up loose ends. Were heading to Chicago whenever Felix wakes up in the middle of the night/early morning, and are staying until Saturday. Then were off to Wisconsin for the week, to visit my family and celebrate my little sisters 19th birthday. But whats really crazy is that when we get back to Ohio, we only have five days until we leave for New York. Five! And then the adventure really and truly begins--its so exciting slash completely terrifying. I dont know how easy it will be for me to post while in Wisconsin since I wont have my laptop with me, but Ill be taking notes, and pictures, and Ill tell you guys all about it as soon as I can! Stay tuned!

To tide you over, check out this adorable video of Felix showing off his new trick:

See you soon!

how to be a wifey

My parents divorced when I was very young, and, jaded as I was, I cant say I idolized either of their subsequent marriages. Instead, I took my nuptial inspiration from beloved 90s sitcom Mad About You. To my young mind, the Buchmans epitomized what stylish, sensible young matrimony should be--and thanks to the internet, they still do! Now that Im married for real, Im feeling a major Jamie Buchman vibe, sartorially speaking: cashmere, trench coats, boyfriend (husband?) jeans, Keds, breton tops, silk blouses, gold watches, sensible pumps, drop-earings, simple leather accessories, LBDs, Calvin Klein, the New York Times (paper edition), and, most important of all, baggy button-ups borrowed from my husbands closet. Thats right, I said it, my husband.

mad about you by sweetbabychild featuring knit tops

As it turns out, this is pretty much how I dress normally, but with a slightly more 90s influence, in terms of proportion. Its a look perfected by Helen Hunt, and updated by women like Lucy Chadwick, as seen in this video with which Im secretly obsessed and have watched probably eleven times:

Its all about the classics, people!

first image from here, second by me; video via Zara

we eloped!

Its true!

I had mixed feelings about doing it this way, beforehand: Did I want a big fairly-tale wedding, secretly? Seven bridesmaids and a million dollars worth of flowers? I sort of didnt think so, and of course our particular situation required that we be quick and low-key (read: affordable). But Im so glad we did it this way! Neither of us are particularly religious, or into being sincere in front a bunch of people, or posing for pictures, and so on. And spending the day alone together was so much more romantic and personal; Instead of repeating what a million people have done before us, our wedding day was ours alone.

 So romantic! So special! 

im lovin it: OMIGODTHESESHOES

Hermes, $730

Can you even imagine?!

super-rad-poster-fun-time

This poster, one of a series of three promoting the Ministry of Sounds Saturday Sessions, looks pretty cool. But take a look at these close-up shots:

Artist Andrew Bradford created the text for these posters by cutting out who knows how many strips of multi-colored paper, to look like what I assume are soundwaves:

I love rainbow-colored paper art! And these look so cool!

via typography served

talk about a dream kitchen...

Singature 3.5 Qt Round French Oven $220

Have you ever ever in your entire life seen a more beautiful French Oven? Um, yeah, me neither. It belongs to a collection of enamel cast-iron kitchenware by Le Creuset, with which I only just became familiar, having stumbled across this beauty at a kitchen shop in the North Market yesterday: 

Butter Crock $32

Its a Butter Bell! Only one of the sweetest and most essential kitchen counter accessories one could hope to own. And so beautiful! I wanted so desperately to buy it as a wedding present to my/ourself/ves but we dont need yet another heavy thing to cart across the atlantic... I guess. They come in a range of colors, but Marseille, their newest, is the most beautiful and as close to my spirit color as you could ever hope to find in a cookware collection. Plus, its on sale! The universe is toying with my emotions. 

Im also pretty enameled (get it??!) of these two cuties:

Honey Pot & Mustard Jar, $25 each

Theyre only available in dijon, but Ill take it seeing as how it goes nicely with their contents. I especially love the mustard jar because it reminds me of The Lighthouse Keepers Lunch, a really sweet book I loved as a child about a lighthouse keeper and, you guessed it, his lunch. 

I wont spoil the ending for you. 

babealert: MARY CRAWLEY

You know how, when a show (or a book) is so good, you just want it to be your whole life forever? And, perhaps even more so, your wardrobe? Ive been thinking about theme dressing a lot lately. Right now, Im all about Westeros (and beyond!), which I hope to discuss at length in the near future. But not so long ago, I was completely obsessed with Downton Abbey. Ive loved turn-of-the(last)century clothing since I was gifted my beloved--and since inexplicably discontinued--Samantha doll for Christmas 92. The period from the nineteen-teens to the nineteen thirties was so dynamic, sartorially speaking; I love its unique combination of residual old-world elegance and propriety, and new-world casual sexiness and practicality. And of course, of everyone at Downton, the girl whos wardrobe Id most like to steal is Marys. Because, what a babe! Nothing can compare to her actual costumes on the show, but the modern collection that comes the closest to capturing its essence (as far as I can tell) is Valentino Spring 2012 Ready-To-Wear:

So ladylike!

images from pbs.org & style.com