early birds vs night owls

When asked how our school year is going so far, my response is usually something like, "It'll be better once we get into the swing of things." Not to say it isn't going well--it's only been a week after all! But having begun the semester right before a three day weekend, I don't think either me or The Boy are yet in our groove. People always stress the importance of establishing a routine for little ones, but I find a daily regimen truly integral to my own peace of mind. Now that I've begun my masters program, there's no way I'll be able to stay on top of everything without devoting specific times of day to work, study, chores, et cetera. Writing takes concentration, after all, and it's hard for me to get in the right mindset at the drop of a hat. Obviously, I'm not alone in this--writers are known for their strict regimens and quirky habits. But, does all this planning and self control really work? Can you truly enhance your productivity by dictating your daily routine? Writer and Renaissance Woman Maria Popova shares my curiosity. Below, see the handy info graphic she compiled for Brain Pickings Magazine, which neatly expresses the relationship of various famous author's wake-up times to their literary accomplishments. Whether the relationships here expressed are causal or merely correlative, I find them fascinating! 

I've always been an early riser, mornings being my most productive time of day. However, when you're consistently awoken by a certain someone at 5:00am (or earlier!) for the past two weeks running, mornings can lose their magic. Not to mention the detrimental effect said young person's presence has on my ability to concentrate. The implication above is that these individuals had the luxury of choosing to wake up at 4:00am. Notably missing from this analysis is the number of children each of these individuals were responsible for when writing their various masterpieces--another study altogether, and one I'd like to see!

Portraits by Wendy Macnaughton

here we go!

Felix and I are off on holiday today! We fly to St. Louis in only a few hours! It's my first time flying one-on-one with Felix, and I'm a little jittery about it, but I know he'll be the best boy, because he always is! And anyway, I've got a special surprise for him when we get to the airport:

I love packing for trips like this and I never understand why people find it difficult. It gives me a bit of anxiety, as I'm sure it does most people, but also it's a fun challenge, a great exercise in organization. You simply take how many days you'll be gone (in this case, ten), look back that many days, and bring the things you wore. Three ounces of any toiletry lasts a surprisingly long time, so it's really all you need of anything. Add some lip balm, a magazine, and your cellphone, and that's it! And don't forget your lucky charms!

In our case, with no special occasions to pack for, our luggage doesn't amount to much--which is good, because I refuse to pay $25 whole dollars to check a bag. But it'll be a long couple hours with all these carry ons at the airport! 

Good thing felix has his own ticket. I hope he can share the load!

best backpacks?

Along with Felixs impending trip, thoughts of preschool (and grad school?) and, oddly enough, thinking about autumn as a direct consequence of thinking about spring, have got me questioning our luggage situation. Talkin bout backpacks upinhere. Now, Felix and I each already have a bag, its true. But they each have their specific and pertinent problems, Felixs being that hes getting too big for his adorable turtle-shell backpack (sniff!) and anyway you cant carry much in it so its not so useful for an overnight trip anyway (its my belief that children should begin carrying their own luggage at an early age); mine being that my beloved, erstwhile diaper bag leather tote is perfect and perfectly lovely and I love it--but you just cant wear it while riding a bicycle. And once the weather warms up for good, this weekend, Im going to be riding my bike quite a bit! Anyway, you get the idea. We need new backpacks. And, dont you think it would be better if we had matching coordinating ones, like the besties we truly are? For example, we spoke recently of Herschel Supply Co--theyve got a solid, stylish, relatively affordable model, in classic colorways for big and small. But Ive found a few others I like, too.  Which ones do you think are the best? 

big & little Settlement from Herschel Supply Co ($55, $50)

big & little nylon cordura Schoolbag from American Apparel ($42, $28)

big & little Kanken from Fjäll Räven, ($75, $55)

I like those last ones the best, but, are they maybe too boxy? And how about the fact that for less than the cost of the big (and more important) one, I could get both from American Apparel? Also, we have an AA right down the street from my work so I wouldnt even need to pay for shipping to get them. This is not to say, of course, than any actual purchasing will be going on any time soon. That, probably, is not happening. But a girl can dream of luggage, no? Actually, now that I think about it, the HSC ones really are the best, after all. We want them!

Oh, dear!

Bon Voyagie, Felix!

After all the visitors weve hosted, Felix has been pretty excited about the whole concept of travel (especially all the suitcase action). Now he finally gets his day in the sun: tomorrow, Felix is off on a four-day, three-night weekend with his grandparents in Ohio. As is typical in this situation, Im nervous and excited. This will be my first baby-free weekend in the city--and whats more, my first baby-free weekend since I had a baby, almost two years ago! Its pretty big news. But also, obviously, Im scared! Felix has never been away for a whole weekend! But, hell be fine! Right?! 

Anyway, I just got done packing the adorable little duffel Im lending him. Ive often wondered: why are packing and unpacking so delightful? Does everyone feel this way, or is it just some people? Because, I cant be the only one. Packing a suitcase (less so unpacking) is one of my great joys in life. Beyond that, I realized that packing for a stylish little boy plainly trumps packing for oneself, as A, his clothes are cuter than mine, not just because theyre smaller and B, everything is so much smaller! Folding baby laundry is one of the most precious thing because you think about how little they really are. And you can get so much of his stuff in the tiniest bag!

In a somewhat related note, Even though I dont like unpacking as much (maybe because its not as challenging) I did like this editorial photographed by Eric Guillemain for Elle Korea, starring the beautiful Lea Seydoux, unpacking her suitcase in a presumably french hotel room.

 Do you think the average Korean reader can easily read that english title? Im sure they can. But how many english speakers, do you think, could read a magazine headline in Korean? Funny. And dont you love all her lipsticks? I wish I was going on a trip! But Im oh so unbelievably excited for my baby-free weekend. I really cant even imagine what it will be like! Chase will be working mostly in the daytime, so Im going to have plenty alone time to explore the city without the ticking time bomb that is a toddler out on the town! It will be so relaxing! Im going to do everything! 

omgicantwait!

images via FGR

the best light luggage

Now, I havent picked up any tricky tips from him yet, but our friend ben, too, is many things, and one of the things he is for sure is stylish. That boys got good taste, and he knows what he likes. I have been so coveting his carry-on travel bag, from Herschel Supply Company--apparently, its the bag to have these days. Or, the luggage to have. Or, whatever. You know what? Its a really nice bag! So sturdy, and exactly the perfect size for a week-long trip. The Strand, I believe its called, and I love it in the bright yellow shade Ben has--despite my natural inclinations, I think luggage is one of things where its better not to go with the dark, neutral tones one tends to favor. Brightly colored bags are easier to see and harder to mix up or forget. Of course, a print does the trick nicely, too; I dont play tennis, but I do so love their invitational collection. Isnt it the preppiest, cutest thing for spring? Though I think Id prefer it in a navy... 

bee-bopping & copy-catting

Remember these jars, designed by Ben Fleiss? They were yet another item on the long list of stuff I see on the internet that, chances are, I will never own. I like how they look so so much, but I must say I never really considered the practical application of those bright rubber-bands. Until, one day, quite by happenstance, I found I had recreated approximated this exact (sort of) thing in my own kitchen, with a speckley stone cylinder (vase? canister?) that I bought at a goodwill, and the leftover rubber-bands from the lettuce and cabbage Id got at the supermarket--which, to my delight, serve a perfectly useful purpose, as you can see:

Now weve got all our spatulas, sharpies, thermometers, and whiskettes conveniently grouped, range-side. Its the perfect thing! I only wish Id bought the other, blue speckly cannister I saw at the red-white-and-blue thrift last week, so I could make another one, maybe for art supplies (though lil caddy has sort of eclipsed my need for that sort of thing for pens and such) and that My kitchen wasnt so dingy. Do you see what I was talking about? Its even worse in real life!

top image via LEIF

living tidy avec le toddler

 Living with a babychild has the potential to turn your living room into a disaster area, but it also doesnt have to--babysitting, I witnessed the full spectrum of toddler-inhabited communal space. Ive never liked the look, or implication, of a room filled with piles of discarded plastic doodads. Its not like they own the place, after all. But at the same time, I hate the idea of a child not feeling as comfortable or as welcome in the living room as the rest of the family; they cant help that they like to play with plastic doodads all the time, and why should they? Theyre only sweet babies, after all! With Felix, Im determined to find a happy medium, wherein my obsessive compulsion to achieve a clutter-free state and his many childish flights of fancy are mutually inclusive.

So far Ive figured out two ways of aiding this goal, the first being toy-managment or, to borrow a term from my new professional bakery jargon, merchandising. That is to say, most of Felixs toys live in his room, but I incorporate a frequently rotating selection throughout the living room. That way he never gets bored of the things he has around in the common area, and we dont have to keep buying him new junk to pique his playtime interest, but the house still stays relatively toy-free.

Second, and perhaps more crucially, Ive developed a new rule, which is that I allow any two things to be happening at once, toy-wise, on the floor. For example, if Felix was playing with blocks, but then got bored and wanted to play with his trucks, its fine with me (Im working on it being fine with me) that he not immediately tidy up the block mess. If, however, he moves on from trucks to drawing, then something needs to be cleaned up. This way, he (hopefully) doesnt feel constant pressure to put things away, but the house isnt covered in a mess all the time, either. So far its working well... I just wonder how things will progress as he gets older?

Ive also found that Felix is a lot more gung-ho about having a clean house if I let him help me clean it. He loves to help me windex the coffee table, sweep the kitchen, put away the laundry, and return blocks and cars to their respective receptacles. He really is a pure sweetheart, and the tidiest boy in town!

meet lil' caddy!

The other day, after lunch at Spak Bros, of course, Felix and I went across the street to this little antique/junk shop that I keep seeing but which never seems to be open. But it was this time, and it was great! I got a bunch of cool stuff, like some velvet throw pillows, a ceramic souffle dish with a chicken for a lid, a metal serving tray (also with chickens on it), and even a cool book about piggies for felix (one of his favorite subject matters?) But the best, coolest thing I got was this leather dog desk organizer:

 

Turns out, its made by Vacavaliente, an Argentinian design team that makes cool office accessories with  scraps left over from the the countrys enormous leather industry. The black doggy amigo I found in perfect, seemingly un-used condition, was $3 only! But I wasnt surprised to find that in real life they sell for around $60 each. You guys, I love it! Its so useful and cute and sweet and eco-friendly, all at the same time. Its the perfect thing! If you can afford one, you should get one (Id have gone with the Kangaroo if I had the choice). Or just keep your eyes peeled round the goodwill, I guess!

ps:  theyd make a great gift, right?

months of resolutions

As usual, at the beginning of  January, I got all excited about new years resolutions. Only, I couldnt stop thinking of more of them, all the time! But you cant have ten (plus) new years resolutions and hope to keep track of them. Also, some resolutions I may make at the beginning of the year, in the winterest time, may not be pertinent come July. Anyway what Im trying to say is, this year Im divying up my resolutions among all the months, to better concentrate on the ones that may mean the most to me at any given time of year. Also, Ive noticed that January is usually a wash for me, resolution wise, because pledging to do certain things, or pledging to quit others, doesnt necessarily jive with the Grunge-uary lifestyle. If you know what I mean. 

But its February now, so here we go. 

This month is all about spring cleaning for me. Now I realize that its not really springtime. Also, since we moved into an empty and relatively tidy apartment, there isnt much deep cleaning to accomplish, per se. But theres plenty to do towards settling in to our new house, and making it ever homey-er, and if youre anything like me, youre too excited about the whole process to wait for warmer weather. So this month, I plan to take you along for the crazy ride that is decorating, organizing, and cleaning our new home. I promise, it will be more interesting than it sounds. I hope? Anyway, its a short month.

Plus Ill talk about other stuff, like Valentines day, duh! 

image via here--check out that fig tree! I want one!

the platonic... sink?

Cant really figure out why this circular waterstation sink, by KWC, is no longer being made. Maybe there were problems with it that I dont know about... but not knowing anything about that, it looks to me like the most perfect sink I can imagine. The built-in colander alone makes it ideal, but then it also has a cutting board. Genius. Right? Here it is in action at The Reserve, a private home in South Carolina, where it served as the main inspiration for this custom kitchen designed by Tim Odom. I want one!

images by Gregg Willet via here

that thing of where...

...you know you have a million things to do (like laundry and packing boxes and suitcases for your trip to newyork/america this very thursday) and theyre all very important and you know it... only, its so unbelievably misty and grey outside, the way it should be only in the morning, even though its past lunchtime, and all you want to do is cozy up in bed with someone friendly and finish your stupid book that youre still not done with but you have to finish before your trip, because its stupid to take a book with you when you have fewer than one hundred pages left. You know what I mean??

Its a real problem!

image via here

imlovinit: THIS TRIANGLE NOTEBOOK

omg, I think its weird that Ive never in my earthly life seen anything like this triangle notebook, designed by tan mavitan. But its so obvious! And cool-looking! And, it would be so easy to find in a big bag full of baby stuff without having to actually look for it. I want it!

images via here

how cute is...

this Fuji wallet/tissue holder, by goodbymarket? Leave it to the Japanese to make something so adorably hygienic. Tissues are of course always useful (yet somehow difficult) to have on hand, especially when you have a baby toddler and all of the sudden youre constantly about to have mush/grease/goo all over you because of how sticky they always are. Having a tissue dispenser built into ones coin purse would ensure youd always have one handy--provided you remember your coin purse, which is also useful and important. But how could you forget to bring along something so precious?

image via here

the perfect thing!

Having just spilled yet another cup of tea that was balancing on the arm of the sofa in order to keep it out of reach of a hand-sy toddler, I can tell you that this idea for a wooden wrap-around side table is the. perfect. thing. One of my first DIYs for when I get my own sofa. How hard can it be?

image via here

serenity now!

I know this is probably the most cliche thing ever, but figuring out how to balance your time as a wife, a mother, and a lady is hard! I was going to say, especially if youre working, but then I thought back to when I wasnt working and found it equally difficult; back when I was home alone with Felix while Chase was working long hours, I often felt like I was going crazy--in part because Felix used to wake up literally every hour during the night. Now, Im the one working (Im sous chef at the local golf club, which may or may not sound fancier than it actually is) and Chase stays at home with the baby, who now sleeps throught the night but wakes up at about 4:30 literally every morning. Because I work, Chase is usually the one to get up early with him, and then we switch at around 7 or 8oclock so Chase can nap before I leave for work.

Having been on both sides of the division of labor, I can tell you that theyre both exhausting. When youre the one at home with the baby, youre sleep deprived and starved for adult company, but also yo have no time for yourself because babies have to be watched pretty much every single minute of the day, and you cant wait for the other person to just get home from work so they can be with the baby so you can just have a moment to yourself--but you cant, because the other person just got off work and needs a break. If youre the one who works, obviously, youre busy on your feet all day and you just want to go home and relax afterwards, but you can because the other person has been with the baby all day and they need a break. And who deserves it more? Obviously, you both do, but you cant both have it. Hence, finding some sort of balance. Which is fine in theory, but in the moment, it can be tricky.

Of course we both love spending time with Felix, and as he gets older hes becoming more and more engaging and is such good company, so its not like hes the chore I may have accidentally made him sound. But its not really about how much we love the baby, its about having some time to yourself.
These days, any free time we do have during the day is either spent as a family, or, once felix goes to bed at 7, as a couple, typically drinking wine and watching QI, which is sweet and romantic and relaxing, and its important to us that we spend time as a couple without the boy around.

But I find myself really craving some time alone. It feels silly that I should have to work it into my schedule, planning ahead for it, because sometimes you dont know you need time alone until you really need it, you know? And I think about all the ladies who have full-time jobs, and multiple children, and how some of those ladies are even single mothers, and I feel silly for being so selfish. But I can tell when Im too tired or overwhelmed and need to relax, because I become irritable and not so nice to be around, which is contagious. I hate that kind of discord in the domestic sphere.

These days, any friends I have, mothers or otherwise, live a million miles away in different time zones, so its hard to find a sympathetic ear. Its not the same, but Im so glad we have the internet and I can read about other mothers on sites like The Glow, or this series, by Joanna Goddard, on Finding a Balance, and realize that everyone has these problems and that the point is just trying ones best. Thinking about my sweet baby family and how much I love them makes me remember that I dont really have it so bad and that everything will be fine and Ill figure it all out, some day. But I just feel like my own families didnt always get it right and it still bothers me, and I want to make sure I do my very best for Felix.

Because getting it right is very, very important to me. You know?!

illustrations by Ati Forberg for Cindys Sad and Happy Tree by Doris Orgel