11 weeks old

Guess who's 11 weeks today? That's right this cute little bundle.

11 weeks? How did that happen so quickly?  I think I've been firmly implanted in that strange newborn time warp where everything seems like one and the same day and you don't notice the weeks and months passing by. 

So does this mean I'm approaching the end of the sweet newborn stage? I love the newborn stage of excessive sleeping during the day, and cuddles, and itsy bitsy clothes. He's been a pretty undemanding baby. And most definitely the easiest kid I've got at the moment. He just needs food and cuddles no discipline!

As he grows the only problem we have to solve is where he's going to sleep as we gradually bring in a little more sleep scheduling. I have to admit that he's been sleeping out in our living room in his swing until I feed him and then he'll sleep on the couch and finally my bed after my husband leaves for work. We've only got two other bedrooms, and I may be delusional enough to be thinking of just putting the other three in the same room. Which could turn out like putting a motorcycle gang in a closet. Loud. Boisterous. Possibly violent. We'll see what happens.

New Glasses!

I just got my new glasses! They're the huge, nerdy, retro kind that I apparently have been wishing for for a long while. As evidenced by my pinterest boards! I didn't know I was so obsessed until after I got the glasses and then looked at some of these cute pictures I'd saved. 

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So this is the cuteness to which I aspire! And this is just a small sampling-follow me on pinterest for the full meal deal! So far I love my new glasses but don't feel like I can quite rock them in pictures yet, that and I look like a disaster today. 

Third Friday of Lent

(image via thevow.tumblr.com)

"To hear God’s word requires the cultivation of outward and inward silence, so that his voice can resound within our hearts and shape our lives. But Jesus teaches us that God also speaks to us, especially at times of difficulty, through his silence, which invites us to deeper faith and trust in his promises."

-Pope Benedict XVI, March 7 2012

The Perfectly Imperfect Home by Deborah Needleman

I love a book you can sink into that has the kind of subject that takes you away from what you're used to thinking about and into something more refreshing and different. In this case, an excellent design book that sucks me into thinking about ironed sheets, where to hang expensive wallpaper, and how high my bed should be from the ground.

"Making a charmed and happy home is a noble endeavour."

But don't get me wrong, The Perfectly Imperfect Home, is really a well-written foray into basic design details which make a home not expertly designed but stylishly livable. That's what I'm in the business for. Surely, with 4 toddles running around I can't imagine fussy furniture or expensive trendy items. However, the importance of creating a beautiful home, is something a stay at home mom is challenged with everyday. Not only for herself, which I think is enough to make "working on pretty-fiying the house" up there on the to-do list, but also for providing a beautiful place for our children to grow up. I could go on about this, like diving into some "domestic church" ideas, but another day.

Already I've noticed how my little babes notice the beauty around the home. Like fresh flowers on the table, or adding a new framed photo somewhere, or rearranging furniture. They notice and they're very little people! They usually comment upon how BEAUTIFUL! something looks. Its so much fun showing them how to appreciate beauty. But that's another topic for another day too!

"Style is luxury, and luxury is simply what makes you happy."

I thought The Perfectly Imperfect Home a great tool at pointing out the little things that make a home stylish. Like embracing your quirky likes, including personal items whenever possible, using books in every room (of course my personal favourite!). But it also gives great ideas on uses of furniture which I wouldn't have thought of. The book isn't written towards frugality of course, but it doesn't patronize too much into the crazy world of the rich and design-y either. Her great tips can be applied in any home. 

The beautiful illustrations of Virginia Johnson make this book wonderful on its own! I loved how the illustrations made designer rooms appear timeless and beautiful. Thinking about a room in terms of a painting is a great idea. 

A great book for making me feel a little sunnier in this long Canadian winter, and great for making me dream of completely redesigning my house!

Why, oh perfect bag, why?!

via Kate Spade

Good thing I gave up buying designer bags for lent...because I'm pretty sure this is my dream bag! And it comes in two of my favourite colours! 

Clearly, if I won a good $500 bucks on the lottery I don't play it would be going straight to Kate Spade for these lovelies!

Monday Pick-Me-Up

I need a little pretty pick me up this morning! We were all sick with a cold this weekend, and this morning, although I'm feeling a bit better the two littlest boys are cranky and have very leaky noses. Here's hoping I can make it to nap time.

Aren't these abstract paintings beautiful? I think the colours are perfect, I'd love one for my bedroom! They're done by Linda Monfort, and here's her beautiful shop.

(All images Linda Monfort)

Second Friday of Lent

"Lent is here to remind us that the mercy of God is ours provided we embrace his law of love; provided we realize that its going to hurt, and hurt plenty, but that the very hurting will be a healing. That is the paradox of God, that while you hurt, you heal. That's true healing."

-Servant of God, Catherine Doherty