The hurricane was the least of my worries
Also in here: a celebrity sighting and upgraded tees
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Over the weekend we caught just the edges of Hurricane Hilary at the coast and even had a wobbly little earthquake! The girls helped moved all the plants to the porch and played in the rain in their pjs while I made my teenage comfort food, seven layer bars.
The hurricane was no big deal for us (we’re lucky), but the weather has been the least of my worries…
Yesterday I was in the worst mood. I can’t remember any other season of my life when I have felt so completely depleted. Week-old balloon, chewed bubblegum, juiced lemon – pick your metaphor. I am all of them. Despite my crankiness, my sisters Mary and Sarah came over for a couple hours. They let themselves in, played with my children and sat at my table. We talked about breakups and vegetables and the best lighting for family photos. Mary brought me three packs of Coloraid from her campus bookstore. Sarah advised me on my muffin recipe. Their visit was medicinal. Thank God for sisters. And, by the way, thank God for public school.
Quick rant: I’ve always LOVED summer and dreaded school starting. But this summer, without childcare, a cleaning crew, or even morning coffee (I don’t drink caffeine), I’ve been frazzled constantly. I have wonderful friends; I have family within an hour’s drive. But without systemic daily support, I’m cobbling together my sanity with play dates and television and popsicles. The whole point of this rant is that public school is the single most important way we support mothers in this country. All moms need help. I simply could not do motherhood if it weren’t for teachers educating and helping me with my children nine months a year. Their support gives me some time to gather myself, away from my older kids, and re-center so I can give them the best of me when they get home.
OKAY, that was a lot. Shall we change the subject? Another tiny audio snack today. Do we like these?
And real quick, before we get to the links, will you cast your vote? I’m curious…
today’s bouquet
A chandelier made from 5,000 gummy bears.
Clone-a-lisa, ha! My kids and I loved this hilarious little drawing game. (via Matt)
The place I go for playful, super well-made pieces for kids is always Boden. This little color block dress is so young and joyful. Right now some very good cardigans for girls are on sale: super soft and striped, some smiley flowers, faire isle with roses, and rainbow apples. We have a few Boden sweaters and they still look brand new.
Can you *stand* this painted tulip tile. (via Lizzy)
More terrific tile work by Maude Smith. I’d love one of these botanical mugs for my collection. (via Making It Work)
Got my eye out for: tee upgrades. My whole family is hooked on Kule tees, I want to try this off-white, also my boys *live* in these ultra-soft classics. This black-and-white striped top from Everlane looks promising. I love everything I’ve ever bought from Carhartt and I’ve heard nothing but good things about famous one from Buck Mason.
Isn’t this oval earring so effortlessly cool?
A picture of water to hang in the bathroom.
A tour of 22 rad Northern California bookstores, plus a list of great picture books.
Sounds like Snoopy making pizza! (When Eleanor was little, she called him “Snoofy.” When Lucy was little, she called him “Noopy.”)
Oh my gosh, this silver dress is SO romantic. And I’m still thinking about those silver flats from a few weeks ago.
So many things in my cart at Quince: a cashmere tee, an under-$40 fisherman sweater, the coziest looking hoodie, an easy date night dress for less than the price of dinner, and a cotton cardigan that reminds me of the classic Alex Mill (for a fraction).
My sister Emily shared two terrific articles in our sisters’ thread this week: Charlize Theron hasn’t had a facelift, tysm, and Jennifer Garner puts a lot of stuff in the river.
16 more links, including my best celebrity sighting, the world’s best pep talk, and the two things I’m preordering way before Christmas