Emma (Also love this Peter Pan Collar Top and Emma!)/ Emma / Tons of back-to-school shoes here! / Crayola Twistable Crayons, Washable Watercolors and 64-Pack of Crayons
Here goes nothing!
Affordable Back-to-School Outfits
Meaningful Jewelry on Sale
Victoria Emerson Illinois Necklace, New York Necklace and New Jersey Necklace c/o (See all state necklaces here.) / Victoria Emerson Pearl Wrap Bracelet c/o / Lilly Pulitzer Dress (Other favorites include the Calista, Striped Marlowe, Marlowe Boatneck, Harper, Brewster (Light Blue), and Brewster (Navy). / Jack Rogers Sandals (Definitely getting the “Bone” next year!)
First, I need to tell you that Lucy is wearing one of Emma’s old dresses in these photos, and my heart is bursting, haha. Seeing it on her takes me back, and there’s just something so special about one sister passing it down to another. I actually saved quite a bit of Emma’s baby clothing–mostly favorites–and Lucy is just now starting to fit into it all. I need to gather up and share some side-by-side pics soon because 😍!
Caught in the Rain (Again)
Lands’ End Trench Coat (Available in plus size, too.) / Lands’ End Gingham Polo / Mitch’s Lands’ End Squall Jacket / Mitch’s Lands’ End Button-Down / Similar Round Sunglasses / Boat Shoes (Just ordered these, though, and so excited! Also love these loafers with a tiny bit of a heel.) / Nearly Identical Jeans for a STEAL! (Here’s the pair I’m wearing.)
I feel like these photos are a very accurate depiction of my life this week. 😂 But yeah: please excuse the frizzy hair. I CLEARLY need a better de-frizzer and weather app. The iPhone one is completely unreliable. Clear skies and 65 degrees? Ha! Though to be honest, I don’t mind too much. (Do you remember this post?! Happiness…)
Pine Dining Table + Cane Chairs
Pine Dining Table (Available in three widths: 48″, 54″ and 72.” It’s available here, here, here and here. It also comes in a coffee table.) / Cane Dining Chairs (Also available here and here, in several different color combinations. These chairs, which are fully in stock here as well, are pretty much the exact same… and CB2 carries a near-identical chair, too. Our chairs come with cushions, but others do not. Here are the CB2 cushions.)
Welcome to our completely unfinished dining room! 😜
I have to admit that we were slow to start with this area of our new home. We took a hefty break after we finished the upstairs renovations because we were pooped. And we also wanted to take our time with big decisions for the most visible part of the house. So yeah. It’s taking a little while, but we’re in process! No rush, right? ;)
In an Old House in Paris…
Drew Barrymoore Flower Kids Eiffel Tower Framed Print (Also love this Parisian framed print, which we just might need to get! Other favorite artwork includes these flamingos, giraffe, elephant and fruit.) / Flower Kids Pink Cloud Nightlight (Not pictured because it hasn’t arrived yet, but I’m so excited about it! Isn’t it cute?! Other Flower Kids products we love: Strawberry Bedding, White Ledge Shelf, White Whale Shelf, Parisian Stroll Framed Print, “All About My Mom” Framed Print, Pink House Bed, and Pom Pom Pillow.) / Brass Shell Bookends, Pink Lamp and Gold Vase / Madeline Book and Doll / Bunny
Emma is just like her mother: gets completely obsessed with something for a long time, and then is suddenly totally over it and all like, “Peppa Pig? Who’s Peppa Pig?” 😂 Currently, she’s really into Madeline, and I have to say that I hope that it’s more than just a summer fling. ;) It’s the cutest, and I so enjoy reminiscing about my own childhood as she discovers the magic within that old house in Paris that was covered in vines…
Emma’s Photography
Mitch and I gave Emma this $40 toddler digital camera for her birthday. She’d long been obsessed with taking photos with our iPhones and pressing the shutter on “Mommy’s Camera,” and I knew she’d love it. She was so excited when she opened the box, and my heart swelled a little, thinking that perhaps she might already share my love of photography. ;)
Noodle on the Go, Volume I
In collaboration with Zoetis. All opinions are my own. As always, thank you so much for supporting the partnerships that keep Kelly in the City up and running!
Mitch here!
Noodle is many things to many people. She’s a living teddy bear for Emma, a nap-disrupter for Lucy, a cuddly writing companion for Kelly, and a source of an astonishing number of chores for me. 😉 (Kidding. I love her.)
Mitch’s Navy Office
Paint color: “In the Navy” (Color #50BB 10/147) by Glidden / Birch Lane Leather Chair / Surya Area Rug / Pottery Barn Keyhole Desk
What do you do when your husband asks you to turn his office into a “manly, moody and inspirational Ralph Lauren-esque” space, yet he wants to hold off on bigger investments (like furniture, built-ins and new flooring) for a few years? (Totally understandable! He wants to learn how he uses his office and what he actually needs before making any huge/permanent design decisions.)
Better Sweater for the Win
Patagonia “Better Sweater” Quarter Zip (In other colors here. Lightweight style here. Zip style here. Performance Jacket here. Looking for other comfy-cozy pullovers and sweaters? Try the Wubby Fleece, this sweater-like pullover, this lounge top, this fleece-lined vest, and this fleece-lined jacket.) / Similar Leggings / Newer New Balance Sneakers (I have my eye on these white slip-ons, though!) / Newer Vineyard Vines here (Love this Simple White Baseball Hat, too.)
Yesterday was rough. I’m not going to attempt to analyze it, but the girls were cranky, the house was a mess, and I was super behind on work–and it was just a little too overwhelming. Everything I did was halfheartedly done, I didn’t even know where to start in order to make things better, and my eyes brimmed with tears on a couple of occasions because I felt like I was failing at all my jobs in life.
Today is a new day, though. :) I honestly already feel better! But sometimes I like to write about my crappy days because I think it’s a nice little reminder that we all have crappy days. Sometimes there are reasons behind them, but sometimes not. And that’s okay. Sometimes you’ve just gotta turn in early and vow to get up on the other side of the bed the following morning.
The First Fall Look
Pull-On Essex Pants / Long Camel Blazer (The houndstooth version is to die for, too.) / Ryan Loafers (No break-in time! TTS.) / Quilted Bag (Also available in black.) / Embellished Collar Shirt all c/o Talbots
Hey, Guys, hey!
Oh my goodness. What a week, and it’s only Wednesday. 😂 Long story short, Mitch and I came down with something a couple of days ago, and it wasn’t pretty. The girls thankfully remained happy and healthy, but YIKES: taking care of children when both parents are “out of order” is quite the challenge.
If you’re a more seasoned parent, do you have any pointers for this? It’s not like kids have an “off” switch, and life doesn’t stop–even when you feel like you’re going to die, haha. As first-timers, I think we did okay… and we’re so grateful for our incredible Chicago friends who offered a lot of help and support. (Love you guys!) However, I’d love to hear your secrets for next time. Because woo-ee; that was tough!