life at 35

After a 20 day hiatus, I'm back! 

During my absence I turned 35. We celebrated with the ice cream cake of my dreams and my cousin Richard's delicious pecan chocolate pie, a potluck feast, 25 friends and family and kid mayhem. Everyone who came went home a little bag with the potluck recipes. My friend Devon designed the cards, collected all the recipes ahead of time, and printed and stuffed the burlap bags. Such a treat.

Birthday potluck recipe bag

As I enter year 35, I feel so very lucky. I am surrounded by great friends whom I love and respect and admire. My parents are so close that we see them every week for dinner and farmer's market meetups and coffee dates. I have two sweet, funny girls who make life wonderfully meaningful. I am married to my love. And in spite of my blossoming crow's feet, I still feel the bloom of youth in my heart.

the best american infographics 2013

I love the collision of visuals and information so it's no wonder that one of my favorite books at the moment is this:

The Best American Infographics 2013

Some interesting selections from the book were featured over on Wired, including "Which Birth Dates Are the Most Common," "Four Kinds of Dog," "Map of a New America," and "The Last 45 Seconds." 

One infographic that I keep going back to is Randall Munroe's "Deepest of the Deep" which shows depths of oceans and lakes of the world side by side. As someone with a fear of deep water, I'm both fascinated by it and repelled.

Such a great book!

hello dear kids

My friend Devon turned me on to the Etsy shop Hello Dear Kids. Such cuteness!

Girls Winter Coat

Tree Dress

Red Dress

Quilt Vest

Autumn Dress

Bear Pajamas

Bowtie Dress

djuna at 3 months

Djuna at 3 months is all sweetness and smiles. She's a great sleeper, going to bed around 8pm and waking up at 4am for early morning nurse sessions. She loves Stella; Djuna watches her with big, wide eyes, and smiles whenever Stella looks her way or plays near her. She loves being talked to and smiled at, and she goes anywhere and does anything without much fuss. 

We lucked out big time with this kid. She is dreamy.

six decades of the most popular girl names, state-by-state

Six decades of the most popular girl names, state-by-state. Interesting patterns, right?

 

See more years mapped over at Jezebel.

happy friday links

Sheeps by Meagan Donegan

I can't wait to read the new Donna Tartt.

Cookies! Shayna texted me about these yesterday and Stella and I promptly set to work making them.  We put in half the curry recommended but added cardamom and chocolate chips as we didn't have shredded coconut. They're so good!

On the topic of cookies... How Oreos Work Like Cocaine.

Ads use Real Google Searches to Show the Scope of Sexism Worldwide.

Are you watching the new season of Homeland? I'm continually impressed by how the creators of this show make each character's point of view so very believable. And the acting! 

Abandoned: Mark Twain Branch Detroit Public Library.

Hurray for a new Wes Anderson film.

Ace Hotel now in Shoreditch.

Banksy NYC.

clog boots

I love 'em.

swedish hasbeens zip it emy

bryr abilene boot

silly love songs

This song has been on repeat in my head for almost a week now, ever since I heard it playing at one of my local coffee shops. Here's to a love-filled Monday.

on getting older

I still get carded occasionally. 

Two summers ago when we were in Michigan I ran out to the store to get lighter fluid and and a lighter for the bbq. I forgot to bring my ID and when I told this to the cashier, the teen asked me, in all seriousness, if I was over 18. "I'm over 30 if it makes a difference," I told him. "No way..." he said, again, in all seriousness. I paused to gauge if he was for real. "Way," I told him. As I walked out with my lighter fluid I felt at once imbued with a youthful glee (he thought I was 18!) and an adult apprehension (shit, do I look and dress like an 18-year-old?!).

Over the weekend I was buying beer and was again carded at the register. The woman ringing me up looked at my ID, looked up at me, looked back at my ID and said, "you look like you could be my age." Oh great, here we go I thought. "Oh really," I said pleasantly, "how old are you?" "I be 30," she said with a nod of her head. "Okay..." I replied. "That's cool..." 

30, huh? Must be having a second kid. My age seems to be catching up with me.

[painting: hope gangloff]

a few weekend links

YUM.

I turn 35 in November. Gah! I think I'm going to make this ice cream cake to celebrate. Nothing says happy birthday like an ice cream cake, right?!

Eat, Pray, Love, Get Rich, Write A Novel No One Expects.

Super cute kids sandals.

I'm seriously crushing on these Ali Golden bags. My friend Melissa has one and every time I see her I covet it...

Saying goodbye at preschool has been a challenge. I appreciated this Motherlode post on easing the transition and separation anxiety.

This adorable book is one of our favorites at the moment.

TED Talk 2012 Flashback: Chip Kidd. Designing books is no laughing matter. OK, it is.

Can't wait to go to this new Oakland beer hall.

Fall is in the air. The dusklight sweater.

Domino Magazine is back.

[photograph credit: ashley of not without salt]