Yes on 29!

Hi again. In case any of you are lingering in a blog feed, I have a proposition for you:

If you are Californian or have been or know someone who is, you understand that California lives strong because it is good.

If you know cancer because you've lived it or someone you know has (sometimes one in the same), you understand that it lives strong because it is awful.

Sometimes the simplest things are the most important- love, truth and saying YES to prop 29. Let's help good fight bad.

On June 5th a Yes vote on 29 will raise the cost of a pack of cigarettes by $1 and dedicate those new funds to cancer research. 

Spread the word and wage for good. YES on 29. (Read here for more.)

xo,
Kelli

lap duvet sketchbook.

seen: lap duvet by purl bee

Let's revisit the fantastic Purl Bee because I found Molly's lap duvet sketchbook tonight and cannot look past it.   Naomi Ito's Nani Iro line is exactly what I would hand pick for a first "quilt" project.  And the practicality of a made-to-fit gauze blanket for an evening show or novel is extra encouraging.

threading paper.

Oh no.  I haven't been without the delightful this summer, I've almost just had so much of it that my head is spinning: four weeks of swim lessons, camping on the coast, a birthday, school shopping, furniture deliveries and a big family reunion coming at us quickly.  (And I can't help but take any spare time to Pinterest instead.)

But this- threading paper on a string- stands simple but colorful and clever.  That's what I'm attracted to most this month.

lunchbox roundup:

We are (well, Cole is) starting Kindergarten in August!  And although this is both a hugely happy and frightening change, a big part of me is feeling so excited about lunch-boxes and backpacks and back to school clothes.

Of course school gear is all so new to me, so I've spent time searching.  I've started with lunchboxes and these are my very different favorites:

seen: Oots! lunchbox with stackable containers, $18 (-$28)

For the days of yummy leftovers.  Sturdy Dutch design.  All bpa-free and dishwasher safe.  Choose blue, green or orange.

seen: zoo lunchie by skip hop, $14

Because he's only a kindergartner once!  Soft, insulated, wipe-clean design with special inside mesh pocket that holds a coldpack.  (Choose from 8 animals.)  Super!

seen: Built NY gourmet lunch tote, $23

Made of washable (and stain-free) neoprene, zips closed and stores flat.  (It's been a favorite bib brand of ours for years now.)

*****

[update: I need to add Chelsea's recommendation because it looks amazing!]

seen: goodbyn original kit, $24.95

Made to keep food separate.. and decorate with stickers?  This seems like a winner, too!

Anything to share from your search or experience?

barley & birch

seen: bridge tee

We spent the day at Stinson Beach, then winding through the incredible Marin Headlands to make our way home, where I found this t-shirt waiting for us on the front porch.  It's super-soft and graphic and that could be enough.  But Barley & Birch sells "unabashedly organic, planet-saving clothes" that are both gentle on the planet (offsetting emissions) and aggressive with helping improve people's lives around the world (donating profits).  All this reminded me that although I still wish my boys to become peaceful and influential globetrotters, change can start with a tee.  

[We bought ours at Fawn & Forest.  Unfortunately it took ages to arrive, but luckily it felt worth the wait.]

training pants.

seen: stripe toddler training pants by Giggle

With summer close, there is probably a whole army of parents that have promised themselves that now is the time to tackle potty training.  I'm one of them.  We got extra lucky for our first and started and finished in about 4 days (straight to underwear- no training pants, ever).  But with little Finn, I have a feeling that I'll need extra backup.  This is where two layers of extra absorbent terry liner comes in handy and it doesn't hurt that they're stripe-y with no itchy elastic touching skin.  

[Do you think training pants are the way to go?  Do you go straight to underwear?  Prefer disposable pull-ups?]

inspired: Alfred Megally photography

seen: "Little Town" (Guanajuato, Mexico)

This is brilliant. Today, I'm inspired by the world's color.  (And want to see all of it first hand.)

organic bamboo cutting boards.

seen: bamboo cutting boards by Bambu in kiwi, marigold and strawberry, $12-28

I want this year to be the year I really work on perfecting my kitchen.  Add more favorite pots and knives (sharpen my current ones!).  Finally get that mandoline.  Replace my can opener.  Build a collection of white serving dishes (one Alpilco piece at a time).  Buy a roaster.  Bring in more color.  Sort and simplify.

These seem like the perfect place to start.  

Jefferson shoes.

seen: kids / mens Jefferson shoes by Native $34.99, $44.99

I've never been much into matching my family, but love the idea of coordinating daddy and little boy Jefferson shoes for summertime.  Because they're classics that will breach age- (and even gender) specific design.  I love the lemonade yellow & kermit green brights!  

Have you tried them?  What do you think?  I'm so curious...

[Available at the hassle/risk free Zappos.  (kids / mens)]

tip: italian clamp lid jars!

seen: Jamie Oliver's storage jars, Emersonmade's famous pantry

These images aren't new (although still dreamy and inspiring), but this just in: Italian clamp lid storage jars aren't only for amazing open pantries and celebrities.  

I've searched and searched and found that Crate&Barrel outlet has Fido brand jars on clearance in a variety of sizes (from $3.95- $9.95)!  Save some for me.. 

inspired: cycle chic

seen: images from Cycle Chic

I have no idea how it took me this long to find Cycle Chic which has been called "the Sartorialist on two wheels" and categorized in the top 100 blogs worldwide, but I'll make up for lost time, I'm sure.  They showcase regular citizens on bicycles ("not geeky sub-cultural males," they say)- exposing how beautiful and stylish and healthy and normal this bicycle culture is.

I'm all for a reform that makes this part of my immediate culture too.  To a summer a lifetime of bicycling!

(p.s.  That great orange Yepp Maxi child seat sold locally at new-to-me PUBLIC bikes, who I hope to know more of soon.)

my next housewarming / dinner party / hostess gift

seen: superior servers by Ladies & Gentlemen, $35 each

Because they're practical and pretty and colorful.  Choose from Buttermilk, Dijon mustard, Vintage Aqua and Blood orange and try not to suddenly crave a gourmet salad.  

[Seen in Real Simple Magazine]

porcelain soup can

seen: david stark soup can, $14

Affordable white porcelain vases are hard to come by.  I know because I dream of shelves of them filled with ferns and succulents.  Now we have this new line with amazing raw edges at West Elm.  I'm sold.

mostly good.

Molly asked me to share a favorite parenting moment and so I talked about a recent memory of Cole (above).  It's featured on her blog today, here.

prairie ruffle dress.

seen: prairie ruffle dress

I've never worn dresses, but these cotton ruffles and flutter sleeves in ecru are making me think it's time to turn a page.  I'll post this in my be more feminine at 30 folder.

the new domestic.

 

seen: trees, bees & teepees / eye of the storm / dreaming of Marrakesh / seawind & willows, $36

Celebrate the triangle with the new Canadian shop New Domestic.  They've combined function (large heavy weight recycled cotton canvas totes) with simple style (water based silkscreen in circus brights) and seem to have done it well.  All in time for farmer's markets and beach towels-- hooray!

Abc Bunny.

seen: ABC Bunny, our new Easter book (a 1933 classic!).

Happy Easter.  I love this holiday and hope you're hopeful for new beginnings.

DIY liberty baby bibs

seen: Liberty of London baby bib kits, $35

Today is the day I finished my very first sewing project!  I grabbed one of these baby bib kits a couple of months ago with the intention to learn how to sew.  I finally found the time and now understand why they sold out the very first day they were introduced.  Sewing is made easy with a breeze of a pattern (even on my very first time sewing anything) and the combo of organic Michael Miller cotton terry and like silk Liberty of London's Tana Lawn is amazing.  Available in 7 color-ways (I chose the gray... & now want bright blue, red and yellow.)  

Now someone I really like just needs to have a baby.  I think it will complete the perfect gift.  

message in a spotted egg.

seen: message in an egg tutorial

I saw this and instantly wanted to start a new tradition: a message in a real spotted egg inside each boy's Easter basket.  It looks like magic.  

winter water factory.

seen: Winter Water Factory sale tees

seen: new from Winter Water Factory

For the love of boy tees with modern graphic prints.