ommwriter

OK, this word-processing application, Ommwriter, seriously just blew my mind. Download it for free, here, and give it a spin on your Mac, iPad or PC. LOVE.

Samantha Hahn for the Chicago Tribune

The artwork of my amazing friend, Samantha Hahn (creator of the illustrations for the Sakura Bloom Styleathon), was featured last Sunday on the cover of the Chicago Tribune style section!

How cool is that?

Now, allow me to share a fun little behind-the-scenes secret:

The artist asked yours truly to pose as a reference for the illustration!

!!!

As you can see, Samantha is even more talented than we had imagined, capable of transforming even the most humdrum of living room photo shoots into material for a glamorous cover (see: toddler about to pounce from nearby couch, ratty old bath towel standing in for bright beachy one, and suspicious lack of sand). Not to mention that she dealt so kindly with this mama's generous share of wobbly/saggy/stretchmarked bits :)

I have never felt so bathing beauty-ish!

Thank you, Samantha!

Also, note to self:

This does not count as an actual trip to the beach. No.

We need to get cracking on one of those.

It's the 4th of July weekend already, sheesh!

Here are a few of the other versions of the design

that were considered for the piece. Aren't they so fun?

sseko

I love everything about this amazing shoe company, Sseko (pronounced say-ko).

Not only is the product beautiful, so is the mission and the back story! I can't get enough of their super-stylish website. I just ordered a pair of these lovely, incredibly versatile sandals, along with two extra sets of interchangeable straps (brilliant!).

You should too.

midsummer fun

The carousel at Chelsea Piers

Toes + grass

The view from the 102nd floor of the Empire State Building

Brothers. Best friends.

Did you know you can kayak on the Hudson river?

For free?

You can and we did.

STOMPing

Self portrait in the back seat of a cab, date night

Perfecting dance moves in PJ's

Exploring the American Museum of Natural History

Heading home, late afternoon

El Greco on Breastfeeding

The Holy Family with Saint Anne, by El Greco

Oil on canvas, 138 x 103.5 cm

Szepmuveseti Muzeum, Budapest, Hungary

national velvet

I grabbed a DVD of National Velvet out of the sale bin at the bookstore the other day for $3.99.

I hoped that Jackson would love the classic tale of friendship, faith, determination, and girl-power as much as I did as a kiddo, but I underestimated the extent of his enthusiasm. He has watched it at least five times in the last week, and I keep overhearing him quoting dialogue when he and Walker are playing. Lest you think that he's solely taken with the story of Velvet Brown, Mi Taylor, The Pie and their improbable journey to the Grand National steeplechase, let me assure you that it has something more to do with being positively smitten with the young Elizabeth Taylor.

"Mom," he has said more than once, "Velvet is SOOO beYOOOtiful!!!"

His first movie-star crush?

a pretty belly for your weekend

Photo via Pintrest

Have a wonderful, restful, happy weekend, everyone!

XOXO,

Leigh

The Sakura Bloom Styleathon: Round 2 Assignment

Elizabeth, Joanna, Danielle, Natalie, "Miss" James, Jen, Sharmadean, Melisa, and Aura have until 11:59 pm, July 5 to post their Round 2 entries on their respective blogs, before we move on to Round 3.

Our goal is to encourage as much freedom of expression as possible in the blogger's entries, while providing them with items that fuel their imaginations. In that spirit, we have one simple guideline:

• Each item received from the Styleathon sponsors must make at least one appearance in at least one round of the Styleathon.

The competition will culminate, in late July, with the announcement of a Grand Prize Winner, chosen by our panel of judges.

Marvelous Kiddo readers: If you babywear, I would love to hear your thoughts on how doing so has affected your life. Leave a comment on this post. Thanks! And don't forget to enter the giveaway!!!

it's a book

The concept for this picture book really cracked me up, even as it kind of depressed me. Sign of the times. Watch the droll little trailer:

stuck in my head

This photo of Helen Frankenthaler

This hammock

The best business card EVER

Papaya Lassi with Cardamom

This beautiful room

What's stuck in your head?

The Sakura Bloom Styleathon: Meet the Judges

With the first of 3 Rounds behind us, it's clear that the Styleathon judges will have their work cut out for them choosing the Grand Prize Winner! Just who are the folks who will be weighing the entries? Allow me to introduce them:

Stephanie Precourt -- The woman behind the wildly popular blog, Adventures in Babywearing and hostess of The Sakura Bloom Triathlon, precurser of the Styleathon.

Pauline Nakios -- Owner and Creative Director of Lilla P

Lynne Banach -- Owner and Creative Director of Sakura Bloom

Selima Salaun -- Owner and Designer, Selima Optique

Andrea Tobin -- Owner and Designer, Marla Cielo

Are you enjoying following along with the Styleathon action? Don't forget to spread the love by grabbing an official button, here. Also, you can keep up with all the participants on Twitter by following this group! Thanks for your enthusiasm :)

Beaubrun on (Royal) Breastfeeding

Louis XIV et la Dame Longuet de La Giraudière

(Louis XIV and his Wet Nurse)

by Charles Beaubrun, c. 1640

81 × 64 cm

Musée national du Château et des Trianons, Versailles

The Sakura Bloom Styleathon: Reader Giveaway! Silk Sling + Marla Cielo Wristlet

Now that all the Styleathon contestant's Round 1 entries have been submitted, it's time for another reader giveaway!

Up for grabs this week are two amazing items: A Sakura Bloom sling from any of our silk collections (winners choice of style and color!) and a gorgeous Marla Cielo Suenos Wristlet.

I will randomly select one winner from the eligible entrants.

Entering couldn't be simpler:

Be sure to check out all the Styleathon Round 1 entries (Elizabeth, Joanna, Danielle, Natalie, "Miss" James, Jen, Sharmadean, Melisa, and Aura), and leave a comment on this post along with your email address (even if you think I know it already!) NOTE: The original question included as a requirement for entering this giveaway has been omitted. All previous entries will remain valid. Thank you so much for your participation!

The deadline to enter is 11:59 EST, Sunday, June 26.

Good Luck!

XOXO,

Leigh

PS: Congratulations to Nicole, winner of the first Styleathon reader giveaway. Nicole will receive a Sakura Bloom sling and a $250 gift card from Lilla P. Thank you to everyone who entered and shared great thoughts about motherhood and style!

COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED FOR THIS GIVEAWAY. THANK YOU FOR ENTERING! WE WILL ANNOUNCE THE WINNER SOON ;)

UPDATED: The Sakura Bloom Styleathon, Round 1 Entries!!!

Have you been keeping up with the Sakura Bloom Styleathon contestants? If not, you should be, since all nine of them have now posted their Round 1 entries on their own blogs.

I cannot tell you how moved I am by all of their words and photos. What a talented, articulate, beautiful group of mamas! I am truly humbled and honored to know these ladies.

Now run over and check out all the incredible Styleathon entries, and prepare to be inspired and delighted. Here are links to the posts (in no particular order):

Danielle (and Henry) of Sometimes Sweet

Elizabeth (and Elodie) of The Littlest

Natalie (and Huck) of Nat The Fat Rat

Joanna (and Toby) of A Cup of Jo

Sharmadean (and Roman) of London Momma

Jen (and Rowan) of Jen Loves Kev

Aura (and Elodie) of Aura Joon

Melisa (and Blake) of The Lil Bee

"Miss" James (and Gemma Bird) of Bleubird Vintage

Stay tuned to Marvelous Kiddo for our second amazing Styleathon giveaway and the Round 2 Assignment! Fun!