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