more paris snapshots

Here are the last of the Instagrams from Paris. We're back now, and there's much we're missing about our time there, but it's so good to be home too. I felt the time pressure during our last week there, and wished we had just one more week to check everything off my list. I was happy though that we made it to the top of the Arc de Triomphe to enjoy the view of Paris sprawled out before us. If it weren't for the cold and a fussy baby I would've wanted to linger up there longer. I was seriously afraid I was going to drop my iPhone over the edge trying to get that last shot with cold hands and a squirmy baby strapped to my chest! I must say that I really, really love traveling this way - being in one place and taking things in slowly, wandering around making your own discoveries, and going back again and again to get your favorite pastry or cup of hot chocolate.

bonjour!

Bonjour friends, we are in Paris! We're here for a few weeks and are really enjoying ourselves so far. Paris really does not disappoint. This is our second time here, though this time we're here for longer and have two little ones in tow. It took us nearly a week to get over jetlag and settle in, and we've been taking it slow for the most part. We're probably out and about for no more than a couple of hours a day due to naps, the cold, and just tiredness from lugging the boys around. We also eat in most of the time because it's just easier. We're staying in an apartment in the lively Rue Montorgueil area and love that everything we need is just steps away. We also can't get enough of all the amazing bakeries right on our street and have been eating a lot of pastries and baguettes with butter (why is the butter here so much better?). It's great not feeling rushed in trying to squeeze in a bunch of touristy activities and be able to just enjoy life here. Above are a few snapshots from my Instagram feed, follow along @dozidesign if you'd like!

a star-themed baby shower

I threw a baby shower for my sister-in-law who is having a baby boy in a few weeks. I've been loving stars lately, and of course the ever-popular color mint, so designed the invite and shower decor around those two elements. Fortunately it was a small shower, 'cause sewing those little felt stars for the favors took longer than expected!

It's been quiet on the blog because life has been so busy the last couple of months. The shop and my increasingly active boys have occupied much of my days and nights. But things are finally slowing down, and now we're preparing for a very big and exciting family trip. More on that in a couple of weeks!

oscar is 3!

We celebrated Oscar's 3rd birthday this weekend with family and had a great time. We feel so blessed to be near both sides of the family, and that Oscar can grow up with his cousins and be spoiled by his grandparents and aunts and uncles. I figured since I did next to nothing for his 2nd birthday, I should try and make this one a bit more special, especially since he's old enough now to understand what a birthday party means. I tried to keep it simple with just a few decorations but it still took me a couple evenings to prepare, and I'm not so sure Oscar cared all that much about the decor. He hardly noticed or would at most ask why those paper balls were hanging there. Maybe he'll appreciate it when he's older and looking back at pictures, but at least I had fun with it! I loved seeing the expression on his face when we all gathered around to sing him happy birthday. And naturally he was more interested in the frosting than the cake, and his favorite part was opening his presents of course!

2013 planners

Whew - the planners are finally in the shop! This is the first year I have weekly planners (top two photos), something that I'd been wanting to do for awhile but was always afraid to because of the time and extra cost. I finally figured that I should just try it and see how it goes. I'm not sure how many people use physical planners these days, but I find that sometimes it's nice to be able to flip open a planner to jot something down or look something up.

snapshots

Just a few favorite instagram snaps from the last month. It seems that most of them are of the food we eat. We do love our food!

Thanks to everyone for entering the giveaway for the wall calendar! Congrats to Katie, who said, "October is by far my favorite! I love the fall and Halloween :)"

(Katie, I don't see a way to contact you - please email me with your mailing address so I can ship you the calendar.)

2013 wall calendar + a giveaway

Yay, the 2013 wall calendar is done and in the shop! I feel like this year's calendar is quite different from last year's. It really reflects how my tastes and styles have changed, no doubt influenced by trends, but hopefully still true to myself.

To celebrate, I would like to give away one wall calendar. Please leave a comment and tell me which is your favorite month by next Friday, October 12th. Thanks for all the support, and good luck!

goodbye summer

I can't quite believe it's October already -- didn't the year just start? Already I'm missing the long days. We got some nice warm temperatures this weekend though. As you can see, the cars got a bath, and Oscar had fun helping. Oscar's legs are also finally long enough to reach the pedals on his tricycle, so he's been riding around the back yard a lot.

Fall also means that it's time to get the shop in order.  I've been working on the 2013 wall calendar and planners and hope to have them up in the shop in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned!

neon pink

It's funny how colors come in and out of style. I definitely wouldn't have been attracted to neon pink a couple of years ago but now I find it to be such a happy and refreshing pop of color. This pink mesh is part of the packaging for some Chinese rice noodles I was cooking the other day, and I found it so mesmerizing that I decided it should have its own little photo shoot.

5 months

Ian is 5 months! He's been using his hands a lot more recently and squeals with delight with very little prompting. He's such a happy and easy-going baby and I'm just soaking up all his babyness. Oscar is at the age where he's eager to learn and experience new things. He can be so trying at times but also so silly and sweet too. Life has been full and I've been trying to just enjoy this stage when they are little. It can be such a struggle to just be in the moment when you're tired and always thinking about the next meal or the next thing on the to-do list, but I bet one day I'm going to look back and see that this life stage is one of the best.