elephants trunk season

i love spring time for so many reasons; tulips budding, everything turning lovely shades of green, berries in season, sun brewed iced tea and to trump all of these things: elephants truck/flea market/garage sale season. i actually get all giddy with excitement when i see my first garage sale sign of the year. bring on the bargains!

so, naturally, i dragged the whole family along for a morning of extreme fun at the elephants trunk the other weekend. we left with a car full of goodies and stomachs full of typical connecticut fair food; apple cider donuts and fries.

bargain #1 - this beautiful, irish wool, plaid blanket. i was kind of obsessed with the color combinations and am totally picturing it pin cai's big boy room transformation

made in ireland exclusively for lord & taylor...and me

plus, i totally reminded me of these amazing blankets from terrain. seriously gorgeous. 

but i got mine for a mere $15 vs. $348. bargain? check!

bargain #2 - this little gem of a throw. seriously, look at these colors. and baby fringe! who doesn't love wool baby fringe?!  it's beautiful. it's pretty small, but perfect size for nia snuggles.

bargain #3 - metal magazine/book holders. they were priced $15 each, but it was late in the day and i got both for $10. score! i'm sure they were used for mail or something, but my plan for these bad boys i'm still deciding between as book holders next to the kids beds or near the guest room nightstand or as a magazine holder in the bathroom. (after 10 years together, stuart and i still aren't sure how we feel about encouraging reading in the bathroom, so we're still on the fence)

bargain #4 - hand painted, gold leaf box from florence, italy. so sweet, great size and in great shape. $7. currently housing pinecone treasures and special rocks :)

bargain #5 - really fabulous, super soft, red quilt. i love it. the colors are pretty simple reds, yellow and black + whites. it is an such great shape and is SO COZY. i was originally thinking nia's room, but her room is feeling a bit more french/pastel/antique to me, leaving me to think cai's future big boy room. clearly, cai is making out like a bandit; throw, quilt, (possible) book storage. 

i feel obligated to note that i do 3 weird/strict testing on anything fabric before i buy it. goes as follows, not always in this order...

1) sniff test. sounds gross, but i would rather do it that realize when I'm home it fails a sniff test. gross, but vital.

2) washable, or cheap enough that if its not washable and i ignore all laundering rules, wash it anyway that it's a not a huge loss, or if its just simply that amazing and can only dry dean, that i can afford to get it properly cleaned. 

3) judge. yup, i most definitely judge sellers.

hello summertime

(photo via cup of jo)

(photos via ny mag)

*these stella sunglasses are on my 'wish list'

to turban or not to turban

i recently got a fabulous turban in ivory silk that i have been desperate for an excuse/event/occasion to wear it, similar to this one.

but already i am thinking of leaping past the full turban and attempting to rock the turban bun

i just LOVE the head wrapped yellow silk one. 

maybe for a special late june wedding?

feeling soggy

so i just had a baby just under 5 months ago. she's fabulous, wonderful and i am madly in love more than i ever dreamed.

however, there is the not-so-lovely side effects post baby. the "soggy" look. everyone you vent to about the annoying, still hangin' around baby weight will tell you that it took 9 months to put the weight on so you can't expect to lose it so fast. i think these people are just being nice. 

3 signs that have brought me to the conclusion that i need to get going on losing this baby weight...

1) not one, not two, but 3 contestants on the 'biggest loser' weigh less than i do. needless to say i have veered away from eating ice cream while watching this season. 

2) i still feel compelled to create + wear a shirt that reads ' i have a newborn at home' when i go running. at almost 5 months, she is no longer a newborn. and being overweight and sporting flashy new running sneakers make me look like a beginner runner, of course which i'm not.

(said new running shoes)

3) i'm still wearing maternity jeans on an almost daily basis. 

although i do not expect to look like this

i would like to get myself back into shape enough so i can make a rare appearance here before labor day. 

bun love

love this!

 

just came across this look today on one of my fav clothing sites and have been inspired to try it. it will debut at a midtown bar this afternoon. 

i'm in love with the hester street fair

  


i recently ventured down + out to essex street to check out the oh-so-new hester street fair; a smaller, delightful, manhattan version of the beloved brooklyn flea. it was well worth the long trek from queens and was the perfect adventure to brighten up the otherwise gloomy weathered weekend.

i adore local street fairs and markets - a great way to be inspired to buy local & eat seasonal (cute lil catch phrase i borrowed from top hester vendor claudia pearson)

it got me right from the start with the grub. there was enough to please a true foodie with some of my favorites; lobster roll master luke's lobster (october 28 '09), meatball shop treats (may 22 '10), as well as brooklyns own mcclure's pickles, a selection of tasty bakeries and the much anticipated sigmund pretzel...which was everything i hoped it would be and more. i savored each bite of my classic salted, although it was a tough choice between classic and gruyere paprika, but for a first try i thought it best to try the building block for all the rest of the flavors.

food aside (not so much aside as nestling in my stomach as useful caloric energy bits i would need for the treasure hunting ahead of me) the vendors were stellar. i left with only 3 purchases, but was easily charmed by others and took extensive notes on multiple business cards.

aforementioned claudia pearson has bright and beautiful assortment of tea towels made from old flour sacks, totes, prints and more. she's a "must add" to your etsy favorite buyer list. i treated my kitchen to the spring tea towel. love it! and i have been hinting endlessly to mr.s that the other 3 seasons would be a perfect gift.

  

i have been sporting the cutest little earrings you ever did see from erica weiner and would be sure to go back to her for girlfriends birthday gifts. even the card that the earrings rest on have such detail and can perk up your day.

i couldn't pass up vintage t-shirts that were only $5 each and got one for mr.s and one for myself. we've both been out & about in them a few times since. what a bargain!

and i plan on going back soon for must-have baby attire from juli raja who had a gorgeous collection of block print men dress shirts, baby tops, dresses and scarves.

i plan on going again. perhaps today. i'm craving pickles and am still curious about the gruyere + paprika pretzel.