I'm so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers...

Did September even exist this year or have I just been in a bubble of busyness? I have been so busy that I haven't even made it to the grocery store. It's so bad that I'm working with a half carton of soy milk, a container of pumpkin cream cheese, and I'm gnawing on raw macaroni noodles as a snack. Don't feel bad, lord knows I needn't anymore baby goldfish and halloween oreos. And don't you worry, Luca polished off the last of my noosa pumpkin yogurt, devoured some annie's mac n' cheese, and was fed the last of the quinoa/kale medley he's been favoriting. As you can tell, this kid is not being starved--the cheeks definitely do not lie.

Tomorrow is the first of October & my heart's telling me to throw on a sweater but the weather is telling me to slap on the SPF. I will say, we did have a really nice Sunday in Corona Del Mar with beautiful fall weather and wonderful family. I was finally able to live out some of my autumn pinterest board dreams and crunch some leaves beneath my boots, nosh some vanilla bean ice cream topped with peaches & raspberries, and adorn Lu with this pumpkin beanie I stumbled upon some time back. I couldn't wait to call Luca my little "pumpkin head" and have it be true! I know,  I'm a total nerd, but these are the moments that make my heart full.

Luca met & tried befriending my cousin's dog, Lucy, but for the first time ever, it was the dog afraid of Lu. Luca kept chasing after Lucy chanting "wuuff wufff wufff," and I could tell Lucy was shitting bricks. I understood--a squealing plumpkin wearing moccasins was charging straight for her, totally not the norm. She eventually warmed up a bit when Luca started tossing her some puffs. Food can connect even the most unlikely of friends, at least in our family. In the Wood house, food is connection. Food is love. Food is life. On that note, I will let the rest of the photos do the talking while I scavenge the cupboards for anything edible.

 

(minnetonka booties found here)

I wish you all a very fall-ish first day of October & I hope you find that burst of energy knowing we are officially halfway through the week! 

lots & lots of pumpkins & acorns, Chels & the littlest gentle soul there ever was

monthly favorites are back!

I am feeling really guilty about letting up on the monthly faves & the truth of the matter is, not a whole lot has been altering the past couple of months in terms of new products we love, so I wanted to wait to premier our monthly favorites once we had a nice little bundle of goods built up to share. So without further ado, here you have it!

Coola Sunscreen- We used to use Babyganics brand sunscreen, until my friend who works for Coola Organics insisted we try the Coola Baby line. We were sold immediately. The sunscreen is a mineral sunblock & has an amazing liquid to powder feature. Once you begin to rub in the sunscreen on your baby, they become perfectly powdered & protected without becoming the usual greased up butterball, ready for the oven on Thanksgiving like most conventional sunscreens turn them into. 

OXO Tot Sippy Cup- After Luca turned a year, we took him off the bottle and switched him to a sippy cup for rice milk and a straw cup for when he drinks water. Hands down, after many trials and errors with other sippy cup brands, this has become our absolute favorite cup. Let me start by saying, it only has 3 pieces!!!! That right there could sell any parent! The pieces are easy to clean, the handle feature is removable and best of all, no leaks! 

Temporal Thermometer- Have you ever tried to take a one-year-olds temperature via mouth, underarm, or rectally? In my experience, it's nearly impossible...especially if they aren't feeling well. Luca got his first ever flu/temperature shortly after his first birthday, and it was horrible. He was sick for nearly three full days and monitoring his fluctuating temperature was a must. Although necessary, it felt unfeasible and torturous on my part, especially with him feeling down in the dumps. I did a little research and I was so happy when I found you could take a baby's temperature temporally. I ran out to pick one up immediately & this was the one I found. It worked out perfectly. I was able to take Luca's temperature while he slept, without upsetting him, quickly & accurately--a dream! 

Safety 1st Magnetic Locking System- I'm not gonna lie, these are a pain in the you know what to install, but once they are in, they are great. You use a little magnetic key to unlock them during the day and when the baby is sleeping at night, there is a feature that allows you to keep them unlocked so you aren't struggling with frustration trying to get that bag of popcorn to pop before your show comes back on!

Stride-Rite Tennies- These are great for babies just beginning to walk. I could tell Luca was tripping over some of the other shoes he was wearing and I wanted to get him a pair of shoes that were good on his feet. I've heard my fair share of reasons as to why babies need good shoes for when they first start walking. We went with Stride-Rite because they have been around forever! Miles and I both wore them as babies, and once we found the perfect pair for Luca he was off and running! They have a soft & bendable sole which moves with babies' feet, and better yet they have a vast selection of styles & colors!

Charlie Banana Cloth Diapers- Luca wets himself in the night with his regular diapers & we were using huggies overnight diapers, but found they were expensive & bad for the environment. We opted to try cloth diapers (just to use for the nights) and so far, so good. We are still trying to get the system down, so I will share more when we have a solid routine down, but so far my favorite brand we have tried is Charlie Banana. 

Uppa Baby Cruz Stroller- This is my favorite thing on the list & we have been using it since Luca was about 5 or 6 months old. I'll let you do your own research on it because I know everyone has different preferences when it comes to strollers, but I can tell you that we like it because it's lightweight, convertible, easy to fold, has attachment/add-on features, and a huge cargo basket underneath. I love it more than I can say & I highly recommend this brand for all new parents or parents to be! I wish we would have chose it from the get go and I hope if you choose this brand for yourself, you enjoy it as much as we have and still do!

Luca's 14 Month Stats!

Weight: 27 lbs

Height: 32 in. long!

Favorite Book: I love reading Pat the Bunny & Room on the Broom

Favorite Song: I love the song "You've got a friend in Me" from Toy Story and the classic "The Itsy Bitsy Spider!"

First Word: Other than mama and dada, my first word was "duck," though I haven't said it since!

Favorite Activities: Being outside & exploring, standing on my skateboard, snuggling with mama & papa, throwing balls everywhere, giving lots of kisses, and my all time favorite thing to do is dance!

Favorite Foods: I love to eat quinoa & kale, cheese, beans, and eggs!

How many teeth?: I have six teeth! 4 on top and 2 on bottom! I also have a gap between two top teeth!

Thank you for following with us this past 14 months! I wonder where the time has gone, but I feel fortunate that I can look back here on my blog and actually see where the time has went as my short term memory is totally shot! I am so thankful for my beautiful & healthy baby boy, and I am thankful for all of you who have offered me kind words or advice or just commented to share your thoughts and feelings, I love and cherish each and every one of you. People who pretend to read my blog to make me feel good about myself (It's working.) I love you too!

Have a wonderful Monday! Were off to a wedding by the sea! Love is in the air!

Love, love, and more love to all of you...

Chelsie

Happy Autumn Equinox!

Oh yes, this is the day I have been waiting for. It is officially socially acceptable for me to start going bat shit crazy about pumpkins, scattering leaves EVERYWHERE, wearing sweaters, scarves, & leggings, baking anything that contains cinnamon, all spice and/or streusel, watching holiday Hallmark movies, sipping hot cocoa, and singing Christmas Carols (well maybe not so much the last one, but I'll most likely do it anyway). Fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la......?

My new job has taken me by storm. I'm currently student teaching under the professor I'll be taking over for as she is due to go into labor any day now & therefore, so am I. Luckily enough my labor is much less painful and I'll be getting paid. Winning!

Did I mention my Lu is in a contest? He's about 50 votes behind an elderly woman. Usually, I like to respect my elders and wish them the best, but this time I'm saying we need to collectively take. her. down. No exclamation marks because I'm serious. Karen messed with the wrong Mama Kat! This is business were talking here, coffee is on the line for pete's sake! Anyone with a child knows what types of drastic measures one may take in order to get that joe. Ironically enough, I don't drink coffee or caffeine, but my husband does as if it were the fountain of youth & I'm looking forward to the T-shirt (If you read my entry a few posts back where I talk about drinking Trader Joe's Low Acid Cold Brew, well, we had a good run, but I had to bid it adieu. The caffeine and my anxiety just do not mix, which I will talk about in an upcoming post, if you have further questions regarding that wack but necessary exclusion contact me directly via instagram or email). Anyway, way off topic there, here we are landing the private jet (cause if this is my fantasy, were in a private jet.) Private jet here, coming in for landing, hold on tight to your mimosas--If you would like to help the cause click here: You will be redirected to the page where you must click on the check box next to Luca's photo. He's on a skateboard. He's rad. He's a winner! And most importantly he's ready for Fall, skeleton jammies & all!

 I wish you all a great rest of your week courtesy of Luca and his burrito! I ate so many burritos when I was pregnant with him, Miles thought I may just birth one, and in a way I did--our little burrito loves burritos, but this close to the border, who doesn't? Chipotle sound good for lunch tomorrow? Great, I'll see ya there! Oh wait, my butt is ringing in mooing & saying Chipotle is a no go. Grain salad is on the menu....waaaa....Have fun without me...Make me jealous by hash-tagging your burrito eating photos #amomentonthelipsforeveronthehips and I'll cry fat-free tears into my salad. Peace & burritos always. xo Chels

A little bit of fall and a whole lot of pumpkin.

 

Happy Friday Friends! Friday has had me knee deep in desperation since Tuesday. I've been filling in as a sub all week & to keep it short and sweet, it has been one of "those" weeks. It seems like everyone is starting to fall sick while I chase my probiotics with a double dose of airborne--I'm all about that preventative maintenance. And holy heatwave! No wonder everyone is dropping like flies, there is absolutely nowhere the germs can go, they just jello around in the thick, thick heat only to be inhaled by children who have been bathed in hand sanitizer their entire lives. No one stands a chance. It's apocalypse now. It's everyone for themselves & I'm trying not to touch anything. It seems like even making eye contact dooms you, so to all my fellow teachers out there, look away & don't lock eyes with anyone...I'm totally kidding, but in reality it's a runny nose- bloody nose-migraine headache-sinus infection-allergy attack-hacking cough-recipe for disaster. At one point I was teaching french. And let me just preface by saying this: Bonjour, merci, si vous plait, and au revoir--that is the extent of my French right there. I had to wing it like a cockatoo, but I pulled through (I'm holding my son's mustache photo prop up to my face and laughing like a true frenchman muah ha ha) take that. 

In better news, the weather is beautiful today--cold, overcast, just how we fall-obsessed women like it! 

About half way through my week, the A.C. in my classroom went out. yep. dun dun dun! You think it was hard to keep their attention before? The complaining and the nagging alone sans a broken thermostat was enough to make you a loose screw. What first world problems we have, god forbid I have to hear one more kid complain about not getting the iPhone 6. This past week was enough to make anyone throw in the towel but in a weird way I feel no less love for my job, I absolutely love it. Isn't it great when you are doing something you forget you are even getting paid for? That right there is the good life. 

This gloomy weather can only result in one thing, daydreaming about some of our favorite things this autumn for both mama & baby. I hope this sways you to go out to bath & body works and stock up on all their pumpkin-marsmallow-spiced cider-latte-cinnimon bun-all things delicious-goodness. Or at the very least,  drink some eggnog in which you have spilt way too much brandy, sprinkle some nutmeg atop, light a fire and curl up watching your favorite movie. Thank goodness for minimum days, I'll be joining you shortly!

1 || 2 || 3 || 4 || 5 || 6 || 7 || 8

Have a pumpkin-anything filled weekend as mine will be filled with my own little pumpkin Lu & we are on a mission to start getting our house ready for fall. Don't know how much I'll actually get done but the effort will be in full force! Love to you and yours. 

xo Chelsie

I think I am in friend-love with you....

I have a confession to make...I think I am in friend-love with you. With all of you, my sweet, loyal readers. Lately I have been doing a lot of deep reflecting on what makes me happy. First off, I am thankful for the internet, for my computer, for my blog. It is there for me when no one else is. I can open it up and write down all my thoughts and feelings and then I can press publish, save, or just throw it away it all together. 

I am thankful for my readers. I started this blog as a forum to keep track of my life, to talk about Lulu so I'd remember all the things I am feeling, and all I am experiencing with him as he grows. I didn't expect anyone to read it, but when I receive feedback, or comments, or even just views, it gives me a sense of fulfillment. Even if I only relate to one measly person, I feel happy. Sometimes I loath the era of technology as I feel that it's drawing people apart and building barriers amongst effective communication & in other times I am so grateful for the connections it has allowed me to make with people I would have never else met.

As I ponder the question what makes me happy, I seem to keep coming back to the answer of companionship--in all of its forms. I am happy to be a lover, a mother, a sister, a daughter, a granddaughter, a friend, a stranger...all of those things.

Luca and I made a trip to the Meditation Gardens in Encinitas a few days ago & every time I'm there I make an intention or find a focus. We walked around, stared out into the endless deep blue sea, and contemplated. I contemplated life, what living means to me, what I want out of this life, and how I want to live my life more meaningfully, treasuring time more, and reflecting more on what I am appreciative of. Luca contemplated which rock he wanted to take home as a keepsake.

    

    

    

   

    

    

We stopped at Whole Foods to get into some A.C. It was so humid out, I could have skipped out on a shower that night. Don't worry I didn't! I had remembered that our friend Sammy worked there, and we made our way to the seafood counter to see if he was working. Sure enough, Uncle Sammy was working! Slingin' shrimp and handling halibut, he was busy helping a few customers, but the moment he and Luca locked eyes, both were as happy as clams! Sammy is the absolute best! I  love the sign between them, "Pairs well with..." and I say Uncle Sammy pairs perfectly with Luca or anyone for that matter!

You know those people who just emit sincerity, positivity, and the best type of energy that you want to be surrounded with at all times? That's Sammy to a T. He reminds me of that bumper sticker, 

'no bad days.' Many people proclaim it, but few live it. I myself have to work on saying what I mean and living what I say. It seems to come so naturally to Sammy. It is a practice and it seems he's been practicing for so long, it just flows innately through him. He genuinely listens to what you tell him, and cares about what it is you have to say. He listens, really listens. He makes eye contact, never diddles with his cell phone, and engages in the conversation. He is present. He is here now. We can learn a lot from him and do every time we see him which should be way more often. I want Luca to be surrounded by energy like that. Everyone is always saying "yeah, we should get together more!" and when we don't we come up with excuses like "Oh we are so busy, traffic is killer, yadda, yadda, yadda..." and excuse my language, but all of that is bull shit. We have to make a more conscious effort to see those we love, the street flows two ways and everyone is busy, you have to legitimately make the time.  Sammy and Miles have known each other for the longest time, and Miles always has nothing but the best to say about him, he describes Sammy as a true gentleman, and that could not be more true. He's the best of the best, the creme de la creme and we adore him!

We had to stay hydrated  having the weather so intensely hot, and I have to say that I love the boon fluid sippy (found here)! I only use it with water, but It doesn't leak, has an easy spout for little mouths to drink through & holds a ton of water! I especially like how it looks like a mini canteen!

With steps upon steps, I knew I was in trouble. Luca proceeded to go up and down so many times with me holding his hands I started to think I would become paralyzed into the hunchback position, Quasimoto style. Once sweat started to pour off my forehead and give Luca a shower from above, I figured it was time we move onto some other pastime. 

Later on in our day we made a stop at St. Tropez, a local little french cafe and coffee shop, to meet up with one of my best and dearest friends, Stefanie. We caught up as best we could, with me chasing after Luca every two minutes. And then he decided to dunk like Jordan, his snacks all over the ground. At that point, all care went out the window, and I let him pick them up, feed them to me, and then proceed to eat them himself. I figured flu season is coming up and we could use a little immunity boost from good ol' mother nature. Stefanie has the best patience. I know I am a chaotic mess at times, and my thoughts veer here, there, and everywhere just like the Beatles sing, but she some how keeps up with it all and responds. She has the best, most thoughtful heart. I utterly adore her. As I get older, my close friends seem to be sifting away, getting fewer and fewer. I don't like to invest time in people who really don't have the time to invest in me, and with a baby, high-maitenence friends are a no-go. I need adaptability, and likewise I need to be adaptable to my friends as well. Stefanie is just that way. It doesn't matter how busy we get, we always find the time to meet and pick up right where we left off. People come in and out of your life at different times for different reasons. They come into your life when you need them most, and sometimes that is a lifetime.

We capped off our day by meeting up with who I consider my west coast Mother-in-Law, Gail. You may remember her from this post. She is like a second mother to Miles and has been such an influential figure in his life. Miles and her son grew up together and are just like brothers, they bicker, they tease, they share a ton of memories, but have nothing but pure love for one another. When I met Miles, she embraced me into her family just the same. Gail is from the east coast so she says it how it is, how she sees it, calls a spade a spade, and I've learned a lot from her in terms of mannerisms. I've learned it's okay to say what others are thinking, but no one wants to say--bravery, I admire her independence--she raised her son on her own, worked multiple jobs, and achieved her bachelors, credentials, and a double masters in mathematics. yes, we know she's a total beast! & I respect her work ethic, I need that kind of drive, I just know I have it in me! She works hard and plays harder. She indulges in only the best, is one of the most generous individuals I know, always taking care of each and every one of her people and every time I see her I am learning something new. She is literally and figuratively a teacher. On the job or off, her wisdom and nurturing just spans on forever. She treats Miles no differently than her own son, me like her daughter, and Luca like her grandson.  Gail has helped us in ways we could never repay, and we enjoy her company more than she will ever know.

How lucky am I? I am surrounded by so  many great people who love me, who look out for me, who appreciate me for me being for me and exactly who I am in this moment, people who support me in all I am evolving into, and people help guide me in directions that will only lead me to that place that makes me happy. I am a lucky lady.

Happy fall friends! I wish you all a happy weekend!

Were one day closer to fall!

Falleluja! xo.

House Tour Part I

So I know I have been lagging on showing you our new home, but I wanted to wait until we had put down roots and everything was in its place. Once I came to the realization we would never be fully settled & the house would always be a work in progress, I quit worrying about bookending everything, and decided to open my door to you! I'll have to follow up with our bedroom, my craft space, Luca's nursery and Miles' office because they aren't quite finished yet, but for now here is the place we call home. I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

Here is our front entry way, facing the door from the living room. We wanted a door that would stand out and flow in order with feng shui. Since our door faces towards the east, green was our best option, and so I chose the most subtle of greens, chartreuse! It's loud & bright, I know, but we all love it and it adds that small pop of color that sets our house apart from the others on the block and gives us some character!

I found this print at the paper source and I knew its home would be in our entry way. If you're ever looking for a print for a frame, the paper source has countless designs and colors of wrapping paper you can cut down to whichever size you need and pop them in a frame :) 

I found this Nazar at mother's market. The Nazar is an eye-shaped amulet that wards off evil energy. It's a good symbolic piece to hang in your home or car if you're into that kind of thing & If you aren't, it's still really pretty piece to look at.

To the left of the door, we hang our keys because we can never find them! & We found this accent cabinet at Target and we love it! It was simple to put together, was extremely reasonable price-wise, and is really sturdy which is a definite must when you have a toddler in tow. Lots of bang for your buck with this piece!

We love keeping fresh flowers in the house at all times, it just makes your house a home and they just smell so lovely when you walk in the door :). 

Monogram everything! I love monograms, whether it be my initial, Miles' or Luca's. I especially love our "W" initial because it encompasses the three of us!

I found this "W" at Anthropologie, which is unfortunately sold out! But you can find a similar & (on SALE!) version here.

Facing the front door and walking into the doorway to your left, you come into our favorite, most used part of our home, our kitchen! We have cabinets on cabinets on cabinets--truth be told, you can never have too many cabinets!

I spy our beloved boon lawn drying rack, do you?!

Don't ask me what's going on in our looking glass because my guess is just as good as yours. I can't quite figure out what I want in there just yet, so temporarily it's a smorgasbord of a mini bar, a cookbook shelf, and a trinket hoarder. 

Gotta love the good ol' fashioned micro, but not enough to display it on our counter. This dinosaur has stuck by us through many moves and although its wattage may be low, it takes double the time to heat anything up & cost a whopping $25 at the D.A.V, I can't get rid of it. I like its persistent little self and although it may be weird to say this about a microwave, it has a spunky little attitude. It best can be described as the little engine that could! It just keeps chuggin' along, & if it ain't broke why fix it?!

Here is the counter we travel to most frequently, primarily because it's where our tea/coffee station lives! Yes, we have a section devoted just to coffee & tea. Caffeine is queen in this house! (I'm back to drinking coffee, but only the Trader Joe's brand cold brew concentrate because it's low acid and doesn't murder me. I'm not totally back to coffee, more so these days matcha green tea soy lattes are my jam! I can't wait to try out the recipe for these green tea protein fudge bars I found! I just wish the heat would settle so I could get in the mood to fire up the oven and bake.

Veganomicon is an awesome vegan/vegetarian cookbook. I haven't found a recipe in it I haven't liked so far--though I've only tried a couple!

Here it is, behold, the infamous coffee station!

It seems totally lame like a trend, but it actually pays to drink your coffee through a straw. It helps lessen the chance of coffee stain to your white teeth!

Mile's loves brewing his coffee in the chemex. This is a must have for coffee lovers, once you have this, you won't go back to your electric machine--well maybe you will if you don't have a percolator or are lazy as all hell--but really, best coffee maker ever and fashionably nice to look at! (post not sponsored by chemex)

Robofan is making a cameo in this shot & you my friends have a small peek into the wonderful wall mural that is the NYC skyline in my husband's office, excuse me, man cave.

There is also a fabulous sketch of Miles and I that was drawn at his company Christmas party two years ago. The absolute worst thing ever about this portrait is that there is a mole the caricature artist drew on my cheek that is non-existent...THAT MOLE WAS A PIMPLE YOU JERK! And now I am forever reminded that when people tell you "oh it's not even that bad, your concealer totally conceals it!" they're lying. Every. Time. We were in a dark bar with bad lighting and my pimple still made the cut. I was pregnant and emotional about it then, now I just think, hey if I had a mole there it wouldn't look half bad. Learn to love it all, the good, the bad, the ugly. But back to house talk, this kitchen I love!

This chandelier was a DIY project, and I must say that it is by far the best, least costly project I've ever completed. And bonus, I love the design it makes on the ceiling! Don't you love the satisfaction you get by doing something yourself?

We couldn't find a dining room table we liked so naturally, I had Miles build us one! Then, to put my part in to the project I stained and sealed it. The color came out a bit more red than I would have liked , but as soon as I saw how it played against our beach wood flooring I fell in love.

The acrylic dining room chairs are a knock of version of these Louis ghost chairs. I wish I could afford the real deal, but even if I could 300 bucks is crazy steep for a throne chair.

This is our living room, don't mind the vacuum, it's basically part of the decor since it's out more than it is in. I'm constantly vacuuming something, crumbs, postpartum hair, toys, etc. It's a staple, I should just fuse my hand to it & call it a day. 

And here behind the couch, we have the greatest invention of all time, the sofa table toy box!

I was tired of staging things only to have them thrown about, broken, or finding myself sweating over whether or not the displays were childproof, so I decided to stage Luca's toys instead. Now Luca can touch & play with all of it and it keeps him occupied (for now anyway!). We also did this in the kitchen. We left one drawer unchild-locked & filled it with Luca's own kitchen gadgets and trinkets. I find it keeps him out of all the other drawers and he thinks he is contributing to helping me cook. I love watching him pull out all the measuring cups and spatulas and wonder in awe why I'm not acting quick to take them away. Hey, maybe one day I'll have my own personal chef ;)

The Native American watercolor painting was an original piece painted by Miles' friend & extremely talented artist, BB Bastidas. I was definitely nervous about it at first because of it being such a big ticket item, but once Miles convinced me, and I saw the painting in person, I knew it was worth every cent. In fact it has become one of my favorite things to look at on our photo wall. 

I introduce to you...Air plants! Ya heard it right. These little diamonds are the best plants ever if you have a black thumb like me. All they need to survive is air! They say you should spritz water on them once a week or so, but I forget all the time and they're still goin' strong! Simplistic & drought friendly, they check off in my book!

You can see our prized moose making a vignette in this one!

Mark my words, we will move before I figure out the coffee table situation. I found this tree stump at West Elm and I'm thinking of assorting two other different sized sized side tables and currently have my eye on this white bubble stool from the container store & this "peekaboo c" table from CB2. For now, this stump stands solo. I spotted this beautiful Nate Berkus three-legged stool at Target the other day and started second guessing all my decisions, so things aren't looking optimistic for the lone ranger. Unless I'm absolutely certain about something, I can't take the plunge, which is why so much of my house is still incomplete. I may just be the most indecisive person alive. If you have any suggestions, I'm all ears!
Also, I am obsessed with my moira zucchini bread candle from Anthropologie! It smells like autumn, like I spent all afternoon baking when all I did was nap. Although it isn't officially fall yet, we had some rainfall yesterday and I nearly croaked--all I wanted to do was run out in some rain boots and stomp on some leaves only to come in, light up a fire, and curl up with a hot cup of pumpkin spiced anything. Regardless, I dubbed September the official unofficial start of fall & in my opinion, the most wonderful time of the year!

Luca's anywhere chair is by far his favorite seat in the house. He'll climb in and out, in and out, until he finds that soft spot. Then, once comfortable, he'll settle in, curl up and hum as he flips through a board book or use his feet to bring the nearest toy on the floor to his hands, and my heart melts.

Oh and don't you worry, those are flameless candles! 

This spinal shelf is one of my favorite pieces in the house. I love that you can constantly trade out items on the shelves according to holidays and seasons. This is a selling point for me on almost everything we own. Is it fall compatible?? Yes? Ok, grab two. 

This painting was the inspiration behind all the colors in our home. We used it as a focal point to make each room cohesive. We took the colors from the painting to paint each of the other rooms. The dark grays went into Mile's office, the butter yellow into Luca's nursery, and the hues of blues in our master bedroom and bathroom.

Well, there you have it, a small peek into our home! Now we are ready to decorate for fall! Can you even handle the cat ear beanie on Lu? I can't. Hope your Monday is like ripping off like a band-aid, quick and painless! Were having another rainy day and I'm about to roundhouse kick my leg in the air and do a backflip, but before that I'm gonna park Luca's coupe under the porch, you know how men are about their cars. This weather though! I have that feeling inside of me like I'm falling in love! Sending all that love and sprinkling pumpkin spice like pixie dust your way!
XO.
Chelsie