I am SO excited for my first bad ass mama feature. I met this wonderful woman back in 2007 when we both worked at Anthropologie in Atlanta Ga. She had such a presence, a regal quality about her that I admired the heck out of. Once she became pregnant with Her first little one Chloe she left Anthro and I never saw her again.Years later I decided to do a little googling and found her! I was so excited and also wowed to see that she was working on her brand r-ki-tekt. Her accessories line is fun, upbeat, and unique, just like Kelly.
I'm so excited to sharethis dance-y fun fun fun playlist curated by Betty Garcia. I asked her to pick songs that she likes to sing and listen to with her little ones. Of course she came up with this really upbeat and totally nontraditional mix. I have it on repeat!
Visit Her instagram or etsy for cute vintage kids clothes too
When I was younger I was very into vintage clothing,particularly that of the 50's and 60's. Full skirts, nipped waist embroidered and beaded cardigans. Pastel colors and lots of bow,flowers,and tulle. As I've gotten old my style has matured in a way, the colors have toned down the silhouettes have relaxed and girl loves a good turban head wrap. I dress to be able to get on the ground for tummy time, to run around with the dog outside.
Strangely when I found out I was pregnant with a little girl I thought that I would want to put her in the most feminine of outfits. like what I wore when I was younger. I went to thrift stores in search of white lace and bows and velvets. Then she was born. I realized that this baby sleeps and lays down and that's about it. Shes not going to teas. Shes scooting her self around and rolling over from stomach to back. Most of all shes drooling and pooping. So all of those precious items went out the window. I dress her now for comfort and for these 90+ degree days we've been having in southern california. And you see that cute turban up there? So me and so Ellie too
Michelle is the designer of Ultraviolet, named for her darling Violet and she makes the cutest grown up but not too grown up clothes. Its how I would want to dress as an adult yet still kid friendly (sometimes I see kids dressed as little adults in a way that makes me wonder, how could that kid be comfortable to run up the jungle gym and swing. A kid really should worry about getting a little messy)
GO OUT and buy Here and friend her on instagram too because her daughter is just too cute!
**all photos used with permission from Ultraviolet Kids
Welcome to the inside of every mamas phone. It's amazing how their tiny little faces are able to express every conceivable human emotion. Her mood can change within seconds running the gamut of curiosity, amusement,dismay.
When she smiles its the best smile because you know that its free of sarcasm, that its a true genuine smile. The desire to want to capture that, to be able to look at her smiling face when I'm away from her is indefatigable. I am slave to the mamas urge to snap snap away.
When shes upset its a passionate fiery anger with real life tears streaming down her red-purple face.As the weeks go on I learned what each type of cry means. A shrill screech is pain and a loud squawk is boredom. I run to her when she cries and in between the moments of trying to solve her problems I look down and still want to capture the moment.
When it comes to meal planning I have a tendency to go a little overboard. I scower my ever growing list of food blogs, puruse my issues of bon appetit, and check out my book marks in Alice Waters "the art of simple food" and Mark BIttmans "How to cook Everything". Then I compile receipes based on common ingredients then I make a shopping list. I refine the shopping list by what section it is in the grocery store ( I know my local trader joes like the back of my hand) Its pretty ridiculous. Since Baby Bird has been born I haven't done much cooking, leaving that up to my wonderful husband, but I think I'm ready to jump back in. Here's What I'm planning to make this week (its incredibly hot this week so its heavy on the salads. I have no desire to spend too much time in front of a hot stove)
Tuna Nicose Salad- via Martha Stewart
Balsamic Watermelon Chicken Salad- via Pinch of Yum
Corn Chowder with Bacon-via Eclectic recipes
Sweet and Spicy Pulled Pork and Tequila Lime Chicken Sandwiches via Host the Toast
My First Playlist I made for Ellie. A little bit Melancholy, some untraditional love songs. During skin to skin and nursing it puts me in a calm mood which then puts Birdie in a calm mood. So really this playlist is for me.
Making:myself crazy. Need to learn to have patience!
Cooking: nothing, im so lucky for Jon’s help these days. I feel like i have no energy.
Drinking: lots of water
Reading: not as much as I’d like. I’m even behind on my magazines!
Wanting:to nap with my baby pup and hubby
Looking: at my computer screen my eyes are starting to cross
Playing: Tears of Joy By Slow Club
Wasting: nothing. no time for waiting
Wishing: that i had more time to be crafty
Enjoying: the cloudy mornings
Waiting:for our first family vacation to Kings Canyon next month
Liking: getting calls from friends with exciting news!
Wondering: whats next
Click image to read more
Loving: being a momma
Hoping: to ride my bike soon.
Marveling: at how much i’ve learned in the last few months and how much more there is to learn
Needing: to decide what I’m going to have for lunch
Smelling: the sweet smell of coffee in the morning
Wearing: pants that are too big. Its time for new clothes to fit my new body
Following:too many people on instagram. I purge if i start feeling overwhelmed/jealous
Noticing: that my sense of smell is so much stronger than it used to be. Blessing/Curse
Knowing:that is don’t always know everything
Thinking: about lunch…
Feeling:inspired by so many creative bad ass mommas in the world.
Bookmarking: this article with the 100 greatest vegetable recipes. Hope to incorporate more veggies in my diet.
Opening: my mind to new possibilities for the direction of my life. I’m allowing myself to accept that my life isn’t going quite as I planned and realizing that that’s ok.
Giggling:at my birds little squawks. she’s so verbal and i love it.
Feeling: optimistic, because there’s no where to go but up.
A photo from the 1940s that captures the Joy of a young girl playing with bubbles for the first time. What a beautiful reminder that life is full of joy and wonder
Um can i be more obsessed with Fink Toys . Based out of South Carolina they are cranking out these adorable handmade little Friends. Plushy toys are still not interesting to Ellie Bird yet, but I want to stock up on cute friends for future Tea Parties!
kianamaiart
gummygunk
origamiaround