Little wooden boxes

These little treasure boxes are so appealing! What a great way to give someone a tiny gift. They would also make perfect ring boxes.

I know it has been quiet around here this week . . . it will be the same story next week. We are spending some time with family and I'm trying to keep computer time to a minimum! 

via Oh Dier

My new stamp

I couldn't be happier with my new custom stamp from the Etsy shop papersushi. Jen was wonderful to work with and the stamp arrived very quickly from Germany! I'm looking forward to putting it to use with next batch of shop orders. And did you notice that it matches my blog header? Whoah. I'm finally getting organized. It only took me two years.

6 months in our pajamas

Well abbracadabra shazauma, Severen is suddenly 6 months old! He is laughing, rolling around like  a barrel, sitting up with help and generally being very willful. He continues to be a big, strong boy, inspiring an early upgrade to a convertible carseat, the start of safety proofing around the house and some more changes in his room. Here are some photos we took for you this morning, in our PJs.

Mom life is A-Okay, although I am astonished by the relentless (thanks for that word, Anne, it is perfect) pace of life. However busy I was at the busiest time of my life prior to Severen, it is nothing compared to the way things are now. Even after six months of practice, I am still in denial about what is and is not possible given my new time and energy constraints. Here are some examples:

Ideal: Make dinner every night
Reality: Make dinner four nights a week, eat leftovers and "fend for yourself" (i.e. eat cheese, raspberries and chocolate covered almonds) the other nights

Ideal: Eat 5 pieces of fruit and 4 vegetables a day.
Reality: Eat 2 pieces of fruit a day. Also, prunes count as fruit in my book. And some green beans with dinner.

Ideal: Talk to my closest friends at least once a month.
Reality: I try to talk to my mom and my mother-in-law on the phone once a week. They are the Grandmas so they are at the top of the list. For everybody else, all I can say is thank god for texting and Facebook.

Ideal: Have a tea party with porcelain service ware and tiny sandwiches every day at 3 PM.
Reality: OK, that is a dream. I've never done it. But that doesn't stop me from thinking about it.

Ideal: Do yoga 4X a week
Reality: Do 10 minutes of yoga here and there as I can. And only the standing poses because I fall asleep if more than 1/3 of my body touches the mat.

Ideal: Photograph all the important moments in Severen's life, which occur all the time.
Reality: Try to take a few photos every other day or so.

Ideal: Blog 5 days a week and list new items in the shop every day.
Reality: Ha ha ha ha.

Ideal: Shave my legs, paint my toenails and just generally keep things ladylike around here.
Reality: Nevermind. No really, nevermind. Just forget I said anything. And don't look at my legs.

Here's what I've come to realize: Something is better than nothing these days. "Halfway" is the new "all the way" for me. This represents a major shift in my thinking because, pre-Severen, leaving things unfinished was not OK. But now, I work as hard as I can (there is no such thing as procrastination anymore, except when it comes to laundry) and I still only make a bit of progress. Does that mean I am failing? I don't think so. Nope, in fact I think that doing things halfway is a goddam amazing accomplishment these days. If you are a parent out there making it halfway, I heartily congratulate you. You are not coming up short. You are doing an excellent job. I wish I could buy you ice cream I am so proud of you. Keep it up.

Loveday Antiques

If you happen to live in London, and you have £14,000 to put to good use, I suggest you go out and buy these three items immediately (images linked)! I wish I could visit the Loveday Antiques showroom in person and whisper sweet nothings to this Art Deco dining table. Mama Mia. I'm also quite smitten with this reclining black leather chair from the 1830s and this Victorian Partner's writing table.

Little beaded purses

I'm fiiiinnnnallly getting around to listing these sweet little Czech purses. It seems to be the right season for them! I think they would be perfect for a summer wedding party. Maybe something sweet for a bevy of bridesmaids?

Little printed pouches

These little leather pouches from Hoakon Helga are mighty cute. Also, I'm coveting one of these big bags. Just imagine all the diapers I could fit in there!? Just kidding.

Locket Lundi

Since I skipped Locket Lundi last Monday, I'm stocking three beauties today. Happy Monday/Lundi!

Father's Day Pancake Art

 
In honor of Father's Day this Sunday, you should all check out this dad's amazing pancake art. If you have a minute (which you will, after you start scrolling you will get hooked), go back to his January pancakes and you can see how much better he has gotten in the last few months! My favorite is the sea urchin. The grasshopper is pretty great, too. Happy Father's Day!

Images via Saipancakes

Locket Lundi: Pocket watch style

I am stocking a wonderful turn of the century pocket-watch style locket today. The best thing about this piece (other than the opals!) is that it has the original company insert from the Providence Jewelry Company, which is found listed in records as early as 1902.

A pretty girl in a necklace - what more could you ask for?

Do you remember this necklace? Well, the lovely Olivia May gave it a home and I was lucky enough to spot her wearing on Saturday at the trunk show! It pretty much made my day. Thanks Olivia!

You can see more Jean Jean Vintage jewelry in action right here and, oh, here too!

Trunk show snapshots

Lauren and I had a great time at the trunk show this weekend. The space at Pot & Box was airy and full of light, the shoppers were fun and interesting and hey - Severen even made a couple of guest appearances! I didn't really want to pack up my jewelry at the end of the show. The set up was so nice, I just wanted to walk away from it and come back to it Monday morning. Having my own shop is out of the question, but I am thinking about setting up a booth at some antique shows/flea markets here in Michigan. If you have suggestions for good ones, let me know! I love building my display, watching people open lockets, listening to people talk as the look through the jewelry ("Oh that reminds me of my grandma's ring!"), etc. Such fun.

Baby's room, 5 months later

What was once "the baby's room" is now "Severen's room." And Severen is 5 months old, which means that things are starting to change around here!

For the last month or so, Severen has been sleeping in his own room on his floor bed. We splurged on a really nice mattress and I bought a new, softer rug to go under it. He loves it! We also moved the changing table out of the room (put in the closet, actually, as shelving) and we change him on the floor now. We was just getting too wiggly to be up so high. Also, this way eventually he will be able to crawl over to be changed.

The floor bed concept is pretty cool. The idea is that when a room is safety-proofed, it becomes completely accessible to the child because he/she is able to leave the bed after waking and move around the room without help from parents. I like the idea of more movement and independence on Severen's part, especially as he gets older. And wow, I am amazed at how much this kiddo can move! I never know where I am going to find him in the morning - usually somewhere on the floor, just chilling out.

I will be honest, after I set up the mattress/changing area this way I looked around and felt pretty uncomfortable. I mean, to my eyes/brain seeing things on the floor = mess. Of course that isn't the case here, but there is no denying that having lots of things on the floor really changes the aesthetics of the space. But now, after several weeks, I'm really into it. When you walk into Severen's room, you know that it is intended for him and all the learning that he has ahead - and that is a good thing.

The best thing about the set up right now? I can nurse him in bed or lie with him and rest/read books. It makes naptime/bedtime cuddling really easy and fun!