Monday, September 30, 2013

Bloc 11 - Union Square

In a fortunate accident, my family and I stumbled upon this little oasis in the heart of Union Square in Somerville yesterday for a delicious breakfast, great coffee and super nice people.   We originally intended to go to the classic Portuguese restaurant a few doors down, but when the wait was longer than we wanted we ventured a few doors down.   Nestled on a busy street, was a gorgeous outdoor patio and a super chill vibe.   We ate, we chitchat, we enjoyed the perfect September Sunday morning.
It doesn't get much better.

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Friday, September 27, 2013

Week 2

This isn't a post to boast about my athletic prowess and discipline, instead it's a reminder for nobody other than myself that I am on Week 2 of the Couch to 5k program and dare I say actually feeling decent about it!   My stamina is increasing and the run (ahem, jog) is not completely dreadful.  The gorgeous fall weather doesn't hurt!    After I'm done, I do a quick routine of some pushups, situps, squats and conclude with a 5 minute meditation.  It's quite nice.  It clears my head, I feel less guilty and I'm enjoying a little "me" time.   It's nice to get the cob webs off and start moving again.

Have a great weekend, friends.
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Thursday, September 26, 2013

Career and Motherhood

I recently came across this Q&A on career and motherhood by Elizabeth Lesser.   What a wonderful response.   I thought you all might enjoy it, as well.

Q: HOW DO YOU BALANCE CAREER AND MOTHERHOOD?

A: The first step is to stop trying to balance your life! It’s impossible. The crushing time conflict that all working mothers feel is not because you are doing something wrong. It’s just too much work for one person to do. So, giving yourself a break for feeling so stressed is the first step to sanity. And here’s some good news: working mothers are the most productive, creative, and responsible people on the planet. I think they will be the ones to really change the world. Take pride in that. Ultimately, the only solution to the strain on women is to get men fully involved in parenting. When men feel an equal sense of responsibility to nurture children, to take care of the home, to join women in the work of creating healthy families, then policies will begin to change. This means that moms have one more title to add to their bulging job descriptions: Revolutionary. We have to change the whole system. Gloria Steinem said, “We’ve taken one giant step forward by convincing the majority of the country that women can do what men can do. But the next step is convincing the country that men can do what women can do. So far, we don’t believe it ourselves.”

Wednesday, September 25, 2013

Sausalito Gift Basket

Finally! It's about time a company puts together a baby gift that looks classic and something we'd be proud to give.  Next time you need to spend $$ on a gift to impress a client or friend of the firm, look to Serena and Lily.   Their Sausalito Gift Baskets are perfect ---- elegant and filled with items a new mama would actually want!   Well done S&L.

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Tuesday, September 24, 2013

White and wood - everytime

Having this curated space has helped me more clearly define the aesthetic which appeals to me most.  Without fail, time after time, I'm drawn to white and wood.  I have been posting pics of white and wood interiors since I started this little space.  I don't tire of it.   Good to know, because hopefully my next space will incorporate it.   Without further ado, a dreamy kitchen space...

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Monday, September 23, 2013

10 months

Joseph, our sweet son, yesterday marked 10 months with us.   We had such a fun weekend with you.  We took you to Davis Square because you love going to the Tacqueria and they make you your own little cup of rice and beans.   Everyone there was gushing over you.  The group of college girls a few tables over kept saying how you were the cutest baby they'd ever seen - ha!   Then we took you for ice cream (your favorite, just like mama!) and a walk to look at all the people.   You smile to everyone and we think you truly like being out and about.   Even a simple trip to the grocery store makes you happy --- you smile and look at everything.  Our curious, happy little angel.

On Sunday, Dad watched you in the morning so mama could sleep in a bit.  We are finding a nice rhythm to our days.  On the weekdays, we still bring you into bed with us for a little family time before we all get going.  We think you like it as much as we do and I can't think of a better way to start my day.

...10 months, it's hard to believe.  You are turning into a little boy right before our eyes!


Friday, September 20, 2013

Friday

Looking forward to a gorgeous fall weekend with my family.  We woke a little earlier than normal today to get Friday started right.  Cheers to brisk air, fall clothes, nice walks and all the other goodness of September.

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Thursday, September 19, 2013

Birthday Wishes

This year I'm going to try something different to celebrate my dad's birthday.  For the man that has everything he wants, and who sincerely loves to give ---- his generous spirit is remarkable --- I am going to donate a "Birthday in a Box" in his name.   Birthday Wishes is a local charity that works along side homeless shelters in the area to provide birthday parties to children living in the shelter.

The Birthday in a Box asks that you provide a box of cake, a cake pan, a jar of frosting, a tablecloth, party hats, party decorations and 3-4 birthday gifts.   You can mark the age your box is intended for ---- example, Boy age 5.  

I used to volunteer at a homeless shelter.  The kids were amazing. They were polite, grateful and happy.   We would try and do a little something to celebrate their birthdays, many of the children had never celebrated their birthday before.   I love this tradition and think my dad will too.



Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Chez L'Epicier

Tucked away and hard to find, this restaurant in Montreal remains probably the most fantastic and memorable meal we've ever enjoyed.   The service was incredible and the food even better.   Montreal is a great and easy getaway if you want a simple dose of Europe.   If you go, put this restaurant on your list!   You won't be disappointed.

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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Spanish style dinner

The farm veggies have been exceptional these past few weeks.  In an effort to detox a bit from my hugely undisciplined summer, I made a late summer dinner of a garden tomato, shaved parmesean, a sprinkle of sea salt and a dash of Spanish olive oil.   Joseph sat beside me and enjoyed his cherry tomatoes.  We shared a baguette.    The only thing missing was the rioja.  ...and the lively streets and beauty of Madrid.   Soon enough.

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Monday, September 16, 2013

The Commission Project

Have you seen this - The Commission Project.  What a beautiful gift for a new parent!   I might just order one for ourselves.





Friday, September 13, 2013

A morning practice

"For years I have used the words of poets to guide my life. And by poets, I don’t only mean Emily Dickenson or Walt Whitman. I lump into the job description of “poet” all sorts of thinkers and mystics: Jesus, Dr. King, Eleanor Roosevelt, Rachel Carson... Anyone who can still my restless and worried mind with the magic of a few powerful, purposeful words is crowned a poet in my gamebook. 

Here’s what I do: I memorize one line from a piece of writing and I use it to begin and end my morning meditation. Sometimes that meditation lasts only as long as the line itself! Sometimes it happens in the car as I rush to work. I have found that a line of poetic writing is like a vitamin pill. If I can’t eat breakfast, at least I have the potent nutrients packed in a pill. And if I can’t spend a chunk of time wrapped in the healing cloak of silence and contemplation, at least I get the jolt of insight from my chosen line of poetry."  --- Elizabeth Lesser

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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

9.11.13

It's September 11.  A day to honor life.  A day to cheers to what is really important and forget what isn't.  A day to say Thank You for the amazing peace that fills our days - confident that we will make it home tonight to hug our babies and sleep safely.   To the victims and their families - you are not forgotten.  We honor you and keep you close in our thoughts.

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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Lovely Space

Some photos of an interior space that speaks to me....  via wit + delight





Monday, September 9, 2013

Our blessing

Baby Joseph was baptized this weekend.  It was a perfect day with beautiful weather surrounded by all our family and closest friends.   Sometimes coming together like that is just what the heart needs.  A reminder of what it is truly about ---- family, generations, love, togetherness and faith.

I can only hope God continues to bless us all and that you, my son, always walk with a sense of faith deep in your soul.  It is one of the greatest gifts you can have in this life.  


Friday, September 6, 2013

Hello Fall!

It's probably just a tease, as it's still a little early for our fall weather, but I'll take what we get.  What an awesome Friday in Boston.   Brisk air, zero humidity, perfect sweater weather.   There is nothing like the fall in New England.  Welcome!

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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

9+ months

If I could bottle this age up and hold on to it forever, I just might.  You are a little over 9 months and growing right before our eyes.  This age is amazing....  You are full of so many smiles and you love to babble.  If you hold on to our fingers you pull yourself up ---- and look like a mini-gymnast when you do it --- legs straight, posture perfect then you smile because you are as proud of yourself as we are of you.   Your favorite songs are still Elmo Song and the Galinha Pintadina, a Brazilian series we watch on youtube.   You and I still sing "You've got the whole world in your hands" and without a doubt you recognize it and seem at peace when I sing it.  Most nights still end with "You are my sunshine".  I hope that song always reminds us both of these special moments together.

My sweet Joseph.  You are the most pure and amazing gift.  Your skin is so soft, your smiles come so easy.   Time waits for nobody so I write here and take pictures that I hope will bring me back to some clouded memory of these wonderful days for our family.   Today, like most days, you woke first and we got you and brought you to bed with us.  You make us laugh and we give you hugs and my hope, more than anything else, is you feel how loved you are and how happy you make us.   Our son, our boy.

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