The Story Of Us

I know D's birthday was a few weeks ago but we were having some scheduling conflicts and couldn't celebrate it till now.  My parents, my brother and my sister in law and her husband as well as my cousin were all flying in for the occasion. So our little family of three became a family of nine. The Theme: A choo choo train, we sent out adorable train invites via evite which I used for the first time and love. The Location: Shanawaz Palace Banquet Hall. We had a guest list of 50 adults and over 20 kids.. so our apartment just wasn't going to cut it. The first birthday is just such a big deal. My husband, sister in law, brother in law and brother took care of the balloons.. which were the extent of our decor. We bought two balloon kits from the grocery store which included a helium tank, thirty balloons and ribbon. The cake: A sculpted choo choo train made by  Kakes by Krisota Party Favors:  Train Party  Everything was train...

Last years.. just a mere 17 minutes ago I had just finished huffing and puffing and there he was my slimy little baby boy. He stayed in the hospital a week longer than he was supposed to.. he liked having all the nurses at his beck and call.. picky he, even switched hospitals. He wanted more special care.. Since that day he has kept us on our toes and we have kinda almost enjoyed every moment of it. So happy birthday baby boy.. I.. we can not imagine life without you.. well we can when we want to sleep in on the weekends and you don't.. : )  But you know what I mean. Here's to many many more..

It's Father's Day.. tomorrow June 19th is Father's Day, the third Sunday of June, the same time it is every year yet I let my husband sleep in last Saturday on June 11th. When he woke up we all went out to breakfast at Toast in Montclair to beat the Father's Day rush on Sunday. I thought I was being so clever. On Sunday D and I woke him up with a little present. I called my dad who lives continents away to wish him a Happy Father's Day while he sat wondering why my brother didn't say anything to him even though they live in the same house. We convinced my brother that he was a bad son for forgetting; only for me to realize half way through the day that it in fact was not Father's Day on that Sunday. That my brother was right and I was wrong.. something I don't like to admit. The day ended in giggles and laughter.. not a bad way to spend the weekend. So now what to do when the actual Father's Day rolls around? You do what matters the most, more t...

It has been so long since we have gotten away. It was this time last year, I was 8 months pregnant and M and I had driven to Woodcliff Spa and Resort, upstate New York for a weekend getaway. We got massages, soaked in the pool, slept and ate. It was perfect and it was also going to be the last time we were going to do all that alone in a while. So finally we thought road trip! Nowhere to far, flexible enough for D and maybe just a little peace. Our first stop was Poughkeepsie where we stopped at the Walkway Over the Hudson, a lovely 1.3 mile walk on what was a sunny and gorgeous day. A view of the bridge from the road as we headed out to lunch at Kavos Gyros.  Our next stop Howe Caverns.. stunning in every way.. and a perfect end to the day. Day2: The Farmer's Museum in Cooperstown... I know I know Cooperstown is supposed to be all about the Baseball but we're not a big baseball family.. and D is a lover of anything outdoors so we go back in time to a place of metal...

It's been two years since I joined the fabulous Etsy community.. and I have enjoyed almost every moment of it.. I  wanted to do something to commemorate the occasion. I was inspired my  Shop Dirtsa  and her chalkboard maps to create a non chalk board digital version for myself. What started out as a fun activity turned out to be an interesting visual study of just where my customers are and a few pleasant surprises.  I tried not to think of the numbers... though we all know, all we really want to think is about the numbers.. so here they are: 24 months 38 sales 2 continents 15 states 25 cities and I'm just getting started :) And on a completely other note D turns 11 months today..                    Etsy             Instagram             Twitter             Bloglovin   

It was not very long ago that Etsy introduced the Activity Feed and Circles. And with them in my life now I can't imagine Etsy without them. They are a great way to come across so many more talented people, great eye candy and creativity. So I took this as an opportunity to comb through my circle as well as the people who added me to theirs and find some of my favorite things. Here are just a few to begin with.   Photo Grunt Ink Wear 99 Bayan Hippo                                                                            Rickettsia   Rutabagasix   Lopamudra Home Decor Elaa Bags Anne Clark Violet U...

I just celebrated my first Mother's Day. D is almost 11 months old and I can't believe that this time last year he was the little guy kicking me on the inside.. now he kicks on the outside. I didn't expect much of the day and we didn't do anything special. We just spent the day at home. We woke up at the crack of dawn as usual..because that is the time D has decided is morning. We ran errands and tried and failed at finishing the never ending list of chores. We went for a drive, it was a glorious warm sunny day and just happened to drive by a park with swings. We just had to stop. D hadn't experienced the joy of a swing yet and I crossed my fingers hoping he would love a swing a much a I do. M was more skeptical. We gave the swing a little push and D was wide eyed in surprise, we followed with another small hesitant push and D erupted in laughter. He squealed with joy making me reciprocating his joy with a squeal of my own. It was in that moment, seeing his face...