a while back i mentioned that commoncreativ had named me as one of their 50 most creative people in atlanta and i still can't believe it! there are so many talented people in the magazine and my friend osayi made me sound way cooler than i am. the issue is out now. while i never really consider myself a "fashion designer," i really love the title. feel free to make a joke about the salad picture. kate and ashley have already beat you to this.

i've been feeling really grump lately. this may have something to do with my entire family being sick for the last few days. lord knows i'm not the best nurse and my house is turned upside down.

speaking of my house, office inspiration coming tomorrow... now taking volunteers to help me execute the vision!

ps craigslist has been a total lifesaver. i sold everything i listed in a little more than two days. hizzah!

1000 posts!

who knew that starting a blog on a whim, would lead me here to my 1000th post almost three years later. as i went back through the past few years i was overcome with the main reason i blog: to taste life twice.







how else could i remember matilda making this face at a complete stranger at our favorite yogurt shop? i told him not to take it personally.

have a great weekend! it's supposed to be beautiful...

hair nor there

this is how i wish i looked and felt today. i've been watching re-runs of satc on e! and am obsessed with carrie's hair when she's dating aiden and just broke it off with big. love all of the layers and the "bigness." also, i think nicole kidman's hair in the latest harper's bazaar is so airy and lovely. can you tell it's time for a cut? i wish i was adventurous as paige. isn't she/her hair so pretty?! well, i'm finally feeling like i am caught up for the moment. such a great feeling, which i'm sure will be over shortly!

i was interviewed a couple of weeks ago about changing our eating habits. you can read it here. speaking of interviews, nothing like getting one from a good friend. i met up with my friend osayi last night to discuss all things homemade grits. i always have the best time with her, torrential rain and all!

lavish!

i announced yesterday that i'll be speaking here in december. what a way to check "do more things that scare me" off this list!



the "unconference" is going to be for lifestyle bloggers, people who blog about food, art, fashion, etc. shameeka aka the broke socialite is the events founder and she felt like most blog conferences were tailored for the mommy blogger. heavens, i love my baby girl but don't let me fall in to that category! so lavish! will be for the rest of the blogging world. there are so many amazing speakers and the advisory panel will blow your mind. there are only a few seats left, so make sure you sign up!


the mansion in buckhead

i am going to be talking about using my blog and other social media to sell my dresses. i want to know what kind of questions you would have. the more the better!

ps the girls from rue magazine are sponsoring the event. if you can't do the whole conference you should at least have some cocktails the night before!

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tomorrow...

hope you all had a really fun weekend! we had a great time at the lake yesterday celebrating amelia's first birthday. the night ended with a very tired and emotional baby girl. phew!

just wanted to let you all know that the magazine i'm so proud to be a part of is debuting its summer issue tomorrow! can't wait to hear what you guys think...





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what i've been working on...

putting together a photo shoot with the incredibly talented andrew lee, with a lot of help from our spouses! not to mention a thank you to my parents for allowing us to use their incredible home as a back drop.





i made a birthday doll for little lucy...





i began working with some of my inspiration, and will be updating the shop soon!

i'm gearing up for the summer issue of southern flourish, working on stories and pictures, and enjoying my "typically southern" editing duties. i think you will all really love the summer issue...


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friday feature: the world in your teacup

my talented friend annette asked me if i would like to be a part of this clever book last year.



the book travels the world and offers delicious recipes from each destination. i was lucky enough to travel to france. ok, no i didn't really go to france literally. let's pretend! the author lisa boalt richardson is a lovely and super knoweledgable tea lady. she generously sent over a recipe for madeleines for me to share with you!



Orange Madeleines taken from the world in your teacup

These small shell-shaped sponge cakes are perfect for teatime. You will need a madeleine pan, which can be purchased at any kitchen store, to bake them.

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt,
3 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2/3 cup sugar
4 teaspoon orange zest
3/4 cup salted butter, melted and cooled
2 tablespoons butter, melted (to grease the molds)
powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush madeleine pan with melted butter. Combine flour, baking powder, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a bowl and set aside. In another bowl, beat the eggs light yellow. Add vanilla extract. Slowly add the sugar. Continue beating until the volume has increased to about 4 times the original size. Gently fold in the orange zest and then the flour mixture. Stir in the melted and cooled butter. Spoon about 1 tablespoon of batter into each shell, filling the mold about 3/4 of the way full. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until tops are golden brown. Remove madeleines from the mold and place on a cooking sheet. Dust powdered sugar over the tops. Makes about 3 dozen.

all photos taken by photographer extraordinaire, lauren rubenstein.

i'll leave you with this behind the scenes shot:


natalie, lauren, annette, me, and matilda

see more here.

wouldn't this make a perfect mother's day gift?


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seed factory

i'm going to be blogging for my beloved day job now! make sure to check it out. if you live in atlanta you should book your appointment asap for the lovebug shoot. slots go faaasssssst!



{our labor of love}

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for those of you who may care...

so, you know i'm not real big on posting pictures of myself. i never like them, but here are some hair pictures for everyone who asked. i got my hair cut today by my fabulous friend Jessica Dorman at Dada salon (pronounced dah-dah, not da-da). super cute industrial space with a feminine edge. i had the best time chatting it up while having my 10 lbs of hair toned down. they had the most lovely natural italian hair line that they use (couldn't pronounce or remember the name if i tried).



my "emo" (according to my sister) before. i realize you can't see my hair, but this is how it looked everyday. always up. i made this headband using this tutorial.



loving the texture and layers and feeling embarrassed, of myself and my messy bedroom. thanks again jessica!

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the atlantan

i'm in this month's issue of the atlantan, alongside excellent company might i add! what a thrill. this was from the persona series shoot i did a while back with jason travis.

thanks for the tip bridget!

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Editorial Debut!

Remember a long time ago, I told you about a photoshoot that Matilda and I were a part of for Pregnancy and Newborn Magazine? Well, here we are!








Thanks Lauren and all of the amazing people at P&N!

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Labor Day

Well, today was my "official" last day of work. I think Labor Day is appropriate, don't you? The day went by really fast! We were insanely busy, which is good, but it was surprising! I feel really blessed to have the co-workers that I do and I will miss them!

I am excited about this time to prepare for our wee one. I will be getting a pedicure tomorrow (tried to do it myself...nada) and Mom and I have plans for just about every day this week. I will be walking despite how swollen I get to try to coerce her into the world. Can't wait for the post "Welcome to the world Matilda!".

In other news...you all know how much I have been waiting for this day...that's right Season Premiere of Gossip Girl Season 2!!! Erin and I have plans to chat about outfits, happenings, etc. I really can't wait. Gossip Girl airs on the CW at 8:00pm eastern.

xoxo L









source:cwtv

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Office Inspiration

I love my husband Sam, all of you know this! However, for a while now there has been something growing between us...the office! It is unorganized, undecorated, chaotic man land. This is why basements were invented! He has completely taken this room over and when we have people over I kindly keep that door shut:) Sam and I had a long weekend together, so I thought "What better time to tackle the office?". I want to paint, but feel overwhelmed by that massive project plus I don't want Sam to have to do it all alone. So, here are my inspirations, I'm pretty limited to just dreaming these days:



design sponge

Since painting is such an ordeal, I like this simple border. We are planning on doing a collage of old photos as well.



apartment therapy

We already have floating shelves, but I like this bohemian look with the maps.



casasugar

I love the color blocked book shelves.



Calendars, chalk board paint, succulents...yes please!



Love the bright filing cabinets! Sam had the brilliant idea to paint a metal filing cabinet before I saw this...

discover interior design, images: Pottery Barn

Stay tuned for before and after!

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Matilda's room: Part 3

Here are the latest pictures of her room and some pictures of her hospital bag:)

Her beautiful vintage dresser on loan from Kim and Alan,
Sweet towel.
Handmade quilts, burp cloths, etc.
Vintage baby items from Jessica and her Mama Lauren.
Diapering necessities!
She's so not spoiled.

Matilda's hospital bag made by Dana, from Aunt Jessie.


Full term 37 weeks!

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Getting Ready for Baby

In lieu of recent events Sam and I decided to have a day of fun and celebration. We called it "Getting Ready for Matilda" day. We started out at the square for lunch at the New York Deli (yum) and then we walked around and looked at the different artists booths. We then decided to set up our new gear and try to figure out some of our high tech items, ie stroller and car seat...

Here is Sam with his new back pack that he is so happy to have. He was just saying how much he can't wait to hike with Matilda*






Then we set up the new high chair. Guiness was amused!







*Thanks so much Lauren!!

The next project was figuring out how the car seat worked. After some fiddling around it was very easy. I made Sam practice with our bear friend.








Sam did a victory dance when we had figured it out!







Happy baby bear.




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