...who lived in her shoes

house hunting is a bitch.

more specifically, house hunting in southern california is a real bitch.

looks like i could end up the little 

(ahem, young) lady who lived in her shoes.

(above images via the fabulous netaporter)

actually, if we could get a tub in there, maybe blow out a wall for a fab waterworks piece?...

as i tweeted yesterday, 

i often read a listing that says things like "the house boasts stunning interiors" 

(a complete dump. pass.)

is "charming" 

(aka the size of my uterus, which, even after two kids, i assure you, is eeesny),

"has been recently updated" 

(not since the Nixon era, and I wasn't even born then. come on, people.)

or is "bright" 

(lit with so much florescent crap it would make JLo look like amy winehouse.)

when it ain't. 

started to get uber frustrated with it all...but then i saw this little piece of comedic genius, and she just made my DAY.

Boston Craigslist Girl, I love you.

there is light at the end of the tunnel, friends; just don't want to jinx anything! 

more on that soon.

xo

me time

happy monday!

so this weekend was all

(via flickr, tumblr, and pinterest)

...but you know, with kids around. 

most of the time.

today i'm all

(via leloveimage)

but! instead of moping i'm going to treat myself to some much-needed me time.

its crucial, you know.

when was the last time you 

turned off the cellie, 

turned on a gorgeous symphony, 

slipped into a hot bath 

bubbling with deliciousness 

and enjoyed a glass of cold champagne?

that's what i thought.

go run the water. 

now would be good.

to properly illustrate:

another fun treat you can whip up in the comfort of your casa, no credit card required?

(unlike some of the above splurges!)

a brown sugar scrub

(via thegloss)

i made my version a few days ago, and it is 

positively delish!

scour your pantry for the following, 

then get to scrubbin'!

(note: the recipe can obvs be halved if you don't have enough, like i did :)

*4c brown sugar 

(turbinado if you really don't want no scrubs)

*4c kosher salt

*1c finely ground almond or apricot meal, 

or oatmeal

*1/2c honey

*1/2c almond oil or apricot kernel oil

*5-10 drops vitamin e oil

*optionals: fragrance, sunflower oil, and 2T. avocado, shea, or cocoa butter

*spoon into your fave container--be careful with glass in your bath!--allow scrub to sit overnight after an additional 1/2c almond or apricot kernel oil is added, and enjoy! 

(via glamour)

ps. if this is just too much, you can certainly create a budget 

(on time and $) 

version in a pinch!

*1c brown sugar of your choice

*5-6T. oil of your choice 

*1-2tsp. vanilla

(i have used olive, jojoba and even sunflower)

super easy! 

the point is to treat yourself.

i certainly plan to.

i've got a busy week ahead.

off to get my beauty sleep, lovers!

xo

happy father's day 

to all of you wonderful men 

out there

who make the lives of your children 

better.

of someone else's children 

better.

more full 

of

laughter

joy

humor

bravery

generosity

thoughtfulness

sarcasm

protection

understanding

forgiveness

hugs

tickles

and 

love.

you play a more important role in this world 

than you may know.

you impact the lives of the children in yours more than you will ever know. 

we need you now, we will need you always.

and so, to all the world's many different kinds of daddies...

i

say 

thank you!

 

 

(all above images from flickr, tumblr & pinterest unless otherwise noted.)

daddy, 

i miss you every day.

i wish you were here 

every. 

day.

i thought that as i grew older, it would get easier being without you. 

it did for a while. 

but in the last few years, 

i realized

i 

was 

wrong.

when i really open up

let down my guard

and let myself feel it

my heart aches

so much.

it breaks 

over 

and

over 

again.

i miss being a child 

with you

as my daddy.

i miss hearing your car pull in the garage; 

feeling that ecstatic rush

of happiness

to see your face.

running out to the garage 

opening your car door

putting on your suit jacket

and carrying 

your 

briefcase

inside.

i miss sitting in the palm of your hand.

i miss your sarcastic humor, 

though i have definitely 

inherited my fair share. 

as have k & c.

i miss your smell.

i miss the softness 

of my cheek on your shoulder. 

on  your

ll bean

chambray shirt.

i miss so many things i can't 

even think about

because 

it hurts too much.

i think of all of the moments i wish you were here to share.

i wish my children could know you.

they would truly adore you.

and you would be enamored of them. 

i wish you could know david. 

you two are so much alike.

you would approve.

he is a good man, and takes care of me the way you would.

i wish i could hear your voice again.

i wish i could feel myself 

so tiny 

in your arms 

again.

i wish, just for a moment, i could go back to being 16, 

and not have my emotional growth 

stunted

the way it was

when we lost you.

i wish so many things 

for 

k 

& 

c. 

we all miss you so very much.

i like to think you are able to see how much we've grown. 

i often feel you with me.

i see the 

yellow butterflies

and i feel you.

i know you are with God.

i know that you are blissfully happy

free

and

beautiful.

i know that i will see you again.

but my heart still breaks, 

every 

single 

day

because you aren't here now.

i love you daddy. 

i always will. 

xo