On My Brain Today

Some things that have been in my head and in my life lately:

Banana chocolate chip muffins.  I was the mommy assigned to bring "Fun Friday" snacks today for Jones' toddler class, and that's what I made.  I used this recipe from Life of Meg blog, (substituting applesauce for oil), and they turned out great.  My forays into baking don't always have such an ending, so I was pleased.

Gamecock Baseball.  3-peat in the works.  Good luck tonight vs. Arkansas.  So exciting!

This article on working moms attempting to "have it all" that's making the rounds on the interwebs. 

We're headed to Boca Grande, FL soon for vacation with my in-laws and it's a 10 hour drive, so I've been thinking of ways to keep my 17-month-old entertained in the car for 10 hours...here's what I've got so far: 
I bought and wrapped several cheap dollar-store toys, like glow-in-the-dark necklaces, stickers, a plastic dr's stethescope, small nerf football, and more. 
I of course have plenty of snacks--mixtures of raisins, organic cookies, cheerios, dried banana chips, cheese sticks.
A book light and a roll of painters tape.  Random, I know, but my son loves a flashlight, and I read somewhere that toddlers can be thoroughly entertained by a roll of tape.
Books--some familiar favorites and some new.

Here Comes Science Album via here

We have plenty of music- kid-friendly and otherwise- although Jones would mostly rather listen to grown up music than silly songs.  The kid music we have for him includes Muppets: The Green Album, They Might Be Giants' Here Comes Science, and some Lunch Money CDs--these are all fun, kid-friendly stuff, but tolerable for adults as well.

image via here

And, as a last resort, we have a portable DVD player.  Jones has never really been allowed to watch TV at home, and now that I actually want him to spend a few silent, immobile minutes in front of the tube, he isn't interested at all...so, not sure the DVD player will work.  But, in case, we have the newest The Muppets movie, Follow That Bird Sesame Street movie, and episodes of Fraggle Rock on DVD.
Any other suggestions?!

And, this little man is always on my mind- here he is on the way to school this morning wearing seersucker and Converse One Stars--my favorite combo of traditional and hipster ;)

Happy Friday!

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Holga Love

A couple years ago my husband gifted me a Holga camera.  "the Holga produces extraordinary low-tech works of art with the bare minimum of mechanical function." (via here)  Right up my alley.

My first attempt at taking pictures with it is documented here.

It took us a bit to figure out exactly how to take decent pictures with it, but judging by the most recent ones we took over Memorial Day weekend, I think we've got it down:

My sister and her son.

Don't you just want to poke that belly?!

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"Never give up on the thing you can't go a day without thinking about."

via a friend's Facebook post

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Call Me Guilty (Maybe)

I have seen all sorts of blog posts and FB posts and Tweets today about the Carly Rae Jepsen cheesy, bubble-gum pop song that I guiltily cannot get enough of, Call Me Maybe.

Here are my two favorite versions:
Fun. covering Call Me Maybe live, via my friend Kristin Lavender of  the blog creativintage.:





Carly Rae Jepsen, Jimmy Fallon, and The Roots performing Call Me Maybe with elementary school instruments via the Fred Flare blog:

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Yellow Door & Closet Love

Our new master closet is almost finished...here's a preview:

 

And, my favorite part:

A sliding yellow barn door (handmade and painted by my talented husband). 

Inspiration for the door via Apartment Therapy:

image via here

 

We're gonna paint the bedroom a dark grey when all is said and done.  

On the hunt for a new platform bed too--maybe this one from IKEA:

MALM Bed image via here

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A Word for Wednesday

ealty: fidelity to a lord; faithfulness


I heard this word while watching Season 4 of True Blood last night.  It's out on Netflix now, and as reluctant as I was to start watching this series, I have to admit that I am so excited to be back in the midst of some crazy/sexy vampire drama!  Truly a guilty pleasure.

image via here

I think this season, my fealty may be to Eric Northman.  Sigh.

Daily Drop Cap by Jessica Hische.
Definition via here.

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Take This Waltz

I must see this soon.  Adore Seth Rogen and Michelle Williams.

Tangential tidbit- my husband has on more than one occasion been told he resembles Seth Rogen...when his hair is long and he has a full beard.  He hardly ever takes it as a compliment, but I think they are both super-cute.



Also, if you've never seen Blue Valentine, you should.

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Functional Art

Just bought some of these stamps yesterday.

image via here

I love this painting.  The original is oil-on-plywood from 1940.  And, incidentally, William H. Johnson was born in Florence, SC. 

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I Heart Spelling

I've always prided myself on being a pretty good speller.  But, I'm not this good:



Guetapens- Never heard of this word before this.  Bravo, Snigdha.  Bravo.

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