Barefoot Princess Times Three

Winter Skin Survival Products

2012-01-26T05:47:00.000-08:00

The Body Shop Vitamin E Face Mist. Two sprays of this and it feels like you just had a facial.
Available from thebodyshop.com

Garnier Moisture Rescue Gel Cream with Vitamin E and Grape Water Extract
This stuff is amazing! I use it multiple times a day 365 days a year.
Easily found at Walmart or any pharmacy.

Kiehl's Midnight Eye Recovery
A little dab on each eye at night turns back the hands of time...seriously!
Amazon has great prices on Kiehl's products.

Canus Petite Chevre Goat's Milk Lotion
Meant for little ones, but I use it as an all over moisturizer. Nothing compares when the temps drop and my skin starts to crack.
Amazon is a good place to get this product also.

The best lip conditioner and a cinch to find at any grocery store or pharmacy.

The Body Shop tea Tree Oil Blemish Stick
Tea tree oil is a miracle worker and minimizes breakouts within hours.
Available from thebodyshop.com

Kiehl's Ultra Facial Moisturizer SPF 15
Combats my dry Winter skin without being too greasy, and has the SPF the experts say is needed even during the Winter.
Again amazon is a great resource for Kiehl's.

Any other Winter skin favorites??? Please share...

Karate

2012-01-25T18:04:00.000-08:00

Karate...wish we had found this years ago.
Here are the details:
Twice a week
Two different do jos
Two rotating teachers
Soo Bahk Do (Korean Karate)
Discipline
Focus
Respect
Diversity
It's good...really good for them.

Winter White

2012-01-25T17:31:00.000-08:00

White Done Right

2012-01-11T18:27:00.000-08:00

(Images from Decorpad)

2012-01-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

The 3 amigos...just before going into the Discovery Center in Binghamton. They are at the best ages right now!

White Done Right

2012-01-05T18:31:00.000-08:00

Princess and the Pea

2012-01-05T17:45:00.000-08:00

One of CC's favorite presents from Santa...check out the adorable little pea. It will be a miracle if we don't lose it :)

Moveable Alphabet

2012-01-05T17:39:00.000-08:00

Santa brought the girls a "moveable alphabet". It is a language manipulative they use at school. The possibilities are endless with it, and I find myself dipping into my teacher archives to create little lessons for the girls. The cool thing is they love it! Here is Natalie spelling words for random oblects she collected around the house.

"Chicken Lauren"

2011-12-21T07:30:00.000-08:00

The girls call her "Chicken Lauren" and she graduated from the Marines Officer Candidate School last Friday. She was Platoon Commander and in the top 10% of her class. Our girls worship her! When she was preparing for the Marines she ate only chicken, hence the nickname they gave her. We are all so proud of her! Love that our girls look up to someone who sets her mind on something and lets absolutely nothing get in her way.

White Christmas

2011-12-21T07:17:00.000-08:00

What could be better this time of year than simplicity and white?

(immages from pinterest)

Christmas Fun...

2011-12-20T18:47:00.000-08:00

Tree 2011

Ernie the elf has been dutifully watching the girls for Santa.

Every morning he is in a new location in our house and the girls hunt him down. If you look carefully you can see him in our tree above.

Last week the girls found a sleigh at the park by school.

GG took a whirlwind tour of the city with Daddy today. Here she is posing with the tree in Rock Center. NG went to Radio City yesterday with Mama & Papa and also saw the tree. Lucky little ladies!!

Philadelphia

2011-12-10T19:11:00.000-08:00

Go Aggies!

2011-12-10T19:07:00.000-08:00

Feldman 101

The chapel.

Daddy's old dorm window.

Last weekend we took the girls to the old alma mater. Yup! We were Aggies... I guess we still are, and always will be. Anyway, we spent four years of our lives in Bucks County, PA at Del Val, and it was so nice to go back. It was where we met, then became friends, and the rest is history :) The girls were so into touring the campus and the farms. They loved to hear silly old stories about our college days, and kept asking where they were. Haha! We enjoyed being back in the area and fondly reminiscing, as well as expressing shock that it has been 12?!?! years since leaving.

Christmas Card Rejects

2011-11-28T19:01:00.000-08:00

The card shoot got pretty silly, but we definitely had fun with it, and I think I got one good picture.

Last Gator Ride

2011-11-28T18:52:00.000-08:00

A gaggle of girls...

The weather last weekend could not be beat, so we took advantage and went for one last gator ride.

Christmas Parade

2011-11-28T18:39:00.000-08:00

We have attended our local holiday parade parade for about 6 years. It is always the Friday after Thanksgiving. This year we got together with good friends of ours and whipped up a float last minute for some fun. Their gator + our boat and voila we had what we thought was a very unique float...until we pulled up to the school to line up and there was a bigger boat right in front of us :( Who would of thought??? Somebody had the great idea to put the oars on and a string of blue lights around to mimic water, and Jess rowed down Main St., which was pretty funny. If the kids got too close chasing candy, she could whack them :)

Baby Love

2011-11-28T18:15:00.000-08:00

GG cannot get enough of baby Brooke and baby Reese!

According to my phone...

2011-11-22T17:48:00.000-08:00

This is what we have been up to...

A Laverne Black photography exhibition titled "Manescapes." Very cool!

GG's last soccer game. She was the only girl on the team this year, and had a great season. She held her own and even scored some goals.

A rocket launch with Daddy. The first launch was successful. The second launch the rocket disappeared. We found it 6 days later in a tree. It's still there and will be for a while because it is 40 ft up!

Playing with new cousins, Brooke and Reese, or Reesie and Brookie, as CC calls them. To say our 3 ladies are comepletely smitten and totally ga-ga over their cousins is an understatement!

GG's first bus ride. She begged us and we finally gave in. Two days a week she gets to ride the little bus to school with a handful of friends. Saves time, saves gas, saves my sanity :) and gives her some independance. Win-win...so far...

Happy 4th Brithday NG!

2011-11-15T19:05:00.000-08:00

Our little spitfire turned 4 on November 3rd! I cannot believe she is 4 because she seems so much older to me. I think it is because we often treat her the same as GG. They are the same size so we, and others forget she is 2 years younger. NG is full of spunk every second of everyday. To say she keeps us on our toes is an understatement. She is determined, funny, strong-willed, social, brazen, athletic, and a born leader. There is no drama with NG. She is who she is, like it or not. She is a take charge kind of girl. The one who gathers the children at the playground and creates the fun, and get this...they ALL listen to her?!?!
When we met with her teacher the other day our one concern was her behavior in school. (She can give us a run for our money at home.) Her teacher's one concern was that she is the youngest in the class, but way beyond her age in so many ways. They, like us, just try to keep her busy, and challenged. I foresee many years of this with NG :)
So for her birthday NG asked for a Princess cake and spaghetti and meatballs. The top pic is of her with her new basketball coach clipboard. It is dry erase, which she thinks is really cool. We are planning to attend a NBA game as soon as the lockout is over...hopefully soon.

Mischief Night

2011-11-02T09:36:00.000-07:00

It's a tradition...
This year we froze when GG hysterically announced from the back of the van, "I cannot wait to tell my teacher about this tomorrow!!!! Uh-oh...
Sorry for the blurry pictures. They were so excited they could not stand still.

Pumpkin Carving 2011

2011-11-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

Fairy Houses

2011-11-02T09:25:00.000-07:00

Nana and PopPop gave the girls this book a while ago. It's been in the car and the girls have been studying it. A couple weeks ago they decided they really wanted to make their own fairy houses, so I gave them a bottle of white glue and they went to town. They worked hard for over an hour, hunting for supplies and creating houses. Here are some pictures of the process.

2011-11-02T09:16:00.000-07:00

This little one is growing too fast. She melts my heart with her beautiful smile, crazy cool green-brown eyes, and go with the flow attitude.

Lil' Astronaut

2011-11-02T09:09:00.000-07:00

GG and NG have been studying space at school recently. "Star Lab", a giant inflatable planetarium, was in the school's barn for a week. I loved hearing about each day that they got to visit "Star Lab" and what they saw or learned. The other day NG brought this home. I thought it was so cute and creative I had to share.

Snow in October ?!?!?!?!

2011-11-02T09:02:00.000-07:00

It looks so funny to see snow on top of pumpkins. As the temps have been dropping my husband has been grumbling about how he is not looking forward to winter this year. He was not happy Saturday when this storm blew in! The girls however love it. They were very excited to sleigh ride, make snow angels, and eat handfuls of snow (GG's favorite). Luckily, as I look out the window now it has all melted.

Halloween 2011

2011-11-02T08:54:00.000-07:00

GG was Hermione Granger
NG was Draco Malfoy
CC was a litt le cow

Don't have many pictures this year because we were too busy chasing the little cow, who wanted to keep up with her big sisters.

White Done Right

2011-10-27T10:10:00.000-07:00

Historic Charleston, SC. Lots of white done right there!

And what is whiter than just picked cotton from a field in Lynchburg, SC? The girls thought cotton fields were so cool. And then the concept that cotton makes their clothes...totally blew their minds.

Mud Run

2011-10-20T09:07:00.000-07:00

On Saturday Eric and some of our good friends ran in the Marine Core Mud Run in Colombia, South Carolina. They ran 5.2 miles and completed 32 obstacles. They had 2 teams, each with 4 people, and with an age range of 14 to 57. They all loved it!
I watched the 7 kids and we took lots of pictures. It was definitely muddy, dirty, and disgusting, but actually looked like a lot of fun. I am definitely in next year! GG and NG were able to run the last leg of the race with their Daddy and go over the last obstacle (some kind of log thing). They were thrilled! Eric said he would do it again in a heartbeat. All the money raised from the 9,000 mudrunners goes to the marine veterans, and at each obstacle there were marines cheering on the runners. Maybe I can get Eric to add his commentary on the mud run to my blog....

RV Trip

2011-10-20T08:47:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a week long vacation...in a 34' RV (pictured above) Quite an adventure. We covered 2,000 miles and saw 7 states. We learned that traveling this way is ideal for families with young children who want to be constantly on the move and see / do a lot of fun things. More details from our adventures to come...

Pretty...

2011-10-06T18:57:00.000-07:00

A little simple country home inspiration. I love Hunter boots and dutch doors!! Happy Friday!!

Flu Shots

2011-10-06T18:42:00.000-07:00

NG volunteered to go first, hopped on the exam table, never blinked when she got her shot, and hopped off the exam table. Easy Peasy! GG went next and it took the nurse and I to hold her down for the shot. I thought she was going to hyper-ventilate. CC was last and whimpered a little. Only because she wanted the shot in her arm like her big sisters, and she got it in her leg. With all 3 I used the "shot blocker" courtesy of Omi, via Allison.

Happy Birthday to our Little Lady

2011-10-06T18:33:00.000-07:00

GG turned 6 on Sunday, and I am not going to say I want to cry or get overly emotional. GG has become a little lady and I am so very proud of her. Watching her grow and seeing her develop into her own person has been such a treat. It is one of the many things I love about motherhood, and it makes me smile, not cry. Our 6 year old is a lady through and through. She is sweet, sensitive, inquisitive, adventurous, silly, dramatic, loving, and sometimes bossy :)
Happy Birthday GG!!

2011-10-06T18:21:00.000-07:00

GG's rainbow birthday snack. It was so easy and she loved it! We will recreate for NG's birthday next month.

Welcome Babies!!

2011-10-06T18:14:00.000-07:00

Six weeks ago these 2 little ladies came into the world and rocked their mommy and daddy's world :) Every time I show this picture to our 3 girls they "Awwww" and gush over them. They cannot wait to meet their first real cousins!

Sunday Gator Ride

2011-09-21T18:30:00.000-07:00

4 Gators
Lots of friends
Pillows & Blankets
Snacks
Fields & Roads
Mud & Puddles
Down trees & Rock walls
Touring the coutryside
Meeting neighbors
Learning about Indians
Searching for arrowheads
Remembering why we live where we do...

White Done Right & Random Thoughts...

2011-09-21T18:15:00.000-07:00

I love this picture! Everything about it, from the white background, to the gallery wall, to the boots, to the thought of reading the newspaper in a clawfoot bathtub. Wouldn't that be nice?

And now some random thoughts from this week...or should I call this blogtherapy?

Good-bye summer...Fall is here...Have you seen the leaves changing?

Ugh to the school schedule, carpooling, lunch-packing, mini-vans, etc.

A dog can be 3 little girls best friend!

We are discovering that organization and growing pains are good things for a small business.

Change is good!...I seriously crave it. It is a sickness I believe. Luckily my partner in crime and in life does too.

Really living life and feeling alive requires a person to step outside their comfort zone. That's when the true fun begins.

And this is really deep...
Great minds talk about ideas, average minds talk about things, small minds talk about other people.

My Running Buddy

2011-09-14T18:33:00.000-07:00

NG and I hit the track the other morning...just the two of us. The fog was thick and hovering. As we ran we could breathe it in. I love running in the fog...with my middlest. She loves anything related to sports. It was a perfect way to start the day!

White Done Right

2011-09-11T16:22:00.000-07:00

(pictures via pinterest)

One of my favorite cottages. I love everything about this...the simplicity, the size, the metal roof, the screened porch, the black shutters, the high 1st floor ceilings, and the light fixtures. Just move it out of the neighborhood and put it on a mountain with breathtaking views and I am sold. Filing this away for future use.

Intiating Patrick...

2011-09-11T16:13:00.000-07:00

Charlie

2011-09-11T16:08:00.000-07:00

Since GG and NG are back in school, I have been enjoying a lot of one on one time with this little one. She is funny...I mean really, really comical. I have been calling her "Charlie" lately because her middle name is Charlotte. She is such a Charlie!
So Charlie likes to color and will spend about a hour, I kid you not, making little squiggles on one piece of paper. The kid has some major focus at a young age. We have no idea where she got it from because her 4 other family members are all over the map :)

First Days of School

2011-09-08T10:09:00.000-07:00

It was like old news this year...yes they were excited, but it was clear that they had done it before and there were no butterflies. We dropped 2 confident smiling girls at school, and picked up 2 bubbling, beaming girls at the end of the day. I love to listen to them chatter on the way home from school. I learn so much about their days.
BP is officially a Kindergartner this year. (She was treated like one last year, but because her birthday is 1 day after the cut-off date, it is official this year.) She has the same teacher, Mrs. Steimle, who she adores. I have a feeling this will be BP's year to come into her own and shine.
BB is in Pre-K with a new teacher and new classroom, which is right nextdoor to BP's class. They will see each other on the playground and other times througout the day. They think this is way cool! BB's teacher is very different from BP's and I think this is a good thing :) as even though they are sisters they are as different as night and day.
So we are getting back into the school routine and looking forward to a good year!

Bucolic Brooklyn

2011-08-30T11:36:00.000-07:00

The girls and I went to Brooklyn a couple weeks ago to say good-bye to BP's BFF and her mommy. They will be away for 6 months! That's a long time when your are 5.
Here is a run-down from the day:
Scored a perfect parking spot
Playdate
Haircuts
Lunch at Ted & Honey's
Pigeon in the restaurant
Park right nextdoor
Sandbox
Bullies at the park
Sad good-byes
Smooth ride home

2011-08-29T06:45:00.000-07:00

First haircut and first lollipop.

Meet Patrick

2011-08-29T06:27:00.000-07:00

Patrick the poodle...the newest member of our family. The girls named him. Here is his adoption story:
We went to the local animal sheltar last Monday to donate a bag of old towels from the Lake Club and some dog and cat treats. I asked the lady at the sheltar if we could just walk around and look at the dogs that were outside in the kennels by where we parked. The girls immediately fell for the scruffy little black puppy in the second kennel, and he for them. He stayed right by the fence licking them and begging to come home. I sent Daddy a picture of him and then we inquired about him, only to learn there were two other families interested and already approved to adopt him. I left our number, piled the girls into the car with tears in their eyes, and explained the process, saying many times if it is meant to be, it will be. That afternoon Patrick came home with Daddy and surprised them!
We totally lucked out! He is so sweet and well behaved. Patrick is the same age as Baby C, and is loving and patient with all three girls. He loves to snuggle day and night and go on walks with everyone. He fits right into our family!

2011-08-10T18:28:00.000-07:00

Don't you just love Summer?

But where has it gone?

Barefoot Dad said the other day that he wants to come back as one of our kids...after seeing what they have been up to, I kind of agree...

Cousins

2011-08-10T18:10:00.000-07:00

6 Cousins (technically 2nd cousins)

From left to right:

Gilly 5

Ellie 4

Eva 4

Nattie 3

Delia almost 2

Claire 18 mos. (scared of the 12 o'clock whistle)

Oh how fun it was to watch them in action!

White Done Right: Bathrooms

2011-07-26T18:33:00.000-07:00

Isn't there something about a claw foot tub that is so quaint and begs for a relaxing soak with a good book and a cup of tea?

(pics from Pinterest, my new obsession)

Random Pics and Weekend Events

2011-07-19T17:55:00.000-07:00

Last weekend started with saving the renters in the "gray house" from a stray cat. They were terrified. It was the sweetest momma cat. It was in the truck 3 seconds and BP wanted to adopt it. She is a major animal lover.
That night we hosted a pasta dinner at the Lake Club. Lasagna, cavatelli, gelatto, homemade biscotti...yum!!!
Saturday morning was the Chapin 5K (1st annual). Kids, walkers, runners. I only have pictures of the kiddos. You can see who I like to hang with :)
That afternoon Barefoot Dad and I went to a wedding. Nothing like a good wedding to revive you, especially with good friends.
Sunday we hit the farmer's market for a week's supply of fresh fruits and veggies, and then a nearby lake for some boating fun. Tubing, swimming, sunbathing...we have learned this Summer that all 3 of our children are water rats. So fun!

White Done Right

2011-07-19T17:28:00.000-07:00

This is a great solution for a loft space. I love the contrast of the rustic wall and the crystal chandy.

Simple white flowers say aaaahhh... I love bunches of like flowers and I have a serious weakness for mason jars.

Could definitely relax in a room like this. Perfect for a guest bedroom. I would add some of those simple white flowers in a mason jar :)

Another great example of all white room with pops of color. I seriously LOVE that sofa. And when our girls are in their 20's it MAY just be practical / realistic.

All images from Pinterest.

Chapin Camp Part II

2011-07-19T17:11:00.000-07:00

Chapin Camp was four days of fun for fourteen kids, Nicholas, and myself. I loved it just as much as the kids. I realized how much I miss teaching, and the little people of the world. (Will be doing some serious considering in the next year.) Also realized that BP and BB can actually view me as something other than mom. Something I was unsure of prior to camp. They fell in line with the others and I got a glimpse of what they must be like at school. Quite interesting for good and not so good reasons, haha!
So anyway, here is a brief list of camp details...
Pony Rides
Z Bop
Music Together
Yoga
Ecojars
Ladybug rocks
Rock Collections
Butterfly Life Cycle
Live Butterflies and Ladybugs
Hikes
Recycling
Andy Warhol
Symmetry
Bears
Snacks

Round two is in August and we are all looking forward to it!

Children's Yoga

2011-07-12T19:05:00.000-07:00

BP and BB participating in children's yoga at Chapin camp last week. They were into it!
More camp pictures to come with more details too! Promise...

Genius

2011-07-12T19:00:00.000-07:00

OMG! Raspberries with chocolate chips tucked inside. Completely genius!!!

(image / idea via Pinterest)

Wednesday White

2011-07-12T18:53:00.000-07:00

I am loving this image. Thinking of doing something like this for the girl's bunkbeds. If anyone sees pale pink petal pillows please let me know. (That was major p alliteration!)

Breathtaking...

Lovely...

And our humble abode with white table. I switched the black dining room chairs with the white kitchen chairs, and I am really liking the black and white contrast. My sweet husband jokes that you cannot come into our house and plop down because the furniture that was there that morning may not be there that night! I like change, I guess???

(Top 3 images from Pinterest and last from me)

Riding

2011-06-29T19:12:00.000-07:00

The girls are back in the saddle after a very long winter break. They are loving their horse days with Megan (their instructor), Big Bartles, and Dorito. I remembered to bring my camera to their lesson the other day. BB just wants to jump and canter, and asks every single lesson to do so. BP takes it very seriously, while Baby C hangs on the gate and takes it all in.

The Campers Return...

2011-06-29T19:04:00.000-07:00

Packing and saying Goodbye

Their humble abode

Friends

The lake right before sunrise

Wednesday White Playroom

2011-06-21T17:06:00.000-07:00

(image from Decorpad)

Yes, please...would love this. Doesn't it look like such a peaceful place to play, read, imagine, pretend, grow...

Keep Calm and Carry On

2011-06-21T17:01:00.000-07:00

This poster is a major trend in design right now. You see it everywhere...kitchens, living rooms, nurseries, bathrooms, hallways and elsewhere. Even though it is such a trend I could not walk by the giant nautical blue poster I found for Barefoot Dad's office. He had to have it. I will post pictures once hung and the office comes together more. Stay tuned...

Island Camping

2011-06-21T16:47:00.000-07:00

Daddy, BP and BB left this morning for a 3 day camping trip. A great way to celebrate the first day of Summer. Baby C and I miss them terribly already. It is VERY quiet here. So quiet I actually have time to update the blog, which has not happened in weeks? So sorry...
Here are some pictures they sent us. They are camping on an island in the middle of a lake in the Adirondacks. 4 hours from home. They brought our 16 ft. boat to access their campsite. They will be sleeping in the lean-to pictured above. No potties, no showers, just the great outdoors, loons, float planes, and a little cell service. I loved hearing their excited little voices when they checked in a couple hours ago. Also love that Daddy wants to give them memories and traditions rather than "stuff". Someday Baby C will join this new tradition.

Someday I would like to live...

2011-06-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

in a BARN like this! Well, it is kind of a barn mated with a cottage mated with a farmhouse. I love it!
(Image from Pintrest)

2011-06-12T18:23:00.000-07:00

They are happiest when they are outside...

Wednesday White: Bunkbeds

2011-06-08T10:11:00.000-07:00

In my dream cottage I would love a bunk room for the girls and here are some of my favorites. Of course, mostly white...
(All images from Pinterest)

Castle Interior

2011-06-06T10:55:00.000-07:00

I have no idea why there are funky shadows in the interior pictures...

Catskills Castle

2011-06-06T10:42:00.000-07:00

We hiked, ok we snuck, ok we trespassed to see this amazing 100 year old castle just a couple towns away this weekend. Words cannot describe...you just have to see it. It is called Dundas Castle and is a replica of a Scottish castle. Built in the early 1900's by Ralph Wurts-Dundas for his wife, never lived in and never finished. I am still in awe of the castle and its history. You can google it for more information including the ghost stories, which I should not have read prior to going. I went in a couple rooms with BP shaking at my side, while Barefoot Dad, BB, Nicholas and Baby C explored the whole thing. I am pretty smitten with this place and definitely want to go back to see it again. Halloween anyone?

Before and After

2011-06-06T09:50:00.000-07:00

Amazing what a little upholstery can do...Waverly black and white ticking and this old gal has a whole new look.

Climber

2011-06-02T19:13:00.000-07:00

Baby C has entered the climbing stage! Cannot take our eyes off her for a second.

Car Wash

2011-06-02T19:08:00.000-07:00

Nursery Inspiration

2011-05-21T18:37:00.001-07:00

For Aunt Nicole and Uncle Matt and their BABIES!!!

Moo Park

2011-05-21T17:52:00.000-07:00

Spring to the girls means "Moo Park" (their favorite park just minutes from school) has thawed out.

Sidenote: BP was so not cooperating for the camera.

Summer Favorites...

2011-05-21T10:10:00.000-07:00

Floppy sun hat from Alloy to shield the face from harmful rays. At $19 so much cheaper than Botox.

Dickinson's Witch Hazel Facial Wipes. Nothing works better for my face when it gets hot and humid. I will be ordering a few boxes of these very soon!

Gold knot sandals from Alloy

Skinny Girl Margarita available at your local liquor store (if they can keep it on the shelves) Perfect for a Summer night and only 100 calories.

Victoria Secret PINK racerback bra. The MOST comfortable bra a girl could own. I know I just lost all 2 of my male readers. Sorry. It is so blogworthy though!

Hunter boots for all the rain we have been having...yuck! But these would definitely make it better.

GAP Boyfriend Cut-off Shorts. You want a real good moment? Head to your local GAP and try on a pair of these ASAP. I promise you will need one or two sizes smaller than you normally would wear. I had to leave the dressing room twice for a smaller size. They look great with nude wedges as in the pic above.

Any Summer favorites you would like to share?

Bunkbeds

2011-05-18T17:54:00.000-07:00

The girls are getting a big brother for the Summer and are thrilled about it!

To make room for their cousin Nicholas...aka Big Brother, BP and BB are sharing a room. They thought it was a grand idea and the bunkbeds sealed the deal. Their first night sleeping in them they were giddy with excitement, and I loved hearing their little whispers when they should have been sleeping.

Trying to decide what color to paint the bunkbeds and I keep thinking how I read the best place to get unfinished furniture painted is an autobody shop...hmmm :)

Wednesday Mostly White Kitchens

2011-05-18T10:14:00.000-07:00

More white lovelies...

(pics from Better Homes and Gardens)

Trouble

2011-05-16T17:57:00.001-07:00

These two together are TROUBLE. They team up and watch out. They can make each other hysterical in seconds. I can only imagine what they will be like as teeange accomplices.

Sentimental Dress Curtain

2011-05-16T17:53:00.001-07:00

I have been cleaning, donating, and parting with many of the girls' baby items lately. Some are easier to say good-bye to than others. If all three girls wore something it is really hard for me to part with it. With that being said...here is a curtain in our powder room that used to be a sundress that all three girls wore. The colors were just right for the room and it was so easy to turn into a simple little curtain. Just a little sewing and voila! It probably only took me 20 mins and I have a constant reminder of BP, BB, and CC wearing this sundress as babies. Chubby little legs and all!

Catching Up...

2011-05-16T17:44:00.000-07:00

We snuck into the city last week for a little "cultural enrichment". Here are some pitures from a playground in Central Park and dinner at Seraphina. We scored a great table by chance, where the girls loved the view, the action, and the "color wherever you want" table covering.

Wednesday White Kitchen

2011-05-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

Another favorite white kitchen. Once again open shelving, big old island, cool pendant lighting, and filled with natural light. Could definitely see a kitchen like this in that 2 bedroom cottage I dream of building someday.

Pictures from Simply Seleta (a favorite blog)

Cape May Cuties

2011-05-03T18:24:00.000-07:00

Wednesday White Kitchen

2011-04-29T06:38:00.000-07:00

I think these images are from an old Coutry Living issue??? This is another one of my favorites...has been for years.

Sneak Peek: Living Room Re-do

2011-04-29T06:35:00.000-07:00

Pillows above from CB2 (Crate and Barrel's little and more modern sister). They were in the CL living room and I realized I had a gift card from my bridal shower 6 years ago, which I used to purchase them. When the pillows arrived yesterday I immediately loved them. They are the Cargo stripe pillow and are made of a really cool linen / burlap material, but are soft and down filled. Amazing how just pillows can totally change a room. I firmly believe in making the bigger purchases of a room (ie couch) in a neutral color and then just changing the pillows from time to time or season to season. You can get totally different looks with just changing pillows.

And below are the other textiles I plan to work into the room. More to come...

BIKES

2011-04-29T06:15:00.000-07:00

We took the girls a couple weeks ago to be measured for their first real bikes. The man measured them, directed them to the right size bikes, and then told them to pick one out. BP chose the Giant "Puddin" in pink with cute little flower basket and BB chose the Specialized "Hot Rocket" in purple. Daddy picked them up while we were at the beach and brought them down for the girls. BB kept telling everyone (strangers and all) that her Daddy was bringing her new bike when he came. They were pretty psyched about it. And they do love them! BP rides hers like a little lady and BB rides hers like a rocket :)

I have to give a nod to Joe's Fix-it in Goshen NY. They have it all from $10,000 road bikes to used bikes and great service too.

Egg Hunt

2011-04-27T18:06:00.001-07:00

Egg Hunt Notes: Yes, it was warm enough for BB to wear a bathing suit Easter morning for the egg hunt! We had beautiful weather for our week in Cape May. We were very lucky.

The last picture is Baby C trying a jelly bean. She caught on very quickly to the treats inside the eggs.

A Beach Easter...

2011-04-27T09:17:00.001-07:00

Wednesday White Living Room

2011-04-27T08:30:00.000-07:00

This living room from May's Country Living room left me speechless. It says aah to me...come sit and read...it just said peace to me. Peace is something we could use a little more of in our chaotic life and house. So I am using it as my design inspiration for our living room which I have been slowly working on. I will show pictures as the pieces come together.

Good Dirt

2011-04-13T16:40:00.000-07:00

This is the third year for our garden on Swiss Hill (cannot call it our new house anymore). And we finally have some "good dirt" as Barefoot Dad declared yesterday. He has been adding stuff (peat, poop, and I honestly don't know what else) to it and tilling it for 3 years. Here he is with his crew yesterday.

Wednesday White Kitchen

2011-04-13T16:29:00.000-07:00

Better late than never...I guess? (We have had computer problems...sorry for the long absence)

Here is another simple white kitchen that I love. It is the kitchen of interior designer Katrin Cargill. I just discovered her and love her work. For more beautiful spaces designed by Katrin check out her website. Also, she has 15 design and how-to books that look really interesting.

I thought I would post both of the pictures above because they are of the same kitchen, but one pic styled for a magazine shoot and one is an everyday pic. It is cool to see the differences between the two. Anyway, besides this kitchen being white and simple, I love the rolled fabric shade, the sweet plate rack, and my absolute favorite part is the blue pendant light over the island. Very similar to last weeks kitchens, I know.

Simple White Kitchens...

2011-04-06T07:06:00.000-07:00

I love simple white kitchens. Add pops of color, open shelving, and an island and I am sold. Oh and great natural lighting and cool pendants too! Cannot forget those elements. All images from House Beautiful.

Top kitchen by Ruthie Sommers and bottom by Johnathan Adler, two of my favorite designers.

I think I am going to start a new design series...Wednesday will be kitchen day...how about that?

Impromptu NYC...

2011-04-03T18:10:00.000-07:00

A last minute overnight to the city...Sort of an effort to defy the April Fools snow and because we like to keep things unplanned and interesting. These 3 make our lives so chaotic but so full of love and fun! Searching for the Statue of Liberty out in the dark harbor. Posing (freezing) with the Bull on the way grab a real NY bagel. Yummy!

Gearing up for the Museum of Natural History. It wound up being the best visit we have had thus far... BP found out they have sleepover nights at the museum, and she is all excited about this idea.

Brown Bear

2011-04-03T18:00:00.001-07:00

Baby C is OBSESSED with books. She would sit on one of our laps all day and listen to story after story. "Brown Bear, Brown Bear" is definitely one of her favorites. She actually asks for it. In an effort to get some housework done the other day I suckered BB into reading to her for me and it worked.

On a sidenote: BB wants to be a boy (not sure if I have mentioned this previously), hence the baggy soccer outfit. More on this later...this requires a seperate post. Haha!

And two makes a pair...

2011-03-23T13:00:00.000-07:00

Remember the granny chair? I found its mate. Yup, I found the Mr. to the Mrs. It is not a direct match, but both feature the lovely "harvest gold" color that was very popular a few decades ago.

I feel they just don't make furniture like they used to, and I have been trying to find another old chair for our living room. I did not want a direct match, just something similar in scale. I plan to reupholster both someday, which is why you see fabric swatches draped over the chairs in both pictures. I am going to use outdoor fabric because the durability is unmatched and it repells water and stains. Very, very key in this house. Plus, it is inexpensive and there are great patterns available. Someday I dream of starting my own reclaimed furniture line using these outdoor fabrics for people that have kids and pets, but don't want to sacrifice style and chicness. Ahh the old someday.... But anyway, I am leaning toward the coral Waverly pattern pictured at bottom. It is busy and bold and a really warm color. For now, the girls love curling up in both of these chairs just as they are. Oh, and I am still looking for other antique chairs so please give me a heads up if you spot any.

2011-03-23T12:50:00.000-07:00

I guess Bentwood is in right now. I was surprised to open the new Williams Sonoma catalog the other day and see this. I love the French stripe bench combined with the Bentwood chairs and the reclaimed pine table. Simple and chic country.

Happy St Patrick's Day!

2011-03-16T17:45:00.000-07:00

Doesn't this Guiness Ice Cream float look amazing? I just may whip up a batch of these tomorrow night for my favorite holiday. The recipe can be found on marthstewart.com

Forgot one...

2011-03-16T17:42:00.000-07:00

Forgot this Bentwood inspiration picture the other night. (From Martha)

Simplicity...

2011-03-16T09:10:00.000-07:00

Ever have one of those days where you just want to simplify? I have had a bunch lately. And I have a confession...when I have one of those days I want to buy this place. I know it looks like a piece, but it has great bones. It could be such a great nature inspired cottage after some renovations. I pass it on the way to and from the girls' school, and some days it is really tempting. So here is the direction I would take with the renovations and design...(pics from marthastewart.com / jonh derian's home tour)

Knock-off

2011-03-14T19:03:00.000-07:00

The IKEA Docksta table is a knock-off of the more costly Mid-Century Mod Saarinen table at a fraction of the price. "Fraction of the price" is key in this house. It needs to be able to stand up to markers, crayons, play-doh, as well as breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Paying thousands for a table is not in the cards for us nor would it be very practical for us.

I love the look of this mod table paired with totally unexpected chairs. Right now I have French country chairs with it, but I also like the look of Bentwood chairs (painted or natural) pulled around it (see below). I bought 1 Bentwood chair on Craigslist, but am still hunting for 4 more. If you see any please let me know :)

On a sidenote: A round table brings a different feeling to a meal compared to a rectangular or oval shaped table. It really brings people closer makes it easier to communicate. What family doesn't need that?

2011-03-14T18:30:00.000-07:00

We just returned from a very simple weekend in Lancaster County, PA. A place where people, not things, are what matters most. It was just what we needed. The girls had fun with friends and so did we. There were lots of laughs and memories from the weekend.

You can see them above with their buddies building a fire with corn stalks they plucked out of a corn field behind the Amish Country Motel. They were calling them "whackersmackers," and I laughed today when I saw 2 "whackersmackers" that were snuck into my car. The little motel we stay at every year for the last 10 (?can it be that long?) years is right at the edge of the corn field, and surrounded by Amish farms. You can watch and listen to buggies pass. This year a major bonus was the playground and playhouse right outside our room. I cannot believe we never found it before. Also above is a day after picture from the "Mud Sales," an Amish auction held every year at this time. You can see the farm equipment and buggies waiting for the highest bidders to come claim them.

I don't have too many pictures because a lot of our time was spent with an Amish friend and her family. Out of respect to them and their beliefs we stash the cameras and just absorb as much of the simple life as we can.

Being Baby #3

2011-03-14T11:31:00.000-07:00

Here is Baby C at her 12 month well visit. She is a little obsessed with her tongue right now. 25lbs 2ozs and I cannot remember her height. I know she was 95% for both. I am not as up on her stats as I was with BP and BB. And realizing that I did not remember her stats really got me thinking...that is the cool thing about baby #3, we are more laid back, and so is she. I feel like with Baby C I am in the moment more. Most likely because I know she is the last. It is less worry and more fun. It shows with her personality. With BP we were a nervous wreck because she was our first and we treated her like a very delicate egg, and this definitely shows in her personality. Then BB came into our world a month early and surprised us with her "ready or not" attitude, which still holds strong to this very day. She is a firecracker in every sense of the word. Now with 3 we have become experts at managing chaos. And yes, everyday is just chaos, but I love it because it is our chaos!

Busy Bees

2011-03-09T11:35:00.000-08:00

They love to be busy. Give them a project or a job and they are so happy, (and better behaved too).

Ikea finds under $5

2011-03-02T06:19:00.001-08:00

My Favorite Ikea finds... All very inexpensive but qulity items that are extremely useful. In order as seen above:

Neglinge Tapered Candle holders / Tealight holders .49 Very heavy and toddler safe. So cool because they can be used 2 ways.

Signe Throw Rugs $3.99 Come in many color combinations. Washable and great for in front of the kitchen sink.

Reko Cups $1.49 I think the price is for a pack of 4. They are the cutest plastic cups and also great for letting the little ones set the table.

Kids Breakfast Set $4.99 My girls don't have this, but would love it!

Tekla Kitchen Towel .49 The ultimate kitchen towel. Washes well and the price cannot be beat.

Cool Catskills Wedding & New Client

2011-03-02T05:48:00.000-08:00

The barn at the top belongs to a new client of ours. I have not seen the inside yet, but I have heard it is really cool. So are the pictures of their wedding which was featured on Martha Stewart's website. If you search "Catskills Wedding" you can find the complete feature on it. I really love the rings in the little nest, the honey favors, the heart shaped mowed field where they held the ceremony, and the fact that they held the reception in the barn where they are now living. These pictures make me really long for Spring! We live in such a pretty area 3 seasons of the year, but this Winter thing is getting rather old :)

2011-02-11T12:21:00.000-08:00

I am in love with this dining room, designed by Tracery of Rosemary Beach, FL.

Up next week: New blog...new endeavors...lots going on here at casa de Goldstein, but we like it that way.

Happy Weekend!

Happy Valentine's Day!

2011-02-11T12:14:00.000-08:00

My favortie flower: Yellow Tulips

Long stem red roses are a complete waste of $ with me (lucky husband).

These were $3.99 for a dozen.

What is your favorite flower? Please share...