Sometimes I need to get hit over the head

Yesterday on the way home from the beach, Ava put her head on my shoulder, and asked if she could just relax the next day with me.

Ok, sure...

Last night, when andrew and I were out for our date, she told her grandparents she was going to spend the next day relaxing with mommy.

Aww, ok, so sweet...

This morning, she came in our bedroom, curled up in bed with me and asked if we were going to spend the day relaxing together.

Yes, sweet girl...

She then spent the morning climbing all over me, insisted I help her with everything, whined, and carried on.

"Ugh," I thought, "the beach honeymoon is over."

I knew what to do!
GET. OUT. OF. THE. HOUSE.

When, I announced we were all going to head into town, Ava's face fell, she cried and started a fight with her brother.

A teeth gritting, shoulder hunching "nooooooo" wailed throughout the house.

I'll admit I was very confused.
And frustrated.
And annoyed.

So, I stopped. Everything. I scooped that girl up and held her. And listened and finally heard what I had not been able to hear for 24 hours.

She wanted down time. With me. Just mommy and Ava.

So we got ready for a girls day on the town. We put on special outfits, did our hair, a little mascara and lip gloss.

Undivided girl time.
She had been telling me all along.

Sometimes I need to get hit over the head!

how does color feel? Spring 2013 color palatte is complete!

Clouds come floating into my life, no longer to carry rain or usher storm, but to add color to my sunset sky.

 - Rabindranath Tagore

Clouds are sure to enter our children's lives as they grow, just talk to my 5 year old daughter about the social complexities of kindergarten! But, looked at from just such a perspective, and they can be seen to add more color...more character...more dimension to an already rich, beautiful life. 

I'd like to believe that is where life finds me, personally, right now. 

The last couple months have found me deeeeeeply into design. Color, prints, graphics, hang tags, labels. It's not done yet either! But, it's progressing to a point where I have room to share on this blog again. 

Like all things with this line, the color selection was very intentional. I want all our babies wrapped in the most inspiring, pure, clean colors I could dream up. 

I know that I pick a blue shirt, black dress, white sundress, etc. out of my closet because that is what I feel like for the day. Your babies don't get that choice, but you do on their behalf. Consider how you're dressing your babies, what feeling are you passing along in color, print or artwork? It is uplifting? funny? cuddly? It's a moment you get to embrace with them. You literally get to wrap your children up in a feeling from you.

Here are some photos and artwork that inspired me when I was picking colors. Do any of them speak to you?

things are looking up: inspired moments

it's warm, sunny, and all you have to do is lay down in the grass,
reach out for the hand next to you, and look up. 

just. BE. right. there. 

…maybe you'll point out an unusual shape…

…you'll whisper, because you're respectful of the moment…

 

…your mind wanders, and it goes nowhere at the same time…

…you take a deep breath and really exhale. and suddenly, an idea hits you. it's a good one.
you feel the excitement churn in your belly. you smile. this is good.

i saw these on sweet peach and I've been looking at them all week. They are  Kathryn Kolb's photography, and I am HOOKED. There is no end to the many ways they inspire me.
I've got ideas for prints, business cards and watercolor artwork…
I want to hike, swim, garden and make mojitos! 

happy friday all! wishing you many inspired moments this weekend!