We had some seriously dreary weather over the weekend, and when you’re at the cabin you can run out of things to do pretty quickly when stuck indoors for three full days and nights. Putting wireless in last summer is either a blessing or a curse, because when I have time to spare (especially in the evening and the weather isn’t conducive to sitting by a fire), then my default is to hop online to do a little shopping. My kind of leisure! This time of year is particularly dangerous and tempting, with big sales like the Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale. Some of my favorite picks (all at around 40% off) are included below.

Michelle Watch : I’ve always loved the Michelle watches, and this pop of color would be great for summer. My first choice would be the white version, but that’s already sold out, unfortunately. | Alexander McQueen sunglasses : I find that black sunglasses are the most versatile and flattering, so I’m always on the lookout for a quality, timeless pair like these. | Michael Kors watch : This is very similar to the watch I wear nearly every day, but I love the color on the dial. | | Ivy Kirzhner shoes : These flats are practical only in that they are, well, flats. But I’m tempted to purchase just to see Ella’s face, she would love them so much. | Stuart Weitzman shoes : A few months ago I was looking for great nude heels, and these were in the final two choices of the numerous versions I tried. Nothing better than waiting to purchase and finding them on sale at a later date! | Kate Spade shoes : Love the denim look to these, and Kate Spade heels are surprisingly comfortable. | Kate Spade cardigan : This cardigan reminds me of a green and white garden print blazer I had when I first started practicing law. I loved that blazer, and this is an updated look and print. | Eliza J dress : I don’t currently own anything of this brand, but love all of the cuts and prints of the dresses. | Theory dress : A basic but great black dress always gets plenty of wear with me.

Spending time gardening is one of my favorite leisure activities. Gardening can have a lot of meanings, and the leisurely type that I’m referring to is not what always occurs at our house. A few times each summer Trevor and I will enter into a weekend with a list a mile long of things that need to get done in a short time frame. Lay the Preen down during naptime; run to the greenhouse and bribe one kid (and on a good day, both) to go along so the other parent can work at warp speed; dig out the dead evergreens between birthday parties; pull the weeds that look like Audrey II from Little Shop of Horrors before it rains; etc. The leisurely type of gardening is what I do alone, in the evening or perhaps on the weekend if the family is elsewhere. There’s no email to answer, no IPhone to glance at, no child needing this or that on a moment’s notice. It’s peaceful, quiet, and relaxing. Interestingly, it’s still a goal oriented activity in that there is real pleasure in cultivating something beautiful. But the attention required can and should be effortless and not stress-inducing, especially when so much else in life is. Having too much uncertainty with growing results, not being able to dedicate the required time for upkeep and spending too much money can all lead to unwanted anxiety and ruin the experience. With the goal of minimizing any of those potential stressors, my mom gave me great guidance when setting up my garden, and continues to give me helpful tips as it matures. Below are some of her best gardening tips, gathered over the years from her mother, grandmother, friends and experience.

(more…)

My mom isn’t really a Mother’s Day kind of mom, having referred to it for as long as I can remember as a Hallmark holiday and insisting that we don’t make a fuss or spend our time or money scrambling for a gift or card. I don’t know if this was always the case, or something that came about when we were older, but I can tell you that I am very much not of this opinion about the holiday. I’m a pretty big fan, actually. And it’s not about gifts or cards for me either, really, it’s about having a day (or let’s face it, the weekend) to have things roll the way mama wants them to roll. This involves a little bit of sleeping in; a whole lot of cuddling with the kiddos (Taylor isn’t generally a fan of hugs and kisses, but on these days even he feels obligated to show mommy some love – similar to how Ella generally isn’t a fan of sharing her doughnuts with me, but on special days she’ll make an exception); and some alone time. The perfect day was capped off with watching the kids do a little fishing and then heading out to date night with Trevor at a crazy Mexican joint in a small town near our cabin.

Our loungewear (a.k.a. pajamas) that we sported until just before dinner: Kerry: Anthropologie pants (a solid bet that I will wear these almost every day at the cabin this year) and my favorite tee shirt (also Anthro) and favorite necklaces (Kate Spade). | Ella: Gap pajamas | Taylor: Hanna Andersson pajamas
(more…)