Monday Musings | Mother's Day 2017

It's not Monday, it's Mother's Day...enjoy!  a few links on the subject...xo

After digging up this old photo of my mom above, I came across this article on the very subject.

A few tried and true shortcuts, Real Mom, Real Hacks.

If you plan on serving me breakfast in bed, I'll take one of these.

10 Films With Iconic Mother/Daughter Relationships

This dress. Or this one.

Immigrant Mothers Would Be Separated From Their Kids under new proposed guidelines.

How much stay-at-home moms should get paid.

This cuff with my children's initials.

Memoirs about mothers:  Then Again, by Diane Keaton, From Cradle to Stage, and Operating Instructions: A Journal of my Son's First Year, by Anne Lamott

"I am the person who notices we are running out of toilet paper, and I rock: A Mother's Day tribute to moms everywhere."

Scents can trigger strong memories and emotions.  My mother wore Shalimar however I was never able to wear perfume without inducing a migraine.  And then I found this perfume (that is "not a perfume"), and I am 100% of the time asked what fragrance I am wearing.  More on the power of a scent, especially your Mom's.

And thank you for all your kind comments on my previous post.  Here is one more article on the topic.

Monday Musings (Personal) | May 2017

As our oldest approaches graduation, the next steps have been weighing heavily on us as to what is next for him, as it does for most parents when their child finishes high school.  We have that in common, however when you have a child who learns differently, you have an added layer of worry. 

Our decisions along the way have always been made with research, heart, gut and help from so many kind and supportive people who have walked this path.  I don't speak much about this as it is personal and I want to respect his privacy, but I have found that by others sharing their experiences, it has helped us.  And so it was time I began my research for this next phase.  I have begun curating articles and ideas that breach this subject and I have found that there are some really amazing people out there doing some really amazing things for children who learn differently...If you know of more, I would love for you to share.

Here are few random things on the topic around the web that caught my eye for this Monday Musing...

Meet the Gutsy Dad That Started a Car Wash to Help His Son Find Purpose

If college acceptance was only about letters of recommendations, no one would turn him away.

Housing options help autistic adults find independence

We Need a Coffee Shop Like This One in Every Town

How a New Supreme Court Ruling Could Affect Special Education.  Advocates for students with disabilities argue the decision could help millions of children.

And although he is not a rebel, I find this to be fascinating research regarding the individual students who perform differently in class.

And for someone who can't sit still or fidgets, these have been known to help focus (and now they seem to be all the rage).

I just finished this book about the gifts of imperfection and loved it.

xo

Monday Musings | April 2017

a few things...(on a Tuesday...not a Monday!)...the image above is an example of the state I feel I am in lately.

Dubbed the new Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen on Broadway.  Hopefully I won't miss this one too.

When Teens Need Their Friends More Than Their Parents

I love this tissue box cover I received as a gift (thank you Emily!)

I just downloaded this teen book, The Hate You Give to Audible for our next road trip with our boys. “This is tragically timely, hard-hitting, and an ultimate prayer for change. Don’t look away from this searing battle for justice.” (Adam Silvera, New York Times)

My new favorite food gift to give.  The apple pie.  The Lord of the Pies.

At-home dermaplaning...have you tried this?  I am addicted and use this, both as a method of hair removal and skin exfoliation.   

I might give a Fiddle Leaf plant another try after reading this...and trying the "Water Wednesday" trick.  And if not, these other plants look like they might survive in my non green thumb house.

My friend Kate always has the best shoes...I am crushing on these for summer.

And stripes.  Forever stripes.  This sweater is on sale.

xo

Monday Musings | April 2017

Happy Monday...or Wednesday...or week...

Wouldn't it wonderful to have a bar like this in our area....if you think so, you can visit this one in New York...(and this location looks like it is the home to many other brands I would love to visit!)

These chairs for the dining room.

The 10 Best Wellness Instagram Accounts to Follow

 "Kathrine Switzer’s marathon in 1967 became historic because she was the first woman to complete the all-male race as an official entrant — her registration as “K.V. Switzer” hid her gender." She is running it again today, 50 years later.   This photo and these words. 

We love this podcast.  How I Built This is a podcast about innovators, entrepreneurs, and idealists, and the stories behind the movements they built.  The boys and I especially enjoyed Patagonia: Yvon Chouinard

These commissioned portraits for children.  Adorable.  (And her Instagram account is also a beautiful follow...especially her hashtag #thatenidgroove)

And I love this idea.  I love our Pope.

I know a family who does this to preserve the funny things their daughter says.  They don't want to forget.  So they send her an email.  A modern baby journal of sorts.

These are my favorite sandals.

xo

Monday Musings | April 2017

a few things...

Simple living.  These storage options are beautiful.

Maybe my boys are destined to be basketball players since they eat this everyday.  And oh my gosh...have you ever had a grilled one? (Thank you very much Katherine!)

Meet the Friends, Former Coworkers, and Mothers Founding the Net-a-Porter for Kids

These.  I wore these in the 80's.  (You know you are old when fashion comes back around.)

I use to collect all the misfit tiny toys in my house and put them in a small cloth bag for the car rides and situations where my kids were expected to be on their best behavior, ie. restaurants.  I love this idea too...a much more thoughtful bag of goodies.

"I can offer you my forgiveness, which is and forever will be, the only part of me that you can ever claim as yours." ~Harvard Women's Soccer Team after the Harvard Men's Soccer team rated the them based on their physical appearances.

And I am so proud of the work one of our neighbors is involved with...creating dialogue about the importance of what healthy and unhealthy relationships look like...in honor of her dear friend Yeardley Love.  If you would like to join in the conversation, the Senator Theatre is Baltimore will host the award winning film, Escalation and follow up with a discussion.  RSVP here.

Trust your gut. 

a little motivation.

Henry | Senior Photography Session | 2017