real kids : humans of new york

Do you follow Humans Of New York?

Photographer Brandon Stanton has a truly wonderful body of work: portraits upon portraits of people captured on the street, usually accompanied by a poignant quote from the subject. Sometimes fans send in their own take on his pictures, like the cartoon on the right by Johanna Trobough from Paris, France.

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In other news, I'm excited to be attending the Kidspot Village Voices Masterclass and Voices of 2013 launch party tomorrow, I still can't believe this little blog has been included amongst so many amazing others! I'm looking forward to seeing some of the faces behind blogs I've enjoyed over the years, so if you're there, please come and say hi, I'd love to meet you :)

Have a lovely weekend! 

19/52

Portraits of one or more of my children once a week, every week in 2013.

Her: Skylarking off with her Grandma's phone.

Him: Proud as punch climbing trees in the park. This boy and his smiles!

I think one of the ideas behind this 52 week project is to have your photography evolve through the year, but I'm not so sure that is happening with mine.

However I am finding myself notice the passing of time more acutely; despite these sunny snaps autumn is turning cooler; the kiddo has started wearing his winter uniform and last night I wore a woolly scarf to Uni for the first time this year. It's May! That means it's nearly June! That means the year is nearly half over. It's been a very good year so far, I hope yours has too.

Lovely portraits elsewhere this week: fantastic pictures within pictures at typically red, a sweet offering of leaves at teacups too, a giant Miffy and a little Molly at This is Tie.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 week portrait project.

make it mine : the white party

Belinda from Nest Design Studio found this delightful wee space, saying,"I think this nursery would have to be one of my all time favourite neutral nurseries.  The use of textures, timber and soft driftwood colours really create a room that is soothing but also interesting."

Do you love it too? I have a bit of a crush on Lucky Boy Sunday, they make such unusual, quirky characters. 

To recreate this look start with: 1. Pale Nulle soft toy by Lucky Boy Sunday  2.  Molecule building set by Ferm Living  3.  Sparrow Cot by Oeuf  4.  Mini library by Oeuf  5.  Ludde sheepskin from Ikea.

Original design from Sissy + Marley. 

meet the mama : stacey from the veggie mama

Happy Mother's Day! Today one of our fave foodie mamas is spilling the beans on how her life has changed since becoming a parent. Stacey is mama to two gorgeous ladies, Abby, age two, and Pepper, who is seven months. I think I first saw Stacey on the cover of Peppermint magazine, then pregnant with wee Abby and riding a pink bicycle! This lady has the gift of making motherhood and eating your veggies look good. Here's what she had to say.

What did a normal day look like before you were pregnant?

18/52

Portraits of one or more of my children once a week, every week in 2013.

Him: Having a cuddle with his gogo (grandma) and brand new baby cousin Abigail. Big congratulations to Abbey's mama, papa and big sister Piper, Abbey is divine!

Her: Doesn't she look a wee bit sceptical? I don't think she was thrilled to see me holding little Abbey but she liked her well enough when I wasn't :)

And the three big (!) cousins having a fun time playing house together in Piper's room. Max really got into character. As you can see:

Playful portraits elsewhere this week: Isabelle and Noah playing in the leaves at Mend and Make New, tiny twins Maggie and Elisabeth on The Hut Chronicles and a gorgeous cat girl and her brother on Magical Days. 

Joining in with Jodi's 52 week portrait project.

interview with : the kiddo

A little pre-Mother's Day interview with the kiddo (5) in which he gives me some advice and tells me I might need a headband.

What do you like the most about your mum?
She kisses me.

What do you like the least about your mum?
She gets angry at me.

What do you like doing the most with your mum?
Playing games, like Settlers of Catan. (He does not know how to play this.)

What do you think your mum’s job is?
Blogging.

What do you think your mum’s favourite thing to do is?
Work on the computer.

Do you have any advice for your mum?
She could help me make craft more. Okay, what’s next?

Do you have a favourite food that your mum makes you?
Corn off the cob. (He never asks for this.)

What do you think would be a good present to give your mum?
Um, a headband? Because you don’t have one.

What’s your favourite memory with your mum?
At Christmas. When we decorated the tree with the Christmas balls that Santa gave me and Rose.

What would you like to do with your mum in the future?
Hug her. ( I hug him) 
I thought you would do that.

mother's day : to make

5 fun DIYs perfect for giving or keeping:

Make your own butterfly tote with your little one's handprints.

Design a fancy photo book with your treasured snaps using Blurb.

Get out the porcelain paint and personalise a mug.

Let your little get arty. Photograph the process + frame the painting = super cute.

Wee one an animal lover? They might like to turn their footprint into a penguin for you :)

Do your kiddos bring home gorgeous crafty surprises from school or day care? Why is it so cool to see the sweet things they make? My littles could draw a squiggle and I'd think it was the bees knees ;)

more mothers day : to wear : to give : to do

mother's day : to do

More the doing type than the gifting type? Here a five fun things you might like to do with your mum or treat yourself to:

1. Catch a movie. Have you seen First Position? I loved it.

2. See a play. True Minds by Joanna Murray-Smith and The Melbourne Theatre Company is on now for Melbournians, it sounds hilarious.

3. Pack a picnic for the park. A classic.

4. Go to the ballet. Symmetries by The Australian Ballet will be playing soon at the Canberra Theatre Centre if you're in the capitol.

5. How can you go wrong with a lovely coffee date catch up?

Myself, I'm waiting until next month and going to the ballet with my mum and the kiddo for a belated celebration -- I can't wait! This weekend I think I'll be studying.

What would your ideal Mother's Day treat be? A day alone in bed perhaps? I'd love to hear!

Movie ticket wall sign on Etsy. True Minds image by Jeff Busby. Basket from Boho Morroco. Kirsty Martin as photographed by Justin Smith. Picnic and coffee images unknown, please contact me if you know the credit.

mother's day : to give

Looking for some gift ideas? A little collection of goodies for your mum (or yourself!) for Mother's Day.

Note to my family if they are reading: I would be thrilled with any of the above, especially the boots. Or the book. Or the glasses. Or the candle. Oh, go on then, you can give them all ;)

Have you asked for anything this Mother's Day? What kind of gifts do you usually like to give your mum/step-mum/grandma/lady-type-that-brought-you-up? I'd love to hear!

Reflect Mountain Tee from Gorman, Jo Malone Candle, Triple Chevron Chain from Rare Bird on Etsy, Feather print by Louise De Masi on Etsy, Ray Ban Aviators from Vision Direct, Skyward! Arrow Cuff from Molten, The Mountain, by Drusilla Modjeska from Random House Books, Minnetonka boots from The Iconic, Abbey Studded Wallet from Witchery.

mother's day : to wear

17/52

Portraits of one or more of my children once a week, every week in 2013.

Her: Gimme!

Him and Her: Meeting our friend's brand new baby.

Lovely portraits elsewhere this week: Nona at Fuga's Prism, Janet, otherwise known as Granny, at Harper Leich and Lo rockin' her shades at Melon Pea.

Joining in with Jodi's 52 week portrait project.

mother's day : to wear

With Mother's Day coming up (but don't panic, we've still got nearly two weeks) I started thinking about some fun gifts that are also practical for everyday.

Further to my self-confessed stripe love, this outfit is fabulously versatile in that it can be dressed up (heels, earrings) or down (chucks, caps), worn by all ages, is perfect for post-baby bods (loose-fit tee!) and is so easy to personalise.

And pregnant mamas can easily steal this look with these bump friendly maternity boyfriend jeans. I wore them when I was pregnant with the lady, and I can recommend. Plus, they're currently on sale. Bonus :)

What would you like to be wearing this Mother's Day? PJ's and an eyemask perhaps? I'd love to hear!

7 for all mankind boyfriend jeans on ASOS, Hunter Wellies on The Iconic, Black leather bag by Asya Malbershtein on Etsy, Striped Tee from American Apparel,  Floppy felt hat from Seed Heritage. 

Main image of Andreea Diaconu on Citizen Couture. 

guest post : a lovely lark

Do you know Lauren at A Lovely Lark? I featured the stylish nursery she made for her then newborn daughter, Violet, back in 2010. Fast forward three years and she's just given birth to her gorgeous new bundle, Lucy. My how time has flown!

While she's on a bit of blogging mat leave Lauren's featuring a series of fun 'Something to' guest posts including one by yours truly. If you'd like to take a peek at the baby space picks you can see them here.

I especially love the 'make' pick, wouldn't that be cool to create?

Congratulations on the birth of sweet little Lucy, Lauren!

inspired by : six ways to use yellow

1. On a set of drawers. Like this bold yellow beauty as seen in Vera's nursery on Elle Belle.

2. In layers. Like this yellow locker layered with a cute lion suit and framed with fun golden details at The Woodsfolk.

3. On a chair. And in a print. Like this neon wicker wonder and playful poster art by Camilla Lundsten as seen on Milk magazine.

4. On a vintage dresser. Like this banana yellow armoire revamped by the clever folk on Silver Blue.

5. On a desk. Like this sunny lemon yellow study space seen on Kid's Room Blog. 

6. On the wall. Like these Lego yellow playroom walls in this home for rent (if you happen to be travelling to the Netherlands!) on Airbnb.

Embracing the friendliest colour for the nursery has become quite the trend. I know ever since the kiddo declared it his fave I have been on the lookout for yellow in clothes and accessories that suit him, and he enjoyed helping choose yellow fabrics for his room. From rich, golden Lego yellow (as I like to call it) to cool, clean tints of lemon, a coat of sunshiny hues is sure to add instant cheer.

What colours are you loving for your home right now? I'd love to hear!

16/52

A portrait of one or more of my children once a week, every week in 2013.

Him: Goofing around like the fun lovin' fella he is. We learnt from last week and this week have kept busy with planned outings to the museum, the library and the like.

Her: At last she speaks! New words this week: shoe, teddy, puppy, hi, uh-oh and bap bap (apple), join more, mummeee, daddy, ta, um um (yum) and bubee (baby).

Lovely portraits elsewhere: little old ladies on Living on Love, little lotus on Flourish and big delight on oscarlucinda. 

Joining in with Jodi's 52 week portrait project.

meet the mama : caitlin from mother down under

Have you met Caitlin? Visiting her blog is like hanging out with that mum friend you wished lived next door. Down to earth and informative, I often find myself relating to her perspective and of course she has the added glamour of being an import from the United States. (Aren't foreigners always more interesting? ;) Caitlin does it all -- blogs, studies, works out of the home and in, in Brisbane, Queensland. I asked her how her life has changed since becoming a mama. This is what she told me.

What did a normal day look like before you were pregnant?