nest and studio

Summer Instagram

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There’s something truly magical about summer. Even though some days are sweltering and really uncomfortable, there are always days and evenings with beautiful light, lush trees and grass, blooming flowers, fireflies and refreshing breezes after the thunder storm. So I always enjoy following my friend’s instagram streams. Right now I have a friend in Sweden taking in some breathtaking sights, another just went camping. In looking at their photos I feel like I’m getting a little vicarious taste of their lives and the places they visit.

At 7+ months pregnant we’re having a pretty relaxing summer. I drop Henry off at camp in our neighborhood and then get to work in my studio. Weekends we hop a train to Long Beach for the day or hit the playgrounds or park. Next week were headed out for a week long trip full of pool and ocean swimming and lots of lounging around.

My instagram feed is lazy and chill as it should be during the summer months. I’ve been posting snapshots of daily life, beautiful evening light in my living room, a snap of a plane overhead from the beach and anything else that strikes my fancy. Feel free to follow along if you like.

Mother’s Day Commitment

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Hope you all had a lovely mother’s day. I spent the day with my son and husband who showered me with affection and attention. What more could a mom ask for? Actually, it’s me who feels totally grateful. While mother’s day is a time to theoretically be celebrated, I believe it’s me who should be celebrating the decision to bring our son into the world, to commit to bringing him tons of joy, laughter, love and support through all of life’s inevitable ups and downs.

I love this Slate article by John Dickerson who suggests writing notes to your child and giving them to him or her at a later date to be determined. Our little posts on facebook here and there are ephemeral. We keep notes on what Henry says and does if it amuses, delights or amazes us but I think I want to do something that’s especially for him. Something that will show him how loved he has always been. So the letters will start now and I’m not certain when I’ll give them to him but it makes me happy to think about doing this special thing for him.

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Happy Mother’s Day

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Since becoming a mother I love celebrating with my son on Mother’s Day. It’s truly a mutual admiration fest. He’s the most wonderful, joyful human I know and every single day he’s been on this Earth with me has been a better day than any day before he was here. I hope he will always feel deeply loved and understood by me. I know our relationship will shift and change as he grows and that he won’t always plant smooches on my lips and caress my face saying “I love you mama” but I know our love will always be strong and I’ll never stop working to make him feel like he’s the apple of my eye. I do hope the smooches last a bit longer though, they’re the best.

Happy Mother’s Day to all you mamas out there! Enjoy the weekend and celebrate.

Moving

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What a hectic week this will be. We’re moving to Brooklyn on Thursday. So in addition to packing and getting into 2014 projects we’re busily plotting and planning our new space. We should probably wait and just play around with furniture once we get there but it’s fun to imagine how everything will be laid out. I’m not looking forward to finishing packing but I’m excited to get to the other end and see our new space take shape. Here are a few snaps of the space. We had it painted and now it’s ready for us come Thursday!

The Glow: An Inspiring Guide to Stylish Motherhood

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Throughout life there are rare opportunities to make friends and even more rare opportunities to make those friendships grow into something more. I have a handful of women in my life who I was lucky enough to meet when we were around 11 years old. Life has been an incredible journey and it’s been an absolute pleasure knowing these girls as we became women. Describing them as friends is too meek a term, they’re family.

One of these girls is Violet, the co-founder of The Glow. I’ve always been in awe of Violet, her accomplishments, talent, beauty and kindness. She recently became a mother to a beautiful little baby girl, Plum. I instantly loved her. Holding her for the first time, I was filled with love. I’m happy to consider her another member of my family as I know Violet considers me and my son Henry.

I was honored to make this sweet little poem into a watercolor picture for sweet little Plum in their lovely home–featured in this Glow shoot for JCrew at Violet, David and Plum’s apartment.

See more beautiful photos by Kelly Stuart on The Glow here. Pre-order The Glow: An Inspiring Guide to Stylish Motherhood book now. I bet it will sell out as soon as it hits shelves.