Latest arrival...

As you may have guessed, Kicky is here! Our little girl arrived swiftly and safely with the sunrise on Sunday morning. EZ E has been really great with her and is very curious. The first thing he said when he saw her was, "Is she my present?". Mostly he's been enjoying the flood of gifts that friends and relatives have been bringing for him (thank you, everyone!). It's safe to say that we're all madly in love with the newest member of our family. I'll be taking some time off to adjust to life with two babies, but will return to Aesthetic Outburst on November 2nd. See you then! xoxo, Abbey

This weekend...

We have nothing planned for this weekend...thank goodness. Rather than focusing on (and getting nervous about) impending labor, I've been trying to soak in and enjoy every moment with EZ E. It's snowing here today, so we're settled in listening to music (or as EZ E calls it, mucus), playing with playdoh, and painting his cardboard box house. Hope you all have a great weekend and I'll see you next week!

*photo from Demoiselle Libellule

Paint chips...

This paint color would look great with dark wood, wouldn't it? I think it's difficult to find paint colors that go with dark wood without looking too country or too craftsman. I also love the chairs. Ever since finding that baby Bertoia at the thrift store I've been wanting the grown-up version. Now that I've said it out loud, I'm hoping the thrift-store gods are listening and we'll happen across a set.

*photo found via indierocket

Twiggy...

I've reconsidered the terrarium idea and have decided to recruit my father-in-law to help me make some of these twig coat hooks that I saw on Country Living. Long-time readers may remember that my father-in-law is the king of twigs, so I'm confident that he can help me out. What do you think...would you like to receive a few twig coat hooks as a gift or no?

Spotted...

Did you see this gorgeous party hosted by simplesong? She has the best taste.

Clever...

My mom wants to make a wreath for their front door, so we were trying to find ideas online. We didn't really find anything that would work for my parents house, but I did think that this idea from good housekeeping was clever. I see cute ties at thrift stores all of the time and they're so cheap!

Collected...

Our friend Joetta posted artist Anu Tuominen's work recently and it's amazing. I couldn't resist sharing it here. I love it when art and collecting collide. You HAVE to go see more of her work here. She's definitely a new favorite of mine.

Birthday wishes...

I couldn't end the day without wishing Emily, my best friend since kindergarten, a very happy birthday. I hope you got to stay in bed all day (even though I know you didn't) and that your sweet husband picks up a large, quality bottle of wine, puts the baby to bed, and makes a lovely dinner for you...and then remembers to clean up afterwards. :)

*photo from amy bernier

Quirky...

I like this quirky collage from Native Vermont. It reminds me of this wall paper that I love.

Outside...

I kind of imagine the exterior of an Abigail Ahern-designed home to look like this. Originally featured in the October 2003 edition of now-defunct Budget Living magazine, you can see more photos of this house and read more about it on door sixteen's flickrstream.

A much cooler Abigail...

I don't know if it's the darkness that's been creeping in via fall or what, but lately I've been thinking a lot about Abigail Ahern's work. I'd love to settle into one of these rooms with a chai latte and a great magazine. Her interiors are so damn fabulous. She has a book that came out recently that I almost ordered the other day (I opted for christmas gifts for other people instead). I'm dying to see it though. If you'd like to see more of her work take a look at her website, her sneak peek at design*sponge or the sneak peek of her sister Gemma's house (also on design*sponge).

Nursery...

OK...one more...a fabulous nursery found via A Black Key's flickrstream (I think I've seen this somewhere else before, but I can't remember where).

UPDATE: It's from Domino...thanks, Denise!

Color combo...

Talkative or not, I'm loving this color combination today.

*photo found via Tammy Manet's flickrstream

Quiet...

I'm not feeling very talkative today. Maybe I need some coffee served on a lovely tray in a cute mug.

*photo from frausieben

Fail harder...

This is absolutely amazing. 'Fail Harder' is a perfect message in a classroom and in life, don't you agree? The fact that this was made using over 100,000 thumbtacks makes me insanely happy. It was completed by Wieden + Kennedy 12. You can see more of their work here. So rad.

*photo found via swiss miss

Being nice...

I'm posting this gorgeous staffordshire set that I found via le train fantôme instead of bitching about shlepping around the pumpkin farm with six adults and three kids this weekend.

I'd like to know...

Today is Monday, so that means it's time for I'd like to know, a weekly post dedicated to talented artists, designers, etc...all people I'd like to know and who I thought you may like to know of too. Today I'd like to know...Andrea Everman of owly shadow puppets. Her puppets are hysterical and her valentines are just too perfect. These make me really want a laser cutter. You can see more of her work here or here. Happy Monday!

This weekend...

If all goes as expected (ie. the baby doesn't arrive this weekend) we're headed to the pumpkin farm. I love, love, love the pumpkin farm and am keeping my fingers crossed that EZ E is more impressed than he was last year. We'll see. Have a great weekend and I'll see you next week!

*photo from melissann

Extended...

PRH and I both come from huge extended families...my dad is the oldest of 6, my mom has 4 brothers, PRH's dad is one of 4 and his mom is one of 8. Coming up with a 'family' christmas gift each year can be a bit of a challenge, but I was thinking about giving terrariums a go this year. I've heard they're easy to make...plus, it could be a fun project to do with EZ E. Has anyone tried it before?

*photo found here

Into the fold...

Check out this installation by artist James Roper. It's folded paper, baby!

The navy squirrel...

This clutch by TsuruBride made me laugh out loud. Head to her shop to see more!

Just in case...

...you were wondering what I look like 27 pounds heavier. Yes, I said 27 (7 more than EZ E and we still have two weeks left). Egads. :(

Collected...

Some fun vintage mugs from H is for home to kick off the day.

Over and out...

I'm cutting out a bit early today to wrap up some very neglected tasks. See you tomorrow!

*photo by maus.

Textiles...

I came across some really great tea towels recently (above) and did a little research after bringing them home. They were designed by an artist named Tammis Keefe. I wasn't able to find much information, but you can read more about her here (she died in 1960). Flickr has a great Tammis Keefe pool. Here are some more images of her work. The two images directly below are from kmel...



julie wilson world...


and xtinalamb...

Mom hair...

This morning I'm wishing my hair looked like this. I have crap mom hair today.

Another...

OK...one more indierocket/SeeSaw Designs find for today. I second indierocket's title...a 'cluttered, yet fabulous workspace'. Cheers to that!

So very square...

I really want a boxy couch like this.

*photo found via indierocket (she found it via SeeSaw Designs)

In the air...

This lovely photo by Nick Bartoletti is how I feel lately...like everything is up in the air.

Varsity chic...

Loving how the sweater is tacked to the wall in this photo from House Beautiful. Oh so 'varsity chic', right?

Slowing down...

We had an extraordinarily busy weekend this past weekend. We spent Saturday at a wedding to which EZ E insisted on wearing a vintage military police helmet (see photo of EZ E and PRH below...I've already learned to pick my battles), so needless to say I was looking forward to this week beginning. Today EZ E and I are planning to collect leaves in the front yard to press, we have a pumpkin to paint, some apple pie to eat, and a birthday dinner to make (happy birthday, mom!!!).

*photo above by trish.papadakos

I'd like to know...

Today is Monday, so that means it's time for I'd like to know, a weekly post dedicated to talented artists, designers, etc...all people I'd like to know and who I thought you may like to know of too. Today I'd like to know...photographer Tim Walker. I've admired his work for a while now and just read last week on Hero's blog that he took some photos for photos for Harper's Bazaar in honor of the upcoming Tim Burton retrospective at the MoMA. This guy is so incredibly talented. I love how his photographs are whimsical with an edge of creepiness. You can see some of the photos for Harper's here or here and check out Tim Walker's website here. Happy Monday!

This weekend...

We have a TON going on this weekend. We going to a wedding, an antiques auction, and an apple festival, it's our seven year wedding anniversary, and it's my mom's birthday. Watch the baby decide to come this weekend. :) I wouldn't be shocked...EZ E was two weeks early and we're only three weeks away from Kicky's due date (three weeks!!!). It may be one of the last weekends to lay on a hammock without wearing many, many layers. Enjoy!

*photo via country living

Bedford post...

I'm all about navy blue lately and have been obsessively searching for photos of navy blue rooms (without much luck). I did come across these floors from the Bedford Post Inn, owned by Richard Gere, his wife and a business partner. Great idea for a porch or a room with wood floors that can't be salvaged.

*found via remodelista