So. stinkin. cute. This kid looked right up at the camera man and gave his best no-teeth smile. Beijing, here we come!!

We are experiencing record highs here in the city. 90+ with no AC is uncomfortably hot. I take back all my complaining about the cold, foggy, SF summers. Just kidding. I don’t take it back. I just wish we had some AC. Or a ceiling fan.  Next year we’ll be able to turn on the sprinkler and run through the cool water.  Oooh I can’t wait!

After a month of vacationing I’ve returned home to poor little Sammy being sick with an ear infection. It is a little difficult to judge if his fever has gone down because it’s too stinkin hot! Okay, Okay. I’ll stop complaining. SF usually does have pretty perfect weather. Just when it’s not raining. Or foggy. Or super hot. I promise I’ll get some posts up once we get a little more settled in. I’ve started up a few design projects as well, so I can’t wait to show you some new finds.
Toodles!!

Mick is in China this week on business (did you know Zinch opened an office out there?), so I thought it’d be the perfect opportunity to hang out with my parents this week.  Ever since June they’ve been empty nesters, so of course my mom jumps at the opportunity to hang out with me and her new grandson.

What is it about being at your parents’ house that makes things so good?  I don’t cook.  I don’t clean.  I sleep in.  Swim in the morning. Do an activity during the middle of the day.  Take a loooong afternoon nap.  Wake up.  Hang out.  Eat dinner.  And Swim again. Yes, I’m still taking care of Sammy.  He has now joined me in this daily routine.  Making it even better.

Today we gathered up the all the local Decker grandkids and went to the Phoenix Children’s museum.  My mom was being a fun grandma and played with the kids in the playground…only to get herself stuck.

No mom, you can’t go out the way you came.  I was getting claustrophobic just looking (laughing) at her.

I was surprised to see that they had an Infant Play Area.  So I excitedly took Sam over to check it out.  I was expecting to see some really cool ceiling fixtures or a lot of black and white decorations.  Nope.  Just these industrial-looking mushrooms to plop the babies on.  LAME.  He lasted about two minutes.  I lasted one.  On to the cool wall of CD’s.

For dinner everyone came over.  It wouldn’t be a Decker summer without a BBQ and swimming.  I love it when my family gets together just to eat and swim.  My dad is getting savvy with his TV system and he had pictures of past vacations playing on the TV.  It was nice to look back and reminisce about fun trips while munching on fresh, cold watermelon.

I took Sam swimming for the first time this evening.  He loved it!  The water here is so warm it was like a giant bathtub.  I took pictures, but I look chubby and white.  And I’m vain and don’t want to post them.  Just trust me, Sam looked really cute in his little swim trunks all relaxed.

To end the perfect day I actually got to chat with Mick a little online.  He misses us and we miss him; but we’re making the most of being away from each other.  He’s learning and loving the startup life, and I’m getting a much needed vacation.  I’m now relaxing in my bed with our family dog right beside me.   Her breath smells.   And she’s being ultra stubborn and moving right back next to me whenever I shove her away.  I’m trying to have Sammy’s grunts distract me from her bad breath.  But it’s just not working.  Oh well, at least I have a cuddle buddy for the night.

Pixi is no longer my shadow.  She is now Sam’s.  Most of the time Sam and I are always together, but when I do have to leave him alone she’s there watching him for me.

Yesterday I came home, set Sam on the bed, and emptied the groceries.  I go in to peak on him and this is what I see:

Monday was a really rough day.  Sam was being difficult.  I think Pixi could sense my frustration cause she hops up on my lap and gives me loves.  It’s so nice having an extra set of paws to help.

Dear Dad,

Thanks for being awesome.  You rock.  Remember after my first bath you blow-dried my hair?  I didn’t really know what to think of it…

But now I understand when you blow on my head you’re giving me a cool hair-do.

Hopefully you had a good Father’s Day.  Mom and I worked really hard on the actions to that song.  I think next year I’ll be better.  Thanks for being a great dad.  I’m one lucky little boy.

Love,

Sammy

Thank you all for your advice and reassurance.  I really do enjoy being a mother and my time with Sam.  I think it was just a rough night.  I just want to clarify Mick does get me flowers for special occasions: Birthday, Anniversary, V-Day.  I just like the “just because” flowers.  Ya know?

In honor of Earth Day I thought I’d post about one of my favorite eco-friendly furniture companies: Viva Terra.   Their use of reclaimed or sustainable wood along with bamboo and organic textiles make is easy to leave less of your carbon foot-print.

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You better believe my son will be part of this club…

I have a hard time spending more than $30 on a necklace.  If you don’t, you should check out 24 Karas.  Beautiful, simple, dainty designs.  I like the contrast of this gear one.  The industrial look of gears along with the simple chain.  So pretty!

While I’m out visiting family, I thought I’d take advantage of the inexpensive fabric stores.  I’m on the hunt for a nice, white linen for our headboard.  I’m loving the color combination yellow and and turquoise.  Something like this, but with more white than black…ooooh I LOVE it.

Image via Canadian House and Home

Hope you all have a nice weekend.  Thanks for being my friend.

If you haven’t been able to tell by my posts lately, I’ve been a bit consumed with our little yard.  With the help of my mother-in-law, I was able get a lot done in our garden.  It amazes how quickly things change from day-to-day.  I’ll wake up and where there was once buds, are beautiful blossoms.  Here are some sure signs of spring found around our little garden:

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I  love our outdoor space.  Now that the weather is nice, it has been one of my favorite places to sit and relax.  Here in the city there is so much going on around, but when I go back to our garden it’s like a whole other world.  Can’t wait to play with our little guy back there!!

This month’s Architectural Digest has an article featuring a San Francisco high rise.  Love the simple, neutral, warm colors of this condo.

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My sister’s beautiful sitting room in Dallas.  Nice work Jaclyn!! I’m still waiting to see the close-up pics of the fabric you chose. :)

I always love getting the latest issue of design magazines.  If you haven’t checked out Coastal Living’s March issue, I highly recommend it.  They have some beautiful images.

This is probably my favorite.  Check out that headboard!! I love how extra-wide it is.  It sort of seems like it’s hugging you into bed.  So beautiful.

Love the balancing act of contemporary with traditional.  And, of course, I love the huge oil painting of the family dog.

When you have views like this, there isn’t much need for extravagant interiors.  Notice how simple the drapery and sofa is.  Just a bit of fun with the awesome drift-wood coffee table.

Who knows if this will ever happen again, so I thought it’d be fun to share.  Three out of the four Decker girls are pregnant!!  Elizabeth will be welcoming her little girl Claire into the world this Friday, I’m now seven months pregnant, and Ashley is three months along.  Not only has it been fun to share this journey with my sisters, but so helpful too.  I’ve counted on their advice so many times throughout my pregnancy, and I’m sure many more times as I try and raise our son.  Good luck this weekend Elizabeth, we’ll be praying for you!!

Lovely, Bold art by Etsy seller Cozy Little Cave.

Remember this past fall when I was in my first trimester and crazy busy?  Well I’m finally getting to post some pictures of a kitchen remodel I did.  There are decorators, and there are designers.  I’m a designer.  While I do do the pillow fluffing, I also enjoy the construction part of a design.

Some of the needs of the client:

• more kitchen and counter space
• they never eat out, so this would be a high-end kitchen that actually got used
• the fluorescent light fixture needed to be addressed
• a conservative design that will last them another 20 years…yet still have some character

And if you want to adorn the rest of your home with yoyos everywhere…

here’s a great how to on design sponge.

Wouldn’t need much more to your outfit with this statement piece.  Love it.