Little white tank top

(This reminds me of Pierce. Must be his bald head. And his shades.)

Boy, it is hot.

And while we are blessed with central air, for some reason Pierce's room cannot cool down so he has been sleeping in his onesies instead of his usual pjs:

For months and months I snapped and unsnapped his darling little rompers. What was I thinking? My mother discovered these for me. Its all about the zipper.

Hanna Anderson rompers, available here for $26 (and also at Costco, in different but equally cute patterns, for less).

These clever little pjs have no feet, so babies can grow into them without falling all over themselves. Pierce still fits in his Christmas-Frog version from seven months ago. And they are organic. You've really outdone yourself this time, Hanna.

But no, it is too hot for all of that coverage. So we opt for one of his simple white onesies:

Carter's 5 pack, always on sale- around $18 but even less in store or with online coupons

I have been buying these onesies since Pierce was a newborn. While we went through the phase of colorful ones, I love how clean the white looks. Kind of like Jack undershirts: okay to wear alone at home, but only under something, when out.

Jack's undershirt, from Brooks Brothers, here

Pierce wore these all winter under overalls and a polo... it all about the layers

This is about as much decoration as I like on his onesies:

Kissy Kissy Days of the Week Onesies, available here. A bit of a splurge at $95 and knowing me, I would never have my days straight.

Embroidered Onesies, Carter's.

These, and all Carter's onesies, available here.

I was amused when my sister came over with the sleeveless onesie. I envision him wearing it with jeans, and a tattoo.

Carter's sells them in the summer, and these are from Petite Bateau, $22 for 2.

(They also have polo bodysuits on sale here, and accept Paypal- so smart.)

This ensemble would be perfect for riding this gift from his Godfather:

Because it important to instill a love of Motorcycles at a young age. Riiight. My First (and last!) Harley Davidson, $64.99 here.

My baby can beat up your honor student.

At one of our first play dates, a mother of three told me that 16 months was one of the most difficult ages because they are not yet toddlers, just "babies with attitude". Infants this age have a tendency to crash, both physically and emotionally, and cannot communicate well verbally. This makes it quite difficult for us, trying to meet their every need while having only a vague clue of what they want. Oh right: to be picked up/put down, remotes, cellphones and whatever we are eating.

As we are entering this stage I can't help but laugh as I see Pierce wobbling down the halls like he owns the place, wearing his tough-guy onesie. I want to encourage his inquisitive and determined nature, maximize the joy and minimize the frustration of this exciting and trying time.

Xoxo,

Jenny

Sign language

Today is Jack's birthday! It is also the birthday of my father-in-law and a little boy who lives a few cottages down from us here in Michigan. Funny how that happens, though, I am told, it is not that random. At least according to a statistics class Jack took awhile back.

I love birthdays. My parents always had parties for us when we were young and we still have a special dinner when it rolls around. You might remember the enthusiasm with which I prepared for young Pierce's first party.

I also have a fascination with astrology. I know, I know. My mom says I should never bring this up, but it's true. Now I don't read my horoscope every day or avoid certain activities if the planets are not aligned, but I do like reading about the personalities attributed to the signs and the compatibilities between them.

I became slightly obsessed with Aries during my pregnancy. Pierce was due on April 8 and I would read about the relationship between the Capricorn parent (me) and the Aries child, as if to give myself a little head start on my relationship with my firstborn.

Then he was born 6.5 weeks early. Not only was he not an Aries, he was practically an Aquarius. He is, in fact, a Pisces, and for whatever reason I have never looked up our compatibility. I suppose I don't have to, his little personality comes through more and more every day.

Jack is a Cancer and their symbol is the Crab. I read once that Cancers sometimes need "time alone in their little shell"- it's true and I have yet to meet a Cancer who would disagree.

I bought this Smathers and Branson belt for Jack's birthday a few years ago. Available here.

So, you can just imagine my delight when I saw these pillows at Jonathan Adler:

Zodiac pillows, 12"L x 9"H, $98 here. (Also available as vinyl Key Fobs, for $48)

Remember when I told you about our sofa pillows? How great would it be to have all of our signs! This might be a tad excessive on one sofa, especially if we have more children, but I am picturing a mix of pillows à la Diane Vreeland's Billy Baldwin designed living room:

I checked, she's a Leo. It works.

I sent a pic of the JA display to Lilly and she told me that she sometimes gives the pillows as baby gifts. What a great idea! Apparently, she was not the only one thinking this as Serena and Lilly recently came out with their own version of the pillows, too.

20" Pillows, $88 here, Also available as shams.

Okay, much to do in preparation for tonight's festivities and no sitter all day. My little wing man and I need to get to work.

Happy Birthday, Bird!

xox,

Jenny

Stash

The Old Fashioned Neighborhood Bank 'billboard' on the Germania Club Building in Chicago

Last night I went out to dinner with my brother/sister-in law and another couple. We took the boat to Omena to a restaurant called the Knot and had a great dinner that was made even more fun with the addition of these fake mustaches I found from a wedding Jack and I had attended last year.

So, so much more...

What is it about mustaches that are so funny?

There is a picture somewhere of a dinner party my grandmother attended, probably in the 60s, with everyone wearing these Groucho Marx masks.

This pair only got 2 stars on amazon but you can buy another pair with 4 stars for 15 cents more here.

A while back the New York Times asked five designers to choose 10 photographs from their archives, which they would reproduce and sell. Jonathan Adler, one of my favorite designers, selected photographs of people all dressed up wearing masks, like this one:

Going Groucho, by John Sotomayor, 1974, available here

This must have been some sort of trend but I think we should bring it back. There is something so silly and offsetting about putting on masks, or in this case, mustaches, in such formal attire where people can tend to fancy themselves a little too fancy.

The mustache is as popular now as it has ever been. I quick search on Urban Outfitters produced 24 hits! Here are some of my favorites but you can view them all here.

Mustache Necklace, $18

Toddland Mustache Trucker Hat, $29

Mustache Pillowcase set, $34

Giant Mustache Magnet, $14

I would love to see a fleet of these.

Monsieur Mustache Pint, $8. Everything tastes better with a mustache.

And if this leaves you wanting more, go here for 101 more mustache items.

Lastly, by request, Pierce at his friend's birthday party a few months ago:

Shelby Orions Photography

You can tell he's thrilled

Xoxo,

Jenny

Floridays

Yesterday I visited a shop in town owned by a family friend, Northport native and avid collector of, well, just about everything.

David Chrobak, the man behind the magic

He is in the process of selling the contents of his eccentric home at his store , also for sale, as he planning to move to Traverse City.

Notice the actual pot of gold. Yes, that is a toilet. And those are gold Christmas ornaments. For a better image, and if you are in the market... go here.

I love his shop, and photos can not do it justice. Here are a few highlights though only a small sampling off all it has to offer:

I actually quite like the chandelier. And who couldn't use a Beefeater bust?

For the vintage soap collector- we all have one of those...

Okay, at $20 (just about everything cost $20), I think Pierce needs this. Even though he can never play with it, let alone touch it.

You know I love my ladies in hats, though she does not really do it for me. Or does she?

While attending a smaller liberal arts college in Ohio, the Salvation Army was the best source for unique decorative items. Some friends collected images of the Last Supper, I am not sure if the collection is still in tact but if so, they need this piece.

How I loved my Cabbage Patch Kids. I guess this hungry girl was yanked from the shelves when she tried to eat her owners...

The pièce de résistance is this chandelier, a steal at $350, though it may have to be rewired:

From the Holiday Inn ballroom in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, circa 1970

My sister-in-law, the chef, has a sentimental attachment to this piece. It feels very Tony Duquette to me- how great would it be in his malachite dining room?

I am both devastated and relieved that she has no place for it in her house. Okay, relieved. And yet...

When she and her family moved into a new house a few years ago I helped them out a little with floor plans and paint colors. It was during this time that I learned about the 'Florida Room', as it was known by her parents and peers growing up in Michigan.

The Florida Room is basically a sun room, only better. Better if only because it is named after the state of Florida, of course. We have a running joke about things that would look great in our Florida Rooms and I often find myself giggling in stores just thinking about it.

A collection of framed shells- OBVI- Florida Room.

Anything bamboo or wicker, like this etagere I found, would be perfect for my Florida Room:

The list goes on and on...

Oh, and you can only imagine my amusement when skimming an article on Evelyn Lauder's Palm Beach house in the latest Harper's Bazaar I came across this image of her- wait for it- Florida Room! I wonder if she is from Michigan...

Photo by Douglas Friedman

Okay, back to work.

Xoxo,

Jenny

I want candy

The famous Fishtown tug.

My friend named her bulldog 'Tug,' in its honor

Yay for Friday! Jack is on his way up and depending on what time he arrives we are going to try and make a quick run into Leland--or--more specifically, Fishtown.

On my first trip to Michigan, Jack took me to this historic little spot just a few steps downhill from Leland's bustling downtown.

There is a restaurant right on the water called The Cove where I usually order the Whitefish Caesar Salad and some sort of spiked lemonade.

Then we head to the Dam Candy Store where I stock up on my favorites for the rest of the trip- or, since I am here for such an extended stay--the rest of the weekend. On my first trip I spotted a local (and international) celebrity sitting on this bench eating ice cream with his family. I'll give you one clue:

(Let me be your Gwyneth)

I love candy and have a very strong sweet tooth. When I was young we would go to the candy store in our town, Sweet's.

How I still love thee

I would get German Peaches and Gummy Worms and maybe Sour Patch Kids (though they kind of messed up the whole bag), and definitely those delicious Raspberries and those little round cherries. Any candy connoisseur, like myself, knows that the best brand most widely available is Haribo.

Harder than your traditional gummi bears, these chewy little guys never disappoint.

I think these might be my favorite. Or second only to:

I remember fantasizing as a child about having a briefcase full of these gummy peaches- though we called them German Peaches, not sure why. And a briefcase? Yes, a briefcase. Some may wish for a briefcase full of cash. This girl? Candy.

And how could I talk candy without a brief mention of Dylan's Candy Bar, the go-to for all of your sugary needs in NYC. You can read about Ms. Lauren's recent wedding in the latest Vogue though I confess I was hoping to see more photos of her French-Country-meets-Candyland theme. Someday... but for now, a quick peak at her flagship store that is conveniently located near the D&D Building (decoration and design- but you knew that).

While Dylan choose to wed at her parents (Ralph and Ricky- but you knew that, too) country estate in Bedford, New York, these two love birds made the ultimate sacrifice- er- commitment, at the store itself.

Karen Cunningham for The New York Times

Remember this from the Times Vows column a few years ago?

And look! Dylan also has her own Maclaren, available on her website here. While I don't love logos, this one is okay as it is so playful and fun.

I wouldn't think twice about getting it if I didn't already have this Quest version from Baby Gap:

I used a seam remover to carefully take off the rubber Baby Gap tag on the back of the seat. I could not find it on their website but it might be available at the store, if you are interested. Love the navy, white, green and periwinkle stripes.

Oh, and speaking of fish, and babies, let me share with you Pierce's favorite book to date:

This was a gift from a friend right after Pierce was born and

I read it to him almost every night for the first year. He has slowly destroyed his copy but I see that as a reflection of his love.

Available here on Amazon for $9.99

Okay, work to be done and I need to prepare for Jack's arrival. Have a great weekend!

Xo,

Jenny