Wheels

Pierce and I are obsessed with his new ride.

While you know Pierce already has his bike, we have yet to buy him his first car. I know this probably makes us very uncool parents at the sandbox- most of his friends have been driving for months. We don't have space, and our apartment is on the market, and I really don't buy that many toys for Pierce in general. Only now, at 18 months, is he finally showing any interest in the toys he received for his birthday.

He has always preferred outlets and doorstops and cabinets and stairs and the contents of whatever bag I am carrying. And keys- obvi.

Also, we sometimes use our neighbors' car. They have a son a few months older than Pierce and I suspect this was a hand-me-down based on its condition upon arrival.

Okay, and maybe the color too.

Available here, and also in red.

But we only use this to push on the sidewalk outside of our apartment, as any longer journeys require multiple straps and clips to keep him secure- and even then he manages to squirm out of them. Oh, and it still requires an adult to push it--just giving our little ones the illusion of control--because that is what they really need.

So when I was at my family's storage locker a few weeks ago, I could not resist bringing the little punch buggy home. I think it was my sister's, originally. It was made by TOMY, probably in the 70's...

(ya think?)

and is the perfect size for our place.

And I do, truly, think it is important to instill a love of vintage cars at a young age.

Xox,

Jenny

Shutter bug

Paul Newman and I went to the same small liberal arts school in Ohio, a few decades apart, mind you.

Middle Path at Kenyon College. You know I like my pretty places.

To be happy and successful at such school in the middle of nowhere, at some point you have to drink the kool-aid, own it and love it for what it is and make it yours, whatever that might mean to you.

Thus I left with a fierce loyalty to my alma mater, and a strong sense of camaraderie to anyone who has walked those same halls.

And so, I have quite the affinity for Mr. Newman, and am especially inspired by his love story with his beloved bride, Joanne Woodward, and these pics of them, the one above being my favorite.

I love looking at photographs of my parents together, the few that we have as usually one of them was behind the camera, and am going to try to get more of Jack and me in the next year.

Time to get snapping.

Xo,

Jenny

Bye bye beach

It was fun.

The dog days are over.

Xo,

Jenny

Kicks

Where have I been?

Or, more importantly- why didn't you tell me?

We picked up a pair of Crocs when we first arrived on the Cape.

Love the navy/red combo and the sporty stripe. $30, here.

I always thought that they looked kind of silly- I was wrong. Not only do they look so cute on his little feet, but Pierce seems to like wearing them and they do not have pesky buckles, laces or velcro.

Velcro? Pesky?

Yes, as Pierce likes taking these adorable red sneakers off moments after I velcro him into them.

I bought these Superga sneakers at Gilt Groupe months ago. I know I probably should have taken PKB in for a proper fitting but I didn't, and knew these would fit eventually. I can't find this style on-line anymore- perhaps it has been discontinued? Perhaps that is why they were on sale in the first place? Perhaps all infant/toddlers liked to undo the velcro?

We may never know for sure.

Oh, and the best part about the Crocs? Rubber (oh wait, I mean foam resin 'Croslite')- so we just hose them off after the beach.

But you knew that.

Xox,

Jenny

Feeling blue

One of the fun things about a rental is being in a new kitchen. This might annoy a serious chef, but that, I am not. I am especially into these pots and pans, though confess, I have not actually used them.

I have seen this pattern before and have always liked- it is surprisingly light and seems very durable and easy to clean, with its baked on enamel finish..

And accessible.

A quick search for "blue splatter pots" eventually lead me to my beloved Amazon where they sell this Enamelware, in a number of colors, for much less than I would have guessed. Oh, and this pattern is Blue Marble, not splatter.

While an entire set of this might be quite a commitment, a few serving pieces would look good on any table, especially during the summer months. I love the idea of this bowl with a huge salad- so very colorful.

They also remind me of these plates I bought for my brother from Anthropologie a few years ago.

He assured me that they are safe and sound, still packed in the box I gave them to him in, unused. I try.

Okay, off to town, then work then back to the beach.

Oh, and another perk to the rental- other peoples' books!

This one is a must for any summer house, and any decorator. I just bought my own copy for under $10, here. Will share images when I am back home, with my scanner...

Xoxo,

Jenny

Cape house

My apologies for not posting yesterday- I was going to make some joke about getting distracted on the beach but you know me better than that...

and my theory about Mondays.

Our internet was down.

The horror!

The nerve!

Rest assured, we survived.

One of the highlights of my days here on the Cape is the walk to get coffee in the morning.

We then stroll through neighborhoods and look at the charming houses, each one prettier than the next, and all with names like 'Pop's House' and 'Windswept' and this little gem:

'Jelly House'

I quite liked this shell covered mailbox. Though upon further inspection it appeared to be inoperable. We didn't force it...

This house has sailboats carved out of the lower shutters and candles out of the upper shutters, welcoming the sailors home

This one, above, might be my favorite

Pierce-sized!

A twist on your typical shingled cape-codder, this more victorian number caught my eye.

Specifically...

You know I was particularly smitten with this, what with my love of birdhouses and dollhouses, and all.

Speaking of houses, I came upon this book in a little shop yesterday and just had to buy it.

Glad to know I am not alone.

I know they say you can't judge a book by its cover... I respectfully disagree.

This cover was worth the $8 I paid for the thing, even if I never read it, and you can find it for around that much, here.

Okay, off to the...

Xoxo,

Jenny

Morning glory

Photo by Claire Fox

One morning in Michigan the camp held a Polar Bear Club event where the campers swam out to the large raft at 6:30am.

Pierce, like me, appears to be a morning person.

So at 6:15, after his bottle, we headed to the beach and walked out to the little raft. Okay, he only walked for a little bit, then I carried him.

Why I even bothered with the life vest is beyond me, clearly he would not be out of my reach. But it was early. Safety first.

I went away at fifteen to a boarding school overlooking the ocean. When I first arrived, someone organized a similar Polar Bear swim and I met with some of my classmates, all of us virtual strangers, at 5:30 am, I think, (or whenever we were allowed to leave campus in the morning), for a dip in the freezing cold water.

It only lasted a couple of days, for me at least, but I won't forget that memorable and terrifying time in my life. I think that must be true for anyone starting at a new high school-- I can almost taste the combination of fear and anticipation from those first days--and am so excited for our nieces who are doing just that in a few weeks.

(As card carrying members, Pierce and I might just have to continue the tradition this week.)

Lastly, a little more press for our beloved Michigan.

Most beautiful!?

Even I'm blushing.

Xoxo,

Jenny

Cape me away

Our next adventure begins tomorrow, when we head with my family to the Cape for a week. My mom grew up going to Cape Cod in the summer and we went a couple of times throughout my childhood.

Yes, that is me, on the right. Red shorts. Can we talk about those sailor hats? The Lacoste madness? David in all of his patchwork glory? The "Sea Dog" photo is quite famous in our family. I only wish my mom was in it but of course she was taking the picture.

I am looking forward to a relaxing week. Last year it rained for the first couple of days and we took some day trips. Our first was to the Cape Cod Potato Chip Factory.

The highlight of the factory tour was the gift shop- or, specifically, this little number. I was tempted to have Pierce wear this as his Halloween costume, my little potato chip- or, I guess- my little bag of potato chips. I resisted.

More trips may be in the cards, though I am just as happy sitting on the porch reading or even working.

A few things I am looking forward to...

We played this when I was young and I was so happy to find the same version before our trip last year. You have to love any game with a single, pure objective: world domination. Hours of family fun! I bought mine at Target, though you can get it here.

We ate so much of this tasty crustacean last year that I don't think I have had it since. I never thought it was possible to overdo it on the lobster but combined with with mayo at lunch and butter at dinner, every day, your body eventually starts fighting back. Or maybe we were just rookies.

Sundae School has the best homemade ice cream. I would love for them to recreate this so I can try all of the flavors.

Beach baby.

Despite what they say...

We loved Pierce's infantile male pattern baldness.

While I doubt any of us will be able to relax that much on the beach with El Diablito running free, there is something so healing about the salt air, no? Hopefully we will have some good beach days to frolic in the surf and build castles in the sand.

For Pierce to knock down, of course.

Xoxo,

Jenny

Jenny Brown asks... Julie Smith

Miss Smith

I don't know about you, but I rarely read magazines start to finish. I always start with the interview: Vanity Fair's questionnaire coming to mind first and Elle Decor's Shortlist, the Times Sunday Magazine Interview to name another. I also love David Patrick Columbia's weekly House column where he interviews designers and photographs their dwellings.

Sure, we can always praise the successful and write glowing commentary about their achievements but it is so much more fun to see what people have to say in their own words, yes?

A great gift for the thinker, here.

And, I confess, whenever I read them I become a little self-reflective, wondering how I would answered if I was asked and which questions would elicit the best answers.

Thus, welcome to my first "Jenny Brown asks" post. I am not trying to do anything groundbreaking here. Just planning to ask the same questions of different people I find interesting and see what they have to say. Questions may evolve but this is a good start. And who better to start with than Julie Smith, my dear friend and first 'follower'.

Julie and I met years ago at a charity fashion show. Chic and charming, I had heard from a friend that I would love this girl, a fellow designer who had her own firm, and she was right. How could I not?

It has been such fun getting to know Julie on a personal and professional level over the years and no one was more excited for me when I started my own design firm last fall. We were on the phone for literally an hour as she rattled off all of her sources in the city. Reason alone to love her.

So lets keep it a little sexy here, a little retro, and break the ice...

What is your sign?

I am a Leo. The irony is that I am terribly allergic to cats!

Sibling? Sexes and birth order please...

I have always been the trailblazer being the eldest. I have a wonderful younger brother, Alex that just graduated from college and is following in my footsteps of having his first job in New York, albeit in an entirely different field, finance.

(So, eldest of two with a younger brother. I have one too and my mom and sister and I 'baby' him. Or, should I just say: adore him. Lucky boy.)

What time do you set your alarm for in the morning?

Depends on the season. It's a little earlier in the summer months because I like to start my day with a walk or run. 7:30 in the winter.

How do you take your caffeine?

Normally I like it mellow, green tea preferably. Occasionally I need some black coffee, I am secretly addicted to Einstein Bagels iced coffee, but that is only in case of emergency...

What do you do?

I am an interior designer at my own company, JSE Design Group.

When did you know you wanted to do it?

I realized that I wanted to be a designer after a few various jobs in New York and Chicago. The work was not as fulfilling as I had hoped it would be and I always had this urge to try something in design. It all stems from growing up in a house that was well put together. My mother has a natural eye for arranging things and I realized that after being exposed to it my whole life, it eventually rubbed of on me as well.

What was your first job in your chosen field?

My first job was for Maharam in NYC. I helped name the fabrics but my position wasn't design related.

(Okay, I am digging this company- especially their virtual library. Maybe not all my style, but sure beats having a bunch of heavy binders to lug around and store.)

My first real "design" job was for an incredibly talented designer, Dawn Helm at Ver Strate Design. I am so lucky I was able to work with her.

What advice would you give to someone starting out?

Learn how to flirt with the crew.

Where do you find your inspiration?

Everywhere, seriously. Nature, fashion, old movies, art, music even my dreams sometimes!

Which websites do you visit every day?

I like to read a few design blogs in the morning, YOURS! obviously. I don't read them every day but I like Peak of Chic, Habitually Chic, Inhabitat, Designboom and Gawker is a must for something fun.

What's in your bag?- or- finish this sentence, please: I don't leave home without...

My measuring tape and paint samples. I keep an extra set in my car just in case.

Shameless plug- go for it!

My website, and like my page on Facebook!

And, as if Ms. Julie doesn't have enough going on already, she and boyfriend Evan just got engaged!

Best wishes to the happy couple.

Xoxo,

Jenny

Swan lake

This morning Pierce and I walked to the Lincoln Park Zoo where I came upon the South Pond that used to have paddle boats, like in Stow Lake, and large swan boats that you could rent.

Photo by Atelier Teee

They just restored the pond and rumor has it the newly planted vegetation needs to grow in more before they can bring the boats back. Hopefully next year, and this is probably better as I could not see Pierce sitting still for a whole ride (or half of a ride, or two minutes of a ride).

You know we love our boat rides so you can be sure we will be first in line, whenever the time comes. I'll keep you posted.

Xox,

Jenny