The perks of being a mother....

My boy Richie has been walking around the house the past week randomly bursting into song {which I must admit I love}. Sometimes it's We are young, Follow the prophet, or scripture power. Lately though its been a song from Little Einstiens--

"We' re going on a trip in our favorite rocket ship zooming though the sky Little Einstiens."

It's super short and absolutely darling because Richie's {th} come out like {f's}. One of the many little traits I love about my boy. I wish I could tell you about how much I love Richie, but I just can't express it properly through this medium. That's not to say I don't love my other children that would be crazier than skydiving without a parachute. You see Richie like to spoil me with kind words, hugs, and kisses. I have no defense-- I'm easily bought...

Royal and I try not to play favorites, and we do a fairly good job at it. We believe that it is so important to show your children a united front through the good and the bad. Even if we don't agree all the time that's a conversation for behind closed doors. But can we really be blamed for {them} having favorites?? I think not--

Chaz has always been very constant in this love for both of us. It's a good way to describe him-- steady and true. I pray daily that its something that he holds onto as he grows into a young man and beyond.

Margot is her daddy's little girl, but in the best possible way. If Royal and I were standing next to each other she would run to him over me 9 times out of 10. Now you may think that would bother me, but really it really doesn't. Close to nothing in this world makes me happier than seeing the absolute love of my life, my eternal companion play and/or be with our daughter. To see him give her that cookie before dinner-- something he would NEVER do for the boys and swore he would NEVER do when he had a girl either. Little did he know, but i knew- I would just smile and nod because there would be a change, and while its not always dealing with cookies its a good change to see. Plus it's not all bad for me-- I get my fair share of cuddles on the sofa while we read a book, rocking by the fireplace, hugs and kisses in where she grabs my face and pulls me close, and head on my shoulder while I hold her close and sing to her before bedtime.

BUT----->
Back to Richie-- after his accident 2 years ago he and Royal were inseparable. It was what he needed and I'm happy that Royal was by his side the entire time. The table have turned of late though. Richie not only gives me multiple random kisses a day but he's started kissing me on the nose very gently. Then whispers... I kiss you here because its special.

{heart melts}

There something that makes the entire world and all its to-do lists disappear when your child is still and whispering to you. The other day when Royal came home I wanted him to experience this little slice of parental heaven, but when I asked Richie to show Royal he simply responded, No. I tried for a few minuted to coax him into sharing and finally he broken down. My almost 4 year old said, I'll show him but on you. I'm the tiniest a bit ashamed because inwardly I was beaming. This was special to my boy...reserved only for him and myself. Royal, the good sport that he is just smiled and rolled his eye a bit in the way of....oh geez. But really let's face it. Sooner rather an latter sports and dad will be in and mom will be out. So I'm gonna milk it for all it's worth right now.

These years are precious and I wouldn't trade them for anything--

Thanks for letting me gush. It's one of the this I love about writing because you ever know where your words will take you. See this posted started out with one point and ended with a completely different one.

I guess I'll have to share my exciting news next time<33

xO- Etheline

Bit of light reading--

I am a creature of habit.

Case and point--

I have to have vanilla coke with cheez its
When we have tuna I have to have milk
I buy specific things from LL Bean, totes, boots, sweaters.
When I have a hunkering for Classic Americana advertising I turn to Lands End. You should too--

Enjoy:)

Let it all out--

The last two days I've had an unfair number of moments where complete strangers felt the need to interject their parenting opinions or random rudeness into my life. I don't really handle this well internally, especially the first. On the outside I am gracious and chuckle, but on the inside I'm fuming. It's a super big pet peeve of mine.

And while I have been really trying to as of late make conscious efforts to be more Christlike I had a hard time today. It's hard not to judge how people treat you- end of story. You have no idea what's happening in their life so the best thing to do is cut them some slack and forgive them, but does it have to be so hard? It would be so much easier to close up and hold a grudge, but what does that say about ourselves? Where does that leaves us? i believe these moments that come up, that test us, measure the true worth of ourselves. I can only hope to look back and be proud of the choices that I've made; the big ones that I think matter as well as the little ones that I don't.

Last night I refused to take these annoyances with me into the following day- so I turned to a favorite past time of mine. I went out on my deck-- in the dark-- in the 30 degree(miracle for georgia) weather and had a dance party.

My top favorite go-two songs currently::
1. Feel so close by Calvin Harris
2. Scream and shout by Will.I.Am
3. Swedish House Mafia

What is your favorite dance party song?

xO- Etheline

10 items or less...is more--

I have the biggest book hangover right now. (You know..read a book and you can't get over it)

While I'm trying to get over it, or find something to take its place, I picked up this fun little read called Lessons from Madame Chic-- 20 Stylish Secret I Learned While living in Paris. I always need a little foreign culture in my life and while it usually turns up in the form of music (I'm totally in love with Charles Trenet amd Astrud Gilberto right now) I decided to give this book a spin. I heard nothing but good things from Shannon over at The Simply Luxurious Life, and so far I love it.

I wouldn't call myself a Francophile, but I enjoy most things French- so you can imagine getting the inside scoop from a real French woman on style, health, and beauty....I've been fascinated. One thing they touch on is the 10 item wardrobe. Are you familiar?? Essentially your wardrobe consist of 10 timeless pieces that reflect your signature style. (Wonder how long it took to come up with the name? Me too..)

The building of my, what I feel is my first adult wardrobe, is something I've been working on the last 6 months. When we came back from Colombia I had ratty tee shirts and cut offs. I loved them, but it wasn't exactly the look I was trying to convey. Starting from scratch was extremely freeing since I had tossed or donated everything I had owned before then. There have been some good purchase and purchases that would have been better left unmade. They weren't bad pieces per say. One of those love them on the hanger, but never wear them. Mostly because they don't fall on me exactly how I had hoped. So returned or on eBay they a went. Royal is the kind of man who says don't get rid of it until you have something to replace it with. I on the other hand prefer to live by the philosophy of don't wait-- get rid of it because when you don't have a shirt in your closet to wear...literally you won't put off replacing it. Lol.

Now I should say that the 10 item wardrobe doesn't include a few things; namely shoes, outerwear, accessories, ect. It should only consist of base pieces; shirts and/or blouses, pants/shorts, skirts/dresses, and sweaters. I admit I have gone over 10 pieces, but not by much and I feel that what I have works for me. Ive turned into a big time advocate of healthy closets. It makes your life less stressful, in my experience. The laundry piles are simpler and the choices of what to wear are more basic. Lets be honest-- when you find something you love you wear it as frequently as you can. I do this all the time. I may live in something, but it's a while before the same thing comes around again. That's the beauty of your pieces completing one another as well as statement pieces to punch it up.

And on that note...here are my newest addition to the closet. I scored these Cole Haan loafers on a great deal and I LOVE them. And yes...that's the book behind them in the basket.

In case you were wondering;)

So instead of asking..what's your closet look like I'll simply ask this...How does your closet make you feel? I wish it a happy place for you:) Have you incorporate the 10 item wardrobe into your life? If so, how's it working out for you??

xO- Etheline

Also stay tuned for my next post. I will attempt to tackle my thoughts on Les Miserable. royal and I snuck out and saw it over the weekend:)

The first day of the new year

Happy New Year friends, old and new. My love goes out to all of you and it is my sincerest wish that your 2013 is filled with health, happiness, and, adventure:)

xO- Etheline