Tales of Me and the Husband - Page 67 of 207 -

December 2, 2015

lately.

We had a little celebration for Anders and Nora (a first and a third birthday!) over Thanksgiving break. Here he is after demolishing the smash cake my sister made for them. Yes, I cried just a little bit. And his real birthday is still to come. Crying round two!

Colds and coughs everywhere. I’m diffusing OnGuard all the time. Also, I am still randomly waking up with sneezes and snot here and there, but not true colds. I’m pretty sure I’m allergic to my house as it didn’t happen at all while I was abroad. What the heck! I tried a cup of hot water with some Fire Cider in it last night. Awesome.

I made my own short-cut bolognese sauce the other day. Parker has gotten really picky and almost all dinners are battles (the food battle is one I will fight). So I sautéed a bunch of veggies and pureed them first (I just got this immersion blender and I have already used it like five times.). Mom wins! Remember that, Parker. I will find a way to get vegetables in you.

And on a non-veggie note, these were just sent to me from Maggie Louise Confections. Did your head explode like mine did when I unwrapped it? They’re chocolate. And listen closely: they’re not just not beautiful but they’re delicious too. Steve and I unwrapped them while the kids were at school. They’ve since been put in a safe place. No one has to know (I hope the kids don’t read my blog this week.). On that note, I’m going to have another one. Send some to someone special.

Anders. Oh Anders. What can even be said about him right now? He’s in a major Mama phase (like, the past few nights any time I try to ninja my way out of his crib, he wakes up within minutes so that I just end up bringing him downstairs where he falls asleep next to me on the couch. I think he finds Homeland riveting.)

Magnatiles! They’re really great. Parker can build the coolest things all by himself. I’m pretty sure this means his Harvard application has already been accepted? Anyway, we like them. And it is just me or do you feel like you need more and more magna tiles to make things bigger and bigger? (But that shit is expensive!) I feel like we’d happily have like five more sets. Five hundred dollars spent on Magnatiles? NBD.

And that’s life lately at the Hunts.

November 30, 2015

christmas for the lady.

for the lady who likes to be warm (which is all of us) // these boots, this chunky scarf, this cool throw, these amazing slippers (pay attention to that one, steve)

for the lady who likes to make food (or, perhaps, salt the food that you made for her)// these beautiful salt and pepper grinders (i seriously love these, the black and white!)

for the lady who has a long commute to work and so she wants something pretty on her keychain to redeem the many hours spent in the car// this black leather tassel (on sale now! TPSHOLIDAY20)

for the lady who likes pretty things (really is all of us)// this ring that can be personalized (and stacked!)

for the lady who likes form and function// these sweet sneakers

for the lady who likes soup and chili and basically anything else that you need a stove to make so a lot of things// this dutch oven (to date it is probably my favorite kitchen-related present ever)

for the lady who is also a bit of a coffee enthusiast// this pretty set

and for your cyber monday “steals” (they do cost something, so i’ll keep quotes around steals):

// GAP is a 40% off sale. get this wear-all-the-time sweater.
// J.Crew is having a 40% off sale. get this holiday OR everyday dress.
// Nordstrom is having a random here-and-there sale. this sweater is 45% off and fabulous. my favorite jeans on sale too!
// Sorel (the best snow boots!) is having a 25% off sale. these are my favorite boots.

November 29, 2015

London!

London is completely magnificent. It was also three weeks ago. How’s that possible? Anyhow, after the Peak District, we arrived in London on a drizzly (at least, I think so?) evening. We stayed at a great Airbnb right by the Queens Park tube station. Pros and cons: you’re not in the MIDDLE of London, but because of that you don’t pay quite as much for a place, the tube is ridiculously efficient (and speedy!) at getting you around, and there’s a Gail’s Bakery right around the corner. So, let’s call it a big, fat win.

Now, there’s a lot more pictures (and words) but let’s do an after the jump, k?

Click below!!

That’s the Royal helicopter. OH YES. Bridget and family arrive in London and within the first twelve hours see not one but two princes! (Harry and William, did that need to be said?) It was pretty great. Better still–if only Kate and Pippa had stepped off! We met my friend Lauren and her family at Granger & Co. that morning. How do they do those scrambled eggs? It was a perfect first morning in London. The weather was beautiful (in fact, we didn’t have rain once except the morning of departure. London in November, are you kidding me?!), we had a delicious meal with fabulous company, and then we strolled Portobello Road, Notting Hill, Kensington Gardens, and let the kids play at the Diana Memorial playground–that’s when the helicopter flew in. What charm!

Steve has been getting Parker all hyped up for the Royal Guards, the palace, the Tower of London, the horses, all things boy + war related (awesome, says the peace-loving, Mother!), so on and so forth for months. So, of course, there was some Changing of the Guards to watch, a Beefeater tour of the Tower of London, and just a general talk about all the pomp and circumstance that London brings. To be honest? I loved it. It’s all so ceremonious and traditional and exciting. Sometimes it felt a little bit ridiculous but mostly it was just awesome.

We took so many tube rides that week. What a system. We didn’t wait for more than 2 minutes ever. If we arrived just as one was pulling away, there’d be another one seconds behind. And, oh man, the tube stations at rush hour are intense. London is packed. (Though somehow feels less packed than Rome. More green space? Bigger sidewalks? I’m not sure.) We ate out frequently because we were on the go most of the time. I tried all the classics–fish and chips, bangers and mash, and a sort of meat pie. The last being my favorite. Though I think I could pass on the mushy peas.

We took a morning to venture over to Borough Market. What a place. You want it, I think you could find it there. I had a falafel and a Pimm’s cup. Strange pairing? Perhaps. It was delicious. The fresh fruit and juice stand was particularly beautiful, pictured below. I think that was the night we ate at a burger place after the Tower of London too. Good Burger? Was that the name of it? I don’t know, but it was delish. In our grand tour of European burger joints, Rome’s Brillo burger still wins though.

We managed to get to Westminster Abbey and I’m so glad we did. They hand out audio tours at the start (we got Parker one too, so that we might actually all get to listen and learn something). I loved the history of the place, the record of famous events, all the burials and memorials, especially in Poet’s corner. We also went to the Churchill War Rooms and Museum which I would say is an absolute must for anyone interested in history (even the least bit). It’s amazing.

The people in London! How could I forget? Everyone was so friendly. The policemen (a quick question for one turned into a 30 minute history lesson complete with references to Oliver Cromwell and Queen Victoria!), the waiters, tube-riders, everyone. I like you, Brits! A definite feeling I had in London was that I didn’t have enough time! I wanted to see more! See everything! And, I must admit, being in an English-speaking country again was pretty swell after two and a half months elsewhere. So, London, you’re a ten outta ten. I’ll be back!

November 24, 2015

winter coats or parkas or jackets depending on what you call them.

i had to google that. difference between a jacket and a coat. turns out a jacket is a bit lighter? can be simply for fashion purposes? while a coat is a legitimate piece of keeps-you-warm clothing. got it? whoops! i left out parka. safe to say parka is in a league of its own, right? “the blizzard is coming, the blizzard is coming, whatever you do, don’t forget your PARKA!”

anyway, i’ve always had like whatever coats. i wore one for years that i got at the burlington coat factory by my parent’s old house in pennsylvania. nothing against burlington coat factory. in fact, it was warm(ish). and then i had a marmot ski jacket, when you only ever wore ski jackets, you know? (even though i’ve skied a handful of times in my whole life, but that’s beside the point.) but then i moved to massachusetts. oh massachusetts. massachusetts’ winters will make you scratch your head from your warm bed and think, “how many days till i have to go outside?” it’s the state that demands a big girl coat.

and so, here we are. i’m 31, dammit, and i think i need a “forever” coat. at least that’s what i told steve. so, i’ve done my research. and, if you’re also in need of a big girl coat, you’ve come to the right place today! hooray for you!

here are some of my latest faves + finds:

fjallraven parka// this is a great one, great brand, pretty warm (down) without being michelin-man bulky. by the same people, a non-puffy parka. steve has a winter jacket by fjallraven and says it’s the warmest. it also warms his scandinavian heart to wear the brand.

canada goose parka// this is the jacket that i’ve looked at online perhaps more than any other jacket everrrrr. what’s always stopped me? um, that price. i’ve heard nothing but rave reviews from people who really like to be warm in the winter, so i guess the price is appropriate but still! come on canada goose! anyhow, true story: i stopped a woman on the ski slopes two years ago to be like, “do you like your jacket?!” when she was wearing this one. that circle on the arm gave her away. i almost suggested we trade. anyway, if you’re lucky enough to own a canada goose, consider yourself blessed (and warmer than the rest of us). (also super cute, but not for me cauase i like my butt covered… this one.)

patagonia parka// really nice one with 600-fill power (800-900 is the absolute highest, but i haven’t seen anything about 800). a much friendlier price than the others, too.

north face parka// a parka at a fairly decent prize. huzzah, north face!

okay, that should get the ball rolling…

(and then, for the fancy days, is this jacket beautiful or what?! the dark forest one!)

November 23, 2015

jumpsuit.

{jumpsuit: c/o shabby apple}

{gold clutch: vintage}

{shoes: nordstrom}

fancy a jumpsuit for your upcoming christmas parties??

this might be the one.

November 20, 2015

weekend links.

My birthday breakfast in bed from last weekend. It might not look like much but that’s homemade Muesli (I love it).

I saw these at J.Crew the other day on the mannequin and they are perfection.

Google fortunetelling. Really good.

Kind of obsessed with this vest.

“And for the first couple of weeks, they poo Marmite.” Babies are full of design flaws.

A beautiful home.

4 facts about the vetting process for Syrian refugees..

It’s not a coat, it’s not a cardigan, it’s a coatigan!

Bible school primer for governors during refugee crisis.

I may try to attempt this bread this weekend.

I love these dinner party tips. Effortless dinner party hosts fascinate me.

Have a great weekend!!

November 19, 2015

browsing target and other random thoughts.

arriving home after a three-month target fast (calling it a fast is a bit of a misrepresentation when target wasn’t even a possibility abroad. nice try, bridge. if target were in italy, you’d have been there because you have no self control.) to target at christmastime is sort of like entering the promised land. snow globes and bottle tree brushes! fir-scented candles! ornaments big and small!

i only needed a few things: shampoo and conditioner, cotton balls, the whole nate berkus home line.

i never did decide on shampoo and conditioner, though i was in that aisle for a good seven minutes and smelled several of them. i literally stood there and thought, “i just don’t know. i’m going to ask my readers.” so here we are. can i explain to you what i want, and then those of you who know these things tell me what to get? okay. i want VOLUME, my hair is dry-ish, wavy, and has two postpartum bald spots on either temple that need to be fixed right away. oh, and no post-shower care, please. i want to just have it be that way with zero effort. in sum, my needs are simple, please advise.

what do you guys think of the new adult coloring book fad? i sort of love it. coloring is such a quiet activity. it requires almost nothing of you and yet you can’t do anything else while you’re doing it. it’s genius! start with this one.

i sort of liked these boots (sold out in my size at the store, however).

i also bought balderdash, on a total whim which is fairly unlike me. i remember playing it down the shore with all my cousins and nearly peeing my pants with laughter. put away the iPads, let the family game nights commence! you hear that, william and lindsey?

i really exercise my brain when i’m going through the aisles of target, don’t i?

p.s. do any of those gel polishes actually work?

till next time!

November 17, 2015

Important unimportant work.

I have a cold. I was certain it was allergies at first. “My pillow?! Is it down? Is it dust?” Now I’m pretty sure it’s… just a cold. Anders woke up sometime in the 4 o’clock am hour almost every day since we’ve been home but now we are inching closer to 7 and I’m so delighted. Do you know how long the darkness still has to go when you’re waking up at 4:30 am in mid-November? I don’t either, but it’s awhile.

I almost ate an apple in the shower this morning (multitasking at its finest), but then Anders woke from a 20-minute nap–which was just long enough for me to fold one basket of laundry, refill my coffee cup, and feel anxious about the things on my to-do list–so the apple was replaced with a 20-lb. bouncing baby boy. I remember Parker in this stage. The naps were totally wonky, he was totally underfoot and/or on a death mission at all times, and the cuteness factor was maxed out. That last part is crucial.

Steve and I are always moving right now. I said to him this morning, “Think we were actually less busy when we were abroad?” What is that? Why do we do this to ourselves? What am I even busy with? I’ll tell you what: laundry, dinner planning, dinner cooking, blog stuff, email, permission slips, cleaning, tending to children, grocery shopping, making a case for the importance of going potty before bed, figuring out whether I’m sufficiently clean and if not finding a proper hat to hide the mess, messying the kitchen, cleaning the kitchen (times eight times per day)…

Important unimportant work.

I recently read on Instagram someone say that she delights in her sink full of dishes at the end of the day because it means she was busy with her children all day long and while I completely loved that sentiment I also thought, “That kitchen’s gonna need to be faced at some point.” Messes nag at me. I can’t be fully present with a messy kitchen. And kitchen messes? They’re one of those messes that grows.

Little things are making a difference. Meal planning. I started doing it shortly before we left and picked it up again this week. It helps me make a grocery list (and then Steve does most of the grocery shopping), reminds me to take chicken out the morning of so it thaws, means less food is wasted, so on and so forth. Everyone, myself included, is happier when there is a solid meal at a reasonable hour for dinner. Last week’s favorite was steak, mashed sweet potatoes, and green beans.

I’m still figuring out what my “planner” will be. As much as keeping it all on a phone is nice, I love PAPER. I need to feel that list in my hands and physically cross things off of it. One of you suggested the Get to Work Book and, while I love it, I have to wait until 2016 to get it. So, I guess the rest of November and into December I’m going to continue my messy, rambling ways and then come January unleash the new and improved organized Bridget. That’s what that means, right? RIGHT.

Important unimportant work, for sure. The most important, I know, is right in front of me with limbs and voices asking me to sign a slip, to write a check, where are the stamps, what’s for dinner, can we go outside and play.

But, I also know that I enjoy my time with them more when the rest of my life is more under control. So, let’s get there. You and me both.

And this is a P.S. meant for Steve: thanks for being in this with me. We’re a team, and I really like being on your team.

Above: sweater // mug

November 16, 2015

italy! in video!

an italy video! of course!

our time there feels like so long ago in some strange ways. i know the details will get blurry over time, and will all but be forgotten, especially for young ones like parker and anders, so i’m glad to have gotten some video while we were there. we play our videos for parker all the time (sometimes he just clicks around our vimeo account on his own and watches old things) and i think it’s nice since he’s sometimes too young to remember certain big events. our trip being one of them, of course.

p.s. i didn’t get video footage in florence or rome, but i was pretty good about it elsewhere!

(i’ve had questions about how i put together these videos before. this one was all taken with my 5dmarkii and edited with iMovie on my mac!)