cravings

With Catcher it was Teddy Grahams dipped in vanilla frosting--don't judge; it's delicious. With Scout it was tater tots. With number three, I've been craving the Rolo McFlurry from McDonald's.

It all started when we were driving from Charlotte to Austin and we had to stop in God-knows-where Georgia (or was it Alabama or Mississippi?) to get dinner for the kids. The only recognizable establishment was a lonely McDonald's, and it was there that I saw an advertisement for the fast food giant's latest McFlurry creation. I had to try it. Although I swore to Alex it would be my first--and last--McFlurry demand of the pregnancy, I've gone back on my word. I'm now up to about one Rolo McFlurry a week, but I'm going to cut back. I'm trying to cut back. The only comforting thing about craving this abomination is that 1) at least I'm not craving the sausage McGriddle and 2) I tend to OD on my pregnancy cravings and want nothing to do with them after the fact.

Now that I mentioned it, though, a tater tot doesn't sound so bad right now...

can i bring this home?

Alex is in Houston helping his dad clean out his storage space. Here is a string of texts that occurred between the two of us this afternoon:

Here's a closer look at the deer head mentioned above (I'm not sure who Brian is, by the way, and what he knows or doesn't know about spray painting a deer head pink):

I was half joking when I sort-of okayed the deer head, but I guess the joke is on me because Alex just called and during our broken-up phone conversation he managed to get out the phrase, "So where do you want to put this thing?" We were cut off before I could supply an appropriate answer. Although I've been known to covet a deer head or two for decorating purposes, I've never imagined having a real one in my home. The deer head I've pictured in my space is faux and sleek and modern--a little quirky and not from a hunting lodge. It would look something like this:

It will take some serious DIY and perhaps a little magic to turn our friend pictured above into anything other than a man cave treasure, but I did find some inspiration online. Although these heads are of the faux variety, they give me something to think about.

Not on the High Street

Rachel Denny

Ash and Coppice

apartment therapy

So I guess I have a project on my hands when Alex gets home with the deer head in the back of his pickup. 

I realize how Texas that sounds. Wish me luck!

not quite famous

Today was the day of our big HGTV debut. Today was the day that someone, somewhere was going to see my little house in Charlotte and love its decor and track me down to help them decorate their own space. Or some fat cat at HGTV would happen upon our episode and see my "star quality" and decide that I need my own TV show.

Except none of that happened because our show didn't air. As of last night, we were still on the HGTV roster, but at 10:00am this morning--9:00 central time, by the way--some other family in Charlotte took over our time slot. Alex was home to watch the episode and broke the news to me via text since I was "playing it cool" and going about my normal day by taking the kids to the museum.

And so it continues...the TV show that almost didn't cast us if it weren't for my power of persuasion and pitching skills...the 9 months worth of interrupted weekends that we sacrificed...the takes and the double-takes and the triple-takes...the stressing over outfits to wear and remembering whether or not I had already worn that pair of shoes...the 4 hour shoots that turned into 12...I guess that's the price of fame (wink!).

small screen debut

It's funny to think that it all began more than a year ago when Scout was four weeks old and I was home watching way too much HGTV and getting crazy ideas in my head about being on TV. In my defense, I was sleep deprived and, at the time, I truly believed it would sell our house. On Monday our episode of My First Sale finally airs, and here is what HGTV has to say about it:

Baby makes four for this Charlotte couple and there's not enough room in their 847 square foot home. They're desperate to sell but when their realtor makes suggestions, the two push back. When their doubts grow, Sarah and Alex fire their realtor. But right away, the second realtor starts giving the same advice.

I know we're totally going to look like a couple of dweebs, but when you think about it do you ever see anyone "cool" on HGTV anyway (Novogratzes not included)? Although I've threatened not to watch the episode, I'm the one who got us in to this mess in the first place, so I guess I have to follow through and watch the "reality" unfold...dumb outfit choices and hairstyles and all...

the thursday times

I'm quasi-obsessed with the apartment (below) that was featured in the New York Times magazine this weekend. Today is Thursday, and that's generally the day I get around to actually looking through the Sunday paper. I find it outside my door every Sunday morning around 6:30am when the house gets rocking, but it sits on the counter for several days until I have the time (and energy) to open it. I know one of these days Alex and I will go back to the days of enjoying the Sunday Times over coffee and a quiet brunch, but until the kids are out of the house in 18 years or so, my Thursday Times will have to do.

Home of art adviser Allan Schwartzman, photographs by Jason Schmidt.

mmm...pumpkin

Keeping in the spirit of fall--today's high was only 89--Catcher and I made pumpkin spice cookies this afternoon. More of the batter may have ended up on Catcher's face than in the cookies, and I had to pry his sticky fingers out of the tub of cream cheese frosting, but I can pass myself off as somewhat of a domestic diva when Alex comes home and our place smells like pure autumn. I just have to make sure he doesn't "eat them all gone," as Catcher would say, while the kids are sleeping tonight.

eco DIY

When I have the time--and a space that's mine to decorate--I love a DIY project. The only thing that holds me back is my patience and amateur skill set. Even though I think I have the know-how to wallpaper a hallway or make my own headboard, the truth is that I've never used a drill in my life, and the last time I touched a sewing machine was during home economics class in the seventh grade. For shame! I'm not saying this will stop me from venturing on to my next project when creativity strikes, but it's nice to have some of the work done for you (kind of like a semi-homemade DIY project).

Meet Spool. When I came across this build-it-yourself modular system that you can use to create a table base or room divider or anything other freestanding structure you can dream up, I had to share.

Other than allowing you to express your own creativity and personality, the system is eco-friendly and made from paper spools upcycled from the Los Angeles apparel industry. You won't see this in your typical West Elm catalog (*disclaimer: I love West Elm).

Spool is available online at Grain.