HAZEL'S TURN

hazel on her 2nd birthday

maplewood, nj

THE VIEW FROM 34

this year on my birthday i decided to treat myself.

i dropped hazel off at daycare, went on a quick run around the park then headed straight to the beach to relax in the sand by myself. i followed that up with an ice cream cone on the boardwalk and a pedi and BOOM - pretty much the best, most relaxing birthday i've had in a while.

looking good 34. real good.

BIRTHDAY BBQ FOR TWO

we had a little birthday BBQ for me and hazel this weekend. it was a great excuse to get together and kick off summer in the backyard. and eat tons of food, naturally.

maplewood, nj

may 2016

ZOO DAY WITH BUDS

turtleback zoo

may 2016

CRAFT CORNER

our craft space makes me super happy

maplewood, nj

FIX 'ER UPPER

there's always something to do around the house

maplewood, nj

YOU KNOW I LOVE PETTING ZOO'S, RIGHT?

a couple weeks ago i got really into researching the possibility of renting baby bunnies and goats in our backyard. so when chris asked what i wanted to do for mother's day, naturally i said i wanted to go to a petting zoo.

it's a win-win. not only is hugging baby goats my go-to happy place, but it turns out toddlers love little animals too.

green meadows farm

hazlet, nj

MY SECOND MOTHER'S DAY

hazel and chris sure did a great job today of making me feel like a super special mama. flowers, beautiful agate bookends and a home cooked brunch in pajamas was the perfect way to start my day.

I LIKE TO BE, UNDER THE SEA

one cold and dreary day in march while chris's mom was visiting, we finally got the opportunity to take hazel to the SeaGlass Carousel in battery park. i've had my eye on this place for awhile but we never had a good time to go.

i'd love to go again in the evening when the lights are reflecting inside so it really feels like you're in a fishbowl. coolest carousel i've been to.

new york, ny

march 2016

ALOHA, LA HANAU

it's also been a minute since i've made a friend a birthday cake. but now that we're in the burbs with new buddies who aren't used to this whole crazy cake thing it's fun again.

sean's wife, hollie, came up with the idea of this cake inspired by his growing collection of vintage hawaiian shirts. oh yeah, and the inside was tie-dyed. it was a win. 

MAY HAPPENED

whoops. dropped off there a bit again. but while i was away my favorite thing happened. May.

it's my favorite month - the sun finally comes out (shared equally with rainy moments, but that's okay), the air smells like freshly cut grass, grills fire up again, and we spend hours and hours outside. top it off with me and hazel's birthday and what more can you ask for in a month?