plum

rainbows and calories.

 
At her birthday party this weekend, Little Emerson Webb wants a chocolate cake with vanilla icing and a rainbow.  So it will be!

  I have no idea where she turned up the idea of a rainbow, other than noticing a rainbow drawing amongst her papers brought home from school yesterday.  Sweet girl.

Naturally, it won't be any old rainbow cake, so I turned to pinterest and beyond for inspiration.  Stay tuned for our design!

 
 
{foodgawker.com}
 

 

Here's to finding a pot of gold at the end of your rainbow! 

 

 

 

{images here and here and here}

 

 

mod home

Modular, that is.

Check out this property,  recently featured at the Times.   I love it and it's modular.

 
 
 

 
Breaking away from the boxy-unattactive stereotype, Modular homes have gained momentum as a green, clean, lickity-split, in fashion machine.  The way of the future, some believe.  {One of my wish-upon-a-star dreams is to have my very own, little modular cape cod home.} 

Part of my recent blog break stems from the long list of projects, updates, fixes and general freshening up that needs to happen at my tiny abode.  Much of it stems from the possibility of a move someday.  I'm starting small and from the ground up.  We've tackled most of the musty basement {as descriped by our realtor during a market analysis.  Musty?!?  Not for long!!!}  and the musty powder room {my description based on a broken ventilation fan. }  Thanks to our efforts, both rooms are on the way to completion. 

But, back to Modular.  I've been daydreaming this week about my little someday home and love trolling the internet for designs.  I found a great site, Modular Architecture, that has a ton of awesome stuff.    Check out these beauties - 

 
 

Not familiar with Modular homes?  Basically it's a home built in a factory that shows up at your pre-prepped site ready to be slapped together.  Here are a few FAQs from Modular Architecture -

 

How is modular building different from conventional building?  The structure is built in fairly complete sections that can be shipped by truck to you building site. Maximum widths of the modules range from 14 to16 feet wide and maximum lengths range from 64 to 75 feet depending on State regulations.

What are the benefits of modular building over conventional stick building?   Better precision building and better quality control when built in a factory. 

Is modular building less expensive than conventional stick building?  Yes. generally 10 to 20 % less expensive.

Is modular building much faster than conventional stick building?  Yes. Surprisingly most homes can be built in less than 3 to 5 days at the factory. It could take 30 to 45 days to be scheduled to built based on factory backlog. During this time, the site can be prepared by the Builder to receive the modules. 

How long does a modular home take to build?  Total construction time can be as little as two to three months. Conventional building could take as much as 9 to 12 months.

Can a modular home be custom designed?  Yes. In this case however, the use of an architect is critical. We can create professional plans and layouts specific to your requirements.

What styles of architecture can be created?  Virtually all styles. Colonial, Victorian, Contemporary, Mediterranean, Avant garde Contemporary, Dutch colonial, Georgian, Shingle style and any other style desired.

How are the modular units shipped?  The modules are shipped on carriers, towed by trucks. These trucks require wide load escort vehicles. The modules are weather tight, wrapped in a waterproof membrane.

How complete are they when they arrive at your site?  As much as 80 to 85% complete. Most modules have interior walls and ceilings finished and primed, ready to receive paint. The electrical and plumbing systems are installed. Windows, exterior and interior doors are hung, interior trim, cabinetry, toilet fixtures, appliances and certain floor finishes are often installed at the factory.

After the modular units arrive, what work is left to complete the home?  First is the setting of the house on the foundation with a crane. Next is the erecting and unfolding of the roof system by the set crew. Utility connections must be made. Electrical and mechanical system connections at marriage points between modules must be completed. Sometimes additional site work is required for the construction of porches and decks. In many cases installation of siding and exterior trim, particularly for the unique custom home is required.

 

 

 

 

{images via The New York Times and Modular Architecture}  

 

 

Wednesday, i'm in love.

 
this sentiment  {via bippityboppityboo}

 

 
 
Paris.  {via} 

  

 
mini tarts, yum!  {via}

 

 

 

 

Miss Pippy's Party

 
 

 
Next weekend little girl celebrates four.  Let the party shopping begin! 

Even Chuck E Cheese can party in style.  Ours will be the prettiest table in the joint!

1. I can't throw a party without including healthy fare.  Our tabletop will offer an assortment of fresh fruit and veggies all in cute little baskets.

2.  stuck in a birthday cake, glued in berry baskets or thrown in a vase, these little flags are too cute to pass up.

3.  I want someone to throw me  a party with these stripey straws and cute bottles, both of which will soon be mine! 

 

My plan for party day is to bring the baskets pre-stocked with assorted fruits and veggies and the beverage containers pre-poured with a mix of healthy, no sugar organic juices and organic milks.

{Mom, read above and below again, this is where you come in. :) } 

 Next up, I'm shopping for balloons to tie to each chair, a pretty tablecloth and I'm thinking of making a giant pompom centerpiece.  Then, giveaways and a cake. 

I'll keep you posted!

 

 

(images via shopsweetlulu)

behind the scenes.

 

1.  powder room painted.  check.

2.  basement cleaned.  check.

3.  closet purged.  check.

4.  back to gym.  check.

5.  earlier bedtime.  check.

6.  daddy traveling.  check.

7.  blog suffering.  check. 

 

 

back at it next week with a few projects -

new shower curtain, pippy art & more!

 

 

{keepin' it real.  because every blog has a behind the scenes.}

 

friday fashion {jcrew}

 
 { JCrew Spring '12 // image }

  

I want every. single. one. of these pieces.  Starting with that dandy of a skirt. 

I already have a chambray shirt. 

See.

 

 

 

 Thanks OhJoy! for the awesome JCrew visual

 

 

 

 

Kid Care - Part II

 

My kids go to daycare. 

This month, Emerson joined Pre-K and Max moved to Toddlers.  Big kids.   

There are so many ways to raise your kids and every family has to find their own fit.  My husband and I both work full-time, so some type of childcare is a necessity.  Type A tendancies took hold while I was pregnant with Emerson and I think I screened every Daycare in a 5 mile radius, questionnaire and notebook in hand.  And there were a lot!  But, all that leg work paid off because we picked one and never left.    I love my school and so do my kids, it would seem. 

 
 

One of my favorite things about it, is the kids themselves.  Diversity.  From go Emerson has been surrounded by classmates of every shape, size and color.  More than half her class looks completely different than her and I love that.  Since she was little little, I've talked to Emerson about how boring it would be if every one looked and sounded the same.  And it sticks, too.  Many times we'll be chattering on about this or that and Emerson will comment, it would be boring if every car was the same color, wouldn't it?  Yes, my dear, it would. 

Diverse programs is another favorite.  I've enrolled her in Music Class, Cooking Class and now, Phonics.  I'm just tickled when her little workbooks come home with all her practice letters and circled pictures.   Soon, I'll enroll Max in Music Class and let him get his groove on with his mates.  And, when the little ABC Music and Me cd's come home, we'll rock out around the house, just like we did with Pip.

   
pretty Miss Alexis, teacher extraordinaire.

 

{spilt milk: this morning at drop-off I learned Miss Pippy took a tough-love approach to her spilled milk yesterday.  "Miss Alexis I need to be punished and will sit over there for a time out.  Friends, you can't talk to me.  I"m being punished."  Notice her entry on the 'what we learned in pre-k' poster above.  Love that little girl.}

 

  

 

maybe next time, MIssoni.

 Who hit up Target? 

Somewhere around midday yesterday it occured to me that it was Missoni Day.  I toggled over to Target's site only to be met with every CIO's nightmare, the dreaded "oops, our server crashed" homepage.  I sort of chuckled to myself thinking of all the heartbroken shoppers out there.  And that was that.

   


Then last night after the gym I made a pitstop at said store to grab a few miscellaneous goods (vacuum bags, milk, etc.).  As I walked down the aisles, I saw several giant Missoni signs hanging throughout the store.  Oh, yeah, I thought, today was the day. 

This was last night at 10:00, my store is awesomely open 'til 11:00, after a full day of shoppers.  Now, according to various accounts I've seen online today, mine could be the only store in the universe that didn't sell out of everything.  True, the women's collection had been picked clean - only lonely, empty racks remained, but the other areas had more than a few things left (lingerie, toddlers, shoes, etc...).  I carried around the most adorable little girl's knit dress (the last one!) and rainboots and a pair of ladies knee high socks (so cute peaking out under boots), but in the end, put them back.  Am I the only one that finds it crazy to spend $40 on little girl's clothes and $30 on little girl's rainboots?   Sure, they were cute and one day could be collectibles, but I just couldn't do it.  

So, I did another mom a favor and left the darling little pieces as they were.  Enjoy! 

 

 

 

{images from Target}

 

 

wednesday, i'm in love.

 
 
{chair print, knit tie, stoneware basket, tape}

 

 

What do you love this Wednesday?

 

 

 

 

 

am i the only one

 

 

 

 

who goes home over lunch to vacuum and do laundry?