Sunday, June 5, 2011

the hundred dresses

In 1944 a book called The Hundred Dresses was published by Harcourt Inc. It was written by Eleanor Estes and Illustrated by Louis Slobodkin. It has since been republished twice, currently with an introduction by Helena Estes. It is a book for children ages 6 and up that teaches kindness, compassion, and standing up for what's right. I have not read the book. But I will be buying it tomorrow!

I learned of the book through Design Mom, Gabrielle Blair, who used the book as inspiration to create a family project. Grandma draws the outlines of the dresses and sends them to her granddaughters who then use crayons, watercolors, and their imagination to color the dresses. They intend to complete one hundred dresses. Like the book.

Not only do I think these water color dresses are simply divine works of art, I am absolutely smitten with the idea of how a simple art project can bring a family together. So many of us live miles and miles from our parents and grandparents. What an incredibly unique way to bring those lives closer and actually create... together. And it doesn't have to be water color dresses.... there are endless options. 

But I'm partial to the dresses. Hear that, Grandma?

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

the wanderer


I have this poster in a frame next to my bed. I bought it a year or so ago from The Wheatfield on Etsy.

And if you've been following me for any portion of my nearly four years on the world-wide web, and have just been redirected back to this blog... you might have some idea why.  But just in case you missed one of my surprise moves I'm going to try to help explain the journey here. As quickly as possible so that we can move on already!

In February of 2007 I left my thriving merchandising job in corporate retail to stay home with my then 3 year old and 7 month old children. Hardest damn decision I ever had to make. But, no doubt in the world, the right one.

About a year later I started to get a tad bored inquisitive.  A friend turned me on to blogger and within hours I had started my first blog, a "mommy blog", called and the beat goes on...

But the more time I spent surfing blogger the more I missed the fifteen years I'd spent buying, selling, designing & merchandising retail goods. It was only months before I started this blog. it's beautiful here.

And then I met Etsy. Oh, Etsy. And thus, my shop, zuzu girl handmade opened just before the end of 2008.  And, you guessed it, the shop required yet another blog so zuzu girl handmade was conceived.

The last three years have been a whirlwind. A delightful, confusing, challenging, wandering whirlwind. The kids will both be in elementary school this fall, the marriage to a man I've called boyfriend, best friend and husband for the last 22 years is soon to be dissolved, and I'm headed back to the glamorous world of corporate retail.

And that brings us pretty darn close to the present.  The shop will be closing in a week or two, and the blogs are being culled down.  Again.

But I'm not going anywhere. I might confuse the hell out of you with all my changes but you can't get rid of me that easily. I've had far too much fun here!  In fact I've *met* some of the loveliest friends through blogger, Etsy and facebook over the last three years and I wouldn't trade that for anything.

So, while I no longer have anything to sell you... I sure have lots to share with you.

I love pretty little things, vintage goodness, mid-century modern decor, stylish kids, clever crafts, everything Etsy and coffee. Oh, how I love coffee.

I hope you will join me on my continued little adventure...
it's going to be beautiful here!

Thursday, May 5, 2011

happy cinco de mayo!






Wishing you a fun-filled cinco de mayo from zuzu girl... and sharing some of our favorite Mexican inspired Etsy finds!

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

random tuesday.


a few things I kinda sorta loathe today...

1. falling asleep while trying to comfort a child to sleep... only to wake in a fog with a million things to do before I can actually go back to sleep myself.
2. going to a favorite restaurant and feeling the need to order something different off the menu... only to realize why you always order the same damn thing.
3. heartburn. especially when caused by #2.
4. foul mouthed young children. I mean way too young. and, kinda sorta, their parents.
5. coffee shop patrons that bring long lists. I lack patience. especially before my fix.


a few things that kinda make up for all the other things above...

1. a perfectly picked and ripened strawberry. just one will do it.
2. the blatant honesty of an innocent child. can't beat it. even if you don't want to hear what they have to say!
3. windows down. sun shining. and a sweet tuned cranked way up.
4. when someone holds the door open for you at a coffee shop, knowing damn well it means you will now be ahead of them in line.
5. snorty puppy stretches.

Oh, and this wooden spoon theater is super cute tonight...





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Monday, May 2, 2011

dreamy...

Absolutely loving this handbag.
Anyone know who makes it or how unaffordable it is so I can dream in more detail?

modern handmade child

The summer issue of Modern Handmade Child went live today!
And, while I do have a vested interest in the magazine as one of the contributing editors, I do have to say that it's one of the best issues yet. Fun fashion, stylish decor, yummy recipes and plenty of do-it-yourself ideas for the long summer ahead. And, yes, it's all handmade.
Enjoy!

Thursday, April 28, 2011

the ultimate sanctuary

Question of the day.
If I buy the kids a really cool teepee...
Can I nap play in it?



heart garland

Moral of the story? 
Never throw away the paint swatch cards.
courtesy of oh! crafts

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

wordful wednesday






original images and resources all available on pinterest

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

puppets + shoes?

Tonight I attended a pre-school fundraiser. There was a puppet show for the kids at which time the parents could either... A. join their kids on the grass to watch (not happening. not that I don't adore my kids but puppets? not so much.) B. socialize quietly in the back with other parents (definitely did some of that) C. walk around and check out other women's shoes (turns out this was the fun part!)

So now I'm in a shoe groove. Figured I'd share a couple fun finds I stumbled upon while trying to find the blush colored steve madden serenite on line. So that you might groove too....

steve madden serenite. available at nordstroms & zappos
(and highly recommended by two moms.)

 madison harding rosemary. available at piperlime.
 stuart weitzman x-ray. available at nordstroms.

 topography sandals. available at anthropologie.

  calabassas clogs. available at anthropologie.

Monday, April 25, 2011

monday love...

Ah, Monday. I'm fully recovered from a tough battle with a nasty stomach bug. (Still not sure I actually won but at least I got up after the count!) And I'm now ready to greet a brand new sunshiny week.

Today I'm loving lots of things. Including these....

inspiring bedroom featured on homedit

branch bookcase featured on flickr

mid century goodness featured on houzz

dreamy yellow kitchen featured on urban style vibes

fringe moccasin boot by free people
(and it's probably a good thing it's sold out because as much as I wish, I really don't have the ankles to pull this off... sigh)

and... a choice by healthy & fit

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

dreamy...





I wanna go there tomorrow. 
Which one? 
Don't care. 
You pick. 
Or I'd be happy to road trip to them all.
Dreamy...

Friday, April 15, 2011

home sweet home






After sharing a few photos of a party I threw last weekend some of my facebook fans wanted to know more about the house. I had to wait until it was clean again to take some shots for you... but then I ran out of daylight.  I'll try to get a few more nooks and crannies documented for you this weekend.

We will begin renovating the master bedroom and bath in the next month or so and I'll be sure to walk you through the before and after process. Trust me. The before is not pretty.

For the complete album, visit the zuzu girl facebook photo album entitled "zuzu girl house tour".

And now I'm going to go plant myself on the comfy sofa (not yet pictured) and celebrate the beginning of a long, relaxing weekend.  I hope yours is simply delightful as well.

Ta-ta for now...


Wednesday, April 13, 2011

industrial wednesday

 Due credit for all these fabulous furniture pieces on this board on my pinterest page.

Tuesday, April 12, 2011

letter love







 edies lab via etsy

Loving the big, bold letters popping up everywhere these days.
Metal, distressed wood, painted. Loving them all.
The bigger. The better. 

I'm dreaming of a big ass letter for our house too. 
And I know just the place to "find" one.
Are you there Dad? It's me, Kristi...

Monday, April 11, 2011

chevron






Chevron. It's everywhere. And if you haven't already noticed that well, you clearly haven't been looking.  From home decor to paper goods. Table top to apparel. It's not just a fabric anymore folks... And I love it!