Random Giveaway — Goodies from Delight.com

I've got a Happy Halloween Giveaway today. No tricks. Just treats. And let's start with this: 12 WINNERS ON THIS GIVEAWAY!! Delight.com and I emailed back and forth, discussing whether this Giveaway should be one prize or lots of prizes, and Delight.com was like: the more winners the better! Apparently, they love the idea of giving away tons of their cutest items to Design Mom Readers.

So get your comments in. Because you've got 12 chances to win. And the prizes are fantastic — just as fantastic as you'd expect them to be when you know they're from Delight.com. Take a look:



1) This lego-esque iPod speaker. Actually. Two of these. Going to two winners. Perfect for your cubicle, for traveling, for the bathroom. Best part: no batteries needed(!) — they power up through your iPod instead. In Red, Blue, Green, Yellow — plus, just announced — also in white and pink. Hot! Which color will you pick?



2) Next. There are Four Sets of these gorgeous Woodgrain File Folders up for grabs. Two winners will receive the Birds & Flowers design. Two winners will receive the Damask pattern. Each of the four sets contains 12 lovely folders. With Tiffany Blue interiors. Nice. They're so cute, you'll be looking for excuses to organize your papers, just so you can stare at the folders.



3) Third. Two winners will receive a clever Chalkboard Candle. One in Gardenia scent. One in Persian Fig. Yummy. And now you'll have the perfect place to leave secret notes to your lov-ah.



4) Then. We've got two more prizes for two more winners. Useful and adorable Flashcards. Two sets — one in French, one in Spanish. Cute for kids. Cute for grown-ups. And really nice to keep on your desk as inspiration to plan a trip somewhere exotic.



5) Finally. There are two Summer to Snow Scrapbooks — by Sukie in the pot. So cute! They're retro and charming and the ideal gift to encourage your kids to make a record of their year — through their own eyes. Made of 100% recycled paper.

And there it is. Twelve great prizes for twelve lucky winners. All from the fun collection at Delight.com. Could it get any better? Ummmm. Turns out yes. Delight.com is offering free shipping on any order over $45 for Design Mom Readers. Just use the coupon code DesignMom (case sensitive). Good timing, because today is Halloween. And that means tomorrow is the unofficial beginning of "the Holidays." And during the holidays, free-shipping feels like striking gold.

Happy commenting. Thank you Delight.com!

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Guidelines:
-You have until Midnight PST on Monday, November 3rd to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment. One entry per person, please.
-The winner will be randomly picked and announced on Election Day — Tuesday, November 4th.
-What are Random Giveaways? Read about them here.

Chevy Volt

On Wednesday, I attended a press event to get a preview of the Chevy Volt and to hear from Frank Weber, Global Vehicle Line Executive and Global Chief Engineer for Chevrolet. The preview took place in a cool space at Terminal 5 — just off the Hudson River.





What I know:

The Volt is not a purely electric car — electric cars that can go for long distances between charges can't be mass-produced. It's not a hybrid — hybrids don't give us petroleum independence, instead, they improve efficiency. The Volt is a whole new propulsion category. The idea is this: you plug it in at the end of the day and it takes about 3 hours to charge. Once charged it can go for 40 miles without using gasoline. If you're driving more than 40 miles, once the electricity is gone, the Volt will seamlessly switch to gasoline power and can continue the same distance that any compact car's gas tank would provide.

The 40 miles concept really struck me as the brilliant thing. Apparently, after studying and studying American driving habits, Chevy concluded that most Americans drive less then 40 miles in a day. 40 miles is just the right distance to include a commute and some errands, or for a typical soccer mom's daily chauffeuring. So. If used for simple daily driving, the Volt will never need gas. And its estimated electric cost to run it for a year is between $250 and $300.

The whole idea is just really energizing. Like everybody, I'm watching the economy and wondering what's next. I love the idea of an iconic American brand like Chevrolet taking the lead on this. I hope it goes huge and brings back some of America's manufacturing strength.

Here's a video I shot (it's about 2 minutes) of Mr. Weber, explaining how much electricity the volt uses over the course of a year — it comes in somewhere between a fridge and a clothes dryer. So much less expensive than tank after tank of gas:



I first read about the Volt in the July/August '08 issue of The Atlantic. If you're interested, the article is fantastic and goes into detail about whether or not the Volt will save Chevrolet — and revolutionize the car industry. Although I've never owned a Chevrolet, as I read the article, I found myself cheering Chevy on and wanting this to be a blowout success.

The production date is November 2010. Some people are skeptical that Chevy won't be able to make this date. But Frank Weber was completely confident it would happen. And I'm totally on board. I'll be watching for the launch of the Volt and looking forward to it.




Other interesting notes I jotted down:

-Assuming the Volt is a success, its E-REV technology will be compatible with any of Chevy's compact cars and can roll out in other models depending on what the market demands.

-Even though the driver may never use the combustion engine, it will still meet all environmental standards required of any car.

-The dashboard will be touch-screen based and have very few buttons or knobs. The dashboard will track how many miles have been driven on battery and how many on gas.

-The battery goes through the center of the vehicle — and is concealed by a center console that runs through the car from front to back. After 10 years the battery can be resold in a secondary market for batteries — for use by hospitals or as back-up power sources. Overall, the battery will have about a 20 year life.

Farewell Friends — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

Happy Halloween!

In all my Design Mom excitement, I totally didn't come up with a costume. I'm thinking about going as a SAHM, complete with workout shoes, lounge pants and — wait for it — minimal jewelry. Those close to me know that I'm an accessory junkie, so that would be big for me. Same with wearing workout shoes in public, though I am contemplating buying some sensible "mommy" shoes for the winter. The lounge pants aren't so much of a stretch. (You: "But they're so comfortable!" Me: I know!)

Whatever you are going as, I like it. Because I like you. You've all been far too kind to me and my posts, especially the one about Baby Zee. (Spoiler alert: Her given name is Zella.) Thank you for sending your love and prayers and sharing your own experiences and losses. Life is not fair, but it is beautiful.

Speaking of beautiful, isn't this blog beautiful? I've been so impressed by Gabby as I've gotten to know her. It's amazing that she can juggle her various responsibilities and still find time to appreciate the simplistic beauty of things and, more importantly, motherhood. If we could give her a standing ovation, I would, but it's kind of awkward when Mr. Dub asks me why I'm clapping in my pajamas.

By the way, where the H is Gabby finding all this stuff? Pretending to be Design Mom for a week nearly gave me IBS. I wish I was a fraction as creative and resourceful as her, but I'm also glad to be me, because no one expects much beyond the occasional funny post. I was totally unqualified to be here, but you made me feel welcome. Thanks.

Isn't it wonderful that we can all be so different and yet be united by our common natures? Mothers. Women. Humans.



I hope that you spend this weekend forgetting your to-do list - you know, the one with long-term, unrealistic goals like, "Make my outfits from sustainable fabrics before work each morning" - and reflect on your "done" list: the things that you've accomplished because of who you innately are and not who you want to be. It will make you feel good.

If you ever get bored, come visit me at www.mrsdub.com. The door is always open, along with my big mouth.

Happy haunting!
Mrs. Dub

stone pumpkins from Grandin Road

Sew What? — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

So I'm the third girl in my family, with a little brother finishing it off. My mother is a quilter. And no, not the kind of quilts your mom made with all your soccer jerseys. My mom is a quilt artist, as is evidenced by her "stash" seen here. (Though I can assure that is only a small sampling of her fabric. The quantity of material in that woman's possession is illegal in 23 states.)

My other two sisters are excellent seamstresses. One sewed my wedding invitations, the other sews her own winter coats. I, on the other hand, am just learning how to thread a bobbin.

I've frequently pestered my mom as to why I was never taught to sew, since it's clearly in our blood. She claims she tried, and I wasn't interested. Probably true, as I very involved with boy-chasing as a youth, but it's a huge regret of mine, because sewing is, like, the best thing EVER.

The point of this rambling is that when I finally learn to sew I am going to immediately make this beautiful headband by giantdwarf — after first sewing some curtains and some pillow covers and adorning every last sweater I own with a bird. Then, I'm going to make it, and I'm going to wear it every day, even to the grocery store. And then I'll go home and die because I'll be 95 by the time I figure out that stupid bobbin.

via sweet sassafras

Butter Issues — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

Sometimes I hate blogging. I turn on my computer and feel like a hundred voices are screaming at me — "Buy organic!" "Live in the moment!" "Sew everything!" "Be true to yourself." It often makes me feel worse about myself, even while enriching me. Like anything, there is too much of a good thing.

The best perk of blogging, however, is the way it has made me more conscious. I'm more aware about my feelings, my preferences, my aesthetic and my choices than before I started reading. Seeing the homes and belongings of other people has made me more aware of the choices available to me. As a result, I don't settle as much when buying household goods.

Unfortunately, this is why I don't have a butter dish.

First, a confession: I grew up in margarine household — Country Crock, to be specific. (It was the 80's, can you blame us?) When I grew up and married a butter-loving man, we compromised and now break out the butter on special(er) occasions, like Sunday dinners.

For the last five years, I've just been throwing that butter on a small dessert plate. It's not totally offensive, but it isn't the best way to care for butter. Most of the time, it gets all smooshy and ends up down the drain.

However, my conscious buying has prevented me from getting a formal butter dish. Every time I go to Target, I stop and look at their small array of butter dishes and think, "You can do better." (No offense, Target; it's me, not you.) A plain, white ceramic butter dish wouldn't be the end of the world, but wouldn't one of these be even better? Then again, some of these are pricey! At least boring costs less than $10.

Clockwise from left:
1. Michael Graves for Alessi via Unica Home, $119 (!!)
2. Fiestaware at Macy's, $32
3. Blomus dish at Pure Modern, $46.34
4. Alessi stainless dish via Unica Home, $87

Idea Conference

I'm attending the Idea Conference today. So excited. No really. So excited! I look forward to hearing from — and possibly meeting (cross my fingers) — some of the people behind companies I love and have blogged about. Like the man behind Tom's Shoes. The creator of One Laptop Per Child. The mind behind Method. And the founder of Etsy (the link is to my very first etsy mention 11/21/06 — awwww).

And I can't wait to tell you about the Chevy Volt. I got a sneak preview yesterday and it is revolutionary. 40 miles on one electric charge. Post forthcoming...

Hosting for Dummies — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

Like many in the DM Club, I have a compulsion to throw parties. I would actually prefer to be a guest at a cool gathering, but so would everyone else, so I play party martyr a few times a year. My biggest weakness is baby showers. I could meet you in the check-out line, and I would offer to host your shower. (That actually happened.)

Thankfully, my bestie and her sis run Gourmet Girls. Everything I know I've learned (= stolen) from them and their long line of culinary-minded kin.

Thus, if I had to give one tip for throwing a big bash it would be to copy someone else. It's always easier in my opinion, and you know it's worked before. (Unlike Mr. Dub's proposed grilled cheese party: BYOC. Get it?)

Here are a few other tips I've learned from them and from my own hosting gigs, though this might be a big "duh" for some of you seasoned party peeps. However, if you ever read this blog and feel a tad insecure like me, here you go:

* Lots of food, little table - While your table will be crowded, an overflowing smorgasbord looks more impressive than a spartan spread, even if it's the same amount of food. If you are going for a modern look, you can still benefit from a smaller space; just organize food into tight rows.

* Plate up - Use tiered trays and cake stands to add height and interest to your spread. Easy.

* Personalized dishware = homemade - I'm all about convenience foods, especially with the gourmet variety now available at warehouse and grocery stores. The key is to plate them on something equally beautiful. Do not serve it out of a plastic container, or I will fight you.

* Pick your battles - Do NOT convince yourself you are going to try 10 new recipes for the big event. First, you'll freak out the night before and edit the list down, wasting a ton of groceries, and then Mr. Dub will give you that look. Second, you don't have the time or energy. Just pick a few "wow" items from your repertoire and supplement the rest with pre-made items and easy dishes.

* Ten percent rule - I totally stole this from the Gourmet Girls, who always plan for 10 percent more food than they think they need. (Understanding that typically one-third of your guest list won't show.) You'll probably go home with leftovers, but better than than seeing your guests stop by Taco Bell on the way out.

* Let it go - When it's time to party, party! You do want to be on top of refills, but don't be a slave to the kitchen. You did the work; you deserve to enjoy it. It's not worth it if you are counting the minutes until everyone leaves. (Unless it's your awkward friend who always talks about her ex-boyfriend -- from tenth grade. That's understandable.)

image via the amazing Amy Atlas

Spooky Snacks — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

Halloween is a sacred occasion at Mr. Dub's workplace. Their annual party is NOT to be missed, both because it is over-the-top and because, well, you gots to make nice with the boss sometimes, you dig?

Every year, they put on a killer Halloween party with serious prizes (= $$) for various things like coolest costume and best plant photo. (We dressed our spathaphyllum as Hugh Heffner surrounded by Miss Dub's baby dolls, but the photos were mysteriously deleted when I accidentally hit delete. Maybe it was a sign?)

This year we have our eyes on the spookiest snack contest. Last year there was some freaky contenders, but this year I want to win. There is a fine line between clever and repulsive, so I'm leaning towards something tasty with a seasonal twist. Here are a few ideas I found (once again) on the BHG website, although some aren't very creepy. But someone needs to make something you actually want to eat, right?

p.s. Mr. Dub just informed me we are making this rat-infested cheesecake via Delish. Looks like a winner!

Little Boogies — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

Next month, we're headed to a baby shower for a friend who doesn't know the sex of her unborn one. As someone with no self control, I have to tip my hat to her. If I could place a phone call to my babies the minute they're conceived, my first question would be, "How's it going?" shortly followed by, "Are you a he or a she?"

I'm thinking about giving her a onesie from little boogies, unless she's reading this, in which case, I'm totally not. Many of the animal designs are gender neutral and all are very charming. I love the ducky.

Since my sister is part-owner of the company, I might be able to get a discount. Then again, she's the same girl who made actual client files when we used to play office as kids, so maybe not.

Baby Zee — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

As I mentioned in my intro, I prematurely delivered a daughter in February, who passed away momentarily due to a chromosome abnormality. Her death was not a surprise. A couple months into my pregnancy I began to experience extreme pain, bleeding and nausea. Early ultrasounds suggested the baby was fine. At my 17-week appointment, however, an ultrasound showed cystic masses in my placenta and swelling on the baby's brain. An amniocentesis confirmed our worst fears: I was suffering from a partial molar pregnancy, caused by a (very) bad egg. As a result, Baby Zee had an extra set of chromosomes and would pass away during pregnancy or soon after birth.

It was devastating, of course, but in a way it was very peaceful. It was a beautiful experience to know that I had been chosen to carry a unique soul. My only mission as her mother would be to give her a body, share my love and send her home. I was honored, and I was distraught.

Our doctors offered termination due to increased health risks, but that didn't feel right for us. Waiting for her die in utero was unbearable, but sending her away wasn't any better. After much prayer and contemplation, we decided to carry her as long as she would let me. Within minutes of that decision, I was rushed to the hospital and diagnosed with preeclampsia. I would have to be induced to save my life, even though I was only 19 weeks along.

The doctors recommended a surgical removal, but Baby Zee asked for a traditional chance at life. They induced me in the early morning hours on February 4. Within hours, I began to hemorrhage severely. Ultimately, I received an emergency C-section and blood transfusion. My life was spared, as was Zee's. While I lay under anesthesia, Zee slipped away after taking a few shallow breaths. She lived.

The weeks that followed were bittersweet. I was empowered by my birth experience and thrilled to have pictures and mementos of my tiny little girl. At only six ounces, she fit in the palm of my hand, but all her miniature parts were perfect.

Since then, I've had many hard days. I feel sad others can't understand the loss of an unborn child. I feel sad that I don't have a 4-month-old baby to nurture at home. I feel frustrated that the pregnancy has caused ongoing health problems that keep me from trying again. But mostly I feel joy that I got to be her mother.

While most people have been understanding, some are so uncomfortable that I have to comfort them so they don't feel awkward. I don't mind doing it, but I know other people in my situation who are too fragile to bear that added burden. As a result, I'd like to share a few tips for someone who is mourning, especially the loss of an infant or unborn child:

1) Don't judge – Every situation is different. Don't speculate on what might have caused the death. Don't hypothesize why it happened to that particular person. Don't criticize them for how they decided to handle their medical care, funerals, etc. And never, ever critique their grief, even if you think they are overreacting. The only way to get better is to get all the hurting out. For some people, this takes a lifetime.

2) Don't minimize their loss – Don't tell them it was meant to be. Don't tell them to appreciate what they have. Don't tell them they are strong enough to handle it. Just listen. You don't have to make it better, because no words will change what happened. Just be supportive, sympathetic and available.

3) Don't avoid the subject – In the two weeks between diagnosis and delivery, my every thought was consumed by Zee; yet, many people who knew our situation didn't bring it up. I'm sure they thought I didn't want to talk about it, but they were wrong. I did, and I still do. Talking about Zee validates her existence. I love every opportunity I get to share her special life.

4) Do show your love – Call, visit, mail a card, send a gift. Showing you care about our pain makes it hurt less. One of the best cards I received simply said, "I don't know what you are going through, but I do know this: you have always seemed like a happy person, so it hurts me to know you are suffering."

5) Do read about it – Knowing about their situation will help you understand them better. In my case, a partial molar pregnancy put me at risk to develop placental cancer. I had to get weekly blood draws to ensure I wasn't growing malignant masses. Most people assumed I was better, but close friends continued to check on my health.

Enough lecturing! How about some pretty things? Following Zee's birth, I received a tremendous amount of cards and packages. One friend sent me candy, magazines and some cozy pajamas. (Perfect.) Another friend sent me a gorgeous gold necklace from Anthropologie adorned with the word "February" and a small amethyst. My sister made me a stamped necklace with both my daughters' names and a birth announcement for our memory box.



Here are some other bereavement gifts ideas:

1) A box - Most hospitals provide a free box for mementos, but it's usually flimsy. A special box, like these padded leather ones by Inside Avenue, is a great way to hold all the pictures, kind notes and memories of their little one. Our memory box for Zee is pictured at the top of this post.

2) A blanket - If you know someone who is expecting infant loss, a small blanket like this mini lovey from Yatoil's Esty shop is a perfect gift. They can use the blanket to hold the baby after birth, then save it as a keepsake or include it in the burial services.

3) A necklace - Most mourning moms want a daily reminder of their child, especially in the weeks following their passing. A delicate necklace like the J'taime necklace by Urban Outfitters is a great way to keep their memory close. Plus, it's just a chic accessory.

4) A letter - A written letter is great, but so is a letter hanging for their home, like these from Anthropologie. Buy the first initial of the baby's name as a subtle memorial. (We have a Z hanging in our house.)

5) (Not pictured) A hug.

Halloween Costumes 2008

The Chili Cookoff ended last Saturday with the annual trunk or treat. My favorite part of trunk or treat is that it forces me to have the costumes ready to go well before Halloween night. Our family didn't have a costume theme this year (like our Classic Halloween Monsters from last year). But all the kids were happy with the results.

Ralph is a mime (and shoot! it looks like he's trapped in a box). Maude is the Paper Bag Princess. Olive is a ballerina. Oscar is a dragon. And Betty is not that into it:



Find lots more pictures of this year's Halloween Costumes here.

Glamma Fabulous — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

Glamma Fabulous is a woman with so much creative energy that you can't stop by her home without making an impromptu craft or two. She can turn anything ordinary into something extraordinary, which makes her (as the name implies) fabulous. Glamma is a local artist, mother to five talented women, "glamma" to 10.5 grandkids and wife to a man who makes the meanest ribs in the West. Her speciality is holiday crafts, and Halloween is her favorite. You'll have to visit her blog to understand the depth of her H-day passion. I'm especially digging her Nightmare Before Christmas-esque decorations.

Flower Power by Guest Dad James — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

I'm about to blow your minds with a blogosphere first: guest blog within a guest blog. Did your head just explode? Sorry. As I mentioned, I'm a bit unqualified to give design advice, but I'm lucky to be surrounded by talented friends and family, like my brother-in-law, James. He's not only a caring husband and father to two boys, but he's the owner of Flowers on Main. Let me tell you, his floral arrangements aren't just pretty; they're art! I put back on my reporter cap and interviewed him about fall floral care. Then, I asked for a free arrangement.

MD: Why are flowers so essential to celebrating seasons?
James: Flowers are always for the moment. Flowers are the crowning jewel of any holiday; they bring colors, textures and fragrances you can't get any other way.

MD: How can you make your flowers live longer?
James: The biggest killer of fresh flowers is bacteria in the water. To maximize vase life, always use professional floral preservative in your water. If none is available, add a teaspoon of Clorox to a quart of water. Make sure that your bouquet has plenty of water. Flowers drink a lot more when they are not in a collr. Change the water when it looks like the water is getting cloudy. This is also a good time to recut the stems with a sharp knife. This will reopen the path for more water uptake.

MD: What are some good fall flowers?
James: Mums, lilies, gerberas, roses, hypericum berries, leaves, branches, hydrangia, sunflowers, rovers, safflower, coxcomb, purple majesty, kale, solidego, artichokes, just to name a few.

MD: What's your favorite flower?
James: I love most any flower when it's in season and at its peak of perfection.
MD: Very diplomatic.

MD: Want to put in a shameless plug?
James: Sure. You can find us online at www.flowersonmainstreet.com.
MD: Did you mention your shop is inside a cozy, vintage home?
James: No, I didn't, but it is.

image from Rose and Radish

Chili Cook-off

Guess who won Best Chili at the church cookoff on Saturday? Maude and Ralph Blair. That's who. (Yay Ralph and Maude!!) And the photo you see is Maude sporting the trophy apron.

Here's the chili story. 8 years ago. When the Blair family only had two kids and we lived in a little house in Utah, we won the Fall Chili Cookoff at our church. To anyone who knows my meager skills in the kitchen, this was surprising news. Especially considering the recipe used as the basis for the chili was found on the back of our generic chili powder bottle. I made a few adjustments (I doubled the garlic and spices), but otherwise, followed the recipe exactly. Here it is (with my adjustments):

1 lb ground beef
1 medium onion, chopped
2 tsp garlic, chopped
3 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 16 oz. cans kidney beans
2 T cumin
2 T chili powder

Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic. Drain the fat. Add the rest of the ingredients (don't drain the beans) and simmer for 30 minutes. Or all day.

Pretty basic. But we now call it the Blair's Award Winning Chili. And that makes it sound fancy. Sadly, we ended up making it so often, that we got sick of it, and stopped making it altogether. And kind of thought our chili-making days were over. In fact, for this year's chili cook-off, I signed up to bring corn-bread instead. But then I heard whispers that they might be low on chili, so we decided to pull out the old recipe and whip up a pot.

I got the meat and onion and garlic going and Ralph and Maude started asking if we could add some "secret ingredients." Like what? says I. They pull out a packet of taco seasoning, a packet of ranch dressing mix, and a packet of creamy pesto mix. Can we add these? I had a quick vision of seeing the entire congregation die of sodium poisoning and said, well, we've already got garlic happening — both the pesto mix and the ranch mix have lots of garlic and could be okay. Why don't you pick one. They picked the ranch.

We added the ranch and the beans and the tomato sauce and let things simmer a bit. Then we tasted. They wanted more spices. I recommended some cumin and chili powder. They sniffed both of those and gave their approval. We decided it needed a bit more salt. They asked if we could add black beans. Sure, why not. They asked if they could add garbanzo beans. Ummm. No.

Then Ralph decided we still needed one more secret ingredient. He suggested cream cheese. Cheese is always a good thing, so we added a couple of spoonfuls and let it simmer for a few hours, until it was time for the party.

And honestly, it really was delicious. Plus it confirms what I'd already suspected: that Ranch Dressing is one of the greatest American inventions. Rivaled only by the cotton gin and assembly line.

Here's Ralph and Maude's Recipe. They call it "Three Bean Chili Deluxe:"

1 1/2 lbs ground beef
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
2 heaping tsp garlic, chopped
3 8 oz. cans tomato sauce
2 16 oz. cans light kidney beans
2 16 oz. cans dark kidney beans
2 16 oz. cans black beans
1 entire packet of Ranch Dressing powdered mix
1 T cumin
1 T chili powder
1 t salt
2 spoonfuls of the secret ingredient

Brown the ground beef with the onion and garlic. Drain the fat. Add the rest of the ingredients (don't drain the beans) and simmer for 30 minutes. Or all day.

Making Nice With Halloween — by Guest Mom Mrs. Dub

Warning: Halloween isn't really my holiday. I know, poor timing on the Guest Momming, right? Actually, no holiday is really my holiday because I'm very much an "every-day-is-a-holiday" kind of spontaneous person, so any form of obligatory tradition rubs my anarchist self the wrong way. Mr. Dub calls me a communist; I prefer impulsive.

Ideological reasons aside, Halloween is typically neglected at my house. I blame the limited black-orange combo and cheesy, gory décor of years past. It just felt tasteless to me. Plus, I live in an apartment (sigh), and one has to limit seasonal accents, or it ends up looking comical.

However, things have changed in the last few years. There is now a whole slew of Gothic-inspired Halloween décor that is classy and cool. Plus, green, purple and white have rounded out the Halloween palette, giving us more visual possibilities.

This year I'm really digging on black and white — black birds, white pumpkins, black and white polka-dot ribbon — though you need a dose of orange for good measure. Here's a sample of what I'm currently adoring:


{1. I heart this black feather wreath from Pottery Barn. It hints at gore but has a lot of glamour. I'm sure you could make this yourself, but I don't condone killing birds. Besides, it's on sale.

2. All you need is some black paint and a homemade stencil of something spooktacular to make these classy creepy pumpkin silhouettes, seen here.

3. The intricate lattice work on these green gourds look Victorian, giving these pretty pumpkins an antique glow. Of course, Martha is behind this labor-intensive project. My hands hurt just thinking about it. Probably not worth it.

4. An easier, but equally delightful pumpkin display found on Delish. Little bits of ribbon glued around small gourds scream "Halloween," but could easily be swapped out for a fall ribbon palette come November.}

And there's so much more out there, like this slideshow from Better Homes & Gardens' website. I must admit this magazine used to cater to people who collect roosters, but it's recently become one of my favorite home mags thanks its increasing variety and modernity. Just check out a sampling of their pumpkin designs. Swoon!

Book of the Week — Ghost Poems

During the month of October, instead of our usual bedtime story routine, we like to turn off all the lights, light candles, and read Halloween books. We have a handful of scary/Halloween books in our collection, but I like to supplement with library books. I picked up Ghost Poems a couple of weeks ago and it has been a hit.




It was first published in the 1970's and the illustrations are by Tomie de Paola — which is perfect. His drawings hit the right balance between spooky and charming. And the poems themselves are a well-edited collection. Some silly, some actually a little scary. But all kid-appropriate. And there are a wide-variety of styles from lots of different poets and sources.

It's an old book. So you can't buy directly from Amazon or Barnes and Noble. But they have links to other vendors.

Welcome to Mrs. Dub

Please say hello to Mrs. Dub. And I'll say hello as well, because Mrs. Dub is a new friend to me. I don't know Mrs. Dub at all in real life. And I barely know her digitally. But I do know that she has been really great about emailing me with recommendations for possible Guest Moms. And her emails are always clever. So I started checking out her blog and thought she'd make a terrific Guest Mom herself. Mrs. Dub has written up a lovely little introductory post — I can't wait to get to know her:



What am I doing here?

That's a question I've been asking myself since I was invited to guest blog here at Design Mom. I like pretty things, I like to read about pretty things, but I don't find or create pretty things very often.

I like writing. I love words. I adore syntax. I — forgive me, for I have sinned — even adore alliteration when used appropriately. I once made out with grammar. So while I have the credentials to be a blogger, I don't know that I'm qualified to be a Guest Mom.

But here I am, and here you are, and, oh my, is this already the fourth paragraph?

About me: My name is not Mrs. Dub, but let's just say it's a sensible pseudonym. I blog at here, but I used to blog here. I am wife to one Mr. Dub and mother to a (just turned!) two-year-old we call Miss Dub. I'm also proud mom to Baby Zee, but she only lived for one minute outside my womb in February.

I've lived in the Chicagoland area for 3+ years. I was really freaked out by the word Chicagoland when I first got here and said I would never use it, but three years of Midwest living changes a gal. I'm in love with the city, hate the weather and miss my Arizona upbringing six months out of the year. All in all, life is good.

Before Miss Dub, I worked as a reporter, and still call myself a journalist, mostly to sound cool. I write a quarterly column for Eliza magazine and do some other stuff on the side. I've written the first 100 pages of several different novels. When I die my children can publish them as a collection of short stories, because short stories are much more palatable when you're dead. (IMHO.) (Also, I hate Web acronyms.)

I hope that you will bear with me, my writing, my finds and my poor photography skills.

I regret I'm not one of those moms –the kind who leave you wondering how they do it all, in antique shades of turquoise to boot – but I am a mom, and I couldn't think of anything else I'd rather be.

Happy reading!

Winner — Ses Petites Mains Giveaway

Oh my. I just picked a lucky winner of the Ses Petites Mains Giveaway. And I'm kind of jealous, because I totally want the $150 shopping spree for myself. But mostly I'm just happy knowing someone is going to get some lovely clothes in the mail.

Congratulations to pillingfamily who said, "oh my! that little shirt dress is calling the names of my three little girls." Please send me an email and I'll get your info to the sponsor right away. Thanks Ses Petites Mains!

HSM3

Friday night we took the 3 oldest kids to the opening night of High School Musical 3. The theater was packed with groups of tweens and their parents. And the audience was loud and high energy — with lots of eeeewww grosssss exclamations during the (one) kiss and lots of singing along. It was awesome. Go Wildcats!

For a little while we were unsure if we could make a Friday night showing, so we toyed with the idea of surprising the kids by getting them out of school early and taking them to a matinee. The Friday night thing ended up working out just fine, but now I'm obsessed with the mid-day movie idea.

Can you imagine how happy your kids would be to get pulled out of school unexpectedly just for fun? To see whatever good kid-movie is showing and eat lots of popcorn and candy? I am determined to do this during a boring, gloomy day in November...

Happy Diwali Tomorrow!

Every now and then I get an email asking me if I use babysitters and the answer is yes. But the schedule of how often changes all the time — depending on what sitters are available, their schedules, and what my family's needs are.

Right now I have a lovely situation. My sitter is a friend of a friend at church and her name is Davy. Her daughter started full-day school this year and she was looking for work she could do during school hours. Which is a perfect fit for my schedule. So Davy comes from 9:00 to 2:00 on Monday through Friday. She can get her daughter to school in the morning and pick her up from school at the end of the day. And my toddlers can play with Davy while I sit in my home office and get my work done.

Davy is Indian/Trinidadian. And tomorrow she is taking the day off to celebrate Diwali — the Festival of Lights. She has invited us to come by for dinner tomorrow night and we're all looking forward to it. I'm so curious to see what the Trinidadian take on Indian food is like. Based on food Davy has shared with us previously, for sure it will be delicious.

Happy Diwali (a day early) to any readers who are celebrating!

Paul's Polaroids Made Me Think

Did you see this on Oh Happy Day yesterday? My brother Josh used some polaroid pictures taken by Paul (Jordan's husband) and made a short video. Just cause.

It's beautiful. Really beautiful. I've watched it like a dozen times. I embedded it above, but you can see it in a larger size here.



And I also have to comment here that I think I have really wonderful siblings and siblings-in-law. They are interesting and creative and they work hard to create the life they want to live.

Random Giveaway — $150 at Ses Petites Mains

Here's a Giveaway for anybody who knows a girl. A girl that likes pretty clothes. You could win $150 gift certificate to Ses Petites Mains. And you could use that certificate to buy pretty clothes. For a girl. Take a look. The clothes sell themselves.




Ses Petites Mains is designed by Beth Miles, in sizes 12 month to 8 years, and manufactured in San Francisco. The company name — French for "their little hands" (I think) — is said to refer "not only to the sweet, little hands of those who would wear the clothes. But also, to the delicate details which separate disposable clothing from those you hope to cherish forever."

I love that sentiment! And I'm absolutely curious to see if the changes in our economy lead to purchases of longer-lasting clothing. The sort of thrift that would put less items in your closet, but increase the quality and wearability of those items.



The designer, Beth, also says, “I love the idea of all fabrics being able to be worn together. As children love to throw 'anything' on, I designed all the pieces to work together. Shirtwaists with slips; slips as dresses; slips as loungewear; tunics with bermudas; halter overalls — darling with or without anything underneath."

A wonderful concept. And it's easy to see how well Ses Petites Mains makes it happen — with classic lines and traditional silhouettes. I have yet to see any items from this line in person, but knowing the backstory, and seeing the pretty pictures, I feel like I'm a big fan already.

THIS JUST IN: Use the code "designmom" to get a 20% discount on your next Ses Petites Mains purchase. Nice.

Happy commenting. Thank you Ses Petites Mains!

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Guidelines:
-You have until Midnight PST on Sunday, October 26th to enter this giveaway.
-Just make a comment ON THIS POST to enter — any comment. One entry per person, please.
-The winner will be randomly picked and announced on Monday, October 27th.
-What are Random Giveaways? Read about them here.

First Birthday in a Box

How adorable! CityBird Designs is offering a First-Birthday-Box-In-A-Box-Kit. In a girl version. Or a boy version. The perfect solution for any parents out there craving a stylish party, but without the time/energy/resources to make it happen. I love how sophisticated it all looks. Because let's be clear. The first birthday of the first child is all about the parents.

This is what the box includes:
-"Happy First" banner, strung with a grey grosgrain ribbon
-12 invitations plus envelopes
-12 thank you cards plus envelopes
-12 goodie bags
-Mixed Confetti — some of it printed with the child's name
-Five place/food identification cards
-A decorated case that holds all of the birthday party supplies

A Link List

Question: how does one know if one has carpel-tunnel-syndrome? (Ouch! It hurts to type this.) My list today is long and deep. And may or may not include a visit to a physician. So instead of my regular trio of posts, I will leave you with lots of great links to visit. In no particular order.

1) Mighty Goods has a clever Guide to Halloween Costumes being featured right this minute. Spotted on kirtsy.

2) The World's Smallest Postal Service is available for hire. Brilliant. I can die happy knowing this exists.

3) My friend Lisa Clark, the sister-in-law to Nie Nie, wrote a beautiful post on perspective. Don't miss. For realz. Don't miss.

4) Online scrapbooking is taking the world by storm. Or so say several emails in my inbox. If real, live, paper-and-glue scrapbooking doesn't float your boat, check out Inkubook and Scrapblog to see if they're a better fit. Different strokes for different folks, people.

5) Papered Together has their 2009 Calendar ready to go. The bee page is my favorite. Bonus, each calendar page doubles as a mailable card. Recycling in action.



6) Gwyneth Paltrow started a website called Goop. It's pretty. But the interwebs have decided it is a joke. Not clear on the backstory here, but just thought you'd like to know. Spotted on kirtsy.

7) The most recent post I wrote for Cookie was all about a basement decorated in Sharpie Marker. Probably I should do all in my power to make sure Ralph doesn't see this and attempt a bedroom makeover.

8) Francesca's Collections. It was described to me as Forever 21's slightly older sister. But I haven't checked it out yet. Please let me know if it's worth a more thorough look.

9) Rocks in My Dryer has a pretty new design. Yay Shannon!

10) Liz included these handknit slippers in her etsy roundup the other day. I am all about slippers from October through May. And these might be the cutest I've seen. Machine washable. Made to order in your exact size.

11) Win oodles of goodies from Lucky Magazine, plus tickets to their big Lucky Shops event, in the Get Lucky Giveaway at Kirtsy.

Livie & Luca

Look at these London Boots from Livie & Luca. Don't they look comfy? I want a pair in brown for Oscar.

Fall Photos

Go see Matthew Mead's Portfolio to get your fix of pretty images.

Discovering a really simple idea with a big impact feels like striking gold. Those caramel apples would be about 90% less charming without the long, actually-a-stick, sticks. A very do-able idea.



Speaking of discovering, how is it I've never heard of Matthew Mead until recently? Thanks for the link Bek!