In the mood for...

1. pant 2. polish 3. instagram tutorial 4. raspberries 5. print mag 6. suit

2 Cent Tuesday #5: Set Goals (New Years Resolutions)

No one gets anywhere in life (you can read also business, romance, relationships, etc.) without making a plan and setting some goals. Last year (2011) my friend Katie and I made a bagua map to start our year out. You start by dividing a square into 9 parts and then according to the categories in the bagua map set goals for the new year. Last year I didn't feel like sharing my goals as a lot of them were more personal. This year I feel like being a little less cryptic and sharing a goal or two with you. Each link is the images' source followed by my goal. (Note - I didn't really follow the map very well, I set my goals first and then made a map around that). You too can make a map for your new year, or your business, or your marriage and display it prominently where it can serve as a visual reminder to you throughout the year. I chose to display mine on my desktop so I can constantly remember to stay on task and what my real priorities are.

1. Spiritual - Read more. Read for fun, but also read scripture. Specifically read scriptures as a family.
2. Work - Continue to develop web site and share more projects on design site. This one is hard because it is so important to keep your design portfolio current but it is so hard to find the time! I have quite a few projects that I have completed but just haven't formatted for my design site.
3. Motherhood - Get baby on a sleep schedule. Before Henry came into the world I swore I wouldn't be one of those moms with a rigid schedule. I owned the book Baby Wise but didn't think twice about reading it. Now, I see how important it is for my sanity and for baby's good health that I get him on a good schedule. I have since read Baby Wise and have started Henry on a routine (I don't do the whole cry yourself to sleep thing though - that might work for some people but it hurts my ears and my heart). Anyway, so far it is working out GREAT!
4. Health - Eat better. Stop having a Chocolate Oreo shake before bed every night. Lose my baby weight and get back to where I was before I got pregnant. Work out. (I think I could make a whole map revolving around this one goal)
5. Marriage - Something about this image makes me want to run to Conor and hold him forever. I want to be more supportive. I think I'm pretty supportive but sometimes when things don't go according to "the plan" I get a little stressed out and shut down. I need to roll with the punches a bit better. Also, when Conor gets home everyday I want to stop what I am doing, look at him, say hello! and kiss him on the mouth. No more of this staring straight at the computer like a zombie and saying, "heeeyyy...."
6. Creative - Think longer and harder on my design work. Streamline designs and make them more cohesive. Don't worry if you don't know what I'm talking about here. I don't really know what I'm talking about. Basically, make my work better than it ever has been before. Don't settle for good.
7. Worry Less - worry less, worry less, worry less. I need to worry less.
8. Family - Have family night every Monday. Plan a simple activity to do with husband and baby. Turn everything and everyone else off and enjoy the two people I love the most.
9. Start Business - I am going to stay a bit vague on this one. I think I have a pretty good idea and I really want to develop it into something bigger but I'm not ready to share just yet. Hopefully someday soon!

Wish List No. 3 (for Henry)

Fox, Poster, Onesie, Book, Romper, Swim Shorts

We have been having a heck of a time navigating the deep waters of new parenthood. A few nights ago we were up all night long (from midnight until 5). I kept thinking about that new show on TV right now called Up All Night - it is a big lie. That show is about a perfect family with lots of money and a baby that sleeps all night long. They don't even begin to cover the topic of sleep deprivation... sorry, tangent. Anyway, in the morning we decided to walk to Hukilau Cafe and order everything on the menu that sounded good just to reward ourselves for all the hard work we put in. We are also finding that we love this new journey we are on. Especially in those moments when Henry falls asleep on one of our chests, or laughs at something he dreamed up in his little noggin. We are so looking forward to Christmas morning when we can shower him with all of the presents we have made and bought for him. Merry Christmas everyone, we hope your holidays are warm and bright. Next week on the blog I will be sharing some guest mommy blog posts and Henry's birth story. Until then...

Wish List No. 2 (For Conor)

Pants, Shoes, Movie, Fin, Board (he actually shaped one himself with Matty Raynor - this is just a photo he pulled up of a board), Shirt

Wish List No. 1 (For Jane)

Here's a subtle hint at what I want this Christmas...
Fox, Gift Card, Glasses, Baby Wrap, Shoes, iPod, Swim Suit

Thanksgiving Inspiration

Photos at top via: Tartelette, My Custard Pie, and Roost - the most beautiful food blog in the world.

Get the Farm Table look by decorating with some of these pretty things: Burlap Runner, Chalk Board, Boulder Mugs, Milk Bottle, Woodland Creature Napkin Rings, Egg Holder, Spoon and Fork

Wish I Could Participate

Tunic / Lip Gloss / Bag / Denim / Polish / Boots / Socks

I wish I could participate in this fall weather that everyone is experiencing. Alas, I am very pregnant and living in a tropical climate. Clothes like these can only be a dream. For now I wear as little as possible and sit with a fan three inches away from me (literally). Maybe I could wear the tunic and NOTHING else. Maybe.

I will however be making myself a pair of tights like these (see below)! I don't care how hot it is. I have been searching the internet for somewhere to order this style but I have not had any luck. I stumbled across this DIY idea on Creature Comforts this morning and was so excited! Check out the entire how to at 3191 Miles Apart.

Fall Food Favorites

1. Chocolate Chip Cookies 2. Frozen Hot Chocolate 3. Personal Vegetarian Pizzas 4. Baked Apple with Sweet Rolled Oats 5. Best Turkey Sandwich 6. Caramel Apples 7. Easy Red Curry Noodles 8. Snickerdoodle Cake 9. Tomato Basil Soup with Grilled Cheese

In the mood for... Halloween Party

1. Rifle Paper Co. 2. Mummy Pizza Snack 3. Candy Apples 4. Black Dress 5. Free Halloween Download!! 6. Skull Ring 7. Polish

You know how it's a thing for girls to dress super scandalous and sexy on Halloween? Well, that has never been my thing. I always want to be funny or scary. But this Halloween for some reason I have the urge to wear something ridiculously sexy. Like a scantily clad Dorothy from the Wizard of Oz or maybe your typical dominatrix nurse. Picture those costumes on my 8 month pregnant belly... buttons bursting, torso bulging, elastic squeezing... sounds sexy right?

Conor's Mood Board

I spent this weekend acting like an absolute pregnant lunatic. I spent a lot of the time laying in bed convincing Conor to lay next to me and "talk" and if he didn't have a million things to say right away I would bombard him with questions. What is your favorite thing? What is your favorite thing about me? Do you like me? Do you think you are going to like our baby? Do you even want to go to school tomorrow? Don't you want to stay home with MEEEE???? Luckily I have a very patient husband who answers all of my questions (wether they be desperate, trivial, or just idiotic) with the sweetest of answers. "My favorite thing is stew with meat and potatoes.. I like that you are so funny... Of course, I love you... I can't wait for baby... Well, I do need to go to school tomorrow... Sweetie, you know I can't do that..." And then usually about 10 minutes later a new barrage of questioning begins (usually the questions are only slight variations of the ones before). How he stays cool and manages to say all the right things (most of the time) is beyond me. I would have kicked me to the curb a long time ago. But, I am actually pretty funny so I can see why he hasn't and stuff.
CONOR'S FAVORITE THINGS:
1."a real man's meal" 2.his family 3.road trips with his best friend willie 4.playing sports 5.surfing 6.ME! (that's jane in case you forgot!)

In the mood for... Baby Boy

1. Felt Swing 2. Cutest Announcement Ever 3. Animal Poster 4. Desert Booties 5. Glow in the Dark Animal Poster 6. Cool Rocker 7. Alphabet Pillow 8. Oversized Zinc Letter 9. Wooden Animal Mobile

In the mood for... Fading Summer

A lot of you are saying goodbye to summer, lucky for me I don't have to for at least another year. I love when summer comes to an end in the clothing world because everything "summer" goes on sale and oh, look at that... I still get to revel in tank top glory and shorty short madness. (Don't be too fooled by my excitement, I do miss sweaters and boots and scarves... and I occasionally try to force the style in 80 degree weather, but it is never a very good idea.) So for now I am loving that summer fade.

1. The most comfortable shorts you have ever seen. On sale now at Anthropologie.

2. Wee Wedding Cake recipe illustrations, via Once Wed. These make me want to bake all day long.

3. My new mommy bag from Urban Outfitters. Who said a diaper bag has to be 50 times bigger than a regular purse and decked out with green and brown polka dots?

4. Saw this chicken wire inspiration board over at SeeSaw Design Studio blog and am just about to go out at get my own! Easy, affordable and it looks great.

5. Scout's Honor Co. has some really beautiful designs. They are also featured on 100 Layer Cake today with a beautiful wedding invitation, check it out here.

6. and last but not least: the perfect summer tank. Hopefully my prego belly doesn't hang out underneath this shirt... I am feeling a lot like Gus Gus from Cinderella these days.

PS. Check out my guest post about why I love living in Hawaii on Moon Face. And leave Cassie a note of congratulations while you are there, she just got married!

In the mood for...

Green Tea Ice Cream: This week I am two things. #1. HOT #2. HUNGRY - I can't get enough ice cream, sorbet, popsicles... anything cold and flavorful will do me right. Just right. While I was doing a study abroad in Japan a few years ago I really pigged out on green tea ice cream until I couldn't eat it anymore. But lately I have been craving it like crazy.

Colorful Masking Tape: I picked up some rolls of fun tape a few weeks ago and have been going crazy with it on everything. It can make the dullest envelope come to life.

Being In the Kitchen: I have said it before and I will say it again, "I LIVE TO EAT and not the other way around." I love cooking and eating. Love it. I also like it when my kitchen looks neat and beautiful while I'm doing either of those activities.

A Friend of Mine Design: I recently discovered the work of this "holistic design practice". It is run by one woman who calls on the skills and talents of her friends from time to time. I think everything they make is beautiful.

Baby Boys: Yeah, I have one of those on the way. Can't wait to climb trees, play catch, teach him to swim, and talk about silly things. Found this photo on Pinterest and don't know who to credit, but it is pure joy.

Rustic DIY Shelves: What a great idea!? And how easy would this be to put together!? Love it.

This Ring: I don't think I even need to say anything.

Mango, Avacado, Black Bean and Lime Salad: Back to the eating and the cooking thing. This recipe will be made tonight (right after we go to the beach and right before we go see Captain America)! Perhaps I will let you know how it goes.

Skirts, Skirts and more Skirts: Remember how I said I was hot? And then I mentioned I have been eating a lot? and I also have that little one on the way? Right. Well, long skirts with elastic waist bands are my only hope these days. This outfit looks comfy and fashionable. Hard to find when you are gaining the .lbs daily.

Hope everyone is having a great week!

In the mood for...

1. Anything I can make and do for baby. This is a great tutorial for a little boy onesie.

2. Ever since my appetite came back I have been a cooking monster. Gojee is a new cool website that allows you to type in stuff you have on hand and then generates awesome recipes for you to make. Last night Gojee told us to make brown butter gnocchi with sage and walnuts. And we did. And it took us 3 hours. But is was YUM.

3. I will wear whatever J.Crew tells me to. Red sweater with red shorts? You might think that is a bad idea. J.Crew thinks it's cool so I do too. Wishing they had a maternity line for people with no money. HA.

4. We recently received our printed copy of Kinfolk in the mail. It was a dream to look at. So happy to be part of this fun project. You can view it online tomorrow!

5. On our recent trip to California I think we went to Ikea more than we went anywhere else. I forgot how awesome that store is! We don't have one in Hawaii so we found some great stuff for baby to ship over here.

6. Conor's birthday is on Monday. I got him Pandemic which we have already opened and played several times. It is the most fun board game I have played in a while. Wish these guys were around to play it with. They would LOVE it.

7. These little pants for boys are so cute. I have been scouring the internet for cute little boy ideas. And I love when I find other young mommy blogs that have recently had or are pregnant with cute little baby boys. You can find those cute baby leggings at Thief and Bandit on Etsy.

In the mood for... Happy Prince Kuhio Day!

Lately I have been in the mood for:

1. Tacos at the Taco Truck! Yes please! (Image from Urban Outfitter's Spring Catalogue)

2. Fleetwood Mac, all day every day.

3. Michael Cera - Conor and I can't get enough of him. Scott Pilgrim Vs. the World, Arrested Development, Juno...he is an awkward comedic genius.

4. Jonathan Canlas' film pictures of the Hoover Damn. Makes me think of the time my friend cut my pony tail off with a pocket knife and threw it off the side into the water below as we drove over... one crazy night.

5. Prince Kuhio - He is the reason for the season after all. We have a three day weekend in honor of his highness. I have been in the mood for this day for a long time.

6. Porcelain Anything. But mostly this porcelain Mason Jar with a candle in it. I think it would make anything look more romantic.

7. Cashew Nut Chicken - I have been craving cashew nut chicken almost daily. There is a great thai food place up the road we are going to later tonight that serves it with coconut rice! So good.

In the mood for...

1. Anthropologie 2&3. Asos 4&7. J.Crew 5&6. Benefit

In the mood for...

I haven't been in the mood for blogging lately. It seems as though I have to force myself to even sit at my computer these days. However, if I tell myself to make a little collage of things I like right now I could sit here for hours. There is just something so therapeutic about collecting little pictures that excite you and then organizing them onto a page. WHY???
Things I AM in the mood for:
1. Richard Prince: (Untitled) Cowboy something about the color and content makes my heart sing!

2. High Waisted Bell Bottoms I have been wearing the same thing everyday lately. It's either high waisted bell bottoms with a cropped shirt or a bright skirt with ankle boots.

3. Well Designed Lyrics take a great song and make it look awesome! yes please!

4. Sahara Boots the finishing touch on my daily uniform.

5. Earthenware Mug anything that looks hand thrown speaks to me about my carefree days as a pottery student (life went something like: play with clay, go to beach, take a nap, play with more clay).

6. Brightly Printed Skirt: I may or may not have slept in this last night and then wore it to work today.

7. This guy. Nuff said.

8. Molten Bittersweet Chocolate Cake: I am obsessed with this dessert. Conor made it for our quarterly bake off and conquered the evening. It is surprisingly easy to make too!

How I ended up in Portland

Ace Hotel Elliot Smith random flickr "made in oregon sign"

Yesterday was a pretty stressful day. I woke up at 4 in the morning with plans to fly to San Francisco, enjoy a nice long layover (3 hours) in SFO airport and then i was to get on an airplane to Salt Lake City. I would then be picked up, taken to a nice warm home full of old friends and go to sleep. It was going to be a simple day. Well, that didn't happen. Instead of enjoying a nice long layover in SFO, I spent over ten hours there. Sure, the first few hours were fine. I got myself a bread bowl full of broccoli cheddar soup, spilled a little of it on my shirt, set up a laundry room in the bathroom to get the soup out of said shirt and read a magazine. Marie Claire to be exact. I also visited the "Just Desserts" counter for some mango sorbet. It seemed typical. But then I got bumped off of my flight to Salt Lake (an exceptional friend has provided me with flight benefits so I fly stand by) I started to get a little antsy. 

"No big deal!" I told myself, "You will get on the next flight. You have been here a long time, but no need to feel like Tom Hanks in Terminal... everything is going to be fine"  

There were several more flights and plenty of time to get on one of them. However, several more hours passed and I found out that not only was I not getting on the next flight but, the next flight didn't leave until 8 in the morning. I also realized that during my extended stay at SFO I had bonded with a special corner in the airport and some one else was now sitting in it. They too had noticed it for it's exceedingly convenient qualities, They had their electronics all plugged in to my outlet and they were enjoying my great view of the monitor. It was a prize spot, and trust me, I was in that airport long enough to know a prize spot when I saw one. I didn't feel like Tom Hanks anymore but like Gollum from Lord Of The Rings. I was Gollum and that spot was my precious. I was tired and lost and getting so irrational. Tiredness and frustration make me a ridiculous person. The rude ticket agent told me (with out ever once looking at me) that my chances for getting on the morning flight to Salt Lake were the same as they had been all day. NOT GOOD. I was stuck.

So, after shedding a few tears out of frustration I walked up to Juan-Paul at the ticket counter, informed him that his co-workers were very rude, complimented his long slicked back hair, and begged him to get me on the last flight to Portland that night. The only place I wanted to go was home. The stars must have suddenly aligned because I got on that plane. I ordered milk on the flight, dipped the Oreo's in it that Conor had packed for me 20 hours earlier and fell asleep. My dad picked me up from the airport and took me home to sleep in my old bed. My mom had turned my space heater up to 88 degrees just how I like it and I snuggled under 2 down comforters. I love home. After feeling like a needle in a haystack for so many hours I was so happy to finally be in the one place I know I always belong. I love home, I love my mom and dad and I love Portland.

PS. Janelle, thank you for being my friend. Thank you for everything you do for me. I am blessed to have you in my life.

In the mood for... Valentines Day

1. Indian Chief Notebook, Bear-ly in love with you notebook 2. Vintage clip art 3. Waialua Soda 4. Paper Doll Valentine 5. Wild Unknown Calendar 6. Gypsy Caravan Perfume 7. Striped Straws 6. Axe Card

When I was little I made up a club called the Cool Cats Club. I was the president. And the only member. Club members were required to do cool stunts on their bicycles up and down Quail Lane daily. My parents laughed when I told them I was the president and only member.

Living In: Prison Break

Those of you who follow the blog Design*Sponge will understand where I am coming from with this post. I LOVE their contributor Amy Merrick and all of her "Living In" posts. You can check them all out here. I must admit I don't read Design*Sponge all that often. In fact I didn't even really know about it until a friend saw my mood board for a True Grit New Years Eve party and pointed me in the direction of Amy's posts. Now, I am a huge fan. And since I am also a huge fan of Prison Break right now (I know I am so behind the times!) I thought I would make a mood board for my life with Mr. Michael Scofield and crew. Nerd? Yeah, I know. But, I'm not the only one with a celebrity crush on Wentworth Miller, I am in good company.

1. Tattoos 2. Porcelain Cranes 3. Sweater 4. Collared Shirt 5. Cash Money 6. Handcuffs 7. Blueprints