anyhow, tangent aside, i just wanted to share the amazing wall decals by shanna murray. i know these have made the design blog rounds, but i've had decorating on my mind since our little one got into a big girl bed a couple weeks back. i want to finalize choices for her wall art. i've collected a couple of prints from etsy, and am on the hunt for a couple more. i will also be hanging julie morstad's alphabet cards, with baker's twine + mini clothes pegs. i feel like one of shanna's wall decals would be just right. i'm thinking this one, shown above, in charcoal. [her walls are palest greige, called dove wing]

though i also really love the sentiment here. i love you more than all the stars. isn't it true? sigh, so sweet. the garlands are awesome, too. i think it would be great to frame a whole wall of photos in these decals, like you see below. fun!

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as an aside, i'm in the thick of the first week of kindergarten, getting used to a new, early routine and new activities. i've also volunteered to be assistant coach for said kindergartner's soccer team [i know, in all my 'spare' time]. between meetings + forms + practices on top of a more limited work schedule + starting holiday prep, i'm feeling a little swamped! i hope you understand my being a tad scarce in the parts. i promise to keep posting when i can, i am really missing the everyday...

also, i listed these hallowe'en cuties in my shop on monday. what do you think? who's your favourite spook? little o has staked his claim on frankenstein!

someone else wanted to go to kindergarten, too. she missed you today, her favourite playmate + partner in crime. we all love you, little guy. go off into the big world, and find your place.

popbar, a gorgeous popsicle spot in nyc, blogged at simplesong

papier mache, an online mag that is rather stunningly beautiful, blogged at bloesem kids {psst...papier mache has a blog, too}

this amazing tutorial for making your own fabric tape, blogged at creature comforts via maya*made

all of the fabulous nss wrap-up posts around blog land, in particular these pictorial round ups { day 1 :: day 2 :: day 3 :: day 4 } by eva of sycamore street press, blogged at poppytalk. i was especially taken by these lovely shops, from top, hammerpress, kamal, and pearl & marmalade.

a few weeks ago, i was delighted to find myself included on a shortlist of blogs written by moms living in greater vancouver. i hope people don't see me as an impostor on that list! i am not a mommy blogger. i don't write about parenting! this is my place be away from that. while i do mention the kids here + there, i need this place to just be me, a woman, undefined by my identity as a mom. you know when you're at the park, and the other moms know you as "o's mom"? isn't that amazing, how you go from being your own self, to your childrens' mama? please understand, i am not complaining!! i love it. i just find it fascinating. and i do it myself! i can't even tell you how many times i remember the child's name before the parents'.

i wonder if that is a factor of getting older, or perhaps it's that dreaded 'mommy brain' we all talk about while pregnant!

i am not saying that i don't enjoy reading about other people's parenting or mothering. i do, often! heather of dooce, whose no-holds-barred discussions on parenting makes me laugh day after day. gabrielle of design mom [who is expecting baby number 6 - amazing!], who eloquently posts about where design + motherhood intersect. amanda of soulemama, whose graceful + honest + gentle approach to parenting makes me strive to be a better mama. there are so many others out there, so much inspiration, so many amazing mothers.

vancouver mom is looking for what they call the 'ultimate' vancouver mom blogger. i am beyond honoured to be included in their shortlist, and even more thrilled that people have gone out of their way to visit me here, really read my blog, and decide whether or not they'd like to vote for me. are you visiting here for the first time? i'd love it if you'd say hello. and if you like what you see here, i'd love for you to come back, or tell a friend!

if you're feeling so inclined, i'd be so very happy if you'd cast a vote for me. today is the last day the polls are open, and the results will be announced on mother's day. how apt! thank you for all the support, i really appreciate it.

the photos i've included in this post are things that i've got on my current wishlist. perfect for mother's day, don't you think? perhaps my husband is reading...