Hey Little Birdie!

My mind is whirling, my head is spinning, and my heart is full. But enough about me… really.

I have been holding on to these little gems, not because I secretly like to hold out on you (although I can be sly like that), but because I wanted to make sure that I could adequately give them their due.

Now that today’s here, who knows if I actually can live up to the grandeur I previously constructed, but the beauty of these beauties is that they don’t need me to. Just look at them.

A collection of classic literature carefully crafted in to modern day board books for your little ones. It’s like someone out there in this big ole world knew me well enough to take three things that I love immensely and fuse them together – timeless literary treasures, cleverly illustrated artwork, and my little 3-year old Lyla.

The fact that I want to own all of these should come as no surprise to you, especially since it appears today that the world is not only educated on my likes and dislikes but also works for my benefit.

See how I just made toddler board books equivalent to all the goodness in the universe. That’s some skill.

Thank you, Dr. King.

Because of our mutual affection for all things Zooey Deschanel, Nicky sent Katrina and me a link to this sweet video of Zooey and her (500) Days of Summer co-star, Joseph Gordon-Levitt (another personal fave), singing New Year’s Day. As I listened to it, my heart swelled within my chest.

It’s sweet.

It’s simple.

And it’s a perfect 2011 send-off to you sweet friends who read this little blog.

Here’s to a wonderful 2012 for each and all. We love you.

I’ll be spending some time this week getting my holiday decorations finalized. Have you already finished decorating? One thing that is a must while I trim the tree is Christmas-y tunes. But I am 150% anti-cheeseball holiday music. I cannot stand elaborate sax fest versions from a certain curly mulleted man. Or lame songs about buying Christmas shoes- barf. Now this doesn’t mean I don’t groove to old school 80s holiday hits like Last Christmas, duh… that song is pure gold. Especially the Jimmy Eat World version. But I have to draw the line somewhere. And that line involves music that conjures up visions of bad Christmas sweaters.

Which brings me to good Christmas music- there is so much out there lately! One site I love is Noisetrade.com. They offer tons of free downloads and it is a site backed by the artists themselves. Such a cool idea. If you are looking for legit Holiday albums, they have quite a few. The one I am loving is from Sleeping At Last. It is beautiful, honest, and makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Go download it now!

Welcome to our weekly feature “Know Your Birdies” where every Friday a question is posed and you get to know us through our answers. This week we’ve asked… and answered: What is one of your must read blogs?

I don’t know if I should admit this, but I have many daily-must-read blogs. I read Pop Candy on USA Today for all things indie pop culture related. I read Young House Love for DIY decorating inspiration. I read my husband’s photography blog, because he is the jelly to my peanut butter. Religiously, I read the Pleated Poppy on Wednesday’s for What I Wore Wednesday, and Melissa Loves on Tuesday’s for Cheap for Chic. But one I love and must devour each and every day is Ashley Ann’s Under the Sycamore. I am inspired by her craftiness. I enjoy her perspective on being a stay-at-home mom. I love her pictures of everything from her home to her sweet kids. And I totally share her passion to soon adopt a child. She’s relatable, approachable, and kind of seems like a lot of fun. (Gosh, I hope I didn’t just break the rules by mentioning 6 blogs! Oops.)

My favorite blog is local reporter Jaimee Rose’s blog. I have been a big fan of her’s since I was in college and she wrote for Y.E.S. I love her style, she seems to have the same “But does it come in black?” proclivity that I am afflicted with. The blog is always filled with lots of local love, from activities to venues to eateries, it is a fabulous resource for Phoenicians that are tired of Harkins and Chili’s on date nights. She also highlights books, fashion, shopping and travel. If you are looking for swoonworthy entertaining ideas, she is your girl.  Her blog is the blog I save for last in my google reader (btw does that mean the same thing to anyone else?)

I am a total blog-aholic. I am constantly having to painfully edit down my Google Reader list because it is getting too large to manage. There are just that many amazing sites out there! With that being said, one of my most favorite blogs is Oh Happy Day! I’m sure you’ve seen me mention Jordan Ferney and her fantastic ideas a million times here. Her blog is brimming with entertaining inspiration, gorgeous photography and art, interior design, beautiful typography- you name it! And she is living abroad in Paris with her family for a year. Swoon. Her genius has encouraged me to try out so many DIY projects for parties and home decor, and she even helps lead me to new ideas on my own. Thank you, Jordan! And I second Katrina above- I love Jaimee Rose too!

What about you dear readers? Do you have any beloved blogs to share with us?

You know that occassionally I like to update you all on “All Things Jina”. It’s vitally important, and I’m sure that lately you’ve been feeling the itch for it. It’s been awhile, and honestly those feelings are inevitable. Don’t feel bad. How do you think I snagged my husband?

Anyway, I thought I would use this opportunity for my very own (very narcissistic) public service announcement of everything I’m reading, watching, and generally being affected by in the wide world of pop culture.

Consider it – The More You Know…

Right now I am reading two books – Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann and The Irresistible Revolution by Shane Claiborne. They really couldn’t be any more mismatched, but both have crawled under my skin in vastly different but still affecting ways. I am also about to begin Night Road by Kristin Hannah for November’s Book Club. In my books to read queue, Grace for the Good Girl by Emily P Freeman and My (not so) Storybook Life by Elizabeth Owen.

Right now, I’m listening to Coldplay‘s new Mylo Xyloto, because… Wait, do I really need to list reasons. I didn’t think so. I am also listening to Oh Land‘s self-titled album, which is fun and makes me want to get up and dance, or at least chair dance on lazier days. I also can’t really break my addiction to Stars‘ song, Elevator Love Letter, which I know is old (like so 2003), but I rediscovered it on my iTunes library recently and I can’t stop listening.

Finally, my big push for everyone to watch on TV isn’t even on TV right now. But if you can stream on Netflix and haven’t seen Downton Abbey, go right now and start watching. The second season starts in January, and I can’t overstate how good it is. If shows set in early 20th century English countryside don’t push your buttons, then watch all five seasons of Friday Night Lights. Maybe small town Texas is more your stride. Both are worth your time. For reals.

So, in an effort to not make it ALL about me, what about you? What are you reading or listening to or watching? I need more to add to my list, obviously.

We’re having a bit of a tougher time lately with switching Claire’s seizure medications around. We’re not getting much sleep in our house and are feeling more stressed than usual. I opened my MacBook this morning and the first thing I saw was a tweet from my sister in law, Alex, about the new Beyoncé video. If you know me, you know I love me some Beyoncé. I had been looking forward to this video for awhile and it is everything I hoped for. Definitely put a sparkle in my day and I hope it does yours too!

Welcome to our weekly feature “Know Your Birdies” where every Friday a question is posed and you get to know us through our answers. This week we’ve asked… and answered: What is your favorite print magazine?

My favorite is Real Simple. I remember getting the very first issue. At the time, I thought, “This is exactly what I need. Something on a regular basis to remind me how to simplify my life… to live with less and in the process want less.” I don’t know if I think the writers and editors of Real Simple have stayed completely on task to that initial vision, but I still find it one of the most approachable lifestyle magazines out there. But… if I had to pick a newer, less accessible but intriguingly close second, it would be Uppercase. It’s the kind of magazine you hold on to… like forever.

E-mags you’ve got nothing on a tangible, holdable magazines. I mean where are the perfume samples? Where are the little subscription cards falling all over the place? I have always loved magazines dating back to my Highlights years.  Then there were the glory years of print magazines (please see Nicky’s answer.) Oh and how I love “airplane magazines”, you know the ones you buy only when you travel, they are usually gossip magazines for me. But my all around favorite, still thriving, print magazine is Real Simple followed very closely by Lucky. Real simple appeals to my OCDness with their pictures of closet makeovers and new organization tips.  I love Lucky magazine because of their quirky and classic ensembles which feel a thousand times more assessable than most other fashion magazines.

All my beloved print magazines are dead. A moment of silence please for Domino, Blueprint, and Cookie.

…

Alright, moving on. My fave that will never be killed off (even when its founder is in the big house) is Martha Stewart Living. It’s a beautiful mix of food, crafts, design, products, and everything Martha. Which means it’s perfect, like the Domestic Queen herself. You know how little girls cry when they see Justin Bieber? Well I love you, Martha. You are my Bieber.

Ok, readers, we want to know what is your favorite print magazine?

It’s Wednesday, Hump Day, and I’m feeling sort of frazzled. In my head are a million little thoughts- from thinking of my friend’s daughter, Lily, as she recovers from surgery, to preparing for next week’s First Friday art gallery, to Claire’s neurologist appointment next week (there is nothing I dread more), to all the daily details and dramas that never cease. I need a breather, do you?

First up, you need to smile:

This is Claire, doing what we call her loco legs. She gets those jingle bells strapped to her ankle and goes to town kicking. I’ll have to get it on video someday because then you’d not only smile but laugh out loud. And yes, she points her little toes like a ballerina.

Secondly, buy yourself a little present (or me if you’re feeling really generous):

Heart Coffee Scoop by Beehive. There are few worldly things I love more than coffee.

Next, feed your face. Make these easy treats. And then share them with a friend!

Then, ponder this product. It’s genius! Why did I never think of inventing this? (Random Nicky fact- I still bathe Claire in the kitchen sink. She’s three. It’s getting kinda tight in there. But when you have a toddler who can’t sit and are waiting on insurance to send you a bath chair, you do what you gotta do!)

Lastly, think of something lovely.

Even better, listen to the song. I bet it will make your day better. As it has mine.

Hugs,

A couple of weeks ago, Lyla and I went to the big downtown library that is massively impressive and less than a mile from our house.

I love libraries. I think I could have been a librarian. The quiet. The books. The organizational structure of all of it. Swoon. Too much? Well, suck it. See, I’m still the same immature me.

Anyway, I want to support the library. I want to save money by borrowing versus buying every book I read. I want to appreciate this service our city provides. Oh, and did I mention my serious affinity for books? Ok. Moving on…

Before I headed out to the library that day, I had seen a post on Babble about 10 Favorite Books for Toddlers. Score. Armed with that list, we ventured out. At the library, Lyla was mesmerized first by the elevator. We rode it maybe more than twice; don’t tell the librarian. And then by the ample supply of puzzles scattered throughout the large kids’ section. So while she parked herself at a table with a puzzle, I meandered through aisles in search of any and all these books.

We came away with three, and can I tell you Lyla has been toting them around for days. So far from this first outing, her favorite is Little Pea by Amy Rosenthal, but Chicken Big by Keith Graves is a close second.

The Babble author mentioned that she uses this to know which books her son likes enough for her to then actually buy. And I think that is genius. We are already planning our first purchases.

Enlighten me more… which other books do your kids like that I should add to my library look-up list? I know there are moms out there with experience and suggestions, so clue in us novices. Lyla and I thank you.