Lola says "nana nana boo boo"

It has been brought to my attention that Lola doesn't like it when I take her picture.

Skipping stones

Yesterday my little family drove up Big Cottonwood Canyon had a little picnic and the hubby taught Max and I how to skip stones. I know what you are thinking "taught you to skip stones? You are 30 years old!!!" But alas dear readers I am not much for the great outdoors. I am not designed to be outside! Have you seen how pale I am? But I digress Our picnic was delightful and the very large blue birds that joined us were also lovely company. I also have to say Mr. Fei is a heck of a stone skipper (he was a boy scout after all) and by the end of our evening little Max and I weren't too shabby!

John Derian for Target

I'm excited about my new items from designer John Derian for Target. In Stores September 5 but I am a very lucky duck because I got mine early on Gilt group's sample sale. He is famous for his use of vintage papers and prints from nature in decoupage form. They will fit right in to my home and maybe yours? There is a lot more in the collection and I will stop by my Target on the 5Th but these little lovelies HAD to be mine. Someday,perhaps, I will have to throw a shower or birthday party and my dahlia dishes may be the stars of the show, so you can see I needed 2 of each.

How can I say I love you? Oh.. I know cookies!

Don't you just love things that make your kid and his friends think you are super cool? How about if those things are really easy and don't require much effort? Me too! How fun to make personalized message cookies! I picked these up yesterday with the intent of making "happy 1st day of school" or something to that effect but my day filled up and I didn't make them while Max was at school so I waited until he went to sleep and secretly made them for his lunch. Now I know mine aren't as cute as the ones pictured but it was super late at night and I still had lunches to make. I do have big plans for these babies from Williams-Sonoma.

6th grade

So, I may have been the totally embarrassing mom who was following her kid around with a camera of his first day of school. Lucky for me he was a really good sport this morning- the same could not be said for tonight he was grouchy and told me not to blog about him. Also lucky for me he doesn't read my blog because he is so cute I can't help but blog about him. He had a good day except he was not happy that he had homework one the first day.

School Daze

Today was crazy. I can't believe school starts tomorrow and my baby will be a 6th grader! We were those last minute parents getting school supplies the day before school starts! As you can see from the pic I snapped while we were getting him all ready for the morning he didn't need much but it was still a ton of work because we are so off schedule! I guess it's back to making lunches at night, ironing little shirts, bedtime, homework and carpool pick ups. I already miss lazy days at the pool and late movie nights!

Seriously, is there anything he can't do?

I want to type something really clever right now but what I really want to do is squeal like a gaggle of 11 year old girls at a Justin Bieber concert. I'm going to stop now. I'm embarrassing myself. But really he is soooo cute!

Ever so pretty

I know that most of you have probably seen these beautiful penguin cloth bound classic books before. I have admired them at anthropologie and Barnes and Noble. But what a lovely surprise that Mr. Fei ordered me an assortment of them. Seriously, the UPS guy is kind of my favorite person- I mean when does that truck contain bad news? I can't wait to curl up with a cup of tea and a copy of Jane Eyre.

From NY with love...

Max is kind of hard to buy for. He just doesn't get very excited about much. For the record he hardly ever asks for anything. So when my mom said she got him some butterflies from New York he was gracious but was skeptical ("I kind of think butterflies are for girls- do you Mom?") but the butterflies arrived yesterday and Max loved them.

Gormandies

Dear Gormandies,
How am I ever going to go on a diet if you keep making delish things like lovely french macaroons?
You know pretty/ yummy / tiny deserts are my favorite thing in the world. In the future my waistline would very much appreciate if you would stick to things that are easier to avoid such as red velvet cake has never really been my thing. Also sticky buns I can totally resist those. Your cooperation will be very much appreciated. However if you insist on making these them I will see you soon.
Regards,
Amber
PS: This was my breakfast today- sorry skinny jeans you shall remain on the top shelf.
PPS Gormandies is on 250 South 300 East, SLC

Sunday Max

Sorry for the crappy iphone photos. Sunday was a good day for Max: brunch @ pago, caramels @ liberty heights and the few hours later a birthday party for a cousin (Max spent more time playing with the dog then his cousins). I'm glad we had a relaxing Sunday because this is (sigh) our last week of summer. We have a lot of fun to cram in this week, school clothes shopping and also the dreaded haircut!

Have a lovely Wednesday

Um is there anything more darling than this little car? Don't you think people would just have to smile at you as you drove by? I wonder if I could fit a bike rack on it......

Jacket weather

Dear Anthropologie,
Thank you for making jackets so versatile I could think of 20 different ways to wear the lovelies pictured above but my question for you is how will I ever choose just one?
Love Always,
Amber

Audrey, so wise- so adorable

I am lucky...

Thanks to all my friends and family who have been so great during this hard and complicated time. Today was one of those days when you realize people you didn't know you could call on were there all along. We went to my friend Katie's baby Owens' baptism it was nice to be around some of our lovely friends in their lovely yard in the lovely sun. Max played bean bag toss and horse shoes. I looked around and thought I am lucky. My son is beautiful (at least I think so) and healthy. I like my job, am crazy about my husband and have great friends and family. Again thank you to those who have sent their love to me and to Max.

Yesterday I received the terrible news that my sons biological father died suddenly and tragically. It's awful. My heart is so sad for my baby and for his family. I am also so thankful for the friends & family that we do have. Also I am so thankful to my wonderful husband who has taken to raising Max as his own.