I have decided to start a new series. There are so many things I want to accomplish in this little life of mine. Sometimes it seems there just isn't enough time to do them all. Someday I'll bore you with that very long list but for now here is just one item. Since I was fourteen I have dreamed of having a little boutique/bakery to call my own. Growing up, I would imagine in my head every little detail of the interior. There would be a place to sit and listen to records, a place for work by independent artists and a little place for my baking. Though the decor has changed over the years the basic concept has not. I still have a long ways to go before I can make that a reality but I know someday I will get there. For now, here is a little spot to keep inspiration for the shop. If I had a shop...it would look a little something like

The Moomah Cafe

What doesn't Moomah Cafe do? I'm not really sure.

Doesn't that sound nice? It's a place for little kids and big kids to bond, create and be together. It's not very often one spot gets "Best coffee" from the NY Times and Best playspace" from New York Magazine!

{images via Moomah and Remodilista}

The Summertime Hues

Typically, I am drawn to the softer hues in the color spectrum - blush pinks and baby blues (actually that's not true...I usually drape myself in layers of black and grey) - but this summer I am navigating towards the brighter side of life. Luckily for my budget, I don't have to spend too much to bring a splash (or two) of color into my closet. April 25th can't come fast enough. I have been desperately seeking these Zac Posen dresses.

H&M also answered the color call and will do it in an eco-friendly fashion. Each piece is made with "environmentally adapted materials."

Any of these dresses would be perfect for a hot hot hot summer's eve or a certain wedding dress rehearsal dinner that is coming up soon!

*images via fashionista and H&M

So I don't read parenting or mommy blogs but it seems that a lot of the writers of the design/fashion/wedding blogs that I DO read are getting pregnant and having babies all over the place. Also, for the record, I don't typically read long, word-y posts. With all the posts to get through I just can't spend 10 minutes on each one. BUT I am ridiculously attentive when it comes to birthing posts. Like must sit there and read every single word (sometimes over and over again). I love them. They are totally intriguing and amazing.

A couple ladies recently posted about the births of their first babies and I was hooked from the first word to the last. I might have to seek out some more pregnant bloggers! Is that totally weird? Probably!

My birth story - A Lovely Morning (my favorite part is that she cut open a bunch of coconuts, synced her iPod and watched the Olympics AFTER her water broke.)

The home birth of Rosie Rummey Bear - rummey bears

I might (might) trade in the bulk of my bag collection for this canvas mason bag of joy from Heritage.

So we celebrated five years with a fancy schmancy dinner at Jayne's Gastropub. This was our first time there but I had heard lots of good things about it. It is certainly a design blogging geek's dream. Key stamp wallpaper in the bathroom, vintage British flags and posters on the walls, mirrored bar, dark wood and antique metal ceiling. The food was really good but REALLY overpriced. I basically had the same entree as Captain had last week at The Smoking Goat for double the price (and I think The Smoking Goat might have been a little better) but you pay for the atmosphere and the super-indie waitstaff that know their shit from craft beer to rare South American peppers. I would go back to sit on the patio and drink Hitachino and eat the white bean crostini but I think we might have to save up during the next five years to go for dinner on our 10th anniversary.

{photo by davina + daniel}

MUSH ALERT: I'm about to get cheesier than I ever have on this blog so watch out.

Yesterday was my and Captain's five year anniversary. It's kind of crazy to think about...I was such a baby when we first got together! I feel like I am a completely different person...a better person...because of our relationship. Before we found each other again (it's a long story) I was kind of a hot mess. I was pretty self-destructive and miserable. Though I always had the best of intentions I would somehow end up making very poor choices. When Captain and I got together, I finally felt like I deserved this life. He is so driven and caring and generous and good...it just rubbed off on me. I feel like a complete person now when before there was always something missing. Without him, I would have never had the guts to move to California and away from the life I was used to and I would have never had the confidence to do a lot of the things I had always dreamt about but been too fearful to go after.

Thanks, babe, for supporting me and loving me and going on adventures with me for the past five years. You're the best.

Family Portrait

{by davina + daniel}

We went out to dinner last week with our insanely talented wedding photographers. They are on a wild adventure across the US right now and we were lucky enough that San Diego was one of their stops. We had such a blast hanging out and drinking wine and eating oysters and talkin' music and whatnot. I can't wait to see them again in July. At the house and on the way to our favorite restaurant - Ritual Tavern - they took some shots. I love how the family portrait turned out (even though Nana was feeling shy that night). I think we are starting to look alike and that's just creepy. Plus my new hair color matches Presley's fur.

Chan Marshall looks so stunning in these photographs by David Black.

I want to live in there.

{via my love for you...}

Weekend Eats

I spent a good chunk of this weekend eating really yummy food. On Saturday we went out for our first beach day of the season. Along the way, we picked up a couple of the yummiest hot dogs I've ever had at OB Kanobe's. This being OB the guy at the counter was super chill and a good time. That night we met friends for dinner at the new restaurant in North Park - The Smoking Goat. It was designed by the uber-talented team, Bell and Whistles, and was super cute inside.

I love the midnight blue walls, wire basket lamps and empty frames. Though we were sad about the no booze (their getting their liquor license soon!) the food was delish. Duckfat truffle fries. mmmmm. It sounds meaty but there are vegan and vegatarian options as well. And pretty much everything is local I think so ya know it's fresh and tasty.

As much as I like the idea of all white decor, I always end up with bursts of color in my life. I love these refreshing photos of Dottie Angel's home over on Janae Hardy's blog.

Places I Like Around the House Part 2

I rearranged the house to accommodate the newest "member to our family" - a HUGE-ass TV. So here is part 2 of places I like around the house. I think I can start to scratch off #3 on the list but only part of it (this item will probably never be fully completed).

{ Brigitte gets restless in one place so she moved over the couch once our friends bought us these rad framed prints from back East.}

{Our vintage table from Nest Vintage and our crazy blue couch ($40 at a yard sale!). Sister got me the bird prints over my desk that I had been wanting FORever and that's a New Castle, DE flag from Captain's bro.}

{Ikea makes me feel like a grown up sometimes. All these records used to be scattered over the floor dorm-room style before our old apt. flooded.}

{The mercury glass mushroom was a gift from sister (too bad it hides poor Captain's head).}

{ My big splurge from Room and Board looks so pretty with our antique table.}

{ I found this book of black and white photographs of old San Fransisco buildings. I framed a few and sent them to my sister to remember the amazing trip we took last year. I also kept a few for myself!}

{Beautiful botanical prints - another gift from my beautiful sister (she is like my art dealer)!}

{I got the lamp at Pottery Barn on sale actually. My lovely lady came from Chester's Furniture in North Park.}

{Nana wanted to be on the blog too.}

Be still my heart. Bertoia chairs AND a farmhouse table.

{via}

More Bertoia pairings I love.

{via}

{via}

{via}

{via}

I need to figure out how to make one of these Native American rug bags. Can't be that hard, right? I'll put it on the projects list.

Also THIS CLUTCH...holy crap.

White Light

I wish our house had this much natural light.

{via Sanctuary}

I have a serious problem. I think I've turned into a crazy cute-pictures-of cats lady. Don't judge.

{via}

{via}

{via}

Puppies too.

{via}

{via}

106./107./108.

{via}

I've been neglecting this little blog. I just can't seem to get inspired to post anything anymore. My brain is focused in too many other places! I'll try to be better.

Sink envy.

Someone else has been watching Daisies.

Oh sweet 90's love.