Living With Kids: Danielle Robertson
By Gabrielle.
Another East Coast tour! This time, we’re visiting Danielle, a graphic designer and soon-to-be blogger whose aesthetic includes both new and well-collected with an extra smudge of humor. Handmade hung proudly at eye level, no matter how tall you may be. Nooks equipped with papers and inks and colors and glue, all within grabbing reach. Bright pillows upon which to land at the end of a somersault or until the end of a book. Exactly the sort of space dreams can grow up wonderfully. Friends, welcome to Danielle’s home.
Q: Please tell us about your family.
A: My husband Andrew and I live in Melrose, Massachusetts just north of Boston, with our sons Wesley and Chandler and a shaggy terrier named Penny. When the boys are in school, I work in my home studio as a freelance graphic designer and art director. Andrew works in IT at the Museum of Fine Arts. Our house is usually a fun, creative place with music playing, the boys running around, and the occasional moment of quiet.
After moving many times in our marriage, including four years and three apartments while living overseas in London, we finally feel settled and happy. Our town is close to the city and yet has a quaint vibe that suits our lifestyle. We walk everywhere: the coffee shop, library, schools, supermarket, and gym.
In my free time, I take utter, obsessive joy in organizing and decorating. I have been known to ignore dirty dishes piled in the sink while I sort and label craft supplies and create a color-coded dinner menu for the week. The designer in me wants things to look nice, but truthfully I get a kick out of rearranging something so it functions better for our family.
Q: How did this house become your own?
… 10 Great Books for the Holidays
By Carter.
I love the eager anticipation in December, don’t you? Hustle, bustle, lights, and bells. All of it! I also love quiet moments in front of the tree, curled up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Do you need some new favorite picture books this holiday season? I think you will love these!
1) The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola is one of only five authors and illustrators to receive both Newbery and Caldecott accolades! His books have a timeless quality that invite re-readings, and re-readings, and re-readings. (I remember checking out Strega Nona from the library over and over again!) The Birds of Bethlehem is a beautiful and warm new book for the Christmas canon. Told from the perspective of birds watching from above, this book quite simply tells the story of the magnitude of that night.
2) The 12 Days of Christmas by Rachel Isadora
A familiar refrain framed by bold new art and a unique style of storytelling, this version of The 12 Days of Christmas is a must have! I adore the cover – see that subtle Christmas tree? The inside is just as fun to look at. Set in Africa, and influenced by the art and culture, each gift and each day is set in a a separate tile. As the song continues and repeats, you can follow (or sing!) along, guided by the art.
3) Babar and Father Christmas by Jean de Brunhoff
Originally published in 1940, this dear elephant is absolutely a classic, no? And how special is this – it was the last book written by Jean de Brunhoff before he died, and his twelve year old son helped to finish some of the illustrations before its publication. A book about the love of a father for his son, finished by the love of a son for his father.
4) Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
I drove to three libraries to get my hands on this book, brand new for the 2012 holiday season. When it wasn’t on the shelf where it should have been, I asked the librarian and she sheepishly pulled it from under the counter. She loved it so much that she had been treasuring it herself! I promised her I wouldn’t keep it long. And I won’t – so other families can enjoy it! It’s a beautiful portrait of a family celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah, where traditions and stories and love flow seamlessly between religions. Echoing that sentiment are the illustrations themselves – layered, textured, and rich. And at the end, don’t miss the recipes for Cranberry Kugel and Dressing!
5) The Trees Of The Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
Leave it to Patricia Polacco to capture the wonder and magic of the holiday season, regardless of your faith. This gem tells the story of Trisha, a young Jewish girl, and the Christian families in her village, who are battling a terrible case of Scarlet Fever. What unfolds is a gift, not just to the families that benefit from Trisha’s heart, but also to you, the reader.
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I love the eager anticipation in December, don’t you? Hustle, bustle, lights, and bells. All of it! I also love quiet moments in front of the tree, curled up with a good book and a hot cup of tea. Do you need some new favorite picture books this holiday season? I think you will love these!
1) The Birds of Bethlehem by Tomie dePaola
Tomie dePaola is one of only five authors and illustrators to receive both Newbery and Caldecott accolades! His books have a timeless quality that invite re-readings, and re-readings, and re-readings. (I remember checking out Strega Nona from the library over and over again!) The Birds of Bethlehem is a beautiful and warm new book for the Christmas canon. Told from the perspective of birds watching from above, this book quite simply tells the story of the magnitude of that night.
2) The 12 Days of Christmas by Rachel Isadora
A familiar refrain framed by bold new art and a unique style of storytelling, this version of The 12 Days of Christmas is a must have! I adore the cover – see that subtle Christmas tree? The inside is just as fun to look at. Set in Africa, and influenced by the art and culture, each gift and each day is set in a a separate tile. As the song continues and repeats, you can follow (or sing!) along, guided by the art.
3) Babar and Father Christmas by Jean de Brunhoff
Originally published in 1940, this dear elephant is absolutely a classic, no? And how special is this – it was the last book written by Jean de Brunhoff before he died, and his twelve year old son helped to finish some of the illustrations before its publication. A book about the love of a father for his son, finished by the love of a son for his father.
4) Daddy Christmas and Hanukkah Mama by Selina Alko
I drove to three libraries to get my hands on this book, brand new for the 2012 holiday season. When it wasn’t on the shelf where it should have been, I asked the librarian and she sheepishly pulled it from under the counter. She loved it so much that she had been treasuring it herself! I promised her I wouldn’t keep it long. And I won’t – so other families can enjoy it! It’s a beautiful portrait of a family celebrating both Christmas and Hanukkah, where traditions and stories and love flow seamlessly between religions. Echoing that sentiment are the illustrations themselves – layered, textured, and rich. And at the end, don’t miss the recipes for Cranberry Kugel and Dressing!
5) The Trees Of The Dancing Goats by Patricia Polacco
Leave it to Patricia Polacco to capture the wonder and magic of the holiday season, regardless of your faith. This gem tells the story of Trisha, a young Jewish girl, and the Christian families in her village, who are battling a terrible case of Scarlet Fever. What unfolds is a gift, not just to the families that benefit from Trisha’s heart, but also to you, the reader.
… The Perfect Gift: Block Printed Cards
By Jennifer Samuelson of Anise Press. Edited by Amy Christie
It’s the beginning of December, which is the time of year that I start to fret about things like finding the perfect gift for Grandma, mailing holiday cards to loved ones, and helping my kids decide upon hand-made gifts for their siblings. You too? Time for both of us to take a deep, calming breath, because this block printing tutorial will take care of all our problems.
Block printing looks a little intimidating at first glance, but trust me, it’s very intuitive. It’s a great way to get children and adults involved in creating art that can be produced in multiple originals. Though younger children won’t be able to cut their own blocks, they can create artwork and print with a little assistance. Older children (from about nine and up, depending on coordination and hand skills) will be able to complete a project alone, with some supervision.
Your children can use these block printing techniques to design holiday greeting cards for friends and family, stationery sets as a gift for a teacher, or personalized thank-you notes.
Are you ready to get started?
… Swiss Stacked Wood
By Gabrielle.
We’ve kept a fire in the fireplace almost daily since the temperature dropped. We ordered wood in late October and our stash is over half gone! 11-year-old Olive has become our fire-building expert and she takes pride in getting a really good blaze going.
I was thinking about the wood, and remembered these photos I shot in Switzerland. I feel like they’re a wonderful reflection of how ordered and precise the whole country seems to be. The wood stacks are carefully covered and protected — and every piece is the same length!
As we hiked, we stopped at a mountain home to buy cheese. They invited us in and my jaw dropped when I saw their wall of uniformly cut kindling. I loved the look of the wood stacks and snapped way too many photos — I swear I couldn’t help myself!
Since we’ve been married, this is actually the first house we’ve lived in that has a real, working fireplace. How about you? Fireplace? Gas logs? Wood-burning stove? Or none-of-the-above?
Anne of Green Gables
By Carter.
Well. Isn’t that the truth?
I adore this sage advice from a rather plucky heroine. Anne sparkles. She burst into my soul once upon a time and settled there, always with a reminder to lift my chin and see things simply. And simply cheery. I think you can trust a girl with freckles and an unwavering belief in kindred spirits, don’t you?
Wouldn’t this print be a perfect addition to any young (or older!) girl’s bedroom? Or that sprawling closet we all dream of? You can find it in Emily’s shop right here. While I am considering what fashionable choices to make today, I’m loving the conversation on this stylish post!
P.S. — This series — illustrated quotes from children’s books — is a collaboration between Emily McDowell and myself. You can find the whole series here. Olive Us: Episode 15: Christmas Tree Hunt
https://vimeo.com/54823392
By Gabrielle.
In episode 15, inspired by last year’s family photo shoot, the whole bundle of Blair kids go on a hunt for the loveliest Christmas tree they can find. Consider it a little video greeting card just for you. : )
Happy Holidays from All of Us at Olive Us!
For those who are curious about the clothing sources, most items were sourced from our own closets or here in our village, but if you like Oscar’s handsome outfit (see it in full after the jump), you’re in luck! It’s from Tea Collection — sweater, pants, boots.
P.S. — You’ll have to read this post for some funny behind-the-scenes info about the trees. : )
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For those who are curious about the clothing sources, most items were sourced from our own closets or here in our village, but if you like Oscar’s handsome outfit (see it in full after the jump), you’re in luck! It’s from Tea Collection — sweater, pants, boots.
P.S. — You’ll have to read this post for some funny behind-the-scenes info about the trees. : )
… What You Leave Behind
By Gabrielle.
As I mentioned, I’ve had two grandmothers pass away in the last few months. And my aunts and uncles have bravely taken on the always challenging task of sorting through cupboards and boxes and deciding what should be kept and what should be donated (or just plain tossed).
When going through my Grandma Lucille’s things, my aunts and uncles realized that she’d planned for this task. In each carefully packed box, she left a little something to entertain them! A little figurine or random Christmas ornament. Anything she thought might make them laugh.
Isn’t that fantastic? I can picture her giggling as she packed things up.
It makes me hope for two things: One, that I have a long life with enough winding-down years that I can prep my belongings for my kids. And two, that I’ll remember to leave happy surprises any time I have an opportunity.
What’s your take — does the story make you smile, or is the idea of thinking about one’s own mortality too morbid?
P.S. — It didn’t occur to me until I saw this photo, but I bet I got my curls from Grandma Lucille. Living With Kids: Jane Rhodes
By Gabrielle.
Jane Rhodes is the best kind of blogger; she knows how to transform blah into brilliant, turn an average ho-hum day into an event to be remembered, and lots of other lovely-life-making tricks that cause you to slap your forehead and say “Of course!” Even better? She shares everything she knows with the rest of us. Happily and whole-heartedly. I wasn’t surprised at all to learn that she loves entertaining: the old-school dinner party, specifically. I imagine it’s like everything else in her life: a gift she can give to others. Friends, please meet Jane and her sweet family.
Q: Tell us about the family who lives here.
A: I’m sometimes Jane, sometimes Franny. Confused? You should be. A friendly battle of wits about what I was to be named left me unsure of my real name. But, despite any uncertainties, I am sure of this: I love art and design in all forms. I’m a wife, mother, blogger, stylist, graphic and interior designer. Anything that begs for beauty. And I love yoga and good food…and those may or may not be in order of preference.
The kids. There are four kids.
Kiana, our 14-year-old fashionista, is about to launch her own style blog. So exciting! Like most modern teens, she surrounds herself with friends and fun, and we swear that tearing her iPhone from her would be like tearing off an arm. But luckily she’s wildly creative, intelligent, and happily busy, so we overlook her hours spent texting and watching The Kardashians. It’s all about balance, right? Right?
… The Perfect Gift: Felt Monogram Ornaments
By Marisa of Omiyage. Photos by Alexis Edghill. Edited by Amy Christie.
I love making things all year round, but there’s something extra-special about crafting for the holidays, don’t you think? Last year, we made these felt monogram ornaments and they were definitely a hit!
We sent them out instead of Christmas cards, tied them onto gifts and placed them on our own tree. Everyone, young and old, loves receiving personalized items. But the best part of these ornaments (besides the fact they’re simple to make) is that you can customize them with any colour combination or font style you please!
You can even choose to sew them by hand or by machine — whichever you’re more comfortable with. It’s like a choose-your-own-adventure in one little ornament!
So, let’s get started!
… DIY: Pom Pom Garland
Created by Jane from See Jane Blog. Edited by Amy Christie.
The holiday madness is upon us. Are you ready? This year I decorated the house with a mix of textures: sparkle and shine along with cozy and natural. For the cozy and natural, I whipped up a pom pom garland using the same pom poms in these adorable bookmarks.
While browsing the yarn section at the craft store I fell in love with this tan/grey/earthy mix. It just screamed ‘use me!’ and I couldn’t resist. This has been the perfect compliment to the other items I’m using to decorate. So, if you have a fireplace (or wish you did!), choose some yarn, get cozy by the fire, and enjoy this simple craft.
Let’s begin.
… DIY: Reusable Advent Calendar
By Amy Christie.
Advent calendars are such excitement builders and I’m a big fan. It’s that little something extra to look forward to on each day of this festive season.
Now that I have little ones, I like seeing the twinkle in their eyes as they open the day’s tiny package, and it’s wonderful to take an advent-time-out together. They enjoy the treats and small gifts while I read from an advent book. I’m planning to add in Christmas verses this year as well.
December doesn’t begin for another two days, so don’t fret. You still have time! And with this very simple no-sew-yet-reuseable advent calendar, you’ll put yours together in a snap.
… Olive Us: Episode 14: Hand Cookies
By Gabrielle.
Come make hand cookies! No cookie cutter required.
I loved working on this episode. Making hand cookies was a family tradition when I grew up and I remember it fondly. I loved the feel of the butter knife moving around my fingers, and I loved seeing my very own cookie — that was just my size (with my initials carved in!) —emerging from the oven. And most of all I loved decorating the hand with rings and bracelets made of sprinkles and candy pearls.
If you have a favorite cut-out cookie recipe, it will probably work just fine for these cookies. Or you can find my mother’s recipe here.
Some fun facts about this episode: The Grandma is my mother, Donna. She no longer owns the home I grew up in, but that recipe box? metal rolling pin? Those are the very same I grew up with. Seeing them makes me so nostalgic! And seeing the actual recipe card we used, in my mother’s fantastic hand-writing, is my favorite part.
Enjoy the video. Three cheers for baking with Grandma!
P.S. — For aprons in a pinch, we grabbed dish towels and tied them on with ribbon and twill tape. Easy (and cute!).
If you have a favorite cut-out cookie recipe, it will probably work just fine for these cookies. Or you can find my mother’s recipe here.
Some fun facts about this episode: The Grandma is my mother, Donna. She no longer owns the home I grew up in, but that recipe box? metal rolling pin? Those are the very same I grew up with. Seeing them makes me so nostalgic! And seeing the actual recipe card we used, in my mother’s fantastic hand-writing, is my favorite part.
Enjoy the video. Three cheers for baking with Grandma!
P.S. — For aprons in a pinch, we grabbed dish towels and tied them on with ribbon and twill tape. Easy (and cute!). Living With Kids: ace&jig
By Gabrielle.
This one’s different. Completely. It’s a little less of what you’ve come to expect from a Living With Kids home tour and a lot more of what you’d expect from a love story about two friends. Because, to me, this is exactly how Cary Vaughan and Jenna Wilson’s life reads. They’re the gorgeous designers behind ace&jig — Cary is the brunette, and Jenna is the blonde — which is a cool enough story on its own. (Have you seen their clothes? I think this skirt should be traipsing through the gardens of La Cressonnière!) But then there’s their personal relationship. They met as interns over ten years ago, became roommates and bridesmaids in each other’s weddings, and now live and work together in the same neighborhood where they’re also raising their babies. See? A television series in the making! Friends, meet Cary and Jenna. This is how they live and work with kids in two separate houses and one studio. Enjoy!
Q: Where do you live?
A: We both are lucky enough to live in a not only picturesque (think Cosby show brownstones!) but very supportive community of Park Slope Brooklyn. We live very close to Prospect Park, which was designed by the same designer as Central Park, and we spend many weekends there. It’s wonderful to have a respite right in the middle of our city. There are a plethora of children that live here, playgrounds to romp around in, and many cool and creative activities abound. Needless to say, our children are never bored. In fact, they’re probably overstimulated!
… French Pharmacy Picks — Part 3
By Gabrielle.
I’ve been working my way through the French Pharmacy list that Gwyneth Paltrow made. You can find report #1 here and report #2 here. I’ve got four more products to tell you about today. Three are from the Goop list, and one is a recommendation from my friend, Caroline (it’s my favorite!).
First up, Caudalie Premières Vendages. Gwyneth describes this as an excellent basic daily moisturizer and I fully agree. Though I actually don’t use it daily, because I like to use a moisturizer with spf. But I’ve found this little tube perfect for travel! It’s just the right size and comes in flexible packaging that won’t shatter. I love applying a layer as a flight lands. It has a fresh, clean scent and leaves my skin with a not-too-shiny glow.
… Living With Kids: Brenda Skeel
By Gabrielle.
When you were growing up — whether in the city or the country, apartment or house — you probably wished for something different someday, didn’t you? Brenda Skeel can relate. After spending her childhood in newer, single-story homes, the style she dreamed of and finally scored as an adult for her own family was the complete opposite: a quirky, sometimes drafty, always happy home built sometime in the early 1900s. Of course, she sometimes still craves modern. But the challenges and resultant gifts from her charming old home are abundant enough to remind her that home is where her heart is. And it lives here. Friends, welcome to Brenda’s home tour. Please enjoy it!
Q: Please tell us all about the family who makes this house a home!
A: Our house is shared by me and my husband Reid, our children Max (age 11) and Madde (nine in 14 days as of this writing — not that we’re counting!), and our two dogs: a St. Bernard named Rocket, and our rescue project/terrier mix Mrs. G. My husband and I met walking our dogs in college, so pets play a big part in our family life and also add to the joy and chaos in the house.
Our lives seem to revolve around play. Max loves sports and will play anything where he can hit something with a stick and watch it fly, and Madde plays the piano and drums. We also keep board games and cards in the dining room for easy access. Needless to say, the house is rarely quiet when we are all home!
Q: Where does your home live, and how did it come to be yours?
A: Our home was built in the 1920s or 30s, and is right in the middle of downtown urban Shepherd, Michigan, population 1500. My husband and I appreciate the character of old houses, and this is the only house we have ever owned. Honestly, growing up my family lived in single-story newer houses and I always wanted a quirky old house with stairs!
The house just feels good; it has big drafty windows and big rooms, but is somehow still cozy. I also think old houses take color well, and I love color! The house is on the same block as all of the public schools so there is a flurry of activity each day, and a small town is a great place to raise a family!
… Olive Us: Episode 13: Pottery Lesson
By Gabrielle.
The latest Olive Us episode features a pottery lesson from Master Potter, Joe Bennion in his studio at Horseshoe Mountain Pottery.
Friends, I have to tell you what a treat it was to make this episode. Joe is simply a delight and we couldn’t believe how lucky we were to get to spend an afternoon with him.
I didn’t have my big camera with me that day, but I took about a million photos with my phone. The pottery is so beautiful! While we were in his shop, we picked out a pie plate to take home as a souvenir. I wish I could get to his shop right now! His pottery would be wonderful as holiday gifts.
If you’d like to see the kids’ finished pottery, Joe posted a photo of the fired pieces on his blog. We can’t wait to visit again next summer to pick up our pottery and spend more time in Joe’s shop.
P.S. — Joe’s wife makes the salve I’m so crazy about. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Olive Us Newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the Olive Us fun!
I didn’t have my big camera with me that day, but I took about a million photos with my phone. The pottery is so beautiful! While we were in his shop, we picked out a pie plate to take home as a souvenir. I wish I could get to his shop right now! His pottery would be wonderful as holiday gifts.
If you’d like to see the kids’ finished pottery, Joe posted a photo of the fired pieces on his blog. We can’t wait to visit again next summer to pick up our pottery and spend more time in Joe’s shop.
P.S. — Joe’s wife makes the salve I’m so crazy about. Also, be sure to subscribe to the Olive Us Newsletter so you don’t miss out on any of the Olive Us fun!
5 Tips For Family Photos!
By Gabrielle. Images by Blue Lily Photography for Design Mom.
In March, I put together a list of 5 tips to help you with Family Photos. Thanksgiving week is the most popular week for family photos, so I thought I’d repost the tips to get you psyched up for your upcoming family gatherings. Happy Snapping!
Tip #1: You don’t HAVE to do an elaborate photo shoot. It definitely takes time and effort. If it’s not your thing, don’t worry about it! (One of my favorite photos in the world is this one, and it was taken with no planning whatsoever.) At our house, a big photo shoot is the sort of event everyone gets into. We work together to figure out wardrobe options, make lists of items we’d like to shop for (like a red bowtie!), and scout out locations.
… Living With Kids: Nadya Sagner
By Gabrielle.
Nadya Sagner has a very cool job. One of those jobs, in fact, that sound fascinating at dinner parties and school events. “Hi, I’m Nadya. I’m an art consultant.” See what I mean? Yet I imagine her career has its share of issues. Like, how does she not buy up every piece of artwork with which she falls in love? And how does she create an inspiring but not overwhelming, peaceful yet invigorating, decorated blank slate in the space where she works and plays with her family? Those of you who work from home understand; in order to work happily, you’ve got to be living happily! Friends, here’s Nadya’s story. Please enjoy it!
Q: Tell us all about the family who lives here!
A: I live with my husband, RP, a lawyer who likes to paint and take photographs in his spare time; our son, Charlie, who’s almost ten; our daughter, Tessa, who just turned six; and our Boston terrier, Flora, who is still fun-loving at 13. Oh, and a blue Beta named Fishy, who’s at least two. We’re not exactly sure.
Q: How did this home become yours?
A: We bought our house from a family who got divorced halfway through adding on and renovating. We hadn’t really been looking for a new house, but I happened to see the listing and went to an open house, since it was right in our neighborhood. We were surprised when they accepted our offer! It was over a New Year’s weekend, and I remember saying to RP, “Uh oh, now we actually have to move!”
The sellers had done the major construction, but left us with a horribly dated kitchen, unappealing wall colors — think drab brown and toothpaste green — and some awful carpet in a few of the bedrooms. We ripped up the carpet on the day we moved in, and we quickly painted most of the walls. The kitchen waited a year for an update. We still haven’t really decorated our bedroom, but it’s spacious and bright and I’m happy to wake up there, so it’s no rush.
… Love the Place You Live: Abbey Restaurant
By Gabrielle.
The Abbey Restaurant (or Bistrot de l’Abbaye) is a place that’s been on our need-to-try-list since we moved here almost 2 years ago. I’m so glad we finally went. And I’m trying not to kick myself for not going sooner. I practically licked my plate clean!
We were told this restaurant was known for its good food and bad service. (There are expats who will say the same thing about the entire country of France. : ) But we found both the service and food to be wonderful.
This was a date, so it was Ben Blair and me sans kids. And we met 4 other friends at the restaurant. One of them, Mark, is the only other American we’ve met in town. He loves learning about the history of the area and told us the restaurant building was indeed a former abbey, and that the building dated to medieval times — approx 1100 a.d. (Wow!). He mentioned you could tell by the particular type of stone faces on the building.
He said that at the time, the little town would have been walled, and that the abbey would have been right outside the walls — with a moat between the two — so that travelers would have a place to eat and sleep if they approached when the wall was closed.
Above the restaurant, you can now find apartments. Can you imagine living in an apartment that’s almost a 1000 years old?
… The Perfect Gift: Gold Leaf Pendants
By Amy Christie.
Sparkly, shiny baubles have a way of brightening my mood. I’ve been known to wear my best items to do housework occasionally, just because it feels good! With the holidays and surrounding festivities coming up quickly, I am eager for new pieces to wear. So I decided to make some!
For these pendants, I shied away from the understated and discreet and decide to make something bold and lustrous. Gold is making a comeback and it is definitely shiny.
Think these look too hard to make? They are totally doable. I mean it.
Polymer clay is a very versatile medium, the possibilities are seriously endless. Add that to how easy it is to manipulate, all the various finishes it can have and how it sticks to itself without glue — and creating things with it is pure fun! I’m really digging the black and gold trend right now and, as I mentioned, the gold is perfect for adding some shine to your holiday party apparel.
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