To Keep, Or Not To Keep

My husband made a rather savvy move over the holidays. . . he bought me a sweet bag.  Seriously, nice move.  A total surprise and one he picked out all by himself.  And he did GOOD!  I really love the style of the bag. . . and I have not had a Kate Spade bag in over 5 years.  Oh how I wish I still had my very first one - her original 1997 black canvas box bag.  What a dream that one was!  Anyway, this one, with it's luscious, buttery leather with a slightly curved fold-over flap (one of my very favorite features) that lightly snaps with a magnet is beautiful.  The only tiny little thing. . . is the color.  What do you think?  I mean, I love color.  I'm covered in colors and pattern almost everyday. . . but in a purse, I really love an orangey, saddle brown or a metallic, or something. . .and though orangey, this one is a bit more pinky, salmony (wow, do I need help with my colorful adjectives).  I'm just not sure it's right.  Hubs has been so sweet to say please exchange it and get what I want, to which I have to respond, "I DO love it! I'm just not sure about the color."  Problem is if I get another color, I have to give up the style, as the only other option (at Nordstrom) in this style is black.  Black is just not an option for me, or is it? Perhaps I should consider a black bag...???  But, I just don't carry black bags (since, ironically, that first Kate Spade)  I always think they look lovely on other people, but I just can't commit to a black bag these days.  It just won't do for me.  If you have thoughts on this color and other possibilities, please let me know.  I can't wait to bust it out, so the decision must be made this weekend.  Either way, I'll keep you posted.  And wish me luck. . . such a big decision!   

Spotted [v]

Hello!! Happy post-Christmas/pre-New Year's Eve to you!  Hope you all are surviving the season. . . how sad that I have to say it like that but wow, it's a marathon of travel, family, stress, excitement, sugar highs, cocktails, and little sleep that often (and currently) leaves me run-down.  But even so, I'm ever hopeful for a wonderful new year with many new and exciting changes for us. One thing that keeps me inspired is taking a look at what's up with the many super cats on this here interweb - so many folks with many totally terrif thoughts, ideas and unique approaches that keep me happy, inspired and excited to share my own.  Here are the just a few of my faves from a recent web tour.  Enjoy!

Image via Hillary Inspired Blog

I adore the local blog Hillary Inspired where I recently spotted this amazing chair within a post covering the Dallas Vintage-ista herself, Leslie Pritchard.  Super fab stuff can always be found in Hillary's blog and in her collaborations with Hello Splendor (another fave).

image via Late Afternoon

Love love love this print on print look I spotted on the Late Afternoon blog, a go-to source for fashion inspiration. 

image via One Sidney Road

So into this "Local" bag I spotted on One Sidney Road.  Piper curates the most lovely array of home decor and accessories.  A staple-site for amazing finds.   

via Misadventures in Shopping

This is from a hilarious post on Misadventures in Shopping about Warby Parker frames and how on earth to choose them (being that all are fabulous).  MiS is the blog of one of my kindred spirits and a former co-worker gal, Rosa, who is a superb writer with an eye for fabulous stuff, cool ideas, food and takes on life. . .  

Merry Christmas!

Instagam-able

We have had a whirlwind few weeks - you have too, I know. It's a busy busy time for all but wonderful just the same. I do love the hustle and bustle of the season - but whew! I'm tired already! Here are some of my favorite instagram moments from the holiday swirl including Bugger's birthday, pancakes, music, smmidge studio blankets (yay!), the amazing Gaultier exhibit at the DMA (if you have not been GO! Its superb and Dallas is one of only 2 stops in the US...neither of which is New York City... Hey hey big D!) giftwrapping galore, an unexpected dinner with Hubs, and striped tights (of course!). I hope you are having a lovely holiday season making memorable moments of life with family and friends. -m.m.

Pre New Year's Resolution: Storage & Organization

I don't know about you all, but I'm already dreaming of 2012. I love the feeling of anticipation for a new year and what may lie ahead as we shed the old and embrace the new. One activity that embodies this idea is a full on organization extravaganza. My friends may laugh and scoff at this notion as I am not known for uh, tidiness.  But it's on, my friends, it's on.  We are whipping casa de Magill into shape, along with many other aspects of our lives and moving onward and upward to new and different things (more on that to come!) in the new year.  First off- organizing - as I wipe my tears of joy that my baby boy is off to pre-school in January.  Wish me luck!  For you, some of my favorite storage containers and ideas below.  xoxo - mm

image & source

image & source

image from make it and love it

image & source

image & source

image & source

image & source

smmidge Style: Errand Running Duds

 Casual duds for a crazy Saturday spent shopping.  I'm loving this mustard yellow crocheted cardigan which I've since used with so many different colors and textures.  Here's to Saturdays spent doing all sorts of fun activities, and a few sans shopping.  I already have a holiday hangover - whew! 

Scents of the Season, the Perfect DIY Gift

I had a wonderful Holiday dinner with some of my closest girlfriends last week. .. the one where I was scrambling to buy gifts at the uber last minute, spending money on stuff that was ok but (bc of the tardiness) not that well though-out.  Well, one of my sweet friends, Kara, brought one of the best gifts. . . an true expression of giving, really. . . of the evening.  This adorable little paper bag with what I call "scents of the season" inside.  She and her little girls  assembled the bags (with love) together that morning and with the ribbon and hand-written note, I just absolutely loved it.  I followed the directions over the weekend and lemmetellya - it made my house smell delicious!  And even better that it came directly from a special friend.  I couldn't pass up the opportunity to share the love, so with the help of Hubs and Bugs, we put together my version of this gift for my co-workers - super easy and perfect gift for work friends, I think.  I hope they enjoy as much as I did! Happy Holiday week!!

Yummy and pretty in the boiling pot!

My fixin's all out and ready to be assembled.

My version of the instruction card, with personalized cut-outs and felt accoutrements (of course!).

Yay!

Adorn your Packages - Knot & Bow

Came across Knot & Bow  on Etsy recently, and I love the adorable papers, stickers, tags and string they have to your your packages pretty.  Simple and classic.  Happy wrapping!

 

The Making of a Holiday Card

 In the past, we have been lucky enough to squeeze in a photo shoot with the amazing Jenny Watts (my, ehem, friend from college) who would then take the pretty pics and design a card for us. . . SO FUN.  And how on top of it I must have been these past couple of years!  Who knew?  These days with Jenny's fame as the go-to girl for family photos, and my uh. . . craziness. . . we didn't get on the books in time for a full on professional photo shoot.   This is our lame attempt at a photo for a holiday card. . . I struggled for a reason, a concept, and something to say something about our family in our holiday card.  Here is the message within the message:  We don't have enough time!  We are loony tunes.  This a crazy time of being glued to a digital device while hand making signs and felt Christmas decor and running out in the dark for a picture!  CRAZINESS.  Notice the sign - I spray painted that ____ (after getting home from work) 15 minutes before we begged our backdoor neighbor to come take a photo of us by which time it was clearly too dark to see any of us.  At this point I think it's fair to say I should have been feeding my child a well balanced meal and, like, singing Christmas carols or something.  But NO.  I was getting a picture for what is sure to be a belated holiday card. . . with a crumpled sign.  Yay!  Did I mention I have to hand cut some paper for this?  Oy. 

The loony tunes. 

Smmidge Style - Little Bits of Life

 I'm in NYC for a quick over-nighter.  It has been an intense but good trip, loved checking out the dream hotel for the first time ( more on that soon) and I'm so looking forward to returning home to hang with the boys and try to get some Christmas shopping done.  Yikes!  I'm so behind I can't even tell you.  We have the big 3 for little Bugs coming up and dare I say, we are NOT ready. . . Oy.  The joys of being a working Mother.  But oh that's another post!  How do yall do it?  Any advice is welcome, but if you are going to tell me anything graceful, keep it to yourself!  I am really enjoying the holiday season just the same.  It's been a busy few weeks of work, brainstorms, projects, family and friends, and little outings here and there, and though we never seem to have enough time, it all works out.  Here are some tiny bits for you of it all from pattern mixing to felt table cloths. . .  starting with purple pants and polka dots - a favorite pairing!  Have a great weekend and hope you are enjoying this holiday season as much as I am!  

 Colors and patterns make me so happy.  This yellow and black checked shirt is an oldie but a goodie. 

Can't believe my baby is almost 3.  What a rad little dude he is.  His own little man, this one.  Can't believe it.  

 I had some shoes repaired (yay!) and when I got them back I couldn't resist how cute they looked tucked into my trusty striped satchel. 

 My Mom and I took Buggers to the Children's Museum over Thanksgiving.  He had a ball playing in the ambulance, and my Mom (always fashionable) looked so cute that day.  Love this glimpse of her style. 

 On the way home from Hubs' family Thanksgiving in Oklahoma, we stopped at this amazing diner in Chickasha.  This is for real, yall.  

 We had a few vintage scavenger hunts on the move trying to finish a friend's nursery. Hubs and Buggers were troopers. . . and lookin' cute too.  

 Christmas tree shopping!

 A fun mix of finds for the little baby boy's nursery.  More to come on that soon!

 I made this felt table cloth last year and I just love the graphic trees on all four corners. 

 Loving this yellow cardigan.  So boho.  And warm too. 

 Chevron cape.  A.Dore.

The tree is up and dressed in tinsel and felt (of course!).  Now she just needs some pretty presents.  Oh! so much to do.  Have a great weekend guys!