butterflies

Last week Molly was sick – well sort of, she was definitely sick on day 1, but by day 2 I thought she may still be contagious so I kept her home from school. Well, home with my mom at her house because I had a lot to catch up on.  But my mom just sent me the pictures of how they spent their day and I must say – I wish I had a sick day at her house!  Here they are

Picnic

noticed butterflies everywhere

they then found this (on the tree house at my parents house)

 

and witnessed this:

 

I’m so happy my only nature loving child was the one to witness it.  I did hear all about it that day but it’s nice to have pictures to go along with the story.

have a beautiful day!

Being Followed By...

Lindsay!

Welcome (back!) to what is sure to become an actual series this time around! 


I think I met Lindsay in college (true or false, Lindsay?!) ... regardless, I remember these three first impressions (can you make three 'first' impressions? i'm going to go with yes - actually, these three elements made up a singular first impression. how about that?) about her:

• Before I met Lindsay, it had never before occurred to me that Lindsey could be spelled with an 'a'  - how clever!
• She likened her last name to Fritos (I still can't get over that - even though it's not been her last name for years!
• Her fun-loving personality and big smile were infectious - and I'm sure they still are - I just don't ever see her in the real world anymore :(

Lindsay is a mother and an artist and her blog, Paint Me a Picture, not only showcases her crafty nature and adorable artwork but also gives readers a peek at her charmed life accented by two darling boys! And she has a little series of her own going on right now - be sure to check out ♥ I heart art ♥ on her site.


And here she is:

Found!
I joined Etsy back in May of 2009. I was searching around for handmade goods and found S&J's Etsy shop which led me to their blog only to discover I knew Arre in person I just didn't know she was part of S&J. 

It's a small world after all.

Favorite s&j Reads:

I think my favorite things would be Kristen's posts on what I like to call mama-drama. She never gives the impression life is all unicorns and rainbows, though I am sure there are lots of the two around her house with three girls. My other favorite would have to be their travel posts filled with site seeing shots and food pictures.

Give Me More:
I just love the "how cute is" posts. It's fun to see where S&J products end up so keep those coming!

Daily Blog Lovin':
Plum Tree Studio, From the Natos, and Eclectic Whatnot, oh and Life Made Lovely (each are linked)

why {do you read} blog{s}? 

To keep up with friends lives (IRL friends and real life ones), for inspiration, for encouragement, for amazing finds, for creative ideas. 

***

what is your blog about? Paint Me a Picture is about tales of my own mama-drama, inspiration, art I adore, art I create, handmade goodness I come across, and the occasional DIY project complete with horrible directions and too many pictures.

where is your blog?  

http://paint-me-a-picture.blogspot.com/

how old is your blog? 

I think I started blogging back in 2005 and had a person blog that maybe one other person read. In 2009 I started Paint Me a Picture to help share the art I created online, kind of like using my blog as a free website. I started connecting with other bloggers and my blog evolved into what it is today.

why {do you} blog? 

I blog to share inspiration and funny stories, to give a glimpse inside my life and my "studio". I grew up keeping a journal and did so until a few years ago. Now having a blog allows me to journal and share it with others.

Thanks for following Lindsay! We not only appreciate your interest in s t e w a r t  &  j a m e s  but also your dedication to communities like etsy and the blogosphere. Keep it up! 

***


(I meant to start this last week but the whole week-starting-with-a-holiday-thing really threw me for a loop! It will be a Monday feature, so if you don't already frequent stewart & james, be sure to check back weekly to meet new peeps)

xx

this post was written by arre. i don't know how i logged on as stewart & james...

Jenna Lyons :: Can't Get Enough

The latest installment of Jenna Lyons love can be found in Vogue UK. Or all over the blogosphere (thank goodness - I'm not exactly sure how to get my hands on a current issue of Vogue UK around these parts).

Even though this article doesn't appear to really offer up anything new in the way of what is shown, Jenna's home is one that is endlessly inspirational ... in a real way.

Though the particulars are out of my world for sure, the look is attainable: Moroccan rugs and mid-centruy furnishings, a very edited (read: black and white only) palette with very strong - and fairly singular - accent colors (hot pink! electric yellow!). And I think that's the draw.

Sort of like the the doll at the helm of J.Crew herself.

image source

Bellum Designs :: A little more alive now

Remember this?

Well, she still doesn't have a website... or an etsy store... or a blog but she does have a Facebook page for her Bellum Designs wares!

Find her here and check back for updated inventory as well as any news on shows, retailers and maybe even a website... or an etsty store ... or a blog ... one day.

For more information email bellumdesigns {at} gmail {dot} com

and if you're interested in the earrings featured in this post, let me know because she left a few pairs in Albany for me to sell.

cuteness

in case {Oh}Joy{!} is not cute enough, are you going to be able to stand the mini her that's on the way?! check out the doll's already growing shoe collection for a teaser.

ohhh joy!!!

image source

fish tacos

With less than a month left until fall I have been embracing some summer favorites.  One staple around here all summer were avocados.  And the first dinner that comes to mind when wanting to incorporate avocados are fish tacos.   The kids love them and so do we so we had Matt & Arre over for some fish tacos last week and thought I would share some pics with you!

ingredients:

this fed 4 adults and 3 children

• extra virgin olive oil
• 1 can of black beans
• sour cream
• 1 jalapeno chopped
• lime juice
• lemon juice
• salt & pepper
• 2 avocados
• chopped cilantro to taste
• 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes
• lemon pepper (optional)
• 5-7 white fish fillets(i used tilapia)
• 10 flour tortillas
• 1/8 – 1/4 cup red onion chopped (use more or less depending on your taste)
• tortilla chips

Season your fish!  We grilled ours but first seasoned with lemon pepper, olive oil, & lemon juice.  I split the 7 (small) filets into 3 tinfoil “boats” for grilling.

 

and wrapped them up, put in fridge until time to grill

 

next on to the chopping!

  

and rinsing

 

Combine the following for your taco “salsa”

 

• 1 cubed avocado
• 1 pint of grape tomatoes halved or quartered
• 1/2-3/4 can black beans rinsed/drained
• 1/8 cup diced red onion
• splash extra virgin olive oil
• salt & pepper to taste
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• chopped cilantro to taste

I like to add a little heat – so I chopped up a jalapeno (seeds and all) and mixed with a cup of sour cream as another topping

 

surprisingly I had not eaten all the avocados in the process of chopping and mixing so i was able to make some guacamole with the what was left:

• 1 cubed avocado (or whatever you have left)
• sprinkle of red onions, chopped
• salt & pepper to taste
• juice of 1/2 a lime

mash with a fork until it’s the consistency you like

 

Grill your fish (5-10 minutes depending on size).  Roughly chop up fish for ease of adding to a taco.

and very important: throw your flour tortillas on the grill at the last minute just to crisp them a bit.

add toppings and enjoy!

how cute is ...

Bates?!

Our dear friend, Karyn, recently had a darling baby girl: Bates. And lucky little girl that this child is gets to live in a nursery that is just precious enough for her new born status - the design elements will take her years beyond the crib - thanks to her interior designing mama.

stewart & james has a place on the wall and we're thrilled to be there. (we love framing vintage alphabets - have we mentioned that?!). We even heard there may be a need for a few more of our piece - hope so ;)

This pink wood has just the right patina to keep from being saccharine, making it suitable for Karyn and Bates!

Thanks for sharing the beautiful photos, Karyn and welcome to the world, Bates!

xx

photography by S.Scott