Book Bin Christmas

This morning I went out to try to wrap up Christmas shopping - and I think I got a book for everyone on my list. There are just so many great ones - I want to keep them for myself but since it is the season of giving, I'm going to hurry and wrap them up and tuck them under the tree before they accidentally find their way to my bookshelves!

All the books got me thinking... for anyone on your Christmas list, a stewart & james book bin is the way to go. Fill it with books to suit the recipient and you're set!

For nieces of all ages:

Book Bin for Nieces by aflow on polyvore.com

For sisters who way out-do you in the kitchen:

cookbooks for sister by aflow on polyvore.com

For me ;) :

bookshelf wish list by aflow on polyvore.com

We've still got a few in stock, so email us at hello@stewartandjames.com to order in time for Christmas!

the classics

I will turn 30 at the end of this year and among the many things I hope to do between now and then is read quite a few classic novels. Some I've read before, many I've not.

My book club is afraid I am trying to hijack the group and convert us to an exclusively classics-reading ensmble (they're right, I totally am).
With the cold, cold weather that just won't stop comes my aching desire to just stay in...

curl up with a book (or two)...

and waste the weekend away...

Classic by aflow featuring a gothic clothing

oh and book clubbers - if any of you are reading - you can expect the announcement of my next selection to come in the form of one of these killer sweatshirts. you just think i'm kidding.

cookbook suggestion

Hi!  We are still here..just back in the routine of things (dragging listless kids out of bed, making lunches (endless lunches), living in the car (poor whining teething screaming almost 18 month old)).  But one thing that has made our routine so much easier is this cookbook…

Created by former Cookie editor and writer of this amazing blog: Dinner: A Love Story, this book feels like it was written FOR ME.  A section on what to do with your toddler that has a separate meal from the rest of the family (it keeps us from throwing scraps on the floor for mills to pick up), to throwing together whatever you have in your pantry, to making things “look” better for kids.  Because as we all know, it’s not what is served on the plate necessarily, it’s HOW it is served and presented and oh so carefully approached with a beg of “please take one bite”.  

It’s not just for people with kids, it’s for those of us with not much time on our hands (doesn’t that include all of us?), but who want to make a yummy, wholesome dinner.  It keeps my panic of “what the f are we going to have for dinner tonight” to more of a calming “let me open my new dinner time bible to see what we will have for dinner tonight”.  the children are appreciating the latter phrase :)

I LOVE it..buy it!  You won’t be sorry!

happy eating

reading rainbow

Did you like to read as a child? I did. Even before I could actually read I loved the idea of books and reading. I still do. I even liked assigned reading in school (for the most part). (Do you remember this show?!)

I can't wait for Mary James to learn to read. I wonder if she'll love it? I'm so curious about what sort of books she'll like. We'll see soon enough ;)




Thinking of her starting school and learning to read has me thinking of how much more reading of classics I would like to do...


How much more fun would that be if I had a few of these and a couple more of these?


that should get me off to a good start, no?




thanks to Joslyn and Rachel for the introduction and reminder. xx


Ooooh! and the new house has so many lovely bits that I can't wait to live among. One in particular I am looking especially forward to is a wall of bookcases! Can't wait to fill 'em up!

images via here and here

the grocery store & a book suggestion

I never minded the grocery store until I had 3 kids. My first trip with all 3 (Mills was a newborn) I was such a nervous wreck (hoping & praying no meltdowns) that we grabbed maybe 3 items and i high tailed it out of there with the huge car driving green buggy only to take out (like take off the hinges) the sliding doors.  I should’ve known then.  I normally try to go when I have only 2 (or the rare times – 1!) with me.
But Mary James convinced me that we NEEDED to go (with all 3) and I agreed (because we were out of eggs and it was really hampering our breakfasts).  So we went..and it went like all trips to the grocery store go and as I left I swore I would NEVER do this again..we’ll just all starve…and this was our conversation as soon as the car door closed (and don’t get me wrong..this didn’t START in the car, i just wasn’t listening while we were in the grocery store out of serious concentration to just get us the h*ll out of there)
picture this:  MJ’s fist are balled up face is beat red and here she goes….
MJ: you’re the meanest MOM EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRR. I wanted chips because i was STARVING and YOU ARE SO MEAN and you did take us to TCBY and that was nice and all but then we got HERE and YOU GOT THE WRONG SPRITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i NEVER should’ve been your first baby! I’M GOING TO THE FARTHEST AWAY COLLEGE I CAN GO BECAUSE YOU’RE MEAN AND NEVER GIVE ME ANYTHING AND ALL I LIKE IS DADDY AND YOU CAN’T COME IN MY ROOM AND ONLY DADDY AND MOLLY AND MILLS BECAUSE YOU’RE THE MEANEST EVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR
(takes a breath)
But i love you mama and i just wish you wouldn’t be mean and I’m not going to go far away because I want to live with you forever.  
Me:  see..couldn’t we have just skipped all that in between?
So this couldn’t have come at a better time:  My sister told me about this book that makes your life easier

I read it and knew it was for me when the example on page 1 has a little girl screaming that she’s going to kill herself and run away because her mom didn’t give her a Twinkie.  I started it the day after our shopping trip and so far…it has been magic!  It’s really simple and basic, but seems to work!  If any of you (that live nearby) want to borrow it, email me.
Have a wonderful weekend!

"So please, oh PLEASE, we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall."

I was recently talking to a friend about the sad truth that is the ever-fading real bookstore. Well, over the weekend I was in one. While I was there I spent what would otherwise be considered entirely too much time and money. I literally couldn't help myself. But I didn't care, it was a real bookstore.

quote by roald dahl
shoddy photos by my phone :(

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!

Theodor Geisel would have turned 106 years old today. Celebrate this wonderfully imaginative, creative, brilliant man by reading to a child (or yourself!). If you (are like me and) can't decide on a favorite, this might be a good resource. My mom gave it to me for Christmas... like two years ago. She also sent the image above to my brother, sister and me this morning. She wanted to wear this (because yes, it's a costume) to read to kids today - but she's too short. So, she styled, photographed and texted him to us at 7:30 this morning instead. Isn't she a hoot?!

Happy Birthday Dr. Suess!
I love you so!

post by arre

sofa :: so fine

I have been thinking (in.cess.antly) about the sofa on the cover of Michael S. Smith Houses for months now



Now Jamie posts this and I am about to die.

and did YOU have a similar something in your old bungalow, Court?

An all out obsession is welling up here.

(it reminds me of Jenna's too - great.)





images found on amazon, i suwannee and habitually chic
post by arre

book love: the Sart!

Is it too early to start my Christmas list (I am a serious Christmas list maker - my husband, siblings and parents joke about it year-round)? I just saw this and am reminded - now more than ever - that i have. to. have it!

post by arre