ENTER OUR GIVEAWAY

Buby & Co. is hosting a giveaway for this ultra chic Nappy Bag and Wipes Case set from Sweet Baby Jane. The lovely handmade fabric clutch is a fantastic gift for yourself or any hip mama-to-be that you know. The clutch holds 4-6 diapers, a matching fabric and ribbon covered wipes case {shown}, and a disposable changing pad. It's everything in one place and even comes filled with wipes. When your little one outgrows diapers, fill it with a bib, fork and spoon set, and placemat for impromptu dinners out. The set sells for $50, but SBJ is generously offering one FREE for Buby's readers.

ENTER NOW: Just leave a comment on this post by midnight EST on Tuesday, August 7. Buby will pick one winner at random and post the results the next day. The winner will choose one of the two designs shown. If you have a blog, please help spread the FUN by linking to this post. Anyone can enter! If you don't have a profile, just leave your email address in a comment so I can reach you if you are the Lucky Dog!

Tackle It Tuesday

This week I tackle the home office. It's where I work. Where I freelance. Where I blog. Where I drink my iced coffee in the afternoon. Where I munch on Nerds and Circus Peanuts in the middle of the night. It's where I pay my bills and where I keep my library of design books, magazine collections, portfolios, Buby's artwork, press kits old and new, catalogs, pretty paper supplies, journals, many years of tax returns, and every bill we've ever paid. Needless to say, this multitasking space needs some lovin'. It is my goal to restore this once refreshing burst of color {it's decorated in orange with yellow and red accents} to it's pre-I'm-juggling-too-much organization. I'm a color coding freak. Eventually it will serve as a nursery for baby #2. So stay tuned for before & after shots.

Buby's Boo Boo

Three months we've been waiting. This morning we go back to the eye surgeon to have the plastic tube in Buby's eye removed. And she'll let us know if the surgery was a success or not. Prayers for Buby!

image: google

Buby's 1st County Fair

Snapshots from Buby's first county fair two days ago. He was in total awe from the moment we strolled through the gates and spotted a bright purple chopper up for raffle. After that it was the glittery lights and kaleidoscope of eye popping colors that captivated him. I have many a fair under my belt, yet this one seemed to come into focus like no other. As an adolescent, I was consumed with the people at the fair... who might see me... who I might see. This time I couldn't stop starring at the concession stands. Seriously marvelous if you really look at them. And the rides. Farris wheels. Carousels. Teacups. Swings. Cool. I was amazed to find they still have "freak shows" at these places. One booth swore they had an Angel-Snake combo lady behind a curtain {only $2 to take a peek}, and another touted the "World's Smallest Woman." See for yourself for only a buck. I admit the illustration of a grown woman sitting in the palm of a hand stopped me in my tracks. I had a buck in my pocket. But in the end, I decided it was so wrong! and couldn't do it. We all loved the animal exhibits. The cows, ponies, sheep, goats, ducks, and camel. There was a lion and a tiger, oh my! A demolition derby and a rockin' band singing some of our favorite covers. Perhaps the best part of this county fair, though, is that we could have been anywhere. They are all the same, yet so different from the everyday. I missed this Cotton Candy ~ Snow Cone ~ Candy Apple stand.


The best ride sign at the whole fair. Reminds me of Dorothy's shoes.


The best vintage tractor we've seen in a while, in all its rusted glory.


The best animal moment of the night. Buby and I fed the giraffe carrots.


The best LIVE donkey! There were many others. We liked this one.


The best grease-sugar combo. From a connoisseur of funnel cakes.

Teacups & Tadpoles

Our featured shop today is Teacups & Tadpoles. Adore all that they offer. The following posts are a few of my favorite things. Starting with... Twin A and Twin B onesies, $40 for the set, AND Twin A and Twin B hats, $20 for the set. As you know, Buby is expecting twin cousins any day now. This twin apparel comes in every combination possible {two boys, two girls, boy a, girl b, girl a, boy b... I'll stop here before I confuse myself any further}. Have fun!

G for Grace

We know a little girl named Grace who is into elephants. So for Grace we highlight this simple hand painted oval sign, $80, which is made from wood and hangs from a lovely little coordinating ribbon. Multiple symbol and color options and every letter of the alphabet available from Teacups & Tadpoles.

Perfectly Girly

IN LOVE with this vintage girl apron, $26, from Teacups & Tadpoles. It's made of 100% cotton and comes in two sizes... small for 2-3 year olds {15 inches long} or large for 4-6 year olds {21 inches long}.

Yummy Lunch Totes

Too-HOT-to-be-true Yummy Lunch Totes, $26. Foam layered and lined with vinyl, each 6x6 inch bag from Teacups & Tadpoles comes with a pocket for stashing an ice pack, napkin, or note from Mom and Dad. How irresistible is their tag line... "Turn a hot lunch into a haute lunch." Matching artfolios and crayons rolls are available in many of these cheery vintage-inspired patterns.

Buby's New Ride

Our new baby. We bring him home Tuesday. If blue skies, Buby & Co. will go topless. As you know Little Dude is obsessed with "JEEPS," and Daddy has been shopping around relentlessly for a dealer with an '07 4-door in this particularly odd hue {which I refer to as Bug Guts Green}. For him, it HAD to be this color. Bien sure, we'll miss the Escape, but oh the weekend adventures that await. We used to throw the fishing poles in the old Jeep, canoe on top, and head to the mountains on a moments notice. BONUS: Chrysler just announced that unbelievable Lifetime Warranty on all Jeeps purchased after 6.26.07. Talk about delicious timing!

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday to Shawn. Yes you are old.

image: google

Baker's Man

Buby's daddy in 1980... baking an apple pie. Though he's more chef than baker these days--if anyone bakes in Buby Land it's moi, and that requires a generous definition of what is homemade. Still, this shot is sooo my BFF. He loves the kitchen and creating things from scratch. And that smirk!

on deadline today...

I have two book reviews, a SWEET giveaway from Sweet Baby Jane and a new shop for you when I have a moment. Check back on Monday and Tuesday!

Gazing Out

I think of these moments as magical--when light and dark meet to make a shadowy scene. Oh how I do love to shoot Buby from behind. From his point of view. Whether he's walking away from me, strolling down the driveway in his tricycle or simply gazing out the window {as he did yesterday while he was on the phone}, these are the sort of shots I like.

Playdate Friday

This was Buby's entire morning. Playing peek-a-boo and scary "ROAR" noises with Lillian, Gillian, Shaelin and Travis. {Grace is still away--we missed you, Grace!} Thank you to awesome mama Alana for hosting another winning playdate. The kids were very well fed and very well entertained today. Gillian has an abundance of hardcore boy toys and John Deere tractors to share, in addition to a cute pooch named Flaps, so Buby has lots to tinker with while he's there. Outside he and the girls splashed in the baby pool, fiddled with the sandbox, and dug up some dirt {but of course!}. Buby steered Gillian's four-wheeler around the yard like a pro. He was proud of himself. Inside the girls engaged in a bit of a brawl over the baby dolls {who holds them, who rocks the cradle, who puts them down to sleep}, but the two boys would have no part of it. Toward the end of our playdate, the kids chased each other so fast--around and around in circles--half-clothed, and giggling incessantly. When they were younger, they all played so nicely next to each other. How much fun it is to finally watch them engage and amuse each other like this.

Buby Land in Bloom

Lovely shades of purple and yellow in Buby's garden today. Can hardly wait for those generous hydrangeas to really come into their own next month.

Dancing Buby

I wish you could see Buby dance. It's really something. Lately our dance-a-thons have bordered on the hilarious. Almost acrobatic. Buby's energy, rhythm and coordination are enviable qualities. Yesterday we rocked out to Doodlebops in the car, Philadelphia Chickens in the playroom, and then Little People in the kitchen. Music is all around us during the day, and Buby has different dances for different tunes. He runs up to the CD player, which he can't reach yet, and begs for "MUZIK." Instant happy face appears. He busts a few moves and then makes me stop whatever I'm doing to take his hand. Yes, I've mastered the fine art of wacky dance with a 35-lb weight on my left hip. And sometimes he likes to be dipped and swung from side to side. Oh boy!

30 Years Ago

Photo taken July 1977 by Buby's Grandpa on the farm

Awesome old photo I found recently. Buby's Daddy {as a dashing little blond boy} and Granny DJ lounging on the farm just about 30 years ago today. The farm hasn't changed at all. It's the one and only proper place to spend a lazy summer day. Love the small-scale woven lounger shown. Very retro chic. And the towel in the hair perfectly represents Granny DJ's low-maintenance mantra. On any day, she would rather be outside running around after the babes than fussing with anything inside. Exploring old albums is something I love to do every once in a while very late at night while the world sleeps.

Greens

I may not know the names of all the plants in our garden, but I sure love to study them. Smell them. Appreciate them, as their very existence is so brief. I like to explore the gardens with Buby. Yesterday afternoon the Little Dude and I were out in the yard and he was following me around as I photographed these gorgeous greens and explained what I like about each one. He started to yank on stems--like they were weeds-- so I told him to please take a step back and admire for a moment all the shades of green and how they change in sun and shadow. Buby felt the exaggerated texture of each leaf. Green has always been my favorite color. And is it any wonder why?

all photos taken by moi, 7.24.07

Color Me Happy

I love color and texture in design, and today I feel especially inspired by artist Elena Agostinis. My mom and I stopped by her art gallery exhibit a few weeks back, and Elena just emailed me these images. A native of South Africa who emigrated to the US in the 70s, this is an interesting lady to say the least. She has been an artist all her life, bringing glamour and vibrancy to everyday, un-precious objects. Most of her large-scale sculptures are made from paper mache and painted with plain old house paint. On her canvases, she prefers to use fingers and hands only, no brushes. Elena started a movement to revitalize rundown houses in her hometown by painting them bright colors and bringing a sense of beauty to simple things like trash receptacles. Gotta love it. I'd link to her, but no site yet. It's under construction.

Prim & Proper Signs

Congrats to my sis-in-law Jen for launching her Prim & Proper Sign Shop. Check out her new retail site and order 'til your heart's content. Jen is an uber creative mom of 3 with an impeccable eye for design. She handcrafts the adorable vintage signs we all love in 8 primitive colors and your choice of 200+ lovely sayings. When I saw "I Hope You Dance" on the list, I got all misty. That's my song for Buby, so I'll be ordering one in navy blue for his toddler room. I'd also like to get a custom "Buby & Co." sign for my office. Oh, and a custom "Buby's Bike" sign to hang in the garage next to Daddy's motorcyle. Oh, and.... I'll stop here. I don't even know if she does custom. I better ask. Anyway, GOOD LUCK JEN!

Well-Travelled Monkey

Ceru at the Berlin Wall

Buby has a sweet little sock monkey of his own, handmade by Granny DJ and personalized with a felt jacket stitched with Buby's name and birth year. We call him Sock Monkey. Simple. And not to be confused with the many other tiny stuffed things with whom Buby now shares his sleeping quarters, including LuLu, Elmo, Pooh, Donkey, Doggy, Turtle, Bunny, Puppy, and Ducky. During our goodnight routine, I take attendance and call out each of these furry friends by name. I think Buby finds comfort in knowing they are there, which is so funny only because he would have nothing to do with plush stuff until he was well over 1 1/2 years old. He did not want anything in his crib. Would throw it out. Only lately has he developed this attachment to all things cuddly. Buby's new outlook: The more the merrier.

I was curious of the origin of the sock monkey one day, and in my research came across Ceru, a fun-loving monkey who likes to travel. Meet Ceru. I loved these pictures of him so much I could not NOT share. Can't wait to see where he goes next. I'll be checking back at Flickr.

Ceru in Reichstag

Ceru in Norway