Monthly Archives: October 2013

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we were together

fall-2013-we-were-together

We were together.

I forget the rest.

—Walt Whitman

 

I feel like I’ve been trying to catch my breath for the past couple weeks. And this weekend, I think I finally did. We slipped away from the city for a day. Just a day. And it was great. Sometimes you don’t have to go far. Just far enough from all those things that stir up anxiety, from all of those things that have been piling up. It’s just too insufferable to always feel like you’re trying to catch up. I can’t. I give up. I’m here. At whatever pace, I’m moving forward. I’m not behind, just here.

There is a lot of good around me right now, just not enough TIME (or energy). I have to let go of the way I want to organize my life and just accept the constraints that I’m working with. Who knew that being a (disorganized) mother of a toddler was so exhausting?! huh. It’s not really Mateo, it’s the desire to execute the thousand creative ideas I have spinning in my head that makes me feel so inept.

What else? You wouldn’t know it from the blog, but if you follow me on facebook, you know that my friend Angela and I launched a vintage baby shop, Ingrid & Oliver. It’s even cuter than it sounds. That definitely deserves its due share. But in the meantime, for those who are curious, click over to our Ingrid & Oliver facebook hangout to see what we’re all about.

I know it’s been quiet around here. Sorry mom! :) If you miss me when it’s quiet on the blog, you can bet I’m on Instagram every day. My handle is:hennablossom. I don’t know about you, but I neeeed some type of creative outlet. Daily. I don’t know why it took me so long to get into Instagram. I wish I’d started a long time ago. Even on those days when I just can’t get a photo shoot together, or any time at a computer to write, edit, or learn…I can take a photo with my iphone. It’s fun to pay attention to the little details, save a memory, or just play around in a tiny visual medium. I’ve also discovered some incredibly creative people. There are so many photographers, stylist, and artists that blow my mind. Sometimes they make me feel boring, untalented, and messy, but usually they give me an extra boost of inspiration. And then there’s my wanderlust. I wish I was out there traveling, but because I’m not, I love seeing the world secondhand. I’m glad someone is out there exploring! And I’ll be exploring my own waters over here.

Oh we DID get out there in “the world” this weekend. Ha, yes we made it all the way to Indiana to visit my parents. And I did manage to take out my camera. I love that capture up there ^^ of Mateo & Aki. :) Teo is so big now, but really, still so tiny. We had so much Fall fun this weekend. And we were together. Not tag teaming, together.

I just love everything about this season. Everything and everyone looks better with an Autumn backdrop. I have a TON of photos for the blog. I’ll probably split them up into a few posts. So watch out for that.

For a bit there, I actually wondered whether I was ever going to blog again. Oh Henna, it really doesn’t have to be ALL or NOTHING. Truly.

I’m back. I missed this. And missed you too.

you are cordially invited to live long and PRSPR

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I’ve got something a little different for you on the blog today! An introduction and  an invitation. Meet PRSPR! PRSPR (pronounced “Prosper”) is a sweet kid’s e-shop I was introduced to recently. If you follow my board “Teo’s Closet” on Pinterest, you know that this is pretty much right up my alley! I love that their clothes are quirky, stylin’, and well…comfy. For, ya know, real kids and PLAYING. These are some of my favorite picks of the current collection^^. ‘Nuff said. I mean seriously, how adorable!

SO, this is where internet meets real life! A little while back, the lovely Victoria over at PRSPR invited me to come to their first ever Pop-Up Shop in Chicago. Needless to say, I RSVPd before they’d even locked down a date, time or location, ha.

I’m happy to announce that the date is this Saturday in Chicago at Heritage Littles (2868 N. Lincoln Ave.). And you’re all invited, of course! Check out the invite below for all the info. And Kiiiinda fun, “HENNA BLOSSOM” is legit on the official invite. “Chicago Mommy Blogger,” nice to meetcha. ;) I like it. Official is fun, doncha think?PRSPR-pop-up-shopReally, if you’re local…drop in! Shop, snap some pics at the Photobooth, munch on snacks, hang out! And of course bring along the kiddos in your life. Mateo and I will be stopping by and hanging out!

One of the most common questions I get is re: “where to buy cute kid’s clothes?” You know I love putting Mateo in fun, unique outfits. It’s just fun. Well here ya go, friends. I have definitely added one more shop to my  list. PRSPR! And I have to say, it’s pretty sweet to be included in this group. I was just saying to a friend recently that I really wish I knew more mom/lifestyle bloggers in Chicago. BOOM. Can’t wait to meet Kate of Diapers + Skinny Jeans, Gia of Dress Up Files, and Pop Street Kidz! Mateo can’t wait to snack and climb under clothing racks. ;)

See you Saturday?

life lately (according to my phone & instagram)

my-life-according-to-instagram

Been taking care of myself.  Thinking good thoughts, eating good food.

Taking advantage of this great walking weather. Every. chance. we. get.

Fun at a “weswan wif warns” (restaurant with Lawrence). Mateo missed his buddy. When we arrived, he ran up to Lawrence and said “Happy see you Warns!” I’m definitely coming back to this spot: Grandma J’s Local Kitchen in Humboldt Park. Great food, and stocked with games and toys!

Little thrifting, Little Fall shopping.

“Nature Class” for the city kids. They literally learned to hug trees last week ^^ :)

Sunday Brunch (just the three of us) @Prasino in Wicker Park. Mateo remembered the French Toast he ate with Lawrence (@Grandma J’s Local Kitchen) earlier in the week. He knew exactly what he wanted when our server came by. Before we got a chance to give our orders, this little one belts out, “FRENCH TOAST! Tank youuuuuu.” :)

My crazy-pants self is digging some crazy pants. I think I figured out how to fashionably wear PJs in public. Pretty sure I’m pulling it off…

OH, that’s why people take selfies. Oh hi, I didn’t see you there. ;)


I’m loving Instagram lately. (That and Pinterest). I loooove visual inspiration. It’s my jam. There are so many interesting/inspiring people to follow and it’s just a fun way to document daily LIFE. I don’t know why I took so long to get into it. Oh yeah, I was really private. Yeah, really. I’ve actually had an account for over two years, I just hated that it was public. Ha, and now I have a blog. Go figure. I don’t get it either. I’m a woman of extremes, what else can I say? In any case, I’m IN. I’m posting.

Follow me! (here). My feed is @hennablossom. Get ready, I’m super original, man. I post my food, my kid, and throw in a selfie here and there. Who doesn’t want in on THAT?? Ground-breaking stuff. ;)

Let me know if you have a favorite person/photographer/designer to follow! Life is messy, tiring, and complicated (I know). But it’s also beautiful, sweet, charming and delicious. I like building reasons to see the latter.

another year, another october

october-1-hennaIt’s October already. September was a bit of a reflective month for me. It was busy and it was emotional. Through all the activity, I found myself stepping back a lot. Pausing. I almost felt like an observer in my own life. I’ve been thinking more about planning and being more “intentional” with my time. I’d like to set a few goals. There’s only so much time and OHhhh, there are just so many things I’d like to do and try. I feel like I’m running around in five different directions half the time. I need some focus and direction. This month I’d like to share more of that with you. I hear it helps to share. ;)

I’ve been slooowly going through my backlog of photos. Deleting, organizing, filing. Want to know how behind I am?? These are from LAST October. :) And really, I am going in no particular order. I still have photos to sort from pregnancy, and of course there are still the Croatia files to open! :)

HAPPY OCTOBER. I really love fall. I love boots, I love the coziness, I love the colors, I love “walking weather.” Speaking of! It was actually in the 80s today in Chicago. That’s nice and all, but I’m ready to dust off those boots already!

autumn toddler photooctober-1-3toddler fall photosoctober-1-4

“Autumn…the year’s last, loveliest smile.” ― William Cullen Bryant


**See what inspires me daily on Pinterest or join me on Facebook!