FIVE THINGS I LOVE RIGHT NOW: BONNIE BASHAM LANCE

You may remember Bonnie Basham Lance from our Mom Next Door feature last year. She is a talented jewelry designer, but most important - she is a mom to her three children,  Hewes, Willa, and Shepard. We caught up with Bonnie to see what she's loving right now.

 1. Etsy! From bathing suits to dream catchers, pillows to light fixtures, I love everything about Etsy. It showcases artists and makes small dreams become big. What's not to love about that?!

2. Family in Austin and Nashville. My brother and his wife and 2 boys live in Austin and we visit as often as we can. We bunk up at his Rollingwood single story modern ranch house and run wild. We shoot bow and arrows in the wooded area next door, the kids go shirtless and try and not get poison ivy. Mckinney Falls State park, the Rollingwood park and pool with play area and grill all in one (come on UP!) Austin Awesome. My husbands family is from Nashville. It's amazing, old school and Jack White's home. We go to the Bellmead Country Club for pasta night, the Station Inn for blue grass, and canoe with Woody.

3. Original gifts. Thoughtful, artisan, unique. I love receiving them and I love giving them. (P.S. Bonnie made these Mom bracelets!!) 

4. The XX. On repeat. Cooking dinner, lounging by the fire. Always a hit

5. State Parks with my kids. We take them hiking regularly here in Dallas but when we get a chance we head out to a state park. Mckinney Falls, Caddo Lake, Beavers Bend, OK, Balmorhea and more. It's wild and fun and the kids love staying in those basic state park houses. We love it because it's easy and inexpensive. And making bacon on a grill while your kids play knights with sticks is cool. 

Bonnie Basham Jewelry

FIVE THINGS I LOVE RIGHT NOW: FLORENCE ROLANDO FROM PIROUETTE

Florence Rolando is the rock star of the family lifestyle and children's design world. She's a talented writer, she pioneered the kids indie trade show movement, consults countless fashion brands, writes for THE coolest kids publications (hello MILK Mag) and pens the kids design/fashion/lifestyle blog Pirouette. Oh, and she is also a mom.
I am lucky to know her and I am thrilled that she is sharing with us what she is in love with right now.
If Pirouette is not on your blogroll, bookmark it today. Look for the parent and child interviews she does with families around the globe. Very cool.

1. Dandy Star Lightbox - Bedside lamps or ambiance lights, they bring a nice happy touch to the house!

2. Hat by Ryan Roche - Just the perfect accessory of the moment.

3. Rose Water by Jess Brown - My face’s best friend, morning and evening.

4. DVD : Top of the Lake - A Jane Campion serie, quite dramatic and very beautifully done.

5. Post-it for I-pad - These have just become indispensable - Love when I find a sweet note from my children on them!

Check out Pirouette and read more about Florence here.

five things I love right now : Jennifer Vallez from Sophie & Lili

The term internet friends is weird I know. But I do have one - her name is Jennifer Vallez and based on her Instagram photos we live parallel lives. Our kids are the same ages and like the same stuff, her and I like the same stuff... if we lived close to each other we would totally hang out. Jennifer is a woman who wears many hats. By day she is an art director and on the side (I have no idea where she finds the time) she does these amazing custom watercolor illustrations (see my profile pic) and also crafts a signature collection of  dolls called Sophie & Lili.

So I had to ask Jennifer to share with us what five things she is loving right now:
1. Coach Car Coat - Out of my budget, but on my dream wish list!
2. Korres Wild Rose + Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial - It's got a very strong rose scent which I admit I don't love, but it feels like a soufflé and my skin seems clearer, softer & brighter.
3. J Crew Flannel Pajama Sets in Gray Gingham - I can't get enough of these!
4. The Fall  - A British TV Series - Jamie Dornan is scary good and gorgeous.
5. Anything by Ace & Jig - I'm obsessed with the fabrics & textures.