Kate's Monthly Take - February 2019

January seemed to drag on forever and February is just flying by. I’m not sure where the time goes but the winter is such a blur full of endless colds, snuggles and loads of soup. I know someday, I will miss all the mundane parts of motherhood but right now, I’d love a break especially of all the winter attire! Despite all the colds, we’re filling our days with loads of activities, more ski lessons and our first trip to Legoland Discovery Center in Schaumburg.

Enjoy my Monthly Take!

Kate's Monthly Take - February 2019

Mood

  • One step forward; two steps back. Progress is something that has to be worked for.

Currently Coveting

  • I’m coveting jewelry again this month…but specifically earrings! I rarely wear anything but studs but in warmer months I like to wear hoops. These Wavy Resin Hoops and Pearl Hoops from Anthropologie are right up my alley!

Favorite Product

  • I’m not a beauty product junkie by any means but once a year I get an itch to try something new. This winter I’ve been trying Kiehls Glow Formula Skin Hydrator. I mix it with my face lotion and apply in the morning if I’m running to school drop off, to Soul Cycle or the store. I really only wear makeup if I’m going into the office or out at night but I love that this lotion provides some coverage and of course a subtle glow in the middle of winter.

Design Pick

  • I’m constantly thinking of ways to brighten up our home and I recently came across Kerri Rosthenthal who has trademarked something called paperless wallpaper. She has essentially take designs from her wallpaper and turned them into removable decals. My favorite are the Rainbow and Nomad styles. I think they would be so fun in a playroom, a kids bathroom, bedroom or even as a way to bring some color into a walk in closet.

What I'm Reading

  • I’m almost through reading One Day in December, it’s quite addictive and if the movie rights have not yet been purchased I’m sure they will be! It reminds me a bit of One Day, which was one of my favorites. I mean clearly, I’m a sucker for just about any love story set in the UK.

What I’m Listening To

  • Queen! I recently watched Bohemian Rhapsody (so good!) and now I can’t get Radio Ga Ga out of my head. The kids enjoy it too, so it’s often playing in the house.

What We're Reading the Kids

  • We all love the Elephant & Piggie books (Should I Share My Ice Cream? is our favorite) and through our school book fair I picked up, The Itchy Book. My four year old loves it and my seven year old can even read it to him. It’s in the style of Elephant & Piggie (even endorsed by then) and I’ll be damned if you can get through it without starting to scratch your skin!

Instagram Handle

  • I love to follow Bailey McCarthy aka baileyquin. She is the owner of Biscuit Home and has impeccable taste and style. She takes some incredible decorating risks that always leave me inspired especially when it comes to her art collection.

Guilty Pleasure

  • Staying up all night reading. I have this terrible habit of reading until 3 or 4am in the morning. I get obsessed with a book and can’t stop but it’s brutal on my patience with my children. After an all night reading session I have to counter balance it by going to bed at 9pm for a few days. Luckily, this habit seems to rear it’s head most frequently in the winter…I mean who doesn’t want to be curled up in bed with a book during the winter? My nerdy little reading light definitely aids in this guilty pleasure!

I Need A Vacation

  • I’m not sure when it happend…I never traveled there when I was younger, my first time was probably in my mid 20’s but I love California. Maybe it’s the weather and quite possibly the food but I’d love to pick up and go right about now; especially to stay at Hotel 850 in Los Angeles. It’s utterly charming especially the Carriage Room designed by famed interior designer Rita Konig.

Shit My Kids Will Eat

  • Kid Tested & Approved - As most of us are fighting colds right now we’ve been trying different soup recipes. We recently made this delicious and a bit spicy Italian Vegetable Soup with Gnocchi. The kids all ate it despite commenting on the spice. If you love things spicy definitely follow the recipe exactly but if you like only a little spice, may I recommend omitting the red pepper flakes or subbing out one can of the diced fired roasted tomatoes for a non roasted can.