Kate's Monthly Take - August 2018

I'm knee deep in scheduling activities for the school year and the logistics of three children have me hyperventilating. Despite our intense school year schedule I need to take a step back and realize that we have one month before school begins.  Loads of time to relish lazy mornings and check off a few more summer bucket list items. This month, I'm excited for an upcoming week off with the kids. It is a much needed break and will be a great way to end the summer. 

Enjoy my Monthly Take!

Kate's Monthly Take - August 2018

Mood

  • What is sleep? Sleep deprivation is my current state of being. Our middle child has been coming into our room every morning around 4am for the last few weeks. This has made for a very moody household so I think I'm going to need to try one of these clocks!

Currently Coveting

  • It was like clockwork; once the calendar changed to August my mind started obsessing about fall clothes. In my defense, I'm mostly thinking about clothes for the kids because my two oldest have recently had growth spurts but then the other day J. Crew launched some new arrivals and I went gaga for a couple of items. I'm over the moon for most anything with a Liberty print and I missed out on similar reversible coat last year so I'd love to snag this one especially if I can get it on sale.  Also this beautiful blouse is giving me major Anne Shirley vibes but I'm not sure I could pull it off!

Favorite Product

  • I'm always on the lookout for a great black tank. I prefer something loose and a bit longer and I think I hit the jackpot with this Luxe High-Neck Swing Tank from Old Navy. There are so many great features about this tank: it's inexpensive, very soft, comes in multiple colors and versatile. I mostly wear mine with yoga pants on my days off from work but I think you could also pair with jeans and a great necklace!

Design Pick

  • I don't know that this necessarily qualifies as a "Design Pick" but if you love all things blue and white these blue and white swirl storage containers from Golden Rabbit Enamelware definitely elevate your picnic game.

What I'm Reading

  • I'm reading Crazy Rich Asians based on a review from my mother and on the fact that the motion picture version will be released later this month. I always prefer to read the book before seeing the movie and this entertaining read will be perfect to wrap up while on vacation. If I end up finishing before vacation, I'll be sure to scoop up the second book in the trilogy. I mean who doesn't love a trilogy, right?

What We're Reading the Kids

  • Our early riser is also a truck lover and he geeks out hard for food trucks. I recently discovered Food Truck Fest! and it's been on heavy rotation every since. The illustrations are vibrant, story relatable and the trucks and go on a ferry ride. Enough said, right?

Instagram Handle

  • Do y'all follow @sarahshermansamuel? She is an interior designer specializing in mid century modern. She just redid Mandy Moore's home in Pasadena and is featured in July's, Architecture Digest. But perhaps more interestingly this mom of two and her husband just moved across the country from Los Angeles, CA to Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was craving a slower pace and they purchased a home over the internet (sight unseen) and are now renovating. I love checking out the home updates.

Guilty Pleasure

  • Ice Cream! Most summer nights after all of the kids are in bed my husband and I look at each other and talk about our ice cream cravings. Lucky and unlucky for our waist lines we have a couple of great ice cream shops within walking distance.

I Need A Vacation

  • We're about to head out on a road trip to the Carolinas with a pit stop in Asheville at the Biltmore but in my dreams I'm traveling to Tuscany and staying here.

Shit My Kids Will Eat

  • Kid Tested & Approved -  I struggle with meal planning. I truly just have a hard time sitting down, finding recipes and then writing a grocery list. Lucky for me I have a friend who loves to do this and she sends me some great recipe ideas. Below are some of her most recent shares and best of all the kids ate both of them! I'm a sucker for Mediterranean food so this Chicken Gyro Salad was delish. We made pita sandwiches with the fixings and added hummus. Pasta is generally a crowd pleaser in our home (we love carbs) but I was a little nervous about this trying this Broccoli Bolognese with Orecchiette recipe as our kids don't love vegetables. To my surprise, all three of them ate it and our son, kept telling us that he actually does like broccoli. My husband liked this dish so much that he wants it to be on regular rotation. Winning!