My Second Love: March 2012

Teret! Teret! About Tesfa School Number 1 of 5x3.

In Ethiopia before they tell a story they shout, "Teret, Teret!" "A story! A story!'

School number one of the 5x3 initiative has been fully funded. Tesfa has received the 56k for this school from this adorable family...

Jon, Elijah, David, and Liz Moss

From Liz Moss:

My grandfather had an 8th grade education. He worked hard his entire life, living frugally and simply on the same farm for over 60 years of his life. He loved to see his two daughters and his six grandchildren live out life through education and travel. He rarely stayed in a hotel, preferring the comfort of his own bed. And, never took a vacation far from home, except if it was a day trip to watch a harness race for one of the horses he trained. He left a legacy of deep faith.

Four years ago, Jon and I started to fall in love with Ethiopia. It grew as we brought our two sons home (3 years ago and 1 year go). And, it grew deeper as we traveled and met the beautiful people in this amazing land. I truly have left part of my heart in Ethiopia each time I leave this country I have grown to love. I dream about it, think about it, and read as much as I can about Ethiopia. Ethiopia has changed my life--much more than just our two sons. When we traveled there last January, we went away committing ourselves to do more in the future. We came across Tesfa (actually through a chance meeting with Mike from Wisconsin in the Addis Ababa airport) and were intrigued. We have been dreaming and praying about this opportunity for the last year.

My grandparents both passed away in the last five years. Not only did they leave a legacy of faith, but they left money for their children and grandchildren. We don't understand how and why they lived on so little for so long, leaving us with so much. We truly see this as a gift and desire to give some it of away. With Ethiopia on our hearts and in our life, with a desire for everyone to have access to education, and with an ever growing faith, we desire to partner with Tesfa to build schools in Ethiopia. We are committed to this long term. The people of Ethiopia have changed my life...we're just humbly trying to change a few other lives.

Liz and Jon's school, Tesfa's 9th, will be in or around Durame. The Moss Family is in Ethiopia now, probably on their way to see the school in Kololo.

But wait, there's more, Jon and Liz want to help raise the funds for 5x3's second school as well. In a couple of weeks, in their home state of Iowa, they will have a fundraiser with Jane Kurtz to get that second school off to a good start.

Amazing people. Amazing story.

Thanks to everyone who filled out the 5x3 survey. We are assessing location requests and moving forward. Please know that you don't have to fund a whole school to participate. If you'd like to contribute to school number 2 this second, head over to Tesfa.org.

If you live in Iowa and would like to help the Moss family with their April fundraiser, please let me know.

sketchbook drawing : contrast

Have a Lovely Weekend!

Habitually Chic

Little Green Notebook

Morning y'all! Yesterday, I started the dreaded task of restyling my bookshelves. The images above served as my inspiration. At first, I thought organizing my books by color would be cheese, but once I started, I realized it gave me more control over the overall look. I love the way it's turning out. Of course, styling my bookshelves meant taking everything off of every shelf in the house and putting it on my kitchen counter. I've been walking around like a madwoman saying in my head, "nothing's safe ... ugly frame, your days are numbered ... random plate, it might be time for us to part ways." It's how I imagine people leading big corporate shake-ups feel. No emotions, just business and a sense of power. I still have about another day's work before it's complete, but I can't wait to show you.

For now, enjoy some weekend links:

If I ever open a linen store, I want it to look like this cake shop

I just bought this pink shirt for Edward. He's going full prep this summer.

So the D Home cover I posted last week totes copied Elle Decor's March 2010

Naughty naughty D Home (thanks Sandra for spotting this!)

However, I will probably copy both of these covers in my next home

I'm obsessed with this new Draw Something app

jhadley32 - if anybody wants to play :)

I'm also obsessed with Mario Batali Cherry Tomato Pasta Sauce

Gorgeous linens right here in Kansas

Early photography meets extreme hotness

As a kid, when we had to go to the art museum, I would look at the paintings and try to find either a hot guy or my Byzantine doppleganger

Tabletop Inspiration: Blue & White Ginger Jars - Always lovely

Brooke Giannetti of Velvet & Linen is selling her gorgeous home

New David Hicks The Vase colorways for spring

P.S. I'm in the market for a giant tray for my family room ottoman. Like huge. I just want one big tray to put stuff on. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.

sketchbook drawing : heads

Petra ECCLESTONE

Lindsay LOHAN

Reese WITHERSPOON

Rosie Huntington_Whiteley

Petra ECCELSTONE

Street Style

Pics: SunkistCaliKidd

Kate WALSH

CÉLINE IN STORE: Phantom in Python

Spring 2012

Street Style

Edward BARSAMIAN

sketchbook drawing : hand studies

Giggles, Cuddles and a Beautiful Spring Morning

view from my backyard

There's nothing like a happy, cuddly munchkin and a beautiful spring morning to bring me out of a state of travel-induced exhaustion. This view is one of my absolute favorite things about our house. Edward is kind enough to make sure I wake up early enough to enjoy these types of mornings. Early morning is actually my favorite time of day despite the fact that I have to wake up, my least favorite thing to do. I live in a world of extremes clearly.

My delay in posting this morning is due to Edward's particularly snuggly and giggly mood, giving me multiple hugs in between bouts of laughter. I wish I knew why so I could recreate it every morning. Toddlers are moody like teenagers, but instead of sulking off to a corner and glaring at you, they yell and throw themselves on the floor. They also rebound at an alarming rate and go from shooting lasers out of their eyes to floating on clouds of flowers and rainbows. And when they're in the mood to be sweet and loving, it is the greatest thing ever. It can cure any form of general malaise, just like Spring.

Here are a few more pictures of springtime in and around my house.

More flowers from Trader Joe's. I just shoved them in the vase and probably could have done a better job of arranging them, but I'm too lazy. The three books underneath the flowers have been greatly influencing my style lately. P.S. My new pillow cases arrived. As soon as my throw blanket is here I will share pictures in the form of an amazing before and after. My mother-in-law found pictures on her computer of our living room and kitchen when my husband first bought the house and it was barf-worthy. Just wait.

The hyacinths on the entry table smell amazing. They are easily becoming my new favorite flower.

My Paule Marrot Tulips print that makes me happy when I look at it. The Suze says it reminds her of something she had in the 70s. She did have an amazing fern print fabric on her sofa that is back in style.

I'm trying to hide the brick sink under a bunch of flowers like it's a patio. Hyacinths in the bathroom are a far superior solution to room spray or potpourri. Just FYI.

My new pelmet box using Charlotte Moss' Caroline fabric for Fabricut in pool. It reminds me a lot of David Hicks' The Vase, which you can see below.

via Beehive Blog

Love The Vase. Love it. (also love the Porthault pillow in the picture above)

And finally, Edward had a playdate at the park yesterday and soon after we arrived the storm clouds rolled in. The combination of the dark gray clouds behind the gorgeous purplish pink budding trees and the bright green grass was beyond beautiful. I'm thinking Monday's moodboard may have to be inspired by these pictures. The colors were so gorgeous and inspiring.

This is a super random post I know. Have a lovely day y'all!

Exciting News From Tesfa

Remember this picture?

Look what you did...

What they did.

To say that it has been rewarding to watch this school go up would be an enormous understatement. This is Kololo. This is Meazi and Melese's village. This village now has a school. There is now great hope for this village. Kids here will go to school. THEY WILL GO TO SCHOOL!

Thank you. All of you.

Would you like to build a school in Kembata? Maybe in your child's village? I'd like you to feel like I feel right now. I'd like you to feel like you can help create change. Do you want to build a school in Kembata?

Go HERE for more information.
I'll help you do it. You helped me. You helped them...

5 in 3. 5x3. Easy Peasy. Let's do this.

sketchbook drawing : after Ingres

Sleepyhead

I'm beginning to understand why people called me brave for traveling so much with Edward over the past few weeks. At the time it seemed like NBD (that's "no big deal" in the young text-speak world), but now my body is telling me it was a BD because I can't seem to recover. I would love to take a nap in the above nook. A long nap. Anyway, hopefully I will be back to myself in a few days. For now I will direct you to the post that gave me this nook, which is from Steven Gambrel's Sag Harbor home. Go check it out over at Mark D. Sikes' blog. It will not disappoint.