Last weekend, I came across this very large, very old chalkboard and naturally, I dreamed up the perfect photo shoot for back to school with my girls. My friend/coworker Colby hand-lettered the alphabet for me (thanks Colby!) and the girls styled themselves in some of their favorite colors for Fall. Although all the kids are heading back to school virtually, I think the twins will definitely be in the running for best-dressed for third grade, don’t you?
Mona Lisa Smileless
One of my favorite insta accounts is Maisie Violet Rees, a home decor blogger in Birmingham, UK and she’s known especially for her altered vintage paintings and prints. Her work is fabulous and bright and bold and I’ve been on the lookout for vintage prints and paintings where I could do my best to re-create my own at home. Enter this thrift store Mona Lisa reproduction with that perfect frame.
I left the glass in place and painted a wide swath of black matte paint directly over her face.
I then added copper leaf over the still-wet paint and pressed it down lightly. I love copper, especially against the soft blueish green background.
After leaving it to dry fully for most of the day, I used a dry, soft paintbrush and just brushed away the copper leaf, leaving just enough behind.
She ended up looking so lovely! This may be my new favorite upcycle—something about the copper makes it catch your eye and seeing the Mona Lisa in an unexpected way is so fun.
July Favorites
I’ve decided to try something new! A monthly recap of my favorite things I’ve encountered in July. Let’s get started, shall we?
The Babysitter’s Club
Images: Paramount Pictures and Netflix
The Babysitter’s Club on Netflix has been my favorite, favorite show adaptation I’ve come across in a while. I adored the books growing up and begged my grandmother to buy me new ones every weekend at the used bookstore in town. And the styling and costume design is A+++, with plenty of homages to my beloved nineties (Alicia Silverstone!!!) The twins and I flew through all ten episodes and I’m so excited to see what comes next.
Image: Netflix
And did I immediately go on Etsy and order the twins’ Claudia’s watermelon earrings? Most definitely. And if you want the full experience, The Bookshelf, a sweet bookshop in Thomasville, Georgia, is offering a The Babysitter’s Club online book club experience. I missed out on the first round but I’m seriously considering joining the second round starting in September!
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Series
Thanks to the awesome ladies at Read It or List It Podcast, I am now an avowed Peter Kavinsky-stan. Yes, I know, I JUST now read To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han. It’s about time, right? I inhaled all three of the Lara Jean books within a week and I’ve promised myself time out to finally catch the movies on Netflix. In the meantime, I had to have chocolate cake with peanut butter frosting with Reese’s Pieces, just like Lara Jean’s recipe in P.S. I Still Love You.
Jenny Colgan’s Newest Release
Speaking of things I love like cake, Jenny Colgan is one of my fave British authors for closed door romance. My husband and I adore Scotland after visiting in our early twenties, and especially Loch Ness in the Highlands. Most of Jenny Colgan’s romances center on this gorgeous village that is near the Loch and her imagery is spot-on—I always feel like I’m right back there alongside the protagonists. Her newest novel 500 Miles From You is my favorite of hers yet. She’s really grown into herself as an author and I’m so enjoying the journey!
DIY Cupcakes from The Chocolate Moose Bakery
The decorate your own cupcake kit from The Chocolate Moose Bakery was the PERFECT way to spend a hot afternoon. Highly recommend!
Lightning Round
Just quick fire links to lovely things.
She-Ra is fabulous and fabulously gay and it makes me so happy!
Tula Sunscreen is my go-to this summer.
I made Chrissy Teigen’s spicy miso spaghetti every single week of July.
I don’t think there’s been a Jeni’s Ice Cream collection I’ve wanted more than this one!
So what do you think? I really, really want to share here more and I would love for anyone to let me know what you’d like to see!
Florida
We headed to the beach for a long weekend and snuck in a quick photo shoot. This is the second year in a row I’ve managed to capture a beach pic so I think this will be our new summer tradition. Just for reference, here is last year’s at Isle of Palms, South Carolina.
I can’t believe how much everyone has grown! My big kids seem to have gotten especially teenager-y over the course of the year.
The boys ran off pretty fast but I caught the girls quickly enough that they posed for a sisters’ pic and I’m so happy that I did. My sister is my best friend in the whole world and I can’t imagine what life would be like without her. I love it so much that my girls have each other.
The twins wanted to also do a dressed-up twilight shoot. They are just the most fun to photograph, too. I never have to do more than ask and they are ready to go!
Cal snuck out there on the beach to make his sisters laugh, which is always appreciated.
Lilies
When your sister makes you the most beautiful floral arrangement with some of your favorite flowers, you make sure to take way too many photos of it.
My New Endeavor: A Peak Into Iris Reads
So I read. A lot. My kids also read a lot. And that’s only increased since the twins are now able to do full chapter books and I work part-time at a library. And given how much time I’ve been spending on Bookstagram, I found that I wanted to actually participate and start a positive, kid-friendly bookstagram account. Thus began Iris Reads.
I’m already having so much fun, too! If you are at all interested in books, from fiction to nonfiction, from middle grade reading to young adult reading, please follow me on Instagram at iris_reads. I’m hoping to do a monthly recap journal entry, too, with my favorite reads for the month along with some standout reads that my kids want to share. January’s recap will be forthcoming this week and I’ve already knocked out two books for February, too!
