Progress!

Tocco, Super(handy)man

I have to say, I'm really impressed by Tocco. He is, without a doubt, the hero of this house renovation. I came home yesterday to find the kitchen counters half demo'ed (the second half getting done today) and new counters measured, cut, sanded and installed. He told me going in that he could do all of this stuff, but it's hard to believe until it's actually happened (several times over).

It would take me weeks, if not months (or years) to get up the nerve to take a sledgehammer to perfectly fine countertops and tile, without ever having done it before. You need a ton of confidence to do these things and be sure you can get them done correctly, in a good style, and in just a day or two. To know that you're not only smart enough, but resourceful enough, and creative enough to do it (not just on this project, but countless others, very big and very small). This is not to say that he's always right or we always agree (see: basement steps, # of coats of paint required, exterior paint color, and whatever else we've disagreed on). But still. Awesomeness

Proud of you, T. Keep up the good work. xo

No, it's not finished. No, there won't be three colors painted on our cabinets. Yes to the gray and white. 

Happy birthday liebe Birte!

Tocco's little sister Birte flew in from Germany last night and today we are lucky to celebrate her birthday with her. Here she is with her birthday breakfast - an amazing chocolate cake made by Tocco and carefully hidden yesterday (definitely not Whole 30 approved, but shush it).This is a big year for Birte. She's started her own coffee truck business, Birte on Tour - the first coffee truck in Bremen, Germany! Alles Gute zum Geburtstag Birte! xo

Pinterest Tour!

Yesterday I had the good fortune to invite myself (and be told yes) to a very cool, private tour of Pinterest's headquarters around the corner in San Francisco. Along with two coworkers from New Relic happily bounced along on a two hour tour Pinterest's HQ. Our lead was their head designer, Jen. Pinterest's offices are famous for being inspiring and unique, all thanks to Jen, and it seriously did not disappoint. Luckily they're also just a 10 minute cab ride away. We arrived for lunch (which was all healthy and awesome, and offered daily along with dinner and endless drinks and snacks - it's like a little Google!). While we ate, Jen gave us the vision for the office and how it all came to be. Interestingly, the space was a strongly considered contender for New Relic but in the end NR turned it down, because it's a little too edgy and arty for our crew, but ideal for Pinterest. After lunch, Jen filled us in on all the stories behind each space as we walked along, from the conference rooms, craft table (fully stocked and oh so tempting) bike parking, laboratory, all manner of common areas, desks of course, the "top pinned items" display, a badass garage door conference room, pictures of pinners, a sweet lending library, red English public phone, lunchroom, coffee bar, game room, mother's room, zen room, wine room, yarn bombs... on and on....it was impressive. It was rad not only to hear how each area was conceived, but how the actual scouting of materials went down - auction houses, made-to-orders, commissions, and funny stories like Ke$ha trying to make off with one of their couches at a flea market. A lot of the moveable designs and decorations in the space were created by Pinterest employees, who are all super talented and creative (natch). They do monthly "makeathons" like our "hackathons" where they get together and make what ultimately gets displayed.

Anyway, here are some pics. I obviously had a great time, was really inspired, and would love to do this for a living! I didn't take as many photos as I now wish because I was asking lots of questions and trying to keep up, but I did take some. These are from the first space - which they have already outgrown. I wish I'd taken a photo of the center common area, right when you walk through the main doors, past reception, and where the lunch was taking place. Great space. No wonder it's next to impossible to get a job here. 

We also got to check out the unfinished space where they're building out the next offices next door. The second Pinterest building has a lobby so beautiful I think I took about a billion pics. I'll post those later.  

Wish * List

Lately I've been totally in love every time I see white quartz countertops ...  

from Upcoming Decor

they're so pretty. So fresh! So clean! But also so spendy! I think we'll go with the becoming-traditional-by-now wooden countertops that I've had my brain on ever since we bought this house. They're also really pretty and *I think* we can do them ourselves. But if we only had two kitchens! sike

Lill Therese

Skinny bench

I love that this article came out about Gwyneth Paltrow. She's so divisive! People certainly love to hate her since she sticks her foot in her mouth on the reg. Her analogies could definitely use some work. I think it all began when she started Goop, but that's also when she started releasing cookbooks. So my interest in her has only grown. G.P., actress? meh. G.P., cookbook author? Yus. Try wrestling her panko chicken recipe from My Father's Daughter from T's diehard grip. That's all he ever asks for. Last month I got her newest book and I think it's even better than the first. The recipes are so far delicious, it's a nice read, the photos are beautiful, and all so healthy and simple to make. I think it's just a matter of upgrading the pantry little by little and then you're all set. This goes perfectly with my (and by, default, Tocco's) Whole 30 plan, which begins June 1. The last two weeks have been a slow creep toward go time, kind of observing what we already have and use and what needs to go. On June 1 there will be no dairy, no sugars of any kind, no alcohol (eeps), no breads, etc. up in here. Thankfully a few friends are either fully (go Ashley!) or partially doing it too, so I think we'll keep each other on track. Right?

Last night's G.P. recipe was really good! Tocco tends to think any dinner without meat is just a side, but even he was happy with this - roasted cauliflower and chickpeas (which I know aren't allowed in Whole 30, but that starts in a few days) fresh Italian parsley, a little salt, pepper, evoo, grainy and dijon mustard. Mix it up and your good to go. Really tasty and satisfying, and it's fun to work with vegetables outside our of usual salad. For example. Tocco also recently put fresh carrots with our ground beef and tomatoes. Did it work out? What do you think? 

Space of the week/Backyard Inspo

Gardenista

So amazing. Just want.

Paddle boarding/SUP

Every time we go out stand up paddling I can't help but feel like it's a really good metaphor for life. Everything you have to do, or should do, echoes real life. Stand up, but be flexible. Keep your eyes on the horizon. Don't get too distracted by the little things and small waves beside you. Focus on where you're going. Wear sunscreen. Stay strong, but loose. Learn how to swim. You're on your own, but it's way more fun with a friend. Check in with each other to be sure you're all safe. You will fall in, so try to laugh, it's half the fun. The water's not that deep, and not that scary. You get what I'm saying... It's such a great activity! I always think how much my sister and friends would like it. And now, Tocco surprised me by buying us our very own board, so now we can do it more often and you're all invited yaaaaaaay! :)

Memorial Day

Thank you to all of the brave servicemen and women, and all of their families, who serve our country. I am especially grateful for my sister, Chris, James, Henry, and Peter today, and all of the wonderful military friends they have made over the years. Deployments are tough. We are so thankful that Chris is on his way home from his latest deployment right this second, on Memorial Day! Welcome home, Chris!

I want all of these

and everything ever, or ever will be, on Camp Comfort 

Camp Comfort

that's all

T

Bein' T