Category Archives: bon weekend

bon (mother’s day) weekend

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I savor the simple treasures that Mother’s Day brings with it…the handmade cards, the extra hugs and kisses, and sure – French toast in bed doesn’t hurt either. This Mother’s Day weekend, I thought I’d share a few of my favorite posts with you. Some have been bookmarked since pregnancy, some only recently discovered. I’m always seeking inspiration, so please feel free to share a link (or two, or three) in the comments. Now let’s just pretend for a moment we have time to relax, enjoy our cup of coffee (or glass of wine), and read all these, shall we?! Seriously though, I wish you a weekend of whatever feels luxurious to you: going to the bathroom alone, a spa day, brunch with your family, a night alone in a hotel room with room service and Netflix (I’ll be watching this)…you name it. Whatever it is, you deserve it mama.

BON WEEKEND

this poem and essay brought beautiful tears to my eyes…don’t shrink

what changes us – a thoughtful look at motherhood via one of my favorite female-focused blogs

a birth story of sorts – a moving essay on motherhood and adoption

breakfast in bed with a side of revolution, please: mother’s day reconsidered

the identity crisis of motherhood…(it doesn’t have to be a crisis)

for those that struggle with this holiday: mother’s day adjacent things to do this weekend

mom, maman, mamá: 13 stories of motherhood from around the world

a list + links to some of my favorite mamas to follow can be found here

 

bon weekend

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image c/o The Hive Studio (a letter she beautifully calligraphed for me)

I blinked and it’s February, yikes! January was all about holiday recovery and personal health (both physical and mental). I did a deep dive into some of my favorite podcasts, newsletters and Instagram accounts, and found quite a bit of inspiration. Narrowing your focus is imperative, as there is so much goodness to be found these days – it’s overwhelming! I’m sharing a of them few here in the hopes you might also enjoy them…each of these people have impacted me with their words. In addition, I stumbled upon this truth bomb the other day, and it was just what I needed to hear. I would love to know what you’re reading/listening to/inspired by these days…please enlighten me in the comments!

BON WEEKEND

(instagram) cleo wade + jamie varon + mindfulmft

(podcast) jen gotch is ok…sometimes

(newsletter) friday letters by jamie varon

(book) first we make the beast beautiful by sarah wilson

bon weekend

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Bon week-end and happy Francophile Friday mes amis! Le Dîner en Blanc is on the horizon (in Philadelphia and many other cities), and I’ve rounded up some info and my archived posts on the subject. The dinner with friends that began in Paris over 30 years ago has become an international sensation, and is a highlight of summer for me. Sadly, we’ll be missing this years festivities due to coinciding vacation dates, but we hope to be back in 2019. You can read about our experiences below, and learn more about the dîner en blanc inspired tablescape you see above (styled by moi). Wherever you are in the world, if you attend the magical evening, I do hope you’ll tag #thefrancophiles and share your experience!

BON WEEKEND

terrain en blanc

dîner en blanc philadelphia

dîner en blanc inspiration board

our dîner en blanc experience on steller

the “secret dinner in white” 30th anniversary

bon weekend

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Well hello 2018! My apologies for the silence – December was a doozy of a month for us. I promise this post won’t be a pity party, but in case you missed this: my mother was hospitalized for almost half the month with more than one scary illness. After we got her home, I landed in the hospital myself with what seemed like the same infection. While I’m feeling much better now (whew), last month was challenging for our whole family, and threw off the holidays in a big way. Of course (to quote the Grinch), Christmas came…and it came just the same. The spirit of the season was clearer than ever this year. It was quite refreshing to only have time for family – so much so, that it made me question my social media agenda. This blog is and always will be a place for me to document my passions…but social media has felt like a chore at times lately. I’ve been feeling uninspired, restless, and unsure of my next steps…until a friend shared this video (on Facebook). Oh, the irony…and a strong reminder of why I create, share, and do what I do. What will be your space jam?

BON WEEKEND et BONNE ANNÉE

living in the moment

a poem for the new year

the only way to keep your resolutions

the end of the social era can’t come soon enough

worth a second mention: a pep talk about a pep talk

bon weekend

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“Justice will not be served until those who are unaffected are as outraged as those who are.”

Benjamin Franklin

The day after I shared this image on Instagram of an everyday mantra in our home, the disgusting white supremacist rally and subsequent attack in Charlottesville happened. It rendered me speechless to be honest, and left me feeling a bit hopeless. Then I saw this tweet from Mark Ruffalo on Twitter and realized…I’m not doing enough. I’m not doing enough to resist this presidency. I’m not doing enough to resist hate, and assist love. A few days later many bloggers were able to articulate their thoughts so eloquently, which I’ve linked to below, as well as some direct action links. I’m checking my privilege, educating my children, and channeling my rage into action (and not just sheetcaking). Silence is approval.

BON WEEKEND

this tee supports the splc

thoughts on white supremacy

bedtime stories about race + social justice

balancing silence + action and creating safe spaces