Category Archives: family

love + joy

fleurishing-famille-in-paris

 

I really enjoyed designing our holiday cards this year, and was thrilled to partner with Minted again. We just had to use an image from our Paris trip – and this one, captured by Ashley Ludaescher, is a favorite. Taken during our memorable afternoon at Notre Dame, we were all feeling pure love and joy, which is what led me to choose this beautiful card, designed by Melanie Severin. The card shines and sparkles, thanks to the gold foil-pressed text! Many thanks to Minted for making these gorgeous cards possible, and for nudging me to get them done early this year (psst – they have some New Year’s deals right now)! Wishing you all a holiday filled with love + joy…I’ll be back next week with a recap of 2015!

 

minted-holiday-card

 

minted-holiday-envelope

 

cards c/o Minted…as always, all words and opinions are my own

christmas is coming!

christmas-tree-farm-with-kids

 

With the weather finally feeling wintery yesterday, we decided it was the perfect day for tree hunting! We made the trek to our favorite local farm, just as we did last year, the year before, and ever since we’ve lived in Pennsylvania. I grew up doing the same with my parents – we always had a real tree. While I acknowledge the pros and cons of both real + faux, my preference will always be a live tree. The experience is timeless – from the hunt, the journey home, the setup (tangled lights and arguments included), the smell, and the magic and wonder. Henry and Marie really got into it this year!

 

marie-at-tree-farm

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mini-christmas-tree-farm

 

After frolicking through the fields for a bit we got down to business, and found the perfect tree. While the kids probably would have opted for one just their size, we had other plans. Wanting to take advantage of our loft’s soaring ceilings, we decided to go big this year, and did we ever! We’re talking a ten foot douglas fir people – Marie and I both got a little concerned when Daddy started to cut it down, ha. After a joyous hayride + cup of hot cocoa, we returned home tired and triumphant, with another year of priceless holiday memories made. Let the countdown to Christmas begin!

 

marie-at-farm

christmas-tree-farm

 

 outfit details: marie’s coat + shoes | henry’s jeans + boots

notre dame – part deux

fleurishing-paris-with-kids

twinslaughing

 

I’m finally getting around to sharing the colorful second set of photos from our beautiful afternoon in Paris. Taken by my friend Ashley Ludaescher, these images perfectly capture the joy we all felt. We made memories there that will never be forgotten – in fact, the kids bring it up all the time and ask when we’re going back. Someday I tell them….hopefully, someday soon. Check out part un (all black + white photography) for more about our day, and click through to see more!

 

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our poconos getaway

dockandsky

steamy-lake-sunrise

 

I’m feeling pretty blissed out after spending last week and Labor Day weekend in the Poconos. After basically an entire month of moving and hard labor, the timing was perfect – we’ve never needed a break more. The Poconos has become a summer tradition for us…last year we rented a home at Lake Naomi after my good friend Chanee spoke so highly of it, and loved it so much we made plans to return this summer. We were fortunate enough to stay at Chanee’s beautiful vacation home there (#kodailakehouse), as her + her husband recently moved to California and are renting it out! As a textile designer, her design aesthetic is amazing…the lake house is cozy and comfortable, but modernized + luxe thanks to her touch. Every morning I walked down to the dock to watch the sunrise, often with Henry by my side. With steam rising from the lake and the peaceful, soft sounds of the water and wildlife, it was just what the doctor ordered.

 

kodai-lakehouse

followtheferns

henryetmarieatlake

playing-on-the-beach

 

We developed a relaxing rhythm of heading down the fern path to the our little beach, playing in the sand, snacking on the dock, and kayaking. Henry and Marie hadn’t stopped talking about kayaking since we first did it last year, so that was a priority for us. We managed to kayak every day, and even worked in a canoe ride (which lasted all of five minutes due to my anxiety over the kids possibly tipping us). One morning we drove to Bushkill Falls and hiked as a family to see “the niagara of Pennsylvania”…it was fun for the kids to try a more difficult trail this year, and the main waterfall is quite impressive. I highly recommend a visit if you’re in the Poconos, especially with kids.

 

bushkill-falls

lookingatfalls

 

S’mores just had to happen. While the kids are a bit too young to fully participate, we let them spear the marshmallows and watch as we roasted them. Surprisingly, they weren’t that into eating them, but that just meant more for us! I hadn’t done it in years, but thankfully mr. fleurishing remembered some crucial s’mores skills. I was reminded during this vacation that relaxing is a skill, and I had *almost* perfected it by the time we had to leave, ha. It’s always hard to go back to reality after vacation, but we left feeling refreshed + rejuvenated. We’ll be returning next year for sure!

 

making-smores

smores

 

farewell summer!

saying goodbye

empty-living-room

 

We said our final goodbyes to our house yesterday. Having moved so many times in my life, you’d think I wouldn’t get so emotionally attached to a place. That’s been mostly true – I’ve really only ever been truly attached to one house…the one my grandparents lived in. Their home was the only constant – that no matter how many times we moved or where we lived, their home was always waiting for me. When my grandfather passed away and it was sold, I was gutted. I still drive by and say hello when I find myself in the (northern NJ) area. I’m sure I will always visit this house too…after all, it’s where some of the most poignant + happy memories of my life happened. As we said our goodbyes yesterday, I came to a powerful realization. The house was quiet, empty…lifeless. The “soul” of the home was gone so to speak…it was just a shell. As the kids danced around one last time in their room, their laughter + happiness stood out more than ever, and wiped away my tears. We brought life to the house, as will the new owner, and that makes me smile. I will always love 525 N New Street…I’m so grateful for the five years of priceless memories we made there…those we take with us.