book tour: make yourself at home bts

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal

i know i already told you that our little house would be making an appearance in moorea seal’s latest book, make yourself at home. but up until now, i’ve really only shown you a few tiny little glimpses of what you would find within its pages. so today i thought i’d lay it all out and share not only some of the images that were published, but many of these images didn’t make the cut! but the photography by marissa maharaj was so beautiful, i couldn’t keep it to myself! and it’s so fun for me to have a document of that particular moment in time. when edie was still a baby and couldn’t even walk. when she still had a crib and we hadn’t made the full transition into a montessori toddler room like we have now. it’s amazing how time flies and how quickly things change when you have two little ones growing up right before your eyes. and the space around us seems to change just as rapidly.

which is really at the heart of make yourself at home. sure, it’s got tons of beautiful and inspirational images, but it’s much more than just a coffee table book. it contains a series of vignettes, really getting up close and personal with the entire process and meaning behind making your house a home. but  of course, you can read more about it here. and get your copy of make yourself at home wherever books are sold!

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
the floor bed was a diy project with bedding from camomile london, the crib and matching dresser are by babyletto, but they’re hand-me-downs from when adam was a baby, so i don’t believe they’re still in production. the rocking chair you see in the back is the nurseryworks sleepytime rocker.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
we purchased the shelf from ikea, but it turned out to be a seasonal offering, so it’s no longer available! so bummed because i wanted to buy another one for edie’s toys now that she’s a bit older! the print is from fine little daythe baskets were mostly purchased at joann’s or found at thrift stores.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
the robot monkey is by monroe workshop. we got the balancing blocks from bitte, and the little tools are mostly melissa and doug.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
the little clothing rack was another simple diy project that we made without plans. just a few pieces of wood from the hardware store! the print on the left is from marrimekko, but is no longer available and the print on the right is from fine little day.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
we love those little city blocks by areaware. and adam listens to revolver by the beatles on repeat with our little crosley portable record player.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
a small thing to note, but we got the solid brass switchplates from rejuvenation. our house was built in the 1920s, so we decided to bring back some of the charm with those little details. 

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
a better look at the diy house frame and the beautiful bedding from camomile london

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
adam has had that little lucy owl since he was a baby!

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
the kids and their hats. adam’s is the black waxed camp cap by fairends and edie is wearing the ladybug pixie bonnet from petite soul.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
the plant is just a giant bird of paradise that we found at the local nursery. it makes for a nice indoor plant if it’s in a spot with lots of light. and the little baby play gym was yet another diy project.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
so many wooden toys: holztiger safari animals, uncle goose blocks, bajo truck, plan toys sheep lacing game, hazel village jeremy owl, bajo toys wooden duck, baby basics soft book, manhattan toys skwish.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
in my bedroom: the it’s ok banner is by secret holiday co. and i found that little side table at a thrift store for 5 bucks! the mirror is ikea.

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
my vanity is swedish mid century modern found on craigslist!

calivintage in make yourself at home by moorea seal
i loved this setup. the moses basket is by tadpoles with a naturepedic mattress pad and the wooden stand is from dada baby boutique. and how beautiful is that monstera deliciousa brass mobile by natalie joy jewels? oh, and that little baby blanket peeking out is from camomile london.

gift guide: earthtiles (and a giveaway!)

christmas came a little early for adam this year… we let him open up one extra special present the other day because we couldn’t wait to share what was inside: earthtiles. as a parent, i’m always looking for ways to reduce our use of plastic, particularly when it comes to toys. i’m not a purist about these things, adam has tons of duplo, he’s moving onto legos as we speak, he owns about a million hot wheels, the list goes on. but whenever we can find a more eco-friendly alternative, we definitely look into it. and it really has paid off because all of the wooden toys that adam played with when he was little have been lovingly handed down to edith as she gets old enough to play with them, and will still have plenty of life left to pack up and store for their own kids one day.

but back to the point here! magnetic tiles are one of those special toys that have provided hours of entertainment for adam, so we were so excited when big future toys met their kickstarter goal earlier this year and started putting this awesome toy into production. and the timing is perfect because they are now available just in time for christmas! these were on the top of my list for adam, so you can imagine my excitement when the brand got in touch and asked us if we’d like to give them a try ahead of the big release! and judging by adam’s reaction, i think our only complaint is that now we need more of them!

and we’re giving away a set of earthtiles to one lucky winner. to enter, simply visit this post on my instagram!




outfit: the holiday dress

it’s that time of year for holiday celebrations of all kinds. even though my holiday season is pretty mellow this year, that hasn’t stopped me from searching for the perfect holiday dress. so when i saw this beautiful larkspur dress by san francisco-based curator, i knew i had to have it. i love it because it ticks all the boxes. it’s made in san francisco, it’s 100% cotton, and while it does have a dressy vibe, it’s still totally casual and comfortable enough to wear while lounging on the sofa after inviting a few people over for a cheese platter, haha.

not only that, but it comes in multiple colors. i personally can never get enough indigo, but it also comes in black, oxblood, and olive green. it’s already super affordable at $194, but were sweetening the deal!

curator would like to offer you 25% all orders with code “calivintage25” through saturday, december 9!


book tour: make yourself at home

you guys, i’m in a book! earlier this year, i had the privilege of inviting moorea seal into my home to shoot some very special photos for her latest book project, make yourself at home. and it’s now available at fine book sellers across the nation!

if you aren’t familiar with moorea seal, she is the owner of her very own namesake seattle-based and online shop, in addition to being the best-selling author of the 52 lists project and 52 lists for happiness. both of which have become personal favorites for gift-giving, especially around this time of year. not sure if i can get away with gifting a book that features my own home, but you should because it’s such a special book and there are many other people featured among the pages. though if you are interested in what role our little house plays in the book, you’ll find us in the bedroom section where i talk about my daily life and share a few ideas for decorating your own room, or your kid’s room!

Organized room by room, each chapter of Make Yourself at Home: Design Your Space to Discover Your True Self, delves into what individual rooms represent in our lives, and how we can feel at home in our spaces and at home in ourselves. You don’t have to have the perfect life or perfect home in order to infuse your space with your unique perspective and cultivate a truly you home.

Each chapter includes:
–  A personal essay from Moorea Seal about the meaning and purpose that defines each space in her home, with guidance on how to discover yourself in your own spaces.
–  Exclusive looks into her home and work spaces with tips for inspired, mindful living.
–  Modern, affordable, and beginner-friendly DIY projects to personalize and decorate your home.
–   Looks into the unique homes and inspiring lives of a diverse set of creative women, with their best tips and tricks for comfortable, imaginative decor: Erin Perez Hagstrom of Calivintage, Diana LaCounte of Our City Lights, Brandy Brown of Marabou Design, Laura Gummerman of A Beautiful Mess, Brooke Eide of Fonchie and Flint Made, and Kim Kogane of Fresh Tangerine.
–   Lessons on how to use colors, stylistic choices, different eras of vintage and antique decor, and more to reflect your unique personality and perspective in your home.
–   Questions to guide you through what each room in your home represents to you, your well-being, and how you can best decorate to reflect your modes of being.
– All beautifully photographed by Marissa Maharaj.

get your copy of make yourself at home wherever books are sold!

in these photos, i’m wearing: mock neck sweater and recycled cotton + tencel apron dress courtesy of moorea seal


outfit: win a leader bag co. backpack!

i have to admit it. have a love/hate relationship with diaper bags. to me, they’re a kind of necessary evil. if i try to leave the house without one, i usually end up regretting it. either because all of the baby things are scattered in the little storage bin under the stroller, or sliding around in the back seat of my car. or worse yet, i find myself stuck somewhere without extra diapers and wipes. so i know i need to bring one, but i am not super into the idea of carrying around a puffy shoulder bag with baby characters splashed across the front of it. and while i admit that the selection of diaper bags has already gotten so much better than when i had my first kid, there still aren’t many that i would hold up as very awesome. but leader bag co. is one such bag. in my very first guide to diaper bags, i held them up as the holy grail of diaper bags. and that still remains true today.

i finally got my hands on the julien leather set in ivory and tan, and it was love at first sight. the only catch is that, as some readers pointed out, the price point wasn’t super attainable. but here’s the thing: the brand really took the comments to heart and came back this year with not only a lower price point on their original leather bag, but a brand new bag: the julien canvas set, which comes in the black you see in my photos, along with a variety of other fun color combinations. i went simple with mine, but i already have my eye on the golden colorway. but enough talk, and onto the fun stuff….

we’re offering one lucky winner the chance to win any one of the leader bag co. julien canvas sets! to enter, simply visit this post on instagram!

small business saturday deals

thought i’d share this as a resource if you’re looking to score some deals from your favorite independent boutiques and designers! although i suppose i should preface this by saying that my support goes to ethical businesses whether small or large, so you’ll have to forgive me for a a somewhat loose interpretation of “small business.” i guess i’m using it more as an umbrella term to capture not just small, but local, ethical, green, slow. my main goal is to consume less, to consume thoughtfully, reduce my carbon footprint, and support the businesses that do those things. this is by no means a definitive list, but rather, a collection of some of my favorites who are offering great deals that i’ll be shopping today, in addition to the local mom & pop shops where i do a lot of my gift shopping for the holidays.

i’ll also continue to update this list throughout the day. and feel free to include links in the comments if i’m missing anything!

garmentory – this is one of my favorite shopping destinations for independent boutiques and designers. everything you could want all rolled up into one convenient shopping experience. they’ll be having all of the usual sale items at up to 70% off, but if you’ve not yet signed up, then now’s the time to double-up and use my referral link to get $20 off your first purchase. that includes sale items! garmentory carries most of the items you’ll see listed below, so i highly recommend checking it out first!


lykke wullf – get 40% off with code lykkewullfholiday! i just got my first pair of overalls from this made in los angeles brand, and now i’m hooked. they serve up a really fun assortment of clothes that will add life to your wardrobe.

moorea seal – get 20% off everything! and in some cases, up to 70% off. no code needed. in addition to her namesake shop, moorea seal is the author of the best-selling book, the 52 lists project, which was featured on oprah and has become a go-to gifting item for me.


re/done – they’re currently having a huge sale with items discounted as much as 70% off! no code needed. and if you’ve never shopped there before, then now’s the time to double-up because you can use my referral code for 10% off your first order, including sale items! these are hands down my favorite jeans lately, and i love that they are sustainably made out of used levi’s.

lisa says gah – get 25% off with code VIP25! if you’re feeling bored with your wardrobe, then look no further. nothing dull about the selection at this san francisco-based, cult-favorite boutique.

mr. larkin – get 25% off with code TURKEY25! this is another favorite boutique. i literally just scroll through the inventory for styling inspiration because it is just so good. and they carry many of my favorite indie designers in addition to their own in-house line.

clare v. spend $300 and get a $50 gift card. no code necessary. the perfect deal because you can totally justify getting a new made-in-la handbag for yourself so that you can use that gift card on a gift for someone else!


good night, day – get 10% off with code SUSTAINABLEGOALS! if you’re looking for knits, then you’ve found your shop. everything in this canadian shop is handknit by designer tara-lynn morrison. if you’re interested in slow fashion, then this is the best place to start.

samantha pleet – take an extra 30% off sale and fall 2017 collection items with code saleaway! she also just released her resort 2018 collection. it’s not on sale, but it’s so good!

han starnes – get 20% off everything! no code needed. definitely the right time to snag the perfect sweater from this nashville-based brand.

pretty penny vintage – get 30% off in store and online with code loveyou. this is forever my favorite vintage shop based in oakland, ca. thankfully, they have an online shop and you can always call to order things you caught a glimpse of on their instagram feed.

fair season vintage – get 30% off with code THANKS30! this online vintage shop has the best selection of vintage denim, coveralls, and basics. and they just did a really beautiful collar necklace collaboration with lucy michel, so now’s the time to get one!

glossier – get 20% off plus free shipping! if you’ve been curious about this cult-favorite, then now’s the time to try some new products! i’m a huge fan of their boy brow, cloud paint, and generation g. they use really good ingredients and never test on animals.

herbivore botanicals – get 20% off plus a free mini brighten pineapple + gemstone instant glow mask with code GLOW2017! this shop has been a go-to for gift items for years. their bath soaks are the perfect luxurious gift for anyone who could use a little tlc.


storq – get 20% off with code GIVETHANKS! and they’re donating 20% of all proceeds to the homeless prenatal program. i lived in these clothes during and after my pregnancy. they’re thoughtfully designed and ethically produced with really wonderful fabrics.

misha & puff – get 20% off with code THANKS17! definitely my favorite knits for kids. and now that i think of it, they just came out with a women’s collection, so now’s the time to snag something because their prices aren’t cheap!

soor ploom 30% off current collection and 15% off essentials and collaborations. no code necessary! their simple smocks and rompers are the perfect compliment to your misha & puff knits.


bitte shop – get 20% off with code BLACKFRIDAY2017! they have such an amazing selection of toys, clothes, and books. and if you were ever curious, it’s where a lot of the edie and adam’s toys are from.

maisonette – this online shop is like garmentory for kids clothes and toys. they’re currently offering up to 30% off, and if this is your first time shopping, you can double-up and use my referral link for $25 off your first purchase! simply follow the link to create an account and claim your reward.

noble carriage – 10% off everything with code THANKS10 and 20% off orders over $100 with code THANKS20. another one of my favorite shops for kids. great gift options and organic clothes for babies!

merci milo – get 15% off with code Supportsmallbiz! this is one of my new favorite toy shops. they’re based out of highland park in los angeles and their shop is filled to the brim with adorable toys.

camomile london – get 20%, 30%, and 50% off select items! no code necessary. this is where all of the kids bedding comes from. and they make the cutest little pillows, too!

outfit: found company + murray & finn!

it’s been a little while since i’ve had a giveaway, so i thought i’d come back with a double whammy. today i’ve partnered with two favorite shops, found company and murray & finn, to offer one winner the chance to receive $100 to each shop. which was really just another elaborate excuse for me to get dressed up in coordinating outfits with my babe!

i got the lykke wullf overalls from found company, an independent boutique based in connecticut specializing in vintage, slow fashion, and indie goods for mamas, papas, kiddos, and the home. and edie scored her misha & puff popcorn sweater from murray & finn, an online shop based in new jersey with a focus on unique clothing and toys for kids, and chic maternity wear for mamas-to-be.

to enter, simply visit this post on instagram!

we’re wearing:
lykke wulff dusty overalls in camel corduroy courtesy of found company
clare v. henri petit in chestnut with pink tassel hook
mari giudicelli leblon mules

misha & puff popcorn sweater in confetti cake courtesy of murray & finn
elephant and castle corduroy romper
vintage shoes



outfit: the joy is in the details with cath kidston

calivintage + cath kidston

The holidays are upon us, and while I’ve resolved to hit the ground running in preparation for the season, I know it won’t do me any good if I can’t also remember to slow down and take the time to enjoy the little things. One such detail that has really been helping me to be more mindful and to stay in the present are my morning walks with Adam. Our tradition began when he was just a baby. I would wake up the in the morning, get us both dressed up for the day, and head out on a stroll to the neighborhood coffee shop. Even if there was nothing else to do for the day, it was this little routine that really helped me to feel alive and ready to tackle my day.

Fast forward a few years and my little guy is nearly 4-years-old! What was just a simple morning routine has now grown and blossomed into something even more special than I could have imagined. Adam is no longer nestled in his baby carrier, but walking right beside me. When we get to the coffee shop, he holds the door open for me, and picks out a carton of milk from the refrigerator all by himself. We walk at his pace, stopping to pick dandelions or splash in puddles. And in those moments, he teaches me so much about slowing down and looking at the world through those wide eyes of a child. All with just a simple morning walk through the neighborhood.

And this season, we’ve partnered with the iconic brand, Cath Kidston, to share all of the joy in those precious details. I was so excited when they first contacted me because I still remember the brand from when I was a kid in the ’90s! They first launched in 1993 with a small shop in West London, selling car boot finds and vintage fabrics before Cath began designing and producing her own prints and products. They have since grown into a renowned brand available across the globe. I can still remember going with my mom to the local fabric shop and falling in love with those playful, vintage-inspired prints on oil cloth and cotton. So of course, I’ve been hit with a wave of nostalgia picking out matching outfits for me and Adam, with their cheerful details and modern vintage design. And I’m so excited to continue to share even more of our favorite details from The Home of Modern Vintage throughout the holiday season!

***

Adam is wearing: Marching Band Breton Stripe Boy Long Sleeve T-shirt, Mono Guards Boys Jeans, Guards Kids Watch

I’m wearing: Oil Painted Posy Dress, Tweed Coat, Medium Leather Duo Cross Body Bag (with a vintage beret and vintage boots)

***

 
calivintage + cath kidston
calivintage + cath kidston

calivintage + cath kidston
calivintage + cath kidston

kids: bat babies

calivintage - diy kids bat costumes

i think that making diy halloween costumes has become a new tradition around here. last year, i made adam into a pumpkin and edie was a little kitty. a year before that, i made this cute owl costume for adam. this year, neither of the kids really had any opinions about what to wear. the only request from adam was to wear all black, so i ordered these pajamas from primary and just added black linen wings and bat ears. edie’s are actually the same cat ears from last halloween. and adam’s were a diy that i fashioned after her headband with black grosgrain ribbon. add black shoes and you’re good to go. i really like the simplicity of these looks and i appreciate that they weren’t “too much” for my teething 18-month-old and picky 3.5-year-old.

hope you all had a happy halloween!

get 20% off plus free shipping on your first order at Primary.com with code AFF20PCT

calivintage - diy kids bat costumes
calivintage - diy kids bat costumes
calivintage - diy kids bat costumes
calivintage - diy kids bat costumes

morning & night

i know most of your feeds are probably overtaken by halloween costumes and party pictures, but i’m just over here enjoying these first few days of real fall weather here in southern california. it was 107 degrees one day last week, so this sudden turn to foggy skies and chilly mornings has got me in the mood for the coming holiday season.

having said that, i’m a realist. i’ve decided to do all of my holiday shopping super early this year in an effort to keep the stress from getting too overwhelming, but first, i had to treat myself to a few new things from my newest partner, moorea seal. they make great gifts for yourself, but are also perfect as small gifts for friends or family. a cup of coffee in the morning is exponentially better in the pour over ii. and you can’t forget to unwind at night with the coconut milk bath soak and a host over other luxurious bath goods by herbivore.