Here are some of the blogs and sites that I’m currently enjoying; projects that I’m planning on attacking with gusto; items that have made it onto my official Wish List:

Into knitting or crocheting? Get on Ravelry! You have to register, and then it takes about two days to receive your log-in account information, but it is so worth the wait… (And if you’re not into knitting or crocheting? This site will make you want to learn…)

Want to be inspired by real people who make beautiful things? Sugar City is my newest obsession (thanks, Dancer!). I’m working on the Village Frock for Pea and just ordered the pattern for the Servant Frock. (Don’t you just love the names? Talk about evoking another era.) The patterns are easy to work with, come with very detailed instruction booklets and many variations on the same pattern that makes these fantastically chic little girl’s dresses a must.

This dress for a little girl. It’s made from a refashioned men’s dress shirt. The tutorial says it’s easy. And I’m dying to try it. And also? Kicking myself for that huge bag of my husband’s discarded button-downs that I recently dropped off at Goodwill. So this project? It’ll have to wait. But it’s on… the list.

Finally! Something to do with that huge Ziploc bag of fabric scraps… Love these fabric remnant necklaces. So cute on a little girl. Such a perfect project for a mama to make with her little girl. Here’s a tutorial. But it’s those necklaces with the flowers on them that really have my imagination on overdrive. How gorgeous are they?

This little book arrived from Japan yesterday. Apparently, the “Nina” doll that it’s all about is quite popular over there. Little did I know that you could make your own Nina doll, and this book? Gives you the pattern and the instructions. Needless to say, it’s in Japanese, but I’ve used Japanese sewing patterns before, and if you have a basic understanding of sewing, you can work with them just fine. And if you are confident in logic? It’ll be a cinch. Anyway, the book also (and more importantly!) includes patterns (and gorgeous color photographs) for Nina’s very own chic little wardrobe. It’s a project that the girls and I will tackle this summer. And it will be an ongoing one, but one that will bring much delight (and satisfaction!) to theirs (and my) faces!

And courtesy of Unruly Things, I have been inspired to make more of an effort. I’ve been slacking lately. Running out the door every morning in the same sweatpants that I’ve been wearing for the past three days. And my favorite sneakers that have been chewed up by sweet little Lola on the left side of the right shoe. And the same tee-shirt that I slept in the night before. My grey roots are showing and really? Would it kill me to put on a little blush? Wake up my tired-looking visage? Anyway, I am human and have fallen into one of those… what do you call them? Slumps. Or ruts. But Unruly Things is going to pull me out of it. I just know it will. And this is the perfect time to try – summer (well, almost). As in summer + dresses = effortless grace. Throw one on, and then even with yesterday’s hair and flip-flops, you look great. And speaking of dresses, this is the one (in ‘Johnnie’s Favorite Print’), found while perusing the past posts on the Unruly site, that caught my eye and imagination. I want this dress! The cut, the print, the fabric… It’s too perfect for words.

This French woman’s blog. I am obsessed. No one can put together such a stunningly simple and chic outfit as a French woman can. I love to scan through the photos of her ensembles. Most of them with hand-made items. Just impeccable. And again, inspiring. In my next life? Please, please, please let me come back as a fantastically modern French woman with style to spare. Please.

Love You Baby. My favorite new children’s store. I haven’t bought anything from them yet, but I cannot stop looking at the clothes! Just so simple, sumptuous and timeless. But with an edge. And you know me, I love that ‘edge.’ How incredible is this little skirt? With a pair of Havaiana flip-flops and a plain white tank-top? Pea would be in heaven.

Superga sneakers. I used to hoard these on trips to Italy. I’d hit every store in town, looking for my size, specific colors, and then lug them back to the States. I adored them. But somewhere along the path of my life, I let them go. And now? They are making them in tiny kid sizes, and my passion has been reignited. So cute, so practical, so many choices.

This Zodiac watch. I love a good and sporty watch. This one is chunky, but not so oversized that I’d look as if I borrowed my husband’s watch. Just perfect for an active lifestyle.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend! And Happy Mother’s Day…