erin condren's blog

copy cat?

erin — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 22:14:53 +0000

as a designer myself, I make it a practice to respect the creativity and ideas of others and keep my collection fresh and unique without being a “copycat.” I remember the purse parties years ago where gals sold “Kate Spade” bags from their homes, but we all knew they were not really made by Kate. It actually drove me nuts and I swore I would never purchase something that robbed the designer of her originality (and the sale!) However, am I a total hypocrit for finding similar looks for my home for a whole lot less than the “real deal?” I think not. A friend of mine has turned me on to a website called www.copycatchic.com and I am hooked! She is not promoting “fakes”, just showing options to purchase from other collections if you can’t afford the original.

Nate Berkus' living room

I just adore Nate Berkus and loved the feature on his apartment in Elle Decor. I also love EVERYTHING by Madeline Weinrib, but until I can afford her collection, i might have to stick with the IKEA version of this fab rug for now. I’m sooo okay with that when it looks this good!

Madeline is soo fine!

IKEA version works for me!

Hip Hoppin’ mamas!

erin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:58:27 +0000

while we’re on the topic of being HIP, thought i would post about the adult HIP HOP class that I’m taking with a bunch of other moms…we are having an absolute blast! My friend kelly, who is the “Julie McCoy” fun planner of the group, sent an email a few months ago for an 8 week dance class this summer. Quite a commitment, i missed the first two classes with my husband’s surgery and all that we’ve had going on. I went for the first time last week and am SO GLAD I DID! I have not felt so ALIVE in a long time! It was quite a workout, we were all drenched in sweat…and that was only the warm up. Many younger “teens” in the class, but our “hip hoppin mommy crew” is sumthin else! (my kids would be horrified) I’ve been having terrible arthritis flare ups lately, but i decided to put my fears and pain aside and give it my all…it was so therapeutic and invigorating! I attached a video clip to show what we learned…this is our darling YOUNG instructor, I wouldn’t dare show you my moves! ha! hip hoppin’ mamas!

how HIP is this?

erin — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:38:30 +0000

i mean, really, there truly is an “APP” for everything! several friends have turned me on to HIPSTAMATIC, an Iphone APP that makes photos look like “old school” polaroids. I love the borders and funky hues…looks like the summer of 69! (think Bryan Adams and sing along) Send us a Hipstamtic photo and we’ll turn it into a note card. Now THAT’S HIP.

unpredicatable appendectomy!

erin — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 21:41:39 +0000

must say, our summer has been off to a rocky start, and it sure hasn’t helped that our California sun just refuses to shine down on the beach cities! My husband had an emergency appendectomy 2 weeks ago that really knocked the wind out of us all…i suppose that sort of thing can never be predicted, but he really had very little pain until just a few hours before. After removing a “gangrenous” appendix that had ruptured, he spent a week in the hospital and then developed an infection and poor guy had to be opened up again! Doc says the whole process was more like a C-Section than a standard appendectomy. He has a 7″ scar, but thankfully didn’t deliver another set of twins! We are blessed with the two we have and just relieved to have him healthy and home. As always, we are able to reflect and find the humor, even in this experience. I mean, do you know a 6 foot 6 inch man that paints his toe nails black?? yes, I took this photo of my husband as they wheeled him off to surgery…clearly our hospitals need to get bigger beds! All good now, surely counting our blessings and hoping the summer sun will shine down on us all soon.

Our 2010/2011 Life Planners are here!

jennifer — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 19:23:22 +0000

My Magic School Bus

erin — Fri, 25 Jun 2010 21:29:09 +0000

As a working mom, it has always been tough juggling my career and family time. I would sometimes be envious of others that spend more time in the classroom, watching gymnastics class, participating in more playdates, etc. But over the years, I have come to really enjoy my “work/life balance”, especially as my kids are older now and fine without my shadow. I also love my role as “Ms. Frizzle”, the wild and whacky woman from the cartoon Magic School Bus, as I drive 6 kids to school each day before heading to my office.

I drive an old Vee-Dub Eurovan, which I absolutely love. It’s certainly not fancy, but then again, neither am i. The kids pile in each morning and we have a seat rotation so there is never a reason to complain. They each get a turn to choose which route we take to school (3 choices) and we usually tell “knock knock” jokes, or listen to Miley, Micheal Jackson, or now my daughter’s fave…Justin Bieber.

For the last day of school, i found this darling School Bus Raglan Tee on Zazzle.com and let my six bus riders autograph the back. Next year my kids will go to a different school in walking distance from our home…i will surely miss these whacky bus rides and cherish the memories forever!

My daughter video taped our FINAL RIDE with my phone, click to see the whacky wild ride!

Summer SPLASH!

erin — Tue, 22 Jun 2010 17:02:31 +0000

my precious twin nieces are turning SEVEN this week! wow, seems like just yesterday they were born. my clever and creative sister, TJ KELLEY, not only designs fabulous personalized jewelry, but is also a party planner extraordinaire!

You can steal this idea just by personalizing a pack of “Picture this!” Party Labels to stick on a beach bucket or any goody bag. My team will create special invitations and party labels for any celebration this summer!

Oh! What a Week! with Brooke Burke

erin — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 23:29:06 +0000

..and I thought I was a busy mom! It really is amazing what Brooke can accomplish with 4 kids, her exploding career hosting Dancing With the Stars, running her own on-line business & blog, while lending her time to many needy causes. She was recently in the South reporting on the struggling community around the massive oil spill…just awful. Brooke and I met to collaborate on this non-personalized versison of our weekly schedule pad for her website, www.modernmom.com

Also available on my site in the personalized version, together we hope to help busy families stay organized and on track

make a CHANGE in your school!

erin — Mon, 07 Jun 2010 22:50:18 +0000

As we struggle with budget cuts in our schools in this dreadful California budget crisis, we all are doing what we can to keep our vital school programs alive. This week our school has initiated a “change jar competition” between the grades to inspire more donations…every penny adds up and can ultimately save a teacher’s job, a music program, PE and anything else on the chopping block. I made stickers for the kids to wear or stick on folders or skateboards if they donate…time to empty our piggy banks!

Our neighborhood had a lemonade stand on Memorial Day and raised $41 for our school!

one jar for each grade: K-1-2

Bathroom is finished!

jennifer — Thu, 03 Jun 2010 22:18:14 +0000

As usual, we were down to the wire with our last minute home improvements before the wedding!
I put on the final coat of paint to my green vanity/sink and my husband hung the fab mirror from Restoration Hardware just minutes before the guest arrived. It was tough to take a photo of the entire space, so this is the best I could do.

I am madly in love with the new wallpaper!!! Can hardly wait to offer all the new designs on my site….you will be able
to choose ANY color combo, the sky’s the limit!