Terrarium Fever, baby!

  

I think that its official...I am obsessed with terrariums!  I don't have one yet (I have 2 old mason jars saved for a rainy afternoon for the kiddos) but I am officially "interested" in anything terrarium!  I have always been intrigued with the whole "ship in a bottle" but I think that this is a very good alternative!  Also, I can't keep plants alive...or parakeets...or frogs...so this may be a great way to get my green thumb back (if I ever had one).  I also have always struggled with coming up with something great for our dining table, and a grouping of terrariums may do the trick.  Here is some more inspiration that I found today...

"The Botany Factory" offers terrariums at a few stores in San Francisco or you can commission and pick it up yourself. Katie Goldman-MacDonald takes such special care in making her terrariums they look like little worlds unto themselves. 

I like the idea of a family of terrariums. They come in so many different sizes. "The Slug & the Squirrel" has an amazing array of all types of terrariums. You could probably find one for everyone you know. The glass they choose to work with is really lovely and has such character, from vintage to modern...each one has such a great look.
 

 

The ladies who run "Twig Terrariums" have such a sense of humor and mischief with their work. We hope to get to see them next time we visit Brooklyn, if not I may have to mail order a kit. Too fun and a great gift to boot!
 

 

"Wendilends"minimalist terrarium kits are both beautiful and pretty funny. Perfect for your black thumb and ‘serenity now’ moments.
 

 

"Paula Hayes" living art pieces are so amazing to me. We really love that she has brought the terrarium into the galley space. Her pieces are truly living beauties. Be sure to explore her whole site — she brings plants to a whole new level.

Thanks to Meighan at: http://www.myloveforyou.typepad.com!  You can read more at her blog!

And here are some more photos to get those creative juices flowin:
 

 

Portland Picks!

This is our home-sweet-home, Portland!  We love it here and have been here over 6 years...when we have people visiting with kids and/or dogs, we are always asked the question "what should we do?"

Now, I don't think we are unlike a large percentage of the population that doesn't fully take in the experiences their city provides...you always think "oh, we can do that next summer." Or "when it gets nice out again." Then, time slips by and have haven't really been able to appreciate all the joys and beauties of the city you reside in.  Whether you live in Southern California, or up-state New York...its always the same.

Portland is one of those cities everyone seems to have an opinion about, whether they’ve been here or not. “It rains all the time there!”, “The city’s full of hippies, right?”, and on it goes. So, before you come to visit, let me clear up a few things. We do have rain, but it’s less than you think – winter is definitely gloomy, but our summers are the reason people live here: it’s gorgeous and sunny from June through October. As for the hippie thing, well, that one’s sort of true. We do have our fair share – though I’m going to get hate mail for admitting it. Most locals love their yoga, their bikes and their alternative medicine. You’ll get glares from fellow patrons if you forget to put your biodegradable coffee cup in the compost bin, and I’ve never lived somewhere with so many options for vegetarian, vegan and raw diners. We also tend to be an outdoorsy bunch (okay, that’s a metaphorical “we”…outdoorsy is one thing I’m not) – Portland is heaven if you’re into camping, skiing, hiking, kayaking, or even snowshoeing!

So, that being said, we have made a commitment to check off all the "Portland must-sees" within 1 year.  Now, that may not seem like a very ambitious adventure, but to us it is!  With 2 little ones and full time jobs, we will have to tackle at least 1 thing every month.  I am exhausted just thinking about it!

We will report all our findings to you...whether kid-friendly, dog-friendly, cost involved, drive time, highlights, etc.  Here is a list of necessity stops according to our fellow Portlanders! 

• Multnomah Falls (we have been there, but before the kiddos were around)
• the local hot springs 
• The Pearl District for an entire day (I used to work in this area, but never got to really explore)
• Go to a Blazers game
• OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science & Industry)
• Portland Historical Museum
• Crystal Springs Rhododendron Garden (over 9 acres!  holy cow!)
• Alder Creek for a kayak/canoe trip (just J and I for this one)
• Horseback riding in Beaverton
• Mount St. Helens for a day trip
• Portland Zoo
• Visit a local vineyard
• Oaks Amusement Park
• Berry-picking at Hoffman Farms in Sherwood
• Day at Henry Hagg Lake
• Eat at Stepping Stone Cafe (featured on "Man vs. Food" on the Food Network) 
• Go to Keller Auditorium
• Portland Art Museum
• Summer Concert series in Tualatin
• play in the water fountain at Waterfront park (HUGE fountain perfect for a hot summer day)
• visit Reptile World
• spend an entire afternoon in Powell's Book Store (the largest bookstore in the nation)
• Portland Farmers Market
• Spend a Saturday exploring Sauvie Island
• Go to the "original" Stumptown Coffee...we take our coffee very seriously here in the Northwest
• Go and experience a "1st Thursday" (a huge independent artist expedition on each "1st Thursday" in the month during the summer)
• spend an entire day (breakfast-dinner) eating from Portland's famous food-carts!
• Portland Japanese Garden

Portland Japanese Garden

Thanks and we look forward to sharing all our adventures with you! And for those of you who don't live here, we hope this may give you some ideas on your next visit to beautiful Oregon.

Best wishes,

Lindsay "Ladybird" & Jeremiah "Fellow"!

About our roost!

Hello!  Thank you for visiting our blog "Ladybird & Fellow!"  We are a small family of 4 living the dream in Portland, Oregon.  We created this blog so that we could record all of our family adventures, and to also inform you that you are not alone when it comes to the struggles/ joys/ tears/ fears/ hair-pulling/ crazy/ stressful/ smiley/ happiest moments of parenthood!

 

We've been through it all, so on top of fun kiddie stuff, we also wanted to include real struggles and joys of being a young family just trying to get through the day.  Who are we kidding?  The hour :)

 

Our children are Paetyn (7 years old) and Maddux (5 years), along with our furry kids: Meg (Dalmatian) and Tonka (Jack Russel Terrier) and Oreo ( the hamster). 

 

Just so you know, here are 10 real truths about us:

1. Our house is never clean. Ever.

2. Lindsay doesn't cook. Ever. But she is committed to try with our new blog adventure.

3. Jeremiah can't seem to get his clothes in the hamper.

4. Paetyn is sassy and loud (no perfect child here). But, we love her just the way she is!

5. Maddux is a puzzle-master.  He can do a 100-piece puzzle in 5 minutes flat!

6. We struggle every day.  However, at the end of the day we can always give each other a high-five that we at least got the kids out of bed, hopefully dressed, fed, and back into bed at night time.  Beyond that, its a bonus!

7. The dogs are terrors.  They would probably run away if we gave them the chance.

8. We have a lot of hobbies that include thrifting and painting furniture.

9. We both have great full-time jobs (other than parenting).

10. We love our life and wouldn't have it any other way!

 

Thanks for joining us on this adventure!  If you would like to contact us, you can reach us at ladybirdandfellow@yahoo.com.  We would love to hear from you!

Best wishes,

Lindsay ("Ladybird") & Jeremiah ("Fellow")!

 

 

our first post!

Greetings to our friends and family, near or far!  Now that the holiday season is officially upon us, I've decided to give a few hints and nudges to those around us who may be struggling with the ever-popular question "What should we get for Lindsay this year?"  A girl can dream right?

Well, these are a few ideas that anyone would be happy to get under the tree this year and they are all from one of my favorite stores, Anthropologie.  I always feel that I need a "refresh" in my home, especially when new seasons in the year come.  This is what is on my list from Santa for a new space in our home!  Do you think Santa shops at the Anthro here in Tigard, Oregon?  If so, tell all the gals that "Lindsay says hi!"  Enjoy and start letting those "gift-giving" juices flow!