What girl didn't love dressing up in their mom's dresses and shoes growing up? Looking for something different for your next girls' night? Organize a Girls' Night Clothing Swap.     I love clothing swaps, especially ones where I'm "raiding" my friends' closets. For me, a clothing swap isn't just about acquiring more stuff. It's also an opportunity to get to know my friends better (stories range from who gave someone a dress, where the item was originally scored, to what event(s) the item was worn to).   I can't wait for the next girls' night/clothing swap. I have two entire crates of vintage clothes that I didn't have time to go through before last night's swap.   Tips for a organizing a clothing swap Collect shopping bags so that girls can stash their scores and transport them home. Save hangers from the dry cleaners so that girls can display clothing. Clear off flat spaces so that accessories can be easily displayed. Cl...

The adage goes: the family that eats together stays together. We typically achieve it with take out or delivery; not the most healthy or budget friendly option. The cheat? Carefully chosen canned goods. A well stocked pantry.     After a long day a work, husbands in sitcoms from the 1950s and 1960s come home to a piping hot, fresh from the oven or stove top dinner. The table is set and the kids are either waiting or sliding into their seats. Not so in our house.     Flash to today and the home of a family trying to live the good life. The wife comes through the door with baby and fresh vegetables from a local farmer's market (or her co-worker's garden). The husband opens a bottle of wine and pours two glasses. The couple plays with the baby or reads to her depending on how awake she is and then puts her to bed.   The couple retreats to the kitchen for dinner. Working together the couple can have a tasty chicken or salmon pasta dish on the table in under half...

One of my favorite treats is a well-crafted antipasto plate with cheeses, salami, and olives. For dinner parties, I love taking comfort food and kicking it up a notch -- so a cheese buffet or a cheese station to start the evening would fit right in. Today I round up four of my favorite cheese spreads.     When I was pregnant I missed ending each day with a artfully plated appetizer. So it's no surprise now that I'm not pregnant we regularly have antipasto. Whether it's just me or the two of us eating I love to set a visually appealing plate.   The Inspiration (top clockwise) : Styled by Alchemy Fine Events , Enchanted Dream Weddings , and Isari Flower Studio , photographed by Christine Chang , spotted on Alchemy Fine Events & Invitations: From Inspiration to Gold ; styled by Imbue Weddings , photographed by Deep Grey Photography , spotted on Polka Dot Bride ; styled by Valley and Co. , photographed by Llanes Weddings ; styled by Sunday Suppers , photographed by Kare...

Every time someone says "It's complicated," I cringe. In the rare case, it'll be followed by the lament, "We need smarter customers." Both signal the potential for jargon. For unnecessary words. It takes effort to follow Rule 17: Omit needless words (The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White).     Twitter with its 140 character limit challenges us to make every word count. Most commercial authors, "Tweeters," want you to do something; they include a "call to action (CTA)." Their 140 characters must convince you to learn more, to go to a longer advertisement and explanation. Google Adwords grants a copywriter a few more characters towards their cause. Abbreviations, contractions, and other hilarity ensues. Clarity is lost. Obfuscation reigns.   I carry "the little book" tucked inside my purse, for those times when I find myself with unexpected, unscheduled time or faced with writer's block. This morning the b...

When it comes to clothes shopping I'm a total exception. I hate going to the mall. I avoid the mall at all costs. Unflattering lighting. Teeming manhandling masses. I'll do my clothes shopping in the comfort of my own home thank you very much. So how do I find new clothes?     Almost all of the clothes I buy have been discovered online. (I try to avoid malls -- crowds specifically -- as much as possible.) Many started with a photo on Facebook or Twitter. Some from Google Adwords. A couple from email and traditional direct mail. Where do your clothing purchases start?   Recently I've bought clothes from ModCloth, Target, Macy's, Nordstrom, Old Navy, Madewell, Free People, and Tulle -- not counting my vintage finds. I also tried to buy clothes from Ann Taylor.   I'll start with my Ann Taylor experience. First, let me say you don't want to interact with this brand solely by catalog. If you're relying on the catalog or direct mailers to alert you to new coll...

One of the first interactive educational displays in Gates' room was a set of Magnetic Message Boards that my sister, an elementary school teacher, recommended. We quickly began introducing Gates to simple words. Our challenge: a single set of the alphabet.     Rules for Our Family Scramble As with any game there are rules. Here are our rules: Words must be family-friendly; swear words are not allowed. One point is awarded for each two or three-letter word created. Two points for each four or five-letter word. Three points for words with six or more letters. One point is awarded for each letter used. One point is subtracted for each leftover letter. Extra points for words that can be used in context with Gates (1 point per word). For example, "Where did you hide your binky?" Extra points for positive words. Extra points for using uppercase and lowercase letters appropriately (a point per word). (Doesn't apply in every game.) To simplify our game, I started acqui...

A couple of months ago I discovered The Hour with Dominic West (from The Wire). (I can't wait for November when Season 2 finally airs here in the states!) While I started watching it because Dominic West was in it, the lead female character, Bel Rowley , hooked me.   The Finds (top collage) : Leather Trim Ponte Top , $168, with Paneled Pencil Skirt , $79.50. (bottom collage) : Dolman Black Top Houndstooth Skirt , $174.   For me, Bel stands out from most of the other female characters currently in period TV shows. Unlike other shows, Bel is in charge; she's the producer of a televised news program. She was given the position because it was thought "a woman would be easier to steer;" but at least she didn't sleep her way into it. When we meet her, she's 28, single, and attracted to her show's anchor.   The Finds : Fitted Split-Sleeve Dress , $380.   While Bel may struggle initially with taking the reins, for example, squabbling and open rebellion ...

Now that Gates is mobile we need a flooring solution that's easy to maintain and that she won't escape. Because we're renting our options are limited. The solution? Layered minky cuddle rugs.     When I was pregnant we got three waterproof bed pads for protecting our brand new mattress if my water broke while I was asleep. As Gates began rolling, I repurposed the pads to cover the rug in her room until we got it steam cleaned. An advantage we quickly discovered was that if Gates spit up we could toss the pad into the wash and switch it out with another.   Last week when cubes was in Portland for XOXO I finally got a chance to read the latest issue of Anthology. One of the spaces they showcased had hardwood floors covered in coordinated, layered area rugs. Immediately I thought this would be a great idea for covering the floor in Gates' nursery. I started looking for affordable, color coordinated rugs. I quickly decided that approach wouldn't work. First, too expensi...

Business cards are key to forming a good first impression. And at Alt Summit people take the design of their cards very seriously. (Check out these round ups of favorite business cards from previous Alt Summits by Camille Styles ( 2011 , 2012 ), Creature Comforts , Food Nouveau , Kirtsy , and SHE PAPERIE .) While the conference is not until January, there are already posts on the Alt Blog about " The Importance of Business Card Design " along with tips .   Credits (clockwise from top left) : Ez Pudewa of Creature Comforts ; Camille Styles (2012); Kathleen Shannon of Jeremy and Kathleen / Braid Creative; Camille Styles (2011); Robin Miller of It's Robin with an i ; and Meg Biram of MIMI+MEG .   Maybe it's because I worked for a firm with many Chinese and Japanese customers early in my career that I consider business cards very carefully. If you're not familiar with how business cards are exchanged in China or Japan, here's a quick introduction. Parties ex...

It's that time of year again. The time when everyone else starts wearing boots. (Only my suede boots go into hibernation for a season and that's just so they don't get ruined by rain.)     This year the trend for boots seems to be anything goes.   I like a more put together look, so here are some guidelines I try to keep in mind when buying a pair of boots and selecting which pair of boots to wear with an outfit. (I have over eight pairs of boots; the latest are pictured at the top of this post.) Let the shape of your skirt be your guide for the height of your boot: With a full skirt, let the hem fall just over the top of the boot. With a fitted skirt, such as a pencil skirt, have your hem stop a few inches above your boot (3 to 6 inches). NOTE: Ankle boots can be worn with either full long skirts or hobble skirts. With a maxi skirt, choose a boot with a platform heel or slouchy boots. With a mini skirt, choose thigh highs with either a stiletto heel or flat sole. Pa...

Last Wednesday at work, we hosted thirteen industry mavens (aka bloggers) for Wireless Field Day who'd flown into Silicon Valley for three jam packed days. The energy here has me giddy for Alt Summit in January.     Whether you're hosting an event or participating you want everything to be perfect. Before the delegates arrived at our corporate headquarters we surveyed and studied every aspect of the room we'd be presenting in.     We added locally grown orchids to brighten up the space. We placed filled water glasses, a pitcher of water, and a bucket of ice on the table so that no one would be parched or feel uncomfortable getting up during the video taping.     One of my coworkers even baked pumpkin cupcakes to make the delegates feel welcome.     For Alt Summit I've already begun planning my wardrobe (and how to fit everything in my luggage) and sketching business card designs. I've also started thinking of a hometown gift for my roomies. ...

Mid-week cubes headed north to Portland for XOXO. While he's there, us girls are having a staycation. The key to a successful staycation with a five month old? These five must haves.     Pound of favorite coffee beans from Ritual Roasters. All natural refined-sugar free pick me up. Optimism. Fully stocked changing table. Lots of freshly pressed coffee to keep up with an energetic infant (and an iPhone to capture all those moments cubes is missing). How do you handle single parentdom?   Ciao Bella! Eden   Credits: All images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life. Font Fun is a monthly series showcasing a roundup of free fonts or featuring a free printable with a favorite font.   Get the Fonts: Fonts used were We Love Cute Things by Cindyyo found on DaFont.com and Vacation Postcard NF font by Nick's Fonts found on Fontspace.com ( commercial use allowed ).

It's that time of year again. Time for a new purse. Or three.     For over a year, I've been looking for a black purse that goes from day to night. At Kate Spade NY's Fashion's Night Out sale, I found it -- the Bow Valley Astra. I also found the perfect tote to stash it in -- the Nylon Large Tate .   Do you have a season when you shop? Or do you indulge all year round?   Ciao Bella! Eden   Credits: All images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life.

Whether by phone, through email, or in the mail, I'm barraged by offers. I no longer answer my phone. I seldom reply to email. And, I rarely, if ever, pick up my mail from the mailroom. To get my attention one needs to be creative.     This week two items caught my attention. One - a package - succeeded because it never entered the mailroom; it got delivered to my desk.     Another got my attention through the choice of stamps the sender used.     What gets your attention?   Ciao Bella! Eden   Credits: All images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life.

This Labor Day Weekend Gates stayed at her grandparents while we headed to Black Rock City, Nevada. Unlike previous trips, we didn't plan in advance -- decided a few weeks before the event to go -- and we didn't go for the full week.     We arrived Friday night just in time to see a spectacular sunset and shortly before a windstorm. With the exception of Friday night the weather for the rest of the weekend was mild. Saturday's heat was pleasant in comparison to other years; I was able to hang out in a tank top and pants until early afternoon when I exchanged pants for a skirt.     In 2010, when cubes and I got married on the playa , a friend gifted us the best breakfast I'd ever had: lox with capers on a sourdough baguette. Because we were arriving late we wanted to share something unexpected with our campmates. We picked up Champagne, lox, capers, sourdough baguette, Triscuts, and Cypress Moon Purple Haze Goat Cheese. The nibbles, sans capers which we forgot in our...

For this month's portrait, Gates was all serious and stoic when I was behind the camera and smiles and giggles when I started to walk away. I captured her mid-laugh for her portrait by standing to the side of the tripod.     Four days a week Gates stays with her grandparents. My mom keeps detailed notes of what Gates does during the day. (View more photos of what Gates was up to in August, in The First Two Years Flickr gallery.) Here are some of the highlights from August:   "Wants to sit up. Arches top 1/2 of body 4 to 6 inches off of the floor when on her back. Loves to sit against my knees 'sitting up' & play with toys dangling from arch." - August 13, 2012   "Playtime: Roll over, scoot & 'sit up.' Very active. Showed off bubble blowing skills & singing." - August 16, 2012   "Playtime: Really loves to catch the rattles & hold them with both hands & shake & then hold with one hand & really shake for some time....

Earlier this week, Gates celebrated her five month birthday, and we'll be taking her portrait this weekend. Looking back over photos of her from the past month, I realized that I hadn't shared her four month portrait. So, here it is!     Throughout July, Gates enjoyed daily walks with her grandparents at Rockaway beach and being read to.   Later this afternoon we're going to reunite with the couples from our birthing class and see all the babies. I can't wait!   Ciao Bella! Eden   Credits: All layouts designed by and images taken by Eden Hensley Silverstein for The Road to the Good Life. In The Nursery is a monthly series, published on either the second or fourth Monday of each month, depending on whether Gates has a well baby check up or not, that chronicles Gates' growth during her first twenty four months. This series was inspired by Nicole Balch of Making it Lovely 's series for her two children: Eleanor and August .

How do you pick what books you're going to read or add to your personal library? For me, it's three things: choice of fonts; page layouts; and content. Well, last night as I read Perfectly Kept House is the Sign of A Misspent Life: How to live creatively with collections, clutter, work, kids, pets, art, etc... and stop worrying about everything being perfectly in its place (* affiliate link ) by Mary Randolph Carter, I became mesmerized by a watercolor font.   Anyone know which font this is?   I picked up this book not just for its content, but mostly for its layout (which I'll talk about in a future post). The use of watercolor as a design element, in the chapter headings, for the drop capital, for the Boxed heading, and for a rule, intrigued me. It was mixed up with thread which separated the columns of text. The more I stared at this font the more I wanted it. (I collect Typography and Page Layout inspiration boards on Pinterest.)   Of course I got sidetracked f...