It seems like just yesterday that I was sharing my Midweek Inspiration from last week.  Between recovering from a sinus infection, celebrating Valentine’s Day with Baby Boy, and taking a long weekend trip to visit family (in addition to all of the regular commitments), the past week has flown by.

Here are some items that have inspired me in the past week:

Photo by Slim Aarons (1980) via Pleasurephoto. The view from the terrace of Il Canile, a villa owned by Umberto Tirelli and Dino Trappetti.

This breathtaking photo makes me long for a return to Capri.

If you’re in NYC, don’t forget to drop by French fashion darling Vanessa Bruno’s pop up store before it closes on February 26.  Extra points if you pick up macarons from the store’s Laduree cart along with a Diptyque candle and bouquet of fresh flowers for yours truly.  And while we’re on the subject of French boutiques in New York, you can read about the French boutique invasion in New York here.

K. Jacques triton sandal in navy.

I’ve had K. Jacques sandals on my list for a couple of years now as a classic item to add to my wardrobe.  Preston of Keep it Chic, a blog that captures my fashion aesthetic, shared that these sandals are now available in navy, causing these babies to skyrocket even higher onto my style priority list.  These would be the perfect shoe for a scene like the one pictured above in Capri.

Interior via The Girls of Lincoln Park.  Original source unknown.

I’m always drawn to black and white, but here my eye focuses on the mix of gold, silver, and crystal in this room.  I wouldn’t think to pair the three together, but somehow it works here without looking too staid.  Maybe it’s the orchid that gives the combination a literal fresh touch?  I also love that (probably faux) Hermes coffee table tray.

If you’re watching the Oscars this weekend or enjoying another screen marathon, you might want to try this tantalizing sea salt and honey butter popcorn recipe from Domestikated Life.

Image via The Sartorialist.

I love the casual mix here.  A sleek leather-trimmed coat, motorcycle boots, and Prada tote are softened up by a peek of lace and emerald green (hello Pantone Color of 2013).  This shows that a chic way to wear color and frill is to temper it with basic black.

Image source

“You’re never going to get everything done.  So get the right things done.”  Mike Vardy via The Happiness Project.

“Let’s all decide to no longer hide behind the excuse that  we “don’t have time.”  The  truer response would be “I don’t care enough  to really protect the time.”  A Design so Vast.

I read these compelling quotes in the past week.  Sometimes it takes a restatement of the simplest truth to cause us to more deeply understand something we know to be true.  Time is our most precious resource.

Becoming a mother changes priorities.  It happens both instantly and slowly, over time.  Lately I’ve been reexamining how I spend my time.  All of it is so precious and as a mother with a career, I feel the need to have the time apart from my child be well spent and purposeful.  There are many events I’d enjoy attending or people I would like to see or catch up with over the phone more often, but I don’t.  It comes down to the fact that I have to make sure that the right things get done and that my time with my child is protected.  I’m going to arm myself with these quotes for times when the deluge of opportunities threatens to impede on my time with my child or my other highest priorities.

Sometime in the past year, I read that the greatest skill of our time is the ability to sort through all of the information available and focus on what’s important.  This too is something with which I struggle, particularly when it comes to media and consumer goods (fashion!).  The above quotes have also inspired me to become more mindful of the media I consume and narrow my focus.  One of my great pleasures in life is consuming books, blogs, magazines, and catalogs, and it’s difficult for me to find the time to keep up with all of the media I find deserving of attention.  I also have trouble keeping this blog updated with all of the noteworthy things I’ve encountered (There are so many things!), and that’s one reason why I’ve started this Midweek Inspiration series.

What do you think of my picks?  What has been inspiring you this week?  Have you found any quotes lately to arm yourself with in the face of life’s challenges?  Do you share the same struggles with prioritizing or media consumption?