The Intersection of Design & Motherhood
Happy Flag Day, Friends! Flag Day is also my birthday and Ben Blair gave me a kumquat tree this morning to celebrate. It’s so beautiful! That Ben Blair is such a sweetheart.
P.S. — Do you like to eat kumquats?
Previous post: Zoku Pops
Next post: The Prettiest Family Trees (And How to Make Them Happen)
My name is Gabrielle Blair. I'm a designer and mother of six. We're currently living in a farmhouse in the French countryside. It is dreamy as can be. I post on where design and motherhood intersect.
Like what you see? Join me.
New to Design Mom? Here are 10 posts to get you started:
What to Wear To Middle School
Napoleon Dynamite
Our Birth Announcements
Potato Print Clothing
Having Another Child
Young Einstein Birthday Party
Little Red LightHouse Outing
Porch Makeover
Waving Goodbye To The Atlantic Ocean
Build Two Toddler Beds for $75
Pimp My Ride: Family Edition
We've used our base in France to do lots of traveling. It's addictive! Here are some of our adventures:
A trip to Amsterdam.
Canoeing on the Dordogne River.
A Belgian Waffle Tour.
A wintery visit to Cologne.
Three cheers for Barcelona!
The tulip fields in Holland.
We saw the final match of the French Open.
One of our favorite spots is Mont St. Michel.
I wonder where we'll wander next! To see more of our travels, click here.
Wow! Time Magazine named Design Mom a Top Website of the Year. I'm blushing! See the writeup about Design Mom here. And see the full list here. You can find more press links, interviews and articles here.
{ 100 comments… read them below or add one }
Joyeux anniversaire!
I went to a teeny-tiny college in California. There was a location on campus called “Down Below” — a lush little valley filled with hidden pathways, calla lilies, ivy, and fern. It was dream-like. There were three ponds and at the third pond, there was a kumquat tree. On hot days, I’d go for a swim in the cool mountain-fed waters and eat kumquats. I was so refreshing. Whenever I see kumquats, I think of those wonderful times.
What a gorgeous memory!
And happy birthday to you! I got caught up in my reverie!
Gabrielle, it’s beautiful, my hubby wanted to get me a mini orange or lemon tree, but i said no, kumquat it must be. we’ve yet to find the perfect one. yours is gorgeous. happy day! bisous, maria
Best of luck on your hunt!
It’s my birthday today as well! Joyeux Anniversaire to you (et moi aussi). I have enjoyed reading your blog since I found it a few months ago. I am a French teacher and have traveled a bit in Normandy myself so it is fun to relive the countryside through you. I have to say I’m a bit jealous of your year-long adventure!
Happy Birthday, Julie!
As we say in our flock, “A very Happy Hatch Day to you!” Enjoy those yummy kumquats and that fabulous husband!
Dear Design Mom,
Happy Birthday! I think this is the most lovely present EVER. I’m an Australian-born Vietnamese, and I grew up with the kumquat tree in my grandma’s yard and the I LOVE the smell. I also didn’t know that it was called “kumquat” in English also! Because that is exactly how we say it in Vietnamese. I always thought it was pronounced “kalamansi” in English.
But anyway, enough of my little spiel… hope you have a fantastic week!
Woohoo! Happy birthday! And way to go Ben Blair!
Happy happy day to you, Gabrielle. I love your gift from Ben Blair. Have a wonderful birthday.
Happy Birthday! You’re husband should write a gift guide on what to give wives, to be forever published for my husband to see, right here :)
Oh sheesh, worst typo ever. your.
Hippo Birdie Two Ewes
Hippo Birdie Two Ewes
Hippo Birdie Deer Gabrielle
Hippo Birdie Two Ewes!
Happy birthday!
I love kumquats and if our climate allowed it, I would adore a kumquat tree. Unfortunately, our climate most certainly would kill one. What we can do here like no one’s business? Raspberries.
Happy Birthday to you!
I have never ate some Kumquats. How does this fruits smell like?
The fruit is small and oval. The inside is sour, like a lemon but the peel is sweet like orange. When you eat the fruit whole, it has a very interesting sweet/sour pay in the mouth! I have sprouted seeds from a handful of kumquats given to my by a friend. I am excited to watch them grow!
Happy Birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day!
Happy Birthday! Do something amazing! What a neat birthday gift.
ZOMGORSH SO CUTE! Did you name it, yet? Ah, yes: Happy Birthday!!!
Happy Birthday! I haven’t had kumquats in years. When I hear of them now it always makes me think of the random fruits and veggies that are examples of your baby’s size when pregnant. (almond, grape, kumquat, parsnip, etc.)
Hah! I was thinking the same thing. Too funny.
How beautiful is that! Funny thing, we just started seeing kumquats in our grocery store about 6 months ago…they were labeled “new item”. I bought them..I knew I had seen them before..but had no idea what to do with them. After reading up on the internet, I found you could make a pie with them. I did make a pie..and it was so delicious! If you’re interested, the recipe is on my blog.
Anyhow, a very happy birthday to you! I have been visiting your blog for a couple of months now and I love it! I wanted to tell you that I saw you and your family on HGTV the other night! I can’t remember the name of the show, it was probably “international house hunters”. We came into the show about 10 minutes after it started, so I have no idea if they mentioned what you do…but as I’m watching, I’m thinking “oh my gosh! I think that is that woman from the blog I read!!!! I told my husband and so we pulled it up on the computer and sure enough…it was you! I thought that was pretty exciting! Of course when they showed the double sided desk that you wrote about and the wonderful tree house I was completely for sure it was you!! That was pretty cool!!
So glad you saw the show, Bonnie! I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m really excited to.
I don’t have a kumquat tree but have many friends that do. (Here in central Florida they grow all over the place.) I am locally famous for my kumquat marmalade. It’s a lot of work but I do a huge batch that will last all year. It’s deliciously tangy. FYI: The inside of the kumquat is sour and the skin is sweet.
Happy Birthday, kumquats are the best. That is a beautiful tree!
I have never had a kumquat. Mmmm.
Happy birthday!
Gorgeous!
I will now remember your birthday forever because it’s my wedding anniversary today. Happy birthday — hope you are thoroughly enjoying your day!
Happy anniversary, Zoe! How many years?
Nine! I don’t know where the time has gone.
Oh, and in case you want a few details… :-)
http://slowmama.com/everdaylife/nine-years-today/
What a lovely surprise! These pictures are stunning…
Happy Birthday to you, hope your day was lovely. I have never had a kumquat, and now I am very curious…
How strangely life connects us all, Gabrielle! I am also a designer (who has been enjoying your blog) and today is my birthday as well! (I’ve not encountered many people who share our Flag Day bday—or many people who even know what Flag Day is). What a beautiful present! Thanks for your sharing your life with us!
What a beautiful, natural gift! Happy Birthday Gabrielle, I hope all your birthday wishes come true!:)
Happy Birthday! I love the kumquat tree. What a nice gift!
Lovely gift for a lovely day. Happy Birthday Gabrielle.
Love from Lori C.
BONNE ANNIVERSAIRE!! Did I mangle that french? I love how you always call your husband Ben Blair, so cute! Here’s a funny thing, I have purchased kumquats before and then been too afraid to eat them! So silly. What a lovely gift!
Happy birthday! I really have no idea if I’ve had a kumquat before, but surely so! Surely….
Happy Birthday! What a beautiful gift. I love kumquats. I have always wanted a potted citrus tree, I had not considered kumquats! Will you keep it inside?
Have a beautiful day!!
Happy Birthday! Wishing you all the best to come this upcoming year!
Happy Birthday! I used to live in a rental house here in San Diego that had a Loquat tree? I had no idea what they were or what to do with the fruit, but kumquats look much better. I’d love to see what you do with them!
What a beautiful gift! He’s a keeper, though you probably already had that thought a time or two. I’ve never eaten a kumquat but they smell divine.
Happy birthday, Gabrielle.
I’ve never eaten a kumquat. Now I’m curious. That tree sure is pretty.
Happy Birthday! Hope you get spoiled!
Joyeux anniversaire! I’ve just come to the startling realization that I’ve never had a kumquat. Must rectify this immediately. The tree looks gorgeous!
Happy Birthday!! I love kumquats. What a sweet gift.
Gefeliciteerd / Happy birthday!! What a great present. I love kumquats! :-)
Happy Happy Birthday!!! Love the adorable kumquat tree! We had kumquats growing in our backyard in SoCal when I was a teen. Love them! Enjoy the tree and I hope you had an absolutely wonderful day. :)
Happy Birthday :)
Happy Happy Birthday to you!
That Ben Blair is quite the guy. What a perfect and lovely gift! (Um, can I ask this though? How are you going to get it back here? Because you surely can’t leave it there…)
Happy birthday, Gabrielle! Thank you for all the beauty and grace you add to the world. Enjoy your special day and your kumquats!
Love your sweet gift! Birthday Blessings!
Happy Birthday! That is such a fun present and a beautiful tree. I have never tasted a kumquat but I think that is a gorgeous tree.
Happy Birthday Gabrielle! I adore kumquats. They are a little hard to find up here, in the great Canadian north, but I do love them when I find them.
And that is one brilliant birthday present. Well played Ben Blair. Well played indeed.
Happy birthday Gabrielle!
And, yes, we like kumquats!
happy birthday gabrielle ! wishing you a wonderful year ahead :D
Happiest birthday to you! Today is one of my favorite days -my anniversary. I hope you enjoy your day and some kumquats. :)
You share a birthday with my Dad. Hope you have a great day!
So, this post helped clear up something I’ve wondered about for some time. Background: I am pregnant with my 5th. Throughout each pregnancy I have received the weekly emails from babycenter that describe each little step of development. Somewhere in the first trimester one of the emails refers to the baby as “the size of a kumquat” which until now has brought absolutely no mental picture to me. Thanks for helping me out here. Sure I could have googled it years ago but, who has time for that with 4 kids running around? Cheers!
Happy Birthday Gabby!! Love the tree and seeing you all on House Hunters. Gorgeous House!
Happiest birthday wishes to you Gabrielle!
What a beautiful tree, you lucky lady. I am ashamed to say I have never tried a kumquat as they are not easy to find here but I will keep my eye out for them now. Enjoy every moment today!
happy birthday, gabby blair! i grew up in so. cal. and our next door neighbor had a kumquat tree and the kumquats always fell on our driveway. my brothers used them as weapons. i only tried a kumquat last year! not bad.
Kumquats are my ABSOLUTE favorite. My grandma and grandpa have a giant one in their yard in So. Cal and I have so many memmories surrounding kumquats and my grandparents. I’ve always claimed that whenever they pass away all I really want is the kumquat tree from their back yard. I don’t think it will survive a transplant, but I think I’ll buy one to always have.
I love to eat them plain, but my favorite is kumquate cake found here http://www.kumquatgrowers.com/recipe024.html
Happy birthday! I love the tree – so pretty!
Happy Birthday Gabrielle! I hope you enjoy your day. That is the cutest little tree. I have never tried a kumquat I might just have to go find one.
Happy Birthday!! My husbands late step father gave me a kumquat tree for my college graduation it is still treasured.
What a sweet birthday gift – it’s a beauty. I wish I liked kumquats. I try, I really do. But I just prefer how lovely they are.
I hope you’re getting the royal treatment from all your lovelies today!
Beautiful! And Happy Birthday to you!
Joyeux Anniversaire !
I love kumquats! Thanks for reminder ! This is the perfect idea I was looking for father’s day!
By the way I’m French and I live in Brittany and I really enjoy your storiesabout all of your little family living in France.
Hope you had a nice day :)
My husband loves kumquats! I just like them :-) But, I do think they are lovely to look at and that tree is just stunning. Happy birthday!
Absolutely beautiful!! What a special gift. I’m sure it will make you smile every day.
Did you see Jenny of Little Green Notebook’s post (or was it 2 different posts?) just the other day about trees and funky plants in traditional containers? Such a fun coincidence that she and Ben Blair were on the same page.
Happy Birthday hun! Blessings and love all around you! It’s my father-in-law’s birthday today (and it was mine on 10th, so just the other day!) Hurray for Geminis!
Happy birthday Gabrielle
Happy to know we seré born with just one day of difference (my birthday was yesterday)
Which year were u born in?
Sweet Ben Blair
Beautiful the pot for the kumquant tree
Happy Birthday, Gabrielle!
Awww! How sweet – a gift that keeps on giving, as they say!!! I hope the rest of your day was super-fun! Happy birthday!!!
Happy Flag Day and Birthday! I’m also a Flag Day baby. My husband came home with the most unique orange roses this afternoon. Love a bright splash of color to give your mood a boost. Love that kumquat tree!
Happy birthday Gabi! I hope this one spent in France is particularly special and memorable for you x
What a perfectly beautiful and thoughtful gift! Happy Birthday!
Oh What a beautiful gift!!! Happy Happy Birthday!!! Hope you have a brilliant day with your family… and many many more!!! Love your blog, can’t believe how long it took me to discover it!!!
Happy Birthday Gabrielle! Hope it is a wonderful year for you.
Happy birthday, dear. Hope you enjoyed a lovely day.
happy birthday! i love kumquats! and what a beautiful tree! i want one now!!
Bon anniversaire !
Joyeux anniversaire or as they say here in Canada, Bonne Fete a toi, Bonne Fete a toi!
Have a glorious day!
A very happy birthday to you!! :)
Love the present! Love the idea! Love the pics!
As I would tell my toddlers: Good job, Ben Blair!
Happy birthday, Gabby! Hope you had a great day :D
Happy Birthday Gabby!!!
Oh Happy Birthday! My birthday is just a few days earlier than yours. June is a lovely birthday month (and lovely name for a baby :-)). That is a beautiful present.
Happy birthday to you! You are a constant inspiration! Good thing you were born. :)
Wow. What an amazing gift. A guy thought of this?? You’ve got a keeper! I adore kumquats! Happy Birthday!
yes. my dad and aunt used to get them as a special treat for christmas, and anything that’s “special” tastes better, right?
also, they’re fab with this dip:
http://www.cooks.com/rec/doc/0,1615,137191-246196,00.html
That Ben Blair is a keeper! Happy Birthday.
Happy B-day! funny…my husband B-day was yesterday too!
happy belated! what a beautiful gift too!
This is so sad but I don’t think I ever eaten one but now I’m sure I need a beautiful little tree like that so I can certainly try one!
xo Trina
ps- I loved watching you guys on House Hunters. The house is unbelievably stunning and I loved watching you + Ben Blair together – so sweet!
Happy (belated) birthday! I love that he gave you this. What a charming gift. Well done, Ben Blair!
We have the same birthday! Celebrated at Disneyland with my dad, who just so happens to share our birthday too. Love the gift idea of a Kumqat tree, talk about original.
We have the same birthday! Celebrated at Disneyland with my dad, who just so happens to share our birthday too. Love the gift idea of a kumquat tree, so original.