Wallpaper

So... Wallpaper, people. 

Its been one of those topics for me. One where I've gone back and forth trying to determine if I liked the idea of it or not. 

I mean, at first the word "wallpaper" reminded me of something probably slightly outdated that would take a LOT of work to remove. 

Then, as I "grew up" (I guess you could say,) I started to research design more. I've spent more then the last ten years of my life pouring through magazines, blogs, Tv shows, books and store websites learning as much as I can about decor. What goes together and why? Why wouldn't something else work? Why do I like or dislike a certain set up. Its been a pastime that has proved to provide a lot of sanity in the midst of raising my little munsters. 

While holding babies, or cleaning kitchens, I'll turn on HGTV for background noise/viewing. One thing I started to notice? In the most gorgeous of rooms, they tend to use Wallpaper SOMEWHERE. As an accent, or maybe all over... but it has definitely made its comeback. A big one. 

When we found out we were expecting another little girl, I thought maybe I'd give it a go. I'd had my eye on a wallpaper from Anthropologie for a while, and I was in loooove with it. Once I got the blessing from my Man, I ordered it and enlisted the help of my fabulous Mom to hang it up. I'm only going to give you a little peek... since the whole nursery reveal will be happening sometime in the next months.

It. Is. Gorgeous. It makes the room feel rich and cheerful. I'm so happy we took the plunge. And now that I know how to hang it PRETTY successfully, I'm itching to put some more up somewhere else...

Like this pretty little number via. Anthro. It would be stunning in our Master bath, with a gorgeous gold mirror. 

Or this, also Anthro. If someone wants to hire me to design a nursery or childs room around this FABULOUS wallpaper, I'll give you an amazing deal and a gorgeous design. Promise! I'm so in love with it. Perfect in oh so many ways.

Well... there is my little number for the day. I've obviously been on Anthropologie a bit much, but a little window shopping on there with a glass of herbal tea is my ticket to a calm morning right now! The little princess is getting bigger, and I'm doing my best to stay productive for the next two and a half months despite aching hips and overwhelming exhaustion lol. Wish me luck ;) And happy Wednesday! 

Clever Ideas

I've been a little M.I.A growing a B.A.B.Y.... it seems making limbs and lungs is all consuming when it comes to energy lol. Not that I haven't done this all before... multiple times!

Anyways, I thought today it'd be fun to get on here and share two fun ideas I've run across this last summer. First was a wreath I found on pinterest. The fabulous Mom Advice blog had this tutorial, inspired by a rather spendy Anthropologie wreath. I couldn't WAIT to get my hands on the yarn and make one for myself! I'm so thrilled with the outcome, it may never come down lol! Not to mention it was much more affordable than its trendy original at Anthro. 

So fluffy... it makes me want to sip hot cocoa, turn on the fireplace, and watch a movie snuggled up on the couch.

My second little snippet of fun for today, is from my 10 year anniversary vacay this past summer. My adorable honey and I decided to take a few days and vacation in Carmel California, at this adorably quaint bed and breakfast. Our whole room was cozy and trendy, but I fell in love with the little details... such as this bathroom.

I mean, book pages on a bathroom wall... its just genius! You'll never run out of reading material, and it looks fabulous! 

SO a toilet room and a wreath. A little fun for the day ;) I'm currently working on baby girl's nursery, and can hardly wait to share the outcome with you when it's finished! 

Hoping you all have a fabulous Sunday!

Books.

My Hubby and I love books.

One of our favorite things to do on a date, is wander into a Barnes and Noble and peruse.

In the winter that probably includes a cup of hot chocolate in hand.

We almost never leave without SOME new book, for ourselves or the kids.

The difficult part about this is our bookshelf. 

We had ONE lonely tall bookshelf, stuffed to the max.

Even after weeding out any unwanted reads, it still looked overwhelmingly full-

and that annoyed me.

And I didn't want to shove some other random bookcase next to it... as much as I love them, I don't want books taking over my house.

I like everything to have a place.... a place for everything.

In moderation.

So when visiting my friend, and finding two beautifully crafted bookcases

that she claimed to have no use for... I got a little excited.

Her Hubs agreed to sell me the duo for a STEAL of a price, and I started dreaming.

I sold my other lonely shelf, and brought the other set home with a makeover in mind.

Here is the before. They were already very pretty, just too dark for my bedroom.

Enter SEVERAL coats of creamy paint.

And some wallpaper backing, courtesy of Targets new home selections. I went with a neutral silver, so once the books were added it wouldn't be too busy.

And the final result! Gorgeous, sophisticated and bright. Makes my heart happy.

And yes. The books are categorized...

Twilight and Harry Potter get their own shelf. Just as it should be!

Time to do some reading...

Product fun!

I've had the opportunity to sew some SUPER fun products lately!

When sewing, its always WAY fun to have clever clients to work with.

My gal friend Nikki is one of those ladies... always coming up with fun ideas and letting me run with them! She is also an AMAZING photographer... 

(check out her site here!)

The elephants are one of my staples in sewing. The sweeties make a perfect baby gift!

 Nikki wanted a fox, so I took an old monkey pattern and tweaked it a bit... and voila. 

I've seen a lot of really cute canvas totes lately, so I whipped this one up as a baby shower gift. Stuffed with some Honest Company diapers, and it was perfect! 

This sweet bunny was inspired off a pinterest picture I've had on my board. I thought the whimsy was totally cute, so I hit up the fabric store and had fun making up my own little pattern for him. Another baby shower gift for a dear friend :) 

Sewing is a wonderful outlet for me. Turn up the tunes, eat a few candies, and let my imagination take me away.... (and usually a trustworthy pattern!) 

I hope these sweet pics added some fun and smiles to your day! Go create something for yourself!

Spring flowers.

I'm LOVING spring this year! It has been so gorgeous here in the pacific NW. The other day while driving, I was in awe as I enjoyed the lush greenery all around me. Truly, I live in a beautiful place. I love that down one street, I'll pass hundreds of old, gorgeous trees and shrubs... AND open fields with long beautiful grass. Then as I turn down another street, the most gorgeous view of Mt. Rainier, in all its snowy glory. It takes my breath away.

For Easter this year, I got a little cupcake-crafty and made some little bunny fun for the kids. They turned out really cute and were super easy! I used a grass tip for frosting, and some bunny peeps and cadburry eggs on top. YUM-O!

And spring just wouldn't feel right without some fresh tulips. My favorite. Against my new subway tile back splash... well I'm a happy girl :) And check out my new cake stand, a fabulous find at 

TJ MAXX ($10!)

Happy Spring y'all! Go grab some fresh flowers and make today a good one!

 

  

Bright outfits, little boys!

Absolute SWEETNESS! This little man turned 2 this past week.

And what do you give the little man that has everything?

Well... Mom gets an excuse to shop for clothes!

I hit up my FAVORITE little man store... thank you H&M for dressing my boy in style.

Nothing says "spring" like a pair of bright little shorts on a pair of sweet chubby legs! 

And no... not mine.

I need to head back at some point, and pick up some for his older brother.

And possibly some for the girlies as well.

Not to mention their Chino pants.... I'm DYING over the bright colors they carry!

In the great North West, you can ALWAYS use a pair of stylish pants.

Hot weather doesn't really effect us.. more than about two weeks out of the year.

I mean SERIOUSLY. 

SO darn cute.

One of the funnest "creative mom" perks.

As my husband would say, 

I have fun dressing my "dolls" still.

You bet I do.

Happy Spring!

Shorts

Shoes

Shirt

Chinos

Having flowers on my front porch totally makes me feel like an adult.

Kind of funny, but I love that I planted the bulbs in some dirt, watered them a bit, and then

something as beautiful as this happened.

This Easter weekend I'm reminded what a gift life is. This time of year, all around us, things are budding and blooming. Its a constant reminder that God has given us life. Not only that, but he has made it possible for us to have a spiritual re-birth. Take these daffodils, for instance... they bloom, then they will die and dry up. But next year, they will sprout and bloom again. 

At times in life we all feel discouraged. Saddened. Disappointed. But if we look to the source of all light and life, we will be strengthened and one day bloom again. The most amazing reminder tomorrow, will be that Christ arose from the tomb. He lives again, and so will we. Death is only a momentary parting from those we love.

Your beliefs may be different, but this is one of my greatest comforts in life.

It encourages me to be better.

To forgive more quickly, and love a little more.

To smile, and use my time wisely.

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend, and maybe feel a little lighter as we all remember what we are thankful for!

... next year I think I need a second pot of tulips....