Wednesday, January 29, 2014

A Little Blog & Shop Renovation!

Just a quick update to let you know that I'm doing some renovations around the blog and etsy shoppe lately. I have a whole list to get through... and to make sure it gets done I've moved the computer upstairs to the dining room table!

I'm officially getting down to business.




What does this mean? You might notice my picture and about has changed on the sidebar and I have a new newsletter sign up. That's because I've switched to MailChimp. So, if you haven't signed up already... go ahead and do so now. If you're already subscribed... you'll notice the new look:




Not only will you get my blog posts straight to your email, but I'll also be publishing a monthly newsletter with my shop updates, discount codes and more. You don't want to miss out.



Monday, January 27, 2014

Planning for a New Bathroom | Renovations

I'm going stir crazy being at home with a six week old scratch that... he's now seven weeks old and I'm still working on this post. So anyways, I've decided to think about some of the renovations that need to get done around the house and I'm settling on two. The trim and backsplash in the kitchen and the main bathroom overhaul.

I'm on a mission to redo the bathroom for $500 of less. What do you think... Is it possible? <--- I wrote this before this past weekend... when we bought our floor. So now I'm thinking a goal of $750?

Anyways, planning has been... well... surfing Pinterest.

Between these vanities:


unknown.
simplified bee.


And these walls:


thrifty decor chick.

decor chick.


You can see all of my bathroom ideas on the bathrooms. and to build. pinterest boards.

Oh and of course, we bought our sink last week too. This one from Ikea.

And well, there's only one thing left... okay two... lighting and the laundry area. Check out my laundry rooms. board... it's full of ideas... I'm still stuck on which one to choose! I kinda like this one...


two inspire design.


Alright so $750 is the goal. Less is better. We've already bought the toilet, sink and floors. And, I must confess we started demolishing on Friday - pics coming soon!

So excited! :)



Friday, January 17, 2014

It's "Favorites Friday" | For the Love of a Teepee

I can't wait for the day when I get to make one of these... Or buy one. But knowing me, probably making one. For this Favorites Friday I'm hitting up the life with kids. Pinterest board and sharing my favorite teepees. Every house should have one... Kids or not!


1. From a blog I follow, the handmade home, I love this no sew teepee. It's definitely my favorite.




2. This is my second favorite - from jen loves kev. I love how they monogrammed it with their daughters initial.




3. Bourbon daisy shows us how to incorporate a teepee into any room. Told you you didn't need to have kids.




4. Or you could opt to buy one from RH baby & child.




5. And if I could pick one more... This one tip junkie shared is way too cute.




Don't tell me you didn't just fall in love! Happy Friday!


Thursday, January 16, 2014

I May Be A Little Excited...

I bought a new camera!




After uploading my pictures onto the computer lately and trying to do some work with them... I realized they just weren't cutting it. My Canon SX30IS was a great starting camera but I'm divorcing it and moving on. Don't worry... He's already found a new lady that will love him like I once did. :)

Anyways, I've bought a Nikon D7000 and the hubs is picking it up today! So much learning ahead of me as I take this huge leap and I'm so excited for this new relationship. I can't wait to have more pictures like these ones only much better quality.

Oh and I can't quite say yet.... But one of the 2014 goals has been accomplished! Stay tuned.





Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Shop Local | Everyday Beautiful Photography

I don't even know where to start, other than we were totally spoiled from Renée at Everyday Beautiful Photography when Parker was just 7 days old. The photos and video we received were amazing. I can't explain how much I love them.

Here's a sneak peek right from the blog post she wrote about us:


everyday beautiful photography.

everyday beautiful photography.

everyday beautiful photography.

everyday beautiful photography.


Be sure to go on over and check out the rest (Martha + Ryan + Parker), as well as the video at the bottom.

And, because I know you'll love her work as much as I do, go ahead and like Everyday Beautiful Photography on Facebook to see what else she's been up to.

Thanks again Renée for spoiling us with your amazing talent!



Sunday, January 12, 2014

The Nursery | Our Home

Finally, I have had these pictures for at least a month! Here's what you've all been waiting for... the nursery reveal.

I still have a couple of "honey-do" items for the hubby - like a ladder to hang all of Parker's blankets on and a wall of "racks" to showcase the books we've been collecting and receiving from friends and family. Parker is so spoiled.




Because his clothes are so tiny, I chose to put his dresser in the closet with all of his clothes. I think a closet with shelves, drawers and a spot to hang would have been a better idea... his wardrobe is bigger than mine.




It's the little details and punches of colour that I love. The tickle monster kit actually has wooly mitts and a story book - I can already hear the shrieks of laughter. And the new football was a baby shower gift from my coworkers, all signed by them rather than a card.





I'll be sharing the rhino details soon on the blog. Thank you hubby for your craftiness... If only we had time - I would love to sell these in all different shapes on the etsy shoppe.





This bear looks so cute nestled in the corner. And of course, I put together all of the art that sits on the grey dresser - the dinosaurs were actually on lollipop sticks from his baby shower. I removed a few and made the large piece of art you see in the back.





I love the old football. And of course the many other little animals that are found throughout.




This Paddington Bear is very special to Parker - it was given to him from his Great Grandma!




Well that's the nursery - thanks for stopping by. Up next on the house tour is the "formal" living room. It's almost complete - just need to have some photos printed and hung and we'll be done. Oh and I will definitely put together a before and after for the nursery so you can see what was done.



Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Parker is 1 Month!

Wow time flies by.




Parker turns 1 month today. I did a little photo shoot on Monday while the sun was shining and the hubs was home to help prop him up in between shots. After playing around in photoshop here are the results.






Can't you tell he's daddy's little football player already? Maybe someday we'll see him running down the field for the Dallas Cowboys - his favorite team! Or maybe he'll decide to play hockey?






Whatever his future holds - he is growing so fast. On Friday he was 10lbs. 10oz. and 24 inches. I can't wait to prop him up in the same spot next month to see the difference.



Monday, January 6, 2014

Top 10 Posts from 2013

I finally got an afternoon in to work on the blog... I am one happy lady! And, there's no better time to recap the top 10 posts from 2013 then now.

I was excited to look back and see the number of people who had stopped by on my many posts. Here are the top 10, starting with the most popular.





















I can only hope to have even more great posts in 2014!



Sunday, January 5, 2014

New Year, New Us

Remember back in August when I wrote Life Has Its Ruts? Well, most of those changes are still goals we are trying to achieve moving into 2014. There are just certain aspects in our life that we are ready for changes in... And well, here they are:

1. Back in the summer, the hubs had been applying to different jobs near and far... Including one in The Hamptons at a very high end golf course. While he is still keeping his options open, we're hoping 2014 brings him the changes he's looking for in his career... Whether that's a change at his current location or something new all together, I guess we'll all have to wait and see what 2014 has in store for us.

2. A new addition to our family means new goals for me. Right now I get a full year off on maternity leave. But, what about after that? In an ideal world, the hubs wishes I could be a full-time stay at home mom. But welcome to 2014 where that isn't the norm. So, I have been tossing up a few options... Return to my current position, get my mortgage broker license and work from home or look for a part time position somewhere. In August, I had full intentions of getting my broker license as I have a job offer to be one. But I'll have to see where parenthood takes me and how I feel when I near my return to work date. 




3. This wasn't our goal in August as I was very preggers and didn't care so much, but the hubs and I are taking on a whole new lifestyle and want to lose weight and get healthy. We're investing in a small home gym and have had our first grocery trip with a goal of eating clean. I usually go through these phases but this is the first time the hubs is joining me and we can push each other to stick with it. I've even started a blog to track how things go... I might just share it later when I feel a little more confident. 

Anyways, that's the three biggies for us and 2014! Do you have anything you're hoping to make happen?