Wednesday's Featured Nursery

This nursery has a subtle space theme that is perfect for a little boy!  There are so many wonderful elements in this room...the curtains, striped wall, monogram, flag pennant, solar system mobile, and picture gallery wall! :)

Out of this world! ;)  For more pictures and details, visit: http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/2011/real-rooms/a-nursery-thats-out-of-this-world-real-nursery/.

Top Ten Things Never to Say...

to a Stay-at-Home-Mom :)

10. I'm sure you're not the only one who's ever wasted money on a college degree.

9. That explains why your child is so clingy!

8. Weird. I assumed your house would be superclean.

7. How June Cleaver of you!

6. All day with your kids? I can't even imagine.

5. I'm jealous. I wish my husband were rich so I wouldn't have to work either.

4. I wish I had all that free time!

And my three personal favorites:

3. When the kids are older, do you think you'll get a real job?

2. Oh, so you don't work?

1. What do you do all day, anyway?


Source: http://thelaughingstork.com/.


Sometimes all you can do is laugh and shake your head!  Or punch them in the face, but that's not very Proverbs 31, so we'll just laugh instead! ;)

Favorite Paint Colors

I recently helped my sister choose paint colors for her first home.  So much fun!  Their painter uses Sherwin Williams paint, so we broke out the swatch books and went to work!  We chose Sherwin Williams Tidewater for her kitchen and dining room, and I cannot wait to see the results!  I will definitely be sharing before and after pictures when it's done!  Here are photos from a gorgeous living room painted in one of my new favorite colors. :)

Sherwin Williams Tidewater

http://pawleysislandposh.blogspot.com/p/house.html

Gorgeous, don't you think? :)

Tuesday's Featured Nursery

This room is amazing!  I love the paint color, window treatments, mirror, ottoman, and artwork!  Absolutely gorgeous! :)  For more pictures and details, visit: http://www.chiccheapnursery.com/2011/real-rooms/presleys-modern-bohemian-pink-nursery-featured-real-room/.

Featured Etsy Shop

Apple Blossom Print: 

"Hip + Modern Custom Silhouettes and Kids Wall Art"

To shop all of the items available from Apple Blossom Print, visit: http://www.etsy.com/shop/AppleBlossomPrint?ref=top_trail



Planning a Wedding?

If you're planning a wedding, or just like enjoy looking at wedding stuff like me, you must check out this website!  You can browse real weddings, inspiration boards, DIY projects, and much more! :)  Here's an example of an inspiration board that would be gorgeous for a spring or summer wedding!

Style Me Pretty, http://www.stylemepretty.com/.

Monday's Featured Nursery

Today's nursery is a great example of how to successfully create a shared space for a boy and a girl, which is definitely not an easy task!  I love the oversized portraits, wall color, chevron rug, and custom scrabble letter names! :)

For more pictures and details, visit: http://projectnursery.com/projects/raya-masons-twin-nursery/.

Sunday's Featured Space

Check out this amazing pantry makeover from Shelley at The House of Smiths.  I'm literally drooling!  A similar project will be in my future! ;)  You can purchase the decals she used, and other items as well, from her shop, The House of Smiths Designs: http://www.thehouseofsmithsdesigns.com/. :)

Amazing, isn't it? :)  For more pictures and details, visit: http://www.thehouseofsmiths.com/2010/07/pantry-remix.html.

Little Man Baby Shower

I absolutely adore this 'Little Man' collection from The Tomkat Studio!  I love everything about it - the colors, chevron pattern, mustaches, and bow ties.  And those bow tie cookies are just too cute to eat!  You can actually customize this collection for a baby shower or birthday party.  I've already purchased it to use for Cole's 1st birthday party!  I know it's a little early, but I knew this was the theme I wanted and it was 50% off the other day. ;)

For more pictures and details, visit:

http://www.thetomkatstudio.com/littlemanbabyshower/

To purchase this collection, visit:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/tomkatstudio

This is just the cutest collection for those of us with little men! :)

You Paid How Much?

Isn't this a lovely black diaper bag?  It's nice and large and looks more like a purse. :)

http://www.neimanmarcus.com/search.jsp?No=0&Ntt=diaper+bag&_requestid=89899&N=0&va=t

It's also $1395!  No, that's not a typo!  It's really almost fourteen hundred dollars!  Yikes!  Guess I'm going to have to pass on that one! ;) 

On a positive note, look at this little black beauty that I found today!  Do I need another diaper bag?  Not really.  Could I pass up a $99 bag for $19.99?  Nope. :)  Gotta love T.J. Maxx!

Saturday's Featured Space

There are so many things to love about this playroom, but my favorites have to be the photo ottoman and oversized canvas.  I also love the subtle sports theme, curtains, and chalkboard.  The bright colors make this a place where any child would be happy to play! :)

For more pictures and details, visit: 

http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Boys-Rooms/A-Fun-Play-Room/detail.esi?oid=23770210

Spring Must Haves

One of my favorite places to shop, The Limited, has launched a new clothing line, 'eloquii', to give "full-figured women the fashionable clothes they long for."  And they definitely succeeded!  Here's a collage of eloquii's must have items for spring.  I'm officially in love with all of them! :)

Check out the full line here:  http://www.eloquii.com/.

Friday's Featured Nursery

As my good friends already know, I'm not a huge fan of the tree murals that have become quite popular in nursery design.  It's just a personal preference...it doesn't mean that they can't be done well.  And today's nursery is a perfect example of an adorable tree mural!  I love how they combined the various shades of purple with aqua, green, chocolate brown, and white.  This is such a happy space! :)

For more pictures and details, visit: http://projectnursery.com/projects/baby-cs-nest/.

My Favorite Etsy Shops

So, I could be a little obsessed with Etsy.  Just maybe.  A little. ;)  I've used this website for Blake's nursery, 1st birthday party, my sister's bridal shower and wedding, baby showers, and now for Cole's nursery.  It's amazing!  Since I love it so much, I thought I'd share some of my favorite Etsy Shops with all of you! 

Today's featured shop: Ella's Bows, "The Perfect Accessory for the Perfect Girl"

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Ellasbows?ref=seller_info

Aren't they absolutely gorgeous? :)

Thursday's Featured Nursery

Yesterday I showed you a gorgeous pastel pink nursery that broke the "rule" that says that nurseries shouldn't be done in pastel pink for girls or baby blue for boys.  Well, today's featured space is an adorable baby blue nursery!  The painted accent wall is amazing, and I love the modern chandelier! :)  For more pictures and details, visit Project Nursery: http://projectnursery.com/projects/modern-baby-blue/.

Spring is in the Air!

It was absolutely beautiful outside today, so I decided that we needed to get out of the house!  So, we took a little stroll down to our community playground, only to find that it was overrun by mosquitoes. :(  Instead we walked around the neighborhood for a while and then went to Chick-fil-A to enjoy some nuggets and sweet tea and play in the playset. :)  Well, my ornery little man wasn't content to stay in the toddler area and decided to climb all the way to the top of the playset before Mommy could stop him.  So, guess who had to climb up and get him?  That's right, you guessed it!  Since I was already up there, we played for a minute and then went down the slide together. :)  I'm just glad no one else was in there, thank goodness! ;)  Anyway, this weather has me ready for spring!  Have you noticed all the spring collections coming out in the stores?  Here are two great spring looks from one of my favorite stores, the Limited.  View these outfits and more here:  http://www.thelimited.com/category/whats-new/top-looks.

Are you guys as ready for spring as I am? :)

Wednesday's Featured Nursery: Breaking the Rules

The fashion and interior design worlds are full of "do" and "don't" lists.  And while there are some "don'ts" that I will definitely never do, I believe there are some rules that can certainly be broken. :)  I recently read this advice on a nursery blog, "Whatever you do, don't do baby blue for a boy's nursery or pastel pink for a girl's nursery."  I have to disagree!  Although it may be the traditional route, why can't you do blue for a boy and pink for a girl?  Design is all about doing what you love, not what someone else tells you that you should love.  And while there are guidelines that can help you find the perfect balance between good design and your personal preferences, this is one piece of advice that I will never give someone.  We went with baby blue in Blake's nursery, and I still love it!  In my opinion, if you want a pastel pink nursery for your baby girl, then go for it!  :)  In that spirit, here's an example of a gorgeous pastel pink nursery for all of my fellow rebels. ;)  For more pictures and details, visit: http://mydesigndump.blogspot.com/2010/05/pink-navy-nursery.html.

What do you guys think? :)

Mommy Bling

My necklace came in today, and I love it! :)  This picture was taken with my phone, so it's not the best, but it is gorgeous in person!

Here are some great places to find custom hand-stamped jewelry:

http://www.thevintagepearl.com/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/OakHillDesigns?ref=seller_info

http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Something-Charming-Custom-Hand-Stamped-Jewelry/270405276311441

http://www.lisaleonardonline.com/Necklaces-C32.aspx

Bubbles Baby Shower

While this is an adorable idea for a baby shower, I'm not sure many expectant women would appreciate a theme that was based on one of the most dreaded phrases a women can hear, "You look like you're about to POP! ;)  Oh well, it's still a very unique, creative idea for a baby shower! :)  For more pictures and details, visit: http://www.hostessblog.com/2011/03/a-modern-creative-bubbles-baby-shower/#more-35202

Tuesday's Featured Nursery

This neutral nursery manages to be calming and and fun at the same time!  The neutral stripes provide an interesting backdrop for the orange and aqua curtains, bedding, and pillow.  I also love the vertical initials over the changer, and the little man on the changer is pretty cute himself. ;)  What a crisp, clean nursery for a little boy!  For more pictures and details, visit: http://projectnursery.com/2010/06/hawkens-nursery-by-anyon-a-k-a-mom/



Monday's Featured Nursery

I'm in love with this gorgeous neutral nursery with pink and orange accents!  The mirror, tissue poms, artwork, and ombre dresser are absolutely fabulous! :)  For more pictures and details, visit:  http://projectnursery.com/projects/pink-orange-baby-girl-nursery/.

A 'Cars' Themed Birthday Party

So, I'm getting ready to start planning Blake's 2nd birthday party since we'll be a little preoccupied this spring. ;)  For Blake's 1st birthday party I went with a nautical theme since he wasn't really into anything yet, and Daddy's in the Navy. :)  Well, Blake definitely has interests now!  He likes Thomas the Train, so I had an adorable vintage train theme chosen that I was very excited about.  However, in the last month or so, he has become obsessed with cars-anything and everything cars!  And while I love the Disney 'Cars' movies, I don't really want to go that route.  So, I searched my favorite sites for a vintage car party and found an adorable one from Anders Ruff.  For more pictures and details, visit: http://www.andersruff.com/custom-printable-parties/uncategorized/vintage-race-car-party-exclusive-collection-with-kiss-me-kate/.

I'll be looking for vintage car paraphernalia and a vintage car canvas to use at the party and later in Blake's new vintage cars bedroom. :)  I found this canvas online that I like:

And as I'm typing this, Blake is zooming around the living room in his car! ;)

Dedicating Blake

"Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord,
The fruit of the womb is a reward."

~Psalm 127:3

Today Josh and I officially dedicated Blake's life to the Lord.  I say "officially" because today was the ceremony at church, but we dedicated Blake to the Lord the moment we found out we were expecting, and have already done the same with little Cole.  However, Cole will be dedicated fresh from the womb, in hopes that he will behave a little better than Blake did today. :)  Children are miracles from God, and we are so thankful for the two blessings that God has given us!  Here are a few pictures from our special day. :)

"Train up a child in the way he should go, And when he is old he will not depart from it."

~Proverbs 22:6



Saturday's Featured Nursery

Although I tend to gravitate towards brighter colors, this neutral nursery is lovely, soft, and feminine.  There are so many different details to love, and there are pops of color throughout the room to keep it interesting.  The artwork says it all: LOVE! :)

If you like it as much as I do, you can vote for it as project of the week at Project Nursery.  Just use the link below and hit the 'Like' button.  You can also see more pictures and details of this amazing room!  http://projectnursery.com/projects/evangelines-nursery/

Go Bananas!

Check out this adorable "Curious George" themed birthday party for a little girl.  It's absolutely amazing! :)

For more pictures and details, view:  http://www.paigesofstyle.com/2011/02/curious-charleys-monkey-party.html

Friday's Featured Space

Today's featured space belongs to one lucky little boy!  I think I'm in love with everything about this room!  The colors, the painted ceiling, the artwork over the bed, the rug, everything!

For more pictures and details, visit:  http://www.roomzaar.com/rate-my-space/Boys-Rooms/Alexs-bedroom/detail.esi?oid=18718343