Masculine Bedroom

I know I've shown romantic bedrooms, but here's a more masculine room.

366 Days in a Year

I am a procrastinator by nature.  I am constantly putting stuff off for another day.  Leap year is like someone saying "Kristin, Here's an extra day.  Don't blow it!"  I am going to use my extra day to work on things I am always putting off.  I am going to work on finishing my will, printing off the 200 pictures on my camera and I'm going to workout.  What are you going to do with your extra day?

Farmhouse Finds: Bath

When my husband and I were house shopping, most of the houses in our price range had one lonely bathroom.  Wait...I should be honest.  The good houses had one lonely bathroom.  We actually looked at a house that literally had a sink in a closet that they considered a bathroom.  I still shudder when I think about it.  Our house has three bathrooms which made us feel filthy rich.  However, we are not filthy rich and do not have a housekeeping service to clean those three bathrooms.  That's alright.  When it is time to clean, I just think about that sink in the closet and I feel better.  Here are some finds for today's farmhouse bath.

CB2 teak bath accessories

Natural rubber duckie

Kohler clawfoot tub

IKEA accordion mirror

West Elm Bamboo Ladder

Crate and Barrel Outdoor Sofa

Summers are very hot and sticky in Wisconsin and we don't have air conditioning.  We survive by swimming in the pool, eating a lot of popsicles and occasionally treating ourselves to an afternoon at the local cinema.  I would love to have a big covered porch with a ceiling fan and comfortable furniture.  We could sit outside and enjoy the breeze while sipping lemonade and putting together a jigsaw puzzle.  Pure bliss.  This is the sofa I want on that porch.  Throw in some of the bright-colored cushions and I'm a happy girl.  Head over here to check them out.

Budget-friendly Gender Neutral Nursery

Earlier this month I posted about a gender neutral bedroom.  A friend of mine had mentioned that she liked the room but not the price.  I really wanted to show her that she can get a similiar look with a tighter budget.  Here is the original version.

Toddler sleigh bed by Target $80

Striped pillow by Dwell Studio $100

Dotty Yellow bedding by Ferm Living $80

Striped rug at Layla Grayce $330

Jaylyn pendant lamp by Poshtots $279

Thrift store dresser painted yellow $50ish

Print by Bees Knees Design at etsy $6.99

Playmat by Peppermint Pinwheels at etsy $45

Curtains by Land of Nod $29 each

Hitch Marigold stool by CB2 $169

Not a Peep crib bedding by Land of Nod $231

Grey low-rise crib by Land of Nod $900

Total:  $2328.99

Here is the Budget-friendly version.

Toddler sleigh bed by Target $80
Striped pillow from etsy $25

Dotty Yellow bedding by Ferm Living $80

Striped rug from Overstock $191

Pendant light from IKEA $29.99

Thrift store dresser painted yellow $50ish

Print by Bees Knees Design at etsy $6.99

Playmat by Peppermint Pinwheels at etsy $45

Matilda curtains from IKEA $24.99 for 2

Mammut stool from IKEA $7.99

Not a Peep crib bedding by Land of Nod $231

Sundvik crib from IKEA $119

Total:  $890.96

Farmhouse Finds: Kitchen

My mother-in-law probably spends about 15 hours a day in the kitchen.  No matter what time of day it is, delicious smells are luring family and friends to sit down at the kitchen table for an apple turnover and some conversation.  There is something very comforting about the slap of the screen door, the sound of a boiling pot on the stove and the dog curled up at your feet.  It feels like home.  Here are a few things to bring a little "modern country"  to your kitchen.

These pretty bowls remind me of china passed down  in families

This tray is perfect for when your eggs don't come in  a carton

I swear that a honey dipper makes the honey taste even better

A kitchen compost pail means less trips to the compost pile

Ceramic fruit baskets are great for fresh-picked fruit

Cozy in the country

This cake looks delicious for a certain someone's birthday!
Or maybe this one.  Decisions, decisions.
I wish Martha and her staff came with this.
The designer in me loves this.

Twenty-five ways to show your child love

Is it just me or are the days flying by?  Life seems to move at such a fast pace that the things that are most important to us often get pushed to the side.  I wonder how many times a day I tell my children to hurry up.  Or how often do I say "Just a minute" and never get back to them.  I'm guilty of passing on bedtime stories because there is laundry to fold.  I am a great multi-tasker.  In fact, sometimes too great.  So that is why I am going to hang this list up as a reminder of what is really important.  And then I am going to give a few much deserved hugs and kisses to my baby.

 1. Let them help you make dinner
 2. Color with them
 3. Admit when you are wrong
 4. Give your baby a massage
 5. Make chicken noodle soup when they're sick
 6. Give them honest compliments
 7. Display their artwork
 8. Sit down and eat dinner together (no phones or T.V.)
 9. Give them Eskimo kisses
10. Always give them a hug when they ask for one
11. Decorate their bedroom door for their birthday (or a big game/recital)
12. Stick a note and chocolate kisses in their lunch
13. Stop being in such a hurry all the time
14. Cut their sandwich into a heart shape
15. Watch Saturday morning cartoons together in your pajamas
16. Give yourself breaks when you need them
17. Warm up their towel during bath time
18. Always make time for bedtime stories
19. Send them a birthday card in the mail
20. Have just baked cookies for them after school
21. Make up a song or secret handshake that only the two of you know
22. Surprise them with a picnic at the park or an afternoon at the movies
23. Embrace the unique things about them, don't try to change them
24. Let them teach you something (a game, names of dinosaurs, etc.)
25. Don't do everything for them

Cozy in the country

I hope you had a great weekend!  Here are a few things to enjoy!

What winter party would be complete without this?
I can't wait to try these for teething.
A nice alternative to dryer sheets.

An Easy Romantic Dinner

Last night my husband asked me if I was making a special dinner for Valentine's day.  The answer is yes.  I am planning on making a romantic dinner for two tomorrow night.  I would love to say I am making something super complicated (like beef wellington) but I would be lying.  The kids have been wearing me out lately and by the time I was done cooking, I would be too crabby to enjoy it.  I am keeping the food simple, lighting a few candles, creating a romantic playlist and buying a bottle of champagne.  Here is my super simple menu.  If even this seems like too much work for you, skip it and just buy the champagne.  You won't even miss the food after a few drinks!

The Menu
Clinton Kelly's Beef Stroganoff 
Garlic bread bought at the bakery and thrown in the oven
Roasted red potatoes and broccoli
-Heat oven to 400.  Toss 1/2 lb of broccoli and 1 lb of red potatoes (cut in half) with 2 tbs. of olive oil and salt and pepper.  Roast for 18-20 minutes.
Ice cream pie
-Buy a cookie crumb pie shell and fill it with your favorite ice cream.  I am using a coffee flavor.  Drizzle hot fudge or caramel over the top.

Gender Neutral Children's Room

I worked on this nursery a while ago and I love the grey and yellow color scheme for a neutral room.  It works well for a baby but I think it is a great choice if you have a little boy and girl sharing a room as well.  So here is an example.  

You can get away with a small amount of color as long as you add pattern or texture.  Grey walls and white trim would look so nice with the yellow striped ceiling.  The stripes are continued in the bedding, rug and curtains.  More patterns are added through the bedding and light fixture.  The bright yellow accents brighten up the room and the clean lines of the dresser, stools and crib have a gender neutral feel to them.

Toddler sleigh bed by Target $80

Striped pillow by Dwell Studio $100

Dotty Yellow bedding by Ferm Living $80

Striped rug at Layla Grayce $330

Jaylyn pendant lamp by Poshtots $279

Thrift store dresser painted yellow $50ish

Print by Bees Knees Design at etsy $6.99

Playmat by Peppermint Pinwheels at etsy $45

Curtains by Land of Nod $29 each

Hitch Marigold stool by CB2 $169

Not a Peep crib bedding by Land of Nod $231

Grey low-rise crib by Land of Nod $900

My Life List

A few weeks ago I posted a list of things I want to accomplish/experience this year.  I am a "list" kinda person if you hadn't already noticed and find that I accomplish more when I write it down   Here's hoping my life list will keep me focused on what matters to me and maybe inspire you along the way.

Simple Valentine's Day Decorating

Via Curly Birds

I am always amazed at the people who transform their home for every holiday.  They have holiday sheets for the beds and throw pillows for the sofa.  They get out the holiday towels and special dishes.  Even if I had the ambition to attempt such an undertaking, I think the guilt of storing all those hardly ever used items would eat me alive.  I also don't think my husband would keep dragging the stuff up and down the stairs and there is no way I'm going into the creepy basement to get it.  So here is how I like to decorate for Valentine's day.

Cozy in the country

Here are a few things to enjoy!
These trifles are almost too pretty to eat!  I said almost.
I wish I had thought of this 3 months ago.
Who needs to ski when your staying in a fabulous cabin?

Everyday Pearls

I mentioned yesterday that my expensive jewelry never gets worn and it got me feeling kind of bad about it.  I have a lovely strand of pearls that I wore on my wedding day, but seeing as I haven't been invited to many cocktail parties or galas lately, they haven't been worn since.  What if I found a way to wear them during the day?  You know, without looking like "the Beav's" mom.

A white button down shirt always looks good with pearls and the leather cuff and flats keep it more casual.   

I love the feminine details on the coat and dress paired with the casual boot.  I would love to wear this for a lunch with friends or my hubby.