Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Spring has Arrived!

A very exciting thing happened to me the other day.  The Restoration Hardware catalog came!  I know you are shaking your head at me right now, but hear me out.  Sitting down and pouring over the sweet eye candy in this phonebook-sized catalog is total bliss for me.  The only thing that could make it better would be eating  junior mints while doing it.  Unfortunately, neither my husband or myself felt like driving to town to get some. Anyway, back to the catalog.  The photos are beautiful and the sets are lovely.  Now if only I could afford to buy all my favorite things.
I could spend an entire weekend in this Chesterfield sleigh bed.  I'm not kidding!

This keyhole metal square bed is sexy as hell!

I love the modern metal chairs paired with the rustic table.

This salon bench would look great pulled up to a dining table.

Blue is everywhere right now!  I like how it stands out in the grey and white room.

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Monday, March 26, 2012

Etsy Easter Basket Ideas

I am one of those annoying mothers who limits the amount of candy in her child's Easter basket.  We still have some Halloween candy hanging around (I know...gross!) and I would rather give him something he can enjoy for a while.  So if you want to swap out some candy for a different kind of sweet treat, here are some cute homemade products that are perfect for an Easter basket.
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Sunday, March 25, 2012

Cozy in the country


Have you heard of eye-bombing?
This chandelier is sorta creepy yet absolutely beautiful at the same time.
Stickers+kids+freedom = one very colorful space.
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Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Country Inspired Color Schemes

I recently stumbled across one of my favorite websites of all time.  Design-seeds is a fabulous wealth of inspiration and eye candy and I can't get enough of it.  Beautiful images are used to develop a unique color scheme.  You really have to stop and take a look at it.  Here are a few examples inspired by the country.






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Thursday, March 15, 2012

Cozy in the country

Photograph by Stuart McIntyre

I've posted about dark blue walls, but what do you think about dark green?
This is so funny!  Funny, but so true.
Did you see The Lorax?  I think these are adorable.
I want to try this for Easter but am concerned it might be a little too time-consuming.  And too many dishes.
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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Orange in the Home

I was really glad to see orange as the color of the year.  I don't have much orange in my wardrobe or in my home, but I am thinking that I should change that this year.  Above are some of my favorite orange accessories.  I also had to include my favorite orange color scheme.  I would love to see it used in a living room.

Dalloway armchair from Anthropologie, Indib-branches rug from 2modern, Newport rectangular mirror from Zinc door, Moroccan leather pouf from Poshtots, Format tray from Cb2, Pineland duvet cover from pbteen
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Teaching Math through Imaginative Play


Kids don't play enough today.  I mean good old imaginative play.  There are so many benefits from it and it is a fun way to teach your child basic skills.  Creative play is a great opportunity for children to work on their math skills.  We have a play cash register, but you could use a toy computer or just use your imagination.  

Bookstore
- All you need is a cashier and a customer and a shelf of books for this one.  Have a few different prices for different sized books.  Remember to make the level of difficulty age-appropriate.

Art Gallery
- Put your child's artwork up for sale in an "art gallery".  You can even work on the concept of more or less by negotiating the price.

Floral Shop
- Gather up a bunch of fake flowers and have the "florist" put together bouquets to fill orders.  I like to save tissue paper from presents for my son to wrap bouquets in.  His favorite part is delivering the flowers and finding the correct change in his apron.

Train Station
- Help your child come up with prices for each stop.  We use stuffed animals as the passengers on the train. We have a concession stand where we sell newspapers, drinks and snacks as well.  This is a fun way to work on money values and telling time. 

Farmer's Market
- This is great for multiple kids to play.  Have a couple kids set up booths to sell their goods.  Then have customers go shopping.  You can even have your kids make signs for their booths.  If they aren't writing yet, have them draw pictures for their signs.


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Monday, March 12, 2012

Red, White and Blue Rooms

Inspiration comes in so many forms.  Today I was driving to town and was struck by the beauty of an old red barn against the blue sky.  White and gray storm clouds were rolling in.  It was beautiful.  Good old red, white and blue.  It makes me think of summertime.  I suddenly have a craving for a hot dog and corn on the cob. Here are a few of my favorite red, white and blue rooms.
Via Decorpad
Via Apartment Therapy

Via Apartment Therapy

Via Jan Constatine

Via Emily Ann Interiors

Via House Beautiful

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Friday, March 9, 2012

Cozy in the country


I am hoping to talk the family into doing a little spring cleaning this weekend.  I have a feeling we won't get very far.  Have a great weekend!

This room is like a constant spring day!
I want to decorate a dollhouse so bad.  Check out this one.
Why haven't I thought of this?  I am constantly picking them up off the floor.
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Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Playroom Inspiration

I am currently working on a budget-friendly playroom and thought I would share some cool playroom images with you.  Lucky kids!
Margaret Norcott craft suite

Via Houzz

Lisa Mahar playroom

Diana Kellogg playroom

Via Pottery Barn

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Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Looking back at the '90's

My mom and I were looking at old photos the other day and we just about died laughing.  So just for fun I decided to check out an updated version of some of my favorite things from back in the '90's.

Cargo Pants are skinnier nowadays...
and the Kipling backpack needs to be traded for a diaper bag...
and the Dr. Martens are a little more lady-like...
but the jean jacket looks exactly the same.



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Farmhouse Finds: Dining

You know those people who have a very formal dining room that the kids are banned from and they only use it for special occasions?  We are not those people.  We eat in our dining room every single day.  We also use our table to do homework, pay bills, chat with visitors, and even play with playdough.  Here are my picks for a modern farmhouse dining room.
mugs
These colorful mugs are a modern take on the original version.

White Dinnerware
White dishes always look fantastic for any occasion!


Kaustby Chair
I love the simple look and straight back of these chairs and the price is great.
Rojo Cabinet
A painted cabinet pairs perfectly with the table and red happens to be my favorite color.

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Friday, March 2, 2012

Dark Blue Walls

Dark blue walls are so popular right now!  I think it can be a difficult look to pull off and lighting the room correctly can be tricky but I do like the impact that it makes.  Here are a few of my favorites. 


Via Edyta & CO.

Source Unknown

Via Pottery Barn

Via Houzz

Via Coco Cozy

Via Remodelista

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10 Books For Baby


My first child loves books.  He is reading on his own now and it is bittersweet for me.  I am so proud of him yet sad that soon he won't want to read stories together anymore.  The good news is that I have a baby who will soon be discovering books.  Here are my ten favorite books for babies.

1.  Good Night Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
2.  Happy Hippo, Angry Duck by Sandra Boynton
3.  Time For Bed by Mem Fox
4.  Five Little Monkeys Jumping on the Bed by Eileen Christelow
5.  From Head to Toe by Eric Carle
6.  Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
7.  The Crunching Munching Caterpillar by Sheridan Cain
8.  The Little Mouse, The Red Ripe Strawberry, and The Big Hungry Bear by Don & Audrey Wood
9.  Tickle Monster by Josie Bissett
10. Ten Little Fingers and Ten Little Toes by Mem Fox
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Thursday, March 1, 2012

Cozy in the country

I can't believe it is March already!  I can feel spring on its way!  Here are a few things to enjoy.

If my brother had this bed growing up, he would have never left it!
Here's a yummy weekend lunch idea kids and adults will like.
I wish our firewood looked this beautiful.

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