Shut the front door

One of my sister's had sent me a picture of a wreath a friend of hers made. Oh? I love a well-crafted wreath, but usually they're $50+ and I don't pretend to be gifted in the art of wreath-making. I'll try just about any other craft, but somehow I don't see wreaths and I getting along. Usually they're more than I'm willing to spend on something I'll only hang a few weeks out of the year, but when my sister said she makes them for $40, I was all, "Shut the front door." I can manage $40. The image she had sent was a burlap and hydrangea wreath. Perfect for a spring or summer, but I wanted a fall wreath. My wish was delivered. Now I want a wreath for every season. Adds a little bit of happiness to our entry, even if the only people who can appreciate it are the occasional visitor and myself when I go to check the mail. Love the "G" nestled in there. Initials make my heart pitter patter.

A little of this and that

Oh, hello there. I'm climbing out from my writing/editing/reading rock. For the past several weeks I have had endless freelance {thank you freelance god!}, which consumed my evenings after I had picked up Vincent, made dinner, eaten dinner, and then did the bedtime routine with him. No complaints here because I'm loving me the money {and even the work when I'm not exhausted from working all day, then working some more}.

We have managed to get a couple exciting things done around the house: install a new kitchen faucet {in love, can't stop staring} and put hardware on our kitchen cabinets. We still need to buy drawer pulls; we only need four, but I think I've finally narrowed it down to a Martha Stewart one {of course}. I really wanted to do the cup handle, but Jonathan had to have an opinion. He wants a handle that doesn't require you to grasp it one particular way to open it. He rarely has an opinion {except to say I'm right}, so I'm relenting on this one. 

He was so happy I made him finally install hardware on the cabinets, asking why we didn't do it three years ago. Doesn't it look like the hardware has always been there? My next goal for the house is pricing some light fixtures to replace some cheap, peeling boob lights. 

Excuse the messes in these pictures {just keeping it real} and the unfinished faucet install pic, was so excited I forgot to get another one. 

And just because {and the new faucet in the background when you can tear your eyes away from that adorable kid}:

Bookshelf redo

Getting organized and decorating with what you got has me looking all over the house for small upgrades I can make. Like this bookcase in my office. It's from Pier One. I think I probably bought it 8 or so years ago. I'm honestly not ever sure what I thought was so great about it, unless I had a gift card to burn. I'm really hoping that was it because it's small, has red detailing, and a bit too open for my taste. But this is about working with what you have. So looking over the jumbled state of it, I decided some changes needed to happen. 

First, all those French books and flash cards needed to come off. Although I aspire to practice my French daily, I don't, and I need to be realistic about the space those books were hogging up. Au revoir! Down to the basement they went {to hang with all the other books we have no place for}. Next up, removing Vincent's books from the bottom shelves and putting them on his own new bookcases. Then to freshen up those horrible looking Bankers Box magazine boxes, I perused my selection of scrapbook paper. It doesn't go fantastically well or what I would have selected if I were actually shopping, but it works better than the faux wood print any day, hands down. Next I added some storage boxes I had on hand but were hiding downstairs. I have a couple more too that I'm going to use elsewhere. No sense in storing them downstairs when storage that looks like that is supposed to be seen! After pairing down and organizing my magazine collection, it doesn't look half bad. These aren't really shelves meant to be decorative. Being in the magazine industry and a magazine lover, I definitely need to use these shelves for functionally and not decoratively. It's way more streamlined now. Mmm. Just looking at it makes me happy! 

New rug, new perspective

On Saturday morning I did something I never do. I shopped. Online. I splurged. Big time for me. 

I've been wanting a foyer runner for ages, but wasn't sure what color and I didn't really want to shell out $150+ for one. 

Finally I settled on a color direction: black and white. This was after seeing a black and white stripped Ikea rug that's no longer available. {so disappointing when I went} 

But then I saw a black and white chevron rug on Target's website when I was showing a friend a rug I eventually want for Vincent's room. I had blinders on. I wanted that rug. I have been working hard on some freelance writing, so I decided I had earned it, but that I should also shop around. Wouldn't you know it but Home Depot was having a sale on a similar rug, was $15 less {$130 total}, and also had free shipping. I didn't think. I just bought.

It arrived today. In hindsight I should have measured my foyer. I know I have a long foyer, but it really puts it in perspective when a 7ft. rug manages to look short in it.

To counter the shortness {because I'm not returning this gem}, I centered it. If I were rich I would keep looking for one that fits better but then I worry when we move at some point I'll end up with a runner too long to go anywhere. 

The runner makes me want to style my foyer better, buy new light fixtures {not in the budget}, paint, and hang up mirrors and more art. I have this grand idea of hanging decorative mirrors on the wall the stairs are on in hopes of a)reflecting light since it tends to be dark and b)making them seem like windows. I'm kicking myself that that was one of the design changes I didn't take time to consider. 

Please ignore all the crap sitting out in the foyer. I'm in the process of going through some of my baby stuff to loan to a neighbor.

Insta Friday

Here I go again. Maybe this time blogging will stick, but instead of focusing on my very obvious lack of blogging, let's instead focus on how Jessica Simpson may or may not be pregnant. If I see her in a poncho, my vote is that her stall is occupied.

Somehow it's Friday already. This week went way too fast.

On Monday we went to the doctor to get Vincent's ears checked after a two-week course of antibiotics for an ear infection. Another one. We're done. We're throwing in the towel and seeing an ENT for possible tube placement. I'm heartbroken. I had these when I was little, and I here I am today still with chronic ear problems. I hope Vincent wasn't cursed with my ear genes. Here's to ear health.

Speaking of that little boy, he's so silly. Already hates to have his picture taken. He tells me, "No, Mama." What? Like taking a picture of this dashing boy shouldn't be worth my time. Please.

Those eyelashes set my heart a pitter pattering. Love. 

Those teeth. Thank you tooth fairy for finally blessing my son with teeth at 15 months, but did they really have to be carrot chompers. My bad ears and big teeth. Poor guy.

Handsome, right? Even with a smidge of soup right. there.

"No Mama."

Last Saturday was spent trying to get started on my Christmas decorating. I gave up. Sunday we sent Vincent to grandma's. Boy am I thankful for aunts who love him so. 

This garland looks a little sick and sad. More decorating is in order. I'm told one jingle bell is plenty. Testy, aren't ya?

Not done yet, but look a farm at Christmastime! Yeah, this is probably as close as I'll ever get to owning one.

Since I had to drag the ladder out to decorate I decided I should take a peek at the burned out lightbulbs so we can quit living by candlelight in the dark. This the bulb I found. Seriously? This is like a Christmas tree light!

I introduced Vincent to penguin and snowman tic tack toe. Not sure we fully understood the concept of the game. 

Red and gold just because I think it's magical, not because I was am a Chiefs fan.

Oh, look, a fire while we decorate. Ha! Thanks Netflix.

Oh, you had me at gold mercury jeweled glass hello. And all for $1.49. I had to buy you and two brothers. Might have to go back for more. 

Sherpa is the new Uggs. I wear this thing. And I want one in colors for every season. Meet my Christmas Sherpa. I'm contemplating the name Shirley.   

Speaking of shopping, Mama bought herself Young House Love's new book on the Nook. It was a steal at $2.99. Hoping Santa brings me the hardback. I can appreciate both pages that turn and screens that swipe. I'm savvy like that.

I've been doing a lot of this lately mixed with applying for new jobs. I wish knitting could be my full-time job. If it was, I'd be more broke than homeless man. I'm terrible. Herringbone might be my nemesis.

I've been drinking a lot of hot tea with the onset of winter and work stress. With a dash of honey and my Shirley Sherpa, I feel so zen. Cue the "Ommmm."

West elm wish list

Because it's my birthday (oy. 30.), I decided I would put together a wish list post of eye candy that's taken my hazel peepers and kept them. In my window shopping, I realized that really I spend most of my time over at West Elm. So here's my my wish list a la West Elm. If I had a few grand to spend. Wouldn't that be nice?

1. This Chunky Tassel Throw in silver gray ($79)

One of my real-life birthday presents was a snow white Cracker Barrel rocker. It was a complete surprise, and one that I'm still figuring out how to arrange in our living room since our sectional eats up most of the real estate (she probably will end up on the front porch; the rocker, not the sectional). But right now I'm enjoying her even if she is a little in the way and thought she could use throw and possibly a pillow. I think this number would cozy up the chair a little bit because really, rocking chairs are not that comfy.

2. I've had my eye on this Organic Carved Circles Duvet forever (originally $109 and currently on sale...I might have to buy her)

I think the gold would pair nicely with the ocean blue of my bedroom. It's not too feminine and it's not too masculine and has a beachy quality to it that always seems to call my name.

3. Globe Pendant ($99)

One of the things high up on my to-do list is replace some of the builder grade lighting, especially the ones that look like boobs. I would love to hang this over our island, and because it's so neutral, I could still do something fun over the dining table and hand another pendant over the sink without it clashing. Maybe this capiz chandelier for over the table?

4. Boerum dresser ($799)

I love the reclaimed, distressed look of this dresser. Like it's been adrift to sea.

5. Window daybed ($449)

Working from home means my office is my guest bedroom. Complete with a bed. I try my best to ignore it on my just-wanna-go-back-to-bed-days. A daybed would still provide a guest a spot to rest a noggin but provide a little more real estate and function (another place to sit and edit). But who am I kidding?! I'd still want to curl up there most days.

6. Turned Foot Dining Vitrine ($799...on sale for $499)

Small kitchen=not enough storage for all my lovely Pampered Chef serving pieces. This vitrine is new on my list, but I love that I could still show off my white lovelies and have a drawer for napkins and other serving items. The legs also would match our dining table legs. Nothing like a nice pair of legs.

Foyer gallery

Foyer is such a weird word, right? Must be why more people call them entryways. I'm not in love with that word either. Vestibule? Lobby? Nah, too bank/theaterish. I'll stick to foyer. Sounds rare. I have a foyer.

The foyer was one of the selling features of this strange little house of ours. And I had grand plans for it. Yet, it sat for almost two years untouched while our life grew a baby who turned into a toddler seemingly overnight. Of course it's easy to blame a lot of things on Vincent, but honestly, a lot of things have more to do with my not knowing where to start on a project/not wanting to spend the money. So it sat.

But that wouldn't do with Vincent's first birthday party going down. Someone had to make it look like this home was loved and wanted. It's been almost two years and the only things hung on the walls were mostly limited to the mantel. Armed with my vision that was inspired in part by Young House Love's gallery hallway and pins I had seen on Pinterest, I put together my own little gallery.

Behold: the foyer gallery. Let's zoom in on some of those fabulous Gs.

G and frame purchased at Jo-Ann's. I removed the glass and backing from the frame and affixed the G to the wall with poster tack for a more seamless look.

G plate (Hobby Lobby)

Well, I'd like to take all the credit, but if you have learned anything reading this blog you'll know that any creativity is partly emotionally underwritten and sponsored by my sister. She helps me make decisions and helps me not over think things, and just generally inspires and motivates me. I'm almost disabled by my indecisiveness. She's my therapist.

Another Hobby Lobby purchase. Another G.

Because I had a gift card to Jo-Ann's, I decided to hit up their frame section first. I'm glad I did. They had a variety of fun frame textures, my favorite being the oval frame surrounding the G. Oh, and look, I worked in some Gs. Of course the gallery is stuffed with pictures of our little man, but I hope to grow it to include other pictures, prints, and media, but for right now, I'm happy with how it turned out.

I also managed to buy plate hangers for $2 apiece at Target (look in the hardware section) for these awesome Roseanna plates my sister bought me years ago as a birthday present. I hung them in the "dining room area" (I use quotes since there's not actually rooms in our house, just one big open space divided with furniture.) Sadly you can no longer buy them from the site, but if you Google "wine tasting Roseanna plates," you can find a few resellers.

Roseanna plates

I also added a couple items to the mantel. I found this black chunky resin G at Hobby Lobby. (You know I petted it all the way to the check out.) Popped in a baby picture of Vincent into a frame I already had and purchased the quatrefoil one on major sale at Jo-Ann's. Now the mantel officially looks like Vincent lives here.

Another new G (Hobby Lobby) and pictures of Vincent (far right frame from Jo-Ann's)

Sidenote: I estimate I spent at least $150 on the project, and some of the frames I already had. I recommend anyone trying to undertake a gallery like this acquire items slowly and not all I once like I did. I probably could have saved money repainting frames I already had, but I was on a deadline.

Foyer for ya

I can't help myself, but how clever is my post title? Look at me trying to be witty. Now for a test: try saying "foyer for ya" five times real fast. Ohhhh! Hard, ain't it? Now onto our regularly scheduled programming... My new house (I've lived here a year and it's still new to me) has a grand foyer. I love it! Jonathan thinks it's a big ole waste of space, but I like that upon walking into the house you don't immediately walk into the living room. Walking into a foyer always makes an impression on me. That said, my foyer wasn't making much of an impression on anyone. All it had were stacks of unread baby, yoga, travel, and decorating magazines (see where my interests lie?) and place to catch the keys. It needed something! So I shopped around the house. So this makeover is free as the bird that Vincent likes to unintentionally give his parents. Six months and he already has attitude! The table is actually an old Target desk (it has a hutch that now lives in the basement).

Progress pictures:

Here's what we have: That big stack of magazine (needs to go!), a purple latern (I have these in all colors, and thought it would provide a pop of color; it got the axe in the end); a delightful candle that a friend gave me from a local bath shop (it's lit to give some ambiance. ommmm); dahlias cut from my yard and placed in a Shatto milk jug (glad I saved that!); a basket from Pier 1 to hold the Flip camera, keys, and other things; and a fleur de lis place card holder turned picture holder from Nell Hills.

Here I added a stack of books to give some dimension and height, a tray, and a photo box. (Pardon the shake. Still getting used to my camera settings and how to take pictures...)

Getting closer...I swiped the quilted runner my sister made from our dining room table for some added texture. Hmm. Still looks a little too blocky. 

Soak in all that fun quilted goodness. But it still isn't right...

Enter and smaller tray to hold mail, keys, sunglasses, and whatnot (just for you sis!); I also swiped the G from my mantel that my sister gave me years ago, and I removed the basket. Not too bad, huh? What made it difficult is that the table sits along a half wall that overlooks the stair well to our basement. I didn't want anything that stood higher than the ledge.

Who doesn't love a big initial?

and a pretty collection of flowers, books, and a candle?

It's an end result that I'm actually pretty darn happy with. But you should have read the text to my sister as it was in progress.

Yea or nay?

Source: simplyseductive.blogspot.com via Beachbrights on Pinterest

I really want to put wainscoting in my foyer. Bad. But I want to paint it black. Should it be done? All my trim is a beige tan color, so I couldn't do white on top even though for my space—that only has light from one little window—that would really brighten things up. I realize that this image isn't wainscoting but rather the bottom half is painted black and split with a chair rail, which would probably be a cheaper option. I have textured walls. Would it have the same effect?

Warranty time

We're taking stock of any and all repairs our house needs for its one-year warranty. Yes, you heard me right—one year! Our house is quickly approaching its one year birthday and I honestly can't believe it. The year has gone by so fast, and honestly, we haven't made many changes or dressed it up, but that's fine with me, the less we change, the more is covered under our warranty.

While Jonathan surveyed every nook and cranny, I looked up anything we found in our warranty book to see if it was covered and recorded it on our warranty form that's due at the end of the week to the builders. It's a tedious and time-consuming job, but it's really showed us how to take stock of our home on an annual basis. I hope that we'll continue this every year on our own now that the builders will no longer be responsible for repairs.

I do daydream about painting and decorating, but I'm trying to keep those daydreams at bay until the little one is here. He'll be my life until I get a hang of having a little monkey in my life, and then it'll be time to live really live in this house. I'm not sure which project we should save for first: fencing the backyard, furniture pieces, finishing the basement, getting our foyer professionally painted.

Book page wreath

Image: Jones Design Company

A friend of mine told me about All Things Thrifty. It's a great blog right up my alley in wanting to decorate (eventually) on the cheap. And as always happens, one blog leads to another blog and then inspiration (!) and self-discovery.. I stumbled upon Jones Design Company, and she's crisp, clean, and a little whimsical just like me. In her tutorial section, I found a wreath that I just need to make (at some point; all projects are pretty much on hold until my little man arrives, unless some serious decorating and crafting nesting hits). I'm a huge wreath judger. I like clean lines and a lot of wreaths scream "I just exited my grandmother's 1970s house." You know what I'm talking about! All fake flowered out and wishing to be put to death or dismantled and upcycled.

But not the book page wreath. It speaks to me on so many levels. From using old books as the craft source to all those beautiful magical letters in a serif font. Mmmm. Now I need me a hot glue gun.

I also discovered the lima bean wreath too that I think would be a great holiday wreath for next year. I love the fact that it's simply white and the fact that it's made with beans. Beans? Come on!

Glittery mantel

I couldn't wait to decorate the mantel this year. Unfortunately, work and other projects prevented me from finishing it until this week. I had purchased a $9 pre-lit garland from Target and during last year's after-Christmas sales, I had picked up two pre-lit 3ft. container Christmas trees for $25/apiece at Jo-Ann's. I set one on the mantel and the other outside. These were my foundation pieces besides the afore mentioned Keep Calm print and my hurricane.

My other purchases included a glittery Believe sign I picked up in Hermann, Missouri during our anniversary trip, a set of 50 gold shatter-proof ornaments for $15 from Target, 4 gold and 4 silver glittery snowflakes for $1 a package, and probably my most favorite finds for the mantel: a jingle bell G and one gold and one silver birdie (you know my thing with birds), which I picked up for less than $6 at Michael's. I repurposed some items I already had on hand, including little red glass balls, a Santa teapot that was my Mom's (I liked having a piece of her up there since it was her dream as well to fireplace), and the star in the corner is actually our tree topper that this preggo didn't like on her tree this year.

I loved how the mantel turned out for my first mantel. And in the process, it shook open some decorating vein in me! I want to decorate everything now. And repaint, but let's not tell my husband that!

I give you what my mantel looked like before:



And here's the Christmas after: