Summer Totes

Surprise! This post is really about totes. As in bags. Not as in "totes ma'goats".  Having sold my SKIP HOP diaper bag on the Craigslist after Owen I might need to look for something for Tate for this summer. But I am preferring to get something a little more mainstream that I can carry after baby and that doesn't scream "I'm full of dirty diapers and chew toys". Even though it will in fact be full of dirty diapers and chew toys ;)

A few I am scouting at Nordstrom.com -

Fossil Sydney Shopper

Kate Spade Francis Tote

Kate Spade Flatiron Barbara Tote 

Or this one from Furbish -

cute stuff people.

Brunch for Baby Tate

Sweet invitation and favors for the guests.

Her own name banner and some adorable gifts to open!

Sweet friends to celebrate with.

Gorgeous florals and delicious spread!

Ready to eat! 

Sister in law and BFF.

It was a fantastic time spoiling our little girl.  LOTS of adorable outfits from Rolly's - the cutest baby shop in town - and even some new pj's and a robe for me! (Thanks mama!) I love these ladies so much and was so happy to have a few hours with them on a gorgeous Sunday!

Progress

Here's a little sneak peak into baby Tate's nursery. Just need to get some things up on the wall - hopefully by this weekend. We are slowly getting there.

Curtains and Poof are from Land of Nod (who doesn't love their stuff??), Rug is from World Market (feel like we should have gone with the 8x10 - always go bigger people), three frames waiting to be hung are from a local consignment sale - artwork is still being finalized.  Blanket is made by my loving mother which will end up probably being the comforter for her "toddler bed".  Lamp I found on CL (whaahooo).

First and foremost, I apologize for that blinding overhead light.  Crib bedding was made by my dear mom's friend and originally used in Owen's nursery.  Green = reuse.  The doll house in the corner was mine and I am trying to find the time to paint it and use it for storage of toys, dolls, books, etc.  

Progress is coming but we still have to hang the mirror and the shelf over the dresser and the pictures.  Hopefully this weekend that will be done!  I am happy with how it's coming along, already one of my fav spots in the house and last night I just sat in my rocker with my feet up and had some "me" time. It was really nice.  Seeing the room in photos helps me to edit down rather than just being in the room.  I would love to have some crown molding installed one day - in all the bedrooms!  But for now, a girl can dream. Can't believe just 6 weeks away from meeting our little girl!

I'm so excited!!

Ekkkk! So this weekend we are having built ins installed in our LIVING ROOM!!! This is so exciting as I was not thinking it would happen so soon, but we are doing it!

Ever since we have lived in this house (1 year Memorial Day weekend!) I have wanted to do this and am so excited to check it off our list so soon in our life in this home.  A few inspirational shots I have been saving via my Pinterest.

our fireplace is totally decorative....(shhhhh) but i'm really thinking it could be cute painted black...

love these details and the painted back. we plan to keep ours the same color as the main walls, a warm beige.

this room is gorg. i can't promise my shelves will stay that bare, but love the molding details and beach vibe.

i have saved this one because i like the simple cabinets at the bottom.  we won't be putting our TV over the mantle, i still want this room to have some formality to it so we plan to have a space created for it to fit on the side - fingers crossed it comes out as we have envisioned!

Hopefully I can get around to some before and after pics as well....

Wall doings

Our walls are lacking love in many places.  I hope to gradually find things that I can't live without to make our home feel more like us rather than just go to the store find something that will work for now and throw it up.  It makes it hard but in the long run, I know it's what we need.

Right now our dining room wall needs some love.  In the worst way.  John suggested getting a few large scale pieces and putting them up.  But what? Our dining room's pretty traditional at the moment.  I would like to bring in some modern touches to even it out a bit.  Of course I don't have pics of our current dining room, but here are some ideas that I am loving to try.

Large scale maps.
I know this isn't anything new and has been done for years, but I think it could really work for this space.  I found a great ETSY shop (link below) that has some wonderful vintage options.  I'm thinking just simple black matted frames to hang them in a large group and be done.

inspiration shot:

via

A massive painting or wall hanging.

This also is a tough one because I am so not good at finding something I love and it can be very expensive. Thankfully for ETSY (yes, all caps is necessary) I may be able to find a nice piece by an unknown amazing artist that I could afford.

inspiration shot:

via

via

via

this last one by the way, might be the most beautiful home I have ever seen.  GO to the link NOW and check it out. You won't be disappointed!

So those are my plans for now. Either some big maps framed or a big painting/something to hang.  Decisions, decisions.

The perfect little desk

So I have been scoping Craigslist for weeks now looking for the perfect little desk for our living room. Just somewhere we can house the laptop, bills and important papers since our current work station is our sofa in the den. And I found it! And it's mine!

I love the size and the detail of the wood.  Wish it had a top to it as well, but I am excited to do some decorating with a new lamp and frames and find a fun chair to recover to use.  Could even possibly paint it down the road, but I love the look of wood so will probably leave this one alone.  Also have a guy coming Friday to give us a quote on putting built in's around the fireplace.  Of course the den needs new carpet and we definitely need to fence in the back, but built in's can't be tough (i.e. expensive), right? 

Do you hunt on CL ?  The seller said she had over 20 people contact her in just one day and I was the first one to say I'd buy it so it's all mine!  I promise to follow up with some photos of how it ends up at our house. 

Here are a few shots I found on Pinterest that are inspiring me.

Pottery Barn of course.

I never even thought of this possibility!!

Can you say swank?

This was an amazing re-do

Love it all!

And maybe a lamp like this one?

or this one...

stay tuned!

all images found via Pinterest

SJP shoes...Died and gone to heaven....

She just can't do any wrong.