52 in 1: WEEK 40 - a little boy haircut

This week, I learned to do something that I've been wanting to learn to do for a long time: my sweet friend Leah taught me to cut Mac's hair! She told me what to do and oversaw (and calmed me down when I constantly panicked, shouting, "Oh no! That was a huge chunk! He has a bald spot!"), but the clipper/scissor action was pretty much all me. So exciting! Next up: Ryan?!!

Kitchen tile is still not finished, but it's looking good. Can't wait to share!

she {hearts} it

As I recently mentioned, I'm so excited to say that I am going to be writing for the fun review site She {hearts} It. I already have some great reviews and giveaways lined up and in the works. Feel free to "like" She {hearts} It's Facebook page to stay up to date on new giveaways and reviews on great products that we endorse and believe in.



Been buried in kitchen tile demo dust this week... hoping that it will be finished in time to do a 52/1-- ohh it's going to be so pretty!

52 in 1: WEEK 39 - happy hexagons

Ohh, special-looking, fun tile makes me just giddy. I've been keeping busy this week, between the kids, {still} unpacking, feeling quite under the weather, wiping noses, and the day to day. I've been attempting little projects here and there, but I feel like talking about and planning projects has been the way it goes around here lately. I am excited to share some fun projects my parents have executed around the house, big plans for the kitchen (I received a huge box of Anthropologie knobs the other day... squeal), oh I could go on and on. My head is spinning! Plus, sewing has taken the back burner since my machine is still sitting, apparently broken, in my sewing space in the basement. Boo. I'm excited to get my space prettied up and share that here too! I also need to share my Ward weekend recap. Bear with me!

So, this week, I decided on the materials for the project, but didn't actually execute it myself. Ryan is actually at the store as I type (I think getting grout or something) but he will be grouting our new entryway tile tonight! He laid it throughout this past week (not his favorite this to do, but he's good at it!). I wanted something that was a little different, not to crazy, but still special for the front entryway. It's not all that grand of a space, so I thought this black travertine hexagon tile was perfect. I'm in love, and it's (obv) not even grouted or cleaned yet.

Before: multi colored, chipped slate. Not my cup of tea.

After (almost): simple, fresh, and interesting! 

Sometimes I may or may not like to just pet the smooth travertine.

As Ryan laid tile today, I tried to entertain the kids and was failing miserably.  The combination of being sick and having a million things to do myself made it pretty impossible.

So, playdoh for the girl: 

And whipped cream for the boy.  He instantly ate it, rather than play in it.  I gave him cars to drive in it and little utensils to poke it with.  Instantly in the mouth.  No fear, no hesitation.  And as a result, he got two baths today.  Such a boy. :)

And how about a bit of miscellany on this chilly Saturday night:

1) Head on over to Keight's blog to win a pretty pretty PCB ring... the ring inspired by the sassy saffron lady herself.

2) I am SUPER excited to share that I will be writing for She {hearts} It, THE lovely review site featuring great products for ladies to love. So many giveaways, too!  Oh I am so lucky and so elated!

3) Just had to share a picture of me and my love on Valentine's Day before we went out for dinner. My mom and dad offered to come watch the kids and we ordered them a pizza in return. Have I mentioned at all how much I love being home again?!

The red lipstick made it out of the house!  I almost wiped it off at the last second, but I resisted.  I guess I was feelin racy! ;)

snow play

B and I snuck outside for a little bit this afternoon while Mac napped. It was just what both of us needed. I'm really not a fan of the snow (or anything associated with it) but times like this make me rethink my reasoning and remember how glorious the white crystals were to me when I was young. I hope I can more often shelve my "adultness" and just experience the little moments like my kids do.

52 in 1: WEEK 38 - ruffles & Wards

Sneaking this post in in the final moments of the week, since we've been a tad busy this weekend... oh just spending a glorious few days with the visiting Wards AKA our new friends for life.  Ashley and I had high hopes and dreams to craft and sew all weekend.  Ha.  Ha.  We "settled" on making ruffled shirts for the girls and ruffled headbands for us.  Then, we decided the shirts were going to take more than 5 minutes so we decided to at least make the headbands.  What could go wrong?  A quick project resulting in pretty new accessories couldn't be messed up.  Right?  Ha.

We made some tea and team Ashley went to work.

Annnnd, while doing literally the first stitch for the ruffle on my machine, the sewing machine decided to quit.  Still don't know what's wrong with it, but we decided to press on and hand stitch the ruffles.  More time consuming, but not super hard.

My ruffles.  Not how I really envisioned, but hey.

Pretties!

The aftermath.

We had a fun, fun weekend with this family and can't wait for more time together.  A complete recap is in the works... but for now, some pics from today's children's museum trip. 

 Sweet family.

We know how to get to Sesame Street.

Love this girl.  Sad for them to leave tomorrow.  Happy that they were looking at houses for sale in the area while I drooled napped on the couch this afternoon.

new lovelies at the PCB!

Just added a TON of lovely new items to my Etsy shop! 

My favorites:

Feel free to use the coupon code LOVE2012 for 20% off your entire order until Valentine's Day!!!

xoxo

52 in 1: WEEK 37 - PAINT!

Ohhh I have such happiness in my heart over this transformation! I wanted to paint almost the entire downstairs the same color, since the floor plan in this house is not the most open and one neutral color would help the rooms to not appear so broken up. I found the perfect grey/taupe, ran it across my mom, and the Painting Diva {my mother} put her skillz into practice. She pounded out the whole downstairs in less than a day. I supervised and wrangled children (painting is not my forte... I don't have the patience and I'm admittedly not the best at it). I love the color, the softness, the clean look. Ahhhh.

Sneaked a pic of the PD (Painting Diva) at work

before & afters 

- please excuse our still-disheveled space and poor lighting! :)

kitchen (just a part of it)

living room

playroom

Not sure why I didn't take a "before" picture of the front entryway, but here it is painted... featuring my climbing monkey boy photo crasher.

I have a vision for my kitchen and I can't wait to get it finished. The cabinets will be white, a new floor will (eventually) be put down (I'm not a fan of the current tile- it just looks dirty in real life), and I picked out some pretty glass knobs:

I wasn't loving the backsplash when we first bought the house. It just looked wrong with the red walls. However, with the new greyish walls, the backsplash looks right and I actually really like it! It's amazing what paint can do.

I couldn't resist this little jar at Anthropologie and my SIL Laura suggested writing my word for this year on the cute little chalkboard label. I put it on my kitchen windowsill, and it's definitely been a strong reminder for me this week.

There's still so much to do, but I am loving the change so far!

daybook

Outside my window...

it's cloudy but almost 60 degrees! I was out and about with the kids this morning and totally sweating in my pea coat and scarf.

I am thinking...

that pinkeye and double ear infections stink... poor Mac.

I am thankful for...

my best friends and my family... especially my mom, who painted (almost) my entire downstairs in the past few days. It looks amazing! I'll share pictures soon.

I am learning...

that going to bed early is easier said than done... but wonderful when it is successful. I got over 9 hours of sleep last night, even with getting up at 6:30am!

I am creating...

a lot! I'm so inspired and excited by so much these days- feels good!

I am going...

to Craftcation!  Eeeeeeeee!!!!!

I am hearing...

the hum of the monitor. Ahhhh.

Around my house...

we have made so much progress and I'm so, so happy for what we have done.

One of my favorite things...

is date nights- Ryan and I were able to go out to a yummy place this past weekend and ended up seeing Erin and Ray at the restaurant, then met up for dessert with Alyssa and Jason (who happened to be at the restaurant next door at the same time). So fun!

A few plans for my week...

tonight is small group, but looks like we will have to skip due to pinkeye boy. :)  Also, I'm excited for my sweet Emily's kids' joint birthday party this weekend.  Love them!

A picture...

One year ago today... my baby boy in the big tub for the first time.