This is inspiration for my next project. I’d like to make the girls a doorway puppet theater. They already have a nice collection of puppets, so I think they would love something like this. photo via High-res

This is inspiration for my next project. I’d like to make the girls a doorway puppet theater. They already have a nice collection of puppets, so I think they would love something like this.

photo via

Just What I Needed

I painted our dining room door, which leads to our garage, with chalkboard paint yesterday. I love the way it tuned out.

I have essentially been a stay at home mom this week. My parents are on a cruise, and since my mother watches my girls when I work, I have only been able to take a few appointments in the evenings after the mister is home from work. I have really enjoyed this extra time off, and have got a lot accomplished. I’ve been able to keep up with the dishes & laundry, organize the girl’s rooms and have kept them that way all week, and I’ve been able to be more thoughtful and creative with our dinners. I tackled two small projects this week, the vintage doll highchair redo and chalkboard door, and I am so happy with the way they both turned out. Amelia and I visited my 89 year old grandmother at her assisted living, and we really need to do that more often. I was even able to sneak in a pedicure, YAY me!

I got off to a sucky start this year. The girls and I were sick, and I was feeling tired and overwhelmed after the holidays. I had gained weight, which I am proud to report as of today I have lost, but I miss you Christmas cookies!

I finally feel focused and relaxed, the way I wanted to feel when I started 2012, but alas, my life had other plans.

I love my job and the money it brings, and I feel lucky to only work 3.5 days a week. I will be ready to resume my hectic schedule next week, but for now I am enjoying my clean floors, and extra time outside with my girls in this beautiful 80 degree weather we’ve been having.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got an Italian Greyhound pup who needs a bath and a nail trim. One more thing to mark off my to-do list!

Our Florida Room Makeover

I blogged a few weeks ago about our family room redo. I am excited to say that the room is finished, and we couldn’t be happier with the results. It’s amazing what a coat of paint & new window treatments can do for a room! We still need new throw pillows, I borrowed the orange ones from our front living room, and I think yellow pillows will be the best bet.

I didn’t take any before pictures, but you can see the red paint & old vertical blinds we had in this recent photo of Mags.

Our Family Room Gets a Makeover

We have recently begun to makeover our Florida room. It’s where we spend the most time watching t.v., reading, and snuggling the kids. It’s the only room we haven’t painted and updated since we moved into our home over two years ago. We will keep our existing sectional, which I love, it’s a neutral color with a dark wood trim. I am looking to add a pop of yellow, and I like these pretty pillows.

We picked out a pretty shade of blue from the Martha Stewart line of paints at Home Depot. Our blue is similar to this shade. The name of the color we chose is Sunken Pool.

We will be taking down some dated vertical blinds, and hanging these tan basket weave panel curtains from Target’s Home Collection. This was the most expensive part of our redo, as our Florida room is almost all windows!

We took a vintage dresser we had in our living room, and moved into the family room to use as our t.v. stand. Our flat screen looks great on it! Best part, it only cost me $15 at our local Salvation Army.

I will photograph the room, and post photos as soon as we are done with everything. I am excited to have a new look in the space where we spend most of our time.

A Fun Play Tent

Just in case you don’t read ohdeardrea like I do, I had to share this super adorbs play tent that she constructed for her daughter. Read how to make one of your very own here. I hope to do this project sometime soon for my girls. I love how it defines a play space, and keeps the toys in one spot, out of sight. Awesome.

Domo Arigato, Mr. Roboto

This is Ian. He loves robots. Who doesn’t, really. His lovely wife Jenna, who happens to be one of my dearest friends, surprised him with a robot themed birthday party. She made most of the decorations herself, and I had to share them with you.

That’s a pinata!

They cooked out hot dogs and hamburgers, and had fun games to play, like cornhole.

Our curly hair let’s you know how hot and humid it was!

I didn’t get to stay for very long, I had to get home to my sick Maggie, but it is always nice to get out and socialize with people who are older than five.

I’m looking forward to hosting our own BBQ next weekend to celebrate Father’s Day. Thank goodness we have a pool!