Thursday, October 20, 2011

Stylish Baby Shower & Blog Crush {Small Shop Studio}

I was home sick from work the other day and although I tried to sleep, it wouldn't happen.  So, naturally, I spent the day reading blogs:)  You do that too, right?  While catching up on La Dolce Vita (my first ever blog crush 3 years ago), I read that Paloma is introducing new contributors to write for her blog, including Erika Brechtel of Small Shop Studio.











I followed the link to the Small Shop Studio blog, which quickly sucked me in.  I spent half my morning reading through all of her posts and drooling over her home.  Wanna see why?  


























Go here for the full Home Tour.




Erika recently hosted a baby shower for her sister-n-law and did.not.disappoint!  The grey and orange theme is stylish and sophisticated.  I love how she kept the design simple, yet fun and whimsical with the fish details.  Go here for the full info.










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Are you in love too?  Don't you get a little rush when you find a new blog crush, something you haven't seen before that gives you a tingle and gets your head spinning with new ideas and fresh excitement?  








Wednesday, October 19, 2011

baby james (19 months)

It seems like the months are going faster and faster and our little guy is growing awfully fast.  He's still a happy guy but will definitely voice his frustration if he doesn't get his way or can't figure something out.





James' vocabulary is growing rapidly and being able to communicate together is just awesome.   We have actual conversations now.  In the morning they go something like this:


James:  "Pancakes, pancakes.  Milk, milk"


Me:  "You're ready for pancakes and milk?


James:  "Yeah"


Me:  "Would you like a banana too?"


James:  "Banana!"




He was in great hands with my brother, sister, and mother in law when my husband and I went out of town recently.  He had a great time- absolutely loves Mexican food (rice and beans).  I love that they sent me text pictures the whole time we were gone so we could see how much fun he was having. 




He even slept well (of course with Monkey and Wubby).




But I thought the "cousins in the bathtub" was just too cute!  Mohawks and all. 






Back at home, James says "cook, cook" to let me know he wants to help in the kitchen.  His first chocolate chip cookies.




He had a great time at his little cousin's first birthday party.








He's doing great in school and comes home singing Itsy Bitsy Spider, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star, and is trying to count to ten in English and Spanish.  He also's getting really good at the alphabet.  We practice saying his teachers names and bless his heart he's trying.  He says his teachers names:


Anna "Anna"
Lilliana "Anna"
Paloma "Po-nana" 


He loves to read and likes to identify all the animals or whatever he's looking at.  When he sees the lion or tiger he says, "Roar!!"  He's naming body parts and climbing up and down the stairs (with assistance).  


And back to the kitchen. 










He makes a mess, but is also my best helper.







Then, the other morning, while I was busy cleaning the kitchen, I turned around to find this.  




He had fished out the empty peanut butter jar from the TRASH can, opened the lid, and was eating it!  








Ahhh!!!  Oh, and he's 25 pounds now!  We love you James!


Monday, October 17, 2011

DIY Advent Calendar

Although it isn't even November, I admit that I'm already looking all the way forward to



I've been collecting ideas on Pinterest and thinking of new decor and adventures to create in our home this year.  I've always loved the holidays and the advent calendar.  I'm especially giddy about it this year because we have a little one (19 months old) to start sharing the season with and creating our own memories and traditions. 
























I made this advent calendar with our family in mind, and considering our child's age, but of course you can personalize it to suit your family's needs.  I printed the labels on the computer and taped them to the tags with Japanese tape.



ADVENT CALENDAR ADVENTURES
Take a family photo in front of the Christmas tree
Sing Christmas songs
Make Christmas cards for Grandparents
Make a Christmas ornament
Color a Christmas picture 
Make paper snowflakes 
Drink hot cocoa with marshmallows
Watch a christmas movie 
Go out for a Christmas treat 
Drive around the neighborhood and look at Christmas lights 
Visit Santa Claus
Call Grandparents 
Wrap a gift for your teachers
Read a story about the birth of Baby Jesus 
Make cookies for Santa Claus 
Write Santa Claus a letter
Read the book: "The Night Before Christmas" 
Make a snowman
Make a yummy treat
Build a gingerbread house 
Buy a Christmas gift for Toys for Tots  
Donate toys and clothes
Visit Grandparents
Make chocolate covered toffee




I'm hoping to have this advent calendar for years to come in our home! 





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Sunday, October 16, 2011

Dining Room Plan

Hi all! I hope you had a lovely and productive weekend.  I was quite busy with a couple of projects, including an advent calendar that I plan to show you this week, and home stuff.  I did get together with my girlfriends and it was so nice to hang out and talk, enjoying the weather and some wine.



Later that day, I went to High Fashion Home to find fabric to make dining room drapes.  For over a year, our sad dining room has had only a table and chairs, no other decor at all.  With the holidays approaching, I'd really like to get this room into shape for when we have family and friends over.  Here is the current state of things:





Remember, I said I was looking for fabric like this?  Well, when I got to the store and found the fabric below (Dwell Studio Vintage Plumes Peacock), I couldn't walk away from it.  Even when the salesperson told me how expensive it was- ug!  I think it will be the perfect punch of color and add interest to the room while still being elegant.  I'm really fond of the colors in the fabric, the blues and gold, and think they'll compliment the colors in our living room.






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I'm going to have the drapes made so that I don't mess them up myself.  The fabric has a bit of a loose weave that I'm not comfortable trying to sew or no-sew into drapes.



I also ordered a natural fiber rug from Pottery Barn, which should arrive soon.






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I still need a buffet, perhaps a pair of lamps, and either a large mirror or artwork for the wall.  Still deciding.  But at least some progress has been made!