Waking to Sunshine

This room just makes me smile.  I can't decide what I like best; the preppy frock hanging on the wall, the custom headboard or just the all around pops of yellow.  I likey.

Image via

Here are few inexpensive fabrics to emulate the same look.  All fabrics via

 

Nursery Inspiration

As most of you know I am not having a boy, but I was very inspired by this picture and squirreled it away.  I love the muted color, bold pattern rug and modern crib with rustic dresser.  I was also taken by the huge longhorn painting; it would have been the perfect homage to my husband's alma mater

Image via ?

Roller Skating Birthday Party Success!

My daughter's roller skating and ice cream social birthday party was this past weekend and thankfully it was a success. I wish I took more pictures of the details, but time slipped away.

My goal was to try and hide a bit of the gaudy roller skating decor that is standard with all roller rinks and keep it sweet, girly and pretty. All of this on a budget and time crunch. There were several bumps in the road (for example, favors didn't arrive in time and no time to sew pretty fabric details), but all-in-all I couldn't have been more please. And most importantly, my daughter had a blast.

Below are the details on where I found the decorations and made it all happen fast and cheap.

I covered the horrific plastic tablecloths the roller rink supplied with brown bulletin board paper I found at a teacher supply store. The paper is very thick and rolls out smoothly with no wrinkles. A big roll was $15 and was more than enough to cover three large cafeteria style tables.


The place settings were just standard party supplies paper plates, but I hand rolled the plastic wear the night before to save time setting up. The edible waffle bowls were from Walmart (and I tried several grocery stores and Walmart was the only one who had them) 10 for $2. The old fashion paper ice cream parlor hats were from Praire Moon Beverage Shop and they were the only pre-order thing that arrived on time.

To keep the details simple, easy and give the decor a cohesive design I wrapped the water bottles, whip cream cans and made the table signs all from a book of scrapbook paper I had on hand. I found all the scrapbook paper and the ceramic white square table stands at Michaels craft store.


And my silver lining in all the chaos were the ice cream straw cups I found last minute at Arnie's Party Supply in Houston. It was total luck that I found them the day before and so many for so cheap since my original favors were held hostage by UPS.



The brand is Krazy Straws and you can order them online here. 


I have to give a huge THANK YOU to my friends Danielle and Rachel.  They both with their families helped me pull it all together and setup in lighting speed before the party began.  Thank you ladies for all the help, you helped keep me sane so I could actually enjoy the special day.

Renovation Realities: Progress Puts A Smile On My Face

Demo began on the kitchen this week and not a moment too soon as I am now 20 weeks prego.  Let's get this baby started before the real baby arrives.

Here is a before of our kitchen when we bought the house a year and a half ago.

And here is what it looks like right now. 

This may look like a disaster to some, but to me it's a beautiful thing!

Did I mention the temp is dropping to the 20's?  That's really cold for Houstonians.  Needless to say, this part of the house is freezing.

Valentine Prep & Chaos

I think I just might loose my mind this week.  Seriously.  My kitchen reno started on Monday and my temporary kitchen is in my living room, I am slammed with work, I have my daughter's birthday party on Saturday, my mom and brother's birthdays are this week and I am helping with my daughter's Valentine party on Thursday.  Aaaaaaa!!!  Beware of crazy pregnant woman.

My Little Blue Book

I just ordered this blue beauty to keep me organized in 2011. I’ve been a long time fan of Graphic Image datebooks and I order a new one ever year. You could say I am a bit old school with my schedule. I don't sync my Blackberry to load my weekly agendas or schedule reminders to keep me on time. I like the feel of soft leather and smooth pages between my fingers to stay punctual and organized.

Here’s a tip, I always wait until February to order. Graphic Image typically puts their books half off after January.

Locks of Love

My daughter was blessed with a full head of hair from the first day of life. She never lost a hair or rubbed a bald spot and so her hair grew and grew and grew. We've had several haircuts and this last time we decided together, yes Jacquelyn and mommy, to grow it out for Locks of Love.

When I explained to her that growing her hair long and donating it to Locks of Love meant a special child who was sick would get her beautiful hair for a wig, she was on board 100%. Finally the day came after what seemed like months waiting for those last few inches to grow.

Here are few before and after pictures, I think I was more emotional about the cut then she was.

At home before we left.

So much hair to donate.

Right before the haircut.  She looks excited; or could that be nervous energy?

Haircut in action.  She was such a good sport the entire time.

The After at the salon.

The after at home.  After I took a round brush to it.

This is her My Hair Rocks! pose.

She says sometimes she misses her long hair, but she's happy she could help someone else.  I am so proud of my snuggleboo!

I've Got A Spring Craving

Like just about everyone in this country, I am ready for spring. Mainly because my pregnant belly keeps growing and I do not want to buy any more winter maternity clothes.
I got really excited today when I spied these cute wedges in my Anthropologie catalogue.  I Just might have to buy them to satisfy my craving.
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