Art for the Mod Tot

A reader sent me a link to this cool custom canvas art company. I was overwhelmed by the awesome selection of clean modern kid’s art. Each design allows you to place your child’s name in the art and there are scores of categories to choose from. Best of all they are 100% green. All art is printed with water based dyes on 100% cotton canvases. Above are just a few of my favorites, to preview them all visit http://canvasgrafix.com. Thanks Kelly!

Design Tip: At what height do you properly hang art? The bottom of the frame or canvas should be 6-8 inches above a sofa back or 8-10 inches above other furniture. Any higher and it becomes disconnected from the furniture and makes the room look out of balance. If you’re hanging a picture on a blank wall with no furniture center the picture sixty inches up from the floor.

Perfect for a Boy or a Girl

From time-to-time my blog will feature some of my clients and their custom orders. I am currently making a crib bedding set for a lady who is expecting a baby girl, but wants to use the set again for her second child. So gender neutral it had to be and she specifically requested the color scheme be red and brown. She also sent me a mockup of how she wanted the fabrics to coordinate-this is her rendering.

I love the fact that she is so detailed. It makes my job so much easier and the final product is going to be beautiful. Here’s a sneak peek.

It's Five O’clock Somewhere

Every parent should have a few easy and delicious drink recipes stashed away for times of relaxation, drinks with friends or a dinner party. Please note-these are not intended for days when you are on kid duty. This margarita recipe is one you’ll want to file away for good. It packs a punch, but I promise it’s the easiest, tastiest margarita you will ever attempt to make at home. I’ve had several dinner parties where we have drank many pitchers (5 to be exact) in one night. Aahh, good times!

Recipe:
1 can of Sprite Zero (low calerie version)
1 bottle of Corona Light (low calerie version)
Tequila (even the cheap stuff is perfect)
1 can of Minute Maid Limeade

In a large pitcher empty the can of Sprite, bottle of Corona and Limeade. Fill the Limeade can to the top with water and empty into pitcher. Fill Limeade can ¾ of the way full with tequila and empty into pitcher. Stir and served chilled with ice. Wah lah, the best margarita you will ever make at home! By the way, this is not my recipe. I got it from a friend who I am sure got it from another friend. Enjoy.

Chic Sneaks

One of my extremely talented friends, Kim made these precious Swarovski crystal Converse shoes as a birthday present for my daughter. They arrived in a box with other gorgeous handmade goodies (which I will reveal in another blog) and I was blown away. They are now my daughter’s favorite shoes and mine too! If she ever decides to start selling them you’ll be the first to know. Thank you Kim!

Eye Catching Catchalls

Say hello to one of my new favorite things! I am in love with these gorgeous custom lucite trays that make beautiful catchalls for kids rooms. Okay, so the conventional use for these would probably be in a room more suited for adults instead of your child’s room-but what an unexpected and fun item for a nursery or toddler’s room.

Instead of the traditional diaper caddy, slide one of these beauties on your changing table to organize diapers, creams, lotions and whatnots. You can also place it on a side table next to your glider or maybe your child’s dresser. Wherever you choose they are sure to be a stunning accent.

I am always collecting piles or random items from my daughter’s room, but to have one of these awaiting my piles of nothingness would make me feel so organized and happy.
Visit www.iomoi.com for a full line of their designs.

Here's a Bright Idea

If you are decorating your nursery or kid’s room I want you to walk to the center of the room and look up at the ceiling. What do you see? If it’s a ceiling fan I beg you to please consider these lighting options. Break the norm and don’t be afraid to add a little something unexpected.

Perhaps you prefer an elegant statement

or something more whimsical;

maybe an touch of the unexpected

or understated elegance.

Whatever your design style is adding a beautiful ceiling fixture to your child’s room is a simple way to pull a design together.

Design Tip: Add a dimmer switch! It’s a chic on the cheap way to create instant mood lighting. Plus they are great for bedtime stories, middle of the night feedings and scaring away monsters under the bed.

Where to Shop

http://www.overstock.com/

http://www.potterybarnkids.com/

http://www.westelm.com/

http://www.ikea.com/

Urban Cowboy

Hello Readers! Sorry I’ve been away for a while. My family and I took a much needed family vacation and now I am back and fully rested. This post is a salute to all the cowboys during rodeo time. Yeehaw! If you’re not from the greater Houston area and are not familiar with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo it’s THE largest rodeo show in the world. Over a million spectators and participants come from all over to watch world class cowboys strut their stuff on the dirt-we’re talkin’ bull riding, bucking broncos, rhinestone cowgirls and all. The show also draws A-list music artist for a nightly concert. If you’re ever in Houston during the month of March is an event you won’t want to miss.

Here’s a little Urban Cowboy design for all you rodeo fans. I am a big city girl with southern upbringing so this design has a modern twist on an old classic. Click on image to enlarge.




Where to Shop
Fabrics and Custom Monograms: http://www.jacquelynreese.com/
Paint: http://www.serenaandlily.com/
Art: http://www.art.com/
Toddler Boot: http://www.justinboots.com/
Picture Frame: http://www.rosenberryrooms.com/
Modern Lighting: http://www.landofnod.com/
Leather Glider: http://www.potterybarnkids.com/
Wall Decal: http://www.writeonthewalls.com/
Cowboy Baby Socks: http://www.target.com/