November Recap

It may be 85 degrees outside now, but I'm still working on catching up the end of 2012. 

Chris and James took a trip back to Kansas for cousin Rowan's first birthday, but Claire and I stayed home.  I was able to get a couple quick painting projects completed during nap times and after Claire went to bed.  If I remember correctly Claire was just starting to walk (with support) around this time.

Mantel Before

 Mantel After using Annie Sloan Chalk Paint

We spent Thanksgiving at home with just the four of us.  It was a pretty nice day, so we took a walk to the park for some playtime.

 Claire's hair only really grew on one side for a long time

Shirt purchased from Etsy seller Kalamity Kids

I went all out with our Thanksgiving dinner, and we used the fancy china (inherited from my great-great aunt).

Apparently Thanksgiving is also known as crazy face day around here!

eDesign

We're getting to that point where I can start decorating versus just renovating.  Oh, don't get me wrong, there is still some renovating left to do, but I would much rather be doing the decorating.  Which is why I was so excited when I won a giveaway from awesome designer Kirsten Krason at 6th Street Design School!  I picked our family room for the design board I won, since we'll be spending most of our time there, and it is the first room you see when you enter through the front door. 

Awesome, right?  We ordered the sectional that will go in the room last weekend, and will slowly add more pieces...you know, as funds allow. 

Let the decorating begin!

night time

Next up, James' BIG BOY ROOM! The bedroom set used to be Kelly's. It has a bunked bed as well, but we are missing an entire bag of hardware (and hoping it is still in KC and not really missing). There isn't much style right now outside of the totally awesome bedding (that I scored on sale), but luckily two year olds don't have much of an opinion on decor.

Before

During

After

Wall Color: Martha Stewart Ganache
Furniture: This End Up
Bedding: Serena and Lily
Blinds: Smith + Noble
Lamp & Shade: Target
ABC Print: Penny People Design
Adirondack Chair: Pottery Barn Kids (last year)
Football Nightlight (and closet door knobs): Pottery Barn Kids

play time

We are cranking out little projects over the next two weeks, because we are a) hosting our neighborhood happy hour and b) hosting my entire family after we return from our VACATION in Michigan. The two rooms we finished this weekend are seriously my two favorites. And guess who they belong to? First up, the play room!

Before

After we moved in (and walls were skimmed)
Now


Wall Color: Benjamin Moore Duxbury Gray
Curtains, Striped and Polka Dot Pillows, Light, Art Line: Ikea
Bench: Pottery Barn
Kids Table: Pottery Barn Kids
Numbers Artwork: Penny People Designs (Ikea frame)
Train Table: Santa via Toys R Us
Other Artwork: James originals

sneak peak

Our slave labor (aka my dad) returned this weekend to help out around the house and to celebrate the 4th with us. Lots is getting accomplished, including painting our master bath. Chris finished the floors last weekend and the vanity got delivered on Friday. Now if only I can talk Chris into hiring out the shower tile installation we might have a functioning bathroom before the end of the year : )

(I don't know that I love the wall color...but it will work for now until we get all the fixtures installed and I can see how it looks finished).

"How 'bout me?"

That is what James asks when he sees us doing/eating something that he wants too. Seriously, there is no way we are forgetting about this kid (he wouldn't dare let us). He is a full-fledged two year old; I joke (joke people) that he needs to be on baby Prozac. One minute he is happy, laughing, talking away and doing his thing, and then all of a sudden he is in full meltdown mode. I totally realize it just comes with the territory of being two, but it still tries my patience on a daily basis!

So in honor of "how 'bout me?", here is James' inspiration board for his new, "I'm a big boy" room. Pottery Barn Kids Star Quilted Bedding / Asher Collection / Chambray/Red Sheet Set / Red Letter Pillow / Bunk Beds (used to be Aunt Kelly's!) / Red Color Frame Sham / Alphabet Print / Ikea Kulla Lamp (no longer online) / Chocolate Paint

Ikea Hack - Complete

Remember this idea I found to turn some $40 Ikea tables into something much prettier? Well, consider this "Honey Do" complete!

The hardware cost more than the tables did, but the total cost was still pretty reasonable for two solid wood tables. And I LOVE them!