Peekin' On Pickin' - Kalia's Room

Hello, friends! I unintentionally took a verrrrrry long break from blogging. I hope you're still there! I realized that I haven't shared any photos of our new place. We moved in January, and are still in the process of decorating and settling. Kalia's room is the closest to being complete, although I'm never truly finished decorating! A few of her furniture pieces could use a fresh paint job, and I would love to find some more flower pins for the lampshade...but I have some bigger priorities at the moment. We found out that we're expecting a BOY! We are trying to decorate the nursery, and I'm working on coming up with a gender-neutral playroom design. I will try to photograph our progress, and share little tidbits with you. In the meantime, I would love to hear any advice you might have on raising boys. It's all new to me!

Oh Baby!

I can finally justify purchasing one of these cuties from Chickabiddy Baby Boutique on Etsy! I fell in love with them probably over a year ago, but Kalia was a bit too old for a rattle...but guess what! We're expecting another little blessing in November!!! I wanted to get through the first trimester before sharing the news - and now that you know, I would love to share my ideas for the nursery and playroom once we get started. Hopefully the baby will cooperate, and we will find out the gender at the end of June. Then...let the design process begin!!!

PS Chickabiddy Baby Boutique has some masculine rattles too ~ so no worries if it's a boy!

Happy Thoughts

Beautiful quilts for an outdoor picnic on a sunny day...


Wide, open spaces...


A sweet kiss...

Cute li'l books...

Flowers blossoming in Spring...

Hangin' out in the sunshine...

1 dress, design & decor 2 It's Mary Ruffle 3 Utterly Engaged / Max Wanger

4 Design Is Mine 5 Chocolate Therapy 6 My Serendipity

Aprons for Beda

Do you remember Rebekka?! She was my very first college roommate, and holds a special place in my heart. Now, she and her husband Manley are raising support to adopt a sweet little girl (Beda) from Ethiopia. Rebekka has been busy whipping up these adorable child-sized aprons to sell on her website, and is now offering matching adult-sized aprons! You can help fund her adoption by visiting her website, and purchasing a sweet li'l apron or two. If the one you love is 'Sold Out', be sure to check back, because the site is updated frequently.

If you want to get to know Rebekka, or follow her through the adoption process, visit her beautiful blog. You may get to peek at the new loft she and Manley just purchased in Nashville! I have added an 'Aprons for Beda' button to 'So Pickin' Cute', so you can easily find the apron shop if you come back for another visit. I just purchased this sweet little yellow apron for Kalia, and can hardly wait to see it! Be sure to read the descriptions Rebekka included by each apron...they are so endearing!

Caravan Campin'

How are you?! Did you have a nice Easter? We hosted dinner at our house for the first time this year, and I would definitely do it again! I got really lucky in the husband department ~ he is a huge help in the kitchen...in fact, he really should have gone to culinary school.

Anyway, Kalia is on Spring Break this week, and although we are just hanging out in Indiana this year, we have an extensive list of things to do! I'm hoping to run all my boring errands today, so we can enjoy the rest of our break. I just wanted to pop in since I have been MIA for the last week or two, and share these adorable caravan pix. I wouldn't mind spending a couple days hanging out in there with that beautiful wallpaper. That's my kind of camping!!!

Images: Lovelane Caravans / Daydate

Party Plannin'

Did you catch this little party post on Decor8? The minute I saw it, I just knew I couldn't keep it to myself! Kalia has announced that she would like a "Bakery Birthday" this year ~ and I'm trying to plan ahead, before she changes her mind! (There is plenty of time, since her B-Day is in October). These vintage party photos taken by Jeremy Harwell are definitely going in my party inspiration file. I love it!

Images: Harwell Photography

Harwell Photography Blog

Decor8

Pink Loves Yellow

(Beautiful Things to Share)


(Absolutely Beautiful Things)


(Decor8)


(Snippet & Ink)


(Beautiful Things to Share)


(The Enchanted Closet)


(Sarah Magid)


(Crayon Castles)


(Rebecca Thuss / Mary Ruffle)


(Martha Stewart Weddings)

Rose Hip

These pillowcases are definitely on my wish list! Check out the rose hip blog and etsy shop.

Amanda Nisbet

Melissa Rufty is still my hero, but I am definitely admiring the work of Amanda Nisbet. Check out her portfolio. I think it's interesting that both women paired the Manuel Canovas pink and orange toile (in the first photo), with brown and white fabrics. Would you hire Amanda Nisbet, or Melissa Rufty? Tough choice! Who is your absolute favorite designer?

Images: Amanda Nisbet / Elements of Style

Issue No. 008

If you haven't checked out the latest issue of Utterly Engaged ~ you really should! And have you seen the Spring 2010 issue of Martha Stewart Weddings? Although I'm married, I couldn't resist flipping through at the grocery store the other day...it's all about PINK! So dreamy.

Image: Utterly Engaged

Sweet M's

I would like to introduce you to my friend Maggie ~ although you may remember her house tour from my other blog. Maggie and her husband Kyle adopted a sweet little girl (Luci) several years ago, and she has been such a blessing to their family. Now Maggie wants to "pay it forward" and help other families in funding their own adoptions. Isn't that fabulous?! She is so stylish and creative, and has such sweet items to offer on her site (for the little girls in your life). I would just encourage you to check out her blog, and help her raise some support for Kami McKibben (a precious little girl from Ethiopia, waiting to join her new family). Fifty percent of the profits will benefit Kami, and the other fifty will cover material expenses. Please pay a visit to Sweet M's for all the details, and let's bring Kami home!!!

Image: Sweet M's
One of my personal favorites: Let them eat cake!
More Information: About Sweet M's

PS Don't you just LOVE the cupcake and rosette combo?! Two of my favorite things on one sweet shirt. Maggie, you rock! I wish we lived in the same state so I could learn your techniques and work with you in that amazing craft room!

Cupcake Crazy

What if a guy showed up for a date in his Customized Cupcake Car from Neiman Marcus?! HaHa. It might be fun to take one for a spin, and it would definitely save on garage space. With a maximum speed of 7 mph, and a $25,000 price tag, I won't be designing one any time soon. I wonder if they thought about making a child-sized cupcake pedal car for kids. Hmmm...Do ya think I'm on to somethin'?!

Image: Neiman Marcus

Two Minutes & Fifty-Three Seconds

I can definitely relate to this photo. I spent the day with a bunch of Pre-Kindergarten classes, subbing at Kalia's school, and all I want to do is flop down on the bed and sleep! But here I am, blogging, while I should be figuring out what to make for dinner. I just had to sneak in a quick post.

These sheets remind me of the tent scene from The Holiday for some reason. If you have no idea what I'm talking about, then you MUST WATCH THIS - NOW! It will only take two minutes and fifty-three seconds - I promise! I saw it again last night, and decided that you need to see it too. I would love to hang out in there, reading design magazines and taking naps. Ahhhh, doesn't that sound appealing? Anyway, enjoy the scene, and have a marvelous weekend. Oh, and let me know if you have any delicious (but quick) dinner ideas!

Image: Ohdeedoh

Magnifique Technique

I just want to take some photography classes, travel the world, and photograph beautiful shops, people, and bakeries. Is that weird?! Are any of you into photography? I LOVE this type of photograph, but I'm not sure how to describe it, or capture it. Any tips? It's just kind of blurry or foggy in all the right places, and it has a vintage appearance. I must learn this technique!

Images: Dress, Design & Decor / Martha Stewart Weddings

Dress to Impress

I don't know if I actually want to wear this dress, or if I just want to hang it on my wall as an art piece. Either way, it caught my attention!

Image: This is Glamorous

You Are My Sunshine

(Country Living)


(Brown Button / Tumblr)


(Kalia's Bathing Suit)

I could definitely use a little sunshine today - how about you?! The ground is covered in slush right now, and we're supposed to get another snow dumping this evening. *sigh* At least The Bachelor is on tonight, so I can curl up in my comfies and snack on some Joe-Joe's (delicious chocolate cookies from Trader Joe's), while indulging in one of my most favorite shows. (Yep - I'll admit it.) Yay!

Anyway, I am loving yellow this season, and never stopped loving ruffles...so I found the perfect bathing suit for Kalia! What color are you in love with right now? Anyone else in on The Bachelor tonight?! We'll have to compare notes after the show.