School Days

We just picked up the registration packet for KINDERGARTEN!! I cannot believe that I will have a son in Elementary School. I recently came across these pictures {via the girl in the green dress} of a school designed by die baupiloten...can you imagine a school like this in the states??!

Pain in the...

...Groceries! We had such a fun and successful weekend with my parents and sister -- doors are back on, a little repainting {I never would've done this had my sister not been here because I am SO tired of painting. BUT it was definitely worth it! I was not happy with one of the colors we had picked out, but was going to live with it until Weez had an inspiration and we went for it...pictures to come of the entryway as soon as I can get the paper off the floor and art on the wall...}, cookouts, baseball and a little Apples to Apples {such a fun game if you've never played it}. Anyway, this morning they left, and I was left with the task of getting our house moving for the week. This free printable list {above} from Vale Design made me smile as I set off this morning to stock us up...not only does it have a sense of humor, but it also gets point for organization without being too overwhelming.

A Belated Cake Date

[June 1982 - that's me on the right]

My parents and sister are coming down this weekend to help us try and get this house in order. This trip was supposed to have happened three weeks ago, so we could also celebrate my mom's birthday, but because our closing got pushed back and then the floors needed to be refinished, etc, etc, it's just now happening. So, celebrate we will...in between installing doors [no, we don't have doors up yet -- can you say awkward when a contractor needs to use the restroom??!], putting in molding, and the various other things that we will try to get accomplished. The boys are especially excited because Agnes [my sister's chihuahua] will be coming as well...and there will be cake!

A Space for Everyone

It's safe to say that this move and renovation while keeping up with mothering and work has down right sapped all the energy from me, and there's not a whole lot left over for blogging, so posts may be a little sparse for a bit. But I'm still here! I hope to have some pictures of the new place soon once we can get through these boxes and put some finishing touches on the place, but in the meantime, I was totally inspired by this family playroom featured in this months Cookie magazine. We have a large room in the back of our house that I want to use as a studio for me and a playroom/art room for the boys. I've already hinted to Ben about the built-ins and sink [genius] -- just one of many things on his list right now!

Time to Roll

The movers are scheduled for 8:30 AM!  I'm so excited to be moving in, but if I were honest, what I'd really like to be doing tomorrow would be lounging in this bad boy [the Flight Recliner from Design Within Reach] and catching up on all the Bravo I've missed over the past year.  Speaking of which, does anyone know when/if Flipping Out is coming back?  

If I were in the market for...

...a changing table and bassinet, I'd definitely consider these options:

{image from Cookie Magazine; one creative couple transformed a Sunex car-tools cart into the hippest changing table. Bonus: it already comes in that rockin' yellow.

Get more details about the transformation here.}

{the Culla Sinue crib by Daniela Avaltroni, via Moco Loco}

{is it wrong how much I like the bassinets at the hospital?? I like how they roll and that they are clear. You can also prop up the plastic part if the little guy or gal is having issues with reflux. A little industrial looking, but you could totally soften it up with baskets and blankets. Beware that as simple as this looks, it will set you back a pretty penny -- $650 at Blickman}

{I also think this hammock by Kanoe is pretty nifty, although I'm not so sure I'd want to be trying to get a newborn out of it in the middle of the night when I'm half awake. On the other hand, it might be really convenient for a middle of the night rocking to try to get just one more hour of sleep! A big plus: it's made of organic cotton}

Since this is #3 for us, we've pretty much got everything covered. Even things that I had given away because I was tired of moving them, I'll be able to borrow from my sister. The one thing that I do really want? A rocking chair/glider. A nice, big, cozy one. One you could doze off in comfortably. I'm just saying...

Rain, Rain

We've been getting quite a bit of rain here recently, so when I saw these Paul Frank for Target umbrellas {I don't see them on their website as of now} today, I was excited to get them for the boys. At first, there was a little disappointment that they didn't have Spiderman on them, but that was forgotten once they started using them. And they are very easy for kids to open and close by themselves {no metal latch things they'd have to hold down}...

In other rainy merchandise, I came across these cool nursery rhyme prints by Sub-Studio:

{this rhyme has been stuck in my head of late!}

Panic Room Maternity Series

My friend, Hilary, just posted a link to the blog Pacing the Panic Room. The author/photographer/husband/father takes the coolest pictures documenting his wife's pregnancy. The compositions could really be American Apparel ads...you can check it out here.

Renovation Daze

My goodness -- where have the days gone?? I guess that's what happens when you are in the land of renovation. All the rooms have paint on the walls, a wall has been opened up, new walnut floor put down in the kitchen, cabinets are primed and ready to go...what else? I'm taking the boys to my parents this weekend while Reggie refinishes the hardwood floors. After that we should be ready to move in, and I cannot wait. I'll have some progress pictures up soon.

In the meantime, check out this tutorial on reusing those tackola mini-blinds -- such a great, green, budget-friendly way to make your windows happy [via Re-Nest, from the blog Little Green Notebook]...think I might give it a try in our bathrooms...

We Rocked With You

So, we all know that things got a little wacky for MJ over the past couple decades, but this rendition of Billie Jean is what I think of when I think Michael Jackson. Maybe it's because I have vivid memories of moonwalking around my basement, sparkly glove and microphone in hand, singing "but the kid is not my son" and having no idea what that meant, but loving the music anyway.

Puppy Love

Know anyone who needs a puppy?? We bought a leaf blower from a guy on Craigslist and when we went to pick it up, we were greeted by these sweet little things. When I commented on how cute they were, he said "take one!" And let me add that if it were not for the fact that we are staying in someone else's house, I would have. I told him that once we were in our house, I'd call him to see if this sweet little girl was still there...

...and if she is, I know just the place for her!

If you know anyone in the Gainesville area who is looking for a pup, please email me. They are a mix between a lab and a bulldog [although I think the parents have a bit of mutt in them too], and I'm guessing they will grow to be around 40 pounds.

Window Shopping

We are replacing all the windows in our house, and have changed our minds about the style more than a few times. It's tricky these windows, partly because our house is a mix between traditional and modern, and because it's a big decision, so we don't want to mess it up. The style of the house is not that 60's California cool with the big windows, which I love, but it's also not the traditional Georgia ranch. We took some tape over there and put up the different style grids, and have finally [I think!] decided on one. I came up with one solution for some "squat" window shapes on the side of the house that I am excited about. Hopefully, it will turn out as good as I'm imagining! It will be a while before we have the "after" pictures, so in the meantime, here are some inspiring window pictures...

Even More Fantastic

After my lighting post yesterday, Pam from Retro Renovation sent me this link -- she has the same pull-down light fixture as we do. Not only that, but she found the original sales catalog for it -- how cool is that?

[Pam's kitchen with light fixture above table]

[Original sales catalog from September 1959 --

the light is an Imperialite, made by Emerson-Imperial]

Maybe it's all these years being married to an historian, but I sure do love a good primary document!

Thanks again, Pam!

Light Fantastic

Remember all those decisions I was talking about? Lighting has been a big one. To me, ceiling lights are one of those things that you don't really notice at first glance unless it is really hideous or really spectacular. But, since we are having the entire house rewired, I've got to think about every socket. My brain is officially light-decisioned out. We put fans in 3 rooms, and for the others I found things at Ikea, Crate and Barrel and in 2 cases we are using what was there [it needed a little nod to the 60's!]. Here's what is in the former Dining Room, soon to be office:

One of it's finest features -- a retractable cord! --

We probably would've never discovered that feature if it hadn't been for our electrician -- how often do you yank on a chandelier?! I stumbled on a mid-century lighting gallery over at Retro Renovation, and saw this similar beauty:

Now if only I could get ours to shine like that one!

All that's left is the bathroom vanity lights. Since we are doing so much work on the bones of the house [wiring, plumbing, h-vac, windows - to name a few] we are on a bit of a budget, so I'm looking for steals! If the placement would've work, I would've snapped up a pair of these puppies in a second:

[George Kovacs single scone, regularly $150, on sale for $29.97!]

Anyone have any tips for buying bathroom lighting?

Fairy Tale Reality

Have you seen the Fallen Princesses series by Dina Goldstein? Beautiful, thought provoking images about what could've happened if fairy tales did not have happy endings. Goldstein addresses issues that effect women today such as image and addiction.


Entertaining, creative, and intriguing for sure!

[via SwissMiss]