Early onset Spring Fever

I don't know about you but it seems we have hardly had a winter at all. Since sweet boy has arrived we have had more weather in the mid 50's than we typically even have in march!!

With all these warm days I am getting quite antsy for spring!

Typically (in selfish fashion) I look for things for myself I have been wanting to "freshen up" with for spring. 

Well now that there will be two little ones in my life I can not help but drool over decadent things for them.
If you can't tell I am currently obsessed with anything personalized

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

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And just for fun.
I have GOT to find a space in my home to make a "mantel" How cute is this easter mantel?

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valentines breakfast

For Valentine's Day I grew up having a big breakfast. Daddy would always buy something special for the girls and Mommy would always buy something special for my brother. That night my parents usually went out.

I would LOVE to carry this tradition on in our house so in similar fashion we began our own version of this tradition.

Here is what we did:

The milk was given a serving of pink food coloring :)

 

We made Red Velvet Pancakes and sprinkled them with yummy powdered sugar

Last year was a very simple breakfast!

We then exchanged our valentines and lovies we had purchased for each other. 

I hope to take more pictures this year and share some new things we are planning on.

Back to life

Recently Casey and I were driving around neighborhood in our part of town. We found this house with weeds 5 ft tall. It was a grand house, very southern and very classic.

It had been abandoned and just so happened to be open when we went to peek in the windows.

Here is what we saw when we walked through.

Why am I showing you all of this? Well long story short we thought we wanted to purchase this house and rehab it. The home was already under contract when we called to inquire about it;(

Either way, I want to show you what I had in mind. So dream with me for a few minutes.

The den

how great would a dark fireplace be in this room?

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Downstairs Halfbath

The bathroom tile has come back in style.

And how cool would this look in this space?

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If you look closely in this picture you can see the ceiling in the kitchen is caving in. (there was bad roof damage in the back of the home)

we went far enough in this home to go back and measure to see what we could do a complete kitchen overhaul on this space. We had two main layouts in mind.

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This one is my absolute all time most favorite.

Just breaks my heart someone would leave this home like this.

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This layout would have required us to rearrange some plumbing but would have been just as lovely.

This is the living room. Complete with lovely green carpeting!

It would make an awesome playroom.

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otherside of the living room

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I mean seriously?? How fun?

The entry with hunter green marble flooring.

on the left side this is what I would like to see when walking in the front door.

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We think someone ripped the carpet off the stairs

And a small bench and picture to welcome you into the home

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Cute gate leading to the courtyard

wish I could find the pic to the courtyard but it seems to be missing. it has the same layout as the one in the pinterest picture. soo amazing

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And the back door area.

oh how precious would it be dressed up with outdoor cabana curtains?

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how cute would this be at christmas time?

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And here is the dining room.

Assuming there was more damage to this room. This is the foundation for the flooring.

(thank you pinterest for making it sooo easy to pull inspiration pics together)

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I would even plant some boxwoods and hosta along the front walkway.

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Thanks for dreaming with me.

Valentines Ideas

Last year I SUPER slacked and I don't think I even blogged our valentine's day. So I wanted to share this year to give you some fun ideas of stuff to do!!

 

Here is everything clustered together before I was able to figure out what I wanted to do with it all!

First thing we did was buy a few fun accessories
We found the cupcakes at Pier 1.

Guess what ?? they brought them back this year!

click on image to go to their site!

Then I collected a few of the Round Top Collection hearts to put our valentines in.

I wanted to do something original for treats for our MDO friends.

Instead of paper that would be trashed and too sweet candy mommies may not let their little ones eat we did heart shaped marshmallows!!
 All of the children enjoyed getting something different!

A banner of love

Okay so...have a confession... I like to make things really really difficult on myself.

ie.. handmake a banner without a die cutting machine! TRUTH!!

Anyway, it turned out to be quite fun so here are the steps if you so choose to join me in making one.

Here is what I started with.

note: what you think you are starting with and what you acually may end up using tends to change!

Step one:

Use the circle tracer and make your circles for the background, the cut out circles.

 Step two:

Find a needle, thread and crepe paper. Use a weaving method to thread the paper and slowly gather. this will create a ruffled affect in the paper.

*glue the backsides of the ruffle medallion together with craft glue

Step three:

Glue the center of the medallion together and let sit for a few minutes, then glue the outside edges of the medallion and dip in glitter along the outside edge.

Step four:

hot glue on chip letters, hot glue medallion onto "backer" paper

(I used the remainder of the letters of a box from a christmas banner I made)

Step five:

this was the point where I realized I needed a second background so I dug in my stash of scrapbook paper and found this stripe. I used the outer edge of my tracer to scallop this paper and cut it out.

 then hotglue the background to the other pieces.

Step six:

punch holes into the corners of the backer paper and string letters together with either ribbon or twine.

Step seven:

Hang and enjoy!

Lovies

Valentine's Day is one of my most favorite holidays... but not for the suspect reason.

I feel this is a completely uncalled for holiday to shower everyone I love and let them know why I love them.

Like today, I made something for my mom I know she will really really like. Why? Because I love her and I am so thankful for all the little things she did for me when I was growing up.

This coming week I am going to share so fun things to do to get ready for Valentine's day. 

Some pertain to our special breakfast we do and others are fun crafts!!

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And can I just say Thankya Jesus for spring weather in February!!

This sunlight is just what I needed to put some spring in my step.

Despite the whole crazy heart issue/ undiagnosed by doctor-but diagnosed by me and my friends postpartum preeclampsia I am feeling great and ready to tackle whatever may come my way this spring.

And just because...

TGIF

Today I am switching all my maternity clothes back out for my regular wardrobe.



I can only hope to organize mine and Connor's closet this well!
( yes we are sharing and I can't wait to show y'all what I have come up with)
And.... I am bringing the sewing machine out again today!!



Have a short amount of time before I pick lil bit up from school!!

Just thankful it is Friday and we will have "daddy" home for a few days!!

3 year-isms

Pretty much since halloween Anna Caroline's speech has taken off! 

Being the only grandchild on both sides she has had complete and undivided attention from everyone. And with all that adult interaction.. she well... kinda talks like one! haha

In no particular order:

Recently went with my parents to cracker barrell, lil bit said:

"oh mommy, I loved that cracker beagle!"

The other night we had bad weather and we had to get in the closet. I didn't want to alarm her so I told her we were having a party in daddy's closet. We get in the closet and she says 

"oh no... momma we cant have a party without cake and presents!"


Any given day comments:
come here one quick minute.
Will you do me a favor.
Ugh,(usually when she is having a hard time with something) dis is weally fustewating me.




BTW: I am finally starting to feel like my life is coming back together. Keeping everything picked up has been the hardest part with 2 so far. but dishes, laundry, and beds made all at once make me one happy momma today!!