Our Elf.. Ralphie, Elfie, that Guy

So... We are only kinda into the Elf. He is at school, and at home. We like him but big sister is not just totally enthralled with him just yet. (I figured 4 was the magic year for excitement)

Oh, and baby brother could care less. He is too focused on standing up on his own and attempting steps! 11 months this weekend!!!

So, ralphie, as I call him is starting to up the ante as we approach Christmas. The shenanigans increase with each night.

Just say a prayer I am able to keep up with him!

Tonight he wanted to be tucked in like baby C!

Arts for Autism Home Tour

I have a very special treat for you all!

One of my nearest and dearest friends from college lives in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. 

She participated this past saturday in a home tour for the Arts for Autism.

Please join me in drooling over her amazing ranch style home. 

Everything is so chic and the perfect mix of all styles. 

Thanks for Sharing KMS!

Welcome!

The dining room

 The dining room is a split level overlooking the formal den

 Love all the stockings hung by the mantle.

Informal Den

 Stunning Artwork!

 Chalkboard Pantry Doors

 Little M's Room

 Master

Master Bath.

btw... we will save a WHOLE other post for her closet!!!

There are a few pictures of the girls rooms she shared on instagram!

 Here is a glimpse into Macon's room

And here is Hill's room

 I have a special attachment to this room.

K had me make the sham's for Hill's bed. 

Love how these shams are the POP in the room!

Thanks again for sharing friend. 

So... what's your favorite room??

The survey says...

I am pretty pleased with the outcome!!

Ended up purchasing the sample from Sherwin Williams and the staff there is amazingly knowledgable

The basically said the same thing several of the fellow designers I emailed said!

Sorry the photo is so dark. It was a gloomy rainy day yesterday!

while most people deck the halls, I....

yes.. while most people are hanging their tinsle by the mantle with care I am FINALLY going to paint every room a neutral color so we can get this place sold this next spring/summer. 

Every. single. move. we. make in our home is in the mindset of putting it back on the market. 

step one is painting the den, dining area, hallway, baby girls room and the nursery all grey. 

I want anyone to be able to walk in and think this place is move in ready!!

After many hours of extensive research I am hoping to put the last paint sample on my walls tomorrow. 

Source: google.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

most of the other greys we have looked at and selected are way too cool.

The number one key factor in making a grey work is knowing the undertones of the color. This color has a warm undertone. Those warm tones often draw from browns (a predominant color in majority of my furniture) 

The warm tone does not mean that the room will be dark. It simply means the color will compliment the existing items we already have and easily flow thru my home.

In every room I have used Ben Moore I have been thoroughly impressed.

Can't wait to swing by my local ace hardware and pick up my sample! 

10 months old

Now that the baby is one week away from 11 months I guess its time to post his 10 m pics huh?

This fella is also a climber! 

He keeps be busy, and i am always having to make sure he isnt getting into the bathroom to unroll the toilet paper!

did you notice our chair moved into the living room? 

hope to update yall on all that really soon!

Here is a quick pic our photographer took.

be back later with christmas decorations.

Eyes

Soo i have needed new glasses for oh about 2 years. I finally broke down and went to the eye dr a few weeks back. Since i 2 rambunctious monkeys its hard to find time to pick out frames so i cheated and ordered online!

I kept seeing all these things for coastal.com.
It was by far one of my easiest online ordering experiences and i am pumped about my quirky new eyeballs.

I went out of my comfort zone this time! Cant wait for them to get here!!

Christmas Handtowel Tutorial

Hey there! 

It's been quite a while since I have shared a diy craft with yall and I wanted to sneak one in before a long weekend. 

This would be a great project for you to do with some girlfriends, or even the women in the family over the thanksgiving weekend. 

The first and most important thing to remember with this craft is to not complicate the items. 

You will need:

*any type of hand towel, 

(I found mine at target in a 2 pack for I think $3.99)

*scrap fabrics

*sewing machine or fabric glue

*some ribbon

*straight pins

1. First thing I did was trace a quarter for the berries, cut out my triangles for my trees, rectangles for the stumps, then I googled holly leaf and freehanded a shape.

(you can always print off some clipart, cut it out and use it as your pattern)

2. Pin down the design and zig zag the design onto the towel

Note: if you do not have a sewing machine or cannot sew you can purchase fabric glue and put a thin layer of glue on the pieces and attach them to the towel.

3. Attach either a ribbon or ric rac to the bottom edge of the towel.

These would make great little teachers gifts, or a happy for a friend. 

Can't wait to see and hear what you come up with!

ps. sorry for the poor photo quality, considering changing to a new camera all together because everything is malfunctioning :(

Channelling my inner Lilly

Source: pinkpreppypartygirl.blogspot.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Today I am completing the decking of our halls so our house is all ready when we return from our thanksgiving travels. 

The overall theme this year is a lilly pulitzer-esque whimsical childrens christmas. 

Can't wait to share it and some upcoming crafts I have begun! 

Lots to be thankful for over here!

Lets talk Mascara

I have a confession... I will pay big bucks for really good mascara!
Lancome, Diorshow, Chanel, Bobbie Brown, Givenchy, basically you name it and i have forked over as much as $50.00 a tube to luscious lashes.

Recently i have not been 100% pleased with the Trish McEvoy thickening mascara.

On a whim in target a few weeks back i ran down the makeup aisle and just grabbed a tube. 6.00, worth a shot.

Can i just say Loreal Voluminous is AHmazing!!!

No flaking, no dark circles from wearing off, good coverage and stays with you all day!!!

I am shocked that a drug store quality is rivaling my coveted clinique high def and Diorshow Blackout Mascara!!

Whats your favorite mascara?

Have you tried loreal??

Life after the No Sale - need some suggestions

I know you guys all remember us trying to sell this summer. There have been several things we have made priority of since we will be staying a while longer.

1. all the main rooms in the house are way too multicolored and bright. so find a neutral tone to paint on the walls and neutralize everything
here is what we are thinking.

Source: ths.gardenweb.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Jenny Beth on Pinterest

2. finally finish putting anna carolines room together. (this is almost almost there, only missing a quilt and a mirror)

Anyone know where I can find a mirror like this?

i found this one on etsy and it sold almost immediately.

3. The final and most challenging issue was our fence. 

My poor friends who have heard me moan and groan about this in person I apologize now for talking about this again. 

After finally contacting over 50 city and state employees our severe erosion issue is finally being addressed. The chainlink fence running along our property is original to the home and circa 1959. This is the citys fence and there has been an extreme run off and erosion problem for quite a while. 

Today as I type they are filling in the hole with dirt and we will have to go back with cement, then rip rap, then a barrier so the dogs cant dig out, then a privacy fence then finally finally landscaping. 

After 4 long years we will finally have a desireable backyard!!!

Here is the before and the during!
Look at the size of this hole.

 

stay tuned for the filling in and progress!

what are your go to colors in your home??

Any tricks to keep dogs from digging?