Stetson's Room ||

Hi guys!

I have so caught the "need for change" bug that has been going around. I think it has something to do with springtime and all the sunshine. Or maybe because I have been busy helping others spruce up their homes and spaces. However I contracted it, I don't care, I am loving all the changes going on around our heavy bungalow.

As I was playing with our two year old in his room, something we don't do often enough, I started to really evaluate his living situation. I haven't touched his room since we moved in. No, that's a lie, I did swipe out his curtains at one point. It was just plain and simple with a horrible layout of his furniture. I knew that I could do better. I knew I wanted to paint. I LOVE to paint! And above all, I wanted to create a room for him to love, and enjoy. I have a feeling we'll be transitioning into a big boy bed this summer. Fixing his room up will help with that!

First off, the layout. How can I improve the layout. He has a big dresser and crib, and one blank wall to work with.

It feels tight and chaotic in his room. I hated the dresser and bookshelf being next to each other. 

The dresser was to long and wouldn't fit where his crib was. I REALLY wanted the dresser here. 

I also hated how short and stalky this dresser was for this space. Unbalanced. 

LIGHTBULB!!

Literally, a lightbulb went on in my head, switch the dressers. After measuring and remeasuring to make sure I wasn't loosing myself in the excitement, the dresser swap was so going to happen! What a world of difference it made to both rooms. The tedious part was switching out all the drawers, but also very therapeutic and much needed.  

So grown-up!

Second step was deciding what I was going to paint on the walls. I had a couple ideas including camo, triangles, the sky or these trees that I'm so obsessed with. 

Inspo

I went for the trees. I had the help from my sister and sister in law. I told them, this will be super easy and fun. They did not think it very easy but the champagne made it fun! 

Progress

Aftermath

We call it Camo trees! 

I love how the blue dresser fits perfectly in this corner. 

And I love this little corner!

There is still more that needs to be done. I am creating a gallery wall around Stetson's crib. You can see it's starting to take shape. I also need to snap some pics of his little toy corner and more pictures of the room. It's been really gloomy out so the lighting is terrible and of course nap time doesn't allow me to get in there. 

I truly love how his room feels. You walk in and it feels happy! Which is all I was going for. This past weekend I have found Stetson multiple times, playing in his room. That's multiple times compared to his few times!!! 

Bachelor Patio Makeover ||

OHHHHHHH! DO I have a makeover for you today. Since recently moving back to Idaho, I have been rekindling old friendships. Most of my college friends have gone on to marry, buy houses, and secure great careers for themselves. I am so proud of them! I've been thinking of a career path for myself lately and I'm really wanting to get my paws in the designing/organizing business. It's always been a passion of mine, and nothing is going to hold me back!

Fortunately for me, I have wonderful friends who allow me to come into their houses, work my magic, and make it a home. One of my friends is killing it in his careers and living a bachelors dream. David, is seriously one of the most genuine friends you could ever have. So funny, laid back and easy to get along with. David was telling me that now he is 30, its time for him to have a good looking house, where furniture matches and it feels like a sick ass home. 

Operation Bachelor Pad is underway for him. My first task, was the backyard patio. He loves to spend a great deal of his time in the backyard. He already had some great outdoor furniture to work with. Just lacking what he calls "a women's touch".

BEFORE:

Right away my mind was instantly working out the details. The furniture need to be reconfigured, lights needed to be hung, outdoor table would be a must, a designated central seating area to kick up your feet was required. 

David also wanted the patio to finished for mothers day weekend. He had friends in town and wanted to entertain with his new bbq. Pressed for time, I would have to buy all accessories local. This can go two ways: either you're lucky and score what you need or you settle for "this will do".

I got LUCKY!!!! 

First I cleared out all the furniture. Clean slate. 

Next I hung the lights and cleaned off the patio. Install time baby!

AFTER:

My color scheme was grey, white, pops of blue. 

I broke up the long couch into two lounging corners. I used one of the ottomans to create a side table.

David had an old table, which I painted the top in a light grey color. I found the chairs at Target.

Adding an outdoor rug can really bring your whole seating space together. Everything is centered around the rug. I loved the simple pattern and neutral colors of this rug. It didn't need to be flashy to be classy! 

These wood beads were my absolute favorite! 

I added extra lighting with lanterns and flameless candles. Another key element I like to keep in mind when designing, is to make sure there are plenty of tables and trays to put your cocktails on. Nothing is more annoying to me, then having to hold an ice cold beverage because there is no side table. EW!

David told me he likes everything to be symmetrical. CLAP! CLAP! David. I too, like everything looking balanced and matching, then bohemian and mismatched. Buying everything in twos will help you keep that symmetrical look in tack. 

I love how his patio turned out! Clean, simple, symmetrical. Next up in operation Bachelor Pad, is the dining room. I am eagerly awaiting for all the furniture to come in. I'll be sharing the details hopefully sooner than later! 

BANANA BREAD GRANOLA ||

Hello all my fellow Banana lovers!

My girlfriend is a nutritionist and she gave me the idea and recipe for literally the yummiest and easiest granola! It's the perfect food. Eat it for breakfast, pack it as a snack, give it away as neighbor gifts (if you don't eat all of it first)

Here is the recipe:

Banana Bread Granola

2 Ripe Bananas
3 Cups Rolled oats ( I accidentally bought instant oats and it still turned out great)
1/3 Cup Maple Syrup
1/4 Cup Coconut Oil

3 TBLS Raw Sugar (or regular) I usually do 2TBLS
1 TBLS Flax Seed
1 TBLS Chia Seed
1/2 TBLS Cinnamon
1 Tsp Vanilla Extract
1/2 Tsp Salt

Optional Ingredients
1/2 Cup Pecans
1/2 Cup Walnuts
1/2 Cup Peanut Butter
1/4 Cup Rasins

Pre-Heat oven to 350

Mix all your ingredients together.

Spread mixture onto a cookie sheet thats lined with parchment paper.

Bake for 15-20 minutes

I usually check on the mixture after 10 minutes, depending on how moist the mixture was.

I don't really have great pictures of the granola because so many of you asked for the recipe and I wanted to hurry and deliver while stetson is sleeping.

I go to the bulk section at my local grocer to get all my chia seeds and flax seeds. It's cheaper and will last you so much longer than the absurd costs and amounts of prepackaged seeds. I store them in cute jars.

I hope you all enjoy this granola as much as my family does. Our household is currently in save every penny mode! My husband and I have big dreams and goals for the future and that requires cutting back on minor luxuries, like buying junky snack food. Oh, we are also on a major health food kick as well. This recipe is also fun to include your littles in the baking process just be prepared for some messes.

Happy Hump Day!

Where I Have Been ||

Y'all! How in the heck is it going?????????

I can't believe the last time I posted was before christmas. So much for being pro-active about blogging. I think that I suffer from seasonal depression. I've never been diagnosed but I'm pretty sure my body and mind needs vitamin D to feel fully human. I would not make a very good vampire. 

Butt alas it's spring now. The weather has been warming up, the trees have leaves once again and I am almost comfortable wearing open toe shoes. Im really particular about when I bust out my sandals and hang up my sneaks. I just love sneakers so much. 

There has been a ton of change to the bungalow lately and I thought I would share the progress with you. After Christmas, I woke up one morning and wanted to detox the entire house. I should actually stop right here and share my 2016 resolutions with you. It's very simple: I want to be Simple. Live Simple. I've always been a pack rat. I can justify any purchase, anything, you name it, I somehow have to have it. It's gotten me into trouble so much over the years. This year, I want to strip down to the basics and only have what I need. So far, I'm kicking butt compared to my past life. 

I always add interior design and cookbooks to my christmas list. I was spoiled with both Emily Henderson's book "Styled" and Lauren Liess' book "Habitat". Two completely different styles when it comes to interiors but both filled with so much creativity and inspiration! Emily's book has a quiz you can take to determine your "style" which can be very helpful when you are swimming in a sea of inspiration and have zero idea what to do. Both books were exactly what I needed to feel inspired about our own home and my resolutions. 

I started with our living room. I wanted a relaxed and calming space after all the fun chaos the holidays brought. I had bright, white and simple on my brain. After assessing our living room, I knew the first thing that needed to change was our rug. I impulsively put it on Craigslist and after one day it was sold. I had major remorse when a cute couple came and hauled it off, but also excited to shop for its replacement. 

I seriously loved this rug

 Has anyone ever ordered a rug online before? It scares me half to death and I hate the idea of not returning it to a physical store if it didn't work out. I was all ready to take the risk when Costco had these fabulous shaggy rugs out on display and they were on sale! It's not exactly what I thought I would end up with but I freaking love it! It's so soft and plushy. We all play on the ground more because of it and there is no price tag for that!!

To me, it feels like a night and day difference. There was still a ton to be done on the detoxing of the house. What the rug offered was the bright, light effect I was going for. mmmmm....the plant in the corner had to go. Also the rocking horse. 

I picked up this piece of indigo fabric at the Long Beach Flea market right before we moved. I loved it instantly. I draped it over our bed forever. I thought I would make a bedspread out of it or something. Then I painted our room and it was to much pattern (surprise) and got the boot. When the white shag came along, I knew instantly what I wanted to do with the fabric. I tucked it over our couch cushions. I mean, call me crazy but I feel like it makes our couch look deeper and comfier. 

Stetson got a toy Kitchen for Christmas! I picked the Kid Kraft kitchen in white for several reasons, but mostly so it wouldn't overwhelm the space it ended up in. I of course had to ad my own flare to it, which I totes will write about in another post. I had originally thought to put the "toy kitchen" in our kitchen, but he wasn't really playing with it. So, I pushed the couch over, got rid of the end tables and WA-LA!, the perfect fit! I also added a book shelf for him because we're going for simple and organized. Adding a space for Stetsons and his toys was important. This is his home too! 

The buffalo check chair is also happy about the new arrangement. I feel like it doesn't have to compete against so much color and pattern. It's already such a statement piece that it should be complimented with neutral colors and fabulous pillows! PS. The plant has moved and that corner is looking brighter!

Our entryway also looks bigger and more welcoming. I ordered some frames off Framebridge and I'm blown away by them. I also will write about my experience with Framebridge because they ROCK! It sounds silly, but along with going simple, I also wanted to add just a touch of "home" to our walls. I'm not one to hang family photos on our walls, but I also have a delicious little boy that I can't stop staring at. Yes, I am that mom that can watch him sleep for hours. 

I love how open the room feels. Sticking with the same color palette for the entire house, has helped me so much in my quest to simplify! My next project is the backdoor. We desperately need a place to hang our stuff!

Ew!

When do you start decorating for Christmas ||

Holy Moly! I cannot believe that next week will officially be one YEAR since we took the risk and moved to Boise. The scariest decision that Justin and I had to make together, for our family and our future.

(the day before we moved)

I have to admit, I was the one who dragged my feet here. Who resisted the most and kept sneaking back to California every chance I could get.

Something happened though, Stetson was growing up. I am stay at home mom, first and most importantly. Boise was the start of Stetson and I really being on our own during the days, in our own home. I've been teaching him motor skills and manners without even knowing it, this past year. At 18 months, he was ready to go! He'd developed skills that unlock his curiosity and imagination. We started exploring our neighborhood with a daily walk around the block. Soon, it was 3 times around  and now we cross the street! He knows to wait and hold my hand, sticking out his little finger and calling for me "mamma". He is starting to really crank out some words. He ran up to me a few weeks ago with a toy cow in hand. He threw his head back and made a deep "moooooooo" sound. It was the first time he had ever spoke to me by his own free will. (If that makes sense)

(best fwiends)

I was so preoccupied in this new stage of his life, that I had no time to think about missing our life in California. We were busy making a new life and home in Boise. It's been the fastest, but best year of our lives. Justin and I are not messing around anymore. We have goals and future plans for our family. I have never felt more in step with my husband then now. Boise has been the best gift I've ever had and I never knew I wanted it.

I'm sure you're wondering where I am going with this, because I am too!

So, last year we moved on Thanksgiving day. I spent the entire next month putting things away, organizing the chaos, and having Christmas. It is SO NOT in my blood to go a holiday without having some sort of decoration. And it's Christmas for pete sake. My christmas decorations are some of my most prized possessions. I have one bin that I specifically put my favorites in. It's a different color than the rest of the christmas bins. (Yes, that's plural, I have BINS) If there was ever a fire, Justin would be getting our son and dog to safety, while I made a run to grab this bin.
It also happens to be the first bin I open too. Sort of like a commencement on Christmas decorating. Inside, holiday cheer radiates out. Colors of whites, creams, minty blues and teals, greenery, sparkles, glass glitter and just a pop of red. These are a few of my favorite things. It's no surprise I love the color blue, it's everywhere in our home. The one color you will not find is red. I do not like the color red, sam I am, but what I do LOVE is when minty blues and spots of cheery reds come together in Christmas decor. It's my favorite combination and I don't see it changing for years to come.

Every year, I pick a theme on how I will decorate. Our first year as a married couple, I decorated the house much like our wedding; mercury glass, burlap and lace. I spent a ton of money that year on ornaments and christmas decorations. I bought wreaths, realistic looking garlands and spray for every corner in our small apartment. I went a little overboard but didn't really care. It was the start to 'our' christmas' as a family.

(dweebs)

Our second year, I wanted a fun white christmas. What's that you asked? For starters, we had a flocked white tree. It was to this date, my favorite tree. I had colorful ornaments of blues, pinks, reds, yellow, confetti. I spent the entire year collecting vintage colorful ornaments from the thrift stores and flea markets. Oh yeah, scoring deals on christmas ornaments in June. My friends thought I was nuts, but our tree that year was fun!! Our house had white garlands trimmed with unique and colorful bulbs. We also hosted a Christmas party for all our friends and it was a blast.

(I can't figure out how to flip)

(Fun right!)

(Invitations I made for our Christmas party)

(35 weeks pregnant on Christmas with Stetson)

Last year, was the charlie brown year. Minimal decor, minimal tree. (a twig really) I limited my self on all our ornaments and only put important ones up. We had no shelfs, and no tabletops. I did my best but it was half ass. Not this year, I've been thinking of this year since the day after christmas 2014. This year is going to be even more ridiculously fun with Stetson and the age he's at. Just shy of two, he's going to experience the true joy in Christmas. It will be another gift that is priceless.

( SO much change to this space over the past year)

Today, I broke down and opened thee bin. It was meant to be harmless, I was only grabbing my favorite christmas pillow cover. Rocky mistake. Both Stetson and I's eyes widen and smiles were painted across our faces. We went in but only to grab neutral decor. Bottle brush trees, boxwood wreaths, and piney garland. Nothing that had Santa or color. It was so hard. I kept catching glimpse of my nutcracker, Cringle, and the soft red mohair suit belonging to Santa. No, I'm staying strong until the day after Thanksgiving, Black Friday. That's when my mom started decorating for Christmas and I think it's the perfect time for us too. It's officially when we will turn on our outdoor lights and start listening to Christmas music. Then we spend that Saturday picking out a tree to bring home and decorate. It is a weekend I look forward to all year round and a joyous tradition for our family.

(Last years loot, minus the most important "baby's first christmas")

Which leaves me with the question, When do you start decorating for Christmas?! I love to hear of other's Christmas traditions or maybe this is the year you'll be starting a new one!

(my finale pic I swear)