Teacher Thank You

Inspired by some of my creative girlfriends, and with desire to thank James' teachers for being a blessing while we transition him from home with babysitter to daycare, I picked up a few Starbuck's gift cards as a small "thank you".



Using mini notecards and envelops, I created a message for each teacher that said "Thank You for making school fun" to include with the $10 gift card.

The envelops were created with my favorite "Honey Script" font.

I hope they like them!  

On the way home from school yesterday, James and I stopped at Starbuck's and had a little date.  He insisted on bringing Monkey and wubby (his blanket) inside too.  He ordered the chocolate milk and I had an iced tall 2-pump mocha.  We sat on the patio and chatted, "cheersings" our drinks too many times because he thinks its funny and I'm addicted to the sound of his laugh and the way he looks when he can't contain the laughter.  It was a sweet 15 minute stop on the way home that just might become a weekly tradition.

Man, I love this kid!!!  So, do you have any special "dates" with your kiddos?  I remember loving hearing about Cassie's holiday dates with her kids last year.  It's such a precious thing to be able to create and enjoy these moments with our kids and family.  

Pioneer Woman

Although her blog is wildly popular, I wasn't really familiar with The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummund, until I found her cookbook while browsing Barnes & Noble with my husband and son on a recent Saturday morning.

I love Ree's story of how she met her Marlboro Man and he rescued her from the hectic pace of city life in exchange for life on a ranch.  Our lives seem impossibly different as I live in the 4th largest city in the U.S. and she lives in a small town ranch.  But I just enjoy her so much!  Not to mention that she is a photographer with amazing talent for capturing beautiful real-life images.  Her tutorials are awesome too.



This weekend I recorded and watched her new show on Food Network.  She cooked the kind of food that I know my husband wishes I would cook for him (chicken fried steak with mashed potatoes - with lots of butter - and gravy from the grease drippings, and sausage breakfast sandwiches).   I think it would make my hubby so happy, so I'm gonna surprise him and cook it for him this week:)

Did you catch the show too?  What did you think?  

I Would Like To Introduce You To Henry Strong

On August 25th we welcomed our son Henry Bihl Strong to the world. We have not stopped smiling since. The whole experience has been breathtaking and more than words could ever express.

Henry is Patrick's middle name and was his Grandfather's name. Bihl is my Mom's maiden name.

We have spent every day since just staring at this face...and thanking God for such a blessing.

Thank you all for all the e-mails, calls and comments. You don't know how much they have meant to me. I am so lucky to have such amazing and wonderful people in my life.

Upholstered Headboard

Our bedroom is on my list of rooms in our house that I'd really like to revamp.  We brought to our new home the furniture we had in our old townhouse and it doesn't reflect the look I'd like to achieve, so some changes are in order.  



I plan to replace our dark square leather headboard for a curved upholstered headboard.  I think it will soften the room and give it a more romantic, peaceful quality that I'm after.

The leather club chair and ottoman need to go too.

The bedroom below from Love This Life is one of my favorites.   I love the monochromatic look that is still interesting.  The gorgeous paneled ceiling and floor to ceiling windows don't hurt either!

The Ashley Goforth designed bedroom is another one of my favorites.

And I've always admired this peek at the bedroom below.

I've seen some gorgeous DIY upholstered headboards, but I'm not that ambitious, so I've been searching the different varieties for sale.  We have a king bed, so that's what I've been looking for.

I'm leaning towards the High Fashion Home one because it's not just the headboard, and it also has nailhead trim.  But I'm not crazy about the price.  What do you think?

I'll Be Right Back....

I'll be right back...after we welcome a very special new member to our family.

Mason Jar Delight

Lately I've been feeling that itch to create something pretty.  I'm a little rusty in the crafty department these days, but I think that a mason jar project is in order!  So many things you can do with those age-old jars!

This Christmas snow globe is so cute too- I can't believe Christmas is just 4 months away! Can you?

The Nursery: Ceiling and Light

After a long search for wallpaper for the nursery walls, then wallpaper for the ceiling we decided to paint the ceiling. I went through several designs (these were just the beginning).....

I could have (and might have, ahem) gone a little crazy with the design but since Patrick volunteered to take on the challenge we decided to keep it somewhat "simple"- straight lines.

I knew I wanted to do tone on tone and gray, but after that I was relatively open to the exact shade. We had trim paint left over so I decided to use that as the darker color. I also liked that is was a gloss finish, something unexpected since the lighter color was an eggshell finish

I know the light fixture above was a favorite of many of you but don't worry, it went to a good home- our guest bedroom (which reallllly needed it). For the nursery light I knew what I wanted from the moment I saw it a year and half ago at Market.

I instantly loved the whimsical feel of the recycled styrofoam fixture but I knew it would have to be the right room. When we found out we were pregnant I knew just where it would find a home.

I know it is a little out there, a sentiment many, including the electrician, have conveyed to me but I could not love it more. It is unique and adds a playfulness the room needed.

Here is a picture of the full ceiling and light.

No, it is not your eyes playing tricks on you, it does look like the lines to the right are slightly uneven. I can assure you, after hours of taping, leveling and measuring the lines are perfect. It turns out that sometimes you don't know you have a huge dip in your ceiling until you decide to draw attention to it. C'est la vie.

So while I do still dream of wallpapered ceiling I could not be happier with the way things are looking overhead.

Fall Table Decor

I think it's in the air- first it's back to school, then on to the fall season ripe with pumpkin spice lattes and fall decor.  Designer Alicia Wicker put together a super cool post with links to awesome sources for affordable fall table decor.

************

Oh, I couldn't help myself. I caught myself dreaming. Wishing, wanting, thinking about decorating for Fall. I so don't need anything else right now and not a single spot to store new stuff.

Then I thought, maybe you'd like something to get your Fall table decor a new splash of life. It's not like you'd have to buy all this stuff, just a couple new things might just be what you need. Oh and when you go out and get the new stuff and your honey asks about it, just tell him... "It was on sale."

If you click on the image, it will take you to a PDF, which has clickable links, just like the Mood Boards that I create for clients do. Neat, huh. Oh, and I'm telling you there are some screaming deals. Like that Two-Tier silver plated charger?? Oh, it's under $10. Yes, it is. Small at 12", but good for decor you want to change out at an affordable price point.

The bottom row items are from Pottery Barn. So, not as cheap, but so cute. I lurve it mucho. Con queso. And there's your espanol lesson for the day. You're welcome.

p.s. These aren't affiliate links. I don't make a dime on anything you may click.

*********

Isn't that awesome!  I'm inspired to do something different for our table this year too.  I'm gonna need to take down the summer mantle too and replace it with some fall fun!

If you are interested in Alicia's design services, you can visit her website here. 

Side Table Needed- Bring In The Stump

There are still some items missing from the nursery, one of them being a side table for next to the rocker. Bring in this beauty...

A few months ago a wonderful client called to tell me that there were stumps on her street and volunteered to grab some for me. Of course I said yes and she has been holding on to these for months for me.

Last week I picked them up and this brings us to the part of the story that really Patrick should narrate. I had warned him of my next plan for the nursery- a stump side table- but what he was thinking when he opened my car and found the trunks I am sure would be a great comic relief.

Apparently there is a lot that goes into getting a stump from its natural state to a state suitable for home use, especially when the space it will be used in belongs to a baby. I will let you know what I find out and how this progresses. Needless to say this will be one of those things that will completed post baby arrival. I can't wait to for the finished product though, the lines in this one I hope will be fabulous!

Mama's Got a Brand New Bag

Last weekend, I went into the Michael Kors store in search of these shoes, which they didn't have in stock.

But then I saw this purse!  Love it for something different. 

I usually buy purses with shoulder straps, so the carry handle is different for me.  Still getting used to it.  Are you making fall fashion purchases yet?

Back to School

I'm thinking this morning of all those kiddos going back to school.  My heart is going out to all the mommies (and daddies!) that watch tearfully, but proudly as their babies start school for the first time.  My little guy started last week but I can't quite say it's "school" since he's just barely 18 months.  We had to transition from our at-home babysitter because, she too, is returning to school.  I'm happy to report that James is doing so great with his new routine.  When I drop him off in the mornings around 9:00 it's playground time, which he loves.  When I picked him up the first day, they were playing musical chairs and James was dancing, smiling his head off and laughing!  Such a good sight for an anxious mama.



I tried to get a picture of him on the first day, but he was running around so much, I couldn't get a good shot:)  He has to wear tennis shoes instead of his usual Crocks, so it makes him look like such a little boy!