My Happy Place

"My life kind of goes in a big circle sometimes. Like I find myself

sometimes really going back to where I started and just remembering 

that that is a really happy place for me." -Rachel Zoe

This quote was taken from her show a few weeks ago. She is talking about styling, her first and true love in the midst of everything else she has going on. Something about it really resonated with me. Running a business involves so much.  So much work, uncertainty, change, nitty gritty details and  tasks that sometimes you forget how much you love it. For me the reset button, the happy place, is on installation days. Seeing what has been living in your head- worked and reworked- physically coming to fruition for all to see.  Yesterday was one of those days.

It might take me a while before I can fully share here but I promise it is coming.  

Image from my Instagram

DIY Closet Office & New Pinterest Board

While browsing Pinterest yesterday, I came across a knockout gorgeous image of a closet-turned-office and when I looked a little closer, saw immediately that it was the creation of my beautifully talented friend Courtney of A Thoughtful Place blog.  Have you seen it?  You'll never believe what she wallpapered the walls with! Go HERE to read the full post with all the details and sources.

Speaking of friends, Courtney (A Thoughtful Place), Cassie (Hi Sugarplum), Carmel (Our Fifth House) and I are so excited to be speaking at the Haven conference this year.  I'd love to hear if you're going- I'm looking forward to meeting up in person.

We started a new Pinterest board, Home Blogger Design/DIY Ideas that showcase decor and DIY ideas for your home.  If you are addicted to Pinterest and home decorating like we are, please feel free to follow our board.

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Nueva colección / New collection

Laura Ashely ha sacado la  nueva colección de primavera-verano 2013, colores cálidos y suaves,  

con nuevas y frescas  ideas en estilo inglés y una gran sensación de confort, no os perdáis

 el resto de la colección aqui

Disfruta de la inspiración!

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Welcome Back

I know a lot of you out there are returning to the real world today after Spring Break.  Welcome back!   While we did not go anywhere, we did have a wonderful week enjoying a quiet city.  There is something to be said for staying put during Spring Break week, the peace and quiet is nice.  Including an almost empty Target where we prepped for warmer weather that surely ahead.  Right?

(Henry's new favorite things- sunglasses and saying "cheeeeese")

 Of course a mini staycation could not be complete without a trip to the zoo.  Henry, who loves all things planes, trains and automobiles TRUCKS!, took his first train ride.  Needless to say it won't be his last.  

I hope this week treats you well, vacation or not!

Guest post: A Malmö masterpiece

Hello I'm Catherine from Nordic Design blog. I am very happy to collaborate on another beautiful blog promoting Scandinavian design and it's greatness. This beautiful home in Malmö, Sweden has the most amazing ceilings and beautiful parquetry flooring. The eclectic style is amazing! We love how the owners, Julius and Sara, successfully combined the old and the new - it's filled with character. And that shade of green in the dining room is great. What a gorgeous place!

Stylist: Emma Persson Lagerberg Photos: Petra Bindel Source: Elle Interior Sweden

Organizing the Kid Books

It feels like we've got kid books (and toys) everywhere these days.  I want the books especially to be easily accessible so that we can quickly find a book at bedtime or whenever my son wants to read.  We've previously kept the books in bins and baskets throughout the house, but the basket situation is getting out of control.  I wanted to get the books (and baskets) off of the floor to create more room to play.

I was considering buying a bookshelf for my son's room, then thought, duh, just make room for his books on a shelf in our hallway.  Why didn't I think of this sooner?  One of my early blog posts was about the "rainbow" bookshelf in our hallway.

Since the bookshelf is right off of James' room, it made perfect sense to clear a low shelf for his books.  Now he knows where to find the books and where they belong when it's time to put them away!  And I'm so happy I didn't have to buy a new bookshelf for his room.

I used a wire basket to hold his little board books.  I got the basket from See Jane Work and created the label with clip art and a laminating machine.  You can go HERE for the full tutorial. 

I like how the books are at just the right height for him to access easily.

When I kept the books in the baskets, they inevitably got all jumbled up and it was hard to dig for a book at the bottom.  Keeping them lined up on the shelf makes it much easier to find the book we're looking for.  I'm happy to find a solution that was FREE! Just took a little clearing and organizing.  

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Luz y color / Light and color

Ahora que llega semana santa, tenemos unos pocos días de vacaciones  y con un poco más de tiempo para disfrutar del aire libre y lo mejor de todo días más largos y  temperaturas más suaves. Una época del año que apetece renovar la casa y llenarla de luz y de color, como la de esta preciosa  casa de campo.

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