Home Updates and Home Obsessions

We have a few fun new projects going on at our house right now.  

First of all we had a pergola built.  One of Matt's best friends just started his own business and we hired him to fence part of our yard and build us a pergola.  I could not be happier with the results.  We have to let the wood sit for a good month to dry out before we paint it.  I plan to grow some Confederate Jasmine over the top and hang some globe outdoor lights.

This was my inspiration picture.  What color should we paint or stain the wood?

I am thinking white or maybe dark gray.

Since Sterling is starting kindergarten this fall, he has requested a big boy room update. I have not really done anything to his room since he was 2.5 years old and we switched him to a big boy bed.  First up was I ditched the Gallery Wall above his bed for this large print.  

Next up a fresh new paint color on his walls. I am tired of the brown and want to brighten up his room.  I am either doing Decorators White or Aloof Gray.

Water Buffalo Print

Two big boy rooms I am using for inspiration.

I am so excited because I am going to be working with Alex Kaehler Designs to re-do our dining room.  I have been a huge fan of Alex's since I started blogging.  I just adore her taste.  She recently started doing E-Design services.  Since we opened up the kitchen to the dining room I have been wanting to spruce things up and overhaul the room.

This bathroom and bedroom are some of my favorites she designed.

 A view of our kitchen into the dining room that will be re-done. I can't wait to get started!  I have already filled out the questionnaire and done my measurements of the space and furniture, so we should be starting soon.   I will document and share what we do with the space along the way!

A few pretties for the Home, that I am loving.

Starburst Bookends

Impact Coffee Table Book

This is one of my favorite coffee table books.  I love the pop of pink.  I have ours in our den.  Currently on sale.

Glass Figurine

I have one of these on a stack of books in our den and love it.

Laurence Coffee Table

This coffee table is amazing.  

Copper Martini Glasses

Copper glasses are my new obsession because they keep your drinks super chilled.  These are perfect for entertaining and so cool.

Antelope Pillows

These are perfection.

Art Deco Pendant

Such a fresh and fun light fixture.

 Turkish Kilm Rug

This rug is so dreamy.  I wish I had a spot for it.

Seagrass Nesting Baskets

 I love the idea of these to store the kid's toys in our den.

Currently on sale too!

Gray Malin Photograph

There are so many great new Gray Malin prints on One Kings Lane right now.  I love this one with all the blue and white.

Acrylic Nesting Tables

I am considering these for beside Sterling's bed.

Gold Lamp

I love these gold lamps and they are such a great price!!

Giraffe at Home Throw

I had no idea that my favorite baby blankets were made in throw sizes for living spaces.  These are hands down the softest blankets and part of the Nordstrom sale right now too.  I so want one for our den.  Perfect to cuddle up on the couch with!

Champagne Flutes

How awesome are these flutes??  Also part of the Nordstrom sale.  I really like the gold designs and vintage feel.

Scenes From Our Weekend

We started the weekend off with playgroup Friday afternoon.  We all have been so busy this Summer our play groups have been hard to schedule.  It was great to catch up, enjoy a glass of wine and let the kids play.

I always like to serve some fun snacks for the ladies.  My sister turned me on to pickled okra stuffed with pimento cheese. It is so easy and so tasty!

Table Runner is World Market

I love this picture my friend Krystine snapped of me and Frances Moon.  It is definitely a framer.  I mentioned my dress Saturday, Frances Moon's dress is Target (on clearance for $10)

To beat the heat we got a cheap pool from Walmart.  We have a neighborhood pool but Frances is so wild these days with no fear that it is hard for me to take the kids alone if Matt is not home.  The cheap pool was a genius idea, the kids loved.

Afterwards Frances decided to read my new Vogue:)  She is deep in thought about Fall fashion.

I hit up the Farmers Market with the kids Saturday morning and used my goodies to make my first ever Panzanella.  I will share the recipe soon!

I have been getting so much wear out of this white fringe top from Loft.

White Festival Fringe Top

Necklace is Theodosia

Saturday night we met some friends out for dinner with the kids.  Frances had a major blow out and of course I was unprepared with no clothes, I figured we were past the blow out stage.  So Frances enjoyed dinner in her diaper.  She obviously could care less.

Sunday we were finally able to make it to church.  We have been traveling so much lately that it had been a few weeks since we had been.  Felt good to get back

Loft Dress + JCrew shoes (on major sale)

Our boat has been broken most of the Summer.  Anyone who owns a boat knows what a money pit they are!!  Always something wrong.  We fnally got her fixed and we were all loaded up and ready for a boat ride when a storm rolled through.  Just our luck.

I was all ready for the boat in my LemLem Tunic.

Lem Lem Tunic (same style different colors) + Shorts

I made some nibbles for the ride that we enjoyed anyways.

Tortellini + mozzarella balls + cherry tomatoes + pesto

Once the storm cleared we took the kids to the Yacht Club to play.

Matt gave Frances a kit kat and she was in heaven.  She is like nobody touch my kit kat.

Here's to Monday.

Children's Book Review with Fran Hawk | Vol 3 School

Happy Sunday!  I am starting back up the children's book review series with Fran Hawk.  Today Fran discusses books about kids and school which is perfect timing since school starts back in less than a month! 

.......................................................................

“Take a Kiss to School” by Angela McAllister. Reassuring.

“Pirates Go to School” by Corinne Demas.  Funny.

“Spider School” by Francesca Simon.  Gently scary.     

The subject of school is endlessly interesting to children.  Authors for children are endlessly creative. That combination makes for a burgeoning genre of books about school.    

 Most books focus on the child who goes to school. What about the child who is left behind?  “Maple and Willow Apart” by Lori Nichols is the third book in the delightful “Willow” series.  Each of the books explores aspects of siblings and sisterhood for children ages 3 to 5. In this story, Maple is starting big-girl school. She comes home each day from kindergarten bursting with stories about her exciting class.     

Willow is playing alone at home for the first time in her life. She misses her sister and invents an interesting way to compensate for her absence. The sisters find a sweet middle ground that brings them close together again-especially on weekends.    

 Getting to school will be a special challenge for the child who dawdles. “Dilly Dally Daisy” by Mark Fearing is exactly the right book for children who are easily distracted from the immediate task at hand. Daisy knows that it’s important to be on time for the school bus. But she can’t brush her hair because she’s been using her hair brush as a paint brush. She decides to cover her hair with a hat, but it takes time to choose the absolute best hat. And she must move her stuffed animals to the window sill so that they can see her departure. Daisy is a cautionary tale. A hilarious cautionary tale.     

When you’re looking for books about school for children, I can almost guarantee that you’ll find the right book for the right child at the right time.

Fran Hawk

Big thanks to Fran!! Can't wait to order a few of these books for Sterling!

Weekend Style + Fall Favorites from the Nordstrom Sale

Happy Saturday!  

I wanted to share I dress I recently bought and I am loving.  I am wearing a size small.  It also comes in ivory but I love the bright red.

Free People Dress

available at a few places below but select sizes.

NORDSTROM ANNIVERSARY SALE FALL FAVORITES

The Nordstrom Anniversary sale opened to the public yesterday.   If you didn't have a Nordstrom card to shop early now you can!  Plus some new styles were added!

Love these Tory Burch Riding Boots

 These Sam Edelman Booties are perfect for fall.  They come in 4 different colors.

I am all about some plaid for fall.  This coat is a beauty and a real steal.

Kenneth Cole Plaid Coat

I live in these Vince Crewnecks.  They are the softest tee shirts and easy to throw on with anything.  I just ordered another one.

Vince Crewneck Tee

 Hunter Boots

I finally bought a pair of black Hunter boots last year and I can't tell you how often I wear them.  I love the black because it is classic and goes with everything.

Leith Tarpeze Dress 

This dress is under $40.  Comes in 4 colors.  I think it would be great now and into fall paired with tights, booties, and a cool jacket.

Sam Edelman Leopard Calfhair Pumps

If you don't own a pair of leopard pumps you need a pair for Fall.   These are a great deal and look way more expensive in person.

Trouve Drape Collar leather Jacket

This reminds me so much of my Vince leather jacket but it is a quarter of the price. Such a great deal for a classic leather jacket.

Rebecca Taylor Fringe Cardigan

I am obsessed with this cardigan.  Love the fringe detail.

Rag and Bone Skinny Jeans

My favorite jeans ever.  

Other fall favorites!