NAUTICAL INSPIRED BABY ROOM

Welcome to baby boy's nautical inspired room! We decided to keep everything fairly neutral, and since I am too lazy to paint (seriously) we kept everything clean and white with pops of blue. I love the idea of a simple nautical theme, and this is now one of my favorite rooms in the house. Each night, the little tree glows in the dark, perfect for welcoming our December baby, along with the R2D2 stocking (wonder who picked that out?). The shelves displaying countless books from my collection is another favorite part of this room, as it acts as both art and functionality. Aunt Whitney sewed the darling quilt hanging on the crib, and it's the perfect finishing touch to this sea inspired room! The crib spring hanging on the wall is the actual spring from my baby crib, and holds fun prints & photos. I can't wait for endless nights in that rocking chair, which was lovingly handed down by some sweet friends (who rocked and raised two darling babies in it!). Okay, baby! We are ready for you!

DIY MEMO BOARD

My good friend Janelle and I found this cute memo board project on Pinterest before the holidays. Rather then just pin it away and never aspire to it, we decided this would be a year we actually complete some projects! She has already made darling doll beds for her daughters American Girl Dolls, and was itching for another wood working project. (Side Note: These beds are ADORABLE! I wanted one for myself.) So, she graciously headed to Home Depot, picked up the wood, and we were ready to go. We followed this tutorial, and it was easy to follow. We finished the projects up yesterday, and I love the finished product. I hung ours in our office, and it completely makes the room!

HOME TOUR: DECK THE HALLS 2015

Merry Christmas! It's the most wonderful time of year! The sights, smells, and sounds of Christmas are some of my most favorite things. This year, with the help of our first fireplace (!!!) we have been staying cozy in our new little home, and enjoying our Christmas decor. With fresh boughs, colorful ornaments, and our reindeer friend, we are fully set to celebrate this most glorious season. Besides the countless amounts of events and parties this month, I wanted us to start more family traditions. Over the summer, I was introduced to a Kickstarter Project called The Giving Manger. If you know me, I am very anti "Elf on the Shelf", because it detracts from the most important reason for Christmas, and it's just plain too much work! This project focuses on service. To begin the tradition, the beautifully written and illustrated picture book is read, explaining the Christmas tradition. For each act of service, you place a piece of straw in Baby Jesus' manger. By the end of the month, your manger will hopefully be full of hay, where Baby Jesus will then lay. I love the idea of serving one another during this busy time of year, especially when there are so many little things we can do to serve!

 If you would like to purchase The Giving Manger, and start a new Christmas tradition, click here.

CHOCOLATE PECAN PIE BARS & A TABLE FOR TWO

 Derek and I have had our fair shares of Thanksgivings with family and friends, surrounded by delicious food and loud laughter. We have also had a fair share just the two of us, in our little home, feasting on our favorites like cornbread stuffing and rolls. (We clearly are a pro-carb family here, folks). This year, we are dining just the two of us. Although we miss our families, and the camaraderie of the day, we do enjoy years when we can spend an entire day together. This, my friends, is a rarity unto itself. Using simple items from around the house, our table for two this year will also consist of turkey, cornbread stuffing (this year I used sage sausage instead of bacon!), mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, rolls, green beans & gravy. For dessert, Derek requested his favorite chocolate cream pie, while I prefer a twist on the classic, pecan pie. These chocolate drizzled pecan bars are ooey and gooey, and going to make anyone you serve them to a very full, and happy camper. Happy Thanksgiving to all!

HOME TOUR: FALL DECOR

Last week we had a lovely break from our late summer heat and gladly welcomed overcast skies, raindrops, and cool breezes. With this change in the weather, the fall decor came out from storage, chili & cornbread was on the menu, and our first batch of pumpkin muffins were baked. Each year I love pulling out my holiday decorations, and adding a few things each year to my stash. A trip to the pumpkin patch next month will get us some big pumpkins to adorn the fireplace & the front porch, and then we will be ready to enjoy my most favorite time of the year!

THANKSGIVING TABLE SETTING

In the years we have been married, Derek and I have had our own Thanksgiving for two years, been with family for two, and last year, Derek was delivering babies while I flew solo with my family. Every year is a new chance for my tried and true recipes like my cornbread, bacon and apple stuffing (recipe to come!) and new table settings for your guests to enjoy. Dress up your table this year with fresh sprigs of rosemary, dainty gold pumpkins, and simple decor like butcher paper and lace doilies for a casual, yet somehow elegant feel.

PUMPKIN PAINTING

Is there any better way to celebrate the welcome of Fall and cooler weather (finally in San Diego) then eating yummy treats, painting pumpkins, and girl talk? I think not. 

A HOME TOUR: SAN DIEGO 1950'S TOWNHOME

This quirky & charming 1950's townhome has quickly become one of the most favorite spaces we have lived in. From the tiny front porch (and a real address number to boot!) to the narrow staircase leading upstairs, it has just felt like home since the day we moved in. The popcorn ceilings, original wood planked walls, the shockingly bright red bedroom wall, and the embarrassingly tiny kitchen and bathroom fixtures give the home the charm of a simpler time. We have a lot of neighborhood kids who run in the sprinklers every night and play outside on bikes and sidewalk chalk, which just takes me back to growing up in some of the houses my family lived in. It's been a fun change to be in more of a house situation then an apartment, and especially more fun to get used to the quirks of living in an older, but charming, home.