The Beach!

Well, I had grand plans to write a couple of posts before heading off on vacation, but I was a little too consumed with picking out jewelry for my beach vacation.  (I know... it's a problem.)

Wish us luck on our 9 hour drive with the monster today.  You know how little ones love confined spaces for long periods of time!

See you in a week!  Cheers,
Jessie

Daydreaming

So I'm obsessed with the idea of a daybed for the Monster's big boy room.  Think upholstered, think nail heads, think awesome... or at least in my head it is.  Unfortunately, I haven't seen anything remotely similar to the vision that is in my head.  I'm not sure if that means I'm a trendsetter or terribly off base when it comes to daybeds.  (Please don't answer that!)

This is the closest I've seen so far...

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I'm hoping to not have to go the custom route, but so far everything is a little too feminine for my liking.

Like the nail head trim and the upholstered look, but could do without the curves and would like a back. Missing the wow factor.

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Definitely has the wow factor, but not quite what I envisioned for a little boy's room.  Not even going to ask Hootie his opinion on this one.  

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Okay, but blah.  

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I guess if all else fails I can go to option B... race car bed.

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Don't act like you never wanted one.  How can you beat real headlights?

Cheers,

Jessie

It's Coming!

As any parent of a toddler will tell you, the time is coming.  I've been blessed so far with a scaredy cat who doesn't want out of their crib.  But recent events have proven that the time for a big boy room is coming.  We aren't prepared yet, but here is where inspiration has led me so far.

Hopefully, I can get my ideas sorted out before the Monster starts escaping!

Love this wallpaper, but perhaps it could be used somewhere other than the wall?!?

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We are definitely in need of a table regardless of the big boy room status.  This one is great!

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The color is great... the shape is cool... surely the Monster will be impressed.

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Already have a fabulous shade for this lamp.  Love the traditional details of the base, but with modern styling.

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Throw in one mid-century dresser and I'm a happy camper!

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Any one else planning a big kid room?  It's exciting and scary all in one!  Wish us luck.

Cheers,

Jessie

I'll Have a Side Of...

I've heard it said before that accent tables are the jewelry of a room.  Every room needs one and it seems to be the perfect place to have a little fun.  They can be quirky, sophisticated or rustic and that never seems to affect the overall feel of the room.  They just add a little pizzazz.

With that in mind, here's a round up of my top picks...

Perfect amount of glamour without being too fussy and for that price, I'll take 2!

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This is my go-to table!  It is so versatile and comes in a variety of finishes and colors.

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Sophisticated and classy, everything I wish I was... perhaps if I sit really close to it, that will all rub off.

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Great texture and warmth, it definite brings some character to the room.

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Tribal but modern, old world but edgy... how did they do that?

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You didn't think I would leave out faux snakeskin, did you?  Nothing says I rock more than you like animal skin!

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Cheers,

Jessie

PS - I'd like to give a shout out to my nephew on his FIRST birthday!  We love you, little man.  Sorry the bigs seem to boss you around for now... we'll work on that in year #2.

Flor or Floor?!?

In a shocking turn of events, I am still on the hunt for a rug for our master bedroom.  The funny thing is that the search has come full circle.  When we first started discussing this, I wanted to do a Flor rug. The options are limitless, but I got overwhelmed and then decided to focus on the overdyed trend.... which we all know where that led.

But after getting the new Flor catalog, I think I am leaning towards this option again.  Lucky for me, you can purchase sample squares at their new store on McKinney so I brought a few of those bad boys home to take a look.

There is a lot of pattern in the bedding already so whatever I choose needs to just blend in.  That's why I think a neutral color palette would be best.  

It's so hard to tell from such a small sample, but I'm grateful not to pay for more shipping fees.  Here are my top three picks thus far... 

Remembrance - Love the allover pattern and has a slight overdyed look about it.  Might be a little too dark with everything else.

Vintage Vibe - My personal favorite, but of course the most expensive and a little hesitant based on how light the whole pattern is. 

Reoriented - Possibly the best of both worlds... not too dark, not too light and a subtle overall pattern.  

Decisions, decisions.  What's a girl to do?  Is anyone else as tired of listening to me talk about rugs as I am looking at them?!?  Wish me luck!

Cheers,

Jessie

Swing Batter Batter Swing!

Despite Mother's Day last weekend, I spent a little time this weekend making Hootie a present.  Seeing as Hootie has the best wife ever, he has been allowed to attend opening day for the Rangers the last couple of years... which means we must hold on to those tickets forever.

Since I was tired of looking at them on the bulletin board, I whipped up a little frame project for the built ins.  I found this super inexpensive frame at Target, but wasn't crazy about the finish.

Low and behold, I had a can of gold spray paint laying around so I decided to do some damage.

Once everything dried, I wasn't 100% thrilled with the color so I threw a little Rub-N-Buff on there and...

BAM!  Instant gold frame.  Lucky for me, it fills in a little hole in the built ins and Hootie is happy that his treasures are displayed.

Hopefully, he won't continue to go to opening day so I won't have to redo this next year.  Just kidding, darling (kind of!).

Cheers,
Jessie

Happy Mama Day!

Just wanted to pop in this morning and wish all of you mamas out there a Happy Mother's Day!  I realize what we really want will probably not happen... peace & quiet, but regardless I hope it is a great day for all.

A special thanks to the best example of a mother I have ever known... my Mama.  I can only hope to be half the Godly example she has been to me.  With the arrival of the monster, it becomes more and more apparent every year what an incredibly hard job you had.  Thank you, Mom.  I love you.

And one more shout out to the monster who made me a mama.  You are by far the most demanding and irrational boss I have ever had (and I've had a few crazies), but I love you more each day.  Now stop growing.

Cheers (especially to the mamas),
Jessie

They're Real & They're Fabulous!

Anyone else remember that Seinfeld episode?  I know some of you were beginning to doubt the existence of the built-ins, but hahaha.  You are wrong! 

The styling is definitely not complete, but I don't know when it will be so I decided it would be best to show you as is.

The funny thing about the built-ins is that while they visually take up a lot of space our room seems bigger and I think the need for a headboard is more apparent than ever.  Plus, that little alcove creates more of an echo than you would think.  

I decided on antiqued brass hardware with straight, clean lines.  This is the best of both worlds in my opinion... a traditional finish with a modern shape.  I think the size of the handles really plays well with the scale of the drawers.   I opted for knobs on the doors... it's not a major game changer, but I think the switch up broke things up a bit which is visually appealing.

The sconces have been a great addition.  I love how clean they look.  They could use a little more flair for my liking and I've been toying with adding a ribbon trim.  Not sure if I want to commit if bedding and a rug are still up in the air.  Although, you never know when I may bust out the hot glue gun?!?

I realize I haven't given much styling advice, but I've got a separate post coming about all those nitty gritty details.  For now, let's just sit back and enjoy the before and after!

Cheers,

Jessie

Whatever Happened To...

It has been brought to my attention that on more than one occasion, I have left y'all hanging a bit. What can I say... I get a little lazy sometimes. Sorry about that!

So, let's clean the slate. Whatever happened to...

THE KNIFE BLOCK
I lost that battle (not that I really cared, but I have to throw Hootie a bone every now and then). Hootie was convinced that a knife would unexpectedly fall from the wall and impale the nearest person. So we opted for the in-drawer version and I ended up with a very colorful utensil holder! Win win for all... except for the old knife block which was donated to Goodwill, but surely someone is getting good use out of it.

OLE BLUE
Yep, after all that stripping, she is still all blue all the time! The door could probably stand to be lightly sanded and one more coat added, but I'm not about to touch that door again. Live and learn.

CHALKBOARD + MAGNETS = SEMI-FAILURE
While my secret project was fun, it was also a bit of a bust. We love the chalkboard door and Monster is all about the scribbles. However, magnetic paint does not hold up so well underneath a coat of anything. (If I'd read more reviews, that would have been obvious.)

It does actually hold a few magnets, but the magnetic field (so scientific!) is spotty and whatever it is holding needs to be thin. I did make these cute little wooden frames for the door, but so far nothing sticks underneath them. Oh well, this one was a win lose.

PS - Still planning on adding a quote or something, but I just can't commit to anything. This is why I am tattoo free. Terrible commitment issues!

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN
Remember that all important vote last November... you probably don't because only a handful of you responded. Now I know how elected officials feel. Well, I've been laziest about this one. The tables are still sitting in the garage waiting to be called up to the big leagues. It is on the summer to-do list, but that's a long one so we'll see what happens.

Anything else? Oh wait, the built ins! Yeah, we did actually have those built... details coming tomorrow! (I couldn't give you all my good stuff in one sitting!)

Cheers,
Jessie

Viva La Mexico!

Seeing as we live fairly close to the border here in Big D, it is only fitting that we also celebrate our neighbors on Cinco de Mayo.  So today we are celebrating all things fiesta...

Seating is a MUST at any fiesta and I love love love these new chairs from Anthropology!  They are so quirky and fun.  Who wouldn't have a good time in one of these?

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Obviously, you need drinkware for a party.  Why not be environmentally friendly at the same time and try out the reusable Red Cups?  That margarita class looks pretty good to me.

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You gotta dress the part as well and I am in a semi-serious love affair with these sandals.  They may or may not be coming to a wardrobe near you.  

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Lastly, I need someone to whip these up for me stat.  I know Pinterest shows how easy they are, but seriously... haven't we all been down that road before?  It is such a lie.  

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Don't forget, I decided that summer has begun so enjoy!  (No one really needs to wait for Memorial Day.)  Gracias!

Cheers,

Jessie

Putting It Out There.

I'm gonna be honest.  It has been a long and very confusing spring thus far for our family.  It's no secret that I love beautiful interiors and clothes, but as of late I've been reduced to gym wear (minus the gym) and dirty floors.  I say none of this to cause any concern, but what I first promised when I started this blog was an online diary and that included my actual life.

I have always struggled with what will people like or not like.  Let's be honest, it is always scary to put yourself out there and be rejected, but I'm slowly learning it doesn't matter.  I have my priorities and hopefully you can appreciate where I am right now.

I love dramatics...

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I love order...

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I love my family...

With all that in mind, I am designating May 1st as the start of an unbelievable summer filled with laughter, good times and contentment.  That last word is a sketchy one.  It doesn't mean happiness, but it does mean joy.  I wish that for each of you and hope you have a phenomenal summer.

Cheers,
Jessie