Thursday, January 23, 2014

This and That

Now that I am home full-time, I find I am spending more time planning healthier meals, baking (not so healthy) but, oh so yummy treats for the kids, and working out at the gym 3 to 4 times a week.  But, honestly, with my youngest still at home, I am just doing all the normal mommy things and my day seems to whizz by.


I made Ina's cinnamon sugar doughnuts for the first time.  They were DELICIOUS.  And, so so EASY!  I bought the doughnut pan from Sur La Table and handed out the above packages to my neighbors!

It isn't until the evening, after the kids are in bed, that I then start to think about my house/decorating, unpacking, etc.  I doubt I'll find a better balance until my youngest starts school in a year or two, but for now, I am just fine with that.


I was able to complete my collection of Lion's head bowls (from Sur La Table) - they were on super sale!


Two weekends ago, I visited Goss Antiques here in Louisville.  A dream come true for a lover of antiques with never ending rows of dealers (mostly furniture).

I found a booth called CS and K Antiques and she had the most beautiful french/english furnishings.  I purchased the above picture for our bedroom.  I love how subdued it feels.


It wasn't until my Ebay purchase of Colefax and Fowler's "Bowood" fabric arrived that I noticed the similarities in colors between the picture and fabric.  I must be drawn to this color palette - cream, green, gray/blue and white.

I hope you all are having a good week.  We are having record 'cold' temperatures here in Louisville.  I can't believe it.  And, I thought I was moving to the South???


See you next week and Stay warm!!

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Our Entryway

A painter is coming tomorrow to paint our entryway.  My husband typically paints our rooms (he enjoys it and does it well) and as a result, I've been spoiled because if I don't like the color midway, he can stop painting.  Naturally, I'm stressing a bit to pick the 'right' color.  I don't think I can tell the painter to stop if I don't like the color.  Well, I guess I can, but it would be expensive and I probably would look like a fool.

Realtor Picture

The picture above is our entryway; this was the previous owner's picture.  The walls are a mocha brown color (blah).  And, you can see the red living room in the background (ick).

My style is leaning towards lots of contrast - white, black and antique woods.  We painted our family room over Christmas break BM White Dove. LOVE this color.  It has the slightest warmth without being too yellowish.  I am considering this color for the entry way too, but we don't get a lot of natural light so I am also considering BM Linen White.

Phase 1 of the entryway is to paint the walls.

Phase 2 will be to paint staircase banister,  rip out the carpeted runner, add new runner, get a new front door (with glass panels) and potentially make the windows wider flanking the front door to let in more natural light.

Phase 3 will be making the entryway larger by knocking out a shower that currently exists in our downstairs bathroom (behind the wall where the console sits, in the photo above).  I would like to make the entryway into the living room larger too and finally, add paneling/moulding.

Here are some pictures of my current inspiration.








Obviously, all my inspiration pictures have paneled moulding, high ceilings, lots of light and are the entries are large.  I haven't even left the gate and I already have 4 strikes against me.  But, I think we can get 3/4 of the way home;  the higher ceilings are the only sticking point.  

For the time being, I hope to achieve somewhat of "the look" by choosing a lighter paint color!!  Wish me luck!


Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Hello 2014!

I can't believe you are here.  And yet, here you are, another Christmas (sadly) behind us.  


The end of 2013 was wonderful!  It was the best Christmas yet for our little family.  The kind of one that you (as parents) can't seem to push pause long enough to savor all the many magical moments.  Our hearts are full with love and gratitude.  Luke, now 6, completely and utterly gets excited about every tiny thing Christmas has to offer and Elizabeth, 2, was eager and ready to experience the joy.


This is the first time I am not working and am staying home.  I was so completely grateful to experience Christmas every minute through my little ones eyes.  It was the first time Christmas did not feel rushed, hurried, or stressful.  There were many cozy days at home baking cookies, reading Christmas books, working on our daily Advent tasks, witnessing Luke lose both of his two front teeth right before Christmas day, playing games, building legos and playing dolly.  I watched how much my two children really love each other and do selfless acts for one another (unprompted).

I was so happy to capture this moment

But, most importantly, this Christmas seemed special in that both my children seemed to understand the real meaning of Christmas and focused on the birth of Jesus.  

Luke with his Godmother.  See his toothless grin!

This Advent season, Luke did tasks/acts for others.  We received the book, Angela and the Baby Jesus, as a gift for Christmas and I read it to my children and had to fight hard to hold back the tears of joy.  

Thank you Maria!

It is by far now my favorite Christmas book. And, so my friends, I am finding it very hard to start the New Year with a bang or a cheer.  I am afraid to let go of Christmas because I know this time next year, my little ones will be another year older (and so will we)!  And, that just makes me kind of sad because we all know how fast our little ones grow up.  

Our tree

I know this week I will have to take down our decorations and I am kind of dreading it.  Our family room will feel a little lonely and bare without our tree.  I just hope that spring is waiting around the corner, because these freezing temperatures are not what I expected moving to KY!  

Happy New Year to all of you!!!