The Big Desk Reveal

 So, here it is.

To say that I am happy about it would be a huge understatement.  I've been neglecting the rest of my house because all I want to do is sit here and play on the computer.

I really like the books.  One of our future projects is some built in bookshelves on the opposite wall, so when that happens I'll probably move the books and put something else up there.

We bought this lovely file cabinet at Target and were very impressed with the quality for the price.  I spent a lot of time looking at white file cabinets online and in stores.  This was the best deal out there that we could find.  Doug put it together while the boys and I watched Tangled and it slid right under our desk....a perfect fit.  My husband is amazing.

The cord management still needs some managing.  It's been a bit of a challenge considering there is no electrical outlet on this wall.  My (amazing) husband has plans for putting one in, along with some spotlight recessed lighting complete with conveniently located light switch.  Those are more aesthetics at this point and there are some more pressing home projects that need completion...so they will have to wait a bit.

I love you desk.  Still deciding on what chair to put here....

A Sweet Tweet Baby Shower

My mom recently hosted a baby shower for a friend.  I live hundreds of miles away, but was able to help out by sending some fun decorations.

We designed and made the baby banner when my mom was visiting me last month.

My mom made the adorable tissue pom poms.

 Yummy cupcakes.

I also made the little paper birdies and the food labels.  The red birds on the white party favor boxes were adhesive vinyl.

And there is that baby onesie again.  

Chocolate covered strawberries are my favorite, yum.

Peeps, so cute.  I love how my mom made the pom poms mini size.  I want to try that next time.  Wish I could have been there, but I had a lot of fun designing from afar.  Congrats, Michelle!  So glad you liked everything.

Painted Wallpaper

After seeing this AMAZING room at Jones Design Company, I bookmarked it and vowed I would do this someday.  Fast forward a few weeks and I saw THIS on Landee See, Landee Do.  Oh my goodness.  I went right over to the craft store and bought my paint.

Here is my practice on a piece of butcher paper with some spare pink paint.  With three boys, I don't use pink in this house very often.  My template is up above there, cut out of cardboard.

Draw your lines with the template all over your wall.

Paint away.

Keep painting.

You are halfway there...

Once you reach the top, enjoy your work.  I love it and my hubby likes it too, which is a big bonus considering he lives here as well.  The kids don't seem to have much of an opinion, which is fine with me.  My inspiration blogs did a much better job than I did, but considering this is the first time I have ever done anything like this, I'm happy with it.  Just don't look TOO close and we're all good.  Overall, it took me about 7 hours from start (practice with pink paint) to finish (putting shelves back up).  Plenty of interruptions and most of the work done at night while the kids were snoozing.  I still need to erase some pencil lines, no biggie.

We have had rain, rain, rain for days on end.  I can't get a great picture yet due to gloomy skies and insufficient lighting in this area.  That will be fixed by my husband soon, he had promised me.  Recessed lighting, here we come.

Still waiting on my file cabinet and my electrical cord organization, so the 100% done big reveal will be coming soon.  And I will make sure the lighting is much better.  I live in California.  The sun has to come out again sometime.

Here is a side shot.  The paint is a metallic/pearl white, which gives it a different sheen depending on your angle and point of view.

Farm Fresh

I recently signed up for a local farmers co-op delivery service.  Once a month, I have fresh produce delivered from the farm straight to my front door.  It's reasonably priced and the food is yummy and fresh.  The best part is you can go online to customize your box each month, in case thy happen to be delivering some things that your family won't eat.  It's not a contract thing, so I can quit whenever I want and I can change the size and/or the food choices whenever I want as well.  If you live in Northern Cali and you are interested in this, leave a comment.  If I refer you, then we both get a small discount!

The asparagus is calling my name.  My favorite way to prepare it can be found HERE.

Book Club Gift

Remember I made a book club gift for an exchange we did last month?  I forgot to post how I wrapped it up.  My P&P mug is inside along with some yummy hot chocolate and a copy of the novel.  A white gift bag, some cute tissue paper, and some vinyl cut out with my Silhouette.  My husband doesn't understand how great his Christmas gift was last year...it's the gift that just keeps on giving every time I use it.

Book Review: Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

Crescendo by Becca Fitzpatrick

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


I enjoyed the first in this series, but felt the this second addition took all the problems with the first and just magnified them.  It was incredibly predictable and very slow in some parts.  Nora's best friend, Vee, was fun and spunky in the first book.  This book she just comes off as annoying.  I had a hard time even liking Patch this time.  Having said all of that, I probably will read the last book when it comes out...just because I can't help myself when it comes to closure and all of that.  I think that is why most people will read this one, just to find out what happens, not because it's a great book.  Oh, and you need to read this series in order or you will be seriously confused.  Just FYI.



View all my reviews

Baby Grace Onesies

My friend, who lives over a half hour freeway drive away, came out to visit with her new little baby girl, Grace.  She is so adorable and cuddly, and I was remiss in not snapping a picture of her.  Next time.  My friend and I played around with my Silhouette while she was here and we designed some simple onesies for Grace as a baby gift.  I quickly took these pictures while my friend was loading Grace and her other two kiddos in the car, so sorry they are a little dark.  We chose a cute flower and an adorable font for Grace's name, using the smooth heat transfer again.  They turned out really cute and now Grace just needs to grow a little bit to fit into them.

So glad you are finally here baby Gracie!  Come visit again soon!