Monday.

I'll be starting my week with a cup of my favorite jo- straight up, strong, black coffee.  I swear I didn't like coffee until I started drinking this.  There isn't a World Market near us anymore, so we stock up when we go.  It can't be beat.

-m

Living Room.

 It's been a crazy week in this household!  First week of school, and I successfully planned a semi-surprise party for J's Bday.  The house was fairly clean, there was food, and even balloons, AND it didn't rain. Score!  Let's hope I can do it again for my family in 2 weeks.  Oy.

The home tour continues to our living room.  This is probably my favorite room in the house.  I love that giant window and all its natural light. We have plenty of space to spread out and enjoy the view.  

The rundown:
Paint: Martha Stewart- Timothy Hay
Couches: Garage Sale- hopeing for new ones... eventually! $200
Side table/End Table: Garage Sale- stained. $10
Rug: Garage Sale (World Market)- $10
Bookshelf: Garage Sale- painted. $20??
Ladder Shelf: Sidewalk Sale. $20
Side Chair: Antique Shop- $10?
Table and Chairs: Garage Sale-painted black. $15.
Curtains: came with the house!
Pillows: World Market and TJMaxx. $40

My favorite part of this space? I love that old fan.  As you can tell, I love old stuff.  It has character, and tells a story.  I like the space to look like it's been built throughout time, and experience.

This isn't a room where I have picked out everything with an intention of where it would go.  It just kinda worked out... for now, anyways.  I know that it will be changing constantly, because I'm always finding new things I love!

What I'd like to change:
-new sofa, maybe like this:

a girl can dream, right?

Hope you're enjoying your weekend!
-m

Mix it up.

With the new school year up and running, I thought it would be fun to put together some outfits that mix some new pieces I've gotten with some old ones.  Now, I just need some red pants...

Enjoy!
-m

Savor happiness.

Instagram.

So you know all of those comments I make about being an amateur when it comes to photography? Well this app has solved (some of) my problems.... for a while, at least.  All you do is snap a photo with your phone, pick one of many filters, push done and viola.  Instant cool photos.  

It can even make a picture of your thumb look nifty.  Trust me, I tried. 

Here are a few photos from our recent family vacation:

I wanted to take one home with me.  I loved riding the vintage bikes around town.

Those suckers are alive in this pictures.  We ate 'em... and it was good.

  

Lighthouse at Cape Hatteras.  He's buff.

many stairs inside the lighthouse.

sunrise on our flight home

The best part? It's free!

Enjoy!

-m

Teacher Gift.

One of my cousins is starting her first year of teaching Kindergarten this year!  I am so excited for her as she begins this new adventure.  I know she will be one of those teacher's that students will just love.  She's good :)

Setting up your classroom, although it can be fun, can be quite daunting for a first year!  I thought it would be fun to put together a box of goodies to start of the year.

These are just ball jars with ribbon, pom-pom balls and bandana scraps for desk supplies.

Mini clothespins with ribbon.

 Clipboard decorated with scrapbook paper and ribbon, and an "A" magnet for Miss A! I used yarn to cover the letter then scraps for the flowers.

 Finally, two bandana pennant banners! I was determined to make fabric pennant banners without sewing.  I cut the bandanas into 8 triangles, then glued two of each color together at the top.  Then, I hot-glued the ribbon to the top, folding it over onto each side.  

Ta-da!

-m

Picnic Party!

Ava is ONE!

Our adorable neice turned one this week and, of course, we celebrated!  

My sister-in-law, Katie (and Seth, too!) made these adorable flower cupcakes.  They were a hit!

She LOOOOOVED the cake.

As you can tell...

Opening presents with Grandma G.

We love you, Ava.  Happy Birthday!

-m