October 2010
2 posts
6 tags
Coastal Keepsakes.
This weekend we ventured to the beach for a few days. We met my husband’s family there and it was a wonderful time!
We mostly ate and walked along the boardwalk and beach, but we also did some shopping for keepsakes.
Being the bargain shopper that I am, I purchased these lovely postcards for $1! Yep, 4 for $1!
I’ve got plans to matte and frame each postcard…I love cheap...
4 tags
Hip hop you don't stop...
September 2010
8 posts
4 tags
Coastal Living.
I love the beach…
It really is that simple.
We only live a couple of hours away from a beach and we try to go as often as possible.
It’s a great day trip.
But sometimes I wish we lived at the beach…like “right outside my door.”
And that’s why I often read this…
just to dream.
And the recent design of their Idea House in Seabrook, WA. has me...
4 tags
On my wishlist...
JHill Design City Prints!
These prints are vibrant, fun, graphic and on my wishlist!
They even have prints with muted color schemes! My favorites!
...
3 tags
Game Night! Fiesta!
Once a month we host a couples’ game night. There’s good food. There’s good conversation. Alot of laughing. And a good time is had by all!
This month’s theme was fiesta! We had a taco bar and too many desserts to name! (Thanks Tenille!)
I went a little color crazy with the decor, but it was fun! Aren’t fiestas colorful, anyway?!?
4 tags
Throwback Thursdays.
Today’s Throwback Thursday is for my husband…
4 tags
#15 off the To Do list...I'm on a roll!
I think I prolonged this one because I’m slightly in denial over how long we’ll live in this apartment. But I’m happy to report that hanging up pictures in our bedroom made the room feel a little cozier.
I also made the two small white pillows from these…
A Before and After...and #17 off the To Do list.
This is the pitiful BEFORE. Don’t Judge.
**Note*** The Light & Fit Yogurt container is NOT filled with Yogurt. I use it to store small boxes of raisins and packs of fruit snacks.
I hate those wire shelves. Most snacks fall through the spaces between.
So, this was my solution. It was simple and most important, it was cheap!
I...
2 tags
Throwback Thursday.
In honor of the late Michael Jackson and his recent birthday, this Throwback Thursday is dedicated to him. (That’s for you Ash!)
This is one of my favorites. Only Mike could create at 13 minute video complete with credits and references to all his other hits. And of course I shared the extended version! You’ve gotta enjoy the entire experience to appreciate this song. And who...
3 tags
30 before 30...
My birthday is in 5 days!
I’ll be 26, but I can’t help but think about 30. I’ve seen so many bloggers make lists of things they want to do, try, accomplish before 30 and it inspired me to make my own list. I’m starting mine rather early, because some of the things on my list will take some...
August 2010
6 posts
2 tags
Have no fear...
2 tags
Throwback Thursdays.
We sing a lot around our house. Mostly corny songs.
But tonight my husband heard this lovely little throwback on the radio came home singing…
3 tags
So much...To Do.
I’m a list person.
And I mean an obsessive compulsive list person.
I even carry a special notebook to keep up with my many lists.
I have daily To Do lists, project To Do lists, shopping lists, Idea lists, and plenty more that are too embarrassing to mention. My current project To Do list is somewhat ambitious. But now that Peyton is at school during the weekdays, I hope to tackle a few...
4 tags
Desk Redo.
I found this desk at the dumpster a week before we moved out of our old place…
And armed with my favorite shade of Glidden paint (Almost Aqua)…
I endured the heat and humidity, and painted on our balcony.
But it was worth it to transform that shabby little desk into this subtle beauty!
The best part…it was another very cheap project!
Cost:
1.The KNOBS are large...
Your Masterpiece.
I’ve been singing this song for weeks. It’s beautiful.
July 2010
9 posts
Another Peytonism...
For your enjoyment and mine…
—————————————————————————————————————-
While riding in the car on a hot summer day…
Peyton: Mommy, I think I have a hottitude!
Me:...
$6 Headboard!
Yep…another furniture re-do!
I somehow convinced my husband…make that very understanding…even though I promised no more furniture until we move out of this space-challenged apartment husband, to let me buy this headboard for $5.
He’s pretty wonderful! But this headboard was not!
So armed with a few paint colors, $1 worth of clearance scrapbook paper, scissors,...
Yippeee...
So, My fashion budget is non-existent these days. Imagine my delight when I saw this pattern that one of my friends is going try to make for me! I’m thrilled!!! I NEED new dresses…ok, no one really needs dresses. But my wardrobe is pretty skim these days with my stubborn baby weight still hitching a ride on my thighs and waist!
Isn’t it lovely!
Carol Hannah on Etsy!
I’m a big Project Runway fan…just ask my husband!
So when I recently found out the Carol Hannah has a blog…and an Etsy store, I was elated!!! This dress is so dreamy!
At $235, I’m gonna have to add it to the wishlist! But a girl can dream! And bonus, she custom makes the dresses!
I've got blogging friends!
My first attempt at blogging was over a year ago..and it was far from successful. But I had too many ideas about what a blog should be. But this time around I wanted to take a more organic approach…as one of my dear friends would say. And it has worked.
When I decided to start blogging again, I was afraid to share this journey with my close friends. So, for the first month or so my...
ZoCal Vintage- Now open!
So, opening an Etsy boutique is way more time consuming than I expected! But it’s worth all of the effort. I’ve only listed a few items, but I’m working diligently to add more items daily. And with 2 small kids at my side…it’s no small task! Please stop by and let me know what you think! And feel free to buy a few things!
http://www.ZoCalBelle.etsy.com
...
More Peytonisms...
For your amusement and mine…a few more Peytonisms!
Daddy: Peyton, How do you make a tissue dance?
Peyton: I don’t know, daddy! How?
Daddy: You put a little boogie in it!
Peyton: I’m never touching your hands again!
...
4 tags
A New Direction...slighty.
A few months ago I posted my mood board for our living room. But I think I want to go in a slightly different direction. Ok…I’ve already gone in a slightly different direction. It’s still inspired by coastal design. But I’m going for a lighter feel. What attracts me to coastal design is the comfortable and airy feel. Here’s my new mood board.
Source List/...
Jars of all sorts.
I’m collecting jars…of all sorts. My husband thinks I’m crazy. But I hope to organize my pantry to look something like this…
One day!…I hope.
June 2010
4 posts
I'm baaaaaaaack!
I’ve been working on an exciting new endeavor that has kept me from blogging for the last 2 weeks. But I’m back to share that I’ll be opening my very own Etsy Boutique!
I’m thrilled, yet incredibly nervous. But I can’t wait to begin!
So I’d like to introduce …
I’ll be selling small & medium sized vintage items all handpicked by me! And...
4 tags
My newest favorite Etsy store!
I mentioned before that I’m a big fan of Etsy, the online portal to buy and sell crafts and all things vintage. I love to just peruse the goodies offered by all the creative people on Etsy! This week’s favorite is…
Posie and Me offers 100% handmade wool felt goodies including tooth fairy pillows, tea sets, cupcakes and barrettes! Check out some of their goodies…
...
5 tags
Transparency & Accountability.
Perhaps my greatest ethical struggle is accountability… and transparency. It’s not that I want to be secretive because I WANT to hide things from people. But as a child I longed for the day that I could have total freedom without regards to other people’s opinions. And for a while…I lived that way.
But as a much-wiser 25-year old : ) I know that accountability is...
Tray chic.
Today’s post is about a tres’ chic tray! (Thanks to my husband for the clever play on words!)
I love using grown-up decor ideas in kids’ rooms. And while trays are all the rage in the interior design world, very few are kid friendly! And as usual, I knew I could make my own version cheaper and cuter!
Supplies:
1 Wooden Tray $3 @ Walmart
1 Pack of Martha Stewart Stickers...
May 2010
9 posts
3 tags
mini Man Cave.
It seems like most of my projects and posts are about our little girl’s room and never about our little boy’s room. That’s because he currently has no room of his own : ( But when we purchase a house, our little man will finally have some space to call his own…when he begins to talk, that is!
I don’t have any definite ideas, but here are some things that...
It’s so good to know He cares…
Sunburst mirror...revisited!
So, I’m linking up to my first craft party (I think that’s what they’re called?!?)
Over at the CSI Project, this week’s challenge is PAINT!!! As mentioned before, I will paint anything…and I DO mean anything.
I’m entering the sunburst mirror, created and painted for Peyton’s big girl room! Here’s my...
3 tags
Sarah Richardson's Style.
I once informed my husband that I have 3 favorite HGTV designers and if I am chosen to receive some sort of surprise makeover that he should be prepared to name these designers in order. The first on that list is Sarah Richardson of Design Inc. & Sarah’s House.
If you haven’t seen her show…you’re missing out! She can...
I want one!
Have you ever seen something so cute that you instantly want one? Ok…that happens to me daily. But I always control my impulses…ok, most of the time. But this time…I really want one. And by one, I mean this adorable laptop cover by Beepart! It’s only $12!!!
Beepart! is an Etsy shop that sells vinyl decals for walls and laptops, as well as original artwork. Visit...
A corner of my own...sort of.
Since we moved into a considerably smaller place, we had to put several pieces of furniture in storage :( My favorite was my farmhouse kitchen table re-purposed into my desk/craft station. But we did purchase a much smaller desk from Craigslist for $20.
(I couldn’t find my original picture, but this one from Craigslist is pretty similar.)
Apparently, I paint everything that will sit...
My new favorite corner...
So, we moved this weekend. And I’m tired…really tired. But I had enough strength to start arranging a few things. I don’t want to get too settled into this place since we hope to find a house by the end of the year. However, I can’t help but spruce things up a bit. The dining nook was the first area I tackled…and I’m loving the way the bottom half of our...
image via http://www.thedecorista.com/#
My new favorite Etsy store...
So, technically this changes weekly. But that’s why it’s a great feature idea! FYI: Etsy is an online portal for all things handmade. So many creative artisans in one place. I love it! I hope to one day open my own Etsy store as a stepping stone to my own boutique : )
So, my new favorite Etsy store is:
Their fun & quirky pillows can be customized in a variety of...
April 2010
5 posts
PEYTONisms..
Sometimes Peyton says something so funny or cute that I have to write it down…
” I don’t know what heights are, but I sure am afraid of ‘em! “
” When we buy a house, daddy needs a man room..so he can watch football and fart.”
” I don’t have any musical taste, see!“ as she opens her mouth and points inside.
I can usually count on...
summer reading list.
“…a soul-stirring celebration of the pleasures of knowing God…a must-read for every Christian, and a feast for the spiritually hungry.”
—John MacArthur
I read Nancy Drew as a child and my wonderful husband purchased the first of the series after I shared this with him…
...
thinking longterm...
Recently my husband was offered a job in his hometown…more than 600 miles away. This isn’t the first time he’s received offers, but this was certainly the most attractive one. The cost of living is considerably lower where he’s from, and there our money would go alot further. We always said that we’d pack up and move if the right offer came along…
But while...
Peyton's Whimsical Cottage.
I created this inspiration board for “Peyton’s big girl room.” It’s whimsical. It’s cottage-like. It’s cost efficient! I’m a big fan of repurposing items. So, each piece of furniture is one that we already have…just tweaked a little with paint, new hardware or new fabric…
4 tags
“God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him”
– -John Piper
Spending some time with my Savior…be back tomorrow!
March 2010
12 posts
3 tags
bargain shopping.
Target and TJ Maxx are my two favorite stores…hands down. So last week, after a lunch date with my sweetheart, I headed to TJMaxx’s sister store…Marshall’s. And these are the bargains that I scooped up.
This picture frame was only $3.00 ….the picture doesn’t do it justice!
this beautiful little vase was only $4.99!
And this adorable piece of...
3 tags
Sunburst Mirror Update...finally!
I finished painting the sunburst mirror last week and now I finally have pictures! Here’s the before…
and much brighter after!
It’s gonna look great in Peyton’s “big girl room!”
So…A few days after completing the mirror, we were in Target when I spotted some thing that would be a perfect complement…
She and her dad love to sing…and...
a day at the beach.
Two weeks ago, we spent the day at the beach where we were married. It was a chilly, but wonderful day.
sandcastles were built…
names were written in the sand…
(this one, written by Peyton, says “Dad”…so cute!)
and special moments were shared.
And after 2 hours of not-so-warm weather…we headed into town.
We ate at our favorite pizza...
Happy Birthday, snugglepuppy!
2 tags
Sunburst Mirror.
I’m a big fan of the Sunburst Mirror.
However, I am not a fan of the high price tag. I just can’t justify spending so much on one item…especially when it’s not a necessity! So…after perusing several Decor and DIY blogs, I decided to make my own! I used:
1- 8” diameter mirror $4
2- packs of wooden skewers $6
wood glue $3
picture hanging hook (free- I had...
4 tags
