Around the House: Weekend Getaway In Austin

If Eden were still around, I'm pretty sure it would look something like this. For the last four days, this has been my view while drinking coffee, lounging in the pool, DIYing, eating, laughing and playing. My second family (thru my college bestie) lives in Austin and every now and then I take the boys for a weekend getaway. 

I think this trip was one of my absolute favorite times there. We swam and swam and swam (even in the midst of a downpour) and went to see the Commerce Street Bridge bats, followed by Amy's Ice Cream.

We returned to Dallas with our hearts full, our souls refreshed and our bodies completely wiped out. Until next time Austin... we love ya. 

What's your favorite weekend getaway? xo

Around the House: Hosting a 12 and Under Dinner Party

I'm not quiet sure why I haven't thought of it before... Why is it that our littles' dinner tables get so neglected when the parents meet for dinner? I go all out for the adults - flowers, candles, place-settings and the like. The littles usually get plastic plates and chicken nuggets or hot dogs. And then they're asked to keep themselves entertained while the grown ups chat. I finally put an end to the insanity the other night when hosting some dear friends with 3 boys. That meant 5 boys at the dinner table and a whole lot of energy.

I put out the basics and then provided a little entertainment with a crayon centerpiece, construction paper placemats and two tins full of legos. They could draw whatever they wanted and then with the legos I provided a challenge - set up teams and then see who can build something cool using all the lego pieces in the tin...

It was so easy. I don't know why I had never thought of it before. The adults enjoyed their meals and a nice conversation while the littles played and giggled. Yes, it helped that there were older boys keeping my littles enamored with their coolness; but I also think going the extra mile made everyone feel special. And that's what our children and friends are... special. A gift from the Lord. 

What's your favorite table centerpiece? xo

Around the House: Getting Back to Normal

Good Morn!  Days are still blurry at times and night filled with tears, but life is slowly getting back to "normal". A new normal. It's kind of surreal how life just continues to move along after someone you love so dearly passes on. Nothing stops even in the midst of your heartbreak. Dishes still have to get done, meals cooked and life lived. I think the hole in my heart will always remain, but I commit to keeping my precious Dad's memory alive through stories, pictures and outdoor adventures that involve squirmy little worms. My biggest fear is that my boys won't remember him. That would be a tragedy and one that I will work very hard to prevent.

Thank you all for not abandoning ship while the waters here have been stagnant. Your prayers and words of encouragement have truly lifted me up. Thank you. Thank you. I'll be back tomorrow with a fun little craft that can be done in minutes! There's a clue in the pic above... can you guess what it might be? xo

Around the House: Almost There

Getting there is half the battle right? If so, I'm more than half-way to victory. The living room is starting to feel right. Homey. For me it has to be the perfect blend of comfortable and inviting. 

We recently gave our abandoned mid-century dresser a new coat of peacock tail blue and moved it into the living room. It houses mail, pens and paper, blankets and such. Perfect no? Also the lovely leather mid-century chair was gifted by a friend upon the birth of our first. The JC Penney fan that sits on top was an estate sale score for $10. I love it and it works. And that wool southwestern rug, that I mentioned last week, was scored at a garage sale for $30. I gotta be honest, I almost peed my pants when the seller told me the price. Layered on top of the sisal it brings more depth and just the right amount of color into the room.

Once we get some of the hub's Egypt images printed, framed and hung behind the sofa, as well as our window treatments hung, I think it will be perfect. There might also be the addition of a fiddle leaf fig. I mean, that front window is pretty much begging for it. Right?

What brings color into your home? xo

Around the House: TWO

Two. That's how many cars fit into our garage as of yesterday! In honor of the monumentous occasion, I thought I'd share some beautiful and inspirational twos.

two perfect guest beds via a life's design

a pair of fabulous pink pillows via jaclyn paige tumblr

breakfast for two via design sponge

side by side for the littes via a cup of jo

double duty chair/bedside tables via decor 8

lounging for two via inside inside

Side by side. Just as it should be. All snuggled up in our semi-organized carhole. That is some serious happiness on a Monday homies. 

I also wanted to take a moment to thank everyone who commented or emailed me regarding Friday's post. To simply say thank you doesn't really seem quite adequate. But it's all I've got. Your words of sympathy and encouragement mean so very much to me. Thank you. xo

top image via let it be

Around the House: Dream Nursery

What do teepees, tiny toes and gold triangles have in common? One very lucky little boy named Ryder. My sweet friend Allison, of Design from A to V, is expecting her first baby in just two short weeks. I love how excited new mommies get in preparation of meeting their little! A fave is the nesting portion. The nursery gets all the attention, even if the rest of the house is full of milk crates and bean bags. I'm not sayin' that's the case at the Vieger house, quite the opposite if you'll recall from her home tour, in fact, this designer went all out for her sweet boy.

This is a room I could sit in for hours! And once Ryder is here... I just might. Sorry Allison. i know I said I'd be coming to hang out with you, but Ryder and I will be chillin' here while I force you to go nap! Just a few short days until we meet this gift from the Lord.

Did you have a serious nesting phase when you were pregnant? xo

Around the House: Two Steps Forward (and an underbelly)

As with any do it yourself project, it always seems that you take two steps forward and one step back. Last week's steps forward? Our new kitchen door that leads to the mudroom and painted exterior trim. Woot! The new door got me all energized to clean the kitchen, move the white tulip chairs back in and host a few informal dinners. Which by the way, I have found the best centerpiece... a tub of crayons. It keeps the littles entertained while I finish cooking and spurs creativity!

(the booster is a nice dose of real life, wouldn't you agree?)

As for the underbelly, with any two steps forward it seems there is a required step back. Our garage is in serious need of help. We haven't parked either of our cars in there for weeks. It has been a dumping ground for all things "in the way." My amazing stud of a husband began the great cleanup yesterday. We can officially get one car parked in the garage now, with the goal of a second car by week's end. God bless him. If my car finally makes it into the garage of this house it will be the biggest turn on ever! (I wonder if he knows this?)

The question still remains, "How and why do we have so much crap?" Honestly, it's kind of embarrassing.  

Tell me, what's the underbelly of your home? xo

Around the House: My Happy Place

I 'm pretty sure that serenity spots are necessities. You know, a place where you can retreat from the day and rest (or cry), whatever is needed at the moment. Our house is currently in a perpetual state of chaos. We're doing some work on our mudroom and photography studio, which means everything resides in our dining room or garage. This also means anxiety and the occasional breakdown for me.

Hence, my serenity spot. Also known as my happy place. In this little corner, morning sunlight shines through our window and I can hear the birds chirping while I drink my coffee and read my bible. It helps that the rocker is crazy comfortable and my favorite textile hanging adorns the wall.  I recently added the vintage side table - after being spray painted black - to hold some of our current reads.

Ahhh... after a few quiet minutes here, I can tackle whatever the day brings my way. So what that I have to keep coming back over and over... Mommy's need time out too!

Do you have a happy place? xo

Around the House: Exterior Colors

When we first starting working on the remodel of our home, we knew that it would be a long and lengthy project. Especially since we didn't want to go into debt. We have taken things slowly and made little bits of progress along the way. Last week we finally began working on the exterior much to my husbands excitement. (One of the main reasons he parks in the garage is so that he doesn't have to look at the outside of the house! Poor thing.)

Here's a look at the exterior upon purchase... notice the subtle pinkish trim and almost mauve door? No thanks.

Everything is sanded and soon we will begin painting. Goodbye pinkish undertones. Hello greyish browns with stunning robin's egg blue door. I love you already. 

Have you ever painted the exterior of your home? Should I be afraid? xo

Around the House: The Beautiful Mundane

 

Recently I found these vintage silverware/serving utensils for 25 cents each. The detail was too good to pass up - wood inlay and simple engravings. My heart just went pitter patter. Why they don't make things like this anymore I have no idea. Honestly, it kind of depresses me. Every day items are no longer seen as special so they're either cookie cutter or uber expensive. I believe that even the mundane should be and can be beautiful. That's life. And it's as God intended. (At least I think so.)

How do you make the mundane beautiful? xo