Neutral living room for summer

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Who could not fall in love with Isabelle Abramson's work!

One day I stumbled across these beautiful hand crafted ceramic and silver pieces by Isabelle Abramson.  She has a studio outside of Boston and her work is so incredibly beautiful! I was sad when I saw the price tags (though I can understand why they are so expensive) . I thought even if I could afford them now (which I can not and realistically never will).....but even if I could....I would still have to wait until all of my children were grown before I would have one of her bowls or vases around the house!  You can drool at her work with me here. Until the day I win the lottery and my kids our out of the house.. I will have to settle for alternatives. Here are some alternatives from Ikea.  THe Ikea look alike vases range from  $1.99- $5.99, quite a difference from  Isabella's work which range from $425.00- $5,600 

http://www.isabelleabramson.com/product/small-carved-porcelain-vase

http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/60236043/ 

Here are a few other look a likes from Ikea. 

Nursery

My baby boy is 2 years old! I can't believe it! I had so much fun making his nursery and I hate to think of the day he will get a "big boy room".  I am amazed at how fast these two years went! I remember when I was first pregnant and did not know his sex. I could only look at and plan a baby-blue room. That is how I knew I was having a boy because I love pink and all things girly! My wedding was as pink as it could get! ( see below photo for proof! ) However when I was pregnant I found my self drawn to light baby blue, peaceful light greens, and earth tones. So at 19 weeks pregnant when the ultrasound technician told us "Its a boy!" .... well she actually said " There is the scrotum! " (Words I will never forget, who would think the word scrotum would make me and my husband cry !" But there was no surprise.. I knew all along that I was going to have a precious LITTLE PRINCE! I love how his room came out. So peaceful and tranquil. I spent many nights rocking him and loved every second even when I was very sleep deprived. This was the first completed room in our house, every last detail was accounted for!

One important tip for new mom's... see the difference between the bumper on the top photo and the bottom..well the top photo was taken before he was born. I bought a beautiful POM POM HOME bumper from Layla grayce. However my pediatrician said not to use bumpers due to risk for Sudden infant death syndrom. So off the bumpers went. Then around 5/6 months he began to get his arms and legs stuck outside the rails of the crib. So I bought those breathable bumpers from babies-r-us. They are not as beautiful as the pom pom home bumpers but as all moms know you will do ANYTHING for the safety of your child ! They work great, keeping his arms and legs safe, and they are mesh so there is no risk for SIDS!

 Growing with the room!!!! 

Newborn (9 days old) 

                               

3 Months 

1 Year 

18 Months 

24 Months 

Picture of my girly pink wedding reception! 

Yellow To Cheer up this Dull Cold Winter

Today the christmas decor of studio apartment! My 10 month old watched me in confusion as I took down all the sparkling and cheerful decor. I was late taking it down, mostly because it was baby J's first Christmas and it was sad that it was already over! But yesterday I had ENOUGH! I was tired of the green and was wishfully hoping winter would rush by and spring would come! I was in the mood for cheerful yellow!

Here was our Christmas Decor for 2011:

Stocking are from a women named cynthia. I found her on Etsy. http://www.etsy.com/shop/meringuedesigns?ref=ss_profile I have been following her blog called http://deepthoughtsbycynthia.blogspot.com. She also has a site where you can buy them at Merinquedesigns.net

The new yellow decor is cheerful! Can you tell I am wishing for spring?

The easiest way to make a flower arrangement using scotch tape!

In honor of Valentine's day I wanted to repost this super easy trick to make a flower arrangement! I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's day weekend! My sister-in-law and her boyfriend will be visiting for a few days. We will be celebrating as a big happy family!!!  xoxo, Kelly 

For as long as I can remember I have been the worst at making flower arrangements! My mother on the other hand seems to have this magical way of putting flowers in a vase so effortlessly and they look picture perfect every time ! I don't know how she does it! She knows just the right length to cut the stems, she knows just the right size vase to use and how much extra foliage to add ! I somehow didn't inherit the flower arrangement gene from her! But I did learn a really easy trick that has helped me tremendously ! I actually saw florists use this trick on one of those million dollar wedding shows. They were making huge extraordinary center pieces but I thought I could try the same technique on a small arrangement. I tried it and it worked ! So if you are like me and didn't inherit the flower arrangement gene (hehe ) .... Then hopefully this trick will work for you too! :)

Step 1:  Choose a bowl and add water 3/4 of the way full.  I choose this beautiful grey and white bowl from West Elm that my sister gave me for my birthday. 

Any bowl will work but of course using an extra pretty or detailed bowl looks best! Try to use a bowl that is about the same size in circumference or a little smaller than the bouquet of flowers you buy or pick. 

Step 2: Begin putting strips of scotch tape vertically across the bowl. Make sure the tape is ending just on the edge of the bowl and not hanging down the edges. I like to start in the middle and then work my way to the left and right . 

Step 3: Now start placing tape strips horizontally to make a grid. Leave small spaces in between tape sections about a 1/2 inch or smaller. 

Step 4: Now the fun part ! You can start adding the flowers!  Cut flowers one at a time just a tiny bit taller than your bowl. I like to start in the center and work my way to the outside. It also works best if your center flowers are slightly taller than the outer flowers. Make sure to vary flowers by color and fullness. 

One trick I use is to always save one of the prettiest and fullest stems to add last and find the perfect spot for it! It usually ends up in the center of the arrangement or somewhere that has a gap.

Step 5: The final step is to add extra foliage. Take different size and shape leaves off the stems and arrange them in sporadically. 

One trick and perk of using this masking tape method is you have the ability to tape the leaves in place on top of the grid masking tape, so you can easily place the leaves exactly where you like them and they will stay put ! 

 So easy !!! And here is the finished product! I hope this trick helps you like it does for me! If I can do it then anyone can! :) 

Gold and White Guest Bedroom

I'm getting our guest bedroom ready for my "oldest" friend! Our mothers were best friends and we therefore have been friends since birth! She's coming to spend the weekend and since we moved ten hours from home I have had very little time with friends! It will be much needed girl time!!! 

 I'm not quite finished decorating the room but it is coming together. I found the two Euro pillows at Target and knew they would go perfectly with Caitlin Wolsons gold Flower pillow in the center . I used our old ikea bedside tables which were too small in scale for our new masterbedroom. 

I will just need to pick up some pink flowers before the weekend to add the last finishing touch....and it will be all ready for her. I can't wait ! Hope everyone has wonderful plans this weekend too! 

Xo, Kelly