our long weekend (in photos).

we had such a great weekend! Sean took off work on Thursday and Friday to get some things done around the house since the weather was supposed to be perfect. 

on Thursday, we spent most of the day outside - he cut the grass and dug out my garden bed while I hung out with Ronin on the patio and built our raised bed for fruits and veggies. we've had this thing in our garage since the fall of 2011. I wanted to plant vegetables last year, but since I was pregnant, I knew that I wouldn't have the energy to tend to the garden, so we put it off until this year. I was pretty proud of myself for putting it together solo... even if it did take me a few hours since I was working with an 8 month old's schedule. ;)

raised garden bed

outdoor rug

__________________________________________________

Friday was spent cleaning around the house and finishing some indoor projects. we did get out of the house to go to lunch with Sean's dad and run to Target for a few things. we had lunch at Gordon Biersch, so a beer was necessary. I mean, when is it not?

__________________________________________________

I co-hosted a baby shower on Saturday for one of my friends and it was SO much fun. we've been planning for months and I've been busy with DIYing a lot of the decor for the past few weeks. it was a wonderful day, and baby Tucker is surrounded by love already. 

also? it felt amazing to get all dolled up for once. and to be baby free for an entire afternoon, ha!

striped dress
nude heels

__________________________________________________

today was a productive day around the house. Sean finished painting the trim and touch ups in the nursery (yes, the nursery. the room where Ronin is supposed to be sleeping. he is 8 months old and we're finally finishing it) in the morning, and then he took over baby duty while I got the fruits & vegetables planted. I had to run out for more soil, but once I had enough, it only took me maybe 2 hours to get everything planted. I chose veggies based on what we would actually eat and what seems to do well in our area (according to recommendations from friends & family). I planted cucumber, yellow squash, zucchini, string beans, bell peppers (yellow, orange, and red), tomatoes, strawberries, and cantaloupe. can't wait to see how they do! 

oh, and I celebrated Cinco de Mayo by drinking beer while gardening. naturally. 

__________________________________________________

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! I'll be back this week with a post detailing the DIY baby shower decor (hopefully) and a Mother's Day wishlist. 

life lately (according to Instagram & other cell phone pics)

a handmade beanie from my talented Aunt, for Ronin... it has a matching blanket too. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

we make Bear act out keyboard cat.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

watermelon & sweet corn = summer love.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

organizing baby shower goodies. talk about spoiled!

also? nesting FTW.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

she thinks those gifts are for her.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I finally hung the map art that I talked about doing way back when (originally inspired from here).
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

post-physical therapy bump.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

this was my baby doll for breastfeeding class.
I did not want that thing anywhere near my boobs.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 


so, there's a little sneak peak into what's been going on lately.
you can follow me on Instagram by clicking that little icon to the right!
have a great weekend, readers! 

Friday loves

these curtains from Urban Outfitters. 

why am I just now realizing how affordable their window treatments are? 

I'm thinking these may be residing in our living room soon. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

a thorough spring cleaning checklist. 

also known as: I'm nesting and I need help. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I'm usually not a fan of wall decals at all. 

however, I am really digging these circle name designs. 

I think they'd look great on a nursery wall above a crib or changing table!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

fo free: 830 printables - from lined paper, to budget sheets, to music paper. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I want to print this and frame it. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

DIY: chalkboard paint + basic wooden blocks = creativity & fun for hours.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

how to: introduce pets to a new baby. 

I will definitely need these tips in a few weeks.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

this site is chock full of creative and unique gifts for all occasions.
like this modern personalized drink tub:

how awesome would this be as a housewarming gift?

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Mrs. Stroller's thoughts on breastfeeding.
I love this, as breastfeeding is one of the things I'm most worried about when it comes to having a baby. 
I really want it to work for us, but I am aware of all the issues that could arise.
fingers crossed that Ronin & I have a successful BF relationship.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

these baby shoes. 

anchors and sail boats?
SQUEEEEEEE.
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 




Happy Friday, lovahs!

Friday loves

a smartphone wallet. 

aka the perfect little clutch for carrying minimal stuff.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

the top 100 best children's books.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

how to: create a home management binder.

dude. I love this. I NEED to be more organized at home, and this is one step I can take to accomplish that. I think once my nesting really kicks in, this will be one of my projects to take on.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

free: birth plan tool.

and another.

both of these were extremely helpful in creating a personalized birth plan for us. 

while I know a lot of people laugh at birth plans, there are a few things that I want to remember to do/to avoid during labor, and I know that having it written down will prevent me from forgetting to mention it.

I basically filled in the info in the second one and copied the results into a Word document. 

and then, when I found the tool in the first link, I just took some of the information from that and added to the document I had already created, since it contained some more options that I hadn't yet considered.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

John & Sherry's new DIY headboard. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

how to tell if your eggs are still fresh:

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

this ridiculously cute & creative love story.

holy crap, I can't imagine how much time it took to make that!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

this rug from Urban Outfitters. 

I need this for my entryway. right now.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

5 best places for party supplies.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

my baby shower is tomorrow, so I'll hopefully have a recap of that next week! 

I'm so excited to celebrate baby Ronin with my friends and family. 

I'm keeping my fingers crossed that my feet don't swell up TOO bad. 

from what I hear, the menu is full of delicious goods, so you can't beat that! ;)

OH, and thank you all for your suggestions on my shower attire! the navy dress was a slam dunk among voters, and so that's what I'll be wearing.

Happy Friday, folks!

and the (paint) winner is...

VOYAGE!

[far left]

looking at the paint chips alone (that I showed in this post), I was really torn between Atmospheric (3rd from the left) and French Court (2nd from the left). it just goes to show you how different paint colors look in various light situations. French court was too denim-y and Atmospheric was a little too muddy grey for my liking. Misty Morn (far right) was actually really pretty, but too light for the space overall. we may end up using it in the closet or something down the line.

I feel that Voyage will look great in any light in the room. it'll also allow the furniture (white), crib (grey), and glider (navy blue) to pop against it. it's a very rich grey-ish teal - not too bright and not too dark. 

also? it's a cool name. my little seal of bright fame on his VOYAGE of life. haha, so cheesy. 

Daddy Q will be painting the room sometime in the next week (he's picking up a gallon tonight), so I'll be sure to post finished pictures when it's complete. it feels great to finally have something taken off the to-do list for Ronin's room!

Happy Thursday! 

PS - I know my Friday loves posts have been slacking, but I'm hoping to pick them back up next week! stay tuned! 

Friday loves

John & Sherry's (and Clara's) DIY sand rock box. 

definitely something I'd like to try to conquer once the peanut is old enough to enjoy it!

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

this gift idea for brides. 

you give them 6 bottles of wine in a basket to share with their husband during their big "firsts" of marriage - first fight, first baby, etc. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

these utensils. 

not only are the bright colors outstanding, but the handles are weighted, which means the "head" of the tool is always in the air and won't rest on a dirty counter.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

Lauren's DIY party favors. 

bonus: they also double as decor! these would be awesome to use for just about any occasion.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

birth photography makes me weak in the knees.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

these two cute fellas. 

it's kitten season and I'm so sad that I won't be able to foster any this year.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

I know I'm late on this, but textfromdog is fucking hysterical. 

seriously. read it. it'll make your day. 

I can't stop laughing.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

HAPPY FRIDAY! 

:D

recent happenings...

here's what I've been up to lately 

(besides being buried in school work - tonight is my last class! WOO!)... 

please excuse the quality of these photos - all cell phone pics. 

replicating some Dali artwork, circa 1923

cooking the most delicious baked ziti known to man, topped with MY VERY OWN fresh basil

[recipe here]

acing physics exams

creating holiday decor & handmade ornaments 

painted ornament tutorial here

"ribbon" ornament is just strips of curled scrapbook paper 

and the scalloped felt tree was a huge pain in the ass

cuddling with a cute Rhys

drawing my iron reindeer that sits on the bookshelf

painting my nails a very festive green for only $0.99 

spending time with this adorable guy

so yeah... that pretty much sums up why I haven't been around. 

have you been doing any holiday decorating? 

have you been cuddling babies as cute as Rhys? (doubtful)

Happy Monday! 

Friday loves!

Sherry's DIY Christmas ornaments that she revealed through their Fall Pinterest Challenge. 

I'm definitely going to make my own ornaments this year, along with holiday cards. 

I also love the idea of using bright colors... weeeeeee! 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

this little kitten that I added to my 2011 wishlist has found a forever home. 

cheers to that! 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

discovering illustrator Sujean Rim. 

I love watercolor more than any other form of art, and it's probably because I wish I could be successful at it. this lady is seriously talented. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

this roundup of paint chip related projects. 

that green calendar at the end? yes please! 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ 

my tattooer and his shop were featured in this article on BuzzFeed. 

they are great artists and deserve the recognition and exposure. Mike has tattooed all but one of my pieces, and I can easily say that I would never have a reason to go to anyone else for tattoo work. he's one of best guys I know! 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Martha Stewart tutorials for homemade holiday cards. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

how to make the perfect snowflake. 

can you tell I'm on a holiday decor kick lately? 

I love Christmas. 

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Jimmy Kimmel & moms who tell their kids they ate all their Halloween candy. 

specifically, this one. 

"YOU SNEAKY MOM!"

hysterical. I can't wait to do this to my kids one day.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

we're going to see Louis CK for the billionth 4th time this evening. 

we're dragging Kaycie & Adam to Baltimore with us tonight and I am SO EXCITED!

I'll be spending the ENTIRE day tomorrow prepping and cleaning house because I'm hosting a Scentsy party with Kathy on Sunday. I've never really had a big group of people at my house before, so I'm a little nervous, haha. lots to do and as usual, not enough time! ;)

Happy Friday ya'll!