The Nursery Is Done

A few months ago I posted my ideas for the nursery - Our Baby Nursery.  So for many, many months I have been wanting to post these pictures of our nursery/office/guest room, but just haven't had the time. A few things have changed from the original plan, i.e. the baby changer, desk, and pillows, but the linens remain the same along with the general jive I was going for.  So here is the final product!

The nursery...it took us forever to get the set up right,

and I basically drove M nuts as he moved it around.

 

 

 

 

We purchased the crib from Amazon, and it was delivered to our door free of charge. 

It is a four-and-one crib so it will grow with our child as he gets older. 

The elephant is from Costco, it was a find by my husband, the banner was made by my sister-in-law for the baby's shower and I decided to put it to good use.  

The linens and curtains are from Land of Nod. 

 

 

 I got the baby changer from IKEA, but I really like it

because we can use it again some day for a night stand.

 Unfortunately, I think IKEA discontinued this model because I am

no longer able to find it on their website.

The cover for the changer is also from Land of Nod.

 

 

  The bookshelf was given to me as a little girl from my Grandma

 and it has always been special to me.  The blocks were M's idea,

 and I think it turned out particularly cute.

 

 

I found the pillow cases on Etsy: Leaf Pillows,  Elephant Pillow. 

We had the IKEA futon in the room before and decided to leave it. 

 

 

 

 I also received this mobile from Amazon. The only thing I don't like about it is that the elephants are hanging from a rather sharp object so we had to hang it extra high and not over the crib.

 

 

M's desk is also from IKEA, the picture frames are from Michael's,

and the lamp is from Land of Nod.  We plan to use it as our son's

desk later on when he is older and has his own room.

 

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

 

XOXO,

~A

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our Baby Nursery

So I have been working on getting together items for the baby's room.  My plan was to get items that could grow with the baby as he gets older.  I hate the idea of buying something that I will only use for a year or two.  So I found furniture that was versatile.  With regard to the bedroom linens, I chose to register for crib sheets and changing pad covers that were more babyish since I would only use them for the first two years anyway.  I chose curtains and lamps that were more adult so they could be used for years to come.  Here it goes.


Baby Dresser (and perfect size for a baby changer) - Amazon:



Changing Pad Cover (Land of Nod):


I love this idea, the peg board, for over the changing table (This picture is from Better Homes and Gardens):




Delta Four-in-One crib (toddler, day, and full) (Amazon):

Crib Sheet (Land of Nod):


Crib Skirt (the green stripe side) (Land of Nod):



Mobile for Over the Crib (Amazon):



Blanket for over the side of the crib (Target):



Curtains (Land of Nod):



Lamp (Land of Nod):



Banner (the picture is from Land of Nod, but I thought I would try to make this):



We have a futon now in the baby's room that we plan to keep, so I thought throwing a couple of these pillows on the futon would bring it in step with the rest of the room:

Childrens Pillow Cover Nursery Pillow Green Pillow Elephant Pillow 16x16 Cushion Cover



Green Pillow Covers Throw Pillows Lime Decorative 20x20 Set of 2 Cotton Home Decor



Can't wait to get everything and put it all together!

XOXO,
-A

our five year wedding anniversary

Can you believe it, M and I have been married for 5 whole years.  Who are these kids?

Of course a lot has happened since then -- cross country move, 7 nieces and nephews, two short films, law school, first jobs -- but it does feel like it was just yesterday.

Here are some pictures from our night out on the town:

Unfortunately, even though I had my nice new camera, the waiter that took the picture of us below didn't use the camera quite right, so it is, sadly, a little out of focus.



Here is the picture of me opening our anniversary present.  Matt purchased us two tickets for a hot air balloon.  We are planning on going on the ride in February in Palm Springs, so stay tuned for those pictures.  Although, I am completely terrified of heights, I am totally excited!

the last merry Christmas

M got a camera for me for Christmas this year.  This is my favorite picture from today. 

the stress free Christmas

Yes, I said it...this year's Christmas was totally stress free! I really cannot say that about any past Christmas I have had as an adult.  Last year's Christmas ended, five days before Christmas, with a steady stream of tears after going to three shopping centers, not finding one items I wanted, only to get stuck in the parking garage of the last center for an hour.  Needless to say, my Christmas was over... I didn't get presents for anyone.  It was just too stressful.

After living in Los Angeles for five years, I have finally learned that you don't go Christmas shopping in L.A. during the Christmas season - if you do - you are just insane!!  And I stand by that comment.

So here are some ideas for all of you readers out there.

Christmas Decorations?

There is a reason that traditionally people put up their Christmas tree decorations the day after Thanksgiving . . . because that is the only day during the Christmas season that one has time to actually decorate their home.  So do it on this day, or chances are you won't do it at all or when you do it, you won't enjoy it!

Also, I grew up with real Christmas trees, but honestly I am so happy we have a small fake Christmas tree (I feel so guilty saying it, but its true), it takes 5 minutes to snap the pieces in place, and it is actually cheaper.  There is no dragging the limbs through the hallways of our building... or tying the tree to our car...

Hosting A Christmas Celebration?

I have stated this before, but most grocery stores (for a small fee) will do your grocery shopping for you and deliver it to your front door.  If you are hosting any Christmas celebration - this is the way to go.  Watch your favorite TV show, put in your on line order, and schedule you delivery time.

If you really want to give yourself a treat, hire someone to come and clean your home for you.  While your at your job, someone else can be in your home getting it ready for the party.

Opt for a cocktail party, instead of a dinner party.  Keep a few bottles of holiday cheer around the house so you can whip up a few cocktails on the spot.  To cut down on stress, find two cocktail recipes to use, master them... then by the time the party comes you won't be stressed out when it comes time to whip up the drinks. For the munchies serve a cheese platter with some great proscuitto, salami and olives, bruschetta, and then one appetizer that is more complicated and original.  For dessert serve peppermint ice cream with hot fudge and whipped cream or vanilla ice cream with a shot of espresso.  These treats are simple, but yummy.


Christmas Presents?

Avoid shopping centers and the post office if at all possible.  This year, I did the bulk of my shopping on Cyber Monday.  Not only did I get some great deals (which I can't share because its not Christmas yet), but I got free shipping on almost everything.

To cut down on the sheer cost of Christmas, try to get family presents.  For my sister and her family this year, I got them a pass to the Zoo for a year and a half (for the price of a year).  These types of gifts are easy to get, and give all year long.

Buy Christmas items in twos.  For the babies (two) in my family, I ordered a cool new (at least new to me) toy:

Honestly, I think this is a present for both child AND parent.  I saved money on this by bidding for it on  e-bay.

Eliminate the chance that you will leave presents for co-workers on the kitchen counter.  For instance, I got my assistant a day at a spa in LA., I purchased the spa package online and had it shipped to her at work.

Agree with your girlfriends - that instead of giving each other presents you will go out for a nice dinner after work.

Hostess Gifts

Buy a few bottles of the more expensive balsamic and/or olive oil (often holiday parties spring up at the last minute so always buy two more than you actually need) when you order your groceries online.

Holiday Greetings

Instead of a Christmas greeting, send a Happy New Year greeting .  This way you have all New Year's Day to write your greeting.  Cut down on time by using a service like paperless post. Its good for the environment, easy on your budget, and saves a bunch of time (i.e. no trips to the post office).

i love me some stripes

1 - Container Store's Rugby Stripe Bin
2 - West Elm's Stipe Shower Curtain
3-  West Elm's Yarn Dyed Organic Napkins
4 - West Elm's Stripe Sheet Set -White Dusty Navy
5-  Found this picture on this blog
6- DIY Stiped Bench

9 - Serena and Lilly's Clay Ticking Sheet Set
10 - West Elm's Stripe Duvet Cover + Shams - White/Navy

the christmas season has begun

spike the egg nog and prep the party food - the Christmas season has arrived!

thanksgiving recap . . .

This year I made Thanksgiving dinner for M and his aunt and uncle.  It was a great crowd to make dinner for.  Here are some pictures from the day.

The Table Spread:

Place setting: rosemary, thyme, and sage - I especially liked these name cards because they looked and smelled pretty, and because after the dinner was over I just tipped them upside down and let them dry out.  Now I have dried herbs that will last up to six months.

Turkey - This year I used the Zankou garlic paste on my turkey.  For those of you that live in LA you know what I am talking about when I say the paste they give you for you rotisserie chicken that kind of resembles vegetable shortening.  That is what I spread all over my turkey, and the skin turned out nice and crispy.  Unfortunately, I over cooked the turkey a little bit due to the fact that my thermometer was clearly NOT working...  She did look beautiful though and had great skin :)

Brussel sprouts with pomegranate, orange and lime zests, and toasted hazelnuts - I got this recipe from Bobby Flay.  This was my favorite dish of the day, and my favorite to prepare.  I don't know about you but I love picking the seeds out of pommegrantes, for me its similar to snapping bubble wrap. Anyway, this dish was all about texture, it had a pop and a crunch to it that was delightful.

Roasted Veggies - I put cauliflower, red onions, and carrots underneath my turkey as it roasted and they were very good.

We also had my granmother's noodles, which I have featured on this blog before.  We also had mashed potatoes, stuffing, and homemade greenbean casserole.

And of course we had pumpkin pie with whipped cream:

After dinner we streamed the British series Sherlock Holmes from Netflix, which is a modern take on the classic.  Believe me by 4:00 p.m. I was ready to kick back and relax.  SH is a particuraly brilliant (much more intersting than the Hollywood version), and I highly recommend.  The first season has 3 episodes, but they are about 80 minutes in length.  Season 2 is due to air in early 2012, and I hope it will be available on iTunes or Netflix.

Courtesy of BBC.

Later in the evening, since many of the stores opened at midnight in Burbank, M and I went out at 11:45 p.m. to see what all of the fuss was about.  We headed to Best Buy, and I couldn't believe all of the people that were out, I would say there were over a thousand people waiting in line at Target and Best Buy alone.  The Cheesecake Factory even had a truck at Best Buy and they were selling food and beverages to those poor souls waiting in line. 

Then M and I headed over to Macys, you should have seen the women in the shoe department...need I say more... hilarious.  We did not buy anything, and we were both in bed by 1:30 a.m.

All in all... it was a lovely Thanksgiving Day, and I am very thankful that M and I spent another Thanksgiving together and with those that we love :)

curtains...

This weekend I installed curtains in our apartment.  I finally got rid of the plastic blinds -- you know the ones that usually come with apartments.  I figured we have been here for 2 years, and we will probably be here for 2 more years... so it was time for them to go.  I really wanted to do a before and after for all of you, but after I put up the curtains, I realized I had not taken any pictures of the old blinds . . . apparently, I hated them that much. 

Inspiration for my curtain choice came from my trip to Hawaii this summer. Ever since we went to Hawaii I have been longing for a "beach" look in our apartment to bring back those good times :) So I ended up choosing a navy striped curtain from Lowes that was meant for a cabana.

 I figured a vertical stripe would make the ceiling look higher in our apartment. 

To help achieve the illusion of a taller ceiling I installed the curtain rod about a foot above the window.  Overall I am very pleased with how it looks.  However, I think I will probably add one more curtain panel for the center of the window, to make it look like there are two distinct windows there, and not a sliding door.  Here it is with the third panel.

now for something to go over the fireplace . . . and wouldn't one of these club chairs look awesome here.

monday looms in the very near distance

Do you ever feel like your life is full of conflict??  I do - from the moment I get into the car in the morning and fight my way through traffic for 45 mins to an hour to get to work, to the moment I get to work (which obviously as an attorney my day is full of conflict) to the moment I get back into the car for another hour of being cut off, honked at, and yes, sometimes yelled at -  my life is full of conflict.  Needless to say, by the time I get in the door at the end of the night I feel like someone picked up a big steaming bucket of mud and dumped it on me.

And this routine (sometimes better . . . sometimes worse) continues for the next 5 days (sometimes more).  I would like to say that all that conflict doesn't affect me or my personal life, but of course it does.   It seems like I handle the conflict fine while it is happening, but the results of living with that type of conflict seem to come out at the most ridiculous moments. 

For example, Thursday night I got home, started making dinner, I got into the cupboard and there were like 4 bags of super huge marshmellows blocking all of my canned goods, I pushed the bags out of they way and the bages must have been open because when I moved them they all spilled all over the kitchen.  This is what made me lose it . . . me standing in the midsts of pink and white jumbo marshmellows . . . and of course I took my frustration out on my spouse.  But really . . . were the mooshy marshmellows beneath my feet, what was getting me down?? No . . . it was all the problems during the day that really got to me.  (I am the problem solver thats what I do, but some problems take a long time to solve).

Today, at church the sermon was about dealing with conflict.  Obviously, I felt it was very relevant to how I have been feeling.  These are the verses we studied today, and I feel I need to commit them to memory (or attach them to my steering wheel):

Colossians 3:12-17

¹² Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. ¹³ Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. ¹⁴ And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

 ¹⁵ Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. ¹⁶ Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. ¹⁷ And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Have a good peaceful week. 

before and after - end table

I have an old end table - the varnish is coming off and the wood was starting to chip and split in places.  Its been through a lot - college, a long distance move, and a new home in a very dry climate (which isn't so easy on wood).

I'd say its time for an end table makeover.  I like the idea of taking old things and giving them more of a modern twist.  I have this theory that if you are living in a home with a lot of standard features (such as an apartment) you should try to have interesting accents to make the place look less cookie cutter.   One of the ways to do this is to take old furniture and paint it an interesting color.  Inspiration . . .

I have this white orchid so I wanted a color that would really make it pop.  Enter orange - a color that is totally underestimated, but brings bright sunshineness into my beige - cookie cutter - world (and also one of the colors of fall 2011).

Supplies . . . sandpaper, paint (2 in 1 paint and primer), brushes (one large and one small crafty one), newspaper, and white cloth.

About 2 hours of work (quick sanding, wipe clean with the cloth, and begin painting) and I have myself a "new" end table.