crib bedding, anyone?

I am looking to sell the girls' crib bedding. I am selling Emma's skirt and bumper together and Claire's bumper. Both are custom made - Emma's comes with zippers on each bumper section so you can remove the filler and have it cleaned. Her skirt is double lined and beautiful. Claire's bumper is sewn together and can be spot cleaned. Both are in excellent condition! I'm not selling Claire's skirt because I am using it for Henry. I just want these pieces to go to someone who can use it and love it as much as me - I am totally flexible on price! Feel free to leave me a comment or shoot me an email.  It will be pretty expensive to ship, so someone who is local to Houston or coming through Houston would be a good buyer. I have family in Dallas that could get it up there, too. Thanks!

definitely more of a cranberry color than red

pillows (already sold) and crib (given to my sister)
skirt is 21" long

claire's bumper is made from Duralee fabric - it's a very pretty pink and ivory combo!

Henry's Nursery Inspiration

I am nowhere near ready to start decorating the nursery (the guest room is currently our garage sale and baby items collection center). However, I have been pinning away on Pinterest, gathering ideas for what I envision his room to be like. Our house is very neutral with just hints of color and I want to keep his nursery that way as well. I don't like kitschy-cheesy-cartoon stuff - I go for the a sweet baby look. 

I've been graciously gifted an iron daybed from my friend Callie, complete with beautiful bedding. The skirt is in a buff stripe fabric (pictured below) and the bedding is just white and cream. She ordered the fabric from Baby Bedding online, which is where I had Claire's crib skirt made. So, my plan is to just use Claire's crib and ivory crib skirt and get some fun print sheets (like the ones from Restoration Hardware). The daybed is a great jumping off point for the room and fortunately I have a lot of stuff already... but I will still need a few items: dresser, prints for the wall, rug, baskets, drapes, pillows made for the day bed and glider and a storage system for the closet (there isn't any space to hang stuff up). I love these nurseries below and love the items and details as well. 

This is the exact crib I have from Claire, except mine is a distressed white. I am totally ordering those baby animal prints! They are $25 each and my hope is to get a set of four. They are darling!!

Things I like about this room: No bumper (what I'm doing), baskets, neutral rug, window covering (I already have a jute shade hung, just need drapes).

This is the buff stripe fabric... it's showing up greenish on the computer screen,
but in person it really is a khaki and cream stripe. Very pretty!!

I'd love to find a dresser for cheap and paint it dark like this.
It would really add a pop of color - this is painted a dark chalk paint green color.

Here's another shot of the nursery from the first picture. I am drooling over that armoire. I actually have a changing table that was given to me so if I found an armoire like that I might use both the armoire and changing table in the room... I Just might not have the space to fit everything in the guest room!

Ikea trunk for storage

RH Baby and Child crib sheets in neutral... I have a few plain ivory ones left from the girls as well,
but I love the prints on these! All images from my Pinterest page!

diy :: fabric tassel garland

I admit that I'm slightly obsessing over my tassel garland I made for the girls 3rd bday party (and that will eventually go in the big girl room)... as I gushed to my sweet husband about it, he looked and said "it looks like panties hanging from a string." Awesome. Got to love a man to tell you bluntly what they think. Ha!

Anyway... for those of you who think keep seeing the tassel garlands popping up on Pinterest, I've laid out my little instructions below. I used the tutorial from Pretty Prudent as a guide and then added in a few of my own steps/touches. Note: I decided to use fabric because I thought it would last much longer than tissue paper.

What you will need:

1 yard fabric, various colors (I chose light pink, coral, dark pink and flax in broadcloth from Hobby Lobby)

1/2 yard tulle (optional!)

scissors

Instructions:

1. Take one yard of fabric - it should look like one big square. Fold in half and then half again. Open the square back up so you have a t on your yard of fabric. This will be your guide to cut... I never measured this but each "square" should be an 18" square. Cut along the t so you have four squares. 

2. See picture below to help: Take one of the squares and fold in half. Put the fold at the top. Using your scissors, cut the fringe upward toward the fold, about 2/3-3/4 up. (top left I made each fringe about the width of my thumb. Once the fringe has been cut, open up the fabric and using your fingers, make sure everything lays flat. (top right) Carefully roll the fabric, tight as possible - grip that middle section that hasn't been cut and use your fingers to untangle the fringe as you roll. Once the whole piece has been rolled up, fold in half so the folded part is at the top and the fringe hangs below. (bottom left) Using a scrap piece of fabric tie the tassel at the top and ta-da! (bottom right)

 3. Repeat this process over and over again. Now... doing this produces pretty big tassels, so I actually started to halve the 18" square and the tassels were much lighter and easier to roll up.

4. Cut a long piece of jute or twine and layout how you want your tassels to flow. I had actually only made tassels out of the flax, dark pink and light pink fabric. I tied on my center tassel to mark the center of the garland. The rest of the tassels I just slid the jute through each of the loops on each tassel.

5. I cut strips of the tulle and coral fabric and just tied them onto the garland between the tassels as filler. (see below) I tried to make a tassel out of tulle but it was such a mess and looked horrible. Tying it on the garland was much easier and effective. I didn't want too much coral in my garland, hence why I just tied on about six strips.

 6. Voila! All finished and looks so cute!

big girl room // inspiration

With the big third birthday coming up quickly, I am slowly gathering things for Emma and Claire's big girl room. I've decided to keep the twin beds the original pine rather than paint them. Our walls our cream and the trim is white... I would love to paint the beds gray, but I think having a natural wood tone in the room will really help tie the space together. I need two new mattresses, sheets, pillows, curtains, frames and wall monograms. So... family/friends - if you are looking for a birthday gift idea, then there you go. Here are the images that are inspiring me... I want their room to feel made for a three year old, but I want to add in pieces that they can use for the next ten years:

christmas at the irvings

It's finally Christmas at our house - we slowly decorated room by room and at night when the girls were sleeping. Emma and Claire had so much fun putting the ornaments on the tree and hearing about who they were from and what they meant to us. Daniel also got out their Little People nativity set and helped them set it up on their table. It was precious watching him explain each piece and seeing the girls get so excited. They love the Advent calendar hanging on their door. They love the Christmas tree. They love talking about Jesus' birthday and they are already in love with Santa. Every time they talk about Santa, we talk about Jesus. We are tried the Elf on the Shelf this year and they could care less... maybe next year. 

I really do love decorating for Christmas - I have so many fond memories of my family decorating our home... having Frank Sinatra play in the background, mom ironing ribbons and bows to hang up throughout the house. This year, I felt so overwhelmed with it. We don't have a fireplace or mantle for the stockings... I had a good system down in the townhouse and our new home is lacking in built-ins and shelf space. I made it work though and really only unpacked 2/3 of our stuff. Once I started making progress, feeling overwhelmed calmed down a little bit... all silly because I'm not even having a Christmas party or anything at my house. Ha! I have a lot of red and gold... tons of burlap and awesome ribbon that I picked up from Michael's (thanks for the tip Lindsey!), Jenny's store and Paper Source. The burlap "ribbon" is just strips I cut from a few yards I had on hand.

Funny story: I had Cornelius nursery make a bow for our front door wreath because I cannot tie bows at all. I explained to her that my wreath wasn't too big and I didn't need a huge bow. Well, she convinced me I needed five yards of ribbon to make a gorgeous bow. Whatever. Done. I pick it up and it's gorgeous alright... and HUGE. Literally the size of my wreath. So, the bow went on top of the Christmas tree. And... I actually made the bows for my wreaths on my front door and windows. I was actually impressed with myself and feel like I can finally make that perfect holiday bow. 

one of my favorite ornaments; "be merry" sign on hutch and ornaments from the chandelier;
Daniel teaching the girls about the nativity

No Christmas is complete without Christmas dresses and monograms!

my new favorite addition - I bought these at our Hearts and Hands Holiday market at church. 

the wreath I made... plain wreath from Hobby Lobby, glued pinecones I had on hand... made the bow - first attempt no less! - using the cute ribbon I found at Michael's for half off. 

the tree with "the bow" - hard to tell in this pic, but the bow is red burlap and red herringbone ribbon; brown paper packages tied up with string; I finally live in a house that has a wreath on every window - so excited.

fabulous finds part 2

I have been on the hunt for the perfect blue and white spode china to hang over our new coffee nook in our dining room. Since Daniel had the girls yesterday, I was able to go to all the stores I can't go in with the girls (antique shops, fabric stores, etc...). I had MAJOR success - probably one of the best shopping trips in awhile! 

I first went to the antique store on Kirkwood and Memorial. Their store is filled with blue and white china, but pricey. I decided to buy the center plate for $20 only because it had a different shape and would be a good center/anchor for the display. I bought the smaller plates in the top corners for $8 each... making that $36. Not too bad, but you can't make a display with 3 plates. On to antique store number two... Rummel Creek Antiques on Memorial. SCORE! I saw the most beautiful display of five plates on the wall but they were $50 for the set. I was kind of bummed because I didn't want to spend that much... but wait, the tag on one of the plates was backward... I flipped it over and it said: on sale, five for $20. SOLD! You really can't beat $56 for a wall display of antique china. They are even more gorgeous in person. Yay!

To continue my blue and white kick... I went over to Calico Corners because their 20% off sale starts next week. They had some beautiful new fabrics in. I fell in love with the cream and navy acorn print on the left. I am going to recover the cushion on our accent chair in the living room with this, as well as make 1-2 pillows for the sectional. I'll do one pillow in the ticking (top), one pillow in the light/dark blue print (middle)... and the best part? That navy print fabric on the bottom is discontinued... I was so bummed because I love it... well, the girl at the counter said I could take that and the rest of the fabric home for FREE because they just throw it away!! What?! Did you know that! I will definitely be making a pillow or two from that! 

Now that I know how to sew a straight-edge, my next sewing project will be to make pillows with all of this fabric. That might be awhile since it takes time for fabric to come in. Looking forward to being crafty and getting the reward of a nice looking house on the cheap. Okay, gotta run... Daniel has just shown up with my new china cabinet. Woo hoo!

fabulous find

I am SO excited about this find on Craigslist! I've been wanting a china cabinet for our dining room since we've moved in, but I put that idea on the back-burner because china cabinets are expensive. Well, I found this china cabinet last week online for $150 and got it for $125. I can't believe it. It's solid wood, has beautiful bones and I cannot wait to paint it and make it cute!

We have all dark wood in our dining room, so I was thinking of painting this in Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint in French Linen. It's a beautiful gray color and I can pick some up when we go to Dallas next time at Jenny's store. The glass is okay... but I might knock it out and put chicken wire in! I'm already giddy with this project... plus, I'll be able to do the entire project for less than $175, which is a major steal. Give me a month or so and I'll have the "after" ready to go!

To Do:

1. Paint & Wax

2. Keep hardware - just spray paint different color

3. Knock out glass - put in chicken wire

4. Find white pitchers/vases and blue and white china to display in upper cabinets.

5. Buy drapes from Ballard Design to frame out window (have a friend who is giving me a major discount - yay!)

6. Finalize "coffee bar" area - already have done this using the old buffet from Pottery Barn. Will reveal later... we have loved having a coffee station this week!

OH! Daniel gave me the go-ahead to do the bedroom. YES! Here's the breakdown:

1. Ruffle shams from Target came in - perfect.

2. Found a bolster pillow from Etsy - need to monogram it.

3. Still in search of a white quilt. Ridiculous.

4. Spray painting Daniel's dresser lamp today.

5. Probably going to keep our crystal lamps for now and get those Ikea ones later... used the $100 saved to buy the china cabinet above. :) Much better use of the money.

6. Will use leftover chalk paint on the side tables. (Chalk paint goes a LONG way!)

Fun fun!! Not that I'm not busy enough already. Ha!

bedroom bliss :: a mini-makeover

Since we have moved into our new house (going on six months!), I have slowly been updating our bedroom. It's funny how the master bedroom can be the last thing you update in your home... especially since you spend a good amount of time in there sleeping! Here's the deal though... bedroom furniture, accessories and bedding are all super expensive. Plus, you have to find things that are comfortable and soothing - something that can take a lot of time. 

I have found two images that I love via Pinterest. The first picture I like because of a few things: 1) I love the plates above the headboard. 2) I love the euro pillows and monogrammed pillow (I've searched for two months for a pillow like that - boxed pillow with ruffles in white linen is nearly impossible!). 3) I love the upholstered headboard. Issue with that is: we bought the Farmhouse furniture collection from Pottery Barn and the one time I asked Daniel if I could sell our be to get something like this I got a very firm NO. That's okay though. 

I really love this image the best though... I wish our room was made to where I could bring back in my skirted round table again, but it just won't happen in our new room. Here's what I love about this room: 1) the buffalo print fabric. 2) plates above the wall. 3) all-white bedding. I have already purchased the fabric (found it at Ikea for a steal! $7/yard) and made two euro pillows with the help of my mother-in-law. I was so proud of myself for sewing two pillows with straight seams! I'm almost finished with the white bedding (duvet from Ikea, shams from Target)... still need a few things...

So here is my game-plan:

1. I've bought the ruffled shams from Target... all I need are new white sheets.

2. Spray paint Daniel's lamp on his dresser with the looking glass spray paint... his lamp is currently orange and gold (awesome $8 garage sale find) and needs to be updated. Inspiration :: Pottery Barn

3. Simple, rustic white plates for above the bed... like these from Wisteria - only $24!

4. I've made two Euro pillows and am debating on a third pillow... with extra fabric may make a table runner for the dining room. Buffalo Plaid Fabric :: Ikea.

5. I really need a white quilt/coverlet... hoping one shows up at Target soon... thanks for everyone's suggestions on my post from this weekend! Source :: Pottery Barn

6. Extra-long monogrammed sham - preferably with ruffles, like this one from Pine Cone Hill. Source :: Uptown Country Home. I have found a seller on Etsy who can make something similar to this for about $40 - she's going to send me fabric samples to make sure it works!

7. Repaint my Ikea Rast side-tables in Annie Sloan Chalk Paint... need a "greige" color to compliment the buffalo check... they are currently greenish looking and don't work. Chalk Paint :: Uptown Country Home

8. Sliver task-lamps for side tables - these are $48 each but definitely cheaper than most places! Lighting :: Ikea

9. This mirror would look amazing over Daniel's dresser... but since it's $250 and Daniel is probably laughing his head off by now, I know I'll just frame some already owned artwork. But... the mirror was too pretty not to share. :) Mirrow :: Wisteria

a little rearranging...

We are loving our house and we are still settling in. I feel like it took me four years to finally get the town home "right" and then we moved. Go figure. I'm not stressing out over decorating this house like I did the town home. The reality is, I have twin toddlers and my priorities are a little different! Plus, putting cute little frames and decorative items on top of side tables is not an option... E & C just rip that stuff off and run around the house with it! 

I decided yesterday to move around furniture in the front living room/playroom (See before pics here and here). The tall bookshelf next to the kitchen was making the front of the room feel crammed. So, we moved the Ikea shelf next to the couch and make a little play/work area in the front corner. I picked up a map and two posters from the teacher supply store along with the girls' artwork to fill up the wall space. I never really wanted the girls' toys in sight, but honestly, it actually works, doesn't look too crowded/messy and it definitely captures our life right now!

view when you walk in the house feature Boaz the super-dog
mirror hanging above couch - dumpster find by me; repainted and finished by me, too!
Ikea expedit bookshelf (was in the nursery at the town home)
Dash & Albert rug via Uptown Country Home

view when you look right
we kept the piano and set up there the same

change: made table and chairs flank the corner
posters and artwork on walls - eventually to be framed
kid kraft kitchen the girls got for xmas
pb kids chairs, now used to climb up onto the window seat - yay!

bookcase styling - crayons (in mason jar) and "nice books" out of reach
baskets hold toys, puzzles and stuffed animals/baby dolls

view from dining room

plan to get hooks for the girls' purses from jamaica
need to put away the "baby" kitchen

I also have slowly been putting the girls room together... when we first moved in their room consisted of: white iron cribs with no bedding, no wall color, no drapes, a white chair and white furniture... basically it looked like a hospital. So, I moved the rug intended for the living room to go in their room and added pink crib sheets in their bed. I also bought two shelves from Ikea and added the frames and crosses that hung in their old room. The C and E used to be white in the old nursery and I painted it a dark gray-blue (see pics of the town home nursery here). 

Where the cribs are now will be where the twin beds go, except they will come out from the wall with the window. I still hope to buy a valance and drapes for the window and hang some sort of art above their beds. I'm trying not to do too much to their room as stuff will have to be moved around anyway in the next year. 

view from door
Dash & Albert rug // uptown country home
cribs // pottery barn kids and corsican

mirror // vintage
dresser // uptown country home

still need to figure out storage space next to closet
I framed one of the girl's artwork in a Ribba frame from Ikea

so imagine... drapes/valance
twin beds, artwork overhead
stripe rug with the pine cone hill bedding
maybe a chest from uptown country home to go under the window?

And lastly, I know I never showed this... but the month we moved in I repainted my side tables that I got for free a couple of years ago. They used to be pine, then white, then a taupe-green color. Well, Katie featured repainted her bookshelves in Pier from Behr (Home Depot) and I fell in love with the color. I love the color and they go with the new pillows well. Still looking for more throw pillows for the sectional and fabric to recover the side chair. I'm also starting to slowing put pictures back up on the wall... here's a little sneak peek of the work in the living room: