sleeping beauty.

Lots of love.
Went to the ballet this weekend.
Sleeping beauty to be exact.
Didn't start until 8pm.
Girls bedtime is equal to or less than the above time.
Ballet was long and beautiful.
I will wait a couple more years to bring the girls back.(enough said)
At least memories were made.

The thing about it, is that it is all about expectations. I am learning to not have them when it comes to many things in life. Having numerous children in an instant has helped me to learn how to roll with the punches and let go of so many of my control issues (which I didn't even know I had until I had kids). Funny... 

For example there was no way little midget man was going to wear the hot pink crocs to church. He was so ticked. I had to put his shoes back on three times before we made it to the car.

I.AM.IN.CONTROL (That's what I said right before the ultra-sound tech announced 3 heart beats)

Next time he can wear the stinking pink crocs to church. Who really cares anyway.

I thought about these pictures at the ballet because there really was a big bed with a crown above it on the stage. Pretty fancy smancy.

{images via Martha Stewart Living}

{I loveth you-weekend}

Have a lovey dovey weekend.

Pursuing...

the following for husbands office.

{via small stakes, via Smart Bargains, via Lewis & Sheron}

{via Lonny Mag, via modern dose via seesaw}

{via Overstock, via House & Home}

{via Horchow, via quality cowhides}

I'm thinking we will go for a very clean, masculine look that incorporates both rustic and modern elements.  I just bought the above black horse poster and husband already had a few equestrian items.  

When thinking about clean, modern and equestrian, I always think of Kelly Klein's house in Florida that was in Elle Decor back in 2007.  After googling the images I was quickly reminded that there still is inspiration to draw upon for this project.

{below photos via Habitually Chic}

Hope everybody is off to a great weekend. I, myself am off to print all of the black & white photos for the photo mural wall.  Not much has gotten done this week but progress is progress.

{learn me a lesson, fig tree}

One of my all time favorite movies has to be Parent Trap (the old school one). Well the other day I took the boys on an IKEA date. Lunchtime was quickly approaching so we headed upstairs to dine on such delicacies as shrimp sandwiches. I sweat bullets as I tried to push the "train" and balance all of our food on a tray....all while the boys screamed very loudly for their jute boxes (juice boxes). By now I am completely unphased by all of the on-lookers but am very focused on the fact that I just want some zippers to apply to 3 little mouths. We pay and then look for the most inconspicuous spot to bang forks & stuff.  Lucky me, there is a dining section completely in isolation (I really savor eating in isolation when I am out with the kids). As we ate all I could think about was the movie Parent Trap and how the sisters dined with a  sign placed on the table letting everybody know they were in isolation. I felt that I too need a special sign that read, "multiple toddlers in training".

Fast forward to today when I observed my fig tree had become naked. "Those darn kids, who gave them the power to rip all the leaves off", I thought. Later that afternoon as we drove up the road and passed the "tire swing house", I took a double take as I observed the very mature fig tree with NADA leaves.  That's right not a one leaf existed on any part of the bark.

I quickly scratched out the Toddler in training sign in my head and replaced it with the words, "MOTHER (who has a narrow mind and jumps to conclusions) IN TRAINING". My kids learn me a lesson or two these days. Time to broaden my horizons and open up some learning space in my brain.

So on that note, what about an indoor fig tree, you know to serve as a constant reminder on how it is probably a novel concept to not jump to conclusions and the importance of giving people the benefit of the doubt....even if they happen to be smaller than I:-)

And if the fig tree doesn't work out I can always fall back on Parent Trap for inspiration.  Have you happened to noticed how cool that house in Monterey, CA is?  These days I would probably opt for a really cool house up the road close to Carmel by the sea though.

Fig trees indoors...PRETTY!

{photo courtesy of Grant Gibson's super star house}

sunshine & happiness {spring fever}

When spring is on the verge I always have a place in my heart for things that represent sunshine and growth..which usually entails some sort of kelly green.

I recently discovered a children's clothing line and the above sent me into spring fever with explosions of joy and happiness.

In fact I have  few sping-like goodies like the below going into the shop soon.

{above image via Black Eiffel via Maan}

{top images turquoise via Little Green Notebook

bijoukaleidoscope, apartment therapy & Kate Spade}

Feel free to go and pursue the Mann website because there are many more cute kid's outfits.

simple lighting

Something about that light fixture.

Found here.

make believe v-day party

{via This is Glamorous}

If I were to throw together a Valentine's Day party...the above would serve as inspiration.

Something about those tall candlesticks and golden spoons and forks and knives...and fine..those

colors and stripes aren't too bad either.

Instead I'm making 80 matchbox Valentines for a church party tonight. Yes I am doing the same exact 

thing that I did last year for the girls classmates for all of my lovely church going friends. I couldn't help 

it because things in mini packages so cute.

Go here for a really cute twist on the matchbox Valentine.  You could cut a black and white picture and put it onto the top of the box.

P.S. - Not a good idea to do the above project in large amounts.  If I were smart enough I would have thought ahead about what to do with over 1500 matches.  They are in our storage but there is no way we will ever use that many in the history of all camping excursions or lighting of any kind of fires.  Anybody accept match donations?

{light}

One of my very most happy moments of the day happens when dawn turns 

into day. I love opening the blinds to see the first part of daylight.  

The part of daylight where it is still quiet in my home. It also becomes 

quiet at night once the kids are are all snuggled tightly into there beds 

but the quiet and stillness of the morning is different. It's a fresh 

new day with the prospects of so many things. I get a new chance at 

accomplishing things and exerting that patience that I know is deep down 

in my soul but has to be uncovered as I unravel my flaws, layer by layer.  

I have so many flaws that really do seem to get in the way @ times.  

What I have come to realize is that I can only try my very best and with 

the help of my God, He will help with the rest. I love light.

Well today my computer goes into the shop. Which I feel fine about 

because I will focus on a couple things like my gallery wall in our 

entry way. Still trying to decide if I will hang the pictures directly 

to the wall or set the pictures up on ledges. Also I will be on the 

hunt for some new light fixtures. The challenge is going to be finding 

inexpensive light fixtures that still look good.

{via Skonahem}

If I were really smart I should probably screw the picture frames 

to the wall.

{love fools}

Last year we were crafting, cookie making fools as seen here, well this year for some reason the craft & cookies have been taken out of the equation...which leaves us with just fools and in order to avoid being a complete fool I think I better hop on down to William Sonoma (thanks Angela) and get the below cookie cutters. {image via Creature Comforts}

If I were to consider a craft I still like doilies but this year white seems to fit the bill. This lighted garland would be SO easy to do. If one wanted to take their craft even farther go check out my friend Kellie, who just whipped up some pillows..there is step by step instructions involved.

I sent Valentines cards from this Etsy shop last year, they don't have any this year but still make some fun whimsical cards worth exploring. This year if I were to send cards (which I am not) it would be this letter press that says I love you plain & simple or of course these cards from here.

Well it's the weekend, plain and simple.

P.S. - I am still obsessing over this house {the below photos via Cote De Texas} The daughter's room makes me think of Valentines Day so it is only appropriate that it is included in the post.

P.P.S. - I almost forgot to include this great Valentine's craft download found here. Below image via A Field Journal.