Organize, Organize, Organize

I'm not sure what it is but it seems every year right after the holidays, i get this burning desire to get organized, maybe it's the need to start a new year fresh, or maybe it's because of new presents that need to find homes. This year that desire seems to be especially necessary, with all the new toys and lack of space, it's time to get very creative.....

I saw these baskets from Wisteria and fell in love. I especially love the cute clay and chalkboard tags.

So I think I will start there and then search for an open bookshelf, cart or other storage type unit similar to those in the pictures above at Wisteria, but with a more reasonable price tag. Oh give me some love Craigslist!!

Peace,

Jill xo

New Additions to our Family (Tree)

I never thought of it too much before, how much a simple tree ornament could bring such joy, how much it could fill my head with warm memories of Family, Love and Tradition. As I unpack my Christmas decorations and ornaments each year, I'm flooded with these things, and now that I have children I hope I can do half the job my Family did for me. I hope each year as we add ornaments and tradition to our lives with our children, that someday they too will unpack their ornaments and think of childhood memories, their Family, and how much love we have for them.

Each year I plan to buy one dated ornament for each of my children, as well as other ornaments that will add to our collection. And then, as my Mother did for my brother and I, I will divide and distribute the ornaments to each of my girls. What traditions do you do during the holidays?

Here are a few of our new ornaments this year (from Kohl's)....oh and a cute picture of a naked baby... :-) Peace,

Jill xoxo

Fun (Holiday) Display

A few months ago I assembled a cool hanging branch with the letters to spell 'Dream' in one of the corners of my daughter's nursery. Originally I was going to string the letters over an embroidery hoop but after some thought and playing around, it turned into something completely different, simple yet bold, perfect for my little EJ's first room. The chipboard letters are from Hobby Lobby, the branch and twine from Michael's.

Here is how it turned out.

That gave me the idea for my holiday entryway. Since I don't live by a Hobby Lobby to get the cool chipboard letters, I spray painted wooden letters metallic silver. I'm also going to use some gorgeous ornaments and icicle strands from Pottery Barn.

I made a spur of the moment trip to see family, so I'll have to keep you in suspense and provide some pics upon my return. :-)

Hope you are enjoying your holiday season!

Jill

Lila's Vintage Number Dresser

I (and Lila) and have been very patiently awaiting an antique waterfall dresser that we could refinish for her room. Day in and day out we watched Craigslist, scoured yard sales, until one Saturday morning, as I was sipping my coffee, I found it, it was perfectly imperfect. I couldn't wait to get my hands on it. About 10 hours later it was sitting safely in our garage (my makeshift workshop). Matt calls it my little factory. :-)


Here is what it looked like when I brought it home.

And after a little trial and error, this is what it looks like today.

I painted the entire dresser a light vintage yellow, but didn't like it so I then painted it white, with pale pink drawers, antiqued it which allowed some of the yellow to peek through. I added some knobs from Anthropologie and pulls from Restoration Hardware and then wheeled this beauty into Lila's room. It just pulled the room together and now I have more of a vision to finish the rest of her room. I will try to share more pics soon.

Peace,

Jill

Hello!

Hello and welcome to Maeve James! I'm so excited to be here, and to be starting this new adventure. Please say hello, I would love to meet you!



Maeve James will be constantly changing over the next couple of months as I get myself up and running as envisioned, but I couldn't wait to start writing and getting to know you. Thanks so much for being here.




I have always been the type of person that just can't sit, my body and mind is always racing, and that's not from too many cups of coffee, it's a genetic blessing or curse, however you may look at it. :-)


This was my latest project. I scored this cute little guy from Craigslist. It was one of those listings with no pictures. I typically don't even look at stuff with no images but this time I did and I'm so glad because it's an awesome solid dresser. From the minute I brought it home, it was screaming beachy chic.




This was it's original state. Not a great pic but it was just an ordinary dresser.








This is how it looks now. I antiqued it white and then painted subtle tan grey stripes on the top and down the face front, excluding the drawers. I kept the knobs their natural color but did the tan gray again in the center. I'm not sold on this yet, but I do like how the knobs make the stripes pop. It replaced the out of place serving cart in the bedroom hallway and it's quickly making itself at home.












Happy Holidays!



Jill