color kick...

I had such a fantastic day today! From the moment I opened the windows and felt that breeze I knew it was going to be a good one. {I've already had it with humidity and we've barely dipped our toe into June so I'm thrilled to be able to keep the windows open and let the curtains fly!}

Anyway, today was a "free" day for me. Free meaning that I didn't have much that NEEDED to be done and my mom was taking Scarlett for the day. I planned out a few errands a couple of fun projects. First up was a trip to the store to buy Stephen King's latest, Joyland.

Come 9 pm I will be engrossed.

I'm big into COLOR lately and I've been updating areas in the home to reflect my phase. I'll give you a peek of a few small changes I've made.

Here is a ten minute update that I made over the weekend...

That delightful wooden tree used to be plain old brown. During the winter I painted it bright pink and orange on a whim. I didn't LOVE it but it made me feel a little cheerier than the brown did. This past weekend I decided that I had spent too long not loving it and needed it to be blue and yellow immediately. I've been adoring it ever since. I love that I can paint it any color I want whenever I feel like it and I even left the backside brown in case I want to switch it up.

My friend Kim is having a birthday party for her youngest son and I offered to make the cupcake toppers. The theme is Super Mario Brothers and while I'm not used to using primary colors I think they came out pretty cute!

For Mother's Day I received one of those hand print cards from Scarlett... (thanks Dada). I've been wanting to do something with it but wasn't sure what. Well, after scoring two super-bright colored picture frames at Kohl's for zip my next move was clear ...

Cute, right?

When I bought my book today I also picked up some bright yellow spray paint. There's a hanging tea-light candle holder in my dining room that I've been itching to spruce up and I decided today was the day...

however...

Yeah, I am NOT feelin' the yellow. (Although I love the yellow picture frame on the table - the second of the two free frames from Kohl's). The candle holder just looks weird. You can't really even see it! It needs to be red... or orange. But I have to admit I didn't love spray painting it... it was kind of a huge pain in the ass. Haha.

So, there you have it - my little projects. I really, really enjoyed my day today. Nobody pissed me off. People in stores were friendly. I found sales. I returned things I knew I wouldn't wear. I listened to awesome music all day. The house is filled with fresh air ... actually Scarlett and Daddy just got home and Scarlett just filled the dining room with the scent of I just crapped sooooo ... there goes that! Gotta put the Mama hat back on. I hope you all enjoy your night and I'll be sure to let you know if Brody is mysteriously bright aqua tomorrow.

P.S. Daddy just went to change the diaper!! He's a peach.

a heart in every room

It's Valentine's Day! What? You're not excited? Haha well neither am I. I have never really done anything special on V Day. It's not because my husband is a deadbeat. He's not, I assure you. But I guess I'm not really the 'gotta go eat some fancy meal in an expensively fancy restaurant in a fancy dress and get fancy chocolates in a fancy heart box with fancy roses tied with a big fancy ribbon' kinda gal. Sure, I buy some pink, white & red peanut m&ms because they look cute in a candy bowl. And I MIGHT buy a box of Russell Stover's every three years or so. But you'll more likely see me sitting in my recliner, clad in my favorite pjs, eating boneless buffalo wings and watching The Big Bang Theory than catch me in a fine dining establishment followed by a show. Not that there is anything wrong with the people that DO go out on the town to celebrate their love! To each his/her own! 

Anyhow, in honor of this heart-smothered holiday I thought I would make up a little game for myself. I LOVE hearts (always have) and decided I would challenge myself to find at least one heart in every room of the house. So here are just a few that I found... 

I cut this from a card years ago and has been on my refrigerator ever since. I like to think it's me & my husband... but I don't wear dresses and he doesn't have a rake on his head

(kitchen)

What's on your door??

During our walk today all I could think about was how so many people still had a Christmas wreath on their door. I don't always go the same route- last week I went in the opposite direction and counted eleven wreaths. The following day I counted two less - which was odd. Today, in the different hood, I didn't count but I can tell you it was more than five on just one street. Is that normal?? I can't imagine keeping one up much longer than New Year's Day to be honest, but that's just me. I have a very regimented albeit boring-ass front door routine and that is basically because I never think to look for any replacements while I'm in HomeGoods.

30 day photo challenge: Day 9

A picture of my favorite hobby...

... making our home homier. 

I am forever rearranging and adding to the collection.

I just love to decorate.

matches made in heaven...

There are so many material things in our home that I love even though they aren't considered necessities. They were created to sit on a shelf, counter or table or hang on a wall simply for viewing pleasure. Although unimportant and maybe ugly to most, these things make me happy every single day. That is their purpose. I am very impulsive when I see something I like. I clutch it instantly which full intent to purchase it. Sometimes I put it back on the shelf and continue walking around the store, all the while obsessing in my head over this amazing item. Nine times out of ten I will go back, with a quick pace, and grab the must-have and race to the registers. Afterward, I always feel great about my decision, knowing that each piece was meant to spend the rest of its days in our home. While walking around the house today I made it a point to visit some of my favorite things and I took a minute to admire them.

My What's going on? / Bill-paying station. 

I could NOT get by without this calendar.

My plants... they've come a long way. 

It's a happy little green area.

I have always loved strawberries and I remember finding this cookie jar in the Cracker Barrel gift shop a few years ago. It was one of my "must have"s.

I found these canisters at Home Goods and they were super super cheap. 

Coffee, Tea and Sugar. So adorable.

I loved this pitcher when I first saw it and forced myself to leave the store without it. I went back the next day and bought it with the intent to fill it with fresh flowers each week. That got old (and expensive) quick - hence the utensils. Still in love.

Little fruit and veggie magnets. These were my mother-in-laws. When I was dating Gregg I would always play with the corn guy's hair when I went to his house. His mom gave them to us when we moved out. 

And yes, I still play with the corn guy's hair.

I really could have made this myself but I saw it in a magazine that offers personalization and just decided to get it. I like everything about it except the font on the keys. Should have stayed authentic with that one.

One of my favorite groupings in the house... the top of my dresser. The very same dresser that I used as a little girl only back then it had pink knobs and Strawberry Shortcake wallpaper on the sides. 

This is my little "finishing touches" place.

Another Home Goods steal. Framed tiles that match our bathroom perfectly.

Obsessed about this print from the very day that I saw it. Months later, it was a gift from my Mom. 

Thanks, Mom!

Found these old match books for $1.00 each in a consignment shop. Paired with a $4.00 bowl from the clearance section in Kohl's it has become one of my favorite decorations.

Two cherished things here. First, the Theatre shelf. This was the very first piece of decor that I bought. It started my whole obsession. I basically designed our first apartment around this shelf. Haha. Next, the Skeleton keys. I have always had a thing for keys and I bought these many moons ago ...

There are many more items and spots that I adore but I simply couldn't snap a picture of them all today. Maybe someday I'll make a sequel. I just love our home.