ORC: Week 4

So, here we are...week 4 of the One Room Challenge. 

To say this week was unproductive is an understatement. Well, I suppose that depends what I am talking about. I owned so many things this past week but the ORC was not one of them. I really should have looked at our calendar before committing to this project. Every weekend is crazy busy! 

Enough with the excuses! I want my favorite space ready to go by Mother's Day! 

So, onto the things I did accomplish this week:

- I purchased paint

- I scrubbed the heck out of the walls

- I found the perfect ceiling color

Please pat me on the back for these huge accomplishments. 

My reasonable goals for this next week:
- get artwork framed (I am really excited about a piece I found!)
- paint
- work on the dreaded ceiling

If I can accomplish all of this, I think I will be in decent shape but am planning for some long nights.

Now onto some pictures. 

I had to bring the furniture back inside because we have a big celebration this weekend. Our sweet baby boy is turning 2! This is a big part in the delay of the ORC. I decided to try a new layout. What do you think? The room is so narrow and it is hard to find the perfect flow. I am going to see how this plays out on party day. 

I scored some fun pieces at the Lilly Pulitzer for Target sale. How fun is this candle holder? I am excited to see it lit at night. 

I, also, found the Lilly basket which is much larger than I thought it would be. I am thinking about putting a large tropical plant in it. Or it will end up holding blankets in the girl's room.

Thanks for stopping by! Don't forget to check out the progress on the other spaces!

ORC: Week 3

Three weeks into the One Room Challenge to update our three season room and I have few things to update. Because of the Easter holiday and a busy, busy work schedule, my progress has been minimal. 

I decided on paint colors for the walls and door but am still looking for the perfect shade of blue for the ceiling. For the walls and trim, I am going with Sherwin William's Westhighland White (SW7566) to make the space appear as large as possible. It is a narrow space and I know how cramped it can look when I add in furniture. 

For the door, I am moving away from red and trying out a very new to me color, Sherwin William's Naval (SW6244). I really wanted to go with a pop of color but the door opens into the rest of our home and the colors would not flow. 

I love the way this blue-navy blue door looks with the green ferns and black containers. I always decorate the three season room with ferns and plan to include pops of green. I think this color will bring out the blue tone colors in the entry way floor.

My plan of attack for this weekend and upcoming week include: 

- giving the walls a good scrubbing to prep for paint

- removing the popcorn ceiling

- selecting a ceiling color

- paint

- giving more thought to decor

Thanks for following along! Be sure to check out the other ORC participants here.

One Room Challenge: Three Season Room - Week 1

Hello! It's been awhile. I've been thinking about returning to the blogging world for quite some time now. I often think to myself "this would be good for a blog post", "I should share this recipe", etc., etc. 

Over the past year I have started following more bloggers (I will share my favorites in another post!). One of the most fun projects I came across is the One Room Challenge! 

So, here is the rundown. Created by Linda at Calling It Home, this is a six week home renovation/design/decorating challenge! Pick a room, get to work and blog about your progress weekly. There are no winners or losers just plenty of inspiration. 

I am by no means a designer or decorator but I do like pretty things, enjoy a good DIY project and have a room that needs some love! I thought this would be a fun way to show my progress, style, struggles, frustrations, successes and much more. 

I will be redoing our three season room. This is by far my favorite space in our home. We spend a lot of time here especially in the warmer months. I love feeling a warm breeze, listening to the birds chirp and the sounds of the boats on the water. Honestly, the sounds remind me of the beach...the smell, not so much! In the evenings, we can even hear bands playing at the on-the-water bars on the lake. 

Over the years, we put in new carpet, installed a new ceiling fan, installed a glass door and plantation blinds. My goals for the next weeks include: clean, remove popcorn ceiling, paint and decorate. 

Here is my inspiration board. 

The before pictures:

It looks so organized! 

Oh, that's better! The kiddos love this space too which is something I will be tackling.

This blank wall is ready to be decorated! It is so close to the entry that I struggle with how to decorate. I have a few ideas though! 

Another challenge for me: this slate floor! Great quality but the colors are a challenge.

I hope you will follow along and find some fun, inspiring bloggers along the way! 

Catching Up!

As with every mother, I had/have good intentions to keep up with our family blog. But, the hours turn into days, days into months, months into almost a year since my last post. 

Since then, we've welcomed a beautiful baby boy into our family making us a family of five! He is a joy and as each day passes I think to myself "oh, I want to capture this and remember it forever." Hence, this post and what I *hope* to be a more successful attempt at capturing our lives. 

So here it goes! I've got some updating to do! 

SLD

Frannie turns THREE!

Our sweet Frances Ruth is three! 

Words to describe her: funny, independent, rambunctious and caring. We can always count on Frannie for a good laugh, to cuddle with any time of day, to wake with a serious case of bed head, to pick a crazy outfit to wear and to be the first to finish a meal. She is easy to love! 

Frannie's birthday conversation - November 2012
It's funny to hear/read the responses of a three year old. They are very much based on recent activities. 

How old are you?  Two! (followed by laughs because she knows she is "free")
What makes you happy?  Mommy (heart melting!)
What is your favorite animal?  Giraffe
What is your favorite thing to eat?  Vegetables and fruit. (This is a new thing with her. She's really a meat and potatoes kind of girl.)
What is your favorite thing to do?  Play with toys
What is your favorite TV show?  Tom & Jerry 
What are you really good at?  Stuff and giving baby dolls a bath
What is your favorite movie?  Lion King
What is your favorite color?  Pink! 
What is your favorite song?  Bubble Toes
Who is your best friend?  Ryan and Olivia (pre-k friends)
What do you and Mommy do together?  Get baby dressed 
What do you and Daddy do together?  Pick up toys (yep, there is a lot of picking up of toys.) 
What is your favorite sport?  Basketball
Where is your favorite place to go?  Hotel (Ceci and Frannie think that going to a hotel is the greatest thing.)
What is your favorite book?  The Napping House
What do you want to be when you grow up?  A football player

Back to School

After a fun summer, it is time to head back to school! Ceci headed off to The Wellington School for Pre-K while Frannie went back to Primrose for their version of 3 year old preschool.  

Ceci hasn't stopped talking about her "new school Wellington" since visiting last spring. The classroom she visited had a pet bunny rabbit named Nora. The visit left such a positive impression that she renamed her faithful friend, Baxter the Bunny to Nora.  So, now we have Nora and Baxter (I purchased multiples once I realized Baxter would be around for awhile.  You will see him/her in many of our photos.) 

First day of school

 She certainly isn't lacking in character or personality!

Frannie was excited to see her friends at Primrose!  During last year's parent-teacher conference I found out Frannie was Queen Bee. I'm sure it won't take her long to assume that role again.  This is the first time for her and Ceci to be apart (separate schools).  She was very sad and had plenty of big, fat tears when we dropped Ceci off on her first day.  Frannie wanted to stay with her sister and play with the baby dolls. All the way down the hallway as we left, she kept crying "Ceci, Ceci, Ceci...I want my Ceci."  It certainly was enough to break my heart.  I hope they always love each other this much.

Sweet Frances Ruth

Cecilia's Fourth Birthday

Birthdays are meant for celebrating! 

Birthday morning started with balloons...

...and chocolate chip pancakes!

 As the birthday girl requested, a Pirate Party!

Argh matey!

The seas were a bit treacherous at the beginning!

Our little lasses bundled up on a chilly, windy morning.

Make a wish!