Summer Updates

Aloha!!

It has been exceptionally hot for this time of year. We have hit record highs- the news even reported that last weeks highs at night were higher than the typical hottest nights in the summer. I am talking upper 90's during the day- AC running all day and night hot. Huge electricity bills hot.. Pool floating days hott.  Getting in the pool already hot- which is the earliest we have ever swam.

Typically I would still be wearing pants to work and leaving up the Spring decor after Easter.. but with all this hot weather and pool floating happening it feels more like Summer. I am sporting skirts, flip flops and wedges with sun dresses already. What happened to Spring? Umm I live in Houston-it's Summer already!!

I had an extra long weekend with Friday off and Monday. So after our relaxing Easter Sunday in the pool with family and friends, I took down all the springy decor! Away went our big E for Embley or Easter and out came the ALOHA door decor! I love it!

After I took down the E- I worked on the fireplace.. when I removed the Spring Blocks and moss bunnies it started to look a little bare. So I shopped the house and this is what it looks like:

I left the hydrangeas up because they remind me of Northwestern beaches.. and I love our branches in them from our wedding reception last year. I also added our seashells from the wedding, our Hawaii Souvenior plate and two wedding pics plus the aqua candle just for fun and height! I want stuff on the fireplace I just don't want it crowded and I would love to put laterns up with seaglass but the width of the shelf is too narrow.

Notice the dog toy on the floor-he he.

I also added new summerery pillows. My favorite color is aqua (hence our wedding colors were aqua and pink) and it looks so good with tan and brown. I found these awesome Sonoma Pillows at Kohls for 50% off and used my Kohls cash (which means they are almost free). I wasn't sure about the large size of the aqua pillows because I am used to a more traditional smaller size but I love love them. I also think the lumbar pillows with the white, tan and brown fit the color scheme perfect.  The colors really lighten the color scheme of the living room.  I removed the heavy chocolate faux fur blanket and just moved the aqua one to Nate's Chair. I think the living room looks stellar now and everytime I walk by I smile. The aqua pillows and throw pick up the other accents in the living room of aqua such as the cross, the embley stich work, the aqua pedestal and the hydrangeas on the fireplace and in the TV shelf. PERFECT if I must say.

 Check out my newest book.. OLD LEGENDS OF HAWAII.. such great stories.

 Here is our Health & Happiness Tiki.

Lastly, I updated the entryway chalkboard. I just wrote ALOHA in blue and added my book page wreath with a star fish glued to the center. Starfish were the symbol of our wedding! I really like things that represent us in the house and make us feel comfortable. The hawaiian pics sure fit summer well now! I also added a new candle with shells encrusted in it (much like PB's but much cheaper at Kohls).

I also finally recieved the vinyl to cover over the new seat cushions. I know that many people hate the idea- my own husband says they are grandma-ie. But we have so many friends with kids and I didn't want the fabric ruined. I also didn't want the colors to smear when wet pool butts sat on them. Which I know I can't be that person when people come over and I am like oh please don't sit down because I love my seat covers that much. So to solve that problem I covered them with vinyl..kid and pool friendly now. Here is how they look:

I know shiny right. I love shiny and even though it is vinyl I really like that the seats stay cool and that the material looks brighter with the clear over it. But Ms. Bella cat is throughly pissed at me. She slept in the second chair over from this pic every day in the sunlight.. the chair cushion had to be vaccumed from her siamese hair. Now that the seats are cool rather than warm from her heat she has moved on to the dining room chairs. Poor kitty..but my seat covers will live longer. Sorry Bella here are my sympathies.. didn't last long.

On top of all that I also completed my last 12 page paper needed for my Masters course. I am now out of school till May 10th. May 10th I will start a new course that will run for 6 weeks and I will be off the month of July for my summer break!! I graduate Feb 2012.. it is sooner than you think!

Exhausted..

Last week was an incredibly long week.. I had projects to do around the house, my ring to get fixed, hair appts, my mom's appt, Nate's appt, than spending all day Friday setting up for the science festival and all day Saturday at the festival. Needless to say I am exhausted. Even after my extra day off Monday I am still exhausted.  I slept in Monday- but than last night I stayed up late trying to finish my presentation for my master's class and with yesterday off today really is my monday! I hate Mondays! Luckily for me, I get to go and see Jake play tball tonight and play with lil miss Mia. Yesterday I also got to snuggle with Miss Gracie Lewis and play with Gordon ( I say play but lil G Man is shy around me).. he warms up right when I am leaving..lol. Guess I will have to spend more time with him this summer.

Well last week I showed you my DIY calendar for our family. I wanted to create a family message center of sorts on this wall. Keeping it fun! I wanted somewhere where we could display notes, pictures and maybe eventually kiddos art.

I have decided that when I first decorated our house it was too serious and grown up. It wasn't to my tastes because I thought I needed to decorate according to what everyone else was. When in reality I like things fun, light and not serious at all. I like bright colors like white, blue, greens..etc. And even if I change my mind later at least I gave it a shot right. Plus your house should be a reflection of you and what you love so now I am trying to build that in our home.

I loved the kitchen gallery memo wall I created but I thought it needed a tack board and some color. I didn't want to put too much up and make it too busy since it is a narrow hallway. Plus I couldn't find any boards I liked that weren't over 100 bucks (I love Ballards with the lovely frames). Than I went on DaySpring with my 25% off and found great stuff for the gallery wall in the stairs and the kitchen.


I found this awesome metal strip with clips to display art, notes or pictures. I also loved that the clips had scriptures and inspirational qoutes on them with cute things like flowers. I took a close up of the clips. they have this in black and brown. I love them and it wasn't expensive.

 

I also found this awesome plague and I loved the bright colors!

Here is a pic of the whole wall now.. I love it and how inspiring it is. Plus we can display our favorite people next to the calendar too!
 

Hope you like the gallery wall!
I have all the frames for the gallery wall up the staircase but have yet to start. I know the pictures I want to display but I want to hang the frames first in case I want to rearrange the frames. I bought another frame from DaySpring to display. Here it is:

I really liked the saying and the beach theme to it.  And here is my stack of frames just waiting to be hung and filled. I got two shadow boxes to fill with hawaii reminders of our wedding/honeymoon trip. Oh and yess that is my backpack on the ground too..lol.

On an end note- someone in our house is enjoying the spring weather and the windows open (Bella). She just adores sitting high in windows and furniture. Here she is stalking birds from the window. Bella and Smokey actually fight over open windows so Bella always ends up in the bathroom window because she is mobel enough to get up there.

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Chalkboard Family Message area- DIY Project 18

Nate & I live a very busy life- in between both of us teaching; Nate is a head coach, avid golfer, social butterfly, and sports addict.. I on the other hand am teaching full time, Newspaper Editor at School, in a fulltime Masters Program while juggling a clean house among other wifey duties, DIY Project Addict, and balancing my social life. Needless to say we tried to balance our schedules using appts on our iphones, but it wasn't working and we both would get frustrated when there were conflicts of schedules (Ugh I already told you about this- duh? moment happening alot).  Nate continually forgot to add them to the appt. He keep saying let's just get a traditional calendar and hang it up. Well one I am not a traditional girl, two a calendar each year is killing a ton of trees and I think paper calendars are so 1982.  I loved Pottery Barn's Memo center for the family ..

But each board such as the calendar, chalkboard, and memo board ranged from 40-50 bucks each plus the hanging system is not included. I didn't want to spend  over $100 bucks on a  memo center. Also the way they hang is too industrial for my tastes. I loved Ballard's memo boards too but pricy also. I searched on etsy and found an idea to DIY myself. It took wall decal of the calendar and applied it to the chalkboard so you can use it month after month and no killing trees. So without further waiting here is what my board looks like:

Here it is hung up with our dates and activities for April. I color coded it so we knew who was doing what and on what day- Nate is written in Blue, Tricia is written in Pink and both of us is written in orange. Makes it easier to put activities up!

The hallway is from the kitchen to the 1/2 bath and the garage. It is a long narrow hallway so I didn't just want a calendar there. So I added an E for Embley and a sign about families! This pics is taken down the hallway from the kitchen (that door open is the bathroom).

Here is a close up of the signs nect to the chalkboard:

Lastly, here is a pic taken from the garage angle:

Oh and that dead looking yellow thing in the middle of the floor is the dog's toy..lol. Hey we live here it isn't perfect!! Hope you enjoyed my latest project. My cousin says the chalkboard is very teacher of us to have in our kitchen. I love chalkboards (even before teaching and actual I have a dry erase board at school). I want to add a memo board (think push board) with decorative trim like the chalkboard but I haven't found a contender yet. This way we can post notes to each other, display photos, important papers.. eventually kids art and of course the ole chore list ;)

DIY Weekend- Project 16

     Friday I went out with some girlfriends and had a great time chatting about all our nerves about Education and our plans for next year. I have been having alot of anxiety about job security and my family's plans for the future due to the economic state of what is happening in America right now with Education. I'm sure you have heard it is not looking good for teachers everywhere and Texas has been spared mostly during these bad economic times but this is hitting us hard. Originally, my plan was to try to get into public school this year so I could recieve benefits and pay increase due to my Masters, but there is no way I can when public schools are laying off teachers. With that said,  I AM SO THANKFUL I HAVE A TEACHING JOB. Teaching is my passion- so I am glad I can continue to get experience to put on my resume and not be forced to go back into accounting due to the economy. Nate and I have talked and prayed about what to do next year... Luckily, Nate's job is very secure- so we will just have to deal with my pay cut of private school salary and no benefits till things start to look up again for teachers. It is a short term issue and we can survive! So after my lunch with girlfriends I was so mentally exhausted from the week and stress that I went home and vegged out in front of the TV and was asleep by 8pm (insert Lame here).
    Saturday Nate and I walked Scout and than picked up around the house. I was feeling kinda low in energy so I didn't want to start any large projects. Finally my Pottery Barn Rug came for the kitchen. Remember I slip covered the chairs to break up all the pine in the kitchen (pine table, pine chairs and pine cabinets). But with the new rug it just didn't look right. Below is a pic of the slipcovers.. Under the slip covers the cushions were covered in a striped dark red, brown and green material I had done two years ago to cover the western materail on them originally. The kitchen table and chairs were given to us by my mom and bought at Star Furniture. They are lovely so I have tried not to do anything to them.

Slip covers..

Here is the before with the old cushions and new PB rug. Not matching and hating the dark colors on the chair.. I wanted to make the house lighter- airy feeling that was fun and young. Traditional yet casaul..old cushions had to go.. Insert lightbulb moment here!

Well remember my rocker I had upholstered by Simple Matters in that fun paisley fabric? I loved the browns, greens and blues in it and  I just so happened to have 3 extra yards of fabric (free) and I was thinking of adding them to curtains panels at the bottom for the nursery. But than I thought instead of doing boring linen covers step outside your box and do something fun and different (thanks Inspired Room for the shove on mixing prints and fabrics). I asked Nate what he thought of the material against the rug. He said 'well it is kinda busy but I trust you'.  I thought what is the harm in covering them..if I hate em I can redo them and plus this is a free project!! I searched and searched for my staple gun and went to work on recovering. I was going to pull off the old material but I left them on due to the plushness of the seats and laziness on my part with pulling out a million and one staples.

Here is the after-SWOON!

Take in mind I don't usually have a ton of candles or a pedestal with eggs on the table (easter hello). Aren't the chairs and rug fabulous? I love the way the paisley picks up the colors in the rug but isn't too matchy matchy. I also love how playful and colorful it is. I'm still considering painting the chairs white or blue to break up the pine (insert Nate shacking head here- he dispises painted wood..we battled it out on the banster and than he gave in and now says he loves it..lol) and I would love to still put up bead board over our back splash like Nester to pick up the whites on the other side of the kitchen. Nester just put it over her tile so that if she wanted to remove she could when she left her house. I think that is my next project in the near future (if I get to it).  I adore the PB rug (suppose to be indoor/outdoor rug-which equals bonus since it is right off the pool) it is so soft feeling. The cats are loving laying on it's softness and beautiful brightness in the sunlight. Now with the covers it is fabulous. I saw a post on Better After yesterday a blogger covered her cushions and added vinyl to keep them kid safe. I thought Brillant..Here is the transformation of her chairs (http://yellowgiantgiraffes2.blogspot.com/2010/08/my-new-dining-chairs.html). 

I am considering this since they get wet and faded during summer pool months due to wet butts sitting on them to chow down (yes we have a gazebo with a table to eat at too- but when that table is full they come inside ;) and ruined by our friends kiddos  insert our kiddos soon..lol(who I adore but not their messes)! My gf did this a while back and keeps telling me no no.. don't do it. But I don't want my beautiful Paisley to be ruined. I went to JoAnn's to buy the vinyl but they sell it by the bolt and at 75.99 I won't be buying it. I than found it only for 7 bucks a yard and it is in the mail. Once I add the vinyl I will share the pics.. still to decide if I should paint or not paint.. ugh.

I am just so pleased how the rug and chairs work now in the kitchen. I have to say I am in love. I walk into the kitchen and I smile. That is what I wanted. I can see many happy memories being formed around this table with our friends and family members. So perfect. I hope you adore them also. (insert happy dance here)

Here is a link to where I purchased the fabric for the rocker and chairs. I am going to purchase additional yardage so that I can complete the panels I want in the nursery!

http://warehousefabricsinc.com/PAYCHL.html

Now I am on the hunt for vinyl to protect those beauties. Any comments on whether I should paint the chairs I would love to hear!

My other project this weekend was  hanging my PB knock off mirrors. I have been lusting over mirrors from Ballard's and PB- but with their step price tages I don't think it's in our budget. I found a tutorial from Layla at the lettered cottage, but it involved some wood work.. so I took the easy way out of purchasing mirrors. I purchased 3 beautiful mirrors and planned on hanging them above the firplace.. man was it a chore to get them straight and all aligned. The one on the right still looks off but Nate swears it is fine! The mantel is still decorated with Spring/Easter items with the Bunny Garland, Moss Bunnies (PB knockoffs also) and my Spring Blocks. After Easter is over, I will leave the hydrangeas in the milkglass vases up and have to find something for the opposite side that represents coastal summer to me.. still brain storming. I am loving all the sea/nautical stuff in the last PB catalog. Just dont want to splurge on anything yet and the mantel is only 6 inches wide (not alot to play with there). I also want to keep it simple.

Lastly,  I wanted to post some pics of my lovely springy back yard. My flowers are doing superb, the cana is starting to bloom and we have one ripe tomato! Plus look at those gorgeous irises that popped up from nowwhere?? We think the squirrels who continue to steal my bulbs and my neighbors must have burried her bulbs here and they took root.. too funny! But she now has some of my lilies and I have some of her irises! Here's to sharing flowers due to the squirrels.. nice suprise!

Busy busy week so we'll see what I get done.. here is a look at my week-

I have a hair appt this week to get my highlights done I am loving the brown with the light blonde in it now.. get my wedding band back Wed :). I'm taking my mom to the oncylogist Thursday, Nate is seeing the specialist about his ear mass Thursday also. I have a major paper due Thursday with my Masters. My school's science festival is Saturday, which means Friday long day of set up and ful day at school Saturday working the festival.

Thankfully I have Monday off to recoup!! Have a great week and please keep my family in your prayers as my mom and hubby see the doctors!

Please excuse the weeds..lol. Someone needs to weed (Nate).

Easter & Spring Decor has vomitted itself on our house- Project 14

Look my hibiscus tree is blooming! Yeah!

Well this week was hard to say the least. I am struggling with my emotions still over the baby, it was report card week (stress because I procrastinated on grading major projects), dealt with drama at school with students, and I had huge assignments due in my Master's classes.. on top of that I have a sinus infection/upper respiratory infection so I feel like crud. Nate has been in a tennis tournament for 2 days now and he has bronchitis too. When he went to the Dr. the Dr. found a mass in his right ear so he is seeing a specialist for that. Praying that is nothing. Also my mom was seen this week and they found cancerous and precancerous cells on her face for skin cancer. Cancer and my mother seem to be way too friendly these days.  She is going back to get treated again April 7th. I am taking her to that appt. and my boss gave me holy hell for asking off to take my mother to the dr. I think is ridiculous because by law it is none of her buisness why I am taking off and two she took of more than 6 weeks to be with her father who had cancer (she should understand). She was upset because I was taking off two days prior to the Science Festival-give me a break I am going to be there for the festival.. any how.

Last week I decorated for spring and I meant to share pics but I was soooo busy. So I am gonna share the pics and than go get my oil changed and off to a GF's house for her daughter's spa sleepover bday (I am a relaxation specialist for her bday).

 

If You notice there is a huge stack of papers are on the pool table behind the fireplace.. umm yea that is grading at its worst. Just focus on the spring mantel instead!! Lol

The first pics are with our Eastery E for Embley on the door and our new double door mat by PB.I think I said in a previous post I ordered a blue/green striped rug for our Kitchen eating area and the door mat. I recieved the door mat but my original rug for the kitchen got lost in an UPS warehouse. PB though is replacing it for free and it should be here this week- hence no pics yet. But I love love the PB double door mat. It looks so much better with our double doors- Nate calls it the HUGE rug! Love it! 

In the kitchen I added a springy runner on the table (I bought two of these short runners at Target for summer parties in the gazebo too) I than added some natural bees wax candles in my shabby chic candle holders and a pedestal with eggs and moss. I think it looks awesome.. but bella keeps eating the moss..ugh.
 I didn't change much on the mantel. The mantel scape I added bunny garland, moss bunnies next to the hydrangea vases, and Spring Blocks in front of the Hawaii Map. I feel that it is very springy in a festive way and definately not understated. I wanted some accesories that when I have kids I can place in their rooms, their bath and around the common areas that they would love (think bright colors) just like my mom did when I was little. So I made sure everything was kid friendly.

In the entry way I updated  the chalkboard decorated with feather/egg wreath and egg tree with more word blocks that state "jelly beans, colored eggs, easter bunny" on them. Also by the front door is my yarn wreath with Fancy Chicks on it.

Lastly in the bar area of the dining room, I added a bright green lantern (found at Lowes of all places). I think it looks great for spring and can transition into summer too! I love how all the bright colors transition well. I also added some eggs to my pedastal on the coffee table with my candles.
Hope you enjoy and your house is feeling very springy.

Check out theinspiredroom.net for her springy mantel. I am working on a gallery wall for my stairwell currently that will incorporate our wedding momentos and be able to grow when we have a baby. Young House Love turned me on to shadow box type of frames that can display artwork (until we have a baby it will display 8*10 photos). But I asked for more inspiration and Inspired Room will be doing a gallery linky April 6th. Can't wait. Be sure to look for it!!