[in five]: First Five Purchases

Let's just get one thing out of the way: I have been a total slogger. That, my friends, is a word I made up for one who slacks on his or her blog. Her, in this case, is me. I'm tired. Those 25 hour drives just take it right out of you. Plus, we're kind of a big deal here in Utah (with our moms). They want to spend all sorts of time with us Stella. The good news is that almost all of our moving piles are put away. I still have nothing on the walls, and I probably won't for 21 more days. That is when Husband takes his anesthesia boards, and then I can bug him about things to hang up and projects and such.  He can hardly wait.

In the meantime, even though I am tired, I am not too tired to think about things I want to do with this place. (If that ever happened, I'd probably be dead, because I am pretty much ALWAYS think about someone's house.) I don't know why it is that when you move, you pretty much think you need all new stuff, but it's just the way it goes.  These are the things I'm going to purchase first: bath mat, frames for gallery, birch brackets, floor mirror, and bins for the playroom. (Links are under pictures.) So far, I have only bought one thing: the floor mirror. And that is only 20 percent. I seriously feel like such a failure.

Zig Zag Bath Mat from West Elm

image from Samantha Pynn (frames for gallery)

Ekby Valter Bracket from Ikea

Mongstad Mirror from Ikea

3 Sprouts Bins from Target

I [heart] Wallpaper

First of all, thanks for all of the love yesterday. You made my day. For reals, or fo rizzle, if you're a fan of Snoop. Second of all: wallpaper. I still love the idea of wallpaper in an entry or a powder room. The crazy thing is, I think that we've been in undergrad, medical school, and residency for so long that things have been in style, out of style, and back in style again. So, according to my calculations, that means that by the time we are done, it will be out. BUT, by the time we pay off our debt and get in to a house (like a good house) it will be in again. What can I say? I like to look at the glass half full--fo shizzle.

image from Ferm Living

image from Domino Magazine

image from Madison & Grow via West Elm

[color kreyv]: Regal Blue

So there I was about to start work on a design board, when I came across these West Elm panels (pictured below). They are so uh-maze-ing. Besides the fact that they are regal blue, (sounds so fancy), they are absolutely gorgeous--stunning, even. And now, I must design the room around my newfound love: regal blue. (She said with a rolled r as she raised her head up high and raised one fist into the air...) I know. I'm a nerd. Just one big regal nerd.

image from House to Home

image from House Beautiful

image from West Elm

Best News I've Heard All Day

So there I was just perusing through Facebook when I stumbled upon a West Elm post that mentions their Salt Lake City store. What the what? I had to read it twice. Then three times. Salt Lake--that's where we're moving! (If you missed that announcement, you can see it here.) I am so excited, and to celebrate, I am posting my favorite items from West Elm: my pintuck duvet cover and my rocking bird. Oh wait. Those are the only two WE items I own (and some cloth napkins, but those don't count). I've got some catching up to do. 

image from West Elm

image from West Elm

I'm not the only one who's excited...

[reader request]: Desks in Bedrooms

Did everyone have a good weekend? I must say, I was feeling the love with all of the comments I got on Stella's room. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Makes me just want to keep on redoing more rooms. *Sigh. Maybe in a perfect world.  Besides all of your love, I had Mr. Hubs home for the entire weekend up until about six pm tonight. The only good thing about him being gone is that I can watch the Kardashians without being judged.  It's one of those shows that just sucks me in. It's sad, but true. But anyway, let's get down to business, shall we?


JoAnn needs to figure out the best way to add a desk to her bedroom. While it's not always our first choice to have an office space in the bedroom, sometimes it's necessary. In fact, I'm at my desk, in my bedroom, right now. I think there are a few options here, or at least three that I prefer most.

Option One: Place your desk at the foot of the bed. When you need a space to have multi purpose, the foot of the bed is a perfect place for baskets, benches, seating, and, of course, a desk. Make sure the desk is the right scale, though. You don't want the desk to overpower the bed as the bed should remain the main focal point.

image from House Beautiful

Option Two: Make sure your furniture has multi-purpose. A desk doesn't just have to be a desk. Make it pretty. It can double as a vanity or a console with a beautiful lamp and minimal accessories.

image from Decor Pad

Option Three: Place your desk to the side of your bed. Again, your desk can serve double duty--as a desk and as a nightstand. I think that regardless of where you choose to place your desk, the most important thing is to get the scale, style, and color right. That way, it's just another great piece of furniture in the room. Hope this helps, JoAnn. Can't wait to see what you do!

image from West Elm

If you would like to be featured in my [reader request] series, just leave me your request in the comment section, or email me at jamiejjoyal@gmail.com. Not all requests will be featured.

My Not So One of Kind

You know the episode of Friends where Rachel keeps buying things from Pottery Barn? She tells Phoebe that they are from swap meets, because Phoebe hates Pottery Barn and the fact that everything is mass produced and not original. Rachel also makes up stories about the history of the items. Well, I wish I could tell you that this little rocking bird was from the days of yore, that it was a handmade child's toy, one of a kind, antique...but I can't. It's from West Elm, and it's pretty much my new favorite thing. And, obviously, I'm not the only one who likes it. Stella let it borrow her jewelry, money, and phone. She even shared her crackers with it. Now, that's love.

Today I Make the Bed

Thanks so much for all the get well wishes. Being in the house for a week straight is a LONG time, and it's good to hear from the outside world. You know what else is good? Friends. Friends dropping off meals (thanks, Kellie), offering to clean or do laundry (I'd have to be on my death bed to ever let anyone do that), random emails, lots of offers to take Stella, and friends that just call and say they are taking Stella for the day, and then next thing you know, there they are at your house. Thanks, Karma...not only did you allow me to get lots of rest, but you also made me hurry and jump in the shower to wash my hair before you got to my house! I needed that, trust me.

I'm not sure what the deal is with this body of mine, but this virus has had me down for the count. I feel a little wimpy, I'm not going to lie! I think the worst of it is over, though, and if not, I'm over it. Today, I'm making the bed--even if Jeremy unmakes it 10 minutes later, so he can sleep. Today, I'm getting dressed (in real clothes). Today, I'm leaving the house, even if it's just for a little while. And, if I'm feeling really crazy, I might even put make-up on--might. As for now, I'm taking a sleeping pill, so I can pretend to feel good tomorrow whether my body likes it or not.

image from Our Haven Our Home 

image from Thomas O'Brien

image from West Elm

Cuddles & Snuggles

I hope you all had a great weekend. Ours was mostly spent in our bedroom. Trust me, not as exciting as it sounds. Our little Stella had to have a procedure done, so her recovery was mostly spent in "Mommy's bed," relaxing, cuddling, and watching "Funny Animals," (Madagascar), "Berry Benson," (The Bee Movie), and Elmo. I definitely hated seeing her so miserable on the first day, but I loved that she just wanted me to hold her the entire time.  That never gets old. As for the week ahead, I plan on getting out. I'm a tad bit stir crazy! And, as a side note, hydrogen peroxide takes blood right out of a white comforter, coats, and blankets. Just a tip for ya.

image from West Elm

image from Anthropologie

image from West Elm

And to All a Good Night!

Ahhhh, I can't believe Christmas is over.  It's a day of so much anticipation, and then it seems to go by so quickly.  I'm a little bummed out that it's over with, aren't you? We had such a great holiday. Hope you all had a great day, too! (You can read about a few highlights here.)  Unfortunately, something other than Christmas cheer was lingering in my home, and now it's my turn to be sick!  Bummer...what a waste of a day! Luckily, Jeremy was home all day today to take care of me and more importantly, write me prescriptions for the good stuff. On that note, I just took a sleeping pill, and I'm off to bed hoping to wake up ready to face the real world.  

image from Decorology

image from West Elm

image from Style at Home

Exposed

Before moving to St. Louis, I was set on renting a loft apartment.  I love the exposed brick, the large windows, and the industrial look. I love the idea of living in the city near the local shops and trendy restaurants. I had my list of prospective places, and I was ready to apartment shop. Until...

The hubs so kindly brought me back to reality. Did I really want to drag a baby, groceries, and all of my other weekly errand finds through a parking garage and up an elevator. Mmm-no.  Did I want to have to pay $100 per parking spot.  Probably not. And, how would I feel if I had to make an emergency run to the grocery store in the middle of the night if Stella were sick, and he was on call? I wouldn't. That one was the kicker. Living in the city would be awesome, but I don't need to be wandering around with my child at night in it.

So, we live in the burbs where I park six feet from my front door, park for free (both spots), and I would feel fine running to the Target that is one mile from my house in the middle of the night (IF I really had to...and by run I mean drive). I still LOVE the idea of a loft apartment, but it's just not for us. I guess there's a time and a season for everything. Maybe our time will be retirement. Ahhh, just imagine being able to walk out of your building just steps away from good shopping...

image from Gypsy Mind

image from Cococozy

image from West Elm

[color kreyv]: Gray & Yellow

So, I've been on a gray kick lately. It really goes with everything. I love it. Last week, Melissa made the comment on this post that she loved the combination of gray and yellow. I thought to myself, "Self, I love that combo as well. That will be next week's [color kreyv]." And that, my friends, is how this post came to be. Thanks for the idea, Melissa!

image from Buy Modern Baby Blog

image from West Elm

image from Better Homes & Gardens

The Settee. J'aime.

Do you know what a settee is? If you do, I'm going to tell you anyway! A settee is a small sofa that can accommodate two people, not to be confused with a love seat. Two totally different things. Don't you feel smart now--and kind of fancy? Me, too! In fact, I think I want a settee. I need somewhere to sit while I sip my Crystal Light and read my poetry. Check out these beauts.

And, speaking of love, I am extra loving my big sister, Brittni who is celebrating her birthday. Happy Birthday, Sis! Love you!

image from West Elm

image from Cozamia

image from Sarah Richardson

Memories of Wrought Iron

I used to teach second grade, and I really encouraged my students to make connections while reading. Does the book remind you of another book (text to text), of an experience (text to self), or of something happening in the world (text to world)? The idea was to take that connection and develop it into a story.

If you haven't noticed, I make a lot of connections. I'm kind of all over the place. You've noticed, haven't you? Well, I'll go ahead and call it making connections. You can call it random. I'm sure you can figure out where I'm heading with all of this...wrought iron reminds me of something.

The house that I grew up in had a very large balcony surrounded by wrought iron. My sister, my neighbor Gayle, and I would roller skate, have pool parties, and play hopscotch up there.

One day, we saw a car coming down the road. We thought it belonged to a man we went to church with. The three of us decided we would moon the guy. So down went our pants on the count of three. We were pretty proud of ourselves...until the car turned up our driveway. Did I mention my mom had a very similar car to the one we thought belonged to the man at church? She didn't think it was very funny, butt we did. (That was bad, I know--not the mooning, the use of the word butt.) We really felt like rebels at the age of 7, 9, and 10.

So that's it. That's my connection, and by the way, I am really loving these beds. The Anthropologie bed is kind of out there, but I kind of really love it.

image from West Elm

image from Pottery Barn

image from Anthropologie

[so cheap, so easy]: Cloth Napkin DIYs

Remember when I had that awesome giveaway? I gave away a gift card to West Elm. Well, I felt left out, so when I was ordering the gift card, I found a little somethin' somethin' for myself. Sometimes that happens to me. I can't help it. The cloth napkins sucked me in, and I bought them.

I bought two sets of four each for $12. You can't beat that. I made pillows with one set. No cutting, and even I can sew a pillow (with a little help).

image from Pottery Barn

These next beauties are from Pottery Barn. I bought a set of six block print napkins for $25. I'm not saying they are the cheapest napkins you can buy, but they were originally $39. Such a deal. (It's a reflex, me always justifying my purchases.) I've only used one so far, and I used it to cover these small lampshades. I love them! Of course, the cylindrical lampshade was the easiest, but I managed to make the other one look decent as well. You would never know they were covered with napkins. Well, you would, because I just told you.

I'm not sure what I'll do with the other napkins. They are so beautiful. They all have a different, coordinating pattern. In the past, I've used napkins to cover canvases, or I've framed them. The possibilities are really endless! Perhaps I will just use them at the table--THAT would be crazy.

Springing Forward

Every time we have daylight savings, it takes me a good week to get used to the time change. I keep thinking, "Well, it's actually 6:00 instead of 7:00." But actually, it's not. The time has changed, so come to terms with it. (Tell me I'm not the only one who does this. Please. I'm sure the lucky people in Arizona don't do it. No fair.)

When I had a job in the corporate world, I preferred falling back as opposed to springing forward. Nothing worse than having to get up even earlier to go to work. As a mom, however, I actually like springing forward. See, my little Stella Bean goes to bed at around 6:30 and wakes up at 6:30. But now, she goes to bed at 7:30 and gets up at 7:30. I feel like I'm sleeping in!

Regardless of the time, I love these clocks. They are so beautiful and functional to boot. I wonder why I never buy clocks. I think I need to.

image from Pottery Barn

image from West Elm

image from West Elm

Sticks & Stones AND a Winner!

One time I went into my mom's backyard and pulled some reddish sticks off of a bush and put them in a glass vase. I also took enough for myself, and let me tell you, I moved those babies with me across the country (at least to Wisconsin). That's how much I loved those sticks! That is also the day that I started making my family refer to me as being resourceful. Sometimes they still call me that, when they're trying to get on my good side, and it works. Every time.

I just love the look of sticks. It's a great way to bring nature into your home (minus the dirt, ticks, and other nasties), and it's an affordable way to make a big statement. My statement is enjoy the nature inside of my house, because this is as close as you will ever get me to camping.

image from Eldrids

image from Elle Decor

image from Nesting Place

image from Alice Lane

And now for the moment you've all been waiting for (not really, but play along anyway): The winner of the West Elm gift card is...

Heather said...

I also recommended your blog on my facebook page

February 27, 2011 9:36 AM

Congratulations, Heather!! Please email me with your information jamiejojoyal@hotmail.com.