Just a Touch of Paint

I'm definitely a sucker for an all white room, but there's no denying the complete and utter awesomeness of the paint in these rooms. I mean, really, how yummy is that lilac in the first picture, the bold stripes in the second, and don't even get me started on the ceiling in the last.  I love them all, especially the lilac. And, of course I would need the couch to go with it. And obviously, the windows...

image from Bloomingville

image from Daily Dream Decor

image from Design Sponge

[color kreyv]: Radiant Orchid

Pantone has named radiant orchid as 2014's color of the year. Radiant orchid is kind of an amped up purplish pink. You know, like an orchid, but radiant…(such a genius statement). I am not going to lie. Purple is not a shade I am usually drawn to. For some reason, it's just not on my radar. I like it, I just kind of forget about it. (Who forgets about a color like purple?) Radiant orchid works for me, because it's got some pink in it, and I think it would be super unexpected and chic in small doses. Anyway, since I'm doing such a fantastic job of articulating my relationship with purple, let's just look at these pretty pictures, mmmkay? Radiant orchid: yay or nay?

image source unknown

image from Project Nursery

image from Apartment Therapy

What $1300 Will Buy You

Remember that one day when I took my Mr. Hubs' car to the dealership, and it needed over $1200 worth of work done to it? And then, the very next day, I got a ticket for $100 and a picture of me running a red light in the mail? And, remember when I could have sworn that when Mr. Hubs opened that piece of mail, he kind of grinned, because he was happy that it was me and not him this time? Remember when I made that grin go away as soon as I reminded him that this was the only ticket I'd gotten since we've been married, and that he's had...a few more? That was my Friday and Saturday. Don't even get me started on everything and anything else that I could have spent that money on. Car problems and tickets are definitely at the top of my list of things I hate to spend money on.  So, what will $1300 buy you? For you, any one of these three things. For me? A red light ticket and car repairs. Ugh. You win some, you lose some, right?!

image from Restoration Hardware

image from Anthropologie

image from Crate & Barrel

A Place for Velvet Furniture

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Ours was kind of wet with some sore throats, but regardless, it was the weekend, and weekends are kind of the best part of the week, dontcha think? I've come to the conclusion (again) that I could never live somewhere with a lot of rainfall...like St. Louis has been the last few weeks. It's cloudy and rainy and wet. I've never really liked being out in the rain , and I REALLY don't like being out in the rain grocery shopping, loading a toddler into the car, or going to a place with no parking (inside snuggling is a completely different story--that's pretty awesome). Speaking of things that don't like to get wet (other than me), check out this velvet furniture. Pretty maj, right? I think I could definitely use a velvet sofa in my sitting room. With my baby grand. In my imaginary house. I guess I should have stuck with piano lessons. Maybe Stella will be a pianist. If not, who wants to come play the piano while I sit on my velvet furniture and listen to you? I know. This blog of mine sparks quite the imagination in me, doesn't it? 

image from Little Green Notebook

image from Domino Magazine

image from Anne Hepfer

[color kreyv]: Purple

I'm not a big purple person. (That sounded better in my head than it does in writing. In writing, it kind of looks like I'm saying that I'm not purple. Or big. Hmmm...I digress.) Anyway, I've just never really been into purple, but I thought to myself, Self, you need to give purple a chance. And, you know what? It's really quite beautiful (in small doses), dontcha think? 

image from Katie Rosenfeld Design

image from Design Sponge

image from Layla Grace

What Color Are You?

I've always thought color psychology to be very interesting. When I was 12 or 13, I went to girls camp, and there was a presentation about color. I tried to be a yellow...the fun color, but CLEARLY I'm a red. Clearly. This post on House of Fifty was about being drawn to certain colors and what it may say about our personality. I thought it was super interesting, and hey, if being drawn to white, black, and gray means that I'm conservative, honorable, reliable, individualistic, innocent, disciplined, and strong-willed aka boring, I'll take it. Fortunately, there are no negative adjectives on any color, so it's pretty much a feel-good exercise! So, what color(s) are you drawn to, and does this describe you?

[color kreyv]: Indigo

Do you remember Rainbow Brite and all of her friends? Do you remember Indigo? I always thought she was the prettiest one. I loved the color of her hair and skin, and especially the color of her clothes. And, let's be honest, these pictures with indigo are not too shabby, either. But back to memory lane...

I had every single Rainbow Brite doll (Rainbow Brite, Red Butler, Lala Orange, Canary Yellow, Patty O'Green, Buddy Blue, Shy Violet, and Indigo). And her horse. And her house. They were in perfect condition, just like all of the rest of my toys. It's true. I have had OCD since I was little. I had lots of toys, all in perfect condition, and I always had the complete set. When I was too old for all of my toys, I boxed them up and stored them for years...until I had the bright idea of selling them at a yard sale to earn money for my cheerleading uniforms. 

I'm sure my mom would have just paid for my uniforms, and she would have loved to pay for my uniforms rather than see me sell my toys. But I wanted to earn the money myself, blah, blah, blah...dumb teenager trying to earn money when I had parents to pay for everything. What was I thinking?! Anyway, I'm sure whomever bought my toys laughed out loud when they got to their car with my perfect toys that they practically got for free. And, if by some chance that person reads this blog, you're welcome. And, to my mom: I'm sorry to bring this up again. I know it makes you cringe just thinking about it.

image from Nina Jizhar of Swanky Swell via Decor Pad

image from Jean Allsop via Decor Pad

image from Tobi Fairley

[color kreyv]: Purple & Green

Purple and green. It sounds a little scary at first, but look how beautiful these spaces are! I've always loved the colors for a little girl's room, but look how sophisticated it looks in this entry from Apartment Therapy. I guess we're not really talking about a true purple and a true green, because that could be a little much. It's really a chartreuse and plum; pear and lilac; and sage and lavender. How did I do? Let me guess, that's EXACTLY what you were thinking. Good. Glad we're on the same page.

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Zimbio

image from Pottery Barn Kids

[color kreyv]: Plum

These plum rooms are amazing, no doubt about it! The color is so sophisticated and rich. Several years ago, my little brother and I decided to paint my mom's main bathroom plum (he, of course did the painting), only then we called it eggplant...tuh-mayto, tuh-mah-to. (So, it's not really an expression that you put in writing, what can I say?) Anyway, the bathroom probably gets more compliments than any room in her house.

Speaking of plums, I can't believe that summer is almost over. (Yeah, nothing to do with plums, just wanted to change the subject.) It absolutely flew by, but I have to say, I am SO enjoying this cooler weather. St. Louis summers are not my favorite, but the rest of the year has great weather (minus the occasional tornado)! Since I don't have kids in school, I consider Labor Day the end of the summer. So, here's to the last few weeks of summer (and plums)! I hope you enjoy it!

image from House to Home

image from Stars and Quills

image from Deco Ideas

[color kreyv]: Periwinkle

It's funny how naive I was before having a child, and I'm sure I'm probably still very naive (only having one, mild-mannered toddler). I laugh at some of my preconceived notions regarding raising children.

The first night home from the hospital, we set an alarm clock, so we could wake up to feed the baby. Of course, we didn't need it. We haven't used an alarm clark in 18 1/2 months (the exact age of Stella).

We said we would never let our kids eat in the car. I'd be mortified if anyone saw what lies beneath that car seat. There are a lot of crumbs under there, and we have a really clean car...except for that one spot. Worth it.

We thought our lives would not revolve around Stella's sleep schedule. False, but that's okay. Everyone's happier when we are all well-rested!

I (and probably everyone who knows me) thought I would be a germ-a-phobe. Surprisingly, I'm not (except for when it comes to shopping carts).

I said I would never take Stella out in public unless she was clean with her hair done. Okay, I stuck by that one. My hair doesn't always get done, but Stella's does!

I'm sure there are more, and I'm sure my list will continue to grow! What preconceived notions of yours were squashed?

image from Elle Decor

image from Exotic Interiors

image from Better Homes & Gardens

[color kreyv]: Purple

I don't know why the [color kreyv] series always takes me down memory lane, but it does, so just go with it. When I was in the eighth grade, I had a solo in the chorus production. I sang, "My Boyfriend's Back." (There was also a "Purple People Eater" number, which is how I got to this story. Purple People eater, purple rooms. I'm all over the place, I know.) Later that same year, I had the starring role in the eighth grade play. Eighth grade marked the end of my singing and acting career.

I never had an awesome voice, but I still sang. In fact, I also took piano, gymnastics, dance, voice, volleyball, softball, basketball, swimming, and I don't know what else...a lot of different things. But, I never stuck with one thing, so I was just okay at a lot of different things. I wish I would have stuck to one thing or anything for that matter. I think I will force and bribe my kids to stay in their lessons.

Maybe on some level, I knew I needed to give the less talented people a chance to shine. I hope that Celine Dion and Jennifer Aniston appreciate my sacrifice.

image from Marie Claire Maison

image from House to Home

image from Abode Love