elephant head | animal prints | zoo animal figurines | green curtains

I mentioned my idea for Anthony's room in yesterday's post...

the one he'll have when he's so lovingly evicted from ours.

I thought it'd be fun to share my inspiration board for it. 

Vintage zoo.

Oh yehhh, babyyyy.

I'm not sure what vintage zoo means, but it sounds good and looks good in my head...

so I'm going with it. ;)

I'm talking plastic animal figurines, animal books, elephant head (? still questioning this one as it seems to be almost creepy to me- ha), green curtains and framed animal prints. 

I like that it works as a nursery...and will work when he gets older as well.

Although, I am sure he'll have other ideas at some point.
Noooooooo. 

I'll let you know how this all turns out...

in 5 years when I've finally finished the room. 

::hehh::

Project Baby w/ Marshalls

I had nothing ready for le baby when he arrived, as you may already know if you caught his birth story.

I do literally mean nothing- no hospital bag, clothes or even a single diaper.

I was convinced the child wouldn't dare show his face until after Christmas...

and that was stupid.

The husband had to run home, rearrange our room to make room for a nursery area, assemble the cradle (that Anthony refuses to sleep in now), pack my hospital bag....ummm...yeh, he pretty much did everything while I was in the hospital going into labor. Ha. He made it back just in time for me to squeeze the heck out of his hand during hardcore pitocin-induced contractions. He's a keeper. 

Anywhoooo...

I wish I had planned better and gotten my booty working on baby boy's nursery before he showed up, but hey ho...what ya gonna do? Do better next time. Maybe. Probably not.

I've been able to work on it a bit here and there since he was born, but it's hard (really hard) to go on shopping adventures with one perpetually whiney/mad/sad/clingy 2.5 year old (love herrrrr) and one 

newborn that uses me as a human pacifier. ;) Not only that, I have a teeny tiny budget for home decorating.

MARSHALLS.

That was my answer. 

Everything in one place, one-of-a-kind type finds and...most importantly...budget-friendly. 

I love that place. 

Marshalls finds - baskets, crown baby blanket, Carter's crib shoes, Infantino baby toys, hanging picture frame, all 4 outfits

cradle - Dream on Me Rocking cradle, Amazon

Look at all those sweet baby items I found...
and I spent no more than $100 on all of it!
Not too shabby.

Once Anthony no longer bunks with the rents, my idea is to go with a vintage zoo type theme.
I love those little animal figurines- perfect to put on wall shelves above his changing table. I found this elephant head for the wall and it's awesome, right? My only thought with that is that it may scare him as he gets older. Ummm, because yeh...I'd be scared too if I had some animal head staring at me in the middle of the night. We'll see on that one- haha.  I also saw this pin a while back and would love to incorporate that amazing green in somehow. It is all a work in progress, of course...and I'm sure it'll take me at least until his 5th birthday to actually get it all done (probably right around the time he requests something more manly and tough. lol). Regardless, I'll obviously be heading back into Marshalls in order to put it all together.

*this post was sponsored by Marshalls, but that really means nothing at all...because I sing their praises on the regular anyways. :)

A very Jane Austen Christmas.

  Jane Austen.

I love.

I think it would be magnificent to have a Jane Austen-esque Christmas.

(I did make that term up)

& here are some wonderful Jane Austen quotes.
Hope they make you feel cheery.
Or amused at the least.

A large income is the best recipe for happiness I ever heard of.
---
 I do not want people to be very agreeable, as it saves me the trouble of liking them a great deal.
---
 It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife.
---
 It is happy for you that you possess the talent of flattering with delicacy. May I ask whether these pleasing attentions proceed from the impulse of the moment, or are they the result of previous study?

I'm not that into Halloween,...

BUT...



these classic looking Halloween decorating ideas are too chic to pass up. I plan on decorating lots of  rooms & planning lots of parties once we find our dream home. Oh, it is so happening.

Have a blessed All Hallow's Eve. Be safe.

Of course I will post pictures later of our sweet Moo in her 1st costume b/c I know you are dyyyyinnnggg to see,...riiiiiiiiight?

The Happiest Chairs on the Block

I recently discovered Happy Chair and immediately fell in love.


I mean, just take a look at some of these amazing pieces.




Wouldn't you die to have one of those cheery chairs in your home?

Shawna Robinson, owner and designer, states...


Happy Chair finds worn and weathered pieces and gives them new life. My heart, soul and hands personally go into each piece of furniture designed to be a Happy Chair.  I brazenly mix and reconstruct new and vintage fabrics.  Exciting patterns and inspired details bring unique character to life in each original piece.  Once completed each Happy Chair is given a name based on its distinct personality. Yes it takes time, creativity and patience but the end result is magic derived from passion (found on the Happy Chair website).

These pieces can be found primarily in Charlotte, NC boutiques.

I can imagine that one of these extraordinary chairs would be a centerpiece in my home. There is absolutely no doubt about it.

Now tell me you don't love them!