Gone Crazy

Y'all.  I don't know what is wrong with me, but I am losing it.  Last week I wore two different shoes to the gym. We had an errand to run afterward, so I was out of the house for several HOURS wearing two different shoes.  Didn't even notice until I took them off and went to put them in my closet.  Awesome.  And then yesterday, the girls and I went to TJ Maxx after dance.  When we left the dance studio, I pulled my sunglasses out of my purse and put them on.  We parked at the store, I got out to open Harper's door, and saw my reflection in the window.  Not only was I wearing sunglasses, but I had another pair on my head.  I have officially gone crazy.

Painted Bookcases

Happy Tuesday, friends!  Can all weekends last 4 days?   Pretty please??  Griff took Friday off, and we packed as much productivity into the weekend as we possibly could.  There was grocery shopping, major house cleaning, a birthday party (for Griff and Izzy), a MOPS meeting (for me and Harper), baking, grilling, hosting friends for dinner, a visit with Meme and Great Auntie, approximately 45 trips to Home Depot, and LOTS of painting.

When we moved into the new house in December, Griff's parents gave us some bookcases that they were no longer using.  We happily accepted them, thinking they would eventually end up in our gameroom.  They have been living in the garage for the past 8 months.

As I mentioned last week, we have been working on our office/study.  It was in serious need of some storage and function.  I would love to have some built-ins made for that room, but we are saving for a bigger project, and those built-ins ain't cheap.  That's when I got the brilliant idea to refinish our gifted = free bookcases and put them to work in the office.

The Before

We did not go the chalk paint route for this project, so there was some sanding and priming involved.  We sanded everything lightly with a pretty fine sandpaper, then used two coats of primer, and three coats of paint.  The bookcases are not solid wood, and they just soak up the paint.  It actually went a lot quicker than I thought, and wasn't as huge of a beat down as expected.  We made a ton of progress, and all that is left is putting two coats of paint on all the shelves.  For the shelves, we did three coats of primer, hoping that we can get by with only two coats of paint since we have more primer than paint left, and nobody wants to make a 46th trip to Home Depot.

We used Sherwin Williams Simple White and SW Urbane Bronze (matched at Home Depot)

I posted this yesterday on Instagram #laborday

We moved the bookcases into the office, and I am just giddy with excitement.  I love how they turned out, and I can totally see the vision coming together.  Mama is doing her happy dance!  

At first, I thought I wanted them pushed together like this.

Then we tried them apart, and it made the room looked so much bigger!  But what to do with that space in the middle?

Ahhh, yes.  Perfection.

I'm so excited to finish the shelves and get them installed.  And just so you know, there is little in life that brings me more joy than styling bookshelves.  So pumped.  I'm a day late at this, but I noticed that Momfessionals link-up yesterday was "What's on your...Project List," so I'm linking up with her today.

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday, friends!  I, for one, am extremely happy to see this week come to an end.  Tantrums have been off the chart this week, and mama needs to tap out.  What better way to say "good riddance" to this week and head into the weekend than to talk about a few of my favorite things?!  I'm linking up with Andrea from Momfessionals today!

ONE. 

These coffee mugs from World Market are the bomb.com.  And at under four bucks each, you really can't go wrong.  They sell them individually in the store, but it looks like they come in pairs online.  They are the perfect size, so comfy to hold, and the fact that they are white makes them blend with any decor.  I have a few mugs from the ever popular Anthropologie that look super cute sitting out in my kitchen (and occasionally get used), but when I need a serious fix, I turn to these babies.  

World Market 

TWO.

Are ya'll watching Jen Hatmaker and her precious family on HGTV's My Big Family Renovation?  I just love her and everything she stands for, so Hatmaker + HGTV = jackpot in my world.  I'm excited for the final two episodes tonight.  

THREE.

I am by no means a make-up maven.  It's just never been my thing.  I get easily overwhelmed by all the options, so I generally just stick to the basics.  That being said, I rely on my girlfriend, Michelle, to inform me of any products that I need in my life.  I recently purchased this It Cosmetics Bye Bye Undereye concealer upon her recommendation, and it is amazing.  A true game changer.  My skin is pretty fair, and the neutral medium works for me.  Google this stuff, and you'll find a ton of before/after photos.

Ulta

FOUR.

We have officially painted our first room in the new house.  The office is now Mindful Gray by Sherwin Williams (mixed at Home Depot), which is the perfect warm gray.  In our room, it reads the slightest bit green in certain lights, but not blue at all.  Grays are tricky, and I'm really happy with this one. Next up on our list is painting some bookcases that have been living in our garage for the past 8 months, and giving them a new home in the office.  I'll post more pictures eventually, but here's a little sneak peek.  Pay no attention to the child with her head in a bucket.  And that mess on the dining room table?  That's just a small piece of the overall mess that has taken over the dining room.  As one room gets attention, another suffers..

FIVE.

The hunt is on for some new booties for fall.  I have been hoarding my gap rewards with plans to spend them on some fall boots at Piperlime.  I have been doing a little window shopping, and so far these are at the top of the list:  

I always come back to this Rachel Comey bootie.  It comes in a nude color that I love equally.  These are pretty far out of the budget, so the odds are not in their favor, unfortunately. 

Piperlime

 These Sam Edelman Petty booties are much more budget friendly, and they get great reviews.  A definite contender.

Piperlime

I was unsure of these last fall, but I've really developed a bit of a crush on the Toms wedge booties lately.  They get awesome reviews, are very versatile, and are priced right.  And they come in leopard.  Just sayin'...

Nordstrom

 Cheers to a happy weekend!

Dentist and Dancing

We had ourselves a busy little day yesterday.  Izzy and Harper both had dental appointments in the morning, and since this was our first visit to a new dentist, and Harper's first trip ever, I recruited help from Griff.  When we walked in and Frozen was playing, I knew things were looking up.  Turns out, I didn't even need help.  The girls were so good, and I was so proud of both of them.  Everyone went on and on about well behaved they were.   The dentist even double checked Harper's age with me because he said she was acting like such a good girl and being so cooperative.  There have been so many outings lately that involve terrible behavior from the girls and result in me wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole, so I was just so thankful for a smooth and successful visit.  No tears and no cavities.  Crushed it.

The girls also started dance yesterday.  They were so adorable in their outfits.  Izzy's class started first, and I literally had to peel her off of me to get her into her classroom.  She is very clingy in new situations, but luckily her teacher noticed her reluctance, and scooped her away very sweetly, insisting that she needed a helper, and I was able to make a quick getaway.  Harper, on the other hand?  Walked straight into her classroom, quickly found the mirror, and started running circles.  Both girls seem to really enjoy their classes, and are excited to go back next week.  Guess I'm a dance mom now.  Oh, boy.

And to celebrate the 30 minutes of downtime I have when their classes overlap, I sure did stop by Starbucks and treat myself to my first PSL of the season, and it did not disappoint.

Dancing Girls

My little ladies are starting dance class today.  Izzy was in a very informal and laid back after school dance class last year, so this will kind of be a first for her, and a definite first for Harper.  Their classes are each an hour long and they overlap for 30 minutes.  I'd be lying if I said I wasn't looking forward to 30 minutes of silence.  I might even bring a book.  Clearly I am easily excited.

I really don't know why they even need dance lessons.  Check out these moves.

Oh, Hey There!

Well, it's been a bit, hasn't it.   Life hasn't been particularly crazy or busy lately, just your normal amount of crazy and busy.  Honestly, I just haven't had the motivation/urge/need/whatever you want to call it to blog lately.  I hope that is about to change though because I really do enjoy blogging and following along with other bloggers.  In a few weeks when the girls head back to school, I will be finding myself with 8 hours a week sans children for the first time since we brought Harper home.  The plan is to get some necessities done during that time (think cleaning and grocery shopping alone) and still leave a little time for things that are just for me, blogging being one of them.  But let's be honest, I may just spin in circles the entire first day as a side effect of over-excitement and having not a clue what to do with myself.  Only time will tell.

Our summer has been filled with a bunch of lazy days in our pajamas (a family favorite), a family trip to Sea World, an anniversary trip to San Francisco/Calistoga for mommy and daddy, a week of Zoo camp, a 3-day Back to School Bootcamp, a fun day of Frozen Camp, several fun birthday parties and playdates, mornings at the gym, trips to the museum, water park, movie theater, mall playground, and lots of crafting.

As summers go, I'd say we pretty much nailed this one.  Now bring on the cooler temps, pumpkin spice lattes, and all things fall!

Izzy was afraid people would think they were twins.  

Frozen camp with our sweet neighbor friend.  I think they had fun. ;)

The zoo train is always a hit.  Those eyes.

She's not into coloring books, but she does like to draw.  Hearts and rainbows are a house favorite.

Haha.  I sent this pic to my girlfriends when I was at the gym, as we have discussed these commercials.  What exactly is transvaginal mesh, and how does one get it?  So many questions...

These sweet moments don't last long.  Gotta get that pic while you can. 

Sea World with cousins.  That look Harper is giving to Casen kills me.

Harper's line up of school shoes.  snif snif...

No summer is complete without a little Nordstrom anniversary sale shopping.  

That little blow-up slide/pool was quite possibly our best summer purchase.  At $39, I'd say we got our money's worth.

This just makes me laugh.

Dining Table Chalk Paint Makeover

Well, it only took about 3 months, but the dining table is finally D.O.N.E.  As a reminder, a few pics of the table in its original state.  

Here is the inspiration board I created for this room.

And here she is today.

I gotta say, this felt like the never ending project, but I'm really happy with the end result.  I can't officially call this room complete until we get a new buffet, mirror, and wall decor for the empty wall opposite the bay window, but the table makeover and the new curtains will tide me over until then.  

Sources:
White paint for table - Annie Sloan Old White
Curtains - World Market
Captain Chairs - World Market
Curtain Rod and Clips - Lowes - link isn't working, but it's the Allen + Roth Meridian Bronze Metal Curtain Rod with coordinating clips