A Toddler Room?

As A gets closer to his 2nd birthday (how on earth is this possible?), I have started thinking about what I should do with his room. I love his "nursery" but know that some changes need to occur as he gets older. I've also been reading different books about educational philosophies, living more simply and enjoying every moment.

Right now A's room seems fairly calming to me. The walls are light blue, he has light furniture, a wall decal, soft light, lots of books, some toy bins and a crib. He has wall art of animals, numbers and a photo of mom and dad. His closet is a little busy, including more books, clothes and toys. Almost everything is reachable to a nearly 2 year old.

Please ignore our home grown attempt to block out the morning sun :)

I'm trying to keep things simple, calming and fun. I want him to enjoy his room - maybe I should add things he likes: pictures of Trucks? Horses? Letters? I also want him to feel secure and safe there. I don't plan on painting, but could change up the art, bedding etc. I'm in need of some advice! When do I move him from the crib to the toddler bed?  Do I keep the glider or set up a reading "nook?" Do I pare down his books even more?

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! :)

What are your favorite activities for your patio or balcony? {Giveaway}

I know I've mentioned it before...but I love the outdoors! We are so lucky to live in a place where we can spend quality time outside. California living at it's best is enjoying meals or watching colorful evening sunsets while relaxing on the patio. I feel like there isn't anything I can't do in my outdoor living space!

As summer comes to an end, I am already getting a bit nostalgic for all the fun we've had the last few months. The nearly perfect weather (though a little hot recently), means casual parties with friends, reading my favorite book, watching A learn to ride a bike, hanging out with the grandparents, playing in the pool and even using the ipad to learn astronomy...all just a step outside.

As the weather cools a bit, I'm still looking forward to making more memories in my now awesome yard (thanks to my wonderful husband!). Though the leaves don't change here, there is a pumpkin farm nearby and I can't wait to decorate the patio with jack o'lanterns. Since my little guy is a huge fan of the outdoors, I know many an hour will be spent making memories on the patio of our little home.

What activities do you and your family enjoy on your patio? Answer the question in the comment section below and one of you will win a $25 Sears gift card!

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This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Sears. The opinions and text are all mine. Official Sweepstakes Rules.

CA living...outside!

For this installation of my home tour, we're going outside!

One of the best things about living in Southern California is the ability to pretty much live outside. While I don't have a porch, I do have a great yard, with an inner courtyard and some beautiful flowers. Our backyard is also greatly improved, due mostly to my husband's hard work and great ideas!

We debated back and forth for a long time about whether to really invest in expensive patio furniture (and there are some expensive sets out there!) or to get a "starter" set and see what happens. We decided to go with the cheaper set and I think it's been a great idea. It is very utilitarian, but serves its function. The chairs in particular are really good for guests, fireworks and can easily withstand getting soaked (in case you accidentally leave them out in the sprinklers).

A year later we found the swing on super sale and integrated it into the yard...I love sitting out here on weekend mornings drinking my coffee and hanging out with Mr. A. It's also great for hanging out with the grandparents when they come visit - three generations all fit on the swing at once :)

I'd still love to fit a hammock somewhere in the yard as well as to find a way to add a little more color. I probably need some more little people furniture too :) The one cute, red chair isn't quite enough to keep the little guy's attention!

For more great ideas on patio furniture or porch living - please check out Kelly's Korner!

Decorating Tables

Another installment of the house tour! Today....it's how I decorate my tables. Well, you see, I don't really have that many tables. My dining room table gets dressed up for company - usually entailing my wedding napkins and some fresh flowers. I love fresh flowers!

My favorite decorations? Probably on my first Mother's day :) Cute kid, fresh squeezed orange juice, amazing breakfast from the husband and fresh flowers, of course.

Here are some of the flowers in my yard...I rarely buy flowers since I have such an amazing array right out the front door!

My coffee table has been bare or covered with trains since A joined the walking. If anyone has an ideas for how to dress up a table with a toddler in the house - please fill me in!

Now

The best it's ever looked? Again, the husband was involved (a trend perhaps?) - the day he asked me to marry him. Now, of course, candles aren't happening!

Then

I think I'll wait a bit to invest in anything really amazing. Once the toddler danger is past. But I would love some inspiration. If you want some too, head over to Kelly's Korner to check out some more home tour blogs!

Window treatments...

Another area of my home that could use a little work, but that fall to the bottom of the priority list, are my windows.

I wouldn't call the windows in my home "treated." They are covered...by utilitarian blinds. The sliding doors have some drapes, and the living room has a black out shade for the TV. A's room needs some black-out shades as well.

The majority of my windows look like this

I have been coveting curtains/drapes/blinds from the following places. I think I have window indecision issues :) So here are my ideas - hopefully creative!

I love Dwellstudio - usually on the pricey side for me, but I love the look. A had dwellstudio crib bedding :)

Dwellstudio Curtains

 I also adore Westelm, just wish there was one a bit closer to me!

Loving the Roman shades - and the strange sculpture

 Of course, Ikea always has cost effective - and often cute, options. Only 45 minutes away :)

For more of my ideas on "dream" window treatments...check out my pinterest board.

Also, there are great ideas from other creative bloggers on the Kelly's Korner home tour!

Photos in my home

This week on the home tour is showing off the photos displayed in our home. When you first enter, our favorites are in the front hall :)

Ever since A was little he has loved staring at the family photos in the living room. When he is overtired, crying, or when he was really little and just wouldn't stop crying, we could just point to the photos in the front hall. One of the first things he learned was to identify pictures of Mommy, Daddy and Moose! He can also identify iguanas and blue-footed boobies.

We also have photos on top of our bookshelf...many of the frames decorated by my talented little sister!

At the end of the hallway, is one of my favorite displays of photos! My super creative cousin, Emily, made a memory box of mementos and photos from our wedding. I love seeing it at the end of my hallway every day!

More family and friend photos when you turn the corner towards the master bedroom...I need to update these!

And lastly, A has taken to pointing at this poster and saying "dada!" It was the only "photo" that I could find in the office...I think it's adorable that A thinks it's his dad :)

Thanks for letting me show off my photos. Check out how other's display photos in their homes over at Kelly's Korner!

What, a mantle?

After a couple weeks off from the home tour, welcome back! This week I'm showing off my mantle.

Growing up, never had a mantle...in the first home that I own, I have a mantle (Yay!) It is mostly a depository for cards - for whichever holiday happens to be upon us! While it is not perhaps the most elegant mantle in the world, I really love seeing the cards and occasional art from my nephew. It feels homey to me and I feel loved!

Amazingly, the details along the edge of the mantle almost identically match our bookshelves. It was like it was meant to be :) This room has changed the most since we've been here - it feels like it is growing with us!

Serious Mr. Train

I also love our fireplace, but at the moment, it is just a back drop for A's trains :) But wait, It seems to have been a backdrop for someone else's trains too...hmmm. It's also the backdrop of my bump photos from my pregnancy (so I'm going to share one of those too!)

December 2010

And of course, it is the centerpiece of Christmas in our home...so it always makes me think of happy holiday memories!

I also love putting dried flowers on the mantle in the spring/summer, it smells beautiful and adds that extra loving touch!

For more mantle ideas check out Kelly's Korner home tour!

A family dinner - join us!

In continuation of the house tour...this week I invite you over to the the dining room. It's always been important to me to make sure we eat together as a family (as much as possible). I think making your dining room - or wherever you eat - inviting, cozy, comfortable and functional is all important.

When we were buying the house, the windows of this room pretty much sold me :). But the lamp was awful! One of my favorites home improvements was the new lamp and wall sconces. I think we've done a nice job making it our own...I hope one day you can come over and join us for dinner!

 My favorite pics of my dining room? Ones where friends and family are enjoying a meal!

A's first Thanksgiving!

Meals need good food and lots of love!

New and improved lamp!

The old ugly lamp!

Enjoying Mother's Day Brunch!

Love the window!

Want to see the dining rooms of some of your favorite bloggers?

Make sure you check Kelly's Korner for an inside look!

Home Tour: My Sanctuary

In following with my Friday tour of the house, this week, it's the bedroom. My place of sanctuary and relaxation! I love the duvet cover - the print and color - it makes me feel so serene. We recently bought a bedroom set that I also love. I am really happy with the furniture. However, apparently I have a mental block regarding hanging photos. I was thinking of getting some of these made...what do you think? Some more decoration and I think I will have the perfect bedroom.

The bedroom itself is sort of an odd configuration...with the bathroom sink open to the bedroom, but we make it work. I love the sliding doors to the courtyard. I also would love to change the rug, but am a bit gun shy. My dream is a fuzzy white shag rug. I'd love to put my feet down on that in the morning!

Well, welcome!

Simple - perfect for me! But I need some photos above the bed!

Here you can see the bedroom set and how the bathroom is open (above) to the bathroom

Love the windows! So does my puppy dog :)

By book obsession - one of many stashes...

Want to see the bedrooms of some of your favorite bloggers?

Make sure you check Kelly's Korner for an inside look!

Welcome to my Kitchen!

Welcome Back! This week I wanted to share my kitchen. This is one of the area's in my home that I have little influence over. Other than buying the fridge, the kitchen was redone when we bought the house. I really like it - it opens into the dining room and den, which makes it feel even bigger than it is.  I used to spend more time in the kitchen cooking for myself and my husband before A - now it's a lot of baby/toddler food :)

I still really like our kitchen, especially after my talented husband added the track lighting! So come on in - and enjoy :)

View from the Den

My fridge has been taken over with calendars, coloring and baby pics :)

Every fridge needs a good magnet game!

Talk to the drawer

Sometime we still cook :)

My drawer!

Want to see the kitchens of some of your favorite bloggers?

Make sure you check Kelly's Korner for an inside look!

Come on over!

I've been thinking that in a way, this blog is sort of like my home. I invite you in, I tell you some stories, hopefully we converse a little. I get to share things that are important to me and hope that we find some commonalities. You meet my family and maybe I meet yours ;)

So I thought this morning I'd actually invite you in my home. If you were to come over (which some of you have!), I'd invite you into my living room, offer you a drink - maybe some water, lemonade or beer? I'd say - Come on in, sit down, let's chat :) Oh, and can you give me some decorating advice while you are here?

Welcome - come on in :)

Once you come in - you are in our living room...One of my favorite purchases is our couch. We picked out the fabrics ourselves! However, we are in desperate need of some art on the wall over the couch...any suggestions? please :)

Sit down, put up your feet!

The fabric on the couch pillows - makes me so happy!

We recently got a new entertainment center that is much more toddler proof! It is very heavy (thanks to our neighbors for helping us get it inside!), but I really love the wood. Also, notice sad, unloved wii rockband pieces in the corner...

Our Living Room 

 Our coffee table has been with us way too long...some day soon we hope to get a new one. Well, we sort of have to since we superglued the corner protectors on! Any ideas? For now it doubles as a train table. And yes, the goldfish get to go up and down the train tracks too. Equal opportunity train play here!

Enjoying Thomas, yet again!

Well, that's our living room - comfy couch, train table, television...and a big blank wall to fill! 

Thanks for coming. Hope you come back soon :)

Want to see the livingrooms of some of your favorite bloggers?

Make sure you check Kelly's Korner for an inside look!