Playroom Planning

Happy Monday! So one of the next home projects on our list is to create a playroom for Everette (and future babes). She is so mobile now that when we are downstairs you truly can not take your eyes off of her for a second. We of course don't have anything dangerous in her reach, but we do still have all of our normal decor in its place, in hopes of teaching her not to touch it, instead of just moving everything (read, me following her around all day saying "no thank you".) I will say that so far that has worked very well and even though she loves to explore her surroundings, nothing has been broken so we will call that a win. 

However, I am really looking forward to creating a space where she is totally free to roam and play and get into whatever she would like to, and with cold winter days right around the corner with less opportunities to get outside, I know we will all be grateful for this cozy spot. 

Enter operation playroom, one of my main goals is to make this room as economical and functional as possible.We already have the perfect space upstairs in our home that has been sitting empty, so its just time to give it a little face lift, repurpose a few pieces and leave plenty of room for playing instead of just filling the space. 

Below are a few images from my vision board on Pinterest. 

I really like how cozy and inviting this space feels and all the empty floor space to create and play! Definitely keeping this in mind when working on our space. 

I would absolutely love to have a window seat and cushion made because we have the perfect cut out in our space, and it really finishes off the room I think. Also, loving those natural roman shades as window treatments. 

Speaking of window treatments, how fun is this one? It's super whimsical and makes you feel like you are playing outside. Something similar is certainly on my wish list. 

I am in love with this particular light fixture, as well as just the all around coloring of this room. The white shelving and table allows the toys to really bring in the color. This room is super kid friendly but actually aesthetically pleasing for the parents. 

So we are very much in the beginning stages of this project but so excited to get cracking! What is your number one must have for a playroom? 

5 things I've learned in 5 years

Over the summer my husband Josh and I, celebrated our fifth wedding anniversary. I feel like year 5, is the first big milestone in your overall marriage journey, and it got me thinking about all of the things I have learned since becoming a newlywed. Below are my top 5 over the last 5 years!

#1. Say thank you. This is such a simple one, but easy to forget. Our spouses serve us well in so many ways (especially mine) that sometimes I think we are quick to forget, and it can become an expectation rather than a gift. We try really hard to say thank you for the most mundane things, taking out the trash, folding and putting away the laundry, filling up the car with gas etc.

Fun fact, when Josh and I were dating, I would always say thank you for dinner after a date, and he would always reply "thank you for eating with me." I always thought that was so kind, and so when we got married every night when we were doing the dishes, he would say "thank you for dinner" and I started to reply, "thank you for eating with me."

#2. Compliment each other. Isn't it the best when someone tells you that they like your outfit, or something you made? This is so true in marriage. Josh is really great about always complementing a meal I've cooked, or when I'm all ready for church. I try to remember to tell him when I like his new shirt, or how he grilled the steaks etc. We are always working on doing this because it makes such a difference.

#3. Travel together as much as possible pre babies. Since we were married for quite a few years before we had a baby, we truly took advantage of traveling as much as we could. I am so glad we did because babies make it a lot more complicated, whether you are taking them or not. It will never be easier, quicker, or cheaper to travel than when it is just the two of you, so go!

#4. Date nights. These have become even more critical since we became parents a little over a year ago, because they are so much harder to come by now. Pre babies, really any night could be date night, now it requires a lot more planning, but it makes it even more special. We try really hard to book a sitter, and have a date night every other week. Date nights are insurance for your marriage, and are even more important once you bring little people into the picture, because they are depending on the strength of your marriage. One day those little people will be all grown up, make sure you are investing now.

#5. Learn your spouses love language. Before we got married, Josh and I read The Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman, learned each others and have tried to implement those in our marriage. Over the course of the last few years, some of them have shifted and I'm sure they will continue to but it's a great way to keep reminding yourself how to best tell your spouse that you love them in different ways.

Marriage is hard work, but so worth it and I love getting to build a life with my best friend. We have so much more to learn! What are your best tips for marriage?

Everything Autumn

Just popping in to say hello! First things first, the picture above is of our porch last year. No shame in my game, we do currently have pumpkins and mums, but this year we're more focused on the hurricane debris, which was actually picked up on our street this week, to which I gave a big round of applause, from the driveway. 

We visited the mountains this past weekend and it was beautiful, but the dreary chill reminded me very quickly how glad I am to live on the coast. I have decided I like doing fall in sweaters and shorts, with white pumpkins and boat rides with beautiful sunsets. This time of year always has me wanting to watch "You've Got Mail" and "When Harry met Sally" and wishing I could send someone a beautiful bouquet of "freshly sharpened pencils". 

I'm sure most people associate October with the color orange, but I think October is for oysters, chai lattes, and a great grey nail polish. You wont find me packing away my white pants or sandals anytime soon, but I am looking forward to not sweating in the evening while checking the mail. 

Yesterday was the very first day that it "felt" like fall, felt like it was finally a new season. This is certainly one of my favorite times of year, because I feel like it's the kick off to the holidays starting with Halloween. Kind of the calm before the hustle and bustle and busyness of December, where we all get to take a breath. 

This weekend will be a low key one for us, but we are going to wrap it up with some birthday celebrations for my hubby. What fun plans do you have? 

5 Lessons in Motherhood

Since becoming a Mama for the first time a little more than a year ago, I have certainly learned a thing or two. In fact, I could title this post, 365 lessons in motherhood, because I truly feel like I have learned something new every single day. These five themes continued to be true, time and time again in all different circumstances.

#1.  You can't rush or stop time. 

This one may seem rather obvious, but I have never wanted to freeze time more than as a brand new Mommy, and I have never wanted the hours to fly by more than at 1, and 2, and 3 am. This past year I truly tried to just be present in the current moment as much as possible, sandwiched between being amazed at how big my baby was becoming, and realizing that she will never ever be quite this small again. When she was born, I felt like the clock started and no matter what, I can't control it so I might as well just enjoy it.

# 2.  Everything is harder when you are tired. 

This is so true for me especially. Becoming a mother for the first time (and I would imagine the 2nd, 3rd, 4th time) is emotional. Labor, and recovery, and breastfeeding is exhausting, add on sleeping in 3 hour increments (if you are lucky) for a couple of months and even the smallest, most mundane tasks seem exhausting. Things feel heavier and a little fuzzy. So happy but sleepy for sure.

# 3.  It's not that it gets easier, you just get better. 

At first the small things are absolutely the big things. One more notch on your mommy belt, another task you accomplished flying solo, and as that baby grows, some things actually get harder, but you just become better. Your confidence grows and you realize how much you can balance. This is something I am already even looking forward to with future babies, the extra ease and comfort of knowing I've been there before and I know the way now.

# 4.  You can't do it all, all the time. 

In my former life I was an elementary teacher, which is amazing training for mommy hood and multitasking. I used to be able to take attendance, eat breakfast, unzip jackets, and answer the phone all at the same time. Motherhood is very much the same, all the things, all the time, but you learn your limits and what is just going to be a hard no in this season of your life. I am still learning this and trying to remember to give myself grace every single day.

#5.  It will always take longer than you think. 

I am kind of laughing at this one, but it's so true. Before baby getting out the door simply meant grabbing my purse which consisted of keys, wallet, phone, and maybe a little lip gloss. Post baby, pretty much however long I anticipate something taking, I now go ahead and safely tack on an additional 15 minutes to allow for extra diaper changes, loading up, pit stops, outfit changes, or just space to give myself room to breathe and not feel rushed.

I could go on and on for days because truly everyday is a different experience. What lessons in motherhood are you currently learning? 

*All photographs by Michelle Leonard photography 

Welcome October

Happy Fall friends! Is it me or is it extra nice to see October this year? September was a doozy for most of the Carolina's, and while the months changing doesn't change that, it does feel a little bit like a breath of fresh air. Speaking of air, dare I say I felt a little bit of a briskness and less humidity this morning? Welcome October, it's excellent to see you. 

Even though the first day of fall technically happens in September, I always feel like the true season change occurs in October. We have a few exciting things coming up over the next few weeks, a trip to the mountains, family birthdays, pumpkin patch outings, and of course Halloween. Call me crazy, but I have already ordered Everette's costume, and have even managed to pick up a few Christmas gifts. I know. 

It will still be a few more weeks before there is a noticeable change in the temperature, but I am already dreaming about not sweating during our afternoon strolls, transitioning into longer sleeves, and putting taco soup and pot roast back into the dinner rotation. 

Current top 5 favorite things about this October: 

1. Preschool is back in business after a long hiatus due to Florence. 

2. T.V. Tuesday has returned with This is us. 

3. White pumpkins are now all over our home. 

4. I might wear jeans next week. It's possible. 

5. It's the absolute best time for boat riding and beach going. 

Hope your month is off to a great start! See you soon!