5 Sentiments That Never Go Out Of Style

February is the month of love, and even though Valentine's day has passed, it got me thinking. What is something that makes you feel loved and appreciated? Is there someone in your life that always makes you feel nurtured and cared for? I am fortunate enough to have a couple of people like that. Below are 5 small sentiments that I believe never go out of style.

1.  A hand written thank you note.

Maybe it's a southern thing, but I'm a firm believer in a thank you note. Bonus points for beautiful stationary. Admittedly, since becoming a mother, I don't always get these out as quickly as I once did, but I do fiercely believe in them.

2. A house warming gift.

There's no need to wait for a formal party invitation, if a new family moves into your neighborhood or on your street, a kind card and a baked good goes a long way. When my husband and I moved into our current home, we received the warmest welcome, everything from home made desserts to fresh flowers. It made us even more excited to be living by the best neighbors ever. My go to gift is a bottle of prosecco and a card, something to help them celebrate their new home.

3. A home cooked meal.

Again, I feel certain this is a southern tradition, but it's timeless. Anytime someone has a new baby, is recovering from surgery, experiencing a loss or even just under the weather, there's something about a home cooked meal that makes people feel loved on. However, if cooking isn't your strong suit or your best yes with your schedule, don't let that stop you. Place an order at your friends favorite restaurant and have it delivered!

4. A hostess gift.

Whether it's a small get together or a large holiday party, you can never go wrong by bringing a little something for your hostess, as a thank you for their effort and your invitation. My favorite gifts to bring and receive are flowers or wine, and they are almost always a crowd pleaser.

5. A friendly phone call.

Today more so than ever, this is truly something to treasure. As a busy wife and mama, I am very guilty of texting vs. calling, because ya know it's quicker and I can do it while I accomplish something else. However, I have a girlfriend who is so good about just calling, and checking in while she is driving to pick up her kiddos, and I am always grateful for her call, and feel refreshed when we hang up. Here's to more calls and less texts.

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Everette's Playroom

Over the past few weeks my husband and I have been working to transform a bonus room in our home into a playroom, for our soon to be 18 month old. Since she was born we have certainly utilized all the space downstairs in the living room, kitchen and her nursery for lots of playtime, but we were ready to create a fun space that she could play freely, without us constantly telling her not to touch certain things, or worry about her safety as much. Enter the playroom.

In our home, at the top of the stairs is Everette's nursery, and right next door is a bonus room that we honestly had just been using as extra storage space since moving in 2.5 years ago. When planning to paint the room, we knew wanted to keep the space pretty neutral in color, because we aren't sure what the dynamic of our future family will be, so we opted to paint the walls the same color that most of our house is, sea salt cut to 50%. I haven't cared for the carpet in the rooms upstairs since we purchased our home, but it is in perfect condition, hides traffic really well, neutral, soft, and we will never change it until it's ruined, because babies duh. 

When I started a vision board for this space, I noticed a pattern in all of my ideas. Bright and airy spaces, with little furniture, a charming light fixture, and plenty of free space to play. The paint color was an easy choice and inside of the space was already a cutout in the wall, which I thought was perfect for a window seat. I drew up a very simple sketch of what we were hoping for and our handyman had it done in no time. 

Once the bones of the room were constructed, then came the fun part. We really didn't want to purchase much at all for the space, and I was adamant about using pieces we already had. One of the things we were storing in that room already, was a console table that we used for a t.v. in a previous home. It made perfect sense to just do that again in the playroom, but this time I painted it in Annie Sloan chalk paint, and swapped the knobs, to give it a fresh look. We removed and sold the ceiling fan that was hanging, and added the lantern light fixture that I actually ordered from amazon in it's place. 

Around the same time one of my preschool families posted that they were looking to get rid of their kids table, and chairs, and while it needed a face lift, it was in great shape. A fresh coat of paint and she was good as new. But, the couch might be my favorite part of the treasure hunt. Would you believe we snagged it, and the extra fabric for a pillow for $75? It was already covered in the existing fabric which I loved, and the cushions were slipcovered which made perfect sense for a kids couch. It certainly required a good scrub, but 2 washes on sanitize in oxy clean and I was thrilled.

Now came the fun part, because the room is rather spacious I really wanted something to make it seem cozy. I took my idea of creating a window treatment to look like an awning, giving you the feeling of playing outside, to my seamstress and she really brought it to life. She also sewed the window seat cushions and coordinating pillows from remnant fabric that we found.

I knew from the beginning that I really just wanted Everette's toys to be the main decor. She is absolutely obsessed with books and would let you read to her all day. An amazon order for book shelves, and a quick trip to Home Goods for pillows and a sturdy side table, and Hobby Lobby for the gold letters, and things started coming together. We basically just moved all her large toys upstairs, and filled the room with her kitchen that she received for Christmas, her anywhere chair we gave her for her birthday, favorite stuffed animals, blocks and puzzles. Not pictured tucked behind the couch is an inflatable pool filled with balls, and 
coming soon a slide. All the fun things of course. 

We have already spent hours and hours in this precious room, and I know as time goes on it will only be more. Everette already asks to "play" every time we walk upstairs or she finishes a meal, and I'm grateful that my mornings can start a little bit slower with coffee, and the Today show from right in here. We have especially enjoyed it on these dreary cold rainy days over the winter, when there have been less opportunities to get outside. Thanks so much for stopping by to play! 

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Dear Husband,

Dear Husband, 

With tomorrow being Valentine's day it has me reminiscing on all the ones we have shared together. In college when I would come home to flowers delivered to my apartment, or a few years later, a beautiful bouquet sent to my classroom, much to the excitement of my first grade students. Our first couple of years married, when we had fancy dinner reservations, and no babysitters booked. 

Our life and our relationship certainly looks different now. Our big Valentine's plan will most likely include being woken up in the morning by a baby in footie pajamas, me in my pajamas by 8 pm, and us eating a heart shaped pizza from domino's when you get home from working late, and ya know what, I wouldn't trade that for the world right now. 

There is absolutely no one else I'd rather have dinner, go to a movie, or travel the world with. There is absolutely no one else I'd rather laugh with, cry with, or drink wine with. There is absolutely no one else I'd rather road trip with, binge watch a show, or ride the boat with. 

There is also absolutely no one else I'd rather tag team in the middle of the night with a sick baby. No one else I'd rather take turns playing life guard, while she swims in the bath tub. No one else I'd rather share diaper duty with. No one else I'd rather lay on the playroom floor with, and listen to you read Brown Bear Brown Bear, for the 84th time. No one else I'd rather watch on the monitor as you rock her to sleep. 

I've been blessed to get to love you in an entirely different way. A deeper, better way that I would have never known before. You are so much more than I could have ever imagined. My best friend, my husband, and the father of my children. What a gift you are. 

 Forever your valentine. 

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