i need mommy decor advice

So I think most of you know that I have been slowly creating a big boy room for my little man. Well...I am at a standstill, and not just because I am working 10-12 hrs a day at another clinical rotation, but because I am in need of some mommy decor advice.

I found this wall treatment at The Stories of A to Z a while back ago and have fallen in love with it. I love how simple it is but gives texture and whimsy to what would be just another painted wall.

Do you see what I mean? It adds so much character to a wall.

Well I have an idea of how I envision Thurgood's room. It involves some bold color and a hint of ocean life. It may sound theme-y, but it is coming out darling. It is big enough for a little boy, but not too mature. It has a focus, but is not matchy-matchy. This age is so fun for creativity in a bedroom.

Well I want to do 2 walls {the one his bed is on and the opposite} in white..AND I want to do the above fun wall element. Here is where the mommy advice comes in..

It is rope lined on the walls with upholstery tacks.

Am I being too risky with this design for a boy almost of 4? At this point in time he could care less about the walls in our home {we have no chalkboard walls at all} and I do think I could attach them so they can not be removed.  There are so many ways to "fix" stuff to the walls. I have learned this lesson many times over. So I {and Mr. B would also like your opinion as he just informed me} want to know if this would be doable.

So I need feedback from any and all mommas. Let me know your thoughts.

And THANK YOU!!!

Cheers~
e

PS  I am also playing with the illusion of upholstery tacks...maybe clip off the "tack" and glue the head to the rope? Just thinking out loud...

for the love of thrifting

Working 10 hours a day is rough at the hospital pharmacy, but it is worth it for that 1 day off...a complete day off that I get to go and browse my favorite stores for thrifting.

My current love is Peddlers Mall. All of these lovelies were less than $200!

I wish I had a place for this darling chair.

Imagine Floraline pottery on this piece.

Oh my...the curving detailing makes me swoon.

I can just imagine this in a high white gloss..can't you?

I might have to go back and spy these chairs out again. Yes...there were 2 (and under $30 total) and they came with a weird table, but the chairs make it all worth it.

Look at the handles!

And this piece was my favorite! I wish I had room for it. It is darling and for $150, it was oh so hard to walk away.

Ok..so which do you love? How I wish I had the extra cash, a little studio to refinish, and a place to put all these lovelies.

i faked it

So Mr. B knew I was thinking of changing up our little bar area. I was thinking about removing all the EtOH and display some of my ironstone...or my small but growing Floraline collection.

While away at the hospital working, Mr. B changed it up for me during his holiday break.

I should have been delighted but there is an issue.

As I came in...I saw the Sake Set. He bought one as a Christmas present for our best friends {whose dining room is Japanese inspired}, but little did I know that he also bought one for us.

The staging was all him.

From using the calendar as a mat to laying down the chopsticks ever so. Let me tell you..this is his first ever home decor purchase, and he was so excited about it. I know he wanted me to love it..and so I faked it.

I did love the way he displayed the bottles, and I am relieved he kept my waters on display.

I am just not sure I like this sake set where it is {the space was more useful to me when it was bare}, but I adore Mr. B too much to burst his first beautiful attempt at making our home more lovely. And so...the sake set will be at home where it is....it makes Mr. B happy, and that makes me happy.

Have you ever been caught in this situation? Tell me your thoughts...we can chat away over some warm sake.

Cheers~

e

trade secrets: how safe are popular energy drinks?

The buzz about alcoholic energy drinks (Four Loko, Joose, etc) is raising questions about whether any of the energy drinks are safe.

Many people don't realize how much caffeine and other stimulants these drinks contain...and it's often not specified on the label. Caffeine amount varies...

about 80 mg for Red Bull

 about 100 mg for 5-Hour Energy

and over 300 mg for some kinds of Rockstar.

Most healthy adults can safely consume up to 400 mg/day of caffeine...about three 8 oz cups of coffee.

For children, suggest keeping it under about 45 mg/day for 4 year-olds...sliding up to about 85 mg/day for 12 year-olds. Be careful...caffeine and children are in my opinion a true contraindication.

Other ingredients that sneak in there are that you need to know about:
Guarana often appears on labels, but let me explain that it's just another source of caffeine...like coffee beans, cola nuts, and tea or mate leaves. Unfortunately though guarana is usually not counted as caffeine on labels.

Taurine is often added...supposedly to improve performance. But the amount in energy drinks has no proven benefit.

B vitamins are also added to supposedly increase energy. Your body needs there for cellular energy metabolism...but there's no proof that supplements boost energy.

Just be careful NOT to combine energy drinks with stimulants (methylphenidate, pseudoephedrine, etc)...due to additive effects. Also be careful not to use energy drinks for rehydration...caffeine can be dehydrating if you are use to it.

When in doubt...grab a glass of water if your thirsty and just think twice before opening a can loaded with caffeience. And as always...feel free to share my info away with friends and family or not. Either way, it will be our little secret.

Cheers~
e

the litter box is in my shower

When you come into my home...you can tell I majored in theatre. I give the best impression of being organized..but it is all an illusion. I just know how to hide, stash, or squirrel away anything and everything.
{Mr. B does tease me for having chipmunk cheeks when I chew..must be in my DNA to stash.}

just open a drawer

or open a cabinet

or if you dare...open the pantry door

Please note not every drawer or cabinet looks like this, but more than I wish did.

I tend to blame pharmacy school for the mass exodus of organization in my home..especially with my crazy hours. I leave my house by 6:30 am and get home around 6 pm. Organization takes time and I find that so precious.

Everyone takes on something in the new year. Mr. B is so cliche by eating healthy & exercising {hehe..but it is fun to watch him work out.} I have opted to clean a drawer or cabinet..once a week..just 1 and only 1 a week.

Yep..I forgot to take a before, but just imagine a hot mess....now check out my drawers {hehe}.

What was a disaster now houses our phone books, my too long kitchen papers {wax, contact, etc}, & my mail to be sorted for the week...I love that I can place it here instead of piling it up on the corner of my counter.

Baby steps...but steps in the right direction no less. And yes, I keep the litter box in the hallway bathroom shower. It makes it so easy to clean any runaway litter glitter {and we don't ever use that shower}. Judge me...but I think it is brilliant for keeping the litter glitter contained, easy to clean, and out of sight.

Ok your turn...who wants to show me their drawers? :)

Cheers~

e

creating a winter mantel

so Christmas is down in our little home and just look at my mantel now...it is so sad

i was inspired though when I saw a lovely little mirror at target and i had some Christmas money burning in my pocket. ever come across something that was meant to be in your cart?

sundays and target make me giddy. so i thought i would re-inspire my little mantel.

{roll over the picture for the AFTER}

i changed out 'joy' for 'adore'....i think it is more fitting as we approach february.

and just look at that mirror....so sweet and perfect...and under $20!

 

i also kept my little pier 1 kissing ball from being packed away with my other Christmas goodies for that perfect pop of color.
 it is red...it has kissing in the name..once again, this will be perfect come february.

looks like i have something special for my mantel come this february.

as for now, here is my new winter mantel.
i don't think it looks so bare now, but simple & elegant.

and...i could not help myself. here is a snapshot of me {being goofy}

Cheers~

e

happy new year & happy birthday to my little blog

i love the start of a fresh new year…as well as a little birthday celebration too.

i can not believe i started this blog 1 year ago today. i still go back and read that 1st post just to remind me of my intentions, dreams, and hopes of my little blog. i think i am still quite a newbie. i am working on "my place"  and "my voice" amid so many amazing blogs, but i think i am discovering it ever so slowly.

finally let me not forget the freshness of 2011. it will herald in so many nice things for my little family – an accomplished feat {graduating from pharmacy school}, a bit of travel, a too fun family photo shoot, and a possible move. i have a pretty good idea that it will be the best year ever.  i am planning on working on projects galore..afterall, i have a house to sell & buy. 

i just want to thank all my incredible friends who make me smile throughout the day with your sweetest words.

{another favorite of Thurgood & I from a photo shoot long ago}



while i have that great big 'year at a glance' out, i'm jotting down all my ideas for what i plan to attempt this year. promise me that you will be there right with me & that we make 2011 even more special of a year together.....because anticipation of something sweet just happens to be one of my favorite feelings.

happy 2011 to you..and happy birthday little blog of mine.

cheers~
e

PS i am all about Twitter these days...come follow me {i guarantee it can be amusing}.