Fa La La La La

even though life is crazy and hectic, sometimes you just have to stop and make time for an official family picture.  even if that means strapping your phone to a tripod and using a remote to get it... 

gold foil banner oh joy x target

Words of the Week...

Old Soul

this guy is very into his clothes and he freaked over this little vintage cardigan i brought home recently.  i shouldn't have been surprised, he's wise beyond his years, so the grandpa-like quality of it probably appealed to him.  he dresses better than me most days and he is one of the most confident and happiest kids i have ever met.  maybe there is even more truth to the saying look better, feel better than we think...

// cardigan - smartypants vintage //

pants + converse style kicks - h&m kids

Room of the Day...

we are starting phase two of "project open concept" next week and I couldn't be more excited.  even though we are still recovering from the first couple walls we knocked down, the unfinished open-ness greatly out weighs the cramped space we had before.  it wasn't the smartest thing to do this so close to christmas, no our tree is still not up, but it will be so worth it when it's all done.  if you have the ability to knock down any walls - just do it!  removing a wall costs far less than you probably think because it's mostly just labor.  which brings me to this inspirational space, which has the long sight line we were craving and i'd gladly take the rug too... 

renovated warehouse in melbourne via the style files

// see the rest of the home here //

Zipped Up

living in these zippered ankle denim leggings and leopard print booties...

target style // mossimo black denim moto leggings

the nugent boots by matisse - i've only had them a couple months

and they are hands down my favorite pair of boots i've ever owned.

topshop sweater + madewell white tee

Words of the Week...

lately i'm reading more and more about growing negative comments on design blogs and social media where people are putting their creative voice out there.  i'm not talking about constructive criticism, but hatefulness for no reason.  i have yet to really experience any myself, but i know it's coming, and i feel for those that have.  it's hard opening yourself up to ridicule and the chance that many people won't like what you do.  no matter how big or successful you are i'm sure it still hurts and is hard to shake off.  these people writing all the nasty insensitive comments think they are brave to write them, when they are actually complete cowards hiding behind their computers because there are no repercussions.
can't we all just abide by the old if you have nothing nice to say...?

Knocking Down Walls

over the past few weeks our home has been a bit of a construction site.  we have been fantasizing for months about knocking down a couple walls and we finally did it!  what used to be a small-ish kitchen, dining room, and living room is now one big great room.  i will be posting some before and afters soon, but for now here's a bit of the vibe were going for that includes some pieces we already own, while bringing in some new without breaking the bank...

target style // threshold aztec fleece rug + low back natural counter stool

vintage ikea ektorp chaise lounges and espresso bookshelves,

faux sheepskin / tribal carved coffee table / tie dye pillow from the shop

Happy Halloween!

i know i've been a little mia over here lately.  things have been very busy getting my new shop up and running and enjoying all of the fall fun going on with these two.  we have so enjoyed all of our quality time with kermie and luke...

RA RA Home

the new shop is finally live! 

check it out by following the "shop" tab at the top of the screen

Words of the Week...

image via pinterest

New Shop

it's been a long time coming, but i'm launching a brand new shop!  here's a little sneak peak of what's in store. literally...

Buffalo Plaid

loving this seventies masculine plaid print that welcomes fall...

// target style // mossimo buffalo check plaid weekender bag

it has become the go-to bag for the boys, we took it to the lake a

couple weeks ago and they kind of took it over, packing it with everything

from books to legos to rubber lizards.  you know, the essentials.

and thanks Total Beauty for featuring me in your buffalo check round up

Weekend Wandering

i spent a good part of the weekend treasure hunting at my favorite flea market and even took the boys along for one trip.  dean developed a keen eye for spotting great things, while cole was much more interested in the food.  here's some of the loot and a couple shots from my instagram...

my favorite finds were this gray hat

and these vintage binoculars with the most gorgeous patina i have ever seen!

keepin' it real while cole began his first novel

and i was so excited to find this tray and a few more gems to add our ever-growing rock collection.

the boys are so into searching for them and there's no complaints from me.  i plan to keep it on

the coffee table where we can enjoy the beauty and it can continue to evolve.

the flea market is mainly responsible for my growing hat collection.

and reason 1,457 of why i love the flea market... the peaceful payoff.

i don't think life gets any sweeter than this. 

Reading Nook

since cole started school, dean and i have had a lot more one on one time.  he's so different when his big brother isn't around, much more quiet and focused so it has become the perfect time for us to read...

i designed this reading nook in their room after the preschool was giving

away this great book shelf.  since we put all of their books on display like

this they have read so much more and they love shuffling them around.

they especially love this swivel egg chair and the pillow is made

from one of their dad's old soccer tees that he lived in when we met.

// target style //

speaking of vintage tees, we still love these vintage feeling ones by Love + Art

teenage mutant ninja turtles and batman are our latest editions

20 of our favorites right now:

1. Stuck by Oliver Jeffers
2. ABC Dream by Kim Krans
3. I Want my Hat Back by John Klassen
4. A Tree is Nice by
5. Mr. Tiger Goes Wild
6. The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
7. Welcome to Mamoko by Aleksandra Mizielinska and Daniel Mizielinski
8. Goodnight Little One by Margaret Wise Brown
9. Dragons Love Tacos by Adam Rubin and Daniel Salmieri
10. Toy Boat by Loren Long and Randall de Seve
11. This Moose Belongs to Me by Oliver Jeffers
12. The Quiet Book by Deborah Underwood and Renata Liwska
13. Gallop! by Rufus Butler Seder
14. Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown
15. Almost an Animal Alphabet by Katie Viggers
16. On the Night You Were Born by Nancy Tillman
17. Moby Dick: A Babylit Ocean Primer by Jennifer Adams
18. Sherlock Holmes in the Hounds of Baskervilles: by Jennifer Adams
19. Little Blue Truck by Alice Schertle and Jill McElmurry
20. Fifteen Animals by Sandra Boynton

sources: diy geometric pendant / brass letter wall art / square wood mirror
lomsk swivel chair / ombre stripe gray drapes / similar bookshelf here

Words of the Week...

this is such a good reminder and something i'm totally guilty of.

more and more lately i've realized i can't do everything myself,

but i am someone who hates to ask for help.  it's time to work

smarter, not harder and as a result there will be some big

changes coming to my shop - stay tuned!

Florals + Fringe

two of my favorites lately, and even though summer is winding down i plan on wearing this kimono for as long as possible...

check out one of my new favorite shops CISSIE

run by two sisters and full of great pieces at great prices!

Skater Style

we celebrated dean's third birthday yesterday and the one thing he requested for it months ago was a skateboard.  we were completely shocked at how well he could ride it and from the moment he touched it his inner skater dude came out...

Birthday Bash

every summer we get slammed with all four of our birthday's within six weeks.  up second was the hubby who also shares it with his grandma, so with the help of my mother-in-law and target (past + present) we put together a little afternoon celebration for them both...

 // major target style //

everything you see here, but the cake and the flowers - vintage nate berkus moroccan pillows and threshold marble cake stand, acrylic utensil holder for the  vase, and oh joy goblets in both colors

and a happy little gold tassel banner.  check out the second wave of her line in stores now!

Ski Rack

we recently turned this vintage ski into a literal ski rack and it turned out even better than we imagined...

 diy: you can find these vintage wood water skis for pretty cheap,

i scored this pair at the flea market for $10, and we removed the

metal fin and plastic boots attached.  the hooks are from home

depot and we filed off the tips of the screws so they matched the

depth of the ski.  then to make it easy and make sure it could hold

the weight of everything hung on it, we screwed it directly into the

wall using the holes already in it from the ski hardware we removed.