on my mind

Can you tell what’s on my mind….  I got my crib this week, and I am constantly peeking in the nursery just to sigh and smile…  I am so excited!!! I was able to purchase some vintage fabrics, and my in-laws are sewing me up my own custom crib bedding, so my excitement level is a bit over the top at the moment. I can’t wait to share pictures!

Thank you so much for all the suggestions on my last post. It’s funny how close some of you came to my own actual “vision”. Things are rolling right along. Josh and I got our application turned in, and we are working on the next steps in the coming weeks. (Physicals, Interviews, Home Study, CPR Classes, TB tests, and more)…

I am off to add my finds for the week to the Etsy shop, so I’ll pop back in next time I have an update! Enjoy the weekend!

making room…

Has it really been a month since my last post?!!? Boy the time really flies by these days! I’ve been plugging away over here at the day to day stuff and didn’t look up to notice how neglected this old blog has been.

So here’s what I’ve been up to….

Designing! First and foremost, website and blog design takes up most of my time. It seems like the new year always gets every one in the mood to start fresh, or redesign a site. I am booked all the way through May right now, it’s crazy! But in a good way of course…

Second on the time consumption list has been shopping. (I know poor me, huh!) I try to get out twice a week for vintage finds for the Etsy shop. Then once I finish the shopping it’s all about photographing, measuring, and listing each find. The shopping is the fun part, trust me!

Then comes the shipping…. shipping orders is hectic around here to say the least. I usually feel overwhelmed and wait until Josh can make time to help me, and then ship a bunch of stuff at once rather than ones and twos here and there. But of course that makes for a mess of an office space in the off time. I’m amazed I haven’t had any major blunders as of yet. Knock on wood….

And then there’s what’s going on behind the scenes… Josh and I have been finishing up our paperwork to start our home study and adoption application. Just a few finishing touches and we can start the interview process! It’s amazing the stuff you have to do for this, including writing our own “life story” for the social worker.  Josh and I both are finished and now we just have to refine them and make sure we answered all of the questions they wanted addressed.

I have also started getting ready for a nursery! Something I have been dying to do for years!! I found an amazing old dresser that was just perfect for a gender neutral room, and now it’s on to finding a crib, bedding, and some “fluff” for the room. Does anyone have any great resources for me? We don’t have a ton to spend, but I would love to get some soft neutral linens with grain sack inspired motifs…. I can’t find that style anywhere?!!? Does it not exist for crib bedding? All you sewers get to work for me will ya? ;o)

The nursery is next to my office and has been a “catch all” for products and unused decor in our house. So it’s been a challenge to empty the room for a baby. I am having to get creative with my storage solutions and part with a few finds that I really wanted to keep! We had a big sale last week trying to move some products and down size what we keep on hand, and it helped a ton!

One of the things I noticed while trying to downsize is how many books I have! I seem to use vintage books in my decor quite a bit. I might have done ok if I stopped buying them, but somehow I can’t stop! My eye is just drawn to the worn edges and browned pages…  they just don’t make books as pretty as they used to.

Aren’t they lovely? Now head on over to my shop so you can take some home, and use them in your decor! Just think, you’ll be helping me make room for a baby. Now how’s that for a guilt trip! :o)

And I’m not kidding about the nursery decor tips! If you have any secret spots you think I might like, please let me know! I promise to share photos as it gets closer to being a “nursery”! Yay!!!

barn house love

Last year I was brave enough to fly out to Washington to the Farm Chicks Show. (I say brave enough, because I am terrified of flying). And while I was there I fell in love. From the moment I happened upon the Barn House Boys booth, I was swooning with excitement and downright lust for their treasure filled space. I bought anything and everything that I thought I could get home with me on the plane. (Did I mention there was a propeller plane involved?!?!)

Then to top it off, I was lucky enough to get a invite to a private party hosted by these boys and their friends.  Read about that here: (in a prior post). Jo and Jermonne were two of the nicest, sweetest, and insanely talented men I have ever met. I was brimming with inspiration when I left them, and have been so sad each time I got notice of their Barn House event sales, that were a whole terrifying plane ride away. Then finally, a light appeared in the tunnel vision that was my desperate longing to shop with them… They announced the opening of an online shop!!!! I have been quietly stalking it ever since… I mean just look at my obsession:

They have the most amazing treasures! And if any of these items tickle your fancy, run, don’t walk, to their site, as this stuff seems to sell quicker than you can click the “add to cart” button. (All photos from the Barn House Boys new site).

day hike

Last weekend Josh and I snuck away for about an hour to take Hannah on a little nature hike. She isn’t very well behaved off leash, and we figured she couldn’t do much harm out in the wilderness. I took my camera in hopes of capturing a few snaps worth sharing (even after listening to loads of griping from Josh about how he didn’t want his picture taken).

Luckily, I managed to get a few good ones, and even had Josh snap a picture of me for sharing. (Keep in mind, that I had to setup the shot, stand where I wanted him to stand and give very specific instructions before I could get him to cooperate. Can you tell he is a little sick of my camera?).

It was gorgeous outside, and the perfect time of day for that soft light I adore in my photography. (Quite a stark contrast from the wet, cold rainy mess it is this weekend). At least I have these images to make me feel all warm and sun drenched.

I’m always a sucker for black birds against a blue sky. (Even if they are mean old crows). Besides, Hannah barked at these two and told them who was boss. (She loves to bark at the birds in our yard, who always seem to take up residence there. Somehow she thinks they are intruding on her space, even tough her space is actually inside on the sofa. I swear our dog wouldn’t step foot in the yard if she didn’t have to tinkle every now and then. Such a princess!)

Here’s to blue skies, and sunny day hikes in your weekend forecast!

just added

Well, jury duty came and went today, and I must say it wasn’t so bad (aside from the parking in the wrong structure, getting lost for 15 minutes while I wandered around Santa Ana, and getting there late and stressed). They actually let us go before noon, and told us our time had been served. How cool is that!?!?

I managed to get myself out for a shopping trip to boot, and I have stocked the Etsy shop full of new finds! Just take a gander at these lovelies:

1. Filigree Plaque $20

2. Sugar Creamer Set $20

3. Silver Plate Salt and Pepper Shakers $18

4. Large Creamer $18

5. Engraved Pitcher $32

6. Vintage Vanity Mirror $30

7. Silver Plate Card Holder $19.50

8. Covered Dish $45

9. Wire Basket with Original Label $98

All are in the shop now, so if you have your eye on anything, act now, or you may be too late! I also added a few goodies from last weeks trip, so there should be plenty new inventory to see. Happy shopping!

Start Shopping >>>>

In other news, I was able to get my sales tax return filed, and I feel like a weight has been lifted so that is getting me inspired again! I am dying to grab my camera and start shooting, so I hope to have much more to share soon. Josh and I are still going to foster care classes, and we have about four or five weeks to go, so I will update you all with that as news-worthy events happen. (There are none to speak of as of yet).

I will be out shopping again tomorrow for the shop, and am spending the weekend celebrating two of my brother in laws birthdays, so I will be enjoying my time away from the computer! I hope you all get a chance to stray from yours as well! Enjoy the weekend!