five little things i love

here is a look at five little things i love lately...

one // we have slowly been turning this wonderful new house into a home + part of that meant creating a playroom for nathan without an extra room to use for that reason, so we have turned our second living room into a playroom + the boy needs a table. we love to create + really need the space to do it. maybe the table would also be helpful to use as a "coffee table" when friends are over. i have always been obsessed with anything Land of Nod so this table seems like the perfect solution. i also love the rainbow selection of chairs to chose from. two // there is not a whole lot to say about these, except 'hello i love you' + i have a serious jewelry addiction. StoneRush is also having a sale on brickyard buffalo right now, if you have not checked out brickyard...go now! then come back here and read the rest of this post. three // these anne b. cosmetic bags are perfect to throw into my big purse that i can never find anything in. seriously a black hole of plastic animals, chap sticks, snacks, + cars. i love the bold mixing of patterns. also for sale on brickyard right now. four // i think i could literally fill my house with Land of Nod furniture, storage, toys, + decor. we love everything in their newest catalog, i just need a few extra rooms + a few extra wallets. like i said earlier, our playroom is actually a living room space, so i am constantly on the lookout for storage solutions that are fun for nathan + look great. these collapsable storage bags are pretty amazing. my favorite ones are the grey, blue, + neon peach. what do you do for toy storage? five // i said it before, i am jewelry obsessed. i love to stack it on and mix and match different pieces daily. as much as i do love it, when i get home and get into some comfy clothes a lot of the jewelry comes off as well. this results in jewels being left out all around the house. i realized it drives b crazy when he grabbed a bowl from the kitchen and went around to collect it all. he then told me i'm not allowed to buy jewelry anymore until i organize my current collection. i love this natural box from anthro. i could easily keep this out in the living room + store my obsession here. it looks nice and the stacks of rings and bracelets are hidden away.

round-up: iphone cases

what is the one tool you always have on hand? 

hint: it's a camera, social media tool, calendar, + game board.

your phone.

as much as we might not want to admit it, we always have our phone on hand. {mine might as well be glued to my left hand...i can do almost everything one handed....sad?}

so if it's the one thing you constantly have with you, investing in a stylish case just makes sense.

here is a round up of some of my favorites.

{make sure to read all the way through...exciting news!}

one // two // three // four // five // six

my favorite ones are number six and number four. 

i love being able to customize a case, which is why paper and thread co  {number four} is so great.

the shop owner erika is a life-long friend + i am so proud of her newest adventure of starting her own business. {maybe even a bit jealous} 

please head over and check out all the amazing designs of iphone cases she has created.

then come back on monday for a giveaway we are both so excited about.

which cases are your favorites for your most useful accessory?

kid style: zara edition

i am sure you have  all been to zara or at least visited online. + we love it! i do at least!

although it wasn't until recently that i even realized they had a kids line- i know crazy right? have i been living under a rock? nope, just clueless + covered in 2 year olds. 

anyway i was browsing the lookbook + i am obsessed. 

i pulled a few of my favorites for boys and girls, + BOY does it make me want a GIRL. or maybe i just wish they carried these in my size! 

how cute are those models? 

although i think nate would be a better model. (any crazy mother would, right?)

where are your favorite places to buy kids clothes? 

target + gap have always been my go to for everyday wear + peek on special occasions.

i will now be adding zara to my list.

images via zara

love

1// 2// 3// 4// 5//

over the weekend i did some shopping + lots of mindless internet browsing. it was one of those weekends where i sat and spent hours at my desk without even realizing i missed lunch {don't you worry i fed my family} 

today is one of those days as well, but filled with work at my desk. {good thing i love my desk}

getting an editorial calendar planned out + lesson plans done.

i took an alt class on wednesday last week and it was the best one i have taken yet! it was all about editorial calendars + man i didn't realize how important that is! if you missed the class or were as clueless as i was , check out this + this article by the wonderful teacher that is Chris Gardner!

i am so excited to finally get organized.

stay tuned i will have a very exciting post/ giveaway soon!

what are some things you are loving lately? 

valentines gift guide: part two

as promised here are two more loves that might be on your list.

{for baby}

1//2//3//4//5//6

{for little girls}

1//2//3//4//5//6

have i mentioned how much i love valentines day?

its always been a favorite from when i was dropping valentines in friends' [+ secret crushes'] 

decorated paper sacks at school.

i know a lot of people think it's a made up hallmark holiday, but aren't all holidays made up? i think it is just a happy time of year: pretty decorations, hearts everywhere, cold days, + everyone has to be loving on valentines day! [at least at our house]

stay tuned for one last installment of valentines gift guide.

valentines gift guide: part one

love is on my mind. 

with valentines around the corner all i can think is valentines, crafts, gifts, + candy!

i have decided to round up some fun gift ideas for everyone on your list.

today i leave you with two recipients you might be taking care of this year.

{for her}

1//2//3//4//5//6

{for little boys}

1//2//3//4//5//6

check back on thursday for an excellent part two. 

who are you shopping for this valentines day?

five little things i love

here is a look at five little things i've been loving lately...

one // i now know what i can do with all the extra toilet paper rolls ive been hoarding for school. i love the idea of this easy desk organizer. you can add any fun paper or just paint a shoe box... so simple + not to mention CHEAP. now i just need to pick out the perfect paper. my art supplies will be happy to move out of the "junk" drawer + be seen everyday. two // with the super bowl + mardi gras around the corner, i have nola on the brain! {i want to go back soon} i love shrimp. even though it is one of my scarier things to cook, but i am willing to give it another go with this recipe. anything with beer + worcestershire in the sauce...i am in! i will make sure to do a recipe post when i make it. {lets hope for no disaster} three // i surround myself with quotes, either on my walls, in my car, on the mirror, or on post-its around the house. {im sure b loves it when he can't see in the mirror bc i've written out a quote to inspire} i came across this quote on pinterest a while back + it really has me thinking about achieving goals. i think when we have a large life goal in mind, i for one tend to name all the obstacles in the way. when thats just it, i am the obstacle for naming other obstacles. we have to allow ourselves to try + conquer things, not quit before trying. four // i have had tattoos on my mind lately. i am helping a friend design her first tattoo + it has me itching to get a new one. i have three. one for myself, one for an old friend, + one for my little {matching to b's}. i don't want my body covered in them, but i do want one for my family. thats why i love this one with three simple arrow shapes. just a set of three. like us. okay that's it, i know what i want for valentine's day. five // i have a giftcard to free people from christmas. unfortunately not large enough for this ring, but it is beautiful. i try to look everyday for inspiration from free people. i am obsessed. most of my clothes come from there or are inspired by the clothes + look books. if only i was a 6'2" model with a fat wallet. 

i hope that everyone has a wonderful weekend.

check back tomorrow for the song of the day. 

a day of play

i dont know about you, but we had an awesome day off yesterday. 

we watched the inauguration, went for a walk around the neighborhood, + played played played.

here are some pictures i snuck of nathan playing in his room, these are a few of his favorite toys.

what are your favorite toys at home?

five little things i love

here are five little things i've been coveting lately...

one // how delicious does this drink look? its a "faux-ito," just one of eleven skinny cocktails on shape online, great to know going into the weekend. we will definitely be purchasing these ingredients on our way down to austin this weekend. two // this has quickly become one of my favorite quotes for multiple reasons. one being that i have always been a night owl, {just ask my parents...haha love you} another reason is that we are thinking of giving nathan's new room a little bit of a space theme {nothing over the top} so i might be recreating this quote to hang in his new room some how. three // i don't think i need much of an explanation for these beautiful earrings...they speak for themselves. i lust after them + with a $20,000 price tag thats all i will be doing is lusting. four // maybe its my need for fall weather, but all i can think about is chunky sweaters lately. i love this big bohemian style sweater. i need cold weather...i am dying in this texas heat. five // anything to do with art + the juxtaposition of wonderful colors + i'm loving it. these adirondack alcohol inks are exactly what i'm talking about. 

we are heading to austin today for a wedding + our little nieces 2nd birthday!

 i am so excited to have a weekend with family.

what are your weekend plans? 

i hope something fun, summer is almost over. 

nathan style

since this is a blog first and foremost for family + friends, 

tuesdays will always be about nathan + more specifically nathan's style.

{fashion, toys, room decor, + anything else nathan might be into}

i am excited to be able to work more on my photography skills with this one. as most tuesdays i will be featuring his actually outfits + actual toys. 

we've been looking at posters for nathan's new room + the hall bath {which will primarily be nathan's bathroom} 

here are a few with wonderful pops of color. 

images via etsy

i have already added these first two to our collection for the hall bath. 

i love the colors + sweet reminders.

images via land of nod

these are just fun, but i'm not 100% on our "theme" for nathan's room yet. 

i do love the graphics though.

*ive been sick the last couple days with a nasty cold {don't you hate being sick in the summer, the heat makes everything worse} + now sweet little is sick too, so forgive me if tomorrow's post is sub-par.

preschool lunch

my little is starting preschool in just four short weeks!

im not sad to leave him at school everyday, i'm actually excited. he's been doing the whole day care thing and now he gets to go to school where i work! {at least half the week}

i am sad however that he is getting old enough to start preschool. i feel like he has been looking + acting older everyday. but i assume these are all good things, he's growing, he's embracing  independence, + he's talking up a storm. 

one thing i am really looking forward to is packing lunches for him with love. {ask me in a few months if i am still enjoying this daily task}

now the fun part. picking out that first lunch box + all the goodies that go inside!

{i took nathan to look at lunch boxes the other day and he was not into it at all, so i am on my own}

here are some picks i have been looking at from land of nod, container store, whole foods, + amazon.

what is your lunchtime solution for your little one?

monday: something

continuing with my new schedule i came up with over the weekend. i am trying to get more organized with all aspects of my life. {including the blog...i like it more than working out, i do have to say} monday will be "monday: something." it will either be an update on our weekend, a look at the week ahead, a look i'm loving, DIY, or a fun product. + today it is a product line. 

i have been trying to find a new skin care line. you know facial cleanser, toner, night/ day cream, lip balm, the occasional mask + exfoliant. i bought some over the weekend at target + i am not pleased. i just found this set by sprout skincare, while scouring the web + catching up on my blogs.

i am not convinced by any means that this is the route to go, but how great is this packaging?

i must admit i am definitely a sucker for great a great label. i tend to "judge a book by its cover." just think how great these would look lined up on my brand-new bathroom counter!  

tell me, what skin care products do you swear by? good looking packaging or not...i just want good!

classroom wish list

images via land of nod, target, dwell studio, urban outfitters

{one + two} i would love to have these games, memory for my two year olds - these look like they would actually hold up for more then a year + opposites perfect for my older class {three} i will definitely try to pick up two of these, kid made modern, sets of blocks for a first day activity. a class decorated block set for the year, i think so! {four} these art caddies would be adorable. i'm thinking a fun little DIY. {five + six} love these storage ideas. if i had the miniature shelf i would have kiddos bring in a small object from home pertaining to the letter of week or theme. {seven + eight} more books to add to my class library. {nine + ten} love these desk organizers, i would get the mint green or lime. how great are these bright, connectable, blocks...amazing! {eleven + twelve} numbered storage bins, so many ideas to use these for teaching numbers to little ones. i will be on the look out for milk crates to spray paint. so many uses for these throughout the room.

if only i had the budget for all of these wonderful little things...thats why they call it a wish list. 

oh well, the ones i can do myself, i will be attempting. 

wish me luck! 

now where to find multiple milk crates?

five little things i love

today i wanted to start a new series on the blog. instead of things that i find "pinteresting," i am going to share five little things i love every friday. 

one// i found this DIY on curbly via pinterest. i am thinking a gold one to place on our built-ins at the new house two// i plan on definitely getting some fantastic washi tape to make this garland for my classroom in a couple weeks {how exciting would it be to walk into a room with these hanging from the ceiling} three// i found my new favorite tumblr + this fabulous photo of the lake this week {we are heading down to the lake with friends today. so its sort of all i have on my mind} four// i am in serious need of a new leather jacket for fall + winter. this outfit is screaming my name five// with the new house complete i am in serious decorating mode. i can see these candles planted in terra cotta pots on our fabulously large deck

i hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. what are your big plans?

my last...

this is a pinterest post...

i am sorry for the lack of posts lately and i know i owe you so many pictures! it is the last week of school before the summer so i have been running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to get the kids ready for summer and get all projects finished.

last party idea...

a casual backyard party is a must this summer...i love the rustic appeal of this little set up

i wish i could dress like this

i am so inspired by the madewell look book

i love the wonderful mix of color and pattern.

now for a quick sneak peek of our weekend...come back tomorrow for more:

 nathan made a new friend...

my grandad came in town to celebrate nathan's birthday early

today we are going to lakewoodstock! i am so excited! it's a wonderful little art festival in the neighborhood with food, kids crafts, art vendors, and live music!

we have had the perfect weekend, i can't wait to share pictures!