new spaces!

One of the reasons Tyler and I have been so busy lately is that we've decided to move my "office" from upstairs to the room downstairs that his computer was already set up in. After he finished installing the new flooring a few weeks ago we started the crazy task of unloading my bookshelves and bringing them downstairs. As well as the multitude of books I own. And my computer. 

So far it's still a pretty big "work in progress" but all the hard stuff is done! Now I just need to try to remember how I had my shelves organized and what went where. And of course find my little owlies a home somewhere, they usually like to hang with the books! 

One of my favorite things to do when decorating a new space is to create a "visual" of the items and colors I want to use. I actually made a few of these for this space, but this is the one I decided to settle on. Usually each visual centers around something specific, in this case the rug. Oh my. It took FOREVER to find a roundish or ovalish rug for this space, something cozy I can sit on and work (I like to work on the floor much better than at a table) or lay on and talk to Tyler about his day while he works on his computer. I finally found the one pictured below and am in looooove. I didn't want to overwhelm the room with a lot of patterns and colors because the books themselves do a pretty good job of that, but I knew I wanted the rug to be fun! It should be here by the end of the week! Those pillows....well they are on backorder so I guess Ill get them in the mail at some point.

I can't wait to finish this little room of ours and share with you guys! Its been SO much fun already sharing an "office" with Tyler. He likes to work or play on his computer often, especially in the evenings, so it's fun to be in here listening to music or talking together. And we're usually accompanied by three animals snoozing on the floor too, so that rug will definitely come in handy!

Links: 1//2//3//4//5//similar 6//7//similar 8

life.

I took these photos a few days ago, when the sun was still shining and it was slightly warmish. Nows it's days later and rainy and if that doesn't just give you a good idea of what life is like around here then I don't know what will! Days pass so fast and it's been pretty busy with a side of crazy, which leaves not a whole lot of time for blogging. But hopefully soon all of that will get back to normal! Here's hoping! :)

Tonight the husband left to watch the NFL draft with a friend. I decided, rightly so, that a night of Dirty Dancing, popcorn and my laptop might be a bit more fun! Oh boys. They love their football though, that's for sure. He keeps sending me text messages trying to convince me that his night is going better. I'm not convinced!

I just finished reading The Snow Child and let me tell you....it's like a magical fairy tale. I fell in love with it instantly and enjoyed the story from start to finish. The setting is Alaska in the 1920's, an older couple who have moved there for peace and solitude and a little girl that appears in the woods one cold winter day. Love.

I'm so glad it's the weekend because I've got my fingers and toes crossed that someone will make me a big breakfast Sunday morning. Maybe. If I'm lucky. I've been thinking about it all week....and it's only fun eating breakfasts like that when you've got someone to eat with so Sunday it is. Yum! It's also my brother's birthday Monday so we're celebrating Sunday with my family! Looking forward to a happy weekend, how about you?! :)
//xoxo, r

around town::the 330 swap 'n' shop

There are quite a few awesome things going on around in my neck of the woods next month and I'm super excited to share them with you guys! Get your calendars out....it's gonna be fun!

First off, a few of my friends from the 330 Blogger Collective are hosting the first annual 330 Swap 'N' Shop! OH my goodness, this is just going to be awesome. I know it. If you'd like to join in the fun on May 20th at noon, simply head over to their website and sign up! You can bring your own gently used clothing to swap or make a donation to participate. It sounds like there are going to be a lot of awesome vendors and prizes too! Can't wait! You can also check out a few of the local bloggers who will be swapping clothes that day too, which just makes me seriously want to be the first person in line. And what better way to motivate yourself for a little spring cleaning, am I right?! :)

See you there!

today.

I haven't had a whole lot of time to blog the past week or so, but after a lovely lunch with my sweet friend Charlotte, I couldn't not share something with you! She is here visiting for a week and I was lucky enough to get a chance to see her/chat for over two hours over a very yummy home cooked breakfast. And being the absolute kindest friend that she is, she brought me this gorgeous necklace as a surprise! Isn't is perfect? Even better, it spells "Love" in morse code! How cool is that? Yes, I agree. 

If you're jealous, I don't really blame you. I would be too. This is exactly the kind of thing I love, unique and original.....especially when it's handmade. I'm so lucky to count her among my friends! 

You can view more of Rebecca Coagan Scharlatt's jewelry here, at her website COATT. She truly has some beautiful pieces! I'll definitely treasure this forever. :) Thank you Charlotte!!!!!

In other news.........look what came out today! ::happydance:: I still read the old issues I have from way back when and this, well this is just super exciting.

Today....today was a happy day. Hope yours was too!
xoxo, R.

a blessed easter sunday

Tyler and I were awfully lucky this year to be able to spend time with both of our families on Easter Sunday. It was a beautiful Spring day made all the more perfect because my favorite tree at my parents house was blooming when we got there! I love love love those bright pink flowers. And I got to see my little sister. That's always pretty awesome too. :) 

My mom made a wonderful dinner and my dad grilled super yummy lamb chops, something I only eat on Easter so I made sure to enjoy immensely. We also had time for a nice lunch with Tyler's family and celebrated his older sister's birthday. Needless to say we were pretty exhausted when we got home and you can bet I was in bed at 9:15. Not gonna lie. We're getting old around here. 

Hope everyone who celebrates Easter had a nice day too. I feel like Easter last year was only yesterday! How does time move so quickly? 

Here's to a lovely week! 

<3R. 

collected: part two

I started collecting vintage children's books when I worked in a Montessori school, just by chance when I would be perusing the book section of Goodwill for new books for my kiddos. I don't even think I really thought about it at the time. Since then, I've tried really hard to only purchase books that I feel have a story that is unique or illustrations that are particularly fun. We all know how easy it can be to overwhelm a collection with every single piece or item you find, but I think I've done a pretty good job of selecting titles that I specifically enjoy, instead of just every vintage book I come across. One of the cutest is "At Daddy's Office" in the photo below....reminds me of Don Draper a bit. Minus all of the women of course. :) 

Some of my favorites are actually science or language related, like the three above. They explain a concept in a fun and friendly way, usually with pretty adorable illustrations. I love it! The bee one is my absolute favorite. 

Sometimes the illustrations are just so darling that I've considered framing them in a child's room someday. I really feel like they just don't make books like this anymore. Cliché I know:) At any rate, I can't wait to share these stories with my own little one in the future. It will be so special!

yellow hellows

Today was a very yellow kind of day.
I wore my favorite yellow top, cute little birdies and all. And pretty yellow flats too.
Ate snacks at lunchtime out on the deck while the doggies slept  barked in the sun.
I also found a few pretty dandelions that bloomed in the crack of the drive way and miraculously no one had driven over yet. A miracle!
It has so far been a pretty lovely week. The kids I tutor are on spring break so I've had a bit of time to myself. I've of course spent that free time planning a list for my trip to Ikea Saturday and reading. In other words, doing nothing productive. Oh well!
But yellow days! They are my favorite. Happy color, I think....don't you agree?

xoxo, R.