Little Plans

Mr. C and I don't have kids yet, but we have several friends who are preggers and the baby bug has bit me big time! So, although we aren't preggers ourselves, I spent a little time thinking about nursery ideas and baby furniture. Here's what I came up with:




It's a pretty simple plan...I realize I haven't included things like linens and art, but it's a start. At least I know how much money I need to save!
Looking at what budget nurseries can cost -like this Young House Love nursery, or this one at withTWOcats- I think $600 is a pretty conservative sum.

The best thing about the furniture choices is that the dresser will grow up with the baby, as will the crib which converts into a headboard.

Well, I'm back to day dreaming about babies...

It's hot (pink) in here

Being the wonderful guy he is, Mr. C recently bought me a gorgeous Cyclamen plant with hot pink flowers. It's a fresh pop of color in our otherwise neutral home, perfect for this time of year.

Now, I'm not typically one to look a gift horse in the mouth, so to speak. However, I do have one small gripe with houseplants -their containers are often rather ugly. Do you know the kind I mean? Green or black plastic planters often covered with decorative paper or plastic.

Since the plant is so beautiful, she deserves a place in full view -but the tacky planter she came in? not so much. So, I tried to give her a more delicate and elegant outfit -using things I already had in my design closet. Here's what I came up with: I used a fabulous vintage handkerchief from my generous mother-in-law, and a curvy glass vase I bought on clearance a few months ago at Target.


I lined the vase with the kerchief, allowing the design to flow over the edge, and plopped the plant -plastic pot and all- right into the vase.


Ain't she purty?! I feel a lot better setting her on my mantle now that she's had a makeover.

To Summerize

The weather where I live has been teasing me lately...switching between cool rainy days and warm almost-summer-but-not-quite days. In protest of the change to cold, I've done three things (that's my story, and I'm stickin' to it):
First, I painted my toes and fingers this FABULOUS color...it's creamy and dreamy and oh-so-summery!
The second thing I did was freshen my wardrobe with some summer pieces, including this peasant style top. Ain't it cute?! I wore it with some strappy flat sandals and navy shorts yesterday, and felt light and fluttery all day.


And best of all! I switched up my mantle decor...I added some limes, orange roses, and candles...voila! energetic and happy living room mantle.


See?

Happy colors :)

Another birthday to plan!

In addition to Mr. C's birthday party next week, I'm also now planning an 80th birthday party for Mr. C's Nana. It'll be a family affair, with lots of yummy food and conversation. No particular theme, just a celebration of the 80 years of life God has blessed her with!
Since it's going to be an April party, I think that a soft and cheery color palette would be ideal.
I have a bunch of this fabric (from Ikea) that I plan to use on the tables for tablecloths:

Pretty and bright!

These napkins from Ikea are a lovely color (and they're cheap! only $1.99 for 50).


And I plan to make a birthday banner along these lines, but different colors methinks:


And...I have to make a decision about floral centerpieces. Here are the contenders:


Which do YOU think I should use?

Mornings 'round here

Every morning, after my husband leaves for work, I take a shower.
And every morning, when I get out of the shower, my cat Obi is waiting.

I dry my hair, and he waits.

I dress, he waits.

I put on makeup -you guessed it, he's still waiting.

But as soon as I walk out of the bathroom, he's done with waiting.

Ya see, he thinks it's nap time.

He sits on the bed and meows at me expectantly....he somehow got it stuck in his little brain that after I shower, I'm supposed cuddle and nap with him.

So he waits.
And meows.
And waits.
Every morning.

Sometimes Joe joins him. They look at me with their huge green eyes and meow
"why aren't you coming to bed?"

It's hard to resist.
Makes me think that napping is my duty.
My responsibility.

I think my cats are trying to train me.

April Fools

I woke up this morning with the sudden realization that today is April 1st, and I have NOTHING planned to prank my friends and Mr. C with. Too bad! especially when there's all sorts of fun ideas available -here are my favorites...and who knows, maybe I can pull one off today after all ;)

A fun "shrunken breakfast" prank on Martha Stewart


A few easy pranks that I might try...also on Martha Stewart

If you don't want to prank anybody, but you'd like a laugh, read this cute description of of how to "Make Your House Look Magazine-Perfect in 8 Easy Steps" at Hooked On Houses

And lastly, the top 100 April Fool's Days Hoaxes of All Time over at museumofhoaxes.com. I had to laugh at #8...a left-handed Whopper, courtesy of Burger King in 1998 (and folks fell for it!).

Happy April Fools Day y'all!

On the road

I love seeing new places. I like going back to slightly-familiar places too. Mr. C's job doesn't call for much traveling...he gets to come home every night, and I am so blessed that when he does travel, I get to go with him.

This week is such a time. There's a two day conference in Santa Clara (which is a 5 hour drive from our home) that he's attending, and I'm his traveling pal this time.

As I type this, he's sitting in the Santa Clara Convention Center, learning new (and I'm sure intriguing) things about memory design...and I'm ensconced in a cushy leather chair at a little Starbucks a few minute's drive away.

This little trip away from our comfy home got me thinking; what is it I just can't (or wouldn't want to) leave the house without when traveling? and here's what I came up with

My (surprisingly short) can't-travel-without-it list:

Some form of entertainment. Fortunately, my phone can double as this, and I'm never without my phone.

Baby wipes. Oh my. These are so incredibly handy. They really aren't just for kiddos. Forgot your face wash? no worries, baby wipes are sensitive enough to use on your face. Stepped in a nasty mud puddle and dirtied your only pair of shoes? no problem, you can clean 'em up in a jiffy. Spilled coffee on your car upholstery? don't break a sweat, you have baby wipes.

Ahhh, baby wipes. They have saved my hide more than once. I've taken to just leaving a small container in my car at all times.

Water. 9.99 times out of 10, I'm glad I remembered to bring some.

A toothbrush and toothpaste. Even when you don't think you're going to be gone overnight. These might come in handy instead.

Some sort of painkiller.... Aspirin, Ibuprofen, Excedrin...you know what I mean.

So what about you? do you have any tips for making short trips easier? I'd love to hear them.