Summer Camp Registration

In case you were away this holiday weekend we're now accepting registration for our RVA Summer Camp! Details here. Because you can still go to camp from the comfort of your own computer.

xoxo,
Rachel

Memorial Day Theme - Divide And Conquer

So while our friend, Brad, was in town this weekend we took him to Charley's Flea Market to see about some more chairs for the coffee shop he's about to open. The whole family went after having lunch at Gailey's which meant Sebastian had spent the entire time chatting up the ladies behind the counter while they made his pancakes and refilled his chocolate milk. He loves those "ma'ams" - what he calls anyone in the retail/food/airline, etc industries. Anyway, he was a little high on pancake syrup and chocolate milk but really I act about the same when we step into Charley's. This trip was no exception as my favorite vendor had a few new pieces rotating through.

I was barking orders (nicely) left and right for Brett to grab tags and watch Sebastian and fan me at the same time. Well not the fanning part. I was trying to keep my cool about so many great things that were suddenly available so that I didn't make a rash purchase or lose my son or track of time as I had to be somewhere and I just needed a cool breeze....it was one of those trips. Thankfully we managed to figure out the most fabulous record player I've ever seen did, in fact, not work before the no return policy left us with a piece of useless furniture. Brett took care of the two chairs above while I watched Sebastian as he poured water and skittles from styrofoam cup to styrofoam cup in the parking lot. We got home in one piece and Brad even found some chairs!

These mid-century chairs need some new covers and maybe a cute pillow or two but their bones are great and they are the perfect small-medium size for our small-ish living room. The orange one isn't as bright as in the photos and the brown-ish one is a swivel chair. They aren't from the same line, obviously, but their shapes are almost the same and will be easy enough to reupholster (crosses fingers) with a little help from YouTube. We'll see! The above photo was taken this morning after I borrowed our friend's truck to pick up the chairs as well as Sebastian's bed frame and mattresses. He was climbing over everything in only his underwear and I have very fond memories of doing the exact same thing when I was little on moving days.

Thanks to our generous friends who are making space for their two new children, we are the recipients of a like-new full size mattress, box springs, and metal frame! I went out today to pick up a set of sheets, bed skirt, and knit throw to keep him covered until his birthday quilt is finished and got sentimental about this small little rite of passage. We said goodbye to his toddler bed and made a big deal all day about how great his new bed was and had a little extra story time to make sure he went to sleep in his new environment with happy feelings. The next part is deciding on a headboard and locating one to finish the look. It'll happen.

I doodled an art journal page about two months ago about all the things I wanted (realistically) for our current house, half expecting that I'd go without for awhile. I saw it again today and showed Brett that all but two of about nine haven't made their way to our house! Isn't that fantastic! Including the two vintage chairs today, I had also drawn a spindled bench, a garden, a tree swing, new green grass to fill in our old flower bed, a wooden play kitchen, and an art piece for Ruby's space! It makes me happy to know that there are ways to make your home an enjoyable place to live, reflective of who you are, and mostly filled with things you love if you put energy into looking for things and getting your hands a little dirty. And it doesn't take a lot of money! Now, if only it would keep itself clean...

xoxo,
Rachel
p.s. I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Brett got to shoot a canon off at a service at a local cemetery and had about ten kids ask him what kind of guns they were carrying.
p.p.s. That sure was chatty!

If I had an Extra $500...

...of disposable income, I'd get myself one of these beautiful limited edition Coach satchels designed by fellow blogger Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere!

I love the "Sweet Whimsy" board she created for it too! It's always fun to see the inspiration behind the final product :)

Beds For Boys

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Sebastian is getting a bigger bed for his birthday so I've been doing some research online to see if he has an opinion on anything. I'm hoping to show him some of these beds in the morning to see which one he likes the most. I've been on the look out for some vintage headboards/footboards because many of them are full sized but keep going back and forth between slightly ornamental or clean lines. I saw one similar to the last photo at Charley's flea market today but it came with a bedroom set and we didn't need the other pieces. I'm thinking I might even be able to get the same effect by having some wood stained and sealed and just attaching them to the metal frame...we'll see.

Add it to the project list!
xoxo,
Rachel

Giveaway Day - Shortstack Goods

"Here at Shortstack Goods we love bright colors and vintage fabrics. Our wallets and bags are actually fun to carry. Our headbands and necklaces are actually fun to wear. We love what we make and our ultimate hope is that you'd love to get your hands on some Shortstack Goods!"
-Robyn

We are offering this rad wallet, necklace and earrings!
(a $56 value)

Enter your favorite guilty pleasure for a chance to win! Winner will be announced Tuesday.
xoxo,
Rachel

"I love interior design but it's easy to get intimidated. I finally realized that it's really just about finding things you want to sit in and see every day. Comfortable pieces that aren't too high-maintenance. When we become slaves to our environments, we've gone backwards. They should nurture us, not the other way around."

-Gabrielle Reece

via Traditional Home

About How I Feel Today

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Fragmented. Trying to keep it all together and still do it beautifully. It's what not enough play time or sleep will do to a mama but I'm hanging in there for another week because we've got big plans to spend some time at the beach soon. I think I can make it!
xoxo,
Rachel

More on Sex and the City 2 Decor

I personally loved Carrie and Big's apartment. Below is info on some of the pieces used throughout the home.

The Entry and Hallway


The wallpaper in the entry is Oiseau in Chocolate from Katie Ridder (below left) and the hand blown-glass chandelier { which I blogged about previously :) } in the hallway is from Lindsey Adelman Studio (below right).

The Living Room

The sofa is from Montauk Sofa {looks like it's their woodframe model shown below} upholstered in blue wool-mohair from Donghia.



The rug and the cushion are both from The Rug Company. The rug is Candy Flower (below left) from the Marni Collection and the cushion is Birdie Blossom (below right) from the Paul Smith Collection.


Update: One of my readers, Sharon, identified the ottoman! It's called the Lola and is from the from the Finnish, London-based textile designer Anne Kyyrö Quinn. Upholstered in a blue wool felt, it is cut, sewn and finished by hand.


The Dining Room

The disk chandelier is from Property (below left) and the dining chairs are upholstered in the Belgravia grey/black linen (below right) from Lee Jofa


The Bedroom

The headboard is upholstered in Velvet Gate Tuxedo (below left) from Kravet Couture. The wallpaper is the Rococo Damask (below right) from Cole & Son.

If you have additional info on any other pieces not included here, feel free to share with us by leaving a comment!

Giveaway Day - Gingiber

"Hello, My name is Stacie and I have a little Etsy shop called Gingiber. I am constantly doodling and dreaming of pretty things to put in my shop. Recently, I was inspired by some beautiful May flowers that I saw in a park. So I made this little "Those Darling Buds of May" print. I hope you like it!

Be sure to take a peek at my blog, Gingibersnap, where you are sure to capture a sneak peak of upcoming product and other beautiful things that inspire me!
-Stacie

To win this lovely print (above) leave me the name of your favorite camp song ( or game) and I'll pick a winner on Tuesday.
xoxo,
Rachel

Giveaway Day - Opposite Day

"Opposite Day" Shop has recently added many wonderful fun and flirty felt accessories that add a little punch of color to any outfit. I am giving away 2 items from the new collection: a rosette headband in dusty pink and a rose brooch in soft red. Both items offer a simple way to accessorize your spring and summer outfits."

-Stephanie

For the chance to win this lovely felt rose headband and brooch set leave a comment letting us know if you're someone who prefers to cook or bake...or neither, I suppose. A winner will be drawn on Tuesday.

xoxo,
Rachel

Giveaway Day - 365

"--365 is a place to share ideas, gather inspiration, and spark new ways to add touches of creativity to your everyday life. Whether it be a trying new recipe, wearing a new pin, or playing a new game with your kids, these are the small things that can sometimes bring a moment of happiness to an otherwise ordinary day. And that is what life is about, the little moments and treasures that are unique to each and everyone of us that make us who we are and put a smile on our face."
- Danielle

This giveaway is for a $15 gift certificate to Danielle's shop. Just leave your dream road trip destination in the comments section and a winner will be picked on Tuesday.

xoxo,
Rachel

Giveaway Day - Gussy

"Gussy is a line of ruffled accessories {laptop bags, tote bags, zipped pouches, checkbook covers}. I started Gussy in March of 2009 and recently quit my day job to pursue my business full-time. It's so exciting to sew and be a part of the handmade industry. Looking for a custom order? Contact me and we'll chat :] "
-Maggie

This giveaway is for $30 shop credit to Gussy! All you have to do is tell me your favorite trend this spring/summer season for a chance to win. Winner will be chosen on Tuesday.

xoxo,
Rachel

Giveaway Day - QTea Kits

"Q Tea kits are monthly, embellishment oriented scrapbooking kits with a difference - the majority of the contents are NOT commercial scrapbooking products. What you will get is a fun, creative selection of unique accessories, vintage finds, handmade items and funky fabrics. Love the quirky, arty side of scrapbooking? Grab a Q Tea kit, and see where it takes you.

Don't think... just create!"

-Jodi

Q-Tea Kits are giving away two of their most recent and most popular kits (valued @ $40)- Where the Wild Things Are and The Greatest Show on Earth. Two totally different but very inspiring mixed media kits to get your creative juices flowing.

You can see what the QTea Creative team have created with these kits on their blog - www.qteakits.blospot.com

One winner will be picked at random and announced on Tuesday. Just leave your favorite summer drink in the comments section!
xoxo,
Rachel