Easter Cookies & Decor

Yay for Easter week, a favorite time of year.  Spring is in the air and summer isn't far away.  The days are lighter longer and we prepare to celebrate The Resurrection.  Our church always has a great service and I'm looking forward to it and a nice brunch after.  We know Easter isn't really about bunnies and eggs, but it doesn't hurt to be playful with those things!



I found the cutest sugar cookies for my son's class Easter party at Whole Foods.  I hope the kids like them- but I think they will since he already tasted and approved.

And for just $5 I picked up this adorable, colorful felt egg banner at Target.  Sometimes $5 is worth saving the time and effort of creating a craft project from scratch. 

The lovely lamp and faux potted hydrangea are from Pottery Barn.

On our breakfast table is my dough bowl filled with large and small pastel colored eggs- from Hobby Lobby. 

Do you have Easter plans?

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DIY Closet Office & New Pinterest Board

While browsing Pinterest yesterday, I came across a knockout gorgeous image of a closet-turned-office and when I looked a little closer, saw immediately that it was the creation of my beautifully talented friend Courtney of A Thoughtful Place blog.  Have you seen it?  You'll never believe what she wallpapered the walls with! Go HERE to read the full post with all the details and sources.

Speaking of friends, Courtney (A Thoughtful Place), Cassie (Hi Sugarplum), Carmel (Our Fifth House) and I are so excited to be speaking at the Haven conference this year.  I'd love to hear if you're going- I'm looking forward to meeting up in person.

We started a new Pinterest board, Home Blogger Design/DIY Ideas that showcase decor and DIY ideas for your home.  If you are addicted to Pinterest and home decorating like we are, please feel free to follow our board.

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Organizing the Kid Books

It feels like we've got kid books (and toys) everywhere these days.  I want the books especially to be easily accessible so that we can quickly find a book at bedtime or whenever my son wants to read.  We've previously kept the books in bins and baskets throughout the house, but the basket situation is getting out of control.  I wanted to get the books (and baskets) off of the floor to create more room to play.

I was considering buying a bookshelf for my son's room, then thought, duh, just make room for his books on a shelf in our hallway.  Why didn't I think of this sooner?  One of my early blog posts was about the "rainbow" bookshelf in our hallway.

Since the bookshelf is right off of James' room, it made perfect sense to clear a low shelf for his books.  Now he knows where to find the books and where they belong when it's time to put them away!  And I'm so happy I didn't have to buy a new bookshelf for his room.

I used a wire basket to hold his little board books.  I got the basket from See Jane Work and created the label with clip art and a laminating machine.  You can go HERE for the full tutorial. 

I like how the books are at just the right height for him to access easily.

When I kept the books in the baskets, they inevitably got all jumbled up and it was hard to dig for a book at the bottom.  Keeping them lined up on the shelf makes it much easier to find the book we're looking for.  I'm happy to find a solution that was FREE! Just took a little clearing and organizing.  

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An Easter Table

Can you believe Easter is almost here?  It feels like it snuck up on me really quickly this year, but I'm ready with a simple Easter table for four.  I mostly shopped our home with items purchased from past years to create a setting that is relaxed and casual.

The inspiration for the table started with these adorable miniature birds nested with speckled eggs.  They are just a couple dollars at Hobby Lobby and I like how they add that Spring nature feel. 

The floral runner was purchased at World Market a few years back and used in a previous Thanksgiving table. I'm still loving my gold flatware from Amazon - they add some bling!

Bunnies certainly say Easter, don't they? Again, a Hobby Lobby find. 

This "egg" centerpiece adds a festive, pastel touch.  The large eggs are perfect!

Oh how I wish I had a yard full of blooming hydrangeas.  I don't even care what color, they are just so lush and gorgeous.  These are from the grocery store- too bad I can never get them to last very long!  Putting them in a mason jar feels more casual than using a formal vase. 

Whose ready for brunch? 

Have a great Easter!

Soul Space

Do y'all read O, The Oprah Magazine?  This weekend we had gorgeous weather and got to head to the pool for the first time this year.

I brought along my O mag and found an article about our homes and how we can help use them to enhance our lives.  The article is based on a book (Soul Space) by Xorin Balebes, an interior designer who says,

We all need a supportive and welcoming space to come home to.  Whether you live in a one-bedroom apartment, rent, or have a huge house to call home, you can make it YOURS and it can be your place of refuge.  Even if your current space is temporary or transitional, you can still employ Balbes eight steps to creating your own Soul Space.

The first step is to take a mental inventory of your home, what you love, what's there "just because".  Are there things in your home that don't reflect who you are or you have outgrown?  I love how he asks, "What's the first thing you see when you wake up in the morning?"  Note how you feel as you walk around your home, room by room.

Let go of dust collectors, things that bring up negative emotions, broken pieces, and uncomfortable things.  It feels so much better and more peaceful to let go of what's not working and also creates space for something new when the time is right. 

Keep what you love, and even mundane things like spatulas and bath towels should make you happy when you use them.  That's an interesting thought, right?  I find I do that with certain objects- for example, I like to write with specific kinds of pens, and I like to use pretty notepads.  Why not have in your home only what is useful, necessary, and beautiful?  It's our choice. 

After you've decided what stays and what goes, it's time for a deep cleaning.  It's great to open your windows and let the fresh air in, and do things like rotate your mattress and tend to necessary repairs.  Balbes also mentions, "spring cleaning for the soul" and recommends an energy-cleansing technique where you burn sage or wheatgrass in rooms where you've experienced pain or loss.  Yep, time to clear out those "emotional cobwebs" too. 

After you've released the past, the next phase is about the future.  "Who are you now and who do you want to become?" It's time to experience new things, like going to new restaurants, trying new foods, and spending time in different places.  Without over-thinking it, letting yourself be inspired by things that make your spirit soar.

When you've identified the dreams you have for your life and home, you can start to bring objects into your home that align with those purposes.  You don't have to be stuck in a particular style if it doesn't suit you any longer.  

Although budget often dictates the scope of our home improvements, minor changes can make a big difference.  Even rearranging furniture or painting a room can make it feel completely new.  Play with your space and keep an open mind. 

These "grace notes" are the finishing touches like bringing in fresh flowers, putting on music, or spritzing the air with an appealing scent.  They take only a minute, are inexpensive, and can change the mood in your home. 

Sometimes a process like this can take a very long time, but if just start, "you're beginning to connect to your true essence."  I love how Balbes says, "It's important to invite people over to share your home's transformation because when you start living in an environment that's more like you, then others can see more of you.  And hopefully, you're inspiring them to become more of who they are too."

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Retail Therapy

With some time to kill before meeting a girlfriend for lunch, I popped into DSW.  Dangerous.  Two pair of cute wedge sandals demanded to come home with me.  They are both Audrey Brooke, a brand I've never heard of before, but really like- cute and comfy.  I didn't realize DSW had an online store, but found it for you. :)

Carina $59.95

Doreen $49.95

I think shorts weather is just around the corner here- what about where you live?  

Have a great weekend!

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I am at http://www.forbes.com/sites/richardgreen/2013/03/13/california-has-a-shortage-of-rental-housing/.

Honey We're Healthy

I wanted to take a minute here to thank you all so much for reading and supporting my health and fitness blog, Honey We're Healthy.  I'm proud of the content I've built up with the help of my friend and food contributor, Jennifer of The Chronicles of Home.  Lately, I've been sharing some of the meals we eat around here (which are quick and simple to make since I'm no gourmet chef).  And like many of you, I'm a busy mom without a lot of time to create elaborate dishes on the weekdays.  Weekend meal planning has been a life saver!  I've been utilizing the chalk wall in our kitchen for that purpose.



If you want to check out some of the recipes on Honey We're Healthy, click the links below.

Huevos Rancheros

Multigrain Buttermilk Pancakes

Fruit, Nut, and Cheese Salad

Butternut Squash & Lobster Risotto

Quick Morning Oatmeal

Grilled Shrimp Tacos

Greek Pasta Salad with Chicken

Quinoa Caprese Salad

If you want to follow Honey We're Healthy, go HERE.  To subscribe, go HERE.

I noticed that Honey We're Home is just shy of 5,000 followers!  Thank you- I'm really honored that you take the time out of YOUR busy day to read my blog.  Many of you know I started this blog as a way to connect with other women when I first became a stay-at-home mom to a little baby.   I never dreamed that it would last this long and be such source of happiness in my life.  Thanks to you for reading along!  

To follow Honey We're Home, go HERE.  To subscribe, go HERE. 

Thanks so much!

Step One Toward a Big Boy Room

I recently mentioned that my son's room still looks more like a nursery than a toddler room, even though he just turned three.  Over the weekend, we took the first step toward a big boy room- removing the changing table part from his dresser.  It came right off, I just had to use a wood pen to paint over some surface scratches.

And now it looks much more like a dresser!

For now, I've accessorized it with a large textured raffia tray from West Elm, some books, a Target lamp, animals, and a print from Penny Paper Co. 

Baby steps! 

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My Home Office Organization

With legal work, blogging, and Stella & Dot, I've been spending many hours in my home office lately.  Thankfully, I truly enjoy being in this space and get a lot accomplished here.  It's way more fun to work in an office that is clean, pretty, and organized.  I feel much better here ever since I painted the walls white (they used to be light yellow) and turned my desk to face the window.  Those two small changes made a world of difference.  I also found dark grey velvet drapes that feel luxurious in the room.



In addition to keeping things ultra-organized, I like to keep something living and beautiful on my desk always, like this pink flower stem.  The couple dollars spent weekly on flowers give back ten-fold. I've also started working with a lit candle.  It helps me relax and focus.

And I keep a few seashells in a small bowl to help me remember why I work hard and how I like to spend my time off.

I got some new goodies courtesy of See Jane Work, an office/workspace organizational online shop that I've ordered from previously.  My light blue pencils, file boxes, and printer paper holders are from their site.

I adore their new herringbone line in collaboration with Office Depot.  The magazine files hold some of my Stella & Dot supplies.

Isn't the pencil cup cute? 

And I haven't quite figured out where I'm going to put this magnetic dry erase board.  It might end up in the mudroom.  The quote is from a new favorite book, Eat That Frog! Have you read it? It gives you tools to stop procrastinating and gets the important things accomplished first thing in your day.  It's a quick read and full of helpful, practical tips. 

I can't have enough paper for my never-ending "to do" lists.  This sticky notepad is cool because it has circles on the left for you check off and feel so good when you've completed something. 

Do you have an office space you enjoy being in?  Also, are you a fan of the time change?  I don't think anyone likes losing an hour of sleep, but those long summer nights are the best!

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