Washi Tape and Flowers

Have I mentioned my love of washi tape before? (that's rhetorical, don't answer)

I don't have a huge collection, but the few rolls I have get a lot of use for gift wrapping, art display and general DIY odds and ends. When we were on our girls weekend I found a little pot of gold at the back of the Madewell store: clearance washi tape! They were $1.90 a roll so I picked up a few more. I felt like a bit of a lame-O as I was preaching the amazing-ness of this find to the other ladies, who were much more excited about all the amazing clothes (and rightfully so!). But I knew all your fellow crafters would join me in going gaga over such a find.

With summer blooms popping up I have been putting my washi tape to good use around here.

 

The good old washi-tape flag is a regular staple. It looks adorable in a little pot of flowers, or in a cupcake! If you buy a pack of small skewers I promise you will not be short of ideas for place to use a little flag (place settings, gifts, etc.)

 

 

I was totally inspired by Amanda's adorable egg crate planter a couple weeks ago and decided to put one of my own to use as part of our gift for Wren's teacher. It's a great gift that will be useful even if the plants don't make it (let's be honest, mine usually don't...).

 

This is the easiest and most creative! Keep an old pasta sauce jar or jam jar and you can bring it to life for your next batch of flowers. 

Here are a handful of other creative and beautiful ways to combine washi tape and flowers this summer:

   Via Decor8

via SarahHearts

via PaperMash

via FuturisticBlog

May not be the most practical idea, but I am itching to try this flower covered wall.

Powder Room Update Update

I am excited to show you my mini-makeover in the powder room today! I finished up the paper and light before we left, and I still have a couple things left to do (you may notice the toilet paper holder is still missing... Ooops!) but it is pretty much done. And it feels so much happier!

 

You may remember the game plan I laid out. 

 

And it all came together really well. Sean isn't 100% sold on feeling like he is in Alfred Hitchcock's Birds when he is in here just yet... but Wren is particularly enamored with it (maybe I should have saved it for her bathroom). The bright, yet modern hits of color are a little out of my comfort zone but I am totally digging it in here. 

I am also keeping my eyes open for a bigger print or piece of art for the back wall still.

 

Particularly because this bathroom has NO natural light, and neither does the hallway it is in white just felt washed out and boring. 

To keep it from feeling too crazy/busy we left the wall reflected in the mirror paper-free.

 

This way it doesn't look too overwhelming when you are trying to check your makeup or hair.

 

The little ladder we painted for Wren last Summer (check out the transformation here) fits perfectly by the sink so she can wash her hands easily. We have felt pads on the feet as well so she can slide it into the kitchen if she wants to help at any time.

 

My favorite thing is the light! It was $35 from Lowes (the mirror is also from there, $39).

 

And I found a new waste basket on clearance at HomeSense for $10 that matches the metal of the light perfectly.

 

 

All totalled the mini-makeover came in as follows:

wallpaper $225

paste/supplies $40

light $35

mirror $39

waste basket $10

yellow Threshold towel $11

Total: $360

I have also just finished a few additions to the living/dining room I can't wait to show you!!

Friday

 

Oh how I've missed my little partner. I actually think her daddy missed her more though. She has been hamming it up all over these last few days. But today is a big day for us: Our baby is graduating from preschool!!! No really, she still feels like a baby to me, so this is kind of an unbelievable moment. 

 

Isn't it a wonder that we are already in mid-June? I have been filling the house with flower clippings like crazy since we got back on Wednesday. When you live somewhere that only sees a solid 4-5 months of nice weather it can feel like quite a special treat. So I will deal with bare plants outside to enjoy some beauty inside.

It's the simple things that always make me the happiest.

Enjoy your weekend, and be sure to fill it with beautiful and good things.

Girls' Getaway

Howdy! It feels like a lifetime since I sat down at a computer, even though it has only been a week (which is a lifetime in my world). I am back to regular life and it feels great to be back in a routine again. A couple weeks away and it seems to make you really appreciate the little things that are a part of sometimes boring daily life. 

You already know that Sean and I had a little getaway, but what I couldn't tell you last week was that it was actually just a pre-holiday to why I was back in Cali again so soon. One of my bestest friends of all time is getting married in just a couple weeks and we were surprising her with a bachelorette weekend extravaganza! A group of 6 of us shared a couple beach-front hotel rooms in Santa Monica and giggled the weekend away.

 

It was one of those weekends that was completely full, but in the best, funnest way possible. We started our adventures on a mega-shopping afternoon on the Third Street promenade. Me and the Bride-to-be, besties since grade 8.

 

I would estimate that we spent a solid hour or two in Madewell. I could have bought one of everything, and the bride to be nearly did (Just kidding Tom!!!)

 

Can we talk about how lovely the Anthro is there? It is two stories and filled with loveliness like I've never imagined.

 

I want one of everything in this photo.

 

On Friday night we ate at the most amazing restaurant ever called Gjelina. We ordered a huge assortment of plates and all shared so we could get the chance to try one of everything, which was so fun because it felt just like a big family dinner. And it was a great way to get more acquainted with a couple girls I hadn't met before that day. By the end of the night I felt like I was at home with my 5 best friends.

We spend our Saturday on the beach and at the pier.

 

And we all tried out tandem biking for the first time! It was sooooo fun, but definitely harder than it looks. 

 

We stopped for ice cream and I had to stop at this street fair booth.

( in case you are wondering, my wish did come true)

We went out for dinner again on Saturday night and then danced the night away to oldies at a nightclub called The Bungalow. It actually just felt like we were hanging out at a super awesome beach house party and we had a blast.

See? Pretty neat!

I've never seen anything like it, everybody there was super fun and friendly.

In fact, I think I could easily move right in to this place.

On Sunday we ate at Coast at Shutters on the Beach and had many laughs discussing our adventures from the night before.

The beautiful bride.

 

 

My newest buddies (plus one who had to leave early and wasn't in the shot)!

 

I have to thank all these ladies for making it a weekend to remember. Each and every one of them is sweet, smart, and funny. And I can't wait to see them all again in just a couple weeks on the Big Day!!

Maxin' and Relaxin'

Happy first week of June! I am reporting for blogging duty from the beautiful, dry, HOT desert. I know, I know, I was just here with Wren! But I have a reason for returning so soon (aside from catching my breath)  I just can't share it yet in case a certain someone is reading. I'll share all the details next week, promise.

This week it is just Sean and I and we have had a really really special time. It feels like the day you head home with your brand new little baby your life changes forever and while we LOVE that life these few days alone, together have really reminded us what the heck we like about each other so darn much!

I have also been enjoying my other love: reading.

 

(the grass is so soft it almost looks fake, right?)

Just nearing the end of The Distant Hours by Kate Morton. So far I like it, as I have all her other novels. I love a good period mystery!

The flowers are insanely beautiful and fragrant, which kind of lessens my longing for lilacs.

 

We spend our days in the shade by the pool, and once the sun goes down we get dolled up for a date each evening. 

 

The best place to catch a nap.

Not quite a pedicure... 

 

In case you didn't know, we used to live here in the desert. So we have plenty of favorite restaurants and hang outs. But I just had to share the new Wolfgang Puck restaurant because I was so in love with the interior! Chairs painted in shades of yellow, green and blue, rustic wood and industrial lighting had me saying Mmmmm long before our food came out. 

 

The crate shelving and amber glasses were my favorite detail. Tons of inspiration for a gal like me!!

(and the food was amazing too!)

Toodles till Friday!

Friday

The scent of fresh lilac is magical in my world. I find that every spring when I smell it again it actually feels like the first time, never have I ever found anything comes remotely close to accurately capturing that aroma. I am packing today for a little getaway with the Mr. (our first EVER since Wren was born) and I am mourning the fact that when we return my beloved lilacs will be done. I know it is just the beginning of a beautiful summer, but I think the late days of spring may actually be my very favorite time of year with their long days and fresh buds filling the air.

It is also the time of year we start seeing unexpected afternoon thunderstorms and showers roll in. Cooling the day down and somehow sharpening the fragrant air. A good excuse to cuddle as we listen to the thunder and plan what adventures our next day will hold. 

 

Yup, when I return those days will be long gone, replaced by the lazy, hot days of summer. Which are a close second in my hierarchy of seasons. 

I am excited, thrilled and nervous about our getaway. I know it will be relaxing and filled with fun but it is kind of hard to picture more than a day or two without my buddy. Maybe more experienced moms can reassure me that it flies by and we will have the time of our life ( which I know she will be doing while she stays with her Nanny and Papa). I want to send a super-de-duper appreciative thank you to a beautiful blog-friend who is making it a little easier to part. Reem designs and makes beautiful evil eye bracelets for both moms and their mini-me's and Wren and I will both be wearing ours as our way of reminding each other that we are always safe and loved, even if we aren't together. I have a longtime good friend who is from Egypt who also gave me an evil eye necklace a long time ago as well so it holds an extra special spot in my heart. 

THANKS AGAIN REEM!! definitely check out her etsy shop ReemAndI.

I probably won't be doing much DIY next week, but I promise to pop in a few times.

Have a great weekend.