Displaying Childrens Artwork with Elegance

One of my most difficult job's as a parent comes when I have to sort through my daughters art.  Is it just me or is it really difficult.  I always feel guilty and wonder whether I will regret putting a piece of art in the trash.  I always wait until my daughter is in bed to sort through and then(gulp) head to the recycle bin.
  So the other day I was visiting a friends home and I saw a clever way to display some key pieces!  Today I ran out to Joanns and bought a canvas with some black acrylic paint.  There is a cute little lion Bailey made and it will be a perfect addition to my 17 month old sons room. Love it! Thank you Kia.
  My daughters art work fits perfectly in my sons room and looks like a custom piece of art for a kids space!  I will be trying this technique in some other areas of the casa and will post pics.
  While I am on the subject of canvas' I should also post a photo of the Silhouette that was made for me.  I am going to be putting it on a canvas for my daughters room.  Here are the results and how I placed it in my sons room!

(Don't mind the diapers and small baby) I am   going overtime with my 16 month old son and my 4 week old!

From my front porch lookin in....

So not much has been happening in the way of creativity lately!  I still see inspiration daily, but do not have the will or mental ability to do much about it!

 I feel so chaotic, yet more blessed than I have in a long time.  I have a house full of crazy kiddos and I wouldn't have it any other way.  Little Caroline Madison Merritt was born July 2, 2012 and weighed 7 lbs 10 oz.  The Merritt Clan is now complete!
   I believe it will be a little while before I get back to my projects.  For now I need to take the project of welcoming Caroline to the family and moving to the bay area!  We will see what comes next!

Spring 2012 Color Trends and Inspiration

About this time of year, I start to look at my wardrobe with disdain.  My daughter usually experiences a growth spurt around December/January.  The poor girl heads back to school after Christmas Vacation looking like she is waiting for a flood.   I always take this opportunity to check out the Pantone Color Report for the upcoming season. This am I was inspired to look and find my personal favorites all in style for this season. Here are a few pictures that inspire me. The color range from mint green, yellow, vibrant pink, a turquoise, a gray, and then a pink gray color. The gray tones with the vibrant colors are like heaven to me! I have been on a gray, neutral Art Deco kick for quite some time!

I hope these pieces of inspiration send you to the drawing board with you house and wardrobe!

Prada Mint Shoes

Clean, Cook, Create and Cuddle

This is my favorite, emphasis on FAVORITE time of year!  Everything about fall appeals to me and it only gets better.  But with the good comes the bad. Like too much of a good thing right?
  Well that is exactly my problem,  I love life and feel so passionate about so many things! So I end up running hard, September through November.
  With that said, I need some stress relief.  So what do I turn to? Bow making, cleaning and cooking! My youngest son Lucas is sick with Croup so I have to stick close to home.  As a result, I get to clean, cook, create and cuddle!
    So today, I dropped my 7 year old daughter at school and came home to stay.  I made Eggplant Parmesan for lunch and I am working on Chipotle Burgers for dinner.  In the rare occurrence that I am left home alone, I turn to my chick flicks.  In the lineup I have, Somethings Gotta Give, Because I said so,  It's Complicated and The Tourist.
  It's Complicated is playing in the background today.  I love the set of this movie!  It takes me to another place, gives me inspiration!
  Despite the fact that my baby is sick. I relish the  opportunity to care for him and cuddle with him.  I cannot wait for the rest of my family to get home so we can all settle in together for some quality time.

Girly Chic Cork Board

I have always loved a good cork board. Every corkboard I have owned has been  UGLY.  My husband always asks me whether I prefer utility or design(he really isn't asking, he is trying to lead me to the answer he wants to hear).  So let me be clear, DESIGN.  Utility is also very important, but if it is ugly I toss it. I decided to start looking for a chic little board. I found an amazing one at ballard.  The price was not so amazing $109-209.
  The one in the picture was a little too shabby chic for my daughters room, so I went on the hunt for a pewter frame.  Low and behold, I found one at TJ Maxx for $2! I also found another clearance frame so I would have a pair.  You always need things in multiples.  I then went to lowes and found some cheap cork and combined the too! This project took all of 20 minutes.
  What an impact it made in my little ones room.  Now she has a place for her art that does not involve tape and her wall!
*photo from http://www.celebrate-creativity.com/my_weblog/2009/01/stick-a-pin-in-it.html

Falling for Neutrals- Fall Inspiration 2011

When I am inspired by a color or scheme, it seems to translate in my house decor and my fashion choices.  I have really been feeling the Restoration Hardware and Serena and Lily Vibe.  I LOVE a good classic neutral.  I also LOVE infusing color appropriately.

Fall Neutrals

  If anyone knows me, they would know how much I love shoes.  I love to go further than the shoe and seek inspiration, a theme, a plan.  I have been loving neutral tones for some time now and have been on the hunt for some wardrobe updates.  It just so happens that I found both pairs in a weeks time.
  Both the flats and the heels will go great with a pair of skinny jeans, or rolled jeans and a light off the shoulder sweater. 
  This Serena and Lily Duvet caught my eye and really summed up the look I was going for. Although, I would add a pop of color here and there.