Saved by Suzy: July 2012

Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Should I Buy It?

I'm not usually plagued by indecision. I usually know right what I want and go for it, sometimes regretting the consequences later. I saw this West Elm bedding on ebay for a steal and am considering getting it. But, is it too bright?

King size duvet and two euro pillow shams for $59. I think it would look pretty with my new coral desk. I have black furniture, so this would help brighten things up. I currently have a white quilt...maybe I could just fold the duvet down by the foot of the bed so the pink and coral are quite so vibrant?

Here's an OLD picture of my bedroom. The walls are now gray and I have some new lamps, but the bed is still the same.

Now. I'm wondering if I like this bedding only because the price is right? The bedrooms I've been pinning have much more subdued shades of gray, white and black. Kind of like this:

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

I must really like that bedroom, because I have it pinned two times.

Source: google.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

But, now I'm more drawn to bright, happy places like these:

Source: danielleoakeyinteriors.blogspot.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Suzanne on Pinterest

But that one still has pretty neutral bedding. Ugh. I guess I really don't know what I want.

This indecision's killing me....

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Impromptu Salt Lake City Trip

First, I want to thank all of you who chimed in on my dilemma with my kids watching too much TV. There were many helpful suggestions, but most of all, I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in this struggle. We have a new rule: no electronics between 8:30 and 5:30. They generally aren't awake before 8:30, so they are only on the computer and watching TV in the evening. I'm OK with this because they've been busy doing other things during the day. We only have 3 1/2 weeks left of summer vacation and then this won't be an issue at all!

I think my husband could tell that we were stuck in a summer time rut last week, so on Friday morning he surprised us with a spontaneous weekend trip to Salt Lake City. It was great to get out of the house and spend time together as a family. While SLC is only about a 4.5 hour drive from our house, this little getaway worked wonders on us and we had a blast.

We were last in SLC several years ago. The setting of the city of gorgeous...it's right at the base of the mountains. So, you have the amenities of a big city, but can easily get out and hike or ski in the mountains.

Last time we were there, the downtown was in the midst of a huge development project and was kind of a vast, forlorn construction zone at the time. There was a park filled with homeless people as well. Since that time, SLC has undergone a HUGE revitalization and the city is truly beautiful. There are fountains and walking areas everywhere. That homeless park? Now, it hosts a vibrant farmer's market.

Salt Lake City is very easy to get around. We parked our car at the hotel and spent the weekend on-foot or hopping on and off the free Trax trains.

Here we were riding the train back to our hotel. It was almost 11PM and the girls were having a blast exploring the city after dark.

There were so many fountains, and I think Chloe had to play in almost all of them (the weather was close to 100 degrees).

Temple Square is beautiful at any time of the year, but the summer flowers are amazing.

Before heading home on Sunday, we stopped at the Hogel Zoo. The zoo is located in the foothills on the east side of the city near the University of Utah. We had never been to this area, but I would like to go back and explore it a bit more....lots of historic homes, big trees, etc. I love older neighborhoods.

Of course, I couldn't leave town without a little souvenir. I picked up this cute bowl at Anthropologie in the hopes of it helping to reignite my bedroom overhaul. So far, it's not helping!

I love my girls!

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

Mommy Advice Needed!

Knowing that most of you are moms, what better place to come for some parenting advice? My problem is with electronics. Recently, I feel like my kids (ages 10, 7, and almost 4) are constantly on the computer, TV, or Kindle Fire.

We had this problem several years ago and I turned off the TV for about a year. When we didn't have TV, I saw the girls engaged in different and better activities. My oldest read so many books and the younger ones spent more time outside. Foolishly thinking that our TV habits had changed for the better, we started Netflix about six months ago, but still don't have cable.

During the school year, things are fine. The girls really don't have a lot of time for TV. The summer is a totally different story. The problem is partially mine, I work from home, which requires me to be on the computer quite a bit. So, I'm not a very good role model. Electronics are also an easy babysitter.

My kids are great kids. They are very smart, participate in athletics, and have friends. Because of these things, my husband thinks I overreact about their electronic use. He thinks it's totally fine and thinks I'm being irrational since they are basically good kids. This is his attitude:

Source: dosfamily.com via steph on Pinterest

But, I'm home with them all day and see how much time they truly are spending with electronics. I feel like it's getting to the point where they would rather be lost in the electronic world rather than doing anything else, including playing with friends or playing a game as a family. I also think their behavior directly correlates with electronic use. The more they watch, they worse they behave.

I think it's time to cancel Netflix and put some serious limits on computer use. I'm just terrible at setting limits, but I know I need to do something. Just typing this post fills me with anxiety and gives me a stomach ache. Letting me kids use electronics so much makes me feel like I'm failing as a parent. Please help me!!!! How do you handle this situation?

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Coral and Gold Desk

If you follow me on Facebook, you know Big K and I started a little impromptu bedroom redecorating project this weekend. It's still in progress, so I don't have any additions to the house tour. But, as soon as everything is put back together, you know I'll have a post for you!

One thing that I can share is my new desk. I've desperately been seeking my own workspace and I've finally done something about it after being inspired by Carmel over at My Fifth House...use a desk as a bedside table. Genius!!!

Luckily, I had this guy sitting in my garage just waiting for a makeover. I picked it up for $10 at a yard sale earlier this summer.

Can you spot Emma back there? She seems to sneak into every picture. If I was that cute, I might try to be in more pictures too!

I also had some Krylon spray paint in Coral Isle in the garage that I sprayed the desk with after priming it with Kilz.

I hadn't spray painted something in FOREVER. I had forgotten how easy it is. No messy brushes to clean. No waiting days for paint to dry.

Here's the final result.

I think something is wrong with my camera. All of my pictures have been super-grainy lately. I have no idea what is going on. Do you have any ideas???? I don't know what to do, besides buy a new camera. This camera used to take great, clear pictures.

My favorite part of the desk is this gold detail.

In the background, you can see my new blue-gray paint...also done this weekend. It's called Oyster Pearl by the Ace brand Clarke & Kensington.

Over in the corner you can see my "new" file cabinet. This was a old Target dealio...you know the fake wood pieces that you have to assemble??? I just primed and spray painted it glossy white. This was my first attempt painting this type of "wood." It looks pretty good and I think the paint will stick. I made sure to prime well with Kilz. Otherwise, I was afraid the material might have been too slick and the paint would have peeled right off.

One last look, just because I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE my new desk/bedside table! One of my favorite things - it was almost free! All of the materials I used were found in the garage. I didn't have to buy anything except for the $10 desk.

Linked to some of my favorite DIY blogs: Liz Marie, House of Hepworths, My Simple Home Life, Happy Hour Projects,
Elizabeth & Co, DIY Dreamer, Today's Creative Blog, Sugar Bee Crafts, Not Just a Housewife, Reasons to Skip the Housework, Primitive and Proper, Home Stories of A to Z, Savvy Southern Style, DIY by Design, Tip Junkie, Type A Decorating, , The Thrifty Home, Domestically Speaking, Primp,
A Diamond in the Stuff, Restore Interiors, The Shabby Chic Cottage, Beyond the Picket Fence, My Simple Home Life,
Addicted 2 Decorating, Just a Girl, Remodelaholic, Miss Mustard Seed, Finding Fabulous, Tatertots and Jello, Under the Table and Dreaming, Thrifty Decor Chick, Coastal Charm, Serenity Now, Get Outta My Head Please, You are Talking Too Much, The Southern Institute

My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia

Thursday, July 12, 2012

I couldn't resist the hype...

************Edited to Add: Some of you have asked where I found my knock-off necklace. I noticed that the seller is no longer on Ebay. However, if you go to ebay and search "J. Crew Bubble Necklace," you will find a bunch of sellers in a similar price range and all varieties of color.********************************************************************

You know what I'm talking about.

Source: gabbagabbagorg.tumblr.com via Apples on Pinterest

You've heard other bloggers post about it.

Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com via Jesslyn on Pinterest

You've seen it all over Pinterest.

Source: futilish.com via Elke on Pinterest

Yes, I'm referring to the iconic J. Crew Bubble Necklace. Not the real one, mind you. But, the knock-off version that can be found on Ebay for the incredibly low price of $13.99 (said in my best QVC salesperson voice).

I couldn't resist and had to buy one for myself. I anxiously awaited it's arrival from China. About three weeks after ordering, this beauty arrived in my mailbox. I think I've worn it every day since.

If you've thought about ordering one of these, DO IT! The quality is great, as is the price. I kind of want one in every color.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

House Tour: Kitchen and Dining Room

A couple of weeks I promised you a house tour. So far, I've shown you the living room. I've gotten a bit sidetracked by summer fun, but I better get cracking on another house tour post...especially since my friend Jessamie mentioned my ~~nonexistant~~ house tour on her blog!

I know that some of these pictures aren't new, but I thought it would be nice to have them collected in one place.

Let's start in the dining room.

The dresser was a Craigslist find. I painted it Plumage by Martha Stewart and cream. The gold mirror was originally brown, but it got glammed up with a coat of gold spray paint. The sunburst mirrors from Hobby Lobby are some of my favorite things.

I also really like the Wheatfield's colorful prints, which can be found on Etsy. I had to include a picture of my best dog ever, Henry the golden retriever, who died about two years ago.

I got this little candle during the Target Missoni madness.

More sunburst goodness.

I'm planning on painting the brown wall Benjamin Moore Gray Owl to match the rest of the house. The vases were 25 cents each at the thrift store.

Not the best picture, but I love how my black painted French doors turned out.

Gotta love the $1.00 Neimann Marcus brass tray from the thrift store.

Let's move onto the kitchen. The kitchen is definitely a work in progress.

For more of the tour:

Living Room

Tuesday, July 10, 2012

Double Digits!

Dear Kayla,

As I sit here writing this post, I'm reminded of where I was ten years ago. Just like today, Colorado was also in a drought 10 years ago. I was suffering through the heat 38 weeks pregnant and anxiously awaiting your arrival.

On July 10th, 2002, it rained for the first time in months. July 10th, 2002 also brought your birth after ten hours of labor. I remember holding you in my arms and just watching you all day (and night!). You were such a miracle to Dad and I. It's hard to believe that it was TEN years ago!

We are still amazed by you and what an awesome girl you are. You are bright, kind, compassionate, a sweet big sister, a hard worker and you try your hardest at everything you do.

I'm so proud of you when you overcome your fears and try new things (like jumping off the high-dive, going in a bat cave, and swimming in the lake just to name a few things from this summer). When I remember my shy, quiet little girl, I never would have imagined that you would become a state gymnastics champion, performing in front of judges and packed gyms. I wish I had some of your courage!

No matter what you do, I will always love you and love being your mom! Happy Tenth Birthday KK!

Love, MOM

Thursday, July 5, 2012

I'll Be Back

It's time for a little mid-summer getaway to the mountains with the family. I'll be back next week. Hope you are enjoying a fun fourth-of-July weekend too!