Maggie Mondays

   So since I am new at this whole blog thing I am still trying to figure out how I want it all to go. That is, when & how often I want to post and what exactly I will be posting about. I am sure you have notice my sparatic posts. I have however decided that I am now officially making Monday "Maggie Monday" which is short for Magnificent Monday. I will share beautiful pictures of all sorts and of course give my two cents, well, because that is what I do. In fact sometimes you might get a nickel. Ok, really lame joke, I apologize.  

   I unfortunately don't have a source for our first picture, if anyone knows, please share! I don't know where to begin with this one. I think the whole space is amazing, from the mixture of patters to the dark walls, it is perfection. The orange sofa of course makes my heart skip a beat. It is just beautiful. I want to snuggle up here and watch something in black and white on the tele.

   Wall paper, how I love thee!  I have been obsessed with wall covering for a few years now and can't wait to use something like this Kelly Wearstler imperial Trellis wallpaper on one of my walls. I also must mention this fab table which when I first glimpsed it thought it was a Saarain dining table, but guess what folks, it's the Ikea docksta. The chairs are from West Elm in case any of you were wondering. The funky chandelier is also super fun, not my style but I like the bold color and exposed bulbs.

{Via}

   I have loved this room forever and now it is time to share it with all of you. There is something about it that feels like vacation to me, almost like I can smell the sunscreen and coconut oil. Geez, now I do wish I was on vacation. I love the rug, it reminds me of some my friend Krista sent me this week. Check them out here. The mass amount of white in here probably have most of you saying, "I don't think so lady!", but look closer friends! Let me introduce you to the slipcover, a mommy's best friend. Whether you are a mommy to the four or two legged babies these are sent from God. They can be washed or dry cleaned, I promise they still look brand new when they come out! (just no washer with a post in the middle, they have to be the new fancy kind). I have a feeling that these colors will make an appearance in my future life. 

{Via}

   A barn door inside? Why not? I love the idea if you have the space of creating this look. Nothing excites me more than the unexpected fabulousness in a space. The thing that makes you want to go home and completely redo your home to get the look, move if you have to to. I also REALLY am digging the black frame on the door/window, it draws you into the space without you even realizing it happening. Awesome! 

{Via}

I am leaving you with a picture that I just love for no other reason than it evokes memories of summer and all the happiness that it brings. I hope it does for you too. Happy Monday.

Photo: Cassia Beck 

Hooray for catalogue day!

Even though Project Nursery is on the back burner, I haven't exactly stopped looking for things. Not to mention that now that there is the hope of a house on the near horizon to keep me searching for those things that I just can't live without. These reasons, well even before I really had a reason, are why I love catalogue day. When new catalogues come in the mail, I can't wait until bedtime so I can sit in bed and check out all the things I wish I could have. If only I could have several homes with different styles it would be perfect!
Browsing my newest C&B catalogue I came across a few new things for their summer line that I love and thought I would share with you all. Numero Uno being these (seen below) really great graphic print curtains, which will be replacing these from my inspiration board for the nursery. Sorry PBkids but you lost this battle with these being way cooler than yours. Below you will see a picture of the panels hung in a room that is somewhat to my liking. The sofa is the right color but a bit to traditional for my tastes, I do however like the cabinet in between the panels which is also new to the C&B for spring.

{Via}

When I turned the page, lo and behold there is also a matching chair, which got me thinking; can you order this fabric by the yard? No I am not planning on upholstering my walls, chairs and making drapery panels all in coordinating fabrics but if I forego the panels in the nursery and just upholster the glider, it could be perfect. I also noticed it does come in gray, my fav, as well as a green and blue. I do love the chair, don't get me wrong, but there is such a thing as too much of a good thing. For instance, the burrito I ate tonight that was literally the size of the Turk in utero. Note to self: don't eat food the same size as your baby, it is ALWAYS a bad idea. 

{Via}

   Numero Dos, which actually includes two lamps, one of which I can't find online. I went to West Elm to scope out the owl lamp I had featured in the inspiration board for the nursery and was highly disappointed. For some reason I had pictured him smooth and a bit more ceramic looking, well needless to say, he was not. He actually looked kind of mean, like he might bite. So, I had to pass on Mr. Owl and start my search AGAIN for lamps. As I had mentioned here, I have also been on the hunt for lamps for our bedroom without any luck. Who knew finding lamps would be so difficult? Back to the lamps I did find, one if of course white but the other is yellow(which is not pictured online). I of course would not use the yellow draperies along with the yellow lamp because I don't want anyone to open her nusery and feel as if I have stuffed big bird in there. I just want some pops here and there. I was thinking that they could possibly end up in our room to give some life to our monochromatic pallet. I'm just not so sure I am ready for it though.

I do like the simplicity of the white Morse lamp but wish it was taller. If you remember from the inspiration picture for the bedroom, they had very tall lamps and I LOVE them. I have to have them, or at least something similar to their height. I have never understood why bedside lamps are made so squaty anyways, how do people read by those things when they are made for toddler beds? I need a grown up size lamp to go with my grown up room! At 30" in height I will have to test it out with the tape measure to see if it "measures up". Sorry guys, that was a lame one. 

{Via}

Numero tres, creamsicles? Yes please! I saw this painting as soon as I opened the first page and said, "I think love you!" Then I had to think of what holidays are approaching that would require gifting from my wonderful husband so that I could acquire said gift. I would love to have some original pieces of art one day but since that day is in some far off distance I can't even begin to see, I will be purchasing mass productions and pretending that they are originals. They will be original to me.

{Via}

I also wanted to show you a picture of a dining room that I love not only because it is white but because it shows that just because something has a monochromatic palette doesn't mean it has to be boring. The use of different chairs in the same color is probably my favorite of the whole space. I also have to mention that the light fixture is pretty awesome too. 

{Via}

   Hope you enjoyed the C & B catalogue day, you are now a part of my obsession. You're welcome!

10 weeks to go!

Holy Hannah! I can't believe we only have 10 weeks to go, it has flown by. It seems like we still have so much to do, including finding our fancy pants a house to move into when we go back home. No biggie right,? Just find a perfect house in the few days I will be able to fly home for before the Turk arrives...no pressure.
So here I am at 30 weeks.  I am waiting for the ever pending prego girl waddle to become a staple of my transportation. Super excited about that, let me tell you. I am still praying that my belly button stays an inny. I don't know if I can handle a popped turkey cooker and a kung fu panda as well. That is just too much to ask of one person. I mean I am already prego in the summer, puked my brains out for what feels like forever and had to swear off all things fried. That is enough I say! A girl who has access to Babes when she goes home should not have to do that. It's just unjust, people in the south eat fried food, that is what we do.
   What has the little Turk been up to you ask? Well, she is as wild as ever and seemingly trying to escape my stomach most of the time. The hiya's to the gina have only increased and not wanting my other escape hatch to be left out, she has begun to include my booty. Sorry, there really isn't anything nicer to call it, way worse, but defiantly not nicer. I guess I could have said anus but that just sounds like a planet and my butt, while sometimes appears the size of a planet, it is, in fact not.
I will post a picture as soon as I can get Casey to take one for me!
 

Our new ride

   Casey & I have been a one car couple for a few years now. I have to say that not having a car payment is pretty amazing. I was lucky enough to never have one, thanks mom! When we moved to Chicago it was quickly realized that having two cars is ridiculous, we barely even used one. So, my prelude went on the market. I have to say it was kind of sad to see it go. I loved that car and it served me faithfully for about eight years. Say what you want about foreign cars, but Honda's last forever.
   Upon moving to Charlotte this became more of an issue, because like Dallas, you kind of need a car. Fortunately for us, Charlotte has a pretty good rail system that serves downtown. When I say rail system, I mean one line, lol. Yes, only one. Casey found us a really great apartment right on the line (which sounds nothing like the el in Chicago). So, it has worked out really well for us. Casey takes the train to work and I take the truck.  
   We had been discussing if and when we should buy another car. Even if we would have stayed here in Charlotte, we were going to move and need another vehicle. So, it become a waiting game of are we or aren't we moving back home. Once all that was settled we then took a few months to research what it is we wanted.  
   After a couple of months of thinking, we finally pulled the trigger and bought one! A few Saturday's we welcomed our new GMC baby into the family. We were trying to decided between two different SUV's; the Buick Enclave and the GMC Arcadia. They are VERY similar on the interior of the vehicles but their exteriors differ. The buick also has a bit of a smoother and quieter ride but not a drastic difference (we really couldn't tell all that much).

Buick Enclave 

   We test drove both options back to back and finally decided on the GMC Arcardia. We hadn't planned on getting the denali package but they had one on the lot and it was beautiful. I swear when we started it it said "take me home!". This is the first brand new car Casey & I have ever owned so it is super exciting! I was attempting to hold my excitement in so Casey could have some wiggle for negotiations but I'm not all that great at pretending to not love something.

Casey posing with our new ride!

  This vehicle has dual dvd's in the headrests with wireless headsets to keep the kiddo's occupied and not fighting about what to watch. We were insistent on leather because of the clean ability with miss fancy pants on her way and in case my bladder never goes back to normal. Casey was most excited about the cooled seats and I have to say they are pretty amazing! Those will come in handy when we get back to Texas. I can't wait to get the Turk's cowmooflague car seat in there. She will be riding in style!

Special Post~ Birthday Wishes

            HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMBER LOU!

New Years 2011

   So you all have heard of my sister-friend Amanda but I have yet to introduce you to one of my other best friends, Amber. Her name isn't Amber Lou but for some reason as with most of my friends, I renamed her. Amber and I have been friends since the 8th grade, wow, which makes it about 16 years!  Oh crap, I think I might have just hinted at our age friend, sorry! You can only imagine all the things teenage girls, not to mention 20-somethings go through with each other. We have been there through first loves, heartbreak, hating our parents, loving our parents, my wedding, her son's birth, countless other firsts and oh so many funny stories! You are an amazing friend Amber Lou and I love you! I can't wait to be in the same state again.

A little blast from the past 1999

Southbound

Hook 'em Horns we're comin' home

 If we didn't already have enough adventure awaiting us in the next few months, we have decided to add another. No I'm not somehow pregnant with twins now or insanely deciding to adopt a puppy, we are moving back to Texas! We can't wait to be back home with all of our family and friends but are also sad to leave behind our friends here in Charlotte (again). We have been trying for several years to get back home but hadn't found the right opportunity until now.
  It is a great and a bad time to be moving. Great because we are going to be FINALLY going home and bad because we are approaching our due date! Things had been up in the air (which makes me crazy) about the timing of this move, it had to either be asap or not until after the Turk had made her entrance. As it looks now, it will not be until sometime in October or November, which puts me a little more at ease! Moving while in my third trimester, no thank you! This is disappointing to Casey & especially his grandma (know as Ganny or Gan) because she insists, "now, you know that baby has to be born in Texas!" I thought that was too funny, not going to happen Gan, sorry. Casey told me that I don't understand because I wasn't born in Texas and I guess he is right, because I don't care where she is born as long as it is a hospital with an epidural man on staff. I guess if she was born in Texas and they finally secede from the Union she could have dual citizenship. It's just too funny. I will have to do a blog on Texas and their ways another time to enlighten those of you not "lucky enough" to be born in the great state of Texas. Don't get me wrong, I love Texas but sometimes I just don't understand.
  I have to say that my husband knows me well, he knew I would be on the verge of a nervous breakdown being surrounded by boxes that I was unable to unpack because I was pregnant. I am one of those people who move and unpack the next day. I can't take the disorder, it makes me anxious. I know my family will be there to help me unpack but it makes me feel strange just sitting around ordering people on what goes where and how high to hang a picture. Honestly I also should say that sometimes I'd just rather do it myself so that it is done the way I want. I know, "hello, control freak".
  Things are still a little up in the air about when we will find time to search for a house not to mention have the baby shower that has been postponed now a couple of times, sorry friends! We will not be living in Garland or the surrounding cities, much to our families dismay. We are focusing on areas closer to downtown since Casey will be commuting there for work. With his hours it is not worth the extra time in the car to live in a bigger house. We want a shorter commute and more family time. Plus, the areas down there are family friendly and well established. Oh, and bonus, close to Northpark mall, one of my happy places!
   We are overly excited to be back with the family. We feel like we have already missed SO much with our neice, nephew and cousins. They just grew up without even checking with us first, how dare they! Let's not forget our mama's, nothing can beat being with them, especially after our wild Turk girl gets here. If she is anything like she is in utero, we are in for a wild ride!
  As you can probably guess, Project Nursery (read about here) is now on hold. I am going to obviously just purchase the necessities until we move. Her crib will be in our room so I am using our hand me down dresser as her changing table until we get settled in our new house.
  We will keep you updated on the breaking news of our move! Stay tuned, a new adventure awaits!

Happy Mother's Day~ A Special Edition Post

                HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

Mother's Day, a day that has taken on new meaning already for me. I am super excited to celebrate my first mother's day with the Turk next year. I already have such a love for my baby girl, every time she kicks me (or hi-ya's my gina) I am reminded of the miracle we soon will be blessed with. I know all the puking, peeing on myself, back pain and everything else she has blessed me with will be worth it in the end. 

   I have always had a special bond with my mom not only because I am an only child, but because she is amazing. I have never wanted for anything but have always appreciated everything. I think that is a tough thing for a parent to teach their child. As early as I can remember my mom has told me that she will always love me no matter what I do and that I can always come back home. This may not seem like a lot for someone to say but let me tell you, it is everything.

   Knowing that my mom would love me no matter what I did, no matter how bad I messed things up or how far I pushed her away made it easier for me to admit my mistakes and ask for help when I needed it. All that being said, I wanted to tell my mom thank you. Thank you for all your sleepless nights, worry, hugs, love, encouragement, dance recitals, volleyball games, slumber parties, "taxi" service, bedtime storeies and all the other things there aren't near enough room to list. You have been a mom not only to me but so many of my friends. You are amazing and I can only hope to be as good a mom as you are. I love you. 

   A Little note to all those other women in my life, some who are still here and others who have passed; you too have shaped the person I have become. My aunt Pam, just wanted to write you a little message to let you know how important you are to me. You are an amazing Mimi and mommy! I love you and you know Finley will too! To my cousin Mandi, my sister-friend Amanda and my best friend Amber; you are all amazing mommy's. I have stood in awe of you so many times and you still continue to amaze me. I am so blessed to have your wisdom as Casey & I embark on this new journey. We are going to need it, lol! I love you all so much! 

   There is another mom I need to thank in this post and that is the woman who gave life to the man I so dearly love. Trish was a young mom but you wouldn't know it looking at the person Casey has turned into. I have to say that she had to be an amazing mother to raise such a wonderful person. Thank you Trish for raising the man that is the father of my child and has loved me unconditionally. I know you struggled to give your children what you so wanted them to have but what they needed most they had in abundance; love. 

   I had thought about having Casey write something but knowing my husband, I knew it would never happen, lol. He has a tendency to put things off that aren't "pressing", so I wrote it myself.
Happy Mother's Day!

A grown up bed

  Casey and I have purchased very little in our nine years together. This is mostly due to the fact that we hardly stay in the same place long enough to buy anything and we have seen what movers do to your stuff! We have bought a sofa, a new mattress and a television, everything else we have is hand me downs. When we decided to graduate from a queen size bed to a king I was excited until I realized we wouldn't have a headboard. I hate to see a bed without a headboard, it just looks so unfinished and reminds me of being in the dorm rooms at college. I have finally convinced Casey that we need to grow up and get a big kid bed!
  We really need a complete room re-haul, but that will have to wait until we are settled in a house. Until then, please ignore the mishmosh of furnishing in the room as it sits now. I found an inspiration room while watching a movie of all things, The Holiday. I feel in love, or some might say obsessed with Cameron Diaz's house in the movie. Not only was it my style but it was monochromatic with just enough color to not seem boring. So I of course googled the movie and found pictures of the house, hooray google! I found it on a fun little website http://hookedonhouses.net if you have some free time, check it out.

Inspiration Room

  We have already purchased new linens with gift cards from our wedding from our wonderful parents and grandparents, so thank you family! I still need to find a large scale print fabric to make some smaller pillows for the bed but haven't really started searching for that yet. So, needless to say, this is a project that is ongoing. I have found that I have no issues making design decisions for other people but when it comes to my own home I am SO slow to make up my mind. I really have to LOVE something to buy it and it has to be perfect or pretty darn close. This works out for Casey really well because I'm not buying stuff all the time. We, well I, knew that I wanted an upholstered bed, not only because of the way it looks but because they are more comfortable for reading in bed, which I do a lot of!
  We had originally liked the Collette bed at Crate & Barrel but didn't like the price tag as much. So, I was on the hunt for something similar without the matching price tag of 1,899.00.

Collette bed- Crate & Barrel

  I have worked at Pottery Barn for some time now as many of you know. Being an employee has its perks in the form of a discount, which I rarely use. I had been checking the website for upholstered beds but they only had headboards. I am against just having a headboard in any room you have to change the sheets often. This is because if you only have a headboard, you most likely have your bed on a metal bed frame. There is nothing that can ruin a well designed room faster than an exposed metal bed frame, so you have to use a bedskirt. UGH, making a bed with a bedskirt is just too much of a hassle as far as I'm concerned so I needed a bed with rails please. Enter the Raleigh bed from Pottery Barn, yea! It doesn't have the camelback like the one in the inspiration picture but I'm not really a camelback kind of girl. I prefer the clean lines on this headboard to the frilly curves of the other and with my discount I prefer the price as well!

Raleigh bed- Pottery Barn

  We ordered the bed in a linen cotton blend in the color stone, which is a gray, surprise, surprise. Unfortunately, it isn't set to arrive until June. So, not only will I have to wait but you all will as well. More updates on the bedroom re-haul later!