milk paint makeover

Several months ago, I talked about starting on a big boy bedroom for my 3 year old.  It's not done quite yet, but we're getting there.  A few things are finished in the room, but we still have a little more to do before the reveal.  I decided to bring home a dresser that we had hanging out at the shoppe to use in Dominick's room.  When we originally found this piece it was covered in a couple of layers of blue latex paint.  {I hunted for a before photo, but couldn't find one.}

I contemplated stripping it down to the old pine finish {which I may do in the future}, but for now I gave it a facelift by painting it with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint in Typewriter and I love the way it turned out.

Don't mind the missing knob on the bottom right (as I call attention to it).  I've got to get another one the next time I'm at Hobby Lobby.

Also, just a little reminder, we are doing mini Milk Paint demos at the shoppe tomorrow.  Stop in anytime from 11-2 and we'll show you our tips and tricks for working with Miss Mustard Seed's Milk Paint.

xo,

Rachel

straw hat collection

I've been adding to my collection of straw hats recently.  These two are the latest additions - both thrifted.  Once the walls in the living room are repainted, they'll be hung in there with the others I have stashed away.

They're the perfect way to fill an empty wall and add instant texture to a room.  Here are a few images I've collected on my Pinterest boards over the last couple of years.  Maybe you'll find them inspiring as well.

I'm hoping to purchase another lovely hat to wear this summer at the beach.  I'm thinking a fedora.  Something like this...

via

xo,

Rachel

last-minute Christmas and a peek at the future

I can recall the days when I would leisurely stroll the mall for gifts, have all of the presents wrapped by Dec 15th, and all of the goodies baked days in advance of all the holiday celebrations.  That was me before kids and before running a shoppe {thank God for sending me Amy to take some of the burden off of me in that respect}.  Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining, just thinking of how hurried the month of December has become in the last few years, but I wouldn't trade a second of it.  All this really means is that most of the things I used to get done far in advance are now getting done without much time to spare.

Some of the gifts are wrapped, but not all of them. I see a Christmas Eve wrapping session in my future.

You gotta love a gift that already comes wrapped as beautifully as the the ones in the bottom right corner.  If you've never heard of Frog Goes to Market, you can visit them here.

And...as 2012 winds down, Amy and I are looking ahead to the New Year.  We're so excited about what we have planned for 2013!  Here's a little sneak peek...

xoxo, Rachel

wish list: rachel

Well it's about that time.  Time to make my Christmas wish list.  I actually prefer giving gifts to receiving them, but just in case my hubby or my mom are reading the blog, I thought it couldn't hurt to give them a few ideas ;)

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7

A few tried and true favorites and few new things I've been obsessing over...

1 - I've been coveting this Madewell tote for some time now.  This is at the top of my list!

2 - When it comes to measuring rooms, walls, furniture, etc., there's nothing worse than a flimsy tape measure.  This sturdy Stanley FatMax will be the solution.

3 - My all time favorite body moisturizer!

4 - Two of these please {one for each of my boys}.  I have not been the best at keeping the baby books, but this simple one-line-a-day journal would be a perfect way to capture these sacred years.

5 - I have a thing for books...especially interior design books.  I've been wanting this one for a while ;)

6 - A staple. The ever-classic LL Bean Tote. Specifically, size large, black trim, open top, with a monogram.  Perfect for toting paint decks, fabric samples, sketch books, etc.

7 - J.Crew Jammies.  I'm in love with J.Crew lately.  If money was no object, I'd go on weekly shopping sprees.

Stay tuned...Amy's wish list is coming up tomorrow.

xoxo, Rachel