Lambchop Designs Official Site
    • Share/Bookmark
  • Archives

  • June30th

    Outdoor Comfort

    Posted in: General Decor

    Sorry for the late posting today…I have come down with some sort of summer illness! I never get sick in the summer…this is quite surprising! Anyway, I did get a news update from one of my favorite fabric resources, Hable Construction, this morning. I had to share in spite of my clouded head. Check out these cutie outdoor pillows:

    As always, I love orange…It would be a good contrast to our bluish-green trim on the house windows!

    Bright blue…so happy!

    And, who doesn’t love this print in sunshiny yellow?

    Outdoor pillows are on my brain because we just hung a gorgeous white porch swing last week. It needs color! See bare porch swing:

    Hoping to feel better tomorrow!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June29th

    Stray Dog Found!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    Good news: I have narrowed my lighting fixture search to only a few pendants! I think one of these light fixtures and the apple green beds will be what the rest of the room revolves around! Over the weekend I found this sassy piece:

    Isn’t it adorable?? When I did a little more research on this pendant, I found that it is from Stray Dog Designs. Uh oh…what a DISCOVERY! I mean, look at the other options:

    The Niki Pendant…loving the orange bird accent!

    How about those stripes! So bold!!!

    Speaking of stripes…and, by the way, you may choose the stripe color and the papier mache cord color. P.S. The Mini Roses sleeve and finial are papier mache from recycled materials, handmade by artisans in Haiti, and hand painted with low VOC paint. LOVING IT!

    I can also see having this floor lamp by the glider/crib:

    So….which pendant gets your vote??

    Adrianne

    P.S. Stray Dog Designs has a truly impressive story! Check out their site immediately! And, they live in Tennessee…my birth state. What’s not to like?

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June28th

    Road Test: Paper Flower Wreath

    Posted in: DIY Projects, General Decor, Gifts, Kid's Rooms

    Hi Everyone! I hope you had a great weekend!

    Today, I am proud to introduce a new series called “Road Test!” Periodically, I’ll discuss certain projects (big and small) that I take on to let you know how it goes  and rate it on difficulty and “worth-it-ness.” I hope this will not only be fun but really helpful! I mean, why get into something that doesn’t turn out to be just what you wanted? Right! Therefore, here is my first “road test”… just for you.

    Friday, I received my paper flower wreath kit from Paper Source. Did I ever let you in on this cutie?

    Yes, of course, it’s going on Little Miss’ door!

    Well, it came in a neat little package in three parts: the wreath ring and ribbon, the paper flowers, and the brads and flower “circles.” The instructions were decently easy to decipher. Although, I have some tips for you that aren’t explained on the package instructions.

    This shows several ways to “stack” the different size flower parts on top of one another in order to create the gorgeous paper blooms.

    Before going that far and creating the blooms straight out of the gates, however, I decided to take an inventory of the petals and figure out how many blooms I needed to make to fit around this wreath ring (about 16-18). By the way, they give you too many…I guess it’s in case you mess up…(I was totally offended. Like I would mess up. Ha!)

    So, in super Type-A fashion, I laid out all the paper pieces in categories by size:

    Then, I stacked all the petals (about three per flower) in the order I wanted to create my blooms:

    After I felt organized (and this really did make me feel organized!), I creased the flowers as instructed and fastened them with the given colorful brad. Voila!

    A note on creasing and flower depth: The directions tell you to either crease the petals in the middle for depth or roll them with a pencil. I recommend creasing them…the pencil started to wear my patience thin! I do agree with their idea of cutting the larger blooms down the side to create even more depth, however. Here I am creasing the flower petals:

    The rest was super easy. I simply placed the blooms I made around the wreath in the order I wanted them and fastened them to the wreath. One thing about the ribbon they don’t suggest: place the ribbon around the wreath before fixing the blooms to the ring. It will prevent awkward, near bloom damage that would inevitably occur if you placed the ribbon post-bloom fixing. Make sense?

    Overall, this project was super fun and very rewarding. Take a look at my finished product:

    Here are the “Project Stats”:

    Time Out of My Day: A little over an hour.

    Difficulty: Moderate

    Finger/Hand Cramps or Injuries? None

    Worth-It-Ness: 100%

    Would I Make This Again?: Absolutely!

    Let me know if you have made this and have any additional comments!

    Later, Gators,

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June25th

    Martin’s = Ukrop’s?

    Posted in: Lambchop News, Life

    Today I feel the need to go off the beaten path and rate a grocery store. I know. What?! Well, if you live around me or in the Metro Richmond Area, you are more than well aware of the recent “Ukropalypse.” For those of you out-of-towners, that means that our beloved, local grocery store, Ukrop’s, sold to a big chain store, Martin’s. Lots of you have already been in Martin’s and still go there. Many of you went once and now shop at Kroger. I went to Martin’s for the FIRST time yesterday afternoon on my way home from a Richmond trip. Since it has been such a controversial topic (read: in Richmond, it’s like bringing up religion or politics at the dinner table…), I felt that my visit was important enough for commentary and to get your read on the situation.  I know, you are dying for my evaluation!

    1. No Mrs. Myer’s Clean Day cleaning supplies = strike one in my book. I DO love some Mrs. Myers! And, I am almost out of my Basil Dish Soap!

    2. Kashi Cereal, four boxes for $8 = Extra Credit! This was awesome! You realize four boxes would normally put me out about twice that amount?!

    3. No one takes your groceries out to your car for you…or even offers (or they didn’t at the location I visited on that particular day) = This is a slippery slope. I was totally spoiled by this at Ukrop’s but, where I live now, we don’t have that either. So, I’m calling this a wash. That’s not to say I wouldn’t like to have the “assumed carry out” back! (I’m pregnant, people!)

    4. Ukrop’s Cafe is still in-tact = I haven’t tried the food there yet. Anyone know if it’s the same? If so, this equals  points for Martin’s.

    5. They carry BEER AND WINE. WHAT?!! This never would’ve happened at Ukrop’s (although I truly do respect that this was a part of their corporate culture…but, isn’t it beautiful?). = SERIOUS Extra Credit Points.

    6. Martin’s is open on Sunday’s = I do wish Ukrop’s had been open on Sundays. However, it was also a part of their corporate culture and I respect that. I’m calling this a wash, too, because if you were really desperate, you could go somewhere else.

    7. Even though I found several positives, Martin’s just does not have the same feel that Ukrop’s did. It would be an interesting study on corporate culture (the “business nerdy” part of me LOVES this stuff)!

    Those of you that have been there, what’s your vote? I’m giving Martin’s a B-.

    Back to kid’s topics on Monday. Enjoy the weekend!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June24th

    Long Days, Less Sleep

    Posted in: Lambchop News

    It’s officially summer! I love it! And, for my two-year-old, it has been nothing but pure FUN every single day. We’ve been going to swimming lessons in the morning followed by either summer school/camp or home with mommy (which usually means more pool time) and, when Tripp gets home, dinner on the boat and wake boarding until about 7:30 or 8pm.

    It sounds wonderful, non? The only problem is that Davis usually goes to bed at 7 or 7:30…he’s been falling asleep at 9:30…and, his days are packed with TOO much activity. Therefore, Davis has been totally exhausted every single day. The exhaustion contributes to serious over-reacting (scratching, biting, hitting) when he is not that happy about a particular something (could be anything and there is a total meltdown). I usually get the brunt of it. NOT fun.

    Not only has he had over-the-top activity everyday but also….he hasn’t had any sort of window treatment to block the late sunset and early sunrise. It’s hard to sleep with the sun out! Well, I am very proud to say that we solved that problem yesterday. 1) We hung the curtains, 2) We ate dinner at a normal time in a normal venue and went to bed at 8:30 instead of 9:30. It’s a start!

    Pottery Barn Kids…these make it DARK in his room. Seriously, the kid was wide awake all the time. There are SIX windows in his room!

    Naturally for me, hanging his curtains clarified everything I want to do to decorate his “big boy” room. It was a wonderful “Ah HA!” moment! I love it when that happens. So, stay tuned for more on how that comes together. We have already moved some furniture around…exciting!!

    Now…when to switch him to a toddler bed and HOW to get him to stay there????

    Have a great day, Chops!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June23rd

    Focus, Adrianne. Focus!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms, Life

    Today I am going to reach back into the archives and re-post my decorating quiz. Why? Because I really need to take it again and re-focus my efforts in Baby Girl’s room. I have been on such a true extravaganza with all the new girly items within reach that I have lost my way!! My list of “to do’s” has become one large “I like” list….and it is LLLOOOONNNGGGGG.

    We all need to take a step back sometimes, right? So, let’s do just that and reconnect with what style we “are” in the first place. Then, you can focus on the one piece you are totally and utterly and unconditionally in love with and decorate around it. Here we go:

    What’s Your Decorating Style?

    My husband will attest to the fact that I am a regular magazine junkie. It’s a bad habit, I know. But, there are so many great ideas out there! This kind of exposure is good and bad. I always say you can’t come across too many people with great notions. However, it can be a bit confusing because I like a lot of styles (read: a lot of “notions”). A LOT. For example, I LOVE a good traditional damask (feast over beautiful said damask wall below…and pretty much the entire room).

    Better Homes and Gardens

    I also LOVE a sassy modern chevron stripe and lacquered table.

    Harts Fabric

    Can’t you see that GLOSS?? From Room Service.

    And, I LOVE antique door knobs and quirky ideas.

    Antique Doorknobs.org

    I guess that is why I told a lady that helped us decorate a room in our house long ago that my style is “traditional with a twist…and it can be quite a twist.”

    It’s fun to like a lot of different themes but I tend to get lost in them all. I have to make a serious effort to do what they call…um…”focus.” What’s the point of all this chatter? Well, I have found that there are several if not many unfocused among us. Sound familiar? No need to fret. Check out this fun quiz I found in Real Simple Magazine:

    Decorating Personality Quiz

    Take it. Now. It’s only a few questions, people! I took it and I am, as predicted, a mix of all categories. I had three “A” answers and two of “B,” “C,” and “D.” Ha! This means I like “Sophisticated Classics” like timeless pieces and luxe fabrics.

    Real Simple Sophisticated Classic Room

    Blend that with “Modern Graphic” (a la chevron stripe), “Cozy Casual” (a nice, comfy couch, please!) and “Vintage Eclectic” (older pieces with a time-worn look a la “New Orleans: Elegance and Decadence” by Richard Sexton. A MUST have for your coffee table.).

    After you take the quiz, read this: “Your Decorating Style Defined.” I find this quiz and article super helpful (and pretty dead-on).

    I am sharing this with you because it is a good starting point in our journey together. I am looking forward to navigating styles together and hopefully inspiring both of us to continue to find our own unique style. Clearly, mine is all over the map…I can’t help but give you all sorts of ideas!

    As I write every day, I’ll be incorporating ideas from all of these styles into the upstairs of my house…a mecca for unfinished home projects. It’s also where my two-year-old dominates and my on-the-way baby will, no doubt, dominate. I want to make it fun but fit into the style of our house in general…a tough proposition, no?  I hope that you’ll find Lambchop Designs to be an integral part of your “kid” style as well.

    Ok! Take that quiz and let me know what your results are!

    __________________________________________________________________

    More tomorrow!!
    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June22nd

    Blabla…and I’m Not Talking About What You Said!

    Posted in: Gifts

    Has anyone else fallen in love with this lovely brand of SOFFFT, hand-knitted kids stuff? If not, you will. Check out Blabla Kids immediately! I definitely have and blew the budget on Friday when I ordered all of this for Miss Thing in my tummy:

    Lulu The Flower (How can you not love her?)

    Yes, I am hoping for this LadyBug hat to be on her tiny head on the way home from the hospital!

    Indeed…LadyBug Booties for my Lady Bugg!

    And, of course, she needs this Mermaid Dream Ring for above her crib or above the glider.

    I know too much of a good thing can be too much. But, tell me, Choppers, HOW can I resist buying her more? AND, Davis definitely needs one of these:

    And Lady Bugg needs all of the following, for sure:

    Gotta have your daily fruits and veggies (rattles), right?!

    I love bright birds!!

    Oh, COME ON. She is going to be a WINTER baby and needs lots of hats and booties.

    Believe it or not, there is a lot more where that came from. Go check it out!

    Adrianne (The Helpless Spender)

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June21st

    It’s NOT a Purse…It’s European!

    Posted in: Gifts, Lambchop News, Life

    Hi Everyone! I hope you had a lovely Father’s Day yesterday. Ours was filled with boating, skiing, beaching, swimming and stuffing our faces with crabs – too much fun! I did not pay proper homage to my baby daddy on Friday (like I did on Mother’s Day) so, here is my attempt (belated) to honor all the dads out there…a tough job, indeed.

    While thinking of the Daddy role, I remembered a time when Davis was very, very little and I still carried a diaper bag around. Tripp would carry it sometimes, too. Bless his heart! Granted, I had a black, “incognito” bag…see my post on my most recent Diaper Bag Quest for more deets. BUT, I know there are dads out there that bravely and shamelessly carry the ultimate DIAPER BAG diaper bag. You know, the kind of diaper bag that just SCREAMS it from the mountain top?! Par example:

    Oh my! That is flowery and bright! A very girly Vera Bradley Baby Bag…

    Think about that for a moment. Is your hubby one of those brave, brave men? Then maybe you should consider a more manly version. And if he opposes to carrying anything, simply explain it’s uses and cutting-edge-appeal…just as Elaine explained to Jerry in a favorite Seinfeld episode, “It’s not a purse. It’s European!” (And so much more macho than that Vera Bradley number…). Let’s take a look at some manly versions of the VB:

    Loving the standard messenger bag from Diaper Dude. Yes, I said Diaper Dude!

    A more “metro” version of the messenger…also Diaper Dude.

    The “Dude Pack” for the man that’s more into the backpack look…totally incognito, non?

    The Dude Pack in an edgier look…

    The Skip Hop Duo Deluxe in a classic navy.

    Skip Hop TRIPLE BOTTLE Lunch Pack. Seriously, three bottles. This rocks!

    Okay…these are about to get seriously creative. Take a look at this:

    I have never seen this before. GENIUS! I want want for plane rides and road trips. How about the DVD player stand. OMG! And, look at the hand sanitizer pocket!

    Okkatots Travel Baby Bag Depot (and it IS a DEPOT!)

    This next one HAD to have been created by a dad. My hubby would LOVE this:

    I had to show the diagram so you can see the pocket space. Simply amazing!

    Dad Gear

    See? You have NO excuse to let your manly man walk around with a hot pink floral bag. I hope this helps and, again, Happy Belated Father’s Day!!

    Adrianne

    P.S. I would be remiss if I did not mention that I have no idea what I would do if Tripp weren’t around to

    1) Kung Fu with Davis.

    2) Kung Fu with Davis.

    3) Kung Fu with Davis.

    (Among LOTS of other very important things!)

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June18th

    Toys Gone WILD!

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    OH MY. I mentioned yesterday about how much work we have to do in the guest room to make it special for our new little girl, right? Well, I am totally overwhelmed after, this morning, I took a good, hard, honest look at our family room. OH MY.

    Yes, that is a house in our house in our family room which is one big room with our kitchen. Brightly colored plastic stuff…ahhhhh!!!!! Ok. So, as much as I hate this house (but thank you for the hand-me-down, Finley!) Davis loves it. Ergo, it is smack in the middle of this room. Look closely, though, the house is not the only thing there…there is a “toy creep” happening. What would you suppose is behind that chair (which, I know, needs to be re-upholstered YESTERDAY)….

    OUCH! MINE EYES! It’s like looking at the sun too long…it just hurts!!

    I swore, when I became a mom, that toys would not take over. Ha! Well, they are not only taking over, they are becoming a significant part of the floor! HOWWWWW will I resolve this mess? I have a few ideas but there is limited space. And, Davis is NOT cool with the idea of just throwing all of the toys out. Huh?

    Several options…

    The “Beat Our Chest” toy chest from Land of Nod. It may fit between the wall and our chair…

    The canvas option…too casual? Land of Nod

    The Souper Spoon. I know. Totally unrelated…I just CRACKED up when I saw it!! Again, clever little Land of Nod.

    SERIOUSLY adorable. I’ll take one of each…but for the kids’ rooms, not the family room.

    The Company Store

    Now we may be getting somewhere… I like the idea of a “hidden” storage area like this ottoman.

    Also from The Company Store.

    Or, does this wicker basket suit my future “Coastal” family room?

    Pottery Barn Kids

    STOP THE PRESSES. This is too cute. I maaaaay be able to pull this off beside the chair.

    Pottery Barn Kids

    Lots to do to find just the right thing, no? Well, you know what’s on my “to do” list for this weekend. Have a good one and we’ll chat again Monday!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June17th

    Nursery BONANZA: Paint Colors

    Posted in: Lambchop News

    Time to get down and dirty with our baby girl’s room! I have spent months recording ideas, bookmarking links, etc in the anticipation of decorating our boring ole guest room! Do you remember it? Let me remind you:

    Do I not have my work cut out for me? Ahhh!!! Oh, and that dresser? I started painting it before I found out I was preggers. Now? Well, I am waiting on a dear friend to tell me how much to finish the thing. It’s not staying in that room regardless. Neither is that half lamp (fug) or the bed! One good note about the room: there are lots of windows and I LOVE the paint on the walls.

    So, first things first: we are replacing the Queen bed with two twins. Only one will fit with the crib in the room, however. My Gimlet Eyed friend found these beauts on Craigslist and we bought them for Little Girl:

    Have vision: they will be painted!

    Please help me choose a paint color. Our plan is to paint them SHINY apple green. Jessie and I think that if I change themes in the room, this apple green will morph into whatever new theme is chosen. I think she’s right and I am so excited!

    Cedar Green from Benjamin Moore for Pottery Barn Kids. I’m thinking this may be too GREEN…

    Stem Green from Benjamin Moore for Pottery Barn Kids. Maybe I should go a little bit more “limey”??

    You know I love Serena and Lily. Did you know they suggest paint to go with crib bedding?? This is “Grass.” I still think I may need to go a little brighter, however. And, if you are wondering, I am considering the Lulu bedding.

    That description will fit her to a tee…I just know it!

    Do you have good apply green paint color? Let me know! …off to the paint store…

    Adrianne

    P.S. I have decided to can the ceiling fan in her room and go with a sassy, shiny tole chandelier. Yippee!

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June16th

    Just Breathe…

    Posted in: Lambchop News

    Oh. My. Goodness. I have to tell you the scare I had yesterday. Davis and I were at the pool having a blast, right? When it came time to leave, we packed up and dried off. I took his life jacket off. (He is swimming in the pool with it on until he is better at swimming and I can trust him to hold his breath…a work in progress.) As soon as I took it off and, of course, had all our towels and pool bag, etc in my hands (no free hands), he SPRINTED towards the pool and jumped in!!! Needless to say, I sprinted after him with no hesitation. He went under and I just knew he would’ve stayed there had I not been on his heels. Fortunately, I was able to jump in right after him and pull him up out of the water. He swallowed a lot of water but was okay. I swear, I have NEVER been more scared in my entire life. NEVER! I am still shaking from the experience.

    A friend of mine told me that maybe I need to NOT let him swim with his life jacket on…counter intuitive, no?  She mentioned that it creates a false sense of confidence in the water. This makes sense to me. But, it is really scary to me as well. What do you think? If I hadn’t let Davis swim with his life jacket on, would he have launched into the pool, no holds barred? Maybe he would’ve given it a second thought?

    I try to be positive and learn something no matter what has happened, good or bad. It can be a challenge but I force myself to think about it and write these things down. So….my lesson (and to all of you if you wouldn’t think this would happen – and, believe me, it didn’t occur to me AT ALL that he would run off like that)…is to

    1) ALWAYS keep his life jacket on around the pool even if we are leaving. Even if he swims without it, around the pool, at least. That sucker is staying on until we get IN the car.

    2) NEVER have my hands so full that I couldn’t grab my child if necessary.

    3) KEEP working out and staying healthy so I can leap left or right at any given second.

    OH LORD! I am still shaking!!!

    Ok. So, please share your experiences with me. Should I keep Davis in this (below)?

    West Marine

    Infant Vest from Overton’s

    Or even buy one of these?

    The Safety Turtle from One Step Ahead

    This device is supposed to sound an alarm if your child is in the water (you place the turtle wristband around your child’s arm). I think this can be useful even if you are 100% on your kid at all times. All it takes is a second…

    Thoughts on the picture below? This picture is shown with The Safety Turtle above.  I don’t think I would be working while my child plays around a pool. You?

    Um. Not trying to judge…I am a little scarred by this idea!

    Are water wings enough/too much?

    Please let me know your thoughts on this debate.  I am going to run off and calm down some more. Be safe and have fun everyone!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June15th

    Ceiling Fan or Chandy?

    Posted in: General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    If you didn’t read my post update from yesterday, we found out that we are having a little GIRL!! Yippee!! I am already dreaming of ribbons  and bows and monogrammed diaper covers. This opens up a whole new world to me. Seriously – I am so used to shopping boy-style that I don’t even give the girl stuff a once over! Now, I can rip off my blinders and go k-razy!

    My stylish decor genius friend, Jessie (yes, Gimlet Eyed Jessie), and I were discussing this new world of girly-ness when, naturally, her future room became the topic. Jess made a lovely suggestion involving an unapologetic, hot pink, shiny tole chandelier. I LOVE THIS IDEA! But, I am having trouble with it because of the ceiling fan currently (and totally un-stylishly) gracing the room right now. My big concern: will she get TOO HOT in there without it?

    Before I make my decision, let’s look at the bevy of eye candy chandeliers I found online while entertaining the idea…

    From a lovely blog, Matters of Style. Ladies – this is a showstopper! And, look at the green and white ceiling. DYING!!!

    Very girly…from Pottery Barn Teen

    A more modern and definitely chic bebe option from Decorati.

    A FANCY SCHMANCY option from Shades of Light.

    Very cool and crisp from Rosenberry Rooms.

    Cutie Green from KooKoo Bear.

    Uh oh…I spy a mod pink one…oooohhhhhhh!!!!

    Land of Nod

    And, last but not least, this would match the crib bedding I am considering…another topic for another day!

    Rosenberry Rooms

    Or, I can go with…a…ceiling…fan…

    …from…Lowe’s

    Cast your vote! HOW necessary is my ceiling fan???

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June14th

    BOY or GIRL UPDATE

    Posted in: Lambchop News

    First of all, THANK YOU to everyone for your kind wishes with all of this baby jazz! Secondly, I’d like to share our news…it’s a….

    GIRL!!!

    Yippee!! Turns out that Davis and the lady at Walmart were right (and everyone else)!! Let the decorating BONANZA begin.

    See you tomorrow, Choppers!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June11th

    Doggie Love, a Fish, and a Really Good Smoothie

    Posted in: 2010 Designs, New Paintings

    We LOVE our dog, Alice. She is the sweetest Golden Retriever around! She is truly our first child. Just look at that face (and Davis’, of course!):

    And, as it turns out, we have friends that are in love with their dogs, too. They love them so much, in fact, that I was commissioned to paint their portraits. Have you ever seen them? Here they are:

    This is Lucy, the Boxer.

    This is Bruce, the Jack Russell.

    Two yellow labs that stole my heart…

    And, last but not least, my latest doggie love, Sally, the Beagle:

    Has Alice had her portrait done yet? Sadly, no. I’ll have to get to work on that!!

    Let me know if you want me to paint your doggie love. Just send me a picture!

    Sally, the Beagle’s mom also ordered a Mr. Fish. Have you seen Miss Fish yet? Here they both are:

    Sassy Miss Fish!

    Handsome Mr. Fish!

    On a completely different note, I have discovered a great recipe (and easy…KEY!) for a fruit smoothie. I am really trying to snack healthy. Here is a great “go-to”:

    1/2 cup low-fat, organic, plain yogurt

    1/2 cup  2% organic milk

    handful of blueberries (fresh or frozen)

    handful of raspberries (fresh or frozen)

    one banana

    1 cup of oatmeal

    1 tbs honey

    handful of ice

    Put all ingredients in a blender and blend until desired thickness. Done and DONE! (And, delicious!)

    Ok, Choppers, I’ll be back with more on Monday…and confirmation on BOY or GIRL. Yippee!!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June10th

    Chalkboard Paint

    Posted in: DIY Projects, General Decor, Kid's Rooms

    Among our list of 1000 projects is a precious nook in our upstairs hallway. It now graces a lovely Melissa and Doug train set that is always a mess. I have great expectations for this nook, however. It is SCREAMING “art nook” at me every day. I envision a bulletin board on one wall to display finished works, an easel where our children can paint or draw and store all their supplies, a table for coloring and sketching, and, the most fun part…a wall with 12×12 chalkboard squares accented in a super fun chalkboard decal.

    P.S. Have I told you that I LOVE chalkboard paint? It’s so easy! And, it has a lot of clever uses… I also think picking something simple to start with in a room is a genius move. Then, choose another “easy” project and keep chipping away until it’s finished. (VERY important to pace yourself…not like a lot of us can magically put together a room in a day!)

    Ok! So, I am going to begin with the 12×12 chalkboard squares, of course! If you are not inclined to pull out the old paint brush, try these on your walls instead:

    Simple and functional chalkboard decals (they adhere to the wall without damage)…Land of Nod

    A quirky decal option from Target…

    OMG! Dying over the whale decal!! I may have to do this instead…Land of Nod, of course.

    Davis would FREAK over this surfboard chalkboard. This would be great in his “big boy” room!

    Pottery Barn Kids

    This is the chalkboard on one side/white board on the other side easel I want for the “art nook”!

    Land of Nod

    What’s this I spy? A chalkboard PLACEMAT! Genius idea for the art table!

    Paper Source

    And for a post-masterpiece-creation refreshment…

    Southern Living featured these GENIUS glasses in their April 2010 issue – just sweep a stroke of chalkboard paint onto the glass…so cute! And, yes, I’ll have some of that raspberry-beer cocktail, please!

    When I start, I’ll take many, many pictures for you to see what I’ve done. I am super excited!!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June9th

    Diaper Bag Quest

    Posted in: Gifts, Life

    I love to shop and I love clothes. I also love purses!! And, I would say, I try to be stylish but not overly trendy when I consider purchasing something for my closet. When it comes to diaper bags…this becomes a slight challenge. When Davis was a baby, I revolted and said that surely I could use a big, regular, non-diaper bag purse as a diaper bag. I quickly learned that that is the fastest way to ruin a nice Cole Haan bag (read: milk/formula/biscotti crumbs/ general you-know-what all over my bag….those smells do not come out easily!). What an expensive mistake! After that disaster, I ended up getting this handy bag from Stork Sak:

    Bloom Maternity

    I loved it. It was so functional and people didn’t even know it was a diaper bag (SCORE)! I got tons of complements on it. For this next babe, however, I’m looking to go in a different direction than black. Let’s take a look-see at what’s on the market these days!

    Tempting…same bag but in a sassy pewter color. From Saks.

    Seriously?! I am DYING over this one from Mia Bossi at Little Dudes and Divas!

    Black but kick-ace!! Bliss Diaper Bags

    Also from Bliss…and super stylish.

    The scarf on this bag rocks! And, you can change it up if you wish. Smart!

    Due Maternity

    Another showstopper! Skip Hop

    Kate Spade…having too much fun for summer!

    Loving the mint/chocolate combo here!

    Nordstrom

    And for a mini-date with your hubs and baby in tow, how cute is the diaper clutch from Petunia Pickle Bottom?

    Ladies: Don’t be afraid to purchase one of these beauties even if you don’t have a babe yet. The storage is sensational! I loved just putting bottled water in the sides, etc. Genius!! Also, who came up with the rough term “diaper bag.” Can we re-name it the “Mary Poppins Bag” because somehow, you manage to include everything (including floor lamps) but the kitchen sink inside of it? Or, the “Magic Bag”…anything else, please!

    Oh, and I must note that I realize some of these bags are super expensive. But, the way I look at it…it’s the only purse I’ll be carrying for at least eight months. Worth. Every. Penny.

    Do you have any other great bag finds? Send them my way!!
    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June9th

    Toddler Shark Tee

    Posted in: T Shirts

    Finally! A t-shirt that is comfy and cute and original! (You didn’t think we’d stick to just paintings forever, did you?!)

    Mr. Shark is the first to grace the front of our shirts. So far he says he loves swimming around on this sassy t-shirt! Make him feel at home and buy one for your little one today.

    Please allow one week for delivery.

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June9th

    Infant Shark Tee

    Posted in: T Shirts

    Finally! A t-shirt that is comfy and cute and original! (You didn’t think we’d stick to just paintings forever, did you?!)

    Mr. Shark is the first to grace the front of our shirts. So far he says he loves swimming around on this sassy t-shirt! Make him feel at home and buy one for your little one today.

    Please allow one week for delivery.

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June8th

    Boy/Girl Count Down!

    Posted in: Gifts, Life

    Next Monday, the 14th, Tripp and I will head to the Doctor’s office to have my 20-week ultrasound. Yep! That means, if the baby cooperates, we will find out if this peanut is a boy or a girl. Finally! Then, watch out…decorating insanity will ensue! In the meantime, I have been polling everyone I know. Here is what they have said:

    “Girl with a boy attitude.” – psychic, New Orleans (remember, though, he didn’t even know I am preggers!)

    “Girl. You look different this time.” – Bro-in-law but didn’t elaborate on how I “look different.”

    “Girl. Objectively.” – my mom, when I asked her what she thought I was having “objectively.”

    “Girl. You will name her Ellie.”  – Mother-in-law in February five minutes after we told her I was pregnant!

    “Girl. I just have a feeling….” – friend who does not claim  to have any psychic powers…

    “I honestly don’t know!” – friend who claims to have psychic powers…

    “Girl. I just know.” – friend who claims always “being right about these things.”

    “Well, the chances are 50/50.” – friend who is very diplomatic.

    “Every mother needs a daughter.” – relative…I don’t think that is actually a prediction or guess, rather, a statement.

    “Sister, Mommie, SISTERRRRR!” – Davis, our two-year-old son.

    “Davis is right.” – relative

    “Boy.  You’ve been sick. So was I with my second and it was a boy.” – extremely logical friend.

    “Girl!”- Chinese Gender Prediction Chart

    “Boy!” – A different Chinese Gender Prediction Chart

    “The string swings back and forth rather than in a circle…girl.” – Old Wive’s Tale

    “Girl. Because you already have a boy.” – Someone in my Doctor’s office. (Makes total sense.)

    What do I think? I honestly don’t know. With Davis, I just KNEW it was a boy. This kid is being very elusive… What do you think? Let the betting begin!! In the meantime, let’s feast our eyes on some precious take-me-home outfits for both genders.

    From my love, Tea Collection.

    Look at that pink sweater! Also from Tea Collection.

    Kissy Kissy Winter Diamond Set (my babe will be a winter babe!)

    Baby girl! Kissy Kissy

    Standardly adorable. Baby Gap

    Don’t forget the hat! Baby Gap

    A little bolder from Zutano.

    Loving the “Who Who Who’s” as my son would say…also Zutano!

    And there are great options for those of you not finding out…crazy!

    Zutano (Can you tell I love Zutano??)

    Kate Quinn Organics (this stuff is SO soft!)

    I LOVE red. I LOVE a winter babe!

    Nordstrom

    Five more days!! Talk to you tomorrow!

    Adrianne

    • Share/Bookmark

  • June7th

    SHARK TEES!!

    Posted in: Lambchop News

    Ok Everyone. I am excited, excited, excited to announce the arrival of the Lambchop Designs SHARK t-shirt!!

    The Infant Tee (in 6 month, 12 month and 18 month sizes):

    The Toddler Tee (in 2T, 3T, 4T sizes):

    An up-close shot:

    How I package these sharky tees:

    Let me know if you want to reserve one now! They are $25 each and shipping is only $5. You will be able to order online sometime this week. Yippee!!

    Ok! Have a great day!!

    Adrianne

    P.S. For those of you keeping up with my 6am deal…(see my post from last week here)…I have already failed miserably. I was SO exhausted from the Farmer’s Market and an event on Saturday night that in spite of my THREE HOUR NAP yesterday, I am still tired today. I just could not wake up at 6am! Oh well, I am trying to be easy on myself…that IS the whole point, right?!! More tomorrow, Choppers.

    • Share/Bookmark
« Previous Entries
Return to the Homepage