Living Room makeover

What the heck is going on?  I almost forgot for a second that I have a blog.  Not that there is anything important or interesting going on over here...I have just let my laziness completely take over.  Ack.

Anyhoo... I have been itching to do something new with our living room.  Maybe it's the cabin fever rearing it's ugly head, or the fact that it's been 5 years since we moved in, and I'm ready for change.  I have been pinning some ideas for a while, and I'm thinking of going a little wild up in here.

Our entire main floor is painted yellow...and I am soooooo over yellow.  Thankfully it is a neutral yellow, so it's not too overwhelming, but there are too many walls that start and stop in weird places, so if we tackle part, we'd have tackle all.  Not going to happen.  Also in my favor, is the couch.  Yes, it's looking pretty sad these days, but while the kids are small, we are not replacing furniture.  It is actually a sectional that is currently split in half on either side of the room.  (see below)

I figured the easiest, most  "non committal" way to make some simple, yet dramatic changes would be pillows, lamps, and curtains.

Too wild??  I'm not sure if I can sell my ultra conservative husband on something like this?

Kinda boring...

Swap out for something with more color/personality??

As I mentioned before, we've been here 5 years and I have never picked out curtains.  That was too overwhelming, and I figured we could just close the blinds for privacy.  Shame on me!!!!  I have been seeing horizontal striped curtains everywhere, and I'm dying!   I've considered making them, but fabric adds up.  Then I found a few tutorials showing how to make them.  With paint!  Say whaaaat?

Source: cuckoo4design.blogspot.com via Sara on Pinterest

TO DIE FOR, RIGHT?

Source: theyellowcapecod.com via Sara on Pinterest

These babies make me happy...so happy...but very nervous at the same time.  Black?  Could I pull this off?

Hmmm...I don't know?  (Images are cut and pasted on...obviously)

Please excuse the mess in the background...we live here.  Isn't this couch so sad.  The two sides may need to be reunited.  It looks kind of limp. :)

Or maybe it just needs some happy pillows and a new lamp shade?  I also toyed around with the idea of Tan-ish stripes...so it's not so...bold?  Maybe I should just stick with a few colors, instead of the rainbow explosion.   I need help!  Any thoughts, opinions?  Is this just horrific and tacky?  I am no interior designer, that's for sure.  Before I spend any money, I'd love some opinions.  Holla!!!!

What's the best part about cousins?

Ok, that might not be the coolest part about having girl cousins, but it certainly ranks up there in the top 5!  Thanks to the generous folks over at the J.Peterson house, Sydney is set for the summer (and much of the fall).  We have some awesome cousins with the cutest clothes that no longer fit and we are the lucky inheritances (is that a word?) of quite the summer wardrobe.

Would you believe all three of these girls have birthdays within 2 weeks of Sydney?  Know what that means?  That's right...everything is the right size for the right season!  Woo-hoo!  (This pic was last 4th of July)  These 4 could all be sisters, don'tcha think? (well, 3 of them are, but Syd the Squid fits right in!)

Thanks girls for the cute duds!  We love you!!!!!

Pinterest...Brilliant!

image from No Biggie

Ok...that is just how one user sums it up, but what they actually say about themselves is...

"Think of Pinterest as a virtual pinboard — a place where you can create collections of things you love and "follow" collections created by people with great taste.
People use Pinterest to collect and share all sorts of things -- wedding inspiration, favorite T-shirts, DJ equipment. You name it, people are pinning it.
We know you have great taste in something. Our mission is to make Pinterest the best place for you to share your taste with the world." 
{or for me...all in one place, so my scatterbrain doesn't forget about them}

Once again, I've jumped on the bandwagon of blog-land and tried the newest-latest-and-greatest.  Either way, this site is awesome.  Until now I have had a ridiculous amount of "favorites" stored in by browser thingy.  I also have a folder on my desktop called "pretty stuff".   (Really technical, huh?)  This is such a great way for me to "see" everything at a glance.  I can make wish lists, reference lists, etc.   kind of like this:

My Pinterest Board

You should definitely take a look and give this a try.  It's awesome! :)  Go here- Pinterest

Wild and Crazy 30th Birthday!

That's right.  Wild and Crazy is the only way to describe this trip to Chicago.  {if  "wild" means sleeping by 9pm and the highlight of the trip being an architecture boat tour around the city, then yes...we certainly let loose!}  Don't get me wrong, words cannot describe how amazing it was to be alone with my husband for 3 whole days and no whining, needy children to take care of.  I couldn't think of a better way to spend my 30th birthday.  I am so thankful for my husband planning this trip. 

I will let the pictures tell the story :)

So, I am officially 30.  This was a great way to make the transition.  I have to say...so far, it's not so bad. 

OMG! What is my problem?

It never ends!!  I can't stop.  I want, and want, and want....!  Seriously, I think I need a 12 step program!  {or at least start getting my priorities straight}

It is all about the accessories though.  Am I right ladies?  Now that I have my "highly anticipated and much coveted" camera, you would think I would be happy.  Well, I am...but I would love a few accessories to go along with it. :) 

Such as...

 shey b camera strap covers

I mean, really?  How cute are these?  They are everywhere on etsy, and if I knew anything about sewing, I might even try to make one.  But I don't.  So that is not an option.

--or--

how about something to carry my camera around in style?  Maybe a cute bag that doesn't look like a nasty, black camera bag...blah?

jo totes

This is getting ridiculous!  I have problems.