100 months of home

We're in our 8th year of living in our home and there is so much feeling behind this milestone. If I'm being honest our house is quite modest having one floor as our main living space with both our bedroom and Harlow's, then an upstairs attic conversion which serves as Brody's room (the largest of the three) and we've always tossed around the idea of sizing up or one day moving.

And though our living space is fairly small, 1,200 square feet not including Brody's room, it is drenched with energy - usually full of love, laughter and an incredibly cozy vibe. Having a maintainable mortgage allows for our family to spend money on other experiences and adventures. Jesse and I love traveling and are finally approaching the age where our kid's can travel further too. There's a special kind of feeling with that freedom and an excitement being able to show them both new places and things.

So although there is stuff we would like differently in our home (fixing up the outside and finishing a basement) for now, this is our space. The space where memories have been created and will continually be created. Where we sit by a warm fire watching movies and eat dinner in a sunroom under twinkle lights. Where there's never a time I can't hear everyone under the same roof since we're all within a certain distance of each other. 

Plus, it's incredibly special to me that Harlow and Brody get to grow up having nunna and pap only two houses away if there ever be a need for a quick hug in a moments notice.

Believe me, we've had our crazy share of issues that come with a home built in the 1940's but I've realized in these 8 years how important it is in finding contentment with what you already have and just how much this little home of ours has given all of us.

House Plants

With spring arriving tomorrow, lets talk plants! I love switching things up seasonally in our home and this year wanted to incorporate a more modern minimalistic-boho vibe.

Harlow's "Big" Girl Room

 Harlow transitioned to this room quite a bit ago - but, it's taken me a little in getting around to finally sharing it!  Not too much has changed from her nursery color-wise other than adding in a few pieces to make it (and her) feel a little bigger.

Spring Wish List

I've started to pick up some things for our home here and there because adding a touch of spring gets me excited for the upcoming seasonal change. I tend to invest in transitional decor, stuff that I can use throughout the year usually sticking with neutral colors. I've been slowly grabbing items but I'm pretty sure Hearth & Hand's new spring line won't be available until mid to late March.

1. Hearth & Hand 4pk Linen Napkin Dusty Pink

2. Kirklands Pom Pom Basket

3. Hearth & Hand Faux Eucalyptus Stem

4. Hearth & Hand Textured Vase Cream

5. Linen and Ivory The Mckinley Authentic African Mud Cloth Cover

6. Bath & Body Works Sugared Lemon Zest Candle

7. Hearth & Hand Gardening Caddy

8. Hearth & Hand 2pk Pot Holder Printed Ebony/White

9. Pottery Barn Moroccan Woven Baskets

10. Hearth & Hand Stoneware Honey Pot w/ Acacia Wood Dipper & Lid

11. Mini Cacti Plants

12. Bed Bath & Beyond Madison Park Chloe Textured Throw in Blush

Look how adorable this Hearth & Hand toy gardening caddy is for all the little gardeners in training who want to help mama out! Both Harlow and Brody love to plant and we had some amazing sunflowers to show for it last year. I've also been loving the scent of sugared lemon lately. I haven't tried this Bath & Body Works candle yet but recently got a Sugar Dusted Lemon one from Kirklands (the 3-wicks are on sale right now for $9.99). It is such a yummy, fresh and clean smell to have wafting throughout the house, you'll love it too!

Spring is almost here guys.. just a few more weeks and we'll all be enjoying the open windows, fresh air and sunshine!

Cottonwood Shanty + Spring

With spring being only a few days away (yay for warmer weather, open windows, fresh flowers and sunshine) - I love that I can change the largest focal point in our sunroom, the shanty scroll, to match a season. I have two scrolls from Cottonwood Shanty (O' Holy Night and Break Bread) so when she mentioned a small collab on the Fresh Flower Market one I had been eyeing up - I got crazy excited and obviously, the inspiration for our room.

Hygge

I've been seeing a lot of stuff popping up lately showing that the Danish are considered some of the happiest people because of a little secret called hygge. It's probably my new favorite word and has no direct translation. It means coziness, intimacy, warmth and a feeling of contentment or well-being. Hygge is the art of building a sanctuary and haven in your home, connecting and spending time with loved ones and to create a constant feeling of warmth and happiness. I've been adding hygge to my daily life (sometimes unknowingly) and I must say, although spring and summertime will forever be my favorite the homebody that I have become is gradually allowing me to enjoy the slowness of this season. Here are 10 ways I added hygee into my daily life, that you can try too.

Christmas Dinner with Friends

Hosting dinner parties is one of my favorite things to do. Last night we had two of our closest friends and their families over for an annual Christmas dinner with the kids. 

Fall

Home Sweet Home

Jesse and I moved into our home four years ago. Being built in 1949 and my husband being the amazing carpenter he is, knew there were things he'd like to update and change. This guy I swear, never ceases to amaze me. He somehow takes my visions or ideas and turns them into a collaborated story of renovation and fixing up. We've painted walls, ripped out carpets and re-finished beautiful original hardwood floors hidden underneath. We've added a stone fireplace, windows, french doors and trim. Changed light fixtures, knocked down walls and basically made it ours in every way possible. It's a home that my husband has remodeled with his own hands. His blood, sweat and tears are in these walls. It's been a labor of love, a piece of him, our story.

This home has never been perfect, there have been days of frustration and moments we thought we were in over our heads. Times of sleeping on the floor and the occasional argument from exhaustion and mistakes.  It's quirky and old, but this home has welcomed new life. We've grown from a family of two, to a family of four celebrating birthdays, first Christmases and everything in-between. I love this old house and I've come to learn that there is beauty hidden in all things.

The Kitchen

 

Our kitchen was one of the very first things we remodeled (secondary to our bathroom) and I have to admit it was slightly thrown together. Not the craftsmanship, but the design. I was very new to the whole remodeling scene and had absolutely no idea where to begin. To say I was overwhelmed is an understatement. Not only do you need to have a layout in mind but it's incredibly important to research the specific cabinetry you love, the reveal you want, hardware, decorative ends or not, countertops and appliance placement. I've personally always loved the fresh feel of lighter cabinetry so having that to initially base things around was extremely helpful in pulling together a look that fit our families style.

Jaipur Acacia Wood Bench

If any of you have seen my Instagram post a week ago, you've seen the new Acacia Wood farmhouse table I found at 'At Home' for our sunroom.  I am still in shock that I discovered this beautiful piece because they retail on the Internet upwards of a thousand or more.  I took a dozen photos with my phone, texted the hubs (he was at work) and we ran out later that evening to pick it up.  Honestly the purchase price was pretty great, but anything I want to buy that ends up saving my husband from custom-building himself is even sweeter.

A Shabby Chic Nursery

As soon as we found out we were having a little girl I was ridiculously excited to start planning her room.  Harlow's nursery is a mix of native, shabby-chic and vintage elements.  It is a soft calming space filled with lots of whites, neutrals, pale-rose colored accents and wood.  Everything in her room was thoughtfully picked or hand-made by Jesse and I with love.  We wanted our little girl to be surrounded with natural colors and textures that I have always favored and a room that she can grow with.