Some songs were made for running.

 Back in highschool one of my track coaches explained that we would focus on running better if we all chose a theme song to run to. The idea made sense to me and throughout my days on the track team, I had only one epic classical song that I loved (and still do!). When I moved away to Hawaii, the new scenery deserved a new running song and so I chose this loud rock song that was surprisingly effective in motivating me to run up and down the hills in Kaimuki & Kahala. 

While I was out there, in Honolulu, my room-mate Tina re-introduced me to some of the older bands that my parents has listened to. After-all it isn't cool to like the same groups that your parents liked, but somehow being a teenager and discovering the bands on my own, with a little help from Tina, made it more acceptable. 

So this weeks running song is brought to you by Simon & Garfunkel. I found their record last week at a Goodwill and I remembered how much I had enjoyed their music. Especially this song! 

Thank you Tina, where ever you are, I owe my motivating theme song of the week to you! For you runners/walkers out there, what 1 song do you find yourself putting on replay while you're out?

I'll pass on May,

I've decided something this week. From now on, I will be issuing myself a free pass from blogging for the entire month of May... starting next year. This month was impossibly hectic. To be point of just being silly ridiculous. I honestly don't remember feeling this way about previous May's but who knows, maybe I have experienced that overwhelming sense of mental and physical overload each evening and I'm just not remembering it accurately. Don't let me fool you though, I've been having a great time keeping up with a full schedule however with little time to spare in the day it doesn't leave room for any other daunting tasks: like blogging.

This month I've:
- taken a road trip up to Sedona
- gone to the zoo
- went to 3 birthday parties
- had Grandma & Grandpa visit
- watched Chase graduate from his 1st year of preschool
- had a Mother's Day tea party at Chase's school
- went to Mother's Day brunch with my fav. neighbor
- attended a wedding
- went to Alaina's school play
- attended Alaina's end of school party
- watched Alaina graduate from the 2nd grade
- hosted a # of play dates (too many to keep up with) 
- hosted a snow-cone party
- spent endless hours on the phone helping a friend
- started my running routine again
- stocked up on summer reading books
- spent one afternoon shopping for old records ( and I found some really awesome ones!) 
- made a couple of new projects for Crate Paper

and if it weren't for our homes air-conditioner deciding it was done working yesterday morning, I probably  wouldn't be sitting here typing this post right now. Here I sit, somewhat patiently (only because my kids are right beside me analyzing my every facial expression) waiting for the repair man to show and offer some relief from the stale air that surrounds us on the 1st floor of this house and blogging is the one thing that doesn't require any physical exertion. No air-conditioning has forced me to slow my schedule.... maybe a blessing in some uncomfortably hot disguise? possibly. 

I've also started writing letters to my sister who is finishing her 1st month in boot camp at Fort Jackson, SC. I have to say, it's incredibly surreal to be writing to someone I actually know again. For years now, I think Alaina was 2 when we started, I've been sending letters over-seas to deployed troops. I love the website Any Soldier and if you have any time this summer or at all throughout the year, please look into writing letters or postcards for deployed soldiers as I know it helps in aiding morale. When I was in highschool, it seemed like the months following the release of school I added one more person to my list of those to write to. We lived in a small town next to another small military town where military was a way of life. I was use to writing long letters in those days, filling my newly departed friends in on life outside the compounds of a military boot camp. But now, it's my little sister and my protective big-sister instincts kick in and want to help when I know she's struggling to cope with the immediate circumstances that come with such a life changing career path. (She holds multiple statistics and various other math degrees and has only ever wanted to be a teacher.) My sister is strong and incredibly intelligent, she'll make it through no doubt, as countless others have before her, but I know a letter goes along way in lifting someones spirit that is temporarily threatened. Surreal indeed.

I don't know if this post requires photos, Lord knows I have taken hundreds this month but I'll leave you with one from our hike up in Sedona. I know I say it all the time but seriously add this location to your bucket list. It never disappoints no matter what season I go up for, it's natural beauty is unlike any other place I've visited. 

I have a couple of projects for Crate that I should update and my 'It's a Wrap' post is right around the corner, this Friday infact! Lot's to do and it's only the 1st week official week of summer vacation! 

xo - Tara

1 Birthday, 5 gift tags

As I get older, I've become much more aware of how fast time goes by and that each day should deserve to be celebrated. I think birthdays (no matter how old or young you are turning) are cause for a grand celebration of whimsical proportions. My very good friend Erica is turning 30 this weekend and I wanted to create something pretty for her birthday gift. Actually, the gift itself isn't overwhelmingly spectacular but add a little color and texture and I think we are ready for the party on Saturday! 

I also used Erica's b-day as an opportunity to walk through my thought process on Birthday Gift wrap for my  'It's a Wrap' post over at Crate. Erica is my crafting buddy and during the holidays we listen to nothing but my record player and my awesome collection of vintage vinyl records. It was time Erica had her own record player, so I tied in some little music details (music flashcard, and tag) to compliment her gift and carry the music theme throughout. 

The box itself is rather large and when wrapped up in simple white paper was a tad bit ordinary. I created a pom-pom for the top, which started off much larger and then I snipped and trimmed it down to size, in a really pretty coral color. - It's the centerpiece of the entire gift! Plus, I just love coral and light grey together! 

I also created a messy little bungle of tags. Originally, I has planned on making a lacy card but the idea of multiple tags won out. 

Paired with a frayed tassel and a little envelope full of colorful confetti, Erica's stack of Crate tags was complete! 

I think making fabric tassels could be my next favorite thing and you can't just make one! I'm also doing a Pretty Party prize pack giveaway on the Crate Paper blog ~ because honestly what would a post on birthdays be without a giveaway? If you get a chance before Thursday night pop in and leave a comment!  xo ~T

 

Home Tour- Chase's Room

Little Chase's bedroom. I love his room and just like his big sisters room I went with an eclectic theme that included all of his favorite things; cars, trains, horses, books, and maps. I'll admit that his room was completed long before Alaian's was finished. Being 3 and a boy, Chase is just.... less fussy about the contents of his bedroom. Give the boy a book and a blankie and he's content! That also meant that I could choose almost anything really and make it work for his space. 

Initially, his room was painted the most horrendous shade of a terra-cotta brownish-orange but with a little help from the husband and 2 coats of primer, his walls were a bright white and a blank canvas!

My favorite part of his room? The bookcase! I was roaming, almost aimlessly one afternoon, around a local estate furniture warehouse when I ran into this 7ft. wood bookcase. It didn't have a price on it, was a tad bit dated and it kind of reminded me of something from 'That 70's Show' - I didn't love it but I could see the possibility for potential. So, I asked for the price just for fun and... wait for it.... wait for it... $39. SOLD! For the price - I'll make it work! So Peter and I lugged the wooden monstrosity upstairs and I filled the shelves with all of Chase's book, a few of his vintage horses and a couple little trinkets here and there.

{the vintage horse bookend also came from the same furniture warehouse! I love going there, I always come home with something random, from old furniture to little figurines!}

As if the 3 large shelves weren't enough space, the bottom cabinets open up to hold more of Chase's toys, puzzles, coloring books and a basket of crayons. His 70's-ish dark bookcase has certainly grown on me! 

In front of his bookcase, I created a little reading area for him with a leather chair found at a garage sale, a basket of board books and a poof for his little footsies. Every evening he comes to the top of the stairs and yells down to me "Mom, can I read a book?" He really is such an easy going little guy!

Next to the book case we put up this white plaster head of I think an English Pointer (could be German?) Chase really loves dogs and it seemed like a good fit for his room. Then the kids were playing one night and an old black & gold sombrero somehow ended up on his head and it just stuck. Peter says "that's ridiculous" and it kind of is! Which is probably why the kids think it's so amusing!  

As for the rest of his room, it's fairly simple and not quite as interesting as a hunting dog wearing a sombrero but Chase seems to really like his new bedroom! 

The dresser was actually found at the same furniture store as his bookcase - what luck I have at that place! I'm almost a tad embarrassed to say it, but the ladies that run the front desk there know me by name. *blush* However I've come to look forward to being greeted as Ms. Anderson when I walk through the doors there. (Sometimes you forget that you had a name other than Mom, Mommy, Mama.) Back to the dresser - I've had a difficult time tracking down dressers that are large enough for all of the kids' clothes without being too tall. So finding one with 6 draws was a step in the right direction, plus because it was previously used it was at a great price! Can't beat that! 

Peter and I both really enjoy antiquing, when we met he had a great collection of Antique mirrors and I'm a big collector of hand painted vintage art, we're a match made in thrift store heaven! :) I spent what felt like a really long time arranging and rearranging different combinations of art vs. mirrors in the kids' rooms. The great thing about hanging artwork in a collage grouping is that it can be changed whenever we acquire a new piece.... which tends to be quite often as I'm always on lookout for great little pieces. 

It wouldn't be Chases room without a train set on the floor!

Chase has the larger of the 2 closets but because he's a boy he has less stuff to manage. I keep 3 baskets tucked underneath his bed for his entire car collection, Leap Frog games and overflow toys from the toy box. For being so young, he does a really great job at keeping his room cleaned and organized... I'm guessing this will change as he ages but for right now I'm basking in his rooms tidy glory!

I gave Alaina my girly toys from the 80s (Rainbow Bright & Straw Berry Shortcake anyone?) and Chase has ended up with a few others. Fisher Price toys were always a favorite of mine growing up and I'm happy that this new little generation thinks they're just as cool! 

I think that about does it for Chases room! I'm so happy and relieved that the kids' bedrooms are all finished but more importantly that both are happy in their bedrooms. Feel free to leave me links to your kids' rooms! I love checking out what other mommies have designed for their little ones!

Happy Monday! ~ Tara

Home Tour: Alaina's room

I finally got around to taking photos of Alaina's room! Her room was a work in progress there for awhile - then again, aren't most kids' bedrooms? My philosophy behind decorating a child's bedroom: no choosing a particular theme. Sure, Alaina likes Tinkerbell this year but 2011 was the year of little kitty cats and next year will most likely be something else. So rather than having to purchase a new 'theme' each year for her bedroom, I came up with an eclectic room that includes all of her favorite things (horses, maps, pink, flowers, elephants.... and the list goes on) but that was a bit more grown up and super functional and if she doesn't like... say elephants next year, we removed and replace them with the new animal of the year. ;) 

Choosing a color palette was first on the list of her room re-do. We decided on a few shades of pink with light blue & coral as our accent colors. The white walls and neutral carpet really made it easy to combine so many colors together! 

We already had the bedroom basics; bed, bookcase, dresser, art work, frames, pillows. nightstand, lamp but Alaina had a few requests of her own too, like extra storage and a dress up area. So really, I was just looking for new bedding, curtains and a large art piece to cover all the existing holes on one wall. I also knew she really wanted a chair for her room (I had already found one for Chase's room) and a poof - we love saying that word! :)  Once I was able to decide on the comforter and rug, her room came together surprisingly fast! 

 You can call me a pillow collector or hoarder, I don't mind because I wear the title proudly! I love accent pillows and am always looking for different fabrics and prints to combine with one another. I loved these casual white brocade pillows paired together with an Indian elephant print linen pillow. Alaina chose the small black lace pillow from Kohl's some time ago ~ she says it's the "final touch" to her bed. 

 This white tiered stand was originally bound for the kids' bathroom but A's red jewelry box fit perfectly on the glass shelf along with some extra picture frames and a small accent lamp.

The blue slipper chair was my last purchase for her room. It wasn't our first choice but the blue in the chair does work really well with the blue in that oversized world map and I really do like the pattern. 

This little wooden side table holds a box of A's craft supplies; markers, colored pencils scissors and inside the cabinet is her extra drawing paper. Chase tends to help himself to her art stuff while she's away at school   but he's always quick to show her what he created with her markers! 

 

I let Alaina choose some of the new art pieces, which explains the LOL. She has the same eclectic taste that I do... almost. Both the elephant and parasol on top of her bookcase were recent antique store finds as well as the cute little parakeet music figurine! 

I really wanted to find a couple of floor pillows for her room, her and her friends spend alot of time sitting on the floor playing barbies or singing on the karaoke machine - I might just have a future singer living under my roof ! I found 2 Amy Butler Euro Pillow cases and you can't really go wrong with Amy Butler! Turns out I adore her fabric as much as I love her scrapbook paper! and the best part? They were reduced to just $2.99 each! 

The map canvas ended up being the focal point of her room and it's pretty impressive! I think it measures somewhere around 7ft. wide and 5 ft. in height. Both kids love maps and globes and with the vintage globe collection downstairs, I liked that we were able to carry the map trend throughout the house.

Oh! Almost forgot, - Alaina's closet! She's at that age (7) where she's becoming increasingly more aware of how her friends see her and her stuff. I've noticed more lately, especially since we've moved into the new house, that she's hidden some of her toys away when her friends have visited. She's not quite ready to let go of her Strawberry Shortcake dolls or the My Little Pony collection (really, can you blame her!- ode to the 80's :)) but she also doesn't want her friends to see them in her toybox. So, I've put my hat-box collection to good use in one half of her closet. Each hat box stores a different play/toy set inconspicuously hidden away and yet still accessible in case she wants to play. I've also made sure to create the dress up area that she wanted complete with an old vintage suitcase filled with fairy wands and princess tiaras.

So, there's Miss A's room! Thanks for taking a look and I'll be back to share the photos of Chases room this weekend. His little room is much like Alainas only little boyish and overflowing with matchbox cars. Have a wonderful Friday!