The Graduate

This month has been nuts am I right?  We have been moving a million miles a minute and I feel like, as funny as it is to say, now that school is out, life is starting to slow down a little!  Last friday we had Little R's kindergarten graduation.  He has grown up so fast and into such a smart, sweet and independent little guy!  

A few shots in the yard before heading to school.  Baby bro is not happy about momma stuffing him into a too small outfit.  My days are numbered...

Little R and his two best "girlfriends" standing above,  waiting outside the church before the graduation program.

During the program....

and the little graduate...Round 1!

 On that note, we have decided to have him repeat kindergarten again next year but we have not brought ourselves to tell him yet.  I wanted him to get through "graduation" with all of his buddies before I dropped the bomb.  We know it's the best decision for him but I do know he will be upset about it.  I'm sure it will be short lived but I just hate the thought of making him upset or to feel not good enough!  Lucky for me, I know so many parents who have held their children back in kindergarten and they ALL  have told me it was the best decision they ever made!!! We know it is, 100% the right decision for us but it still does not make it any easier for me to tell him.  Have any of you "redshirted," as they now call it, your child?  It seems so much more common now than it was when I was coming along.  

Before & After: Master Chest

I know I just showed you a recent before and after with the chest in my son's room, but this was too good not to show and tell about now!  I found this chest that we have in our master probably 13 years ago when I was junk-o-tiquing with my mom.  It was a piece that I desperately needed, after just finishing college, to house all of my clothes.  Aside from necessity, I really loved the lines of the piece.     It came to me just like this, peeling paint and broken handles but I kept it that way all these years! I love to mix old with new so this was that piece: old.  

* This picture was styled in no way whatsoever!!!  I snapped it right after moving in after our renovation.  

Now to the good part.  We outsourced this piece to the super talented Sarah Jeffords Beauchene who is local to Mount Pleasant.  Her business is Reclaimed Artistry. Sarah is an amazing artist,  transforming a piece to make it look aged or weathered...like it was always supposed to be that way.

Now there wasn't much styling on top of the chest since I just got it back but isn't it amazing?!!!!!  I am so in love with it!!! The grain of the wood underneath all of these layers of paint...who knew?  It looks like zebra oak maybe?  

I am thinking new pulls are in order...probably will be another year and a half before I get around to it!

Little helper here trying to jump in each picture.  Look at those hands!  His pediatrician told me he foresees him being a butcher or a farmer judging by the size of his hands...HA!  Just 3 years old.

Again this is the before

And the after

Nudes

I went home to my parents last week for a quick minute and while I was there I saw these two paintings propped up in the dining room.  

Any guess as to who painted them?....

If you follow mw on Instagram (waywayallen) then I'm sure you know!

My dad!!  Aren't they quite good?!  I am my dad's biggest fan and have always, always loved his drawings and paintings.  He is an architect but is an artist as well.  You know I love color if you follow my work at all so I think that's part of the reason why I was so drawn to these!  If he will let me, I will post more pictures on the blog soon!

*My dad and I are going to have an art show together at Novel. late summer...keep you posted!

Tuesday Food Day

Who likes to dip?  I'm talking about food of course!  I could make a meal out of it!!  I discovered the most delectable hors d'oeuvre while we were staying at the beach with my in laws. Ina Garten is one of my all time favorite cookbook author's.  Every single thing I have tried from her cookbook's has been a hit and they are pretty easy to make.  This particular recipe came from her Foolproof cookbook.

Tuscan Mashed Chickpeas

This dip is best served warm with grilled bread.  However, it is so delicious that I eat it as a cold leftover too.  I will indicate in red what changes I made...

2 cans chickpeas (drained and rinsed) (use 1 can if not for a large crowd)

1/2 cup chicken broth (I added until the right consistency)

3 tablespoons olive oil

3-4 small tomatoes chopped and seeded

2 cloves garlic

1/4 cup parmesean cheese

3 tablespoons minced flat leaf parsley (I omitted because I cannot stand the taste-weird I know)

2 tablespoons squeezed lemon (I used half lemon)

salt & pepper

grilled baguette for serving (or pretzels and pita chips)

I first drained and rinsed the chickpeas in a colander.  I then added the chickpeas into the blender and added chicken broth as needed.  I pulsed so that it was chunky, not smooth.  Set aside.  I then sauteed the olive oil, garlic and tomatoes in a saute pan for 3-5 minutes.  You then add the chickpea mixture to the hot tomatoes in the pan.  Take off the heat and add the cheese, parsley, lemon juice and salt and pepper.  It can be served warm like this or you can refrigerate and serve cool or room temperature!  

*Best served warm if I must say so myself!

On a side note, I have been enjoying the herbivore sandwich from Caviar and Bananas lately.  Anyone tried it?  It is TO DIE FOR GOOD!!!!  They pile on hummus, marinated mushrooms, roasted tomatoes, bean and corn succotash and spinach all wrapped up in a grilled lavash wrap!  Mouth watering yet?   I am thinking this tuscan hummus would be perfect if you were to try recreating the herbivore sandwich at home!!!

Before & After: Boy's Chest

Hello!  I'm back!  It has now been over a year since I posted about a little DIY project for little R's room but I eventually made time for it!  Do you recall this chest???  With all of the missing knobs... 

Well it has remained in this condition with missing knobs until a few weeks ago!

 I did a little digging on my blog and realized the original post to attack this DIY was from September 2011!!!  What??  Ok, so call me lazy or busy but I got it done!!  I ended up ordering these pulls from Lee Valley (ones on the left)  

And I painted the chest with Annie Sloan Chalk Paint in the color Napoleanic Blue.  It really was quite easy because you do not have to prep your surface at all!  No sanding or priming, just slap the chalk paint right on.  It took me about 2 coats to thoroughly coat the whole chest.  It is quick drying so I was able to reapply the paint fairly quickly!  After it dries you rub a soft wax, also made by Annie Sloan, onto the surface of the piece you are painting.  That was an easy step as well.  
And voila!

I wanted it to match the small campaign chest across from it.  I found this little number at Charleston Revisions here in Mount Pleasant, SC and it was already painted!  Here you can also find Annie Sloan chalk paint for purchase!  

Have you ever used this brand of chalk paint?  I am thinking of painting a wall in our play room with chalk paint and wanted to get some feedback from you if you have had good/bad luck with any particular brands.  

Effortless Style

Are you familiar?  I have been a long time follower of Camila's blog, Effortless Style and I have always enjoyed her In Her Shoes segment that features different artists, designers, DIY'ers from around the country and let' sthem in on what a day in the life of that person is like.  All glitz and glamour right?!!!  I was thrilled to be asked to participate in her series today.  

So head on over here to see a glimpse of what "a day in the life" of this gal is like!  

Happy Friday my friends!

A Few Faves

Hope everyone had a Happy Easter!  I took a bunch of photos of our weekend at the beach but now can't get my camera to download pics to my computer-arggg!!!!!  Maybe later this week...but today I wanted to share a few sites I have been loving lately.

I know most of you who read this know that I am (mostly) a vegetarian with the exception of fish/shellfish and bacon.  Ha!  So weird I know but can't deny it!  If you too share my love of vegetarian food then you must check out Naturally Ella.  She has some of THE BEST looking recipes I have come across on the world wide web!!!  We made this last night......and the night before.  We added shrimp last night and I totally would have added black beans if we had them, but no luck (really was good without either)

via

I also have come across the cutest store on Etsy called Harriet's Haberdashery.  Even though I don't have a little girl, I still can't resist all the cuteness!!!

Nani Iro Sleeveless Shirtdress

Natural Linen Dress

Linen Dress with Peter Pan Collar

And this stuff..... the BOMB!!!!  I got mine when Pout! came to Novel. a couple of weeks ago.  After reading the package I was sold!  Here's why it's so great:

"Leaves skin noticeably radiant and glowing.

Activates moisturizing collagen synthesis.

Provides gentle resurfacing exfoliation.

Helps to leave skin smoother, brighter and softer.

Provides tighter skin texture and tighter pores.

Helps to provide a more youthful appearance.

Absorbs impurities without removing natural oils.

Helps to protect against free radical damage."
via

I walked out of the bathroom into where the boys were watching TV and scared the daylights out of them!!!   I wasn't sure what the mud mask would look like but came to find it basically looks like mud with black seaweed in it.  Really not a good look...but the results are worth the monster face!

Annnd just found this in my inbox from my mother in law