Springtime

I absolutely love the spring, there is nothing quite as refreshing as being able to walk outside in just a light sweater after a long winter hibernation.

Anique and I took a little walk down the street today, after I finally finished the sweater I have been knitting for her for far too long.  I still need to spend a bit of time this evening to block the sweater out so it fits a bit better, but otherwise I love it!

Isn't the yarn fantastic?!  I saw it months and months ago and just had to buy it.  The yarn is Archangel by Malabrigo, they always have the most wonderful colours and the wool is so soft!

Its been quiet lately

I've been a bit quiet around here lately, on the blog at least.

But it has been more than a bit busy in the real world at our house.  Between work, coaching rugby, coursework and family its been a busy busy week.

I started my coursework for RAIC syllabus this week and had my first assignment due Monday for a theory class.  If you don't know what syllabus is, it is essentially the distance education version of architecture school.  Usually, it takes 10 years to complete, but since I have an undergraduate degree in Architectural Science I should be able to pick up some credits and seriously decrease the time required to complete.  It is just one more step in the direction towards becoming a Registered Architect.

But even between all the busy I've still been trying to be really focused on sitting down everyday with Anique and just enjoying the time together.  I love the mischievous grin she gives me when she wants to play.  I love how fast she runs, and how she will chase after us to play catch. Yesterday she picked up Brunswick's leash and looked outside, even without words she communicates.  She can be a total goof one second, yet totally serious the next.  She's already got so much personality for such a little kiddo, and I just can't help but be happy when I'm with her.

Many Many Thanks!!

Recently Jenny Komeda of Little Green Notebook and Lewis & Sheron Fabrics teamed up to host a competition where the winner received a $100 credit towards fabric from Lewis & Sheron.

I was the super lucky winner you guys!!!  I was on a total high for days, and I wanted to send a big thank you out to Jenny and Sheron & Lewis Fabrics!!

I have spent almost a week perusing fabrics, and to be honest, I am stuck.  We have a ton of projects that need fabric, there are so many great choices, and I am totally torn.

Verandah or Bedroom?  Verandah or Bedroom?

Verandah

Start off right away with some light and breezy drapes, organic patterns are perfect! Bold and graphic trellis pattern for the banquet seating. Striped cushions for the banquet, bold lines and bright colours compliment the trellis.  Some fun and outrageous florals for the great vintage chairs with gold velour.

I can picture the whole thing put together already!

Or, Bedroom

Scandinavian inspired bird motif for the drapes.  Moving on to a trellis mixed with a light floral for chair upholstery and simple stripes for cushions for the chair.

The bedroom is really much more simple because we already have bedding, but the verandah holds a lot of serious potential for fun fabrics.

Decisions, decisions!

Family Time

Lately, we have been making sure to spend lots of family time together on the weekends.  Just time to enjoy each other, to remind us of how much we love our little family of three (ok, ok, four including Brunswick).  Family walks and family suppers have been the big ones with the start of the spring farmer's market and the start of spring like weather.

The small things

Lately I've been trying to relax a bit about life,  things aren't always easy and sometimes a whole lot of small things turn into a bunch of big things.

That was one of the best things about being on maternity leave, the ability to just sit back and relax.  I had time to really just live in the moment, and enjoy it all.  Time to cuddle with Anique on the sofa for nap, or bathtime fun, even just watching her for hours hoping to see some new and fabulous milestone.  

Being back at work (even from home) makes that kind of relaxation really hard.  You're tired, there are deadlines, clients aren't happy with their product, kiddo isn't sleeping, daycare wasn't as easy as you thought, so on and so on.  

The moment gets lost and muddled.

I realized that a couple of weeks ago.  The seas were getting rougher, the storm was building, and we all felt lost in the midst of it.  

Today I sat in the middle of my very messy kitchen and watched Anique explore, I just sat and enjoyed again.   I didn't just let the moment pass, I watched it pass and I enjoyed it pass.

I didn't worry about the dishes, or the toys, or the laundry, or the million diy projects cluttered around the house. Those can wait.

I'm going to make the effort to just enjoy more often, life is better that way.

This is one of the moments I really miss now.

Dresser Redo - Part Two

It has been a long time coming, but finally one of the dressers is complete!  Mini YAY! In case you forgot what they looked like before our amazing transformation of awesomeness: Dresser Redo - Part One

Now while the dresser is done, the bedroom isn't, so it isn't quite in its natural habitat yet.  But give it time, and then we will have a full bedroom reveal!

Onto the photos!

Remember what I said about neon??

The old hardware stuck around... but with some lipstick.

As my husband stated "it definitely isn't the same dresser anymore."  Stay tuned for the upcoming tutorial and total bedroom revamp!

Also, who doesn't love a baby in sunglasses?

Super Fashion!

Reclaiming Space

We all have one.  That one room in the house that is a total wasteland.  Full of odds and ends, junk and hand me downs.  The room of collection.

We all walk by that room and sigh.  We know that room could be something great.  But until it then, it stagnates.

My room greets me every time I leave my house, and every time I return to it.  It's the first room visitors see, and its an eyesore.  It's my veranda.

Bikes have taken over my veranda :(

An entire wall of windows going to waste.

The really sad part is that my veranda is awesome you guys!  It is probably the best space in my house during the spring and summer and right now it is just going to waste.

But there is hope, oh yes there is and it starts with two chairs.  I picked them up today and I am so happy!!!

I even love the gold velour!!!

The table my husband and "les boys" made in highschool.  One of my favourites!

So that is where my reclamation of my veranda begins.  With two chairs.  Soon, there will be drapes, a carpet and room for my kiddo to play while Marc and I read and drink tea... or whatever two grown adults are supposed to do on a veranda.  Board games perhaps?

What room is your reclamation room?  Where do you begin to turn it around into a space that you love?