Benton's 4th Birthday

 Yesterday, the 28th was Benny's fourth birthday.  I can't believe my baby boy is four!  It seems like we just had his last birthday.  Time really is a thief!  We had so much celebrating him.  We picked up doughnuts for breakfast (Krispy Kreme had $5 dozens this week!) and enjoyed a slower morning prepping for a little party.   We invited a few family members over for lunch and cake.  We went back and fourth on whether or not to invite friends but decided to keep it small and just family because of the ongoing virus.  

Now for party details, we served one of Benny's favorites for lunch- hot dogs!  We kept it simple with a veggie tray, dips, hot dogs with toppings, chips, drinks, and of course the cake (lemon flavored requested by Benny).  I reused the blue birthday banner from his 2nd birthday party.  We already had the striped straws and cups leftover from another party so I just picked up napkins and plates from the Dollar Tree.  I had Publix blow up some in his favorite color blue balloons and a big number four balloon.  This was one of the easiest parties we've had yet in terms of prepping but I love how it turned out.  We all had a great time and made some sweet memories with our sweet boy.  

Dining Room Inspo

One of the rooms that's almost complete but not quite complete is our dining room.  We still need a new chandelier (we just have the builders fixture right now), drapery, and perhaps later on some paint or wallpaper.  Below is my inspiration board for the space including look-a-likes for items I already have.  I love the mix of traditional, formal, casual (the tray and pillows), and of course my favorite blue and white colors.  

Chandelier Shade | Lampshade | Buffet | Lapis Dinner Plate | Striped sage pillow | Curtain Panel | Trim | Sconce | Blue and White Plate | Blue planter | Tray | Tablecloth

In our dining room right now, we're using our dining table we purchased from Bassett about 8 years ago.  I think eventually I'd like a something that compliments the buffet better.  We have a beautiful antique buffet, similar to the one above that I bought second hand.  On top of the buffet we're using my grandmothers alabaster lamp bases that she gave us after we got married.  She bought them in the mid 1960's and they're such a treasure to have!  I do need new lamp shades on them and really want the ones blue and white pleated ones shown. 

 I found my gilt bow mirror on Facebook marketplace a couple of years ago and the matching sconces on Etsy from 2 different sellers.  The tea set and candlesticks also on the buffet were passed down from my aunt before she passed away and have a lot of sentimental value.  I found the grasscloth runner from Crate and Barrel and love it!

My blue plate wall is a collection of plates from various places including antique stores, discount stores, and Replacements, Inc.  My favorite place to source plates is Replacements, Inc.  You can find just about anything there!  

Valentines Finds

Who else really likes Valentines Day?? To be honest, growing up and even while dating/married to my husband I was never a big fan.  I thought it was overrated.  The restaurants were always over-crowded, the flowers and what not were always marked up in price, and it didn't feel like a "Hallmark" movie day.  However, after having children, it has become a much more fun and special day.  Last year we made cupcakes with friends, we made fun Valentines for Mary-Grace to deliver at school, and loved all things hearts, pink, and red.   I'm sure this year it'll be another sugar-filled day of love.  I've rounded up some really cute finds to celebrate the day or for a cute gift!

Pink sleep set: here | Sweater: here  | Pink shoes: here | Red sneakers: here 

Cake sparkler: here | "Love Is" book: here | Tote basket: here | Heart hair bow: here | Womens sleep set: here

Apron: here | Cookie cutters: here | Plates: here | Garland: here | Swaddle: here | "Hug Machine" book: here | Earrings: here

Christmas and winter decor

October flew by and now we're heading towards the middle of November, crazy, just like 2020!  I love decorating for the holidays but I'm not one that generally puts a lot out.  Putting up the main tree is a big job in itself!  We have our tree in our living room, our tree for the kids, our fireplace mantle, a few outdoor pieces like a wreath and maybe some other bows, and I'll decorate the dining room table and maybe add another wreath in there.  With kids though, I find that we are decorating more than we use to, for every holiday.  We usually start bringing out the decor the day after Thanksgiving but I'm thinking of doing it the weekend before this year.  When do you usually put out your holiday decor?  I love hearing others traditions as well so if you have any to share, please do!  We usually put up the tree while watching a movie.  If it's cold enough, turning on the fireplace is nice.  Below, I've compiled some of my very favorite holiday decor pieces, many of which I have such as the bow wreath holder, the boxwood wreath, ribbon, and garland.   The sources for all are listed with the links for you!

Bauble Stocking: here | Red velvet ribbon: here | Gilded Pears: here | Boxwood wreath: here

Tray: here | Mistletoe ornament: here | Bells: here | Garland: here | Nativity: here

Painted ornament: here | Candle: here | Green ornament: here | Bow wreath holder: here

Fall favorites

   There's already Christmas and holiday decor out in stores and on store sites, as I'm sure you've seen, and while I love Christmas decor,  I'm still in fall mode over here for now.  Velvets, greens, browns, and cozy fabrics are among what I'm loving.  I've rounded up a few of my favorite items that I'm loving this fall to share with you.  Some of these items I already have and are using right now such as the Barbour jacket (which I scored for 1/4 the price brand new on Poshmark), the pumpkins, and magnolia stems.  The other items are on my wishlist and are from brands I've already purchased from and love!

Tea towels: here | Velvet pumpkins: here  | Pajamas: here | Slipper: here | Planter: here

Candlesticks: here | Pumpkin embroidery napkins: here | Throw: here | Decor ribbon: here 

Magnolia Bush: here | Monogram pumpkin: here | Hair bow: here | Jacket: here | Mug: here 

Rattan/Woven Trend

One of the trends in both fashion and home right now is rattan/natural fiber.  Almost every store I've seen, every decor photo, and every fashion website has a piece made from rattan or some other woven natural fiber such as straw or seagrass.  I've always loved this medium because it reminds me of the coast which I love. Right now in my own home you'll find woven tote bags, baskets, the placements shown below, the table shown below (which is super popular) and a rattan tray.  If the kids didn't already have play table chairs then I'd scoop up these darling chairs with the bow back.  Are you loving this trend as much as I am?

Placemat  | Dining Chair | Bow Chair | Bowl | Hair Clip | Earrings | Table | Lamp Shade | Clutch | Vase | Glasses | Picture Frame | Baskets

Back to School

August starts tomorrow and most schools will be starting a new year in the next couple of weeks, crazy!  The summer break flew by.  As we all know, this school year, just like last, will be a bit different for most.  Parents like myself and school districts have been faced with the difficult decision on whether or not to send their kids to school in-person or to have them attend virtually from home.  Mary-Grace's school will have only virtual learning for the 1st nine weeks.  It won't be easy to manage but we know she'll be safest at home. 

I have a lot of conflicting feelings about how things have gone lately due to the virus.  I feel sad for Mary-Grace when I think of the additional activities she'll miss out on.  She's had a great spring and summer (mostly at home) but I'm sad that she's missed out on playing with most of her friends, attending summer camps, field trips, going to museums, etc.  Every night after she says her prayers, I ask her if she's had a good day and what her favorite part of the day was, and she almost always tells me it was a great day which is reassuring for me.  She’s having fun just playing outside, riding her bike,  and watching movies with us.   Luckily for Benny, he's at an age where he won't remember much about these crazy times and has fun doing just about anything.

Even though Mary-Grace will be attending school virtually for the first quarter, she will still use many of the items that she would need if she were attending in-person.  I'm sharing with you some of our favorite back to school items that we have that are great for both virtual and at home schooling! 

I've been eyeing this Plaid Dress for Mary-Grace for the fall.  It would also be the perfect back to school dress in my opinion!

This sweet monogram Collared Shirt would be so cute under a jumper, paired with a skirt or with pants.  

These apple Socks are so cute for the fall.  They'd look adorable with the collared shirt I mentioned and a skirt.

Both Mary-Grace and Benny have this YETI Water Bottle.  It's the best. I love that it keeps their drinks (especially milk) cold all day.  It's easy to clean (dishwasher!) and to carry around.  I plan to get them each an additional bottle.

I got this Pennant for Kindergarten last year and I used it for the first day of school and last day of school pictures.  I plan to get one to use for first grade as well.

Unfortunately masks are the new norm right now.  Mary-Grace has a Snow White mask that was gifted to her and is adorable (if a mask can be adorable?).   I really like how this White face mask has a monogram option so that everyone will know it's hers.  I've seen the idea of putting the mask on a lanyard for kids so they don't lose it or have to set it down if they remove it for minute which I think is so smart.

I got these exact Name Labels for Mary-Grace last year and loved them.  They stuck on everything for the whole year, even after being washed.  I still have some leftover labels for this year to use.  I stuck them to everything- notebooks, water bottles, lunchbox, pencil case, tags on her coats, etc.  

For the past 2 years Mary-Grace has used a set of plastic food containers with snap-on lids that I got from Home Goods to carry her lunch to school.  I really love this Food Container that has great reviews and I think she'd love the fact that it's pink!  I'll plan to get Benny one also so he's not left out.

These Red Kids are just a classic and is such a great color for summer through winter.  They will hold up well on the playground and look cute with almost anything.  They come in other colors and look so cute on both boys and girls.  I got Benny a red pair and I found a blue pair second hand that looks brand new that he can wear next year.  

I bought Benny these alphabet Pajamas when they were on sale last week.  I'm keeping an eye out for when Mary-Grace's size is hopefully restocked.  They love wearing matching pajamas. Even though Mary-Grace has been really into wearing nightgowns I think she'll like these so she can match her brother.  

Pandemic or no pandemic, hand sanitizer is always a must in schools.  I love this Sanitizer Holder that can be hooked to a book bag or lunchbox for easy access and it won't get lost.  

I bought this Lunchbox for Mary-Grace before she started preschool in the light pink color and had it monogramed in navy.  It's held up so well (even through the washer a few times).  It comes in several fun colors and there are dozens of monogram options.  

How sweet are these Memory Page inserts to help remember information from each school year??  It would be such a special gift for your child when they graduate. 

Mary-Grace was gifted this Blue book bag in the bright pink color.  It's just right for her size and is very durable.  It comes in a few other color choices as well and can also be monogramed.

We got these Headphones for her to use in kindergarten last year.  For the price they have worked out well.   I'm sure once we start virtual learning she'll use them even more than she did in class.  I'm thinking of getting Benny the blue ones for him to use to stay busy and quiet while Mary-Grace is involved with her Zoom or Google class meetings.  

A Wet/Dry Bag is a must for preschoolers and kindergarteners to store a change of clothes if needed.  It would also work well for older kids who may want to carry around a few things like a hair brush, chapstick, facewipes, etc.  

Another cute mask option is this Seersucker face mask.