FLASHBACK: Our Patio in Carbondale 2010

I'm going back in time again and posting some stuff from our second home. This time it's our patio.

Really relaxing here

Perfect extension of our living room

The furniture are from Target. We bought them on clearance before moving here. Pillows are all from Restoration Hardware, on clearance as well for a price you won't believe - $10!!!

Sentimental art

This art work used to be in my living room. A gift from my mom bought at TJ Maxx. Used to be painted black but I spray-painted them white,

There you have it. I liked this set so much that in our current patio, I just could not let go of this set. And that goes to show that if you really like something, it will always look good to YOU. And in design I think that is the MOST IMPORTANT!

Have a nice day!!!!!!

Recyle Please

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE!!!!! 

I have been crazy busy lately, just got back from a 2-day flight (Yes, you read it right, 2 days of airports and airplanes!!!!), and unpacking like crazy and trying to re-start with my real job (rounding in a bit), still having a jet lag, but still, have a little time to do this short post. And since it's the new year and all, I really want to share with you one of the ways we try to help our Mother Earth - Recycling...


I have tried to instill in my kids the importance of recycling and with that, I have to come up with a system that is easy for my 6 year old to understand. As they say " pictures speak louder than words"...

Symbols just downloaded from the internet

Bins are from Ikea 

FLASHBACK: Christmas 2010

The Christmas Decor in our Rented home in 2010

FLASHBACK: Kids rooms in Carbondale 2010

Forgive me, but I am feeling very nostalgic lately. Maybe because the kids are growing up so fast, maybe because I don't have anything "new" to post or maybe both. Whatever it is, bear with me. 

When I started this blog I not only knew that friends would see my thoughts and life like an open book, but also, I knew my children would too. Although none of them (not now at least) has shown any interest in design whatsoever (fine by me), I know they might get to read and see this blog all together. And I want them to see how mommy cared for them in her own little way.

This was Nio's room...

Comfy big boy bed

Study area - very important

Bookshelves filled with memories..

.. and books of course

reading nook with ample lighting

His "pet" fossils in his bowl

I felt that Nio was no longer the little boy I once knew and that turning 10, marked the start of his "Tween" years. So, I decorated a room for him that could grow with him into his teen years(well, that didn't happen because we moved!). His room reflected his interests, hence the map and the books. And like any mom, I wanted to show how proud I was with anything and everything he does, so I displayed some of his art. 

Now to Aidan's room...

  

Still my "baby"

His study area

His artworks

Trundle bed underneath for at that time, Nida

Aidan's room on the other hand is still very "kiddie" - a lot of bright colors and furniture, decor. 

I did not buy anything new when we moved to this house for his room. These were all our old stuff.  Bed is from their bunkbed, table and chairs and rug from ikea, an old school chair I bought from a thrift store and his toy chest.  Wall decor both from Ikea and Marshalls.

Most of their toys ended up in the family room so that the bedroom was just mainly for sleeping, studying or relaxing. I think too much stimulus in a child's room is a bad idea (woohoo, very late bedtimes anyone?!).

Anyway, I'll show the kids rooms as it looks now when I fix it well enough. It's a work in progress, but I think we're getting "there".

Have an awesome day!!!!!

FLASHBACK: Thanksgiving 2010

          Since this blog is "fresh form the oven", I have to do a bit of a flashback at times to post my other decorations /set-up that I may have or may not have shared in Facebook.

         And since this Holiday is around the corner, and since I may or may not be hosting the Thanksgiving dinner this year ( depending on wether my Chicago Friends show up or not - ATTN: My and My), I thought of posting my set-up last year!

        I Know, I know, this looks more like Christmas than Thanksgiving, but since I really don't decorate that much for thanksgiving, all my Christmas stuff are usually ready after halloween!! In the end, we all had a lot to be thankful for, new home, new friends and we even made a souvenir Christmas ornament with all the we were thankful for for that year!!!!

Advance Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

Cheers!!!!!!