It's the little things

I do not always agree with people when they say, "dont sweat the small stuff."  Why the hell not?  In my book, it's the small stuff that matters.  I've got the big picture under control...now I just  need to get the small stuff in order and I'm all good.  And that comes with stress and sweat.

It's also the small stuff that makes me happy.   For the first time in awhile, I stayed at home all day yesterday in my pjs.  I cleaned, watched reality tv, did laundry, watched reality tv, laid around, watched reality tv, and then watched more reality tv.  It. was. awesome.  Grafton even got to watch the Kardashian's.  Don't judge.

And while I laid around yesterday, I noticed the small stuff in my house that  puts a smile on my face. 

And of course, this little guy makes me smile. This was during our Kardashian marathon in bed yesterday. I was just getting him caught up so he could watch My Big Fat Ass Wedding in October! Oh, that was mean.

 

G's Play list

My kid is really into music these days.  And not just any kind.  The kind you play loud and sing along to.  The kind that makes you shake your ass.  And let me tell you, the kid can shake his ass.  My only problem is that he makes up dance moves and then shows his teachers at school, and tells them that I taught him!  Um, excuse me, but I did not teach you the "Scooter," where you kick back your leg like a spaz and run around like a crazy man.  I had nothing to do with that one.

Here are G's top songs right now.  These are the ones that he tells me to turn up in the car LOUDER!!!  The best part is that if you turn the volume down really fast,  you can catch him singing along. 

The Cave:  Mumford & Sons
Party Rock Anthem:  LMAFO
Home:  Edward Sharpe
Roll Away Your Stone:  Mumford & Sons
Pumped up Kicks:  Foster the People

and of course, Baby:  Justin Beiber.  Sometimes I pretend like we somehow lost that one.  I dont know how it happened, but I cant find it on the ipod anymore. 

The other night, G was playing his bongo drums in the living room, looked up, and announced the he was Justin Beiber.  At least he didnt say Matthew McConaughey, right?

Friday Feature: Lovie Dodd

Damn, life keeps getting in the way!  I've taken a summer hiatus from blogging.  Not on purpose.  School is about to start back up, so I guess I should start back too.  Get my creative juices flowing.  Clear the cobwebs off my brain and get going.

I'll ease back in with a Friday Find.  My sweet friend, Allison, recently started a blog called lovie dodd that is so cute.  I could not tell you the last time we saw each other in person, but we email all of the time about decorating.  I help her, she helps me, you know how that goes.  Allison has great taste and has the vintage/flea market/farmers market thing going that I wish I had.  We met in 1995, our freshman year in college.  She has always had a little bit of hippy-earth-girl in her without smelling like potchouli, which I like!

This morning, Allison and I were emailing back and forth about fabric for our kitchens.  She sends me a picture of this great Trina Turk fabric.  The problem?  $112 per yard.  I would call that a major problem in my book.

So, I suggested that she google it and see if anyone is selling remnants from design projects.  Then, I search in my long blog role for a great resource called The Designer's Attic.  She is a interior designer that has a blog solely devoted to selling left over fabric from projects.  I click on the link and...SHUT THE FRONT DOOR PEOPLE, ARE YOU KIDDING ME!?!?!  This is today's post:

I don't even know what you call that kind of luck.  $35 per yard.  AH-MAY-ZING. 

Babble Post

I have a million errands that I could be doing right now, but that would involve spending money at each stop.  So I'm going to be good and blog instead.  It's free.  Actually, I'm just putting off the money spending until tomorrow.  But it makes me feel good about myself, so just let me have my moment.

I've been absent on PMB for awhile.  Zero excuses other than life.  So here goes...Where should I start?

Easter.  My kid could care less about Easter Egg Hunts.  He had one at school and one at the Colliers.  And he just looks at me like, mom, why in the hell do these kids want to run around in the yard and put these stupid eggs in a basket?  And why are all of my friends dressed so ridiculous.  I can even read his little mind.  He's probably thinking Easter Egg Hunts are for girls.  That's the phase we are in right now.  Everything lame is for girls.  Bandaids are for girls.  Red M&Ms are for girls.  I even have to turn the radio off if a girl is singing the song.  But he likes Justin Beiber.  I just don't get it.  The best part about Easter?  Green donuts, blue cookies, and chocolate candy. 

The Burly Roadshow continues on.  But now it's the Burly-Hood Roadshow.  At the end of April, we went to see Mumford & Sons, Edward Sharpe and Old Crowe Medicine Show.  They did the Railroad Revival Tour across the US and literally rode the train to each of their 5 shows, which were all along the tracks.  And let me just say, it was a.w.e.s.o.m.e.  At the very end, the Austin High marching band came out and joined them on stage.  I totally dork out when it comes to marching bands and drum lines.  Thank God everyone else did too.

Then we packed the car and headed to Memphis.  Why?  Because Mumford & Sons and the Avett Brothers were playing at Musicfest.  Oh, and my family lives there.  4 adults a 2 year old and 23 total hours in the car.  It was all worth it though.  I got to see my family, one of my best friends, good music and lots of rain and mud.  Oh, and we ate our way through the city.  Love me some pronto pups.

Last weekend, Nicole and I did the Jailbreak run out in Burnet, TX.  3.8 miles, 15 obstacles and a shitload of mud.  It was super tough but a blast.  And now she thinks I can do the Tough Mudder.  Um, no thanks.  Then we headed to Hardtails (biker bar) with the neighborhood gang to see an 80s band and dance like we were in middle school.  Were we successful?  Hellz yea.

Tonight we are going to see Augustana at La Zona Rosa.  One of the worst venues.  I feel like I'm in some emo-kid's basement, and if my mom founds out, I'm in deep shit.  But oh well, I heart Augustana so I'm going.  Then next weekend is Houston to see Avett Brothers and the Wheelers.  Then Hot Springs on Memorial Day weekend, and leaving for Colorado on June 11th. 

Somehow in the midst of all of this chaos, I find time to actually work.  Although laundry is a different story....I have zero clean socks

Enough Already!

You've got to be sick and tired of hearing about my orange velvet chair.  It will be hard, but this is the last time I'll talk about it, I promise. 

I picked up the chair a few weeks ago and I LOVE IT!  (You have to scream it in your best Oprah Australia voice.)  In Heaven.  It makes me weak at the knees, like Dan Layus.  Or Will Burleson.

You know I love a good before and after pic. So here you go:

BEFORE:

AFTER:

How bout them apples?? 

The Burly Roadshow

I have Spring Fever in a bad way.  Real bad.  The sun comes out, the temps get above 70, the mind starts racing, and I can't say no.  To me, Spring brings on parties and playgrounds.  Front Porch Happy Hours are back and bedtimes are out the window.  No plans today?  Let's make plans!  Because why would you want to sit at home on a day like this? 

The thing that is most affected by all of this spring fever is my checking account.  In a bad way.  Real bad.

It wasn't even March yet and The Burly Roadshow began.  First stop, Flogging Molly in Dallas.  The Hoods ventured up there with us and let me just say this.  Flogging Molly should be renamed Flogging Mimi.  Because that's exactly what happened.  They kicked my ass.  However, I'm not going to let it hinder the rest of my plans. 

The Burly Roadshow 2011:
Feb 8-9, Dallas TX:  Flogging Molly @ House of Blues
March 27, Austin TX:  Captial 10k
April 9, Fredericksburg TX:  Wine Tour
April 14, Houston TX:  Avett Brothers @ Verizon Theatre
April 15-17, Houston/LaGrange TX:  MS 150 Bike Ride
April 17, Round Rock TX:  Zac Brown Band @ Dell Diamond
April 26, Austin TX:  Railroad Revival Tour
April 29-May 1, Memphis TN:  Memphis in May Music Festival
May 7, Burnet TX:  Jailbreak Run
May 13, Austin TX:  Augustana & The Maine @ LaZona Rosa
June 11, Morrison CO:  Big Head Todd @ Red Rocks
June 12-18, Crested Butte, Colorado

And then I'll need a break, in a bad way.  Real bad.

In the mood?

I love putting together mood boards for people.  Design boards, idea boards.  Whatever you want to call it, I love it.  Give me the choice between a chocolate cake and spending hours and hours decorating someone's house, and I'll choose to go hungry. 

I rarely start with a blank room, unless I'm just being creative for the hell of it.  I always start with the basics..pieces of furniture or accessories that my friends own and want to keep.  It ranges from rug selection to redecorating an entire bedroom.  And most of what I put together is available to purchase for a reasonable price.  Unless you have an unlimited budget or just want ideas.  And then I go crazy. 

Here are a few that I've put together lately. If you are interested, let me know!

Allison asked me for help with a new rug in her living room.  She has the sofa and chair, and she had just gotten an accent chair upholstered in the black and white zig zag fabric.  Just for fun, I threw in a few other accessories that she loved!   

Noel is dying to have this leather sofa from Restoration Hardware, so I thought it would be fun to put together a room around it.  I fell in love with the Red Cross flag from Emily Henderson's house and I thought it would be perfect for them. 

My friend Lindsay is expecting a baby boy soon and asked me for help with the nursery.  One of their rooms already has a log-cabin-type wallpaper that they wanted to keep so I went with the rustic camping look without going too crazy and themey.  I hate themey.  I think I just made that word up.

Brandon and Lindsey (a different Lindsey) are in the process of redecorating their bedroom.  I put together a few different looks for them, and then found the floral fabric at Calico Corner and decided to go with it.  They have already purchased the bedding, reupholstered a chaise in the floral fabric and purchased lamps.  When we're done I'll post before and after pics!