Perception vs. Reality: Playroom

I spend a lot of time on Pinterest.  It's my new hobby.  I have MANY boards.  I get giddy when I see that someone "likes or "re-pins" something I've posted.  I feel accomplished and validated.  I know that my house can look like this.  The images on the web prove it.  Here are a couple of images that I found for playrooms.  

The first is obviously a girl's room, but neutral out the colors,  make the mirrors into cars or rockets, change the chandelier and VOILA!  I can see my boys sitting quietly in the chairs playing with their puzzles or reading their books.

Photo from potterybarnkids.com

I think this is precious.  All their books lined up on the shelf and some artwork on the walls.  Perhaps their toys are organized and placed into these drawers.  Shoes are lined up and the rug is clean.

Photo from HGTV

Here is another example of a storage wall.  Toys and books are neatly kept in order in these nooks with easy to pull out wicker baskets.  The crayons, pens or paints are nicely organized on the "work" table with the kids happy and calm.

Photo from projectnursey.com

I can SO see my boys sitting in these quietly reading.  The room would stay clean and organized.

Photo from magiccabin.com

And then I realize that I'm delusional.  This is my reality.  The cute chairs from pottery barn (that the boys were supposed to sit quietly in) are pushed all the way back against the wall, unused and forgotten.  The drawer and shelf (that would have organized books and toys neatly stowed away) are nearly empty - with everything all over the floor.  The floors are FILTHY with stains from leaky milk bottles and sippy cups.  I realize that, even if I had the beautiful rooms like ones above, the outcome would still look like this. 

Photo from the boys playroom

But I think they look happy... don't you?  My house is never going to look organized and clean like those Pinterest photos.  But it will be full of love and craziness... and that makes me happy.

Starbucks Daily: Mug Love

I've recently been on a home improvement craze. You've seen my horrid bathroom dilemma and I think I've got my colors down. I shout a special THANKS to Holly Sumruld who took me fabric shopping to help with color choices.

My kitchen is also under fire and I've taken to completely re-organize it. Pinterest tells me that all I need are wicker baskets, mason jars, and burlap. I went to IKEA to buy the baskets (which were too big and now I have to return them), Wal-Mart for the mason jars (which don't seem to hold much), and I can't quite figure out what in the world burlap would be used for, but I'm sure I'll find out.

As I'm emptying the cupboards to find out what I'm keeping, tossing, and donating, I realize that I have quite a few Starbucks mugs from my travels - and from everyone else's too.

When I was young I loved CATS. I was easy to buy gifts for. I got cat figurines, cat music boxes, cat books, cat prints, cat calendars, etc. My sister would get cool stuff like pretty hair accessories, necklaces, purses, and such. I got cat magnets. While I still love cats, I've come to realize that, over time, the cat theme has transferred to Starbucks mugs.

Behold my collection and despair!



Now that I'm older and less pissy (cough) I actually appreciate these thoughtful gifts. So, if you ever find yourself in another city or country, please bring me back a regional Starbucks mug to add to my collection. Or a necklace.

Avocado Green Hell

I need to paint my master bathroom.  We are most likely putting the house up for sale in the next year and we need to start getting the house ready and updated.  However, we have NO BUDGET to do any substantial remodeling.  My bathroom is troublesome.  It's a sea of avocado green.  Avocado green sinks, avocado green vanities, and an avocado green tub and surround.  These are going to have to stay.  We don't have the budget to replace them.  So, paint.  But what color do I paint the bathroom so it doesn't look like it's right out of a bad 1970's TV sit-com?  Wait.  Let me show you:

This is my half.  Paul's half is exactly the same on the other side of the mirror.

I've googled and googled.  I've collected paint chips.  I've looked at designer books.  I know I have to paint the base cabinets, but I think white is out.  It would really make the vanity top color pop out.  That is what I DON'T want to happen.  I also don't want to paint the walls green.  I've read that to lessen the impact of a particular feature, you should add more of the same color.  YUCK.  No, I don't want to do that either.  So.  I'm looking for suggestions.  I'd REALLY like Paul to re-tile the floor, but we'll see if he has the time and patience for it.

I see alot of this combination.  I just don't know what to do with it.

I don't really want to paint the walls a dark color because the room is already dark AND I do want to stay somewhat neutral for potential buyers.

I'm more drawn to this color combination.

Anyway, I'd love to have your thoughts.

Thanks!

Some Of My Favorite Things

There are a couple of things I find that I simply can not live without these days.   My morning Starbucks is one of them.  I order a Venti, half-caf, 2 pump, non-fat, no whip Mocha.  Most days the Baristas get the order right.  Way too often I get a full mocha beverage (6 pumps) or I get a (gag) white mocha.  I really hate those and will go back to have them correct it.

Last night I started to think about the other things that I love.  This excludes family, religion, and politics... I obviously love and have opinions about these but they are highly personal and not for sharing :-)  But THESE I must share:

I LOVE this product:

This sets me back about $144.00 but will last me about 3 months.  It makes my skin glow.  I've always wanted glowy skin...  Some people feel a tingle after they apply it, but I have not.

While I love the entire Mary Kay Miracle Set, I love the TimeWise® Day Solution Sunscreen SPF 25* the most.  When I apply it over the C E Ferulic it just adds to the dewy glow that I love so much.  It's about $30.00 every 3 months.

I sometimes apply a primer and foundation, but mostly I just use this Revision Intellishade SPF 45 Tinted Moisturizer.  It's only about $48.00 and it's MAGIC!  It goes on smooth and it really does adjust to my specific coloring after a few minutes.

I really love the way my skin looks these days - and really for the first time ever.  I'm 45 now and love my skin!  Yes, I have wrinkles, freckles, and the occasional acne and I am starting to see some sag in my jaw and throat area, but these products have truely helped to improve my skin tone and reduce fine lines.  After the twins were born, I seriously don't think I washed my face for a year.  I was so depressed at how I looked.  I now look forward to my nightly skin routine and I don't think I look too much like my age.

Sleeping.  I've always had some problems here.  When I was pregnant, my doctor prescribed Ambien to help me sleep.  I loved those little pills, but I only got about 4-5 hours of good sleep.  Once I woke up, that was it.  No going back to sleep. 

About 6 months ago I discoved this:

I drink it every night.  At first I drank it because I liked the taste and I like something hot before I go to bed.  Then I started sleeping all night long and, if I woke up, I was able to go back to sleep.  I am addicted to this tea!