A look at Birthday's Past

My boys are approaching their 4th birthday! Oh my gosh. I can't believe it. Every year around February I start asking the boys what they want to do for their birthdays. The interior designer in me LOVES planning the party but I also don't love how much time it takes. The 2nd year birthday I went all out and had some great help. The 3rd birthday we lucked out with a party at Home Depot (FREE! Ryan said it should be after all the money we spend there). On their first birthday we had just moved to Washington so we didn't have a party. But we did take these super cute photos.

Two years we had a BIG party, choo choo train themed. It was super fun but a lot of work. Last year we did a "Bob the Builder Party" (scroll down). Here's a look back to what we did two years ago.

Invitations:

Designed my my good friend Garrett McFarland

I took some pictures of my boys for the decorations. These are a few of my favorites. 

They outgrew these adorable boots months ago which makes me sad. Below are photos of the decor I used and the day of the party before guests arrived. 

Last year, for their 3rd birthday (these birthdays all seem like yesterday) we did a "Bob the Builder" themed party at had it at Home Depot.

This year? Who knows! I haven't really asked the boys but I want something low key! Anyone have any fun ideas?

Our first home!

Almost two years ago (April of 2014) Ryan accepted a job promotion/transfer with Chrysler. Before he even accepted the position I started looking at houses as that's what my designer mind does. I had never been to Texas but we heard it was cheaper to buy than to rent. We also had learned that our money would go a lot further on a home in Texas than it would in Washington.

Ryan and I knew we didn't want to live in the suburbs. But if we did ... we could have a home 3-4 times the size of the one we bought with a pool! We researched as best as we could via the internet and decided we wanted to be near White Rock Lake which is 20 minutes from downtown, urban living. I flew out to Dallas, TX Easter weekend. My mom flew to WA to watch my boys. After a long weekend of searching we made an offer on a house.

The house is in a neighborhood called Little Forest Hills a couple blocks from the lake. They are old homes that were built in the 1940s as Lake/Beach Homes. Many are VERY old, others have been renovated and some have been torn down and are new modern builds. The area is super eclectic and so random. VERY FUNKY. Lots of character in these homes. We have fallen in love with the area. Our house is old but we love it and love the location. I plan to post some pictures of all the fun and random homes in our neighborhood.

Here are some photos of what it looked like staged before we moved in:

Our home currently looks this this! I'm now working on redecorating the office. Pics to come soon!

Christmas Windows

This post never and last year ... so here it is! So decorating for Christmas this year has been kind of exiting. First we are in our FIRST home (2nd year now)! Secondly I decided I would host the appetizer for a Christmas progressive dinner here at my house. It was on December 6th. I had A LOT to do to prepare! While searching for some cute ideas I came across some fun festive holiday windows here. I set off to Michael s one night to create my own. Now let me tell you a little secret. When it comes to some of my ideas ... there is a rather large elf that helps in these creations. His name is Ryan. My WONDERFUL husband that helps my creations become a reality. HE is so awesome with the xacto knife. My patience and dexterity is pretty bad. So thanks to him and his cutting skills my front windows turned out pretty cute this year! Time consuming but SUPER cheap.

Inspiration to Creation

Shout to my husband Ryan. He has always been so creative and handy. When it comes to design I often think of things I could make or do to the house but I get stuck at the inspiration part. Ryan actually helps me turn the inspirations and ideas into action. Last year I wanted to do something different than a regular traditional Christmas tree. I found a few ideas I liked - see them here and then Ryan went to work. We love our little wooden modern Christmas tree. I'm so lucky he is so handy!

Christmas Mantle Happiness

Hello and Merry Christmas! Today I am sharing some pictures from my mantle I decorated this year (2015). This is usually one of my favorite areas to decorate as it's in the middle area of our home (we have a really open floor plan) and the fireplace/mantle traditionally is always decorated. I completely redo this area from top to bottom. I even bring in a new floor rug (its in another room during the year) as the bright blue that is usually there does not match the traditional red/green pallet. It's quite the process but I enjoy it and love the spirit of Christmas it evokes throughout the month.