Violet - One Year

5.31.2011
One. Year. Old. You're a one year old sweetheart! I still can't believe it. This letter is a little late because I've been having trouble bringing myself to write it - so bittersweet. You babyhood is over and you toddlerhood has just begun.


The biggest milestone this month? Walking! You finally started to crawl last month, but all along you've really been wanting to stand up and WALK. And walk you do. It started with five or six steps, followed by quick sprints from point A to point B. Then one day, you stood up, ran down the hall, and turned. the. corner. I was shocked. Amazed. So proud of you and scared for you all at the same time. Along with walking has come more baby proofing and more bumps on the head, but it's all worth it because you are the happiest you've ever been. You were never much of a chill out, sit still kind of baby. You've always been a mover and a shaker and walking makes all of that moving and shaking much more possible.

Those fine motor skills are becoming more and more refined. You can put legos together, stack the rings on your ring stacker, and pick up the tiniest teeniest things - beads, specks of dirt, and pebbles to name a few. Your treasures always slowly migrate toward your mouth as you look at us like, Well, are you going to stop me?


You've been gradually amassing some outside toys, mostly courtesy of your birthday! Neighbors, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and grandparents have all contributed to your stash. One of your favorite things is your outside walking toy - it helps you to walk around out there without scuffing up your cute little knees and chubby little arms (toppling over outside is always so much scarier than taking a tumble inside). You also LOVE your wagon. It's one of the few places that you will sit perfectly still. You just hold onto the sides and observe the world around you, while occasionally waving to your friends, passing squirrels, and people walking their dogs.


You are now eating carrots and potatoes - both puree and finger food. It still isn't your favorite thing, but we're definitely making progress! Dada is now in your repertoire to the joy of your father. Last month definitely belonged to your daddy, as your mama was sick with bronchitis, but THIS month - this month belongs to your mother for sure. You poor papa hurt his back and has been out of commission for part of the month, so we've spent a lot of time together. Your daddy still does his best to get down on the floor and play with you though - he loves you so much.


Speaking of the floor - whenever one of us gets horizontal, you love to give us snuggles. I can't tell you how much we love this. You were never much of a snuggler, so we're eating it up while we can!


You're still our little dancing queen. In fact, Abba's Dancing Queen is one of your favorites songs to dance to. Stealing your mama's cell phone is a ton of fun as well - you love to push the buttons and put the phone up to your ear. You've really started to imitate us and it's so much fun!


There are so many new things every day something changes - I can hardly keep up! Although at times this year has at times been tiring and tough, it's also been the best and most rewarding year of my life. Thank you for making every day meaningful. We love you our sweet little Violet! Hugs and kisses.

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Britnee's Play Space

Recently, Britnee wrote to me about her children's playroom:

Hi Lauren!

My name is Britnee. I just recently found your blog and just in the nick of time. I think you are extremely talented and have enjoyed looking at some of the idea boards you have created. We are in the process of finishing our basement and I get to have a toy room. I am so excited and really want a happy space but don't really know where to start. 

I am a mom to three cute kiddos, two boys and one girl, so I am thinking something fun and happy with pops of color. I would love ideas for paint color, rug, curtains, storage, art work for the walls (I love your "LOVE" poster in your nursery) and there is also a window seat that will need a cushion and pillows.

Thanks, 

Britnee


I was so excited to work on a play space I couldn't stand it! And even better, Britnee's design aesthetic is pretty close to mine. Here's what I came up with:



Sources:

Roman Shade Fabric - Velocity Art & Design
'Love' Print - Made by Girl
Rug - Dash & Albert
Paint - Behr Sea Salt
Antler Hook - Urban Outfitters
Floral Cushion - Wannekes
Triangles Print - Etsy seller Twamies
Oatmeal Linen (Window Seat) - Fabric.com
Yellow Chevron Pillow - Etsy seller honey pie design
Blue Wood Block Pillow - West Elm
Storage Baskets - Container Store
Play Table - Land of Nod
Personalized Tuffets - Land of Nod
Mountain Pillow - Etsy seller bug Miscellany
Alphabet Print - Etsy seller summersville
Bunting Garland - Etsy seller stephlovesben
Mushroom Pouf - Anthropologie
Art Caddy - Playful Learning
Ring Stacker - romp

Happy Memorial Day!

5.30.2011
Violet went to her first parade this weekend and had a great time! Halloween and New Year's parades are fun and all, but Memorial Day parades always seem to be so much more meaningful. Thanks to all of the soldiers, servicemen and women, and veterans who have helped to keep our country free, and to all of the military husbands, wives and families for your sacrifice as well.










A special thank you to my Papaw, Uncle Tim, brother-in-law Randy, and cousins Donny, Shanna, Justy, and Tim for your service. Happy Memorial Day!

Friday Favorites

5.27.2011

I am completely obsessed with this nursery (discovered via Ohdeedoh) The wallpaper, the crib, the mushrooms, the rug, the dresser, the mobile, EVERYTHING literally everything is perfect. And the name of the mama's blog? The Violet Hours. It's so great I have to post two photos for you. HAVE to:


Okay, now that I'm done having a heart attack over that nursery (that perfect, perfect nursery), here are the rest of my favorites for the week:

Speaking of children's spaces, Eleanor's big girl room is all finished! If you haven't already seen it, run right over to Making it Lovely and check it out.

This made me laugh out loud. A lot. Funny lady, that Sarah Christensen...

So honest, so open, so...real. Love the writing over at Pacing the Panic Room.

Great rainbow prints in multiple languages - oo la la!


And speaking of rainbow prints, I'm loving this free printable from Nicole Balch.

I love this post over on Mom 101 about the essential awesomeness of devoted grandparents. I remember telling my mom one time how guilty I felt about dropping Violet off to be 'babysat'. She got a little offended and said, "I'm not a babysitter. I'm her grammy!" And you know what? That made me feel a whole lot better.

Jordan Ferney's 'I'm so glad you were born' postcards are genius! I can't even properly explain the concept - you just have to check it out.

Miss James over at Bleubird Vintage always looks lovely, but I'm swooning over this most recent ensemble:


Happy Friday!



Speaking of Style

5.26.2011
I went swimsuit shopping yesterday (online). I don't normally shop for bathing suits online as I really like to make sure that they fit properly, but all of the stores are already sold out of the good stuff! It always blows my mind how far in advance you have to buy things. It's not even swimming season yet for Pete's sake. Anyway, here are a few of my favorite suits (from least expensive to most expensive):

 Old Navy


 TopShop USA


 JCrew 


Anthropologie

I bought the ruffled seersucker bikini from TopShop USA. Right price + super cute - I hope it fits! Have you ever bought a swimsuit online? How did it work out for you?

What I Wore (To Work) May

5.25.2011

Ready for another round of awkward poses and orange tile? Here we go:

Day 1: Busting out my new *colorful* (I'm a bit obsessed with coral lately) sweater from Loft - got it on the sale rack for $15 woo hoo!
Sweater: Ann Taylor LOFT
Skirt: Gap
Top: Gap
Shoes: Payless
Belt that you can't really see due to my terrible photography skills: Thrifted

Day 2: Feeling a bit nautical today...meet me at the yacht club for brunch dahling:
Jacket: Gap
Striped Tee: Target
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Bandolino
Necklace: Gift


Day 3: Did a little color blocking (and blurry photo taking) here:


Jacket: Target
Tee: Gap
Pants: Gap
Shoes: Payless
Necklace: NY&Co.

Day 4: Sorry for the slightly blurry/chopped off head shot - a bit rushed that morning.
Jacket: Thrifted
Top: Gap
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Bandolino

Day 5: Peacock and Pewter. (And wow I really wear these shoes a lot. What can I say, they're comfy and go with a lot! Oh and did I mention that they're comfy? Comfort scores big when you're on your feet for most of the day):

Sweater: Gap
Top: Thrifted
Skirt: Thrifted
Shoes: Bandolino
Bracelet: I have had this one so long I don't even know.

Day 6: Can you tell I have a thing for coral?



Sweater: Francesca's Collections
Tee: Gap
Skirt: Gap
Flats: Blowfish
Necklace: Gift

A little more color in my spring/summer wardrobe I'm noticing. Apparently it's winter clothes that I end up in all black and gray! If you have any WIWTW outfits that you'd like to share, I may do a McLinky next month...so start snapping some shots!


One Year Photos: Props

5.23.2011
You all gave me such great feedback on the footwear that I'm asking for more help! My photographer (the lovely Megyn Barroner) asked us to bring a few props along with us. Here are a few things I'm considering:

1. Play Tent



2. Balloons




3. A picnic basket and umbrella



4. A pretty blanket and toys


Do you have any other suggestions for me? I'd love to hear them! (All image sources can be found on my family photography board on Pinterest)

One-Year Photos: Shoe Dilemma

5.22.2011
Help a mama out here: I have our outfits picked out for Violet's one year photos, but realized I have no shoes that go with my dress! We scouted our location today and it's a field covered hill with a gravel trail, so I'm thinking flats? I've found a few options but I'm not sure which to pick and we're taking the photos in a week - eek! Please help:


Option 1 is pretty classic, option 2 looks pretty comfy, and option 3 is just pretty. Which would you choose? (All items above are on my style boards on Pinterest if you'd like to know sources) Thanks!

For Your Favorite Teacher

Candis Ellis over at Heirloom Paperie just sent me a link to this adorable (and free!) printable - perfect for your child's teacher as we near the end of the school year.

I love the colors - they're so fresh! Just print (maybe even on sticker paper) and attach to a sweet treat (you can never go wrong with chocolate) and voila! An instant personal gift that is sure to be appreciated. Thanks Candis for sending this my way!

 

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