Dreams do come true

 Confession: I didn't paint this mural, nor do I know who did. It just so happens the previous owners of our house had a little girl as well and used this room for a nursery. This mural we never painted over "just in case". Well, it worked and we greatly appreciate the mystery artist.

You are my sunshine frame, similar here // My top // Scott's top // Hadley's Pants // Gunther's Bowtie, similar here // My Watch // My Bracelets: David Yurman, Tiffanys // "hello" print // Hadley Chair // 'You are my bucket list' print // Pink gingham pillow // White Linen embroidered pillow // starburst mirror, similar here // Owl Rocker // Rug // Changing Pad // Golden Retriever Plush // Hanging bird cage // Yarn spun 'H', similar here // Burlap flowers // Paper pinwheels: Click here for the DIY instructions // white wicker basket // 'Love you more' sign // Owl Piggy Bank // little boy statue // Bowl lamp // hanging hand mirrors; Similar here // monogram decal // Hadley's blanket 

I can honestly say that I never had any intention of doing a blog post on Hadley's nursery. However, I've had enough friends and family members actually get mad at me for not writing about it, so I figured I'd better write something. Not to mention my friend and talented photographer, Lauren Frisch, did call Hadley's nursery "blogger gold" so...hey, why not?

When I say that Hadley's nursery was on a budget,  I mean a "don't spend any money" budget. Aside from the necessary crib and dresser that you have to have, the idea of spending a ton of money on a 8 pound baby seemed a little silly. I might love one style but who's to say she isn't going to want a "Limited too-esque" zebra print room in a few years? (please God,  anything but that.) Hadley's room began and ended in a day. Of course, I had a few ideas, and Pinterest always helps to get those going, but it wasn't until I went into our basement and started going through Scott's and my keepsake boxes that her nursery started to come to life. That is the biggest advice I can give anyone who is trying to revamp any room in their house...see what you already have in your house, or even within your family, before you go and spend any money on decorations. Additionally, the things I wanted but couldn't seem to find, I ended up making myself. Yes, I got "DIYed" 7 months pregnant. 

A few items that are pictured were Scott's, or mine, as a child and my mother's as a child, so those I couldn't link to anything. (sorry.) But, these are the items you might find in your basement or your parents basement. Vintage books are the cheapest way to decorate, I have them everywhere. You could go to any vintage bookstore or even a garage sale and find them for a quarter. All of the Peter Rabbit china was Scott's as a child, and the rabbit lamp was mine as a baby. When you're wanting to redecorate a room, get inspiration from magazines, Pinterest, really anything. Then, before you go straight to Pottery Barn do a little shopping at places you never thought you'd go, such as flea markets, vintage stores, thrift stores. It's incredible what you can find (and make) with just a little inspiration. 

Always down for a good find

 

 Jacket: Target // L/S Tee: GAP // Jeans: GAP // Necklace: Jennifer Zeuner // Shoes: Kate Spade

 

Let's face it; we've all bought clothing at Target at some point in our lives. NO one is "above" target, I don't care what you say. Some of us buy clothing there weekly and hell; even daily (guilty). However, once in a blue moon we stumble upon something that does not look like it should be hanging on the stainless steel, cold racks of Target. Case in point; this faux leather Xhilaration jacket. it has the Faux sweatshirt attached so you don't have to worry about the bulky look when you put it on. I went up a size just for length and it fits like a glove. The best $40 I've spent at target in a long time. (Well, I did just buy a killer pair of elastic waistband pants but, that's a totally different post.)

 

Also, to all my DIY friends out there, these shoes are Kate Spade and my daily obsession but something tells me this would be easy to replicate. I know Target has some similar cheetah print slip-on's right now and Lord knows (no pun intended) Hobby Lobby makes a mean faux leather bow. Would be curious if anyone out there has thought about replicating these on a budget.

 

{Amy} 



Go with the flow

Maxi Skirt: Nordstrom, similar here // Clutch: Kate Spade // Bracelets: Trouve, DIY, and Jade, David Yurman, Tiffanys // Ring: Tiffanys // Watch: Michele // Chambray: J. Crew // Cami: Tibi, similar color // Shoes: Birkenstock // Necklace: World market 

Photography: Lauren Frisch

I don't know about you but right when a new trend comes out I find myself saying "oh, never!", "not in a million years will you catch me wearing leggings", "only catholic school girls and soccer moms wear David Yurman", "This isn't little house on the prairie, over my dead body will I wear a 'maxi' skirt or dress!" "I'm far from a hippie so would would I EVER wear birkenstocks?" And as it always goes, I end up eating my words, and usually within a few weeks of me declaring my intent of never falling for these trends. I.E...THIS ENTIRE OUTFIT.

Isn't this also so true in life? For instance, I have always struggled with forgiveness, and am damn good at holding a grudge. I want so badly for people to not only look at me as a strong, independent woman that holds her own and never gives into trends, forgiveness, or peer pressure but in the end the only person I am hurting is myself. I can tell you from experience that nothing good comes from going to sleep with a grudge on your heart. I did this for a solid 4 years after my parents divorce and paid a pretty penny for medicine to help cure chronic back and neck pains. 

Whether we are talking about fashion or whether we are talking about life, sometimes the best thing to do is give in to the trends and go with the flow. Forgive your friends for not calling you back, forgive your significant other for forgetting to take the trash out, let go of the resentment you have towards someone who is farther than you in their career, and give in to the trends. We don't have to forget how it made us feel, and we don't have to stop questioning why it happened but, sometimes, going with the flow is the best thing for your soul.

{Amy}

Other side of the closet

Men's Button Down: Wal-Mart // Beaded Bracelet: DIY // Glasses: Warby Parker // Necklace: Kate Spade, similar here // Denim: Baldwin // Watch: Michele // Bracelets: Coordinate Collection, Tiffany's, David Yurman
Photography: Lauren Frisch

Sometimes, you just need a crisp men's button down and a broken-in pair of blue jeans. 

(and sometimes, you just need to shop at Wal-Mart.)

{Amy}

2 sides to every story

Hat: Milk & Honey Boutique // Jeans: 7 For All Mankind// Shoes: Converse // Jacket: Kate Spade// Denim Jacket: 7 For All Mankind, similar here// Oxford: Kate Spade // Watch: Michele //Bracelets: J. Crew, Kate Spade, Jade bangles from Beijing and Taiwan, Beaded-DIY

"It takes 2 to tango", "Dr. Jekyll & Mr. Hyde", "There are 2 sides to every story".

Where fashion is concerned, there is nothing more beautiful than both sides of the story. I own more pairs of boyfriend jeans than I care to share (6), enough baggy Tee's that Rapunzel herself would have slack if she tied them all together, and roughly 5 pairs of beat up old Converse. I am not a high fashion wearing kind of gal. That does not mean that I don't covet Isabel Marant, dream in Givenchy, have Carl Lagerfeld on my 'short list' of people I'd like to have a drink with, and have a mad girl crush on Deborah Lloyd.

Lloyd's 'where in the world is Kate Spade' idea for this year has gotten my attention and my girlie-girl side is smitten. This month's theme is Paris, and the colors are what my dreams are made of...I can have my cake and eat it too!

P.S. It's colder than Sh*t in KC.

{Amy}