Ikat Love

We are currently working on getting our living room functional.   One thing needed is more seating and I am currently in love with this chair.


Isn't it absolutely delicious? Of course it is from West Elm. It is red maple/flax ikat print on the swoop chair.  We need another chair and I am obsessed with finding the perfect balance of price, beauty, and function.   Plus, my color palate is already dictated by our rug.  I love the curves of the chair and the modern print.  I think it is something I can use it for years to come.  What do you think?


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Master Bedroom Update

The master bedroom is almost complete!  We finally got a dresser, so our clothes now have a home!  I also gave up on my white bedding dream for the moment.   Yes, I still adore the idea of having an all white bed, BUT I have very specific ideas of what I want it to look like.  The bedding I want is not currently available in the US, and is on back order from the Australian website that could ship it too me.  Plus, it is expensive.  I tried to make do with a duvet from Target, but it didn't live up to my vision.  So I have temporarily substituted this duvet I found on clearance at Home Goods.  It is a calming gray and white paisley pattern.  Hubby approves, he thought the other bedding was too girly and frilly.  In his words, "I don't want to sleep under a dress".  So here is my(our) soothing oasis:

I haven't decided if the curtains are staying yet.  I might move them to the living room and use another set of white curtains that I already own that have some embroidery on them.  Not sure.
I think the book shelves are too cluttered.  I would like to move some of the books out to the living room once we have some bookshelves in there, and add some more decorative accents instead.  Ideally, I don't want much on the top.

We need to add artwork.  I actually have a lot still in boxes, just trying to decide what I want in each room.  I have some watercolors from Italy that a friend gave me, I just need to have them framed.  I think they would  look lovely over the bed.  I also have a mirror, but I'm scared of it hanging above me while I sleep.

The sconces on the wall are the only lighting we have.  We are thinking of adding another lamp on the dresser, and maybe a light kit to the ceiling fan.  We get A LOT of natural light, but that might change with the seasons.  Plus, its annoying to have to walk through the room and stub your toe five times while roaming through the dark to turn on the light.

Oh, and the room isn't perfect.

I live with a musician and with that comes music stuff.  Plus, a baby gate and old sweatshirts.  At least they live behind the door.  The baby gate and sweatshirts will hopefully disappear in a few days, but the speaker and amp come with the man.  I'm not trading him in anytime soon, so I guess I'll learn to live with music stuff behind the door.  They won't fit under the bed with the other music things.

So what do you think?  Any suggestions?

See Ya Later, Alligator

While cleaning off our camera, I found these pictures of the Going Away Dinner my Grandma had for our family.

 My kiddos really didn't want to be pictured.  They would rather be playing.

Princess is obsessed with these ping pong paddles.  Unfortunately for her, she is too little to play. Isn't the dress lovely?  My friend, Betsy, made it for her.  It is turning out to be the perfect beach dress.  Betsy is actually making these dresses, among other crafty items for purchase.  Email me if you want more deets.

Yay for weekends!

I finished my first nine days in SC with the new job!  I survived and didn't quit and move back to KS!  That isn't to say that I didn't think about it!  The last week seemed like the longest one in my life.  I am sincerely glad it is over and do not want a repeat.  Reflecting back, it really wasn't that bad.  However, that's not to say it was a walk in the park, either.
It began with me starting work a day earlier than I planned.  Let's just say I have a hard time saying "No" to people in need.  I did negotiate an eight hour shift instead of 12.  I should get extra credit for that.  Plus, I saved a vacation day to spend with any future visitor this year.  Lucky me walked in at 12:45 to find the computers weren't working, and had not been since the store opened.  Yippee.  Finally, between 3 and 4pm the computers came up, and we had a whole day's work to make up.  In the middle of the dinner rush, Hubby calls and states he somehow locked himself out of the house.  No car keys, no wallet, barefoot, and both kiddos in the house asleep.  He made it to a neighbor's house to borrow their phone to call me at work.  Unfortunately, I cannot leave and don't get off until 9pm.  I tell him I will try to figure something out.  My mind freaks out.  I hold back tears, wait a few minutes, then ask my technician if she will take my house key and drive to my house to give it Hubby.  She agrees.  Our house is 20 minutes or more away.  She is gone over an hour, but at least my hubby makes it back in before the kiddos wake up.  Not my ideal first day.
The weekend I spend at the slowest store in the district.  I am the only employee in the pharmacy and I do less than 50 rxs each day.  I have busy moments, but 9 hours is torture to spend alone.  At least 95% of the customers were friendly and thankful for my help.
Day five began 10 hours at the busiest store the in the area, in a town 30 minutes away.  The store does about the same volume as my former store in KS, but they are 24 hours.  I expected it to be easier since some of the work should have been done over night.  Wrong thinking.  Mondays are typically the busiest day anyway, but this place isn't as efficient as it could be.  Plus, these people don't believe in taking breaks, apparently.  I should have feigned a smoke break.  On the up side, I met the district operations trainer, and she seemed really nice and helpful.  Tuesday and Wednesday were spent in the busy store.  Tuesday, I found myself missing KS and 3772 a bunch.  I missed my co-workers and friendly banter.  I'm still the newbie and no one really trusts my opinion yet.  I know it will take time to build that trust relationship, but it still hurts not to be taken seriously.
Thursday I worked three hours in the slow store.  Yup, three whole hours.  It wasn't too bad, I had a tech to talk to for two hours of it.  Friday was back to the busy store.  The store manager and operations trainer complimented my on work ethic and attitude.  I was surprised they had looked at my numbers, but pleased they noticed and took the time to tell me.  It was a rough week, but I had some positive notes, too.
This weekend we took the kiddos to the beach.  Finally.  I have been waiting for almost two weeks.  Do you know what's even more amazing then walking two blocks to the beach?  Walking to Starbucks for an iced white chocolate mocha ON THE WAY to the beach.  Yes, there is a Starbucks three blocks from my house, one block from the beach.  I'm in heaven.  We had a blast at the beach.  I tagged along after Handsome.  We dug in the sand and waded in the ocean.  Hubby and Princess jumped in the waves.  Both kids cried when we left.  Princess asked to go to the beach this afternoon and make sand castles.  I'm so happy my kids can grow up here.
Tomorrow, we are going to try a new church.  I'm excited to go and meet some new people.  Its important for our family to make new relationships, especially if Hubby gets locked out again.