Hello

Hey All,

Just popping in for a quick Hello! We've got a sick baby in this house so there hasn't been much more than snuggles and snot suckers. I feel like I just wrote about this? Oh, yeah. He just got over teething! Poor little guy. He's finally sleeping better after a couple nights of absolutely not sleeping at all. Actually, he's slept so well today that I've painted a wall in his room, disassembled and sanded 2 pieces of furniture, and started some laundry. What what?! Now for a coat of primer!

Oh, we finally got some good news about the reconstruction of his room!! It's been twenty four days, people!! But! The contractor is coming Wednesday morning and should be finished in a week, tops. I cannot believe the drama this has been. But we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and that in itself has relieved a lot of my stress/claustrophobia! Thank the Lord. 

Aw, I hear a little voice blah blah blahing back there, better go!!

xoxo

Joy

Ikea With My Little

Last week I took Ollie on his first trip to Ikea! We met some friends and tried to see everything there was to see. I'm sure there was a lot that we missed, but what we found was bright and fun. Like hangers and a bowl/plate/utensil thingamajig.

I always like walking through the lighting section. Isn't it pretty?

Ollie and Aria did well while the mommies spent three hours exploring. Half way through I had to make a pit stop in the office section. Patrik Swivel Chair - Nursing Mother not included. ;) 

Until next time, Ikea!!

xo
Joy

My Five Words

Let's go back for a second, to even just 3 months ago...July. I was 8 months pregnant, working between 45 and 50 hours a week. Most evenings I was home by about 6pm and would fix a quick dinner, watch a show or two on the couch with Camillo, and then head to bed around 9pm. I was away from home for so much of the day, that I was excited to get back and those 3 hours every evening felt relaxing. I didn't think much about what filled our home or how it made me feel. 

Back to present time.

I'm suddenly spending almost 24 hours a day at home. In my 2 bedroom apartment. Let me say, I am so so SO thankful to be able to have this time at home with Ollie, and we're super blessed to have found a great deal on a two bedroom place. I'm most definitely NOT complaining. But let me get to my point...

It's just becoming very apparent, in an annoying sort of way, that our home doesn't really reflect who Camillo and I are as a couple, and now a family. By spending more than a couple hours a day at home (awake), I have time to notice that our home doesn't feel the way I wish it did. At first, I felt that maybe I was being ungrateful and prayed that my heart would change. That I'd be thankful for what we have. With everything we've been blessed with, why did I feel so discontent? 

Then somehow, I saw my 'discontent' in a different light and realized it wasn't due to ungratefulness. I'm just entering a new season of life and slowly figuring out what that will look like. As a new mama and a homemaker, it's my responsibility to make our home into a place that we enjoy. One that reflects us and can be a safe haven where we can find peace. It's okay to want a home like that. Yearning for such a place isn't being unthankful, it's just realizing that I have this amazing responsibility and opportunity to serve my family in a new way. 

Now how do I figure out how to create an enjoyable, peaceful home? I felt like I didn't know how to make an apartment our home. But when I found a few posts from Fieldstone Hill, I was immediately encouraged and got excited to narrow down our style, and how to work towards that by keeping a few descriptive words in mind. 

Knowing this is how I want our home to feel, I can focus on how to decorate and organize in a way that we can appreciate. My next plan of action is to go through our house and choose what stays. And what goes. It will all have to pass through my list. I want to be brutal! Wish me luck. I'm looking forward to recreating our space.

What would your style words be? Do you think your home reflects those words? Tell us in the comments below!

Thank The Lord It's Finally Friday

For some reason, this has been the week that felt never ending.
I wasn't quite sure if I was going to make it.
Maybe it was the whole being sick ordeal, or the fact that I've had a long intern list of to-dos.
Or maybe it had something to do with work being laaame and having to wake up at 530am six of seven days.
But halelujah, it's Friday and things are looking up.

Yesterday I took a 2.5 hour nap (what?!) and got the baby shower invites done (HUGE check off the to-do list!)
Work was great today, the best day in 6 weeks if I dare say.
I found the gumption to clean house and wash dishes after work..
And tonight is date night!
For the next couple hours before Camillo gets home I'm going to watch a movie and work on another baby shower project.
I can't tell you exactly what I'm doing yet but here's a hint:

It's the best kind of movie/crafty afternoon..cold and dark with a little rain.
Like I said, thank the Lord it's Friday!
Do you guys have any weekend plans?

See you soon!
xoxo
Joy

Old Baggage

Over the last year or so I've discovered a new love affair with vintage luggage.
(get it..old baggage?)
It seems as though I'm not the only one!
This week I read how to revamp tired luggage with pretty fabric - a DIY by Rachel
And was then inspired by Savannah's collaboration of repurposed ideas.
Can you see why I love it?
Here's what I did right away:

I've had these pretty pieces in our living room since we moved in.

They have our extra blankets and pillows in them!

I loved the idea of using stool legs to lift them off the floor...

Hmmm..I think I like it!
I'll leave it for a few days and, knowing me, might tweak it a little bit.
What do you think?
Do have something you like to collect?
I'm glad my collection can double as cute storage!

Oh, hey..do you see that muddy little piggy on the bottom shelf?
I painted that for Camillo for our first Valentine's Day!

Happy Weekend!!
xoxo
Joy

A new shirt for 99 cents

I've recently made a new hobby of goodwill shopping for 99 cent t-shirts.

Partly because they're less than a dollar but mostly because I love cutting 

them up and making them feel new.

You wanna try?

All you need is a t-shirt and a pair of scissors!

Start at about 2 inches from the shoulder seam and work your way across the neckline 

towards the other sleeve.

Be mindful of any text or design on front and back so as not to cut into them (unless you want to!)

See? A perfectly cozy T to wear to the around the house, to the gym, or even on your next
trip to goodwill!
The possibilities for these DIY shirts are endless, so have fun and experiment!
After all, if you end up with a doozy, it was only 99 cents worth!

xoxo
Joy

Whatdya Do When...

You have tons  of work to do on the computer but the thought of sitting inside in the dark makes you want to cry like a little girl?

Take a pen and paper to the park!

I could NOT stand the idea of sitting on the computer during this gorgeous day.
And guess what? Since I'm self-employed I can skip computer work for an afternoon if I want to!
[did you see my arms cross and foot stomp? sorry, that got a little snobby..]

I packed a couple magazines, a book, my journal, scissors, and washi tape and walked my happy,
sun-dressed self to campus.
Enter perfectly sloped (for maximum sun exposure and comfort) green patch.

I spent two hours listening to Vampire Weekend and cutting pieces out of
magazines for an inspiration board.

It. Was. Bliss.
I'm feeling totally rejuvenated and inspired.
A couple hours to myself in the sun was just the vitamins I needed.
And I got a lot collected to get my new project going...
I can't wait to tell you about it but I can't say another word for just a couple more days!

Now I'm tucked inside and am ready to work.
Of course, the windows are open and the fan is prompting a cool breeze.
Sometimes, I girl just needs a late start to her work day!

I hope you guys enjoyed your 4th of July!
What did you do?
We hung out at the park doing semi-American things.
I'll give you a hint..

haha...More soon!

xoxo
Joy

Sew Lovely

I've had some really productive days this week and it feels good!!

Lots of sewing to show you soon!

Also, I've been doing a lot of hair.

It must be the summer sun peeking it's head out that makes my lady friends want
some bright highlights.

I'm not complaining! 

It's been fun spending time with them and being creative in a new way.

Today I'm off for some happy birthday shopping for my pal,
going to the Social Security office to fix some things,
explore the Bellevue Goodwill (oh, how I miss it!),

And hang out with a good friend who I haven't seen in way too long.
It's going to be another good day.

What are you guys up to this week?

xoxo

Joy

It's Friday!

Does anybody else's dining table look like this?

I'm knee deep in a project and it's barely 10 am.

Yahoo!

Now that I've started, I probably won't be able to stop until it's finished.

Hopefully you'll forgive me if I don't give a Favorites post today! 

I'll check in after a while and share the progress...

Do you guys have any weekend plans?

xoxo

Joy