Go-Go Mommy

Hip Findings - Decor

As we prepare to move into home number five (which, incidentally, should be our last move for quite some time - we hope!), I have to admit that the excitement of being back in a house in my own bed has made these last few nights a bit sleepless for me. 

I don't know what it is - maybe I'm worried about the transition for the girls especially since Sweet Pea has taken to sleeping in the "family bed" rather than on her cot (can you blame her) or with her sister.  Or maybe I'm just trying to catch up on all of my Bravo reality shows while the girls are asleep.  After 4-5 hours of sleep, however, I find myself awake and my dreams of decorating each room in our home become an obsession that makes me grab the computer to see what other "finds" or ideas may be lurking out here in cyberspace.

So in honor of my insomnia (and since I'm up again at 5:00am surfing the web in the bathroom so I don't wake anyone else) I thought I'd share some great sites with you.

If you haven't already tried this first one, it's a great place to see how real people decorate their homes.  You can give feedback by commenting on the rooms and even have a "conversation" with the homeowner/designer. Let's say your room would be perfect if it only had the same curtains to set off your space - just ask in your comment where you could find that item and the "designer" will typically answer in another comment. It even lets post photos of your own room in order to seek decorating advice. The website is Rate My Space.  It has enabled me to spend many of my sleepless hours gathering ideas for furniture placement when the movers finally arrive next week!

More great places for home decor ideas are the many, many, many decor and design blogs.  Here are a few to get you started.  So many of them link to others that I'm sure you'll soon find your "Decor" bookmark filled in no time! 

I liked this one so much I'm sending permanent linky love to Melissa on my sidebar so you can follow her long after this post.  She blogs at The Inspired Room  This is one Style Coach/Designer you don't want to miss!  Especially since she has a new list of "20 Little Things to Treasure in Autumn" - I love the herringbone.  You can read more about Melissa and her design philosophy: "Authentic Living" on her blog.  She is a designer that actually inspires us to see the beautiful life that we have, and reflect that "real life" in our surroundings - wow!

Another great blog actually led me to Melissa.  It is Things that Inspire.  This is a great place to find compilations of beautifully designed rooms.  In fact the latest post has tons of incredible herringbone fireplaces.  Wait... do I sense a theme for fall or am I just going back to more traditional roots after my "mid-century Eichler" period?

Finally, decor8 satisfies my quirky, modern, mid-century itch with an international flair.  At the same time I get the latest "dish" about the most current "Top Design" episode and updates on new Etsy designers and stores.  True one-stop shopping when you've only got a few minutes to surf before the kids wake-up.  Oops - I spoke too soon! BFN!

First Day of School! - Part 2

Here is our conversation as Poppy and I were getting ready to go to her second day of school on Friday morning:

Poppy:  Well mom, I have to tell you that there really is no dancing snake in a tutu at school.

Me:  Oh, really?

Poppy:  Yeah.  And there's no peacock shaking its feathers and Donut didn't talk either.

Me:  Oh, okay.  So why did you make up all that stuff? (I'd forgotten about the peacock.)

Poppy: Well, I just wanted to make you laugh.

I guess I got it wrong - maybe Poppy is going to be a comedian!

"First Day of School! First Day of School!"

Some of you may recognize that quote. It was shouted by the infamous fish Nemo as he bounced on his father to wake him up and head out for his big day.

Well, for the past 2 weeks, Poppy has been practicing that exact line and preparing to wake KB and I in the same enthusiastic manner. Unfortunately, this morning began with that line, but it was us saying it to her. Let's just say that she was so excited about her first day of preschool that she got to bed a bit past her bedtime; about 3 hours past her bedtime to be exact. I do have to give her credit though because she was still every bit as enthusiastic once the sleep wore off and with her head cleared, she realized that this was the day she had been waiting for.

So we got her dressed, had a quick and nutritious breakfast, and took the requisite "first day of school" photos of Poppy, Sweet Pea, KB & I. Then KB, Sweet Pea and I took her to her classroom with the same sort of "pomp and circumstance" that befits a first day and, lucky me, I did it all without shedding one tear. Maybe it's because I realize that it IS preschool after all and I'm probably just waiting for the official Kindergarten first day. No matter.

Here's the conversation when I picked her up:

Me: So did you have...(I got cut off)

Poppy: Mommy! Mommy! I had so much fun today!

Me: That's great. What did you do?

Poppy: Well, I petted a snake.

Me: You did? Was it real? (Wondering where they hid a snake in the room since I had just been there 2 nights ago for Parent Orientation.)

Poppy: Yes, and it had a tutu on and danced!

Me: It did? Wow, can you show me the snake when we go back to school?

Poppy: Sure. And I talked with Donut (the class bunny) and he answered me and said it was very nice to meet me!

Me: Wow! I didn't know Donut could talk.

Poppy: Well, he didn't but that's what he would have said if he could!

I'm thinking maybe Poppy is going to have a very good writing career of her own someday!

PS - I can't wait to see the "dancing snake!" Hope you send your "first day" stories. They are too precious not to share!

Getting Back Into the Groove

I'll be the first to admit that my mojo has been thrown off a bit this summer. For those of you who know me and those who don't, I can, at times, be a little clutzy. Okay, maybe more than just a little.

You see, part of my blogging routine is taking and posting photos that relate to my blogging topic. And this summer I seem to have lost my digital camera during my trip to Michigan, purchased a new camera when I returned home, broke the new camera within 2 weeks of getting it (by dropping it on the sand while I was taking pictures of Poppy building sand castles at one of our new local parks - note to self: ALWAYS wear wristband while taking photos), found out that repairing the new camera would be 1/2 the cost of the camera and hence, half the cost of just buying a new one, finding my original camera that I thought was lost only to find that it, too, is broken and will not take photos. EEEK!

My saving grace...KB is taking me this weekend to get my very first iphone! Look out everyone...I feel my mojo coming back!!