creating a shared office space for mama + her girls

i've shared a little bit about this new space on instagram that we created in partnership with Big Lots. i think this collaboration was the push that i needed to make good use out of the nook space in mine + aaron's bedroom. the room overall feels much like a loft space featuring what most lofts do, a little nook for whatever one may dream it to be. over the years it has housed a dresser, a cozy chair for late night feedings, a beautiful fort space, and various baskets of books and toys that i kept near for the girls whenever we found ourselves lounging around in mom and dad's bedroom. while all uses were great and served their purpose when needed, it was time to change things up again and try to create space that could carry us a further distance.

kaia has been asking for a desk in her room since kindergarten but unfortunately there just isn't the space for it without making things feel cluttered. in addition, i too have been wanting a space to work but one that didn't require working in the family room or at the dining room table. while there is nothing wrong with either of those spaces, i wanted a space that offered peace and quiet and privacy when needed while at the same time gave my girl something she's been wanting too. 

we now have a functional office space that houses both mine and the girl's things to do what we need to do. we added the built in shelves and cabinet door to give the space more function and coziness. the cabinet door is actually the access to our attic but there is enough room to store my camera and camera lenses in there, which i love. it's a perfect spot to hide from curious hands and i love that it's not sitting out for all to see. 

outside from a few vintage pieces, we were able to snag most of what you see from Big Lots when they had their friend's and family sale. this space is so budget friendly and honestly didn't take much work or effort other than the built-in because "hello, old house with crooked walls!" 

some of the accessories you see are actually from Big Lot's "back to campus" collection, which kaia took a strong liking too. i love the "love u babe" sign which is also a light. it's a neat way to leave notes or messages to/for each other as well as serve a good learning tool for the girls. i opted for fake succulents because let's be honest, real ones wouldn't survive with my younger two around and went for canisters/jars found in their kitchen section to hold things like pencils, paperclips, letters for the letter board, etc.

i am giddy over this new space and find myself coming here after bedtime just to sit and dream. i was telling a sweet friend of mine that i met through instagram that it only took us 9.5 years to find this space's function. she reminded me that "sometimes it takes that long, but that's okay!" 

. . . . . . . . . . . .  i am happy to report, it was worth the wait.






* thank you Big Lots for the help in designing this space as well as sponsoring this post. all opinions are my own as well as the overall design of this space. thank you reader for the help in supporting brands that help support this space. 

a big girl room for our littlest bird

 

klo is still sleeping in her crib that is currently tucked in a little nook in my and aaron's bedroom. it's the perfect spot for her right now but someday, not too far from now, she'll need a little more space to stretch those growing limbs and this room will be ready for her when that time comes. for now, we use this room for guests or occasionally for naps during the day or even for the midnight bed hopping that tends to happen around here. 

personally, i feel a sense of peace and calm coming into this space. i especially love entering this room around midday as the sun starts to prepare it's last light and filters in the softest glow. sometimes, i'll make a warm drink and sneak off to enjoy a few sips of quiet before the after school rush and before the dinner hour begins. anyway, i believe it suits our littlest bird and is beautifully fitting for her good natured, old soul. 

i carefully put a list of sources together for the curious below.

- headboard: family heirloom piece, vintage. 

- bedside table: designed and handmade by bloom  

- throw pillows: target does it again. 

- lamp: taget

- pink linen pillow cases: handmade

- duvet cover: pottery barn. similar here. 

- variety of books: purchased at barnes and noble and local red balloon. 

- floral rocking chair: vintage 

- rug: west elm 

- "i love you for all that you are… " picture hanging: @jaxnblvd 

- peg hooks: container store

- solly baby wrap from solly baby. 

- baby sling: sakura bloom 

- small hanging calendar: paper source

- letter "K": anthropologie 

- hangers for art: search vintage hangers on etsy

- floral and horse illustrations: kellie murray

- pot for plant or flowers: target 

- dresser: vintage 

- beautiful lace on dresser: vintage

- basket for toys: home goods 

a new week

after many requests i share with you a playlist. this is one we listen to often during the day. it's a mix of feel good, get yourself out of a funk but relax me too kinda lists. it's good. i think you'll like it. actually i know you will. enjoy, here!

happy new week to you!

at{mine} / all things home

 

have you heard of at{mine}? if you're into home decor and interiors you might want to check it out. these long winters always get my wheels turning about our laundry list of spring and summer house projects and in the mood to change things up around our home. i can often be found looking for inspiration during the wee hours of the night while i am nursing klo and i happened to stumble upon them. it is sort of like pinterest and instagram rolled into one, only it is specifically home related which i like. the thing i love about it though, it allows you to tag items in the photo to tell a fellow admirer where certain things are from or what the brand of the product is. so basically it's like twofer. you can get your inspiration and do a little shopping, gotta love that right?! i know i do, my husband on the other hand might have a different opinion ;)

anyway, i liked it so much i made up a profile and posted some images of our home here. take a look and follow along if you'd like. and please let me know what you think about it or if you join, i'd love to see your spaces!

life's moments lately

. . . lazy dog basking in the afternoon light
. . . tiny feet + toes
. . . playing with play dough, sunlight, + crazy hair
. . . nutella snack pack
. . . stuffed friends on a window sill listening in on story time
. . . peeking in
. . . pistachios, a favorite around here
. . . sleeping baby
. . . sisters playing together
. . . little reading nook
. . . follow your bliss

the nursery

i had been picturing her nursery for quite some time. her room sat with an empty crib in it for far too long. i dreamt every detail for nearly two years. and yet, after each new pregnancy and then a loss, the room i had thought of would change and i would be back to wishing and hoping with everything i had to be able to bring another little love home to our family. but this time, her pregnancy, i knew in my heart it was going to be different. and so, at 23 weeks pregnant, i gave myself permission to think about the nursery again, and what her nursery would look like. i thought about the colors her room would be for months. what her sheets would look like and the curtains that would hang from her windows. i knew i wanted her room to be bright, whimsical and meaningful. kendi's nursery was a special project. a project i sat on and waited ever so patiently to design and implement, as i wanted it to be perfect. i wanted it to be meaningful. and i wanted it to signify the miracle that she is . . .

because her room gets such amazing light, we knew we wanted to keep the color of the walls bright and airy to complement the light coming in. white felt like the best option since neither of us were too keen on a specific color. i wanted to keep her room looking simple by adding pops of color and a touch of whimsy by bringing in some vintage flare mixed with some meaningful modern day pieces. i also wanted to keep her room budget friendly by making use out of things we already had or making them myself. while i changed my mind a few times, one too many my husband would say, i think her room suits her perfectly.

the little details in the room :

- the sheets are the land of nod { here }

- her curtains are handmade by me with Amy Butler fabric

- the book shelves are custom built by my step-dad 

- her rug was purchased last year { you can possibly still find it here }

- coat rack : the knobs were purchased at World Market and spray painted + then screwed onto a simple wood board.

- the embroidery hoops were purchased at JoAnn Fabrics + made with vintage print fabrics

- her armor, that we current use as a changing table + dresser, was a gift from a few years ago. the baskets used to hold her clothes are from ikea. 

- elephant art was painted by my sister 

- fabric bunting : made by me with simple cotton fabrics purchased at JoAnn Fabrics

- the floor lamp was a thrift purchase for a $1.00. i added lace fabric over the shade and some pompoms  to make it fancy ;) 

- the table and chairs were a christmas gift for kaia last year and are from ikea. 

- the doll house is kaia's and that is where she plays when i am changing kendi's diaper or getting her down for naps. it was purchased at a local store, Peapods 

{ p.s. the photos of kendi are from when she was just a week old... look at how itty bitty she is ;) }