...but where do I plug my glue gun in?

As an end-of-summer-last-hurrah we took the kids camping. I haven't been camping since before P was born - more than 5 years ago. And I've never really enjoyed camping that much. But people always says how family camping trips are some of the best memories from their childhoods - so I thought I suck it up for the sake of the kids. And we all wound up having a great time!

Found an awesome campsite - a secluded mountain meadow. We only saw two other people all weekend...it was so quiet!

Setting up the tent...




Sunset the first night...

This was the view out my tent window in the morning...

Chef Dad making an awesome breakfast our first morning there...



Paige rockin' the campsite...

Yeah, I think she enjoyed the trip...



Fishing with the fam on day two...





Tanner catching raindrops on his tongue out the truck window...



The trip home. Yep, we saw The Thing, and no, I can't tell you what it is. Go see it for yourself. Only a buck per person - 75 cents for the kids. But see if you can get out of the gift shop or DQ without spending some money!

The best thing about all that free time without a glue gun? I got about halfway through The Help. So awesome! If you haven't read it yet, RUN out and get your copy now.

virtual travel...

Since we don't have the time or money to be the world travelers we'd like to be...I like to explore the world virtually. Microsoft used to have a tagline, "Where do you want to go today?" I've always thought of the internet that way - as something that can take you anywhere in the world, on your computer.

And have you ever tried out Google Earth? It's so interesting. Just zoom in on any part of the world and explore. And, in most cases, you can see the street-level view as well. So cool.

So I thought I'd share some of my virtual travels, in just a picture or two at at time. Today...Marrakesh. I know that many Americans have zero desire to visit the Middle East or Africa, but I just find them so alluring. Here we go...

Many of these pics are from this incredible website called trekearth.com where some really skilled photographers post photos from around the world. Go check it out!

girl's room - mini re-do...

While P was away for a week with her grandparents, I gave her room a little mini-redo.

Here's my inspiration...

I like the neutral, muted colors with pops of raspberry.

Love the white chandy, tissue poms and white furniture.

Casual with lots of layering on the bed.



I have always loved these pinwheel quilts - but have never had the patience for quilting. Look at the old door repurposed as a nightstand - so cute and original!



Soooo girly! Love the coverlet and headboard!

Again with the pom/lantern inspiration.




And here's P's new room. A new quilt from Home Goods for $22:





Raspberry spray paint - $4:

...turned an old nasty Ikea chalkboard...
...into this:




Some tissue poms hanging above the bed (tutorial here):



And here's the final product:


We've made a couple of changes since these pics were taken. The name letters are now sitting on a ledge shelf above her bed (in the same spot). And of course it's a lot messier now!

Some days she gives it the thumbs-up, other days she gives it the thumbs-down. But I know she's just being sassy. I know she loves it! :)

*******************************

Linking up here:

Seven Thirty Three

At the Picket Fence

The Charm of Home

Common Ground

My Romantic Home

A Bowl Full of Lemons

Nothing But Country

Reasons to Skip the Housework

Simply Designing

The Shabby Nest

Chic on a Shoestring

slipcover inspiration...

So...I have the chair, and I have the fabric. All I need now is the time (HA!) and the mo (motivation). Cruising around the internet I came up with some sweet slipcover inspiration - along with some gorgeous rooms and some new, inspiring blogs. Thought I'd share, in no particular order:

Source

Source

Source

I actually have this same lamp...
Source

Source







Source








Source

Source

have you polyvore'd?

I have been loving Polyvore lately. I'm using it to put together outfits with clothes that I already own...and designing layouts of things that I don't own. I'm really no fashion bug, but I have a graphic design background, and it's fun to do the layouts. Thinking about using it to do "mood boards" for home design. Go check it out! Here are a few I just did:

craigslist fail

It's called STAGING, people! Add a lava lamp and, voila! consider it sold! :)

Here's the listing:

**BOOK SHELF - NIGHT TABLE - TV or PLAY STATION STAND**

This piece would be great as a book shelf or a place to set up your Play Station! It is in great condition!




And people? Here's picture #2. You know, from a different angle, different lighting...




Wha? FAIL!

i've been pinned...

...and I'm SO excited! Should I be this excited? Don't know...but I am! Check it out here:

Sweetwater Baby at Pinterest