My sweet bubu.

I just had to share this sweetness. When it's nap time, Ethan climbs out of his crib (need to get new toddler bed asap) and plays with his toys until he finds a spot to curl up on the floor and nap. Soft snuggly blankets are this boys weakness. When you wrap him up in something snuggly, he melts and calms down almost always falling asleep.

Of coarse I snuck around his room taking pictures of him and his angelic babyness. 

BTW I pull the changing mat off the dresser and put it on the ground because usually he lands on that. Not this time.

Draper Coffee Table.

Stop in at the shop this weekend! This is my newest item along with the broyhill mid-century cabinet.

DIY art - gold dots

Are you ready for the weekend! I have been looking forward to this weekend as one of my best friends is coming over from Holland to spend the weekend with us and cuddle with Matteo.

 I have a confession to make...I have a crush on anything with gold dots, so when I saw this DIY art, over at Natalie´s blog called Mint Love Social Club, with gold confetti it made my fingers itch to make something similar.

Nice right?

The inspiration for this canvas was Kate spade dinnerware

If you want to make this yourself or buy it, mint love social club, Natalie has an etsy shop too.

Asian Cabinet Styling & Paint Color.

Between option one and two, which is your favorite styling of this buffet cabinet?

Another note, I wanted to address a question I keep meaning to answer, which many of you have asked... The paint color is Rustoleum's smoke grey in oil based paint. Which is only available at home depot.

If you want to achieve a lacquered look oil based paint is my favorite paint for that. Please take some time to research a little how to paint with oil based. I am yet to do my tutorial on it but if there is ONE bit of advice I'd follow is wear gloves. Once you get it on anything it all, good luck getting it out.

Today

Every thursday and monday afternoon I have a moment for myself as I hired a babysitter so I can run errands, go to the gym and walk on the streets ( I am trying to loose a bit of that babyweight )



Today I went for sushi, we have such good weather now, it almost looks like summertime.



But I am oh so happy to return to this sweet face.

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Hi! My name is Erin. I am your author.

Getting to know your author:

I read some of the SAME blogs almost everyday. Yet! I know absolutely nothing a person. Who are we? Who are you? ... Do I read you? If so! I want to know you! My favorite things are when people email me. Getting emails from my readers is such a treat. I apologize if I don't respond quickly or ever. I can not tell you how hard it is to catch up on emails upon the blogging/business.

Speaking of treats I hate ice cream so, email treats can replace ice-cream.

See, there's one thing.

I hate. ice cream...

So I'm spending this evening writing about some quirks of mine. I don't want to be just another blog you read but, have no idea about your authors story.

Ready. Set. Go.

I seem to always have some sort of stain on my clothing. Probably due to having twin toddlers around (yes!)

and the 10 coffee stains in the carpet

I'm Irish but, I don't have red hair. That can't be said for most of the men in my family.

I spent a handful of years living in Europe as a kid with my family. My parents draggggggged my brother and I to museums, castles, gardens, mansions. My parent packed those years with pure culture. PACKED

I kissed the blarney stone, spent hours in The Louvre, walked in the bog of Ireland, ate at pubs as a kid. You name it. We did it.

Little did I know I wish I could pick apart each memory now and re live it all, cherishing every second of it!!!!!

Seriously let me replay for you my reaction as an 8 year old when I was just told we were heading to The Louvre...in Paris.

"A museum! Again...!!?Moooommm...Noo...Can I stay in the car??....PLEASE"

I'd explain motherhood like the puzzle piece I was always missing. Looking back, before I had my boys I truly see a woman who was lacking and longing to be the something and the someone I am today. I'm just glad I found what I did. No, it's not all peaches and cream it's hard work and patience.

When reading magazines, since I was a kid I've always flipped through them backwards. Strangest thing...

It might have something to do with being very dyslexic. On that note, blogging has been the biggest tool in aiding my success improvement in becoming a better reader/writer. I tell you, NOTHING has made such a difference in my life when it comes to progress and learning. Not school, not teachers, not all the money my parents wasted with tutoring.

Huh!.. blogging... who knew.

Practice makes perfect I guess.

I painted my nails today. Essie: Devils Advocate

I'm not your most stylin' blogger. I try because I don't want to be a slob and I know what looks good - I think. Problem is, I don't care a ton. See...

there is only so much room in my brain for things to put any sort of effort towards (as most of you moms know) I fill mine with parenting, decor, the daily schedule is taking up most the room, and handling the dozen break downs my twins throw. I'm actually working really hard to be more domesticated like learning how to cook and clean efficiently. Well, really learning how to cook. (Hold on to that topic)

Anyway. I love fashion, not like I love decor. It's just there.

I'm a size 14, and I'm not afraid to say it. No, really. I've never been a "small" person although I'm really short (5'2") I'm perfectly comfortable just the way I'm built. I eat fairly balanced. I don't "watch" anything.

I like what I see, which is what's important. If a man doesn't - he's not worth my time.

A quick jump back to cooking.

I can cook. Finally! but, barely. My phrase USED TO BE, "I can't cook". Seriously I still burn EVERYTHING. Cooking was SO disgorging for me especially since I have like MEGA chefs in my family. Really, just about every other relative of mine is like a serious cook. My family has unspoken cook offs, only shops local produce when we get together and has the most fabulous taste in wine & cheese. It's actually pretty great ... What happened to those genetics with me?

This is a exaggerated typical convo with my mom

"whoa, look what I just whipped up from my french recipe book"-mom

and I'm like "wow, seriously. That's amazing! Try mine... Wait, *wipe the burnt part off*... Ok, now eat it. Yeah! You like it?! My recipe is from the back of the nestle can"

Oh! Look...

Another Stain.

Obvious. I'm obsessed with vintage furniture; the good stuff. When I see a tastefully decorated room I hone in on the details, names, textiles. Not just, I like that - and that; but, finding and seeking proper names for chairs or makers, designers of particular pieces with in a room.

My favorite treats are anything marshmallow and white chocolate.

My little (only) brother is in the Peace Core living in Africa. I miss him dearly!!!!

I have a great Dane, her name is clover. She "babysits" her puppies (which are my babies).

I enjoy painting.

I love bath's. I'm a huge bath person!

My hair regimen: Wash/blow-dry/curl (3 days later) Repeat. On another note I haven't dyed my hair in a couple years.

Modern Family is hilarious.

I drink lots of tea, and even more coffee.

I grew up on Bainbridge island and went to a boarding school in Oregon.

I love classic cars and, (shh..) know more about cars then some guys. (Actually, my biggest pet peeve is when a woman doesn't know how to change her own flat tire OR jump start a car, especially! if your a mom)

I love the out doors. Hiking, camping...

I love being on a bike whether it's mountain biking or cycling but, I learned how to ride one when I was *only* 20 years old 

My happy places are: Florida Keys, Mt Shasta area, Tacoma, Santa Cruz

Places I want to go (bad): Charleston, back to Florida keys, East coast.

One of my biggest fears is swimming in open water.

I am a massage therapist. Licensed in Washington and California and work with local athletic teams and athletes

I drive a Euro-van.

I'm a really-really good mom.

So, If your ready this and you regularly read my blog. Now's the time. What's your quirk?

What's the thing. The thing that makes you-you.

Textile question.

Can anyone give me any leads on this fabric or something similar, variety of colors, watercolor pillows, anything that reminds you of this, in pillow or textile form! I'm looking for "knock offs" or the read deal to re-do some chairs and use in other areas in decor.

Photo snipped from Furbish

Again, using my blogger powers for decor answers.

Function-able.

If you have children:

Your either in it. Been there. Or far gone done that, which usually involves wishing you could be there again. 

The little stages. The very highs and very very very very lows.

My secret confession is: not help with my children but, someone to consistently keep my house in order. So, I can focus on my precious little ones with out being bugged by the tornado behind me, the to-do dishes, the laundry... THE list. Whiiiiich surprise-surprise is most mothers dream.

This is usually the scenario:

Two toddlers: bawling/screaming there eyes out on the floor. Me: What the hell happened to all the sippy cups!? (and other various regularly used items)

It's unbelievably dynamic and twisted how hard it is to explain to someone who doesn't have kids how hard it is to fully appreciate it, for what it is.

Let's just say. I'm learning a lot.

Here are just a couple moments form yesterday that keep me appreciating...

   

He's going to start his own baby blog..

Some other things in life:

I got some cutie flats! AKA mom shoes...

Lately I've been consumed with life whether it's business or family, with taking absolutely no time to my self. So next week I'm excited to relax and do nothing but be with family, with out business (except when it comes to selling). 

I plan on snowshoeing at Mt. Ranier, getting a pedicure, updating my spring wardrobe in a shopping trip that involves not bring children, taking my dog on a walk by our selves, doing a new painting, painting the trim in my house which has been a year waited process, and re-doing two closets in my house to make them more function able. 

I realized I needed to take some time for my self when my new business cards came in the mail and the area code said:

(243)

instead of

(253)

Mom brain... 

:)

Longchamp bags

I have to admit that these bags from Longchamp are my most favorite bags since many years, and have a nice collection of several colors, and they go with casual and chic outfits. They come in many different sizes and are especially good for traveling.

Love them, I advise to get at least one, you´ll be happy!

New asian panel.

I got this asian paneled art for the shop but, like all things I fell in love with it. We'll see maybe it will still end up for sale but, I wanted to give it a shot in my house while staging better photos of these lamps. The lamps are for sale here.

My friend Heather (Hi Heather!!) gave me this Trina Turk pillow (ps. check out here killer bar cart make over!?) . It's found a nice little home on my new sofa.

I wanted to show off a close up of the fabric pattern of my new beauty since I've had a couple emails about it. 

To anwser a couple questions, it's actually original upholstery or had to of been reupholstered years ago. The fabric is certainly vintage. Who ever picked out this fabric when it was upholstered was genius. Its such a subtle flare.

Confession: Sometimes I sit on the opposite side of the room to look at it. Like right now ;)

I have a crazy/obsession/love/adornment for vintage furniture.

I got my fantastic sofa from The House in Seattle. You can find David's listings here.

Also, if your looking for an incredible feminine sofa check out THIS BAD BOY (err.. Girl?)

Allow this to inspire you:

via Caitlin Wilson

mixing gold and silver

It used to be a big NONO, to mix gold and silver, but now I like it! As shown on this picture it looks good. I even like the wallpaper framed that hangs above the sofa...