Must Haves For New House

   I have requested a "decorating Budget" for the new house. Here are a few of the things I will buy with said budget. Note I hope to find some vintage chairs that might need some loving. AND I saw some towels at TJ MAXX the other day similar to these Anthropologie ones. I have also be scooping out cool lights on the inter web. I have been coveting this quilt from Urban for over a year now. AND who can't live without coffee right?!?! I would die for this Le Creuset set. SERIOUSLY though. I can just see all my plants sun bathing on this amazing ladder shelf from Urban.

 new bedding

 cool comfy chairs

espresso machine 

 cookware

 awesome lighting

 shelving

 towels

Kitchen Aid Mixer 

UPDATE: We are meeting with our realtor on Friday to go over our options. We have been talking about selling and buying a newer house. I have been looking at listings online and am getting pretty excited about a move in ready house!!!! One of my favorite pass times is going to open houses! I will for sure take and post pictures of our adventures. 

XOXO, MAMA

The Key To Craigslist

    I can't tell you how many times a day I search Craigslist. Once my mind is made up that I want or need something I immediately go to Craigslist and search search search. I have found most everything I own since moving to Seattle on Craigslist or at the thrift store. My couch, which I loooove so much....It's the most comfortable thing ever. I have never been to keen on the color red, but I knew the shape was something I wouldn't see ever again so I couldn't pass it up and for sixty dollars you're damn right I got it! I even hired a moving guy to pick it up and deliver it to me. I can't wait to get it reupholstered. I was thinking turquoise?!?!! Remember my Eames Style Lounger?! I searched For about a year before I found the cheapest one.I have also scored lamps, curtains, rugs, lockers, even PLANTS.
   The other day I was reading one of my favorite designers blogs, Mrs. Emily Henderson. I just love her funky, collected, vintage, crazy style. She had the most fascinating post on the 10 secrets to vintage shopping on Craigslist, which made me pee my pants a little. I thought I knew everything there was to know about Craigslist, but was I ever so wrong. I had seen the picture view on the side, but couldn't figure out how to get my computer to do it. haha. Thanks Emily! I also never thought about searching different categories for items, I usually just search under the For Sale category. After I read her post, I quickly went back and searched for my ever so dreamy Chesterfield couch under several different categories and different names. For example, I searched for old leather couch, 90's leather couch, tufted couch, funky couch. Then I went back and changed couch to sofa. I did this under antiques, furniture, for sale, FREE (don't forget to search under FREE, you never know who is cleaning out an old garage or man cave, they probably don't care OR know what they have and just want it gone). I still haven't found my dream couch, but I did notice couches that I hadn't seen when looking under all these different name.
   I hope Emily's post helps you as much as it helped me. AND Happy Craigslist shopping!!! Here are some pictures of my most coveted Craigslist finds.

I found this red locker and that dresser for $40 

I spray painted the locker red and covered dresser in fabric and painted it.

These Pier One curtains are one of my most favorite finds. I paid $30 for 8 panels.

This couch was so cool I'm not entirely sure why I sold it. 

I think it was $35 and I turned around and sold it for $60.

Free dresser painted in a chevron pattern.

This Mid Century Arch Lamp was the very first Craigslist buy when I moved to Seattle $10

This is my beloved couch. Think all turquoise in a neutral room with different pillow.  

The Plant we scored for $15 in this amazing pot!!!

AND the Chair.

These chairs I painted pink and covered in some estate sale fabric. I bought two for $10

Little Green Notebook

   I tell you what, that Jenny of Little Green Notebook is amazing! I feel like I will be referencing her a lot on my blog. I mean why didn't I think up matches cup (she got the idea from a different blog or magazine, but I don't care I wouldn't be able to do it if it weren't for her sharing)...

   OR this simple Ikea dresser makeover .

   I can't wait to share my own DIY projects and watch these unfold as we start the remodel. If you have any must have DIY projects or tips for a major renovation please feel free to share! I love and welcome feedback!

xoxo,

Mama

UPDATE Papa made a phone call today and set up some meetings for next week to sign some paper work! I love when we make steps forward, even if they are tiny baby steps.

But $hit it was 99 cents!

I mean come on did I not just buy those drink umbrellas for 99 cents?!?!

This shirt sums up my life.

.

 

How about this one!? It too sums up my life

I also wanted to note that I ordered the red Hello sweatshirt and I absolutely LOVE it!
It arrived fast and was everything they described!  I didn't take it off all weekend!

 I need this one to remind me to be a Happy Camper

Mama doesn't operate with out her coffee! But First, Coffee

xoxo,

Mama

Baby Varga

Any chance I get to tell my birth story I do! It was by far the most incredible day of my life. I met papa for lunch around 1pm. I told him I felt cramps, but wasn't entirely sure they were contractions. I mean I'd never had a baby so I didn't know what to expect (Oh yes, this was September 7 which I have to say because I had had a dream that I was going to have Varga on the 7th at 3:33pm. His due date was my birthday, September 10th). I had plans to hang out with a friend and didn't want to bail even though I wasn't feeling right. So we met for frozen yogurt. I stuffed my face, perusal. By the middle of our date I decided to call my doctor (which is where my psychic abilities come in...it was 3:33ish) to explain what was going on and of course it was his day off! Haha figures. You go your entire pregnancy with this ONE doctor who is off the weekend your due! Why don't they tell you this at the beginning!?! Anyways, the pain I felt was like a minstrel cramp that lasted about 30 seconds every 5 minutes. The nurse said she would have the doctor call me back. When she did I was already home soaking in the tub. I had been calling Tyler who was looking forward to leaving work that day even if it was a false alarm. The doctor said "Well why don't you just come on in and i'll check you." So off we headed not sure what to expect. We brought our over night bag just in case they admitted us, Which they did. I was about 3cm and 80% effaced, I still don't know what that means. Our "new" way awesomer doctor was a nut. We were so relieved to have her humor instead of our monotoned "old" doctor. She really put us both at ease. It wasn't long after that I decided to get that wonderful thing they call an epideral (the second picture below was before epidermal and the third was after). After a relaxing four hour nap they came in to check me and much to every one's surprise I was 8cm and it wouldn't be long until I find out what this sweet baby inside me was!! We waited to find out the gender and what a beautiful surprise! I highly recommend doing this at least once. Honestly, I won't do it again only because everyone bugs you and thinks you're not telling them and they try to get it out of you even though you dont really know. Fast forward two hours, more epidermal, and a quick peek by the nurse and it was time to push! One push in the nurse stopped me to insure the doctor would make it in time for baby! About 30 minutes and six pushes later out came baby!!! Tyler was supposed to tell me if it was a girl or boy, but he was so overwhelmed he forgot so there I lay asking "What is it?! What is it!?!!" Finally, I saw it was a boy and I lost it! I will never forget. If you have children you must know, this moment just plays over and over in your mind. It truly is magical and a gift. Every time I look at him the world stops and I'm truly alive! Now he's getting older and learning things like, laughing, holding his bottle, how to repeat things you do, STAND!! I can't wait to share these things with you!

 

xoxo,

Mama

Good things come to those who wait.

   The other day I read this post. It pretty much goes along with my first post in reference to waiting and investing money into what you really want instead of buying something just for the sake of buying something. Mandi said perfectly what I have been feeling. Her post made me think about my New Year goals...The first being to get up and get ready for the day even if it meant to put my sweats back on, hey at least I'd be showered! Second, Remodel house with out killing each other. Third, work out and get pre baby body back. The Fourth and finale goal was to stop buying shit! Like the drink umbrellas I found at goodwill for 99 cents (I had to get them!!! You never know when you will make a friend a cocktail that needs an umbrella) or that $15 Forever 21 sweater that's just going to fall apart after 5 washes. NO, I want to finally make my first Nordstrom purchase maybe a fancy sweater that cost $100 and will last me years!
   When Mandi told the part about her dining room chairs, it reminded me about a year ago, when never in a million years did I EVER think I would even own a knock off Eames lounge chair. For years I searched Craigslist just to see what was out there... they all were still way over a grand, but I never gave up. One day I saw an ad for a tan Eames Ottoman that was forty bucks. What the heck right?! it might be the closes I ever get to owning any kind of Eames anything. I kid you not that very same day DIFFERENT person different ad, I saw the chair for sell!! TWO hundred dollars! The kicker was it had no Ottoman. SERIOUSLY?!?!!!  He even threw in a Molded Plywood Dining Chair, a little side table and an Eames book.  so for two hundred forty dollars I got my dream chair! I'm not going to lie its not perfect and it's missing some buttons, but man I love it!
   Remember when I shared that lovely velvety blue Chesterfield sofa with you?!?! AND remember how I shared that hopefully I would come across a perfectly worn in brown leather one on Craigslist?!?! Well guess what! I did! the only thing is instead of only being a hundred dollars like in my dream world... It's ONLY $1800 YES YOU READ THAT RIGHT EIGHTEEN HUNDRED DOLLARS. Just look at it though...

I emailed the ad and I told them if they haven't sold it in a couple months when I have my decorating budget I will buy it!! So keep your fingers crossed.

Xoxo,
Mama

Beautiful Dreams

Meet my dream couch. Like i would sell a kidney or toe for this lovely piece of furniture. Over the years i have collected and collected ALL kinds of nicknacks, furniture and lets face it, stupid unnecessary STUFF. I have a problem with tying to feel voids and wants NOW and settling for things that works for the time being. As i get older I realize the significance of  waiting and investing in pieces that i really want. So as i start purging all my crap, I cant help but fantasize and look for the key pieces we will invest in for the new house. 

I love the look of a chesterfield couch. All the tuffing and beautiful curves. I would die if i found a perfectly worn in brown leather one on craigslist, but if not I told Papa this is the couch I want. I went ahead a got a price request and i must say its not as expensive as i thought!!! Decades has been very helpful, fast in their response and reasonable.They are sending me fabric samples of this lovely blue and the leather green.

xoxo, mama

Meet the Sullivan's

Papa is a nurse. He LOVES to surf and travel the world. He is hands down the best person I have ever met. Kind hearted, easy on the eyes, smart, funny, positive, and full of dreams.
Mama is a nanny for now, but come July with fulfill her life long dream of being a stay at home mom! She loves to craft and refinish furniture. She's always picking things up curb side and shopping at goodwill.
Baby is 4 months old. He lives to read, play, sing, and dance. He likes long walks and warm baths. He's also the cutest thing Mama and Papa have ever seen.
Leroy, french bulldog/ Boston terrier mix and Raya, pit bull mix are quite the pair. They love to play ball and chase each other all over. They have kisses and snuggles for days.

To blog or not to blog?!

I have wrestled with this question for over a year now. In that year a TON has changed. I met and fell in love with Tyler. We got (I like to say knocked up, as in Knocked Up the movie) pregnant only a few weeks into our relationship. Call me a hussy or whatever you like...It was perfect and crazy just like our entire life. Soon came the baby in the baby carriage. We call him Varga James Sullivan also known as Varg or Wolfie. Tyler an I  secretly got married on a Friday afternoon followed by sushi with some friends. Most would say we have done things backwards, but that's all we know and that's how I like it. Over the next year we plan on remodeling one of our houses which brings me back to the question... to blog or not to blog!? Once upon a time I had a blog about uprooting from the Midwest and moving to the great Northwest. It was full of stupid little outfits I wore ( which helped me to actually get dressed. something I struggle with these days as a new and VERY tired mom). All kinds of DIY projects, my life long passion. AND discovering the Emerald city. I'm not entirely sure why I stopped, but I did. One thing I miss about blogging is how I used to seek out new projects and outfits to keep my readers (mainly my family and close friends, Hi Aunt Lesa. Hi mom!) or lack there of, coming back. I figured with this major renovation coming and the fact that I struggle to get ready for most days I might as well get inspired  to do so again. So basically I'm using this blog to keep me accountable, If I have a blog I have to have things to blog about right?! Any who, let the wild rumpus begin!

Xoxo,
Mama