attic update.

one of my favorite parts of our house is the attic. it has this cool ship's staircase up to it (ladder-like), two skylights, two other windows that feel like they're nestled in the trees, and feels so cozy with the roof slants and white walls. we want to make it a space where we can be as a family & grow as a family -- i think of forts, movie nights, sleep overs, rainy days spent reading up there -- a place to escape, for all of us.

the problem is right now it is a storage unit gone awry -- piles & boxes & things we're not quite sure what to do with. so, bit by bit, i've been chipping away at the piles. finding good homes for some things, consigning others, donating & sorting. in the next few weeks, we're going to build some storage for what's left -- a fraction of what we began with.

the reality is, these are first world problems (having too many things in your attic), but i believe deeply in living simply & raising our family with things we intentionally want around us. bit by bit this year, i'm going room by room trying to simplify our lives -- normally, i'd try to do this in a weekend & totally overwhelm myself. this time, i'm taking my time, knowing it will go much better if i take my time & don't set artificial deadlines. it also allows me to really find good homes for the things we don't need, not carelessly getting rid of them. what's slowly happening is that it's changing how i think about our purchases -- i am more realistic about thinking about whether something is really something we need or will use. goodness knows i don't want things drifting up to the attic!

that said, this new space will need a few things to make it a family space. above are a few things i'm dreaming about adding: a shower curtain to separate where we'll store extra clothes/uniforms (we have old house teensy tiny closets in our rooms & so this serves as back up); a teepee for reading & play, bright knobs for the storage cabinets; open whale bins for a few toys (hat tip, alli!); & a world map i received in my stocking a few christmases ago -- so we can track our family adventures!

p.s. i've been meaning to do this simplifying since we moved in (almost three years ago) it's been on my "to do list" & kept getting pushed to the back. since our budget has changed dramatically since going down to one income, i set up some motivation for myself -- i've long dreamed of hunter rain boots. so, i told myself if i could consign and earn enough money for them from the attic, that would be my reward. & the check just came that got me over the hump! see you soon new rain boots!

click through if you want to see this room before we moved in -- i'll show you the updated room soon!

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ellie's nursery! (part two!)

 

 

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ellie's nursery!

  

 

 

 

at long last, i'm so excited to share some photos of ellie's nursery! today i'm showing you some instagram photos i love & giving you a little background on the meaning behind what we filled it with. tomorrow i'll be back with some non-instagram photos & a ton of links to where you can find things. feel free to ask questions in the comments section!

in creating a nursery for ellie, i was struck by what it means to build a space for someone to grow in & how much of a labor of love it was for us. there are a gazillion options out there & as ellie is about to turn nine months, i'm reflecting on how this nursery works for us, and why. 

my one bit of advice would be to fill that nursery up with things that mean something. here's why: when i look around, i don't feel so alone in raising this little girl -- i can literally feel the love that surrounds her: 

i was so moved by all the friends & family who took the time to send their favorite books. there were some classic favorites, but also new-to-me treasures like the popular australian book "edward the emu" -- it's hilarious!

the rug was something my mom, picked out when we learned we were having a girl. as it turns out, the bright colors match our sweet girl's personality. she absolutely loves to shimmy her way all over it!

if you told me we could only keep one thing in the whole nursery, i'd pick the "you are loved" emblem above her crib. it may not be the most practical choice, but it's the most important thing in there. 

the little wooden rocking chair was actually ryan's when he was a baby -- he painted it pink just for her! it's so neat to think it's been passed down a generation in our little family. 

ellie's full name is nora eloise, so the print above her changing table is something i hope she has for a long time. when we framed it, i looked at ryan and said, "can't you just see it in her first apartment?! maybe even in new york city?!" he laughed & smiled, knowing i have a tendency to get ahead of myself. for now, she LOVES looking at it during diaper changes & squeals when i hold her up to it. 

the print above the rocking chair was given to us by a dear friend. i read it almost every day, because it's so important to remember, it reads: "this is the start of your sweet little story, the part where your pages meet mine. no matter where your tale takes you tomorrow, our story will always read love." 

i love that these are the things that surround her as she sleeps & plays; as we rock her to sleep & greet her in the morning.

bigger picture on planning a nursery: we tried to invest in things that would last -- both that could grow with ellie over the years & that any future babies down the road could use. we chose simple, white furniture, a linen rocker, really practical woven baskets & basic lamps. where we could, we bought furniture not limited to baby years. the dresser / changing table has a ton of storage, the bookshelf and lamps could go anywhere in our house. we painted the room a calming, neutral grey so that we wouldn't have to repaint the room no matter whose room it is down the road.

this nursery has been the grounds for some of our most significant moments as a family of three. here's to the best being yet to come!

i'm in love with a couch.

i know you aren't supposed to fall in love with couches, especially when you don't need one, but this bliss sofa is just fabulous. i recently went in just to sit on it & it only made me fall more in love. don't you just want to curl up & read a book on it?! happy monday!

our little garden!

my dad has a serious green thumb. it's been one of the many blessings of having him as a dad & came in particularly handy when he was here for father's day. he transported, all the way from indiana, seedlings for tomatoes (several varieties!), peppers, basil, cilantro, gourds, parsley & chives! talk about love.

now i'm taking care of the little garden that could! it's so incredible to see the changes each day -- excited for a big tomato harvest in august. virginia friends, count on some headed your way!

p.s. you can follow me on instagram at tulipsandflightsuits or here.

house tour: upstairs!

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house tour: downstairs!

 

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master bedroom update.

i'm really excited to share some more photos of our sweet little house with you in the coming weeks. the only room you won't be seeing many photos of is our master bedroom. it's just bleh. it's pretty empty and the only things in it are random, not quite right pieces from other phases of life.

i would love for our bedroom to be a retreat, and a warm, inviting place in our house. so, one of my projects this year is to update it a bit. the thing is, it's not going to take too much -- a lot of the pieces are elsewhere, and just need to be brought together. plus, you know i love a simple room! thought i'd be sharing some of the things that have been inspiring me.

1. i've never had a headboard/bed in my adult life -- always a mattress on a metal frame. so, seriously swooning over this bed, though it's likely way out of our price range, so still hunting!

2. seriously digging these night stands! was able to see them in person when we were in dallas -- love how deep they are & the design!

3. we need a soft, cozy rug -- was going to do something neutral (but alas i always do that...) so might do something kind of fun. anyone have a favorite rug?

4. going to get a photo of the two of us done on canvas for above the bed. snagged a great groupon for canvas on demand thank to some good friend's recommendations!

5. my sweet maid of honor gave us this frame, in ivory, for our wedding present. this is ridiculous, but it has been sitting on our floor!! soooo ready to get it up on the wall, above the chair below for a little reading nook. i love the ee cummings quote on it: "i carry your heart with me (i carry it in my heart) i am never without it (anywhere i go, you go my dear)"

6. i have a great, old leather chair from college that i can't wait to bring to this room!

7. every good reading chair needs a cozy throw, i'm loving these from west elm -- hard to beat that price!

what am i missing?! excited to show it to you when it's all spruced up! xo

it's front porch time!

one of the many things i love about this house of ours is the wonderful front porch. trouble is, there's been no place to sit or gather since we moved in. well, that's all changing this weekend! we have two big white rocking chairs & a porch swing that will be taking center stage.

they hold the promise of lots of summer evenings on the porch with dear friends. because i can't resist making things a bit more cozy, i just snagged these two pillows from west elm (they're on sale!). plus i know we'll use them anywhere we move as they fit our navy life by the water oh so perfectly. our front porch doesn't quite look like that top photo, but a girl can dream...

are you doing anything to get your porch/yard/garden ready for summer?

around our house.

 

 

i love these digs of ours & am really trying to be present these days. so, some small bits to share with you:

1. on a saturday afternoon, baby was sleeping & i managed to get a whole hour with a candle, some tea & this book (which i LOVE).

2-3. our living room remains my favorite room in the house, especially in the evening with candles lit.

4. these branches make it feel like spring is here.

5. sometimes i feel like i'm living groundhog's day with the laundry ... do you?

6. had some friends over for a baked potato bar -- it was so fun!

houses are always a work in progress, but i'm really loving ours these days & resting in that.

p.s. photos taken with instagram, you can follow me at tulipsandflightsuits!