early morning sweetness

A Fabricated Post

The Creative Suite is stepping down for a few short months due to the husband's overwhelmingly strict budget, so I've moved on to another project that I've convinced myself and him will be less expensive - curtains.

The truth is - Matthew doesn't like to be exposed. While he says it's not safe to have no blinds/window treatments in our living room and den, I know he just doesn't like the entire neighborhood peering in on his countless hours of baseball watching. He'd rather some things be left behind closed doors.

So, I'm using this "safety" excuse as an excuse to buy fabric, something I'm learning to love. The fabric buying will be easy, but it's the construction of these (roman?) shades that will be the real doozy. No, I won't be sewing these - ha. But finding someone that doesn't cost a bundle will be the difficult part.

Here's the style of curtain we had in mind for the front main windows in the living room/den.

Source: centsationalgirl.com via Melina on Pinterest

Look pretty (difficult) right?

So far the color scheme in the living room is navy and an apple green and the den is shades of purple/black/gray, SO I'm thinking of gray curtains for both rooms. Here are some ideas...

Source: etsy.com via Lauren on Pinterest

Source: buyfabrics.com via Jessica on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via stevie on Pinterest

Anyone have a preference? Guess we'll have to see what F&M fabric store in Springfield has to offer. (FYI if you live in the Nixa/Spfd area and are not buying your fabric from F&M - you're crazy! Most inexpensive and best selection out there!)

Creative Suite

I'm on a blogging roll today.

It's been announced that Matthew has a man cave - that he can keep - for possibly forever. So I'm sure my friends and family are wondering, so what the hell does the wife get in return? Besides not having to listen to Matthew listening to the Royals game on his stupid radio, I get this room all to myself.

Ah the ideas are swimming in my head. My own room to make as girlish as I want. The possibilities are endless, but I've already nailed down a color scheme. We're going seafoam green and pink. Think this (but with pink instead of peach).

Source: tissosweetcandy.blogspot.com via Melina on Pinterest

Isn't it glorious? What purpose will this room serve you might ask? It's my creative suite. If Betty Draper would get the stick out of her ass, it's possibly how she might design her Mrs. Don Draper room. But for me, it'll contain all my favorite things, house all my current inspirations. I plan to use this space to tackle DIY projects, blog, dream up house projects, tackle a future business plan...it will probably be Matthew's worst nightmare given the dollar signs that will be attached with all of these "creative ideas." Can't wait!

Another decor idea I love for this space.

Source: urbanoutfitters.com via Melina on Pinterest

A Little Man Chair

So, per our previous post, Matthew is extremely excited about his man cave and even more thrilled when I told him I (probably) won't turn it into a playroom when we have kids.

What he failed to mention in his post was the new addition to the room. Ashley and I went to Good JuJu (our favorite

flea market store in KC) and I picked up this ridiculously adorable dark green leather kid's chair. Not only does it go perfectly with the room, but its just so damn cute, I can't stand it. I'm envisioning our future son rocking out in that chair with a bourb

on glass filled with apple juice listening to a Royal's game. Ah love. Best.Purchase.Ever.

Chalk Full of Ideas

We have a small room off our dining room with beautiful pocket doors. I was somehow able to convince my wife to let me turn this into a bar/man room/entertaining space. I might still be able to convince her to let me keep the room in its current function rather than turn it into a storage room for kids toys down the road.

My mom was here for a long weekend, and we painted the room. We painted one wall with chalkboard paint, so that I can write cocktail recipes or keep a list of needed ingredients or just play hangman. For now, I just need a better name for Matthew's bar.


The other walls are an olive-ish green that Melina picked which you can see behind the bookshelf below.


Melina can attest that it's my favorite room in the house. I'm thankful that we could turn this space into a fun/entertaining area. And as long as I can keep making Melina tasty cocktails, I think I'll be thankful for a long time.

Stewart's First Popsicle

Sorry video is sideways.

That's All Folks!

The. Kitchen. Is. Done.

That's right - now the pressure is on to learn to cook because this room is just too beautiful to fail in the kitchen department.

Although, I did hear a funny piece of wisdom at my friend Janna's bridal shower this past weekend.

"Focus your attention on being perfect in one room of the house . . . and it doesn't have to be the kitchen." :) haha

Anyway, here are the long awaited final pictures. Enjoy - we sure are!


Notice we already have a 2011 Royal's schedule on our fridge.


One of my favorites. This is the view as you walk in the front door. Love it!



Steward in the den next to the chaise we had recovered. Still need some additional furniture in this room, the chaise turned out awesome. Thanks Mom and Dad.

And yes, Stewart tries his hardest to get up there and take naps!