Gallery Wall - Inspired New Look

Do you ever look around your house and think, "This room could use something." But, when you look around the room, you can't put your finger on what it needs. A fresh coat of paint? New furniture? A dusting and vacuum? For me, it's more the latter, but I am always on the hunt to freshen up the rooms in my house to make them a little more chic. A little more relevant. A little more like my ever evolving style.

I was watching my daily morning show earlier this week, Home and Family, and Ken Wingard changed my life! Okay, not really changed my life, but changed my view on what I thought I wanted on my den wall. I was thinking originally of replacing the current print with two larger ones of my dad's photography. But then I saw him create a gallery wall on their set and I was done! This is what I have to do over my couch in the den. And I've already started creating inspiration boards on Pinterest and scouring the stores for ideas!

This is currently what my wall looks like. After decluttered all the growing furniture that had been collected in this room, I realized that this print was dwarfed by this large wall. It's been hanging there since we moved in 15 years ago and I just never really thought about changing it out. Again, my style is changing so my house needs to grow with it! Man, look how clean this room is! It doesn't look anything like this right now. I need to get busy..... That dusting and vacuum is a must!

So here's what I'm thinking I need to create!

How amazing are these walls? And I have so many different ideas of how I want to create my wall and I'm overwhelmed by which one I like more! I'm leaning toward the upper left, but I love the center bottom! What I do know is that I want an oversized clock, a mirror, an artistic piece, and then a large photo of something my dad has taken around KC. Either a downtown iconic building or something from the Plaza. I can't wait to see what he has!

While out yesterday, I took some pics of pieces that I like from both Target and T.J. Maxx. I haven't pulled the trigger on anything. Right now I'm collecting ideas. But these are stunners!

 Now, I know that if I were to do the starburst mirror, I wouldn't go with the starburst accent piece. However, with the copper mirror, how gorgeous would those two pieces be together? And, I'm thinking of trying to find an antique clock that no longer works to add to that rustic aged look I'm going for. Seriously, I'm giddy!!

What do you think of a gallery wall? How would you design yours? Any of the above inspired walls have your attention? Let's chat!

XO,

Andrea

Turning the Page

Hallmark Channel has truly sucked me in when it comes to their sweet, romantic movies. Like I mentioned over the holidays, I love their countdown to Christmas, but my obsession has rolled into Winterfest. Take this past weekends Frozen in Love. It was darling! But I think what I loved most was the plot around the family owned bookstore. Which make me think of You've Got Mail. The movies don't have a plot in common, but it's the idea behind being a bookstore owner. Something I've wanted to be for years.

What is it about movies that romanticizes real life businesses or careers? They make them seem so obtainable. Successful even. That anyone could do it. And because of You've Got Mail, I decided that I wanted to own my own children's bookstore. I can see it. I've truly visualized that interior. Marketing ideas. Children's activities that would take place throughout the week and on weekends. Story hours for toddlers and older children. Discussions that could take place with those reading chapter books. And I can smell the pages of the books that we would offer. It's honestly a dream that I would love to make a reality.

Oh, and I even have the name. I'm always so hesitant to share such things because you may just see it in print six months from now. Not that anyone would truly steal an idea, but you never know right? Let's just say, it's the sweetest name and true perfection! What keeps me from taking the plunge? Conglomerates. Barnes and Noble. Amazon. Target and Walmart. All places selling books. All places that have a one stop shop approach. B&N offers books, CDs, DVDs, magazines, giftables, and coffee with the help of in store Starbucks cafes. Amazon, need I say more? And when you're shopping for groceries, household goods, and that cute camo sweatshirt you saw on your friend the other day, you might circle around to the entertainment section to pick up that best seller that's on your book club list. Or a baby gift. Why would you want to stop in that sweet little book store with it's distressed white bookcases lined with titles like The Pigeon Needs a Bath. Or Peppermints in the Parlor. Or any one of the Little Critter books and the antics of brother critter. But on the other hand, why wouldn't you want to stop in?

The little shop is filled with distressed white bookcases, small round table and chairs that are lined with dots of dried glue and specks of colorful glitter, and a reading nook for those that want to get lost on the prairies of Kansas with Laura Ingles and her family or to conjure up wizardry with the students of Hogwarts. Where said nook becomes a place where children participate in story hours that take them to far off places. Or simply allows them to interact with a fairytale. So many ways to help feed a child's imagination. At those round tables, children could get their hands dirty with craft activities stemmed from a recent story hour read or with upcoming holidays. Making sweet Valentine's for their parents, grandparents, or friend. Creating good luck charms on St. Patrick's Day. Maybe even learn a more hands on skill as they grow older with stencils or string art. The possibilities are endless. 

Finally, you take your parcels to the wrap station that is lined with fun pens and pencils, cute erasers, tiny notebooks for scribble or diaries for deep secrets, and little pieces of candy for that sweet tooth in everyone. A shopping experience that you can't get from a trip to larger bookstores or big bulk spaces. This shop would leave you feeling inspired, fulfilled, and coming back for more. This little bookstore specific to children. This little bookstore that evolved from a dream.

It's crazy that something like this would stem from a movie. From a plot. From a romanticized idea. Yet it's something I dream about. Something I would love to explore. Something I think is necessary among all the big businesses. A place that's small but mighty, but also stands out. Makes an impact. Leaves an impression. Because all of us are kids at heart. Because all of us just want to turn the page.

XO,

Andrea

KC Fun: JOCO Arts and Heritage Center

During our last final days of Winter Break, McKinley and I headed to the new Johnson County Arts and Heritage Center. This new facility celebrates the arts and history of Johnson County. You can visit the museum that showcases Johnson Counties local history. It offers guided and self-guided tours, lectures, film series, field trips, family programs, art classes, and behind-the-scene tours. However, we never got around to visiting the museum because we spent two hours playing in Kidscape! When it's freezing outside, or steaming hot this summer, this is a place to escape the elements and let those kiddos run off energy. Let me tell you, McKinley slept like a log that night. Thank you, Kidscape!

So what all did we/he do? Well, everything! You can visit a 1870s farmhouse. Wash clothes from a galvanized tub, get water from a cistern, pick vegetables from your garden, build a campfire, and learn what it was like to grow up in the late 1800s. Oh, and their pie safe looks just like the one in our kitchen! It's like we have an 1870s farmhouse!

Or, you can move on to the local construction zone and build a wonky tour of blocks! Not sure I want this guy working on my next house....

Let's go fishing! Check out this fishing boat complete with fishing poles and local species of fish. Not sure if they are blue gill or rainbow trout, but I bet they would cook up well over an open fire!

Order up! There is nothing like a burger from your local burger joint and the ones being served up at the Kidscape Diner are delish! And they've got some weight on them too! You can get yours with cheese, lettuce, tomato, and onion. Just tell the cook how you want it! Get a scoop of ice cream to finish up the meal. So many choices!

Got a boo-boo? Well then head on over to the hospital and get a quick check up! The doctors and nurses on duty are working hard to get you fixed up and back to play!

I hope to never see this photo of McKinley! EVER!

Curtain Up! We headed to the theater for a little show and McKinley, and his other cast of characters, were amazing! I'm not exactly sure what the title of the play was, or what the true plot was, but I can tell you that this narrator did a beautiful job!

 

School days, school days..... 

And finally, it was time to head to the local city market where McKinley peddled his homegrown produce! He's been busy!

We purchased a membership that day and McKinley has asked several times to go back. I can't wait to take him back and actually check out the museum! If you haven't been, go! It's such a fun place for kids, and adults, and you will love how worn out your child is from all the imaginative play!

XO,

Andrea

Becoming a Better Mom

There are several types of categories when I think of moms. And most of them have to do with the moms of television. You have the 1950s mom with June Cleaver. The put together mom who vacuumed in pearls and heels. She made sure her boys, husband and sons, were served a nutritious breakfast and an equally nutritious lunch served up in a brown paper bag. She had a snack waiting when the boys came home from school. She was loving and nurturing. But, she never raised her voice or disciplined. She left that to Ward. June was a classy mom.

Then you had Carol Brady from the 1970s. Carol was a stay at home mom to a bunch of kids who worked along side her Nanny Alice. Together, they served up breakfast that seemed to be a little more realistic. Usually bowls of cereal or toast and juice. But like June, they provided each kid with a brown paper bag lunch that I'm sure consisted of a sandwich, a piece of fruit, and possibly a cookie. I mean Alice cooked all the time. Carol was understanding, loving, and nurturing. But unlike June, she would discipline. She would also defer to Mike, but she didn't necessarily wait until dad came home. That was a change in parenting right before our eyes.

The 1980s brought you Clair Huxtable. A no nonsense mom who was also a high powered career woman, something you didn't see often. She was sassy, tough when needed, wasn't afraid to get angry, but always supportive of her kids. She held the kids responsible which hadn't been seen in previous decades. Mom did it all before that. Or at least she appeared to. Clair created a different footprint in the television mom category.

For the 1990s, I didn't watch as much TV as I did in previous decades. I was in college, and then out on my own, and time was limited for TV viewing. And, the shows I tended to watch no longer featured moms. Sure, you had Cindy Walsh from Beverly Hills 90210, a Midwest mom just trying to make her way in the wealthy new zip code. But you didn't see many moms on shows like Sex and the City and FRIENDS. Monica's mom made an appearance from the time to time, and who can't relate to Judy Gellar? One very relatable mom comes to mind and that's Debra from Everybody Loves Raymond. A frazzled mom who is running after kids all day, lives in a house that's constantly in a state of clutter, deals with in-laws who are ever present (something I can't relate to), and simply tries to raise her kids as best she can. I think everyone can relate to that on some level.

So where am I going with all of this, you ask. Well, over the long winter break, I found that I struggle with motherhood. I'm a mom that apparently moms from day to day and it's not consistent. I mother based on my mood, McKinley's mood, the weather, and so many other factors. I lose my cool. I raise my voice. I smother him with kisses. I snuggle him to death. I smother him to death. I discipline when needed and sometimes I let it slide. When I'm in a bad mood, I'm not super understanding. When I'm frustrated because the house is a mess, or because McKinley's playing in the middle of the floor and I trip over something, I get mad. I start to grumble. And instead of taking a deep breath, or leaving the room to take a minute to calm down, I find that I harbor that moment and stay frustrated most of the day. Not a very great trait. And I'm aware of it. And I fear that McKinley is too. But, when all of this goes down, I find McKinley is his same playing spot, without a care in the world, so maybe he just figures my behavior is normal. Is it?

I'm not a great mom. I can admit that, but I don't like that either. I wish I was more patient. I wish I didn't get frustrated so easily. I wish I didn't lose my cool when I do. I wish that McKinley and I wouldn't argue, but when you are raising someone who is pretty much your personality equal, it's hard! I get angered that he won't compromise, but maybe I should. I get so frustrated when he simply refuses to do something I ask, which can set the tone for either my mood or my day. But it doesn't seem to impact him. Unless when I raise my voice in true anger, and then he runs to his room and cries it out in his bed. I should caveat that by saying, he cries for less than a minute, and then he's back in his original spot playing. Or chatting with me about some random subject he dreamed up in his head. Is that normal? Is that his way of dealing with the situation? By trying to change the mood? And it works. I will immediately be back to my "normal" self, listening to him talk and chiming when I can. And regretting the fact that we had to have that moment to begin with.

I've already declared my New Years Resolution, and becoming a better mom wasn't on there, and maybe it should have been. I think deep down we all have that resolution year after year and we just don't verbalize it. But what I'm going to try and do for me might help in the better mom category. Maybe taking more time for me, and it doesn't count that he's in school for eight hours because during that time I'm cleaning, doing laundry, going to the grocery store, or helping at school, and that is definitely not me time! But, I'm hoping that a little time away in the evenings or on weekends might help. I do need to work on taking deep breaths, not huffing and puffing, to calm myself when things get heated. I need to leave the room and compose myself before just raising my voice to get my point across. And, I truly need to work on my patience because it really sucks! However, I will continue to kiss him to death, smoothing him to death, love him, nurture him, be tough when needed, discipline when needed, and spend as much quality time with him as humanly possible. And, I will try my hardest to give him a good breakfast, a fully packed lunchbox with an occasional cookie, a snack after school, and possibly wear pearls and heels while doing it all. 

XO,

Andrea

Holiday Bucket List - Final Post

Today is the first day of the new year and it brings with it the conclusion of our Holiday Bucket List. There were 30 items on the list and we were able to accomplish 26. I don't think that's too shabby. Some we were simply unable to do, like go sledding, and we aren't the type of family to do the matching pajama bit. Home Alone has never been one of my favorite holiday movies, and if McKinley could barely make it through Elf, I'm thinking this one would have been a no go as well. Finally, kissing under the mistletoe didn't take place because we never found any! 

Over the past week or so, we've been able to check off the final items. We spent the Friday and Saturday before Christmas on the road looking at Christmas lights. Yes, it took us two nights because apparently our city really gets into the spirit of outdoor decor. So much so, we found an entire cul de sac that set their display to music. It was really cool! We found one amazing house while just driving home one night and made a mental note to go back. Then, based on a friends request, we found the second most decorated house of all time. Insane is what truly comes to mind!

We played board games on that Sunday. We were officially four days into Winter Break and boredom had already set in! We started with Candy Land then moved to Chutes and Ladders. We tried playing Sorry, but in between me leaving the game to get cookies out of the oven, and McKinley turning over the cards for everyone, we lost track of who's turn it really was and everyone got frustrated. We will try it again another time.

Christmas Eve brought a little snow, and freezing temps, but when you don't see the white stuff around these parts, you get bundled up and head out. McKinley couldn't wait to wear his new snowsuit and boots and get those snow plows out in the driveway. And, even though the snow was nothing but dust, we built our version of a snowman. 

I have made a New Year Resolution, but it's not like what you would think. I'm not going to try and lose weight, give up sugar or carbs, or other unrealistic goals. Instead, I'm going to try and take more time for me. Go out with friends when they ask. Read when I have a few minutes whether it be that book club book I need to start or those magazines that are piling up in a corner. Try to do something different around the city when it comes to date nights, instead of just a typical dinner and movie. And, take a few risks and stop worrying what others are going to think or not think. It's my life. I'm going to live like I'm supposed to! You should too.

With as frigid as it's been this past week, we've really taken advantage of our fireplace. We don't love that it's on our kitchen because you can't really enjoy it, but if you're like McKinley, you pull up a comfy chair or bring your toys in the kitchen and just take it all in. And, we curled up together and he read a new book that Santa brought him for Christmas. "Biscuit Goes to the Library" was super entertaining! And he did an amazing job reading it.

Here is the final list! I had so much fun spending time with Joel and McKinley and trying new things or just relishing in the things we do year after year. I am definitely going to try this again next year! 

Happy New Year to you! I hope you have a wonderful year full of happiness and joy!

XO,

Andrea