A Thoughtful Place

Friday Eye Candy: Look Up | Painted Ceilings

2013-05-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love a beautifully painted ceiling. While I don’t know that every ceiling in a home should be painted, one here and there really make a statement and can put a finishing touch on a space. I gathered a few examples as I am toying with looking up again in our home. Hmmm. Tell me what you think.

This soft ceiling is just so beautiful. It works so well with the neutral space. And those coffee tables . . . sort of crushing on those.

When you have a coastal vibe, I am not sure you can ever go wrong with color on the ceiling. With all of that natural light pouring in it’s just beautiful. And that door!

I wish I knew who was cool enough to live here. This is amazing. The purple ceiling,the patterned drapes, the gorgeous mirrors and lights. Wow. I could spend my whole summer on this patio.

Although the ceiling is painted a cool color, I think the room definitely warms up with the addition of the blue on the ceiling. Imagine the room without it and it’s a whole different experience. Great lights!

And then there is my daughter’s room. We recently painted her ceiling and I just love it. So I am now contemplating looking up again and painting another ceiling. This time I am thinking about my living room. I am just a tad bit afraid to even start throwing paint swatches up. My husband is even more afraid! What about you? Are you brave enough to go bold on the ceiling. Do you have ceilings painted in your home? And if you have tackled your living room, I would love to know!

Happy weekend to you all! I hope you enjoy a nice long memorial day weekend with your families.

happy weekend

Recipe | Easy & Healthy Chicken Dish

2013-05-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

I’m not sure what’s going on around here! First, my header and much of my blog labels disappeared yesterday. After a couple of hours of work we seem to be back on track. I am also posting two food ideas in one week. Very odd, indeed! If you missed the chocolate cups I posted you can see them here. I am all about simple and easy. We try to eat very clean around here and I wanted to share a quick recipe I threw together this week. It ended up being a big hit and those are always fun to pass along. But hey, nothing gourmet around here. . . just a word of warning!

Parmesan & Salsa Chicken

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I used three large boneless, skinless chicken breasts. {Fed two adults and two children}

Season with pepper and coat with fresh shaved parmesan cheese on both sides.

Cook in a skillet for 8 minutes on each side.

Slice into pieces.

Top with a mild fresh salsa {homemade or store bought}.

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Serve with fresh tomatoes seasoned with lemon pepper

Sautee zucchini in two clovers of garlic and a splash of olive oil. Sautee until slightly browned.

I know we can all use fresh and easy ideas as we approach the busy and fun filled days of summer. This one scored two thumbs up from my daughter and a, “This is the best dinner ever!” comment. She is seven and quite a foodie! Take it for what it is worth.

bon appetite

Pinterest: Fashion & Food

2013-05-21T00:00:00.000-07:00

First and foremost, I want to say that I am so very sorry for the total devastation in Oklahoma. My prayers and thoughts are with the entire state. I truly have no words.

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In lieu of a project today, I wanted to let you know that I did a little guest post over at Pinterest Told Me To yesterday. Sheaffer was sweet enough to invite me to recreate a look from Pinterest. So fun. I went straight to my Fashion Fantasies board and selected two of my favorite looks. It really made me see that I should probably depend on Pinterest more often to pull my looks together. I chose two fun summer looks.

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I am beyond impressed with the cute bloggers that are always pulling off fashion posts. Forget it about it. It was the most awkward thing in the world for me. If you hop over to Sheaffer’s you’ll see the inspiration photo is also missing their head. I went for that approach. So much easier!!!! Let’s just say I won’t be making a habit out of this but so appreciated Sheaffer pushing me out of my comfort zone. You can hop over to Sheaffer’s blog to see the details on the sources of my items as well as other fun finds and deals she has for you. You’ll also see the Pinterest photos I copied!

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I also stumbled upon this amazing dessert idea and added it to my Sweet Treat Ideas board. I will definitely be trying these this summer. Don’t they look scrumptious. And easy. . .my kind of pin! I try to really stick to things I know I can handle. These are curteousy of Jo and Sue.

What about you? Have you ~~wasted~~ I mean spent, some time on Pinterest lately? You can find me here if you are interested. I hope you’ll take the time to hug your loved ones extra tight today. I know the Red Cross is accepting donations for the recovery efforts in Oklahoma.

Easy Dessert: Chocolate Cups with Ice Cream

2013-05-20T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love a quick and easy dessert. I am not much of a baker, so when it comes to the last course, I prefer something simple with a pretty presentation. Just recently, I hosted 11 people and served these for dessert. The chocolate cups are made ahead of time so when it is time to serve, it’s a quick assembly of ice cream, whip cream, chocolate sauce and berries. Simple yet scrumptious.

……………………how to make a chocolate cup

melt dark chocolate chips { I boil water in a pot and place a glass bowl on top of it. Works great!}

Use 12 foil cupcake liners {they are easy to peel later} and place them in a cupcake pan

Use a serving spoon and place about a tablespoon of melted chocolate in the bottom of the liner.

Use a small paint brush to paint the chocolate up the sides of the liner.

Refrigerate for about ten minutes.

Repeat the process of adding a tablespoon of chocolate and painting the sides.

Refrigerate for about an hour and then peel the foil away. Done!

After I peel all twelve cups, I place them back in the cupcake pan and keep them in the fridge. Before serving, remove and let sit for about ten minutes. Then fill with anything you want! We chose a scoop of coffee ice cream, whip cream and strawberries.

HINT: If you are serving very many people, consider scooping your ice cream ahead of time. You can place scoops on wax paper on a tray and stick in the freezer until you are ready to serve. Makes it super easy to take out the scoops and place them in the cups. No hassle. Also, prep your fresh fruit so that is ready to go as well.

I credit my mom for these fun cups. I remember growing up and she would make these when company came over. See, mom. I was paying attention after all!

In case you have missed some other fun treat ideas you can click on each one below:

have a sweet monday

On My Mind Lately

2013-05-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

Occasionally, I just have to share what’s on my mind. Over the last couple of years, our family has suffered our share of losses. I have not shied away from sharing about our grief and what we have learned. We are slowly learning to cope with all that loss means. I have to say that one of the biggest pieces I have taken away from loss is that no one really cares or remembered what you accomplished. While accomplishments can gain respect and applause, it’s the way you make others feel that will be remembered. A man that does great works in his lifetime but does not treat others well, is not remembered in high regard. Those that treat others with kindness, compassion, and love will be remembered for that no matter what successes they may or may not have met with. I guess I am just trying to realize that my kiddos will remember when I was grumpy or short tempered before they remember that I did well on a project. I am trying to put in check the moment to moment ways I make those around me feel. It is always relatively easy to begin and end the day on a high note. But the moments sandwiched in between can be challenging. I plan to post this in my home where I can have a gentle reminder about all that is truly important.

My husband brought me these tulips. What I remember is how I felt when he did that. I felt loved. Case in point.

Thanks for letting me share. Enjoy your day.

Giveaway {Charles Emerson Designs}

2013-05-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

Thank you for all of your sweet comments yesterday about my son’s birthday and for you kind remarks about the 10 things. I truly think I have the kindest readers in the world. Today I am excited to be offering a fantastic giveaway. Erin from Charles Emerson Designs is graciously giving one lucky reader $50 to use in her store. I love every single piece of jewelry she offers so I am envious. And no one will be left out as she is also offering a 20% off coupon code so if you have had your eye on something, now is the time.

Charles Emerson Designs

I don’t know about you, but lately I find that I am more and more into adding a piece of jewelry to every outfit. I always wear my watch, but then find myself grabbing a bracelet and a necklace from my little collection. You can see how I organized it all here. I think you can take a very simple and casual outfit to a whole new level by adding fun statement pieces. That is why I am a huge fan of Charles Emerson Designs. Here are a few that have caught my eye lately.

I am definitely treating myself to The Izzie!!!! It’s so darn cute. I am stepping out of my comfort zone next week to show you a few of my favorite fashion picks and statement pieces definitely make an appearance. Excited to share them with you.

But it’s all about you now! You can pick up a couple of great pieces for yourself or to give as gifts! Who’s up for winning $50 of Charles Emerson Designs? It’s simple to enter!

………………$50 shopping credit

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Time for the rules!

{Please be a follower of A Thoughtful Place before entering}

One entry per comment below:

Leave a comment telling me your favorite piece from Charles Emerson Designs

Follow Charles Emerson Designs on Facebook and tell me you did in a comment

Spread the word on social media and come back & tell me you did!

Good Luck!!!!

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The giveaway will be open until next Tuesday at 8:00 PM PST. Good luck

But you all are in luck. Hop over to Charles Emerson Designs and shop away

for 20% off use this coupon code

thoughtful20

10 Things I Really Want My Son to Know

2013-05-14T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today our son turns five. How is that even possible? He is our baby. Eeek. I know time flies. That certainly isn’t a new concept. But it seems to sting a bit more as time goes on. I want to freeze time and take it all in. I want to bottle up the joy and innocence. I am so very proud and lucky to be Grady’s mommy. He boasts an inner joy and light that touches my heart every day. While he is not reading yet and is still quite young for most of this, I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to write down ten things I really want my son to know. While the words may be beyond his years, the sentiments and lessons are things we have been trying to teach him since day one.

1. I am proud of you. I am proud of the person you are and thank God for you each and every second of every day.

2. Be nice to girls. All girls, young and old. They are to be respected and treated with kindness. Open doors, pull out chairs, send flowers, and give compliments. It is never cool to be anything other than respectful and kind.

3. Call home. Home is where mommy and daddy are and it will always be home. Call us when you are fearful or in doubt. We may not always tell you what to do, but we will guide you with loving hearts and minds.

4. Stay close to your sister. She is a force to be reckoned with and the two of you make an amazing team. Cherish the friendship you have created and always give it the love and attention it deserves. And when it comes to choosing between friends and your sister, always choose your sister.

5. Save your pennies. It is always wise to be smart with your money. Save for a rainy day and for giving to others. There will always be something that needs fixing. There will always be a bill that you need to pay or one that you wish to pay for someone else.

6. Experience life. Jump in and don’t look back. You are smart and sensible and have good instincts. Cling to that while you take chances and savor the silly, the exciting, and the adventurous. Life is undoubtedly what you make of it. Make if grand. Make it your own.

7. Fall in love and get your heart broken. While it will pain me to see you experience any heartbreak, it will make you more understanding of the power of love and the safety of unconditional love. One day you will choose a woman who is your best friend. Love her, honor her, make her laugh and tell her what she means to you everyday. Oh, and don’t forget to tell your mom, too!

8. Observe your father. He is a wonderful man. He is intelligent, witty, caring, compassionate and wise. Allow him to guide you and share all that he has learned. While you will always be your own person, your dad is a role model that comes along once in a lifetime. Be thankful for him.

9. There is more to life than carbohydrates. Eat your vegetables. Please.

10. Above all else remember you are a child of God. In you, he created a unique being blessed with an able body and mind. Do him proud. Search within to use your talents and intelligence for good. Blessings lie within you so that you might pave a more joyful journey for all you meet.

Mommy and Daddy love you. Happy Birthday, sweet boy.

Entertaining {A Polka Dot & Preppy Table}

2013-05-13T00:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Monday! I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful Mother’s Day. We loved hanging out as a family and really enjoyed a great weekend with both friends and family. My hubby and kiddos were very good to me. I even scored a hand made clay necklace in the shape of a tulip from my daughter. She knows me well! Last night we had the family over and I put the napkins from Anthropologie to good use. I ended up going with a colorful and preppy table where the napkins served as cheery chargers. The stripes and polka dots remind me of Kate Spade. Here is a peek before the evening started.

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I kept things simple with a vase of tulips {thanks, hubby} and roses from the yard. The monogram tags I created using Microsoft Publisher and the napkin white napkins were wrapped in a band of washi tape. The polka dot napkins {used as chargers} are from Anthroplogie and the striped tablecloth is from Ikea. I actually have plans to turn it into pillows for my daughter’s new room!

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Hard to believe it is already Monday! Anyone else feel like they need another weekend?! Here’s to a happy and healthy week ahead!

e n j o y y o u r d a y

**Linking up to the Kate Spade Summer Soiree Link Party!!!!

Friday Eye Candy: Pretty Table Ideas

2013-05-10T00:03:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday! I am excited to spend time with my family this weekend and to honor my own mom. My sister and I are even sneaking away for a few hours on Saturday for a boat cruise! Sunday will include a dinner over at our house so I rounded up some really beautiful tables in honor of the event. You never know when you might see a little idea here or there that you can adopt to use in your own home. They are all quite lovely.

via dreamy whites

via ruffled styled by michaela noelle designs

via gabe aceves

I am looking forward to hosting a Mother’s Day dinner here on Sunday. If you follow me on instagram {@athoughtfulplace} you have seen a sneak peak of my table. I ordered the napkins that were on clearance from Anthropologie and they will be making their debut on Sunday. As you can see, I am not shying away from color! You can always snoop around my “entertaining” link under my header at the top of the blog. I love to entertain and you’ll see a round up of some of our parties there. Three are highlighted below.

entertaining

And to all of my readers that are mothers, I truly send you a virtual hug and hope that you are able to take a moment out this weekend just for yourself. We all work around the clock and deserve to savor peace and quiet now and again. No matter how you spend the day, I know we all give thanks for the sweet children in our lives {whether little or big}. And to my own mom, I love you dearly. Looking forward to honoring you on Sunday.

Brighten Up Your Day: Outshine Bars & Giveaway

2013-05-08T07:16:00.001-07:00

I am excited about today’s post because one lucky reader will be winning a $100 Visa gift card! Thanks to DREYER’S and the new Outshine bars, I have very happy kiddos. We live in a neighborhood that has tons of parks and pools. Because of that, we are outside all the time. Recently, I scooped up the children from school and we headed straight to the park. The best part of the afternoon was the look on their faces when I took out the Outshine bars. They are a healthier alternative to so many other snacks. And the refreshing flavors make it an easy sell. The front runners in our family are peach and raspberry. Here’s a fun look at our afternoon in the park. Oh, and this was a big day as my daughter was celebrating her last day as a six year old. Big stuff, my friends!

………………a day at the park

These little faces kill me every time! With the sun shining and the popsicles flowing, life doesn’t get much better. I love that they are still at the age when they savor afternoons in the park. I am trying to savor it as well.

Once called Fruit Bars, the new Outshine bars are made with real fruit and fruit juice. Let’s just say they are a huge hit with my children and are an easy way to Snack Brighter!

These delicious bars make a regular afternoon feel so much more fun and bright. It’s safe to say I take one for myself as well. And in case you are wondering, I slip them in a plastic bag of ice and keep them in a little cooler. They are perfectly fine in there for a bit while the kiddos play. Then it’s all smiles when I pull them out.

There is something about taking an unexpected detour during the day that makes everything seem better. It’s funny how just a little surprise like a park play date and a scrumptious snack can make the day so much brighter. We also hit a new park so the kids are really anxious to go back.

Helpful hint: Quite a while ago, we were invited to dinner with some friends. When it was time for dessert, the wife set a large bowl of ice on the table. In it were a variety of frozen dessert pops. Such a fun idea. I had to try it out. It would be fun to fill it up with an assortment of flavors and let your guests choose their own.

If you are interested in snacking brighter and better, hop over to the Outshine Facebook page to like them! You’ll be able to check out the darling new look of the box!

………………………..enter to win

So now it’s your turn! Do you want to win a $100 Visa gift card?

If so, please respond with a comment about where you would be enjoying your Outshine bars. Is it the park, the pool, the beach, or your very own backyard? Let us know!

{Outshine bars were provided at no cost for my review. Opinions are 100% my own. Always.}

Sweepstakes Rules:

No duplicate comments.

You may receive (2) total entries by selecting from the following entry methods:

a) Leave a comment in response to the sweepstakes prompt on this post

b) Tweet (public message) about this promotion; including exactly the following unique term in your tweet message: "#SweepstakesEntry"; and leave the URL to that tweet in a comment on this post

c) Blog about this promotion, including a disclosure that you are receiving a sweepstakes entry in exchange for writing the blog post, and leave the URL to that post in a comment on this post

d) For those with no Twitter or blog, read the official rules to learn about an alternate form of entry.

This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. You have 72 hours to get back to me, otherwise a new winner will be selected.

The Official Rules are available here.

This sweepstakes runs from 5/8/13 – 6/12/13.

Be sure to visit the OUTSHINE brand page on BlogHer.com where you can read other bloggers’ reviews and find more chances to win!

How to Create A Chic Tray {Rustic + Glam}

2013-05-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am excited to share with you the third installment of the faster, smarter, easier series. Inspired by the new MSN from Microsoft, I am dishing up the details on an easy project you can do to give any tray a new look. This project took under 15 minutes and the results really make a fun statement. While the idea of the frame tray is not new, I had yet to embark on this fun idea. I hunted for an old rustic frame and paired it with sparkly handles for contrast. I love how the two work together. The possibilities are endless when it comes to placing fabric or paper beneath the glass. Here is a look at this easy transformation.

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……………easy transformation

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This picture frame was a Hobby Lobby find. At 50% off it cost $15. I also found these pulls from there. They were also 50% off so each cost $3. For roughly $21, I have a one of a kind tray that I love. After carefully measuring for the holes, we drilled two into the side of the tray. Really nothing to it.

The fun part is using different fabrics and papers behind the glass. Any wrapping paper or scrap of fabric will work. The first one I used was leftover fabric from my desk space. I turned the fabric upside down to make it a little less intense.

One of my favorite fabrics is from Schumacher. I used the Imperial Trellis in mandarin for this look. Paired with a beautiful book given to me by my friend, Catherine, our living room ottoman has a whole new look.

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HINT: No matter what type of frame or pull you choose, it always works well to remember the rule of opposites. If you choose a rustic frame, go for a more glamorous pull. And likewise, if you choose a fancier frame, an aged pull or handle will create an interesting effect.

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I am so thankful that our roses are now in bloom. They make adding a little bit of life to each room so much easier. This post was sponsored by MSN. The new MSN is faster, smarter, and easier. If you haven’t already checked out the new MSN you can see it here. It’s perfect for touch so feel free to check it out on your phone, iPad, or Surface. It’s the best way to stay in the know and be caught up on current events. I just got caught up on the living and décor pages and my wheels are turning.

Click here if you missed my fast and fresh ideas for spring décor

and click here if you missed my post: work smarter not harder

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Designed with fierce reductionism, you can check out the new, faster MSN here.

Check out the living & décor pages for more design ideas! And the real time trends will keep you up to date on all of the latest new stories.

{all opinions are 100% my own. always.}

Start the Morning Off Right {Easy Green Drink}

2013-05-06T00:00:00.000-07:00

Hi all! Hope everyone had a lovely weekend. We celebrated my husband’s birthday and my niece’s confirmation. It was a great couple of days packed with fun family time. I feel like I need a weekend to relax now! In any event, I have been thinking more and more about my veggie intake. We do well at dinner with a well balanced meal, but other than that the only vegetables I really eat during the day are carrots and celery as a midday snack. I decided it’s time to jump on board with a morning green drink. I have been hearing about these for years and never really committed. I tossed together just a few ingredients and I have to say I love it. It’s a healthy way to begin my morning and I feel really good about this new change.

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………………………… the recipe

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one handful of kale

one handful of spinach

a cup of fresh berries

one banana

one cup of water

{if I use frozen fruit, I will eliminate the cup of water}

Now if you are thinking, “Boy that doesn’t look good,” you are not alone. My seven year old is a very adventurous eater but I didn’t want to force this on her. I simply offered her a taste. She took one sip and said, “It looks like dirt but tastes like fruit!” And she requested I make her one in the morning. I love that. So the above tray of ingredients is exactly what I placed in my blender. It made the above glass as well as a small juice glass for my daughter. The jury is still out for my son!

What about you? Have you jumped on the green drink train? I know there are a zillion recipes out there so if you type in green drink in a search you will have many more to choose from. And I would love to know if you have one that you are a big fan of. Go out and have a great Monday!

Friday Eye Candy: A Little bit of Lovely

2013-05-03T14:48:00.001-07:00

Happy Friday, all! Hoping you have had a great week. We are busy working on some fun projects over here that I will be anxious to share with you. We will also be celebrating my husband’s birthday this weekend. The party never stops! Just a few pretty images that I pinned this week. Truly lovely.

{Danielle Moss’ Apartment Tour Via the Every Girl}

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Garden party from Thistlewood Farms

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Beautiful porch from Carolyne Roehm via Tobi Fairley

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To follow along on Pinterest you can click below:

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a thoughtful place { pinterest }

This Caught My Eye: Love What You Buy

2013-05-02T00:00:00.000-07:00

If you have been reading for a while or know me in person, you know I love a great bargain. I am not actually a big shopper, but really try to look for things that are unique or items that have personal significance to our family. I think a home feels much more curated and collected over time if you buy things that really evoke an emotional response. I will admit that when I first started blogging, I was overwhelmed with all of the inspiration and inundation of new pieces, fabrics, and ideas. I may or may not have gone through one million pillows in our family room! But I have settled into a spot where I have a better feel for what I like and stick to things that add value to our space. So when I post about things that catch my eye, I don’t want any of my readers thinking there is pressure to keep up with trends or be buying things you don’t need or love. I simply post these fun things because not only do I really like them, but they are great buys. If you are on the search and one of these fits your style or design budget, I love passing along things I stumble upon. You never know when you might spot the perfect piece for your home. So without further ado, here are a few things that caught my eye this week.

…………………………… fun finds

silk bird pillow – sale $24.99

I heart this pillow. It’s one of those pieces that is packed with saturated color and a great pattern. It’s a conversation piece and would add so much fun to any room. The bird has special significance for my family so I especially love this.

source bench

Squeel. This bench rocks. I have a bench with far less personality in our living room and love it. I am especially fond of a bench like this if you are short on space {like we are!}. It takes up very little room, but allows two people to sit. You can also move it around really easily or add it to the end of a long dining table for extra guests.

Hadley Ruched Duvet

This duvet is on sale right now and is one of my favorites. I have put it in a few clients homes because it is light, airy, and white. It goes with anything while still adding texture to the bed.

Bhotah Bed Skirt

This print has always reminded me of Lauren’s beautiful textiles {Pure Style Home}. It has an organic feel to it and is such a pretty compliment to a white duvet. Good find and buy.

I happened upon a few more deals that are too good to pass up!

Anthropologie: Foiled Dot Napkin – Only $4.99 {Was $24}

Anthropologie: Midnight Courtyard Curtain – $40 {Was $88}

Who knows. Maybe one of these caught you eye as well. Always fun to pass along good deals. Enjoy your day!

*Disclosure: Compensated affiliate links used.

Birthday Party: Cupcakes, Dolls, & Updos

2013-04-30T00:00:00.000-07:00

Our oldest child turned seven last week. In case you missed it, I wrote her a letter here. We hosted a giggle filled birthday party on Saturday and I wanted to share the photos with you. The girls were asked to bring their favorite dolls and were pampered with updos and cupcakes to go. All Riley’s ideas, of course! It’s a bit of photo overload as I wanted the other moms to see their cute kiddos. I will keep the words to a minimum, but share the sweet snaps from the day. Our Riley smiled ear to ear the whole entire time. It was priceless and so fun to be a part of.

We went with a rainbow color scheme. I was hooked after seeing Cassie’s sweet art party and Target was carrying a darling line of rainbow supplies. I picked up 12 x 12 pieces of scrapbook paper in every color of the rainbow to use as chargers.

While I normally make my poufs, I tried to go easy this time and used the ones that come in a package from Hobby Lobby. They worked great. They do take some time to fluff, so set aside a good 20 minutes or so if you use the ready made kind.

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………………for the birthday girl

For the birthday girl, I used a white piece of paper and added rainbow washi tape as a border.

……………… a table for the dolls

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We had a great time building a table and eight parsons chairs for the girls’ dolls. I plan to do a DIY post on how we did it. It was super duper easy so if you have little girls who are in the doll phase right now, it is well worth it. And Riley is so excited about using this table in her room now. The mini cups, placemats, and plates are from American Girl and I found them at Michaels.

……………….. the birthday girl

What a sweet group of girls. It was so fun to watch as they did artwork, giggled, talked and just enjoyed being girls.

My favorite was when they started playing telephone. It bought back such fun memories. I love that this age is so pure and simple. Wish that would last forever.

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………………………. little artists

………………… time for updos!

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……………….let them eat cake

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These two have been friends since they day there were born. Such special memories and so many more to come.

……………………….sweet friends

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more telephone and giggling

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……………thank you for coming

Party favors were quite simple. Riley requested red velvet cupcakes for the girls. We stacked two in a jar with frosting in between. Topped with sprinkles and a tied with a fork they were good to go. I originally got this idea from Cassie. Such a smart cookie. The girls also went home with matching bows . . . one for them and one for their dolls.

We feel really blessed that our daughter has such a sweet group of friends. Girlfriends are an important part of life and it’s wonderful to see Riley experiencing just that. After the party my hubby and I were reflecting on the day and wishing we could freeze time. Can’t her birthday parties always be made up of cupcakes, dolls, and updos. If only! Thank you for letting me share.

Mother’s Day is Coming: Minted Giveaway

2013-04-29T00:00:00.000-07:00

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. There isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t thank my lucky stars for having been blessed with such an amazing mom. Growing up, my mom was nothing but supportive, loving, encouraging, gentle, and a steadfast friend. Now that I am an adult, I am able to look back with clarity upon all the times of sacrifice and unconditional love that really shaped the person I am today. I love my mom with all of my heart and feel so blessed to live so close to her. She is pretty darn adorable and I love her the “mostest!” One of my favorite companies, minted, is now offering the most precious customizable Mother’s Day cards and they are hooking up my readers. Check it out.

{my adorable mom and dad}

……………...love you the mostest

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I am not eligible to win, but hubby, if you are reading. . . ummm, these are stinking cute!!!

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a giveaway from minted.

I love all things minted. and when they offered to give 100 of my readers a mother’s day card I jumped at the opportunity. How fun. By clicking below you will land on a page to enter. Super simple. You’ll have the chance to customize a Mother’s day card for mom, grandma, a sister or friend. They will even ship it to you for free. Enjoy and congrats to 100 of you!!! Happy Mother’s Day from A Thoughtful Place and Minted.

{click below to enter}

100 winners!

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a giveaway from minted.

Friday Eye Candy: A Few Favorites from the Week

2013-04-26T08:12:00.001-07:00

Well, hello! It’s Friday and I am doing the happy dance over here. After being away last weekend, it will be so nice to spend time with family and chill for a couple of days. Speaking of chilling, have you seen the patio reveals that some awesome bloggers have been posting about? Home Depot sponsored a challenge, and boy did the bloggers rise to the challenge. Wanted to share one of them with you today as well as a couple of other great posts I came across this week. Enjoy!

{Hi Sugarplum | Patio Reveal}

Cassie, from Hi Sugarplum, blew me away with her colorful patio reveal for the Home Depot challenge. The patio is packed with fun and simple DIY ideas. Makes we want to unleash some color on our patio. Wheels are turning!!!

{The Chronicles of Home |DIY Table Reveal}

I am very much convinced that Jennifer from The Chronicles of Home can do EVERYTHING. She made this table. Yup. It’s amazing. In fact, I am wishing I could place an order. In my opinion, among opening a restaurant {this girl can cook}, this Blogger should open a furniture store as well.

{6th Street Design School | Tips learned from SNAP}

Kirsten is one of my favorite bloggers. I had the pleasure of hanging with her at Alt. She recently attended SNAP and shared so many great tips. I love that bloggers are so up for sharing their tips and tricks. I promise you’ll definitely benefit from her great post on what she picked up from the conference.

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Happy Friday, my friends! My seven year old has a party here tomorrow so we are in full decorating and planning mode! we are keeping it simple, but having a blast with it in the process. Sneak peek of the party favors from instagram.

you can find me on instagram here: @athoughtfulplace

How To Wallpaper with Wrapping Paper

2013-04-25T00:00:00.000-07:00

A few weeks ago, I shared the closet office we created for our daughter. Our now 7 year old!! She is still loving this creative space and spends hours working on drawings or cards for others. I had a number of you email and ask me just how we put up the paper so I wanted to share my tips and tricks. There wasn’t much to it, but it’s always nice to know what people learn and experience when tackling something new.

This is quite a small space so I only needed two rolls of wrapping paper. The chevron print is from Target. The first thing I did was decide exactly where I wanted the paper. Keeping in mind that this is very fragile and not sturdy like wallpaper, I wanted to use it in a protected space. So I really wanted it only behind the desk and not sticking out on the side very much as it could get bumped more easily. I hope that makes sense. If you look at the before photo, there is a piece of wood that is right behind the rod. It wraps around to the left as well. I used that as my natural guide. I measure carefully and cut two pieces of paper. One would be for the top and one for the bottom.

This is definitely a two person job!! You need a helping hand to hold the paper as you attach it to the wall. And remember to handle it carefully as you don’t want any wrinkles in the wrapping paper. I attached the paper to the wall with Quake Hold. If you don’t own this, it’s a must. You can search on the internet to find the best place to buy or order it from. I pick my up from our local hardware store. I could honestly be a spokesperson for them. They have no idea who I am, but this stuff rocks my world. I use it on the bottom corners of every wall frame in our home. It keeps things in place, but without leaving any permanent damage. It’s essentially a putty that keeps things in place in case of an earthquake {if you live in CA like I do, this is no surprise!}.

I used a small dot of it all the way around the top of the closet area. I spaced my dots about two inches apart. I also placed dots down the whole left side so I could attach that as well. I placed the dots of Quake hold directly on the wall. Then I started at the left side of the closet and placed the paper pushing with some pressure on those dots. When I came to the corner I made sure the paper was smooth and straight and then creased it heavily down the corner. I continued to hang it around the back of the closet.

It really was a piece of cake and took about five minutes. Just be sure to check that things are smooth and level and not coming away from the wall. I did stick my hand up under the paper and place a few dots of Quake Hold on the main wall. I did use clear tape in a few places to reinforce the paper to the wall. Then I continued with the second row of paper.

I didn’t like that there was a raw edge of paper that could potentially rip or get damaged. To solve that, I decided to continue the piece of wood that was already running around the top of the closet space. I went to my local hardware store and had them cut a piece to the length I needed. After two quick coats of paint, I adhered it to the wall with liquid nails. It overlapped that paper and eliminated having that raw edge.

The photo below shows a good shot of the new strip of wood I added. Hanging the mirror and shelf above the dresser also helped with keeping that paper firmly in place.

I also used a generous amount of Quake Hold along the bottom to really make sure that paper was good and stuck!

And that is it! For a total of $13 {wood plus the $8 of paper} we have a wallpapered closet. I hope the tips and tricks help if you tackle a similar project in your home.

I must say that I am secretly looking around the house to see where else I can hang some wrapping paper!

To see other related posts to this tangerine room you can click below:

Closet Office Paper Bouquet New Lamps Painted Ceiling

A Birthday Wish: A Letter to a Daughter

2013-04-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

Today my sweet little girl turns seven. How is it even possible? My husband and I sat down last night and looked at old pictures shaking our heads at how time has flown by. I am so very proud of this sweet little girl of ours. Today, I am taking a break from the normal post and writing a letter to my daughter. Since she now reads, it only seems fitting to write this post directly to her.

Dear Riley,

You are my heart and soul. Since the moment you came into this world, you have had an effect on mommy and daddy that is impossible to put into words. You have smiled since day one and I love the way you go after everything in life with such flare and optimism. I hope that you always allow your wonderful self to shine. Do not let others tell you how to act or who to be. Do not let others let you waiver from your own path. Above all else, do not let anyone make you feel anything other than amazing. You are intelligent, sincere, empathetic, giving, creative, and oh so beautiful. Know that you have been blessed with everything you need in life to succeed and find happiness. This world is an amazing and challenging place. It is yours to savor, navigate, and enjoy. Live each day with a sense of gratitude and life will honor your heart. I will be beside you every step of the way. I will hold your hand, cheer you on, pick you up, and watch you discover all that it means to be you.

Looking back over the years. . . .

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It is clear that you have so much to offer this world. There has always been something so special about you. I love you and could not be more proud of my seven year old! Happy Birthday, Smiley Riley. You light up my life.

Love,

Mommy

New Orleans: A Travel Wrap-Up

2013-04-23T00:00:00.000-07:00

I returned home yesterday from New Orleans and must admit I am exhausted! It was such a fantastic four days. I have known this group of girls since freshman year of college and each time we get together it’s as if no time has passed. New Orleans is like no other place I have been. I must say that every person we came in contact with was so nice and welcoming. Aside from rain on the first day, we lucked out with blue skies and sunshine. Here are a few photos I pulled off of our phones. Just a great time with great people.

………….. new orleans highlights

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We grabbed coffee and walked around Jackson Square – great local artists, street performers, and lovely sights right near the river.

We were determined to enjoy a beverage on one of the balconies so we wasted away a few hours up here!

I was enamored with all of the doors. My friends were good sports and let me snap away. In fact they made sure I didn’t get hit by cars when talking the photos from the middle of the street. Too bad I didn’t watch where I was walking {let’s just say horses go through here . . uh hem}

On the recommendation of one of our favorite clients, we hit up Nola {one of Emeril’s restaurants}. It was delicious and I would definitely go back.

Downstairs at Nola.

One of the highlights was taking a rickshaw ride to Café du Monde after a late night at a Jazz Club. I had to try one of the beignets everyone talks about. Okay, maybe I had three or four. I may have lost count.

Coffee + beignets = true love.

This was snapped at The Bombay Club. We were enamored by the live jazz music. This place had an old school feel with comfy wingback chairs and scrumptious wine. We settled in for quite some time.

I had to include this photo as my girl Tina hooked us all up with monogrammed koozies! That’s right! We each had our own pattern with our monograms on them. They made for quite the conversation piece with all nine of us. Too cute. Thanks, Tina {I’ll have to ask her which Etsy shop she used}.

Walking around Magazine street was also a treat. Such cute spots. I love this pink door.

Sucre was darling. I treated myself to a coffee and dark double chocolate gelato. Hmm. Maybe someone needed some caffeine!

Lilette is located on Magazine street as well. This was a recommendation of another college friend who lives in town. He joined the nine of us for lunch and it was great to reminisce about old times and catch up. I highly recommend this spot for lunch. It was delicious.

We couldn’t let the days go by without popping into the tourist spot, Pat O’Briens. It’s a dueling piano bar and it also boasts a great outdoor patio area.

We spent part of Sunday cruising around the French Market. Neat spot to people watch and pick up little trinkets. Of course Riley and Grady benefited from this. I just loved the architecture and cute signs that were on every store front. So much charm.

Trying out the masks that were bought for the kiddos!

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Such a fun trip. And crazy appreciation for my hubby who had a blast with the kids four four days. I even came home to a clean house. Hoping to go back to New Orleans with him so we can explore more and get lost in the Jazz Clubs and yummy restaurants. Thank you to my sweet readers who took the time to pass along their recommendations and knowledge of New Orleans. I may have to go a few times to eventually hit it all!

A Refreshing Dessert: Lemon Sorbet Cups

2013-04-22T00:00:00.000-07:00

Have you been treated to a lemon sorbet cup? Oh my goodness. Heaven. They are a refreshing, sweet, tart, and scrumptious all at one time. My sister, Kristin, recently entertained the family and served these for dessert. In true blogger fashion, I insisted on a few photos prior to putting them on the table. I can not wait to make these for my next party. And for spring and summer, you can’t go wrong with these lemon sorbet cups.

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The wonderful thing about these yummy sorbet cups is that you can make them up to three days ahead of time and leave them in the freezer. My favorite part is that they come out of the freezer frosty and so fresh looking. My sister placed a piece of mint on each one before serving.

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Two batches of homemade sorbet were made to fill 12 cups. After cutting the top off of the lemon, Kristin used a melon baller to remove the inside of the lemon. She used as much pulp as possible in the sorbet for the juice. Once the cups are hollowed out, they can be placed in the freezer. When the sorbet is ready, pull them out to fill them, and then place them back in the freezer.

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Lemon Sorbet Recipe – Emeril Lagasse

Ingredients
1 cup water
1 cup sugar
1 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon lemon zest

Directions
Bring the water and sugar to a boil in a small saucepan, remove from the heat, and cool. Combine the syrup with the lemon and zest and pour into the bowl of an ice cream machine. Freeze according to the manufacturer's instructions. After the sorbet is made, transfer to an airtight container. Cover tightly and freeze until ready to serve.

*once the sorbet was made, it was scooped into the cups and placed in the freezer

I can’t think of a more delicious and refreshing dessert for the warmer months. Will you try these? Please invite me over when you do!

have a lovely day

What to Pack When Traveling | New Orleans, Anyone?

2013-04-17T00:00:00.000-07:00

Every couple of years, my dear friends from college and I get together for a weekend away. It’s a few days to reconnect, recharge and relax. And each time we all get together, we pick a new city to explore. A couple of years ago we went to Charleston, South Carolina and this time we are headed to New Orleans. I couldn’t be more excited as I have never been but have heard amazing things. Today I am dishing on what to pack. I am certainly no expert, but I am queen of the carry on and like to make mix and match my pieces so I don’t have to take very much. I am sharing my favorites and similar items to the ones that will be traveling with me to The Big Easy. Oh, and if you have any tips on what to do or see PLEASE leave them in the comment section.

via

Taking a nod from the gorgeous New Orleans image above, I am going with some green this time around. A blazer is always key for me because if you buy one that is a really soft cotton jersey, it not only packs well, but it looks less business like and is super comfy to throw over a tank or sundress. You can even pair it with a maxi. The maxi is the world’s best traveler. Fold your favorite white t-shirt and then roll your maxi around it. Compact and no wrinkles. A white lace dress works for day or night. I like brining along a plain colored dress so that I can use a blazer, scarf, or jewelry to add color.

exact blazer found here {UK} | well priced wedges found here

My other go to items are wedges and flip flops. Wedges work with shorts or dresses and are comfy for cruising around. I always travel in flip flops and like to have them in the hotel room. Lastly, I like to toss a few fun jewelry pieces in my bag. I figure I can pull off frumpy and wrinkled as long as I have a cute necklace on. So there you have it. Those are my tips for packing for a weekend away.

I am off tomorrow. After an emotional and busy few weeks, quality time with amazing friends is just what I need. These are the girls you can be your true self with, laugh until it hurts, and reminisce about the same college stories for days. They are good people and I am blessed to be hanging out with them. I will snap some photos to share. Oh, and you can follow me on instagram {@athoughtfulplace}. Although I dropped my phone last night and it is toast. Rather poor timing as one needs a phone for travel. Will try and fit that in today! Wish me luck.

And I am actually taking the next couple of days off from blogging. I almost never do that but am signing off until Monday! Have a wonderful rest of the week and see you back here after the weekend. I will be sharing one of my favorite summer dessert ideas.

off to new orleans. . .

*affiliate links used on my favorite pieces

Work Smarter Not Harder: Getting Organized

2013-04-16T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am back today with four tips on how to get organized as the weather warms up. Although cold temps still prevail in many parts of the country, spring is just around the corner and I am always looking for ways to keep things running smoothly. I had parents who always taught me to work smarter not harder. So I thought I would pass along four of my best tips that have proven to work for our family.

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…………work smarter not harder

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If you have little ones, you have toys. A lot of them. When it comes to playing outside, my kiddos love being out front and on our porch. Inevitably, lunch beckons or someone suddenly decides they want to go inside and they never look back. I was tired of being left with a million toys strewn about and a big clean up. I finally realized that one tub of toys was enough and it’s easy to grab and set outside. The kids now know that before they go inside EVERYTHING must go back in the tub. The toy tub cleared up two problems: I am no longer frustrated with the mess of toys and fleeing children and now our front yard no longer resembles a garage sale. It’s a win win. At the end of the day I just place the tub back in our garage.

This idea was born from necessity. We unexpectedly stopped by our friends’ home and stayed for quite a while. Recently married, they do not have little ones yet and I was feeling guilty that I had not come prepared for my kiddos. Reading books only lasts so long! When I came home, I popped two towels, an inflatable baseball, and a ring toss game in our trunk. We happen to have a little hidden compartment so I keep it all in there. Now we can have an impromptu picnic anywhere or have free entertainment for the little ones if we pop in somewhere. This is especially nice for spring and summer if we want to go grab food and swing by the beach or park.

I have been using this idea for over two years now. It seems so simple and silly but has been great for us. After I organized our pantry, I loaded up a ziploc bag with picnic essentials. It’s just a stack of plates, napkins, cutlery, and straws. I can’t tell you how many times we have gone off to a playate or have headed to the pool and simply grabbed this bag. We pack a quick cooler of food and everything we need to easily set up lunch is in this bag. When I get home and unload everything I just restock it and set it back in the pantry. And moms, it’s great for dads to know where this is in case they are in charge and are taking the kids outdoors to eat. So simple.

These little buckets are a new addition to our garage and I keep wondering what took me so long to do this. I used command hooks and dollar bin buckets. They are filled with goggles, sunglasses, and sunscreen. The one that I love the most is the one that holds the sunscreen sticks and face lotion. Those always got lost around here and now we all know where they are. If we are off to the pool or beach, I can easily grab what we need and toss it in our pool bag. The best part of this is being able to use the vertical space. Do you have space on your garage wall or mudroom to to do this?

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This post was sponsored by MSN. The new MSN is fast, smart and beautiful. If you haven’t already checked out the new MSN you can see it here. It’s perfect for touch so feel free to check it out on your phone, iPad, or Surface. After getting caught up with the real time trends, take a moment to check out the living and healthy sections. They are packed with inspiration.

If you missed my fast and fresh ideas for spring decor, you can click on the image below.

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Designed with fierce reductionism, you can check out the new, faster MSN here.

You’ll want to snoop around the interior design tab under “living.” Just sayin!

{all opinions are 100% my own. always.}

Client E-Deign House Reveal

2013-04-15T00:00:00.000-07:00

I am beyond thrilled to share with you a home that I have been working on for quite some time. My client, Sarah, lives in Texas and contacted me long before her home was even built. Working from builder plans and blueprints was a first for me and it was so exciting to feel like I was along for the ride when this sweet family finally moved in and decorated their home. Because this was a brand new build, there aren’t before photos to show you but I hope you’ll enjoy the after shots of their fantastic home. It was important the spaces be cohesive and blend well with one another while still maintaining their own style. I think you’ll agree that Sarah did an amazing job implementing all of the designs. First up is the dining room.

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I only wished I lived closer so I could pop in for dinner sometime soon!

Next up is the great room. Sarah’s kitchen is just beautiful and the light and bright feeling is carried out into the family room. We wanted to keep the sofas light and infuse a soft gray and yellow palette. The family room boasts extremely high ceilings so we highlighted the gorgeous windows with striped panels.

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Due to the tall ceilings in this room, we added picture frame molding to create a more dramatic feel as well as intentionally frame out the television so that it didn’t feel lost on such a vast wall.

The rugs in the dining room and family room echo one another but in different color ways. This keeps the look clean and cohesive.

The next space we worked on was the girls’ room. I have to say this may be one of my favorite children’s rooms to date. Sarah did a fantastic job pulling it all together and included every detail from the design boards. We wanted it to be fun, bright, happy and comfortable. The older daughter has taken a liking to the peace sign so we tried to use that in a way that worked well with the rest of the room.

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The seating area is a fun place for mom to read to the girls or for these little ladies to daydream and get lost in the wonderful world of books.

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Photos by Jay Davis Photography

{Out of respect to my clients, I am unable to list sources. Thank you for understanding}

I hope you enjoyed taking a look around Sarah’s beautiful home. This project has been a complete joy to work on. When I see these photos of an E-Design come to life it is a feeling like no other. And kudos to Sarah for surviving a photos shoot with little ones! If you have ever had to do that, it can be quite exhausting! We just finished working on Sarah’s master bedroom design and I look forward to sharing that with you soon!

Friday Eye Candy: Green With Envy

2013-04-12T00:00:00.000-07:00

I love green. I always have. Green has always read as a neutral to me and I strongly believe every room should boast a shade of green in some way. It breathes so much natural looking life into a room. Whether it’s a plant or a beautifully chosen pillow, green is a color you can not go wrong with. I was reminded of that when I saw a stunning living room that Lauren created for a client. The subtle pops of green are so lovely in this neutral palette. Here’s to green.

via pure style home

via eddie ross

via décor pad

via red door home via bhg.com

It’s hard to believe it’s already Friday! How did that happen. Hope you all enjoy a beautiful weekend.

h a p p y f r i d a y