kreyv

12 Years In the Making

2013-05-23T04:00:00.000-05:00

Today, there were two things in the mail: a letter from Jeremy's medical school asking for donations, and his residency graduation invitation. The first letter went straight to the garbage--how about we wait until the hundreds of thousands of dollars in loans we gave to you for tuition stops accruing interest, we actually pay it off, and then have nowhere else to donate to. Then, you can ask us for money, mmmkay? Obvi, I was more excited about the other thing: the residency graduation invitation.

This has been 12 years in the making. TWELVE! Here's the quick version (You can go here for a more detailed version on my other blog.): Four years of undergrad in Utah, four years of medical school and a one year internship in Milwaukee, and a three year residency in St. Louis. (We also threw in a couple bouts with cancer and an adoption to make things more interesting.) We will also complete a one year fellowship back in Utah. (HOORAY!!). So, here we are in year 12--four weeks away from being done. I am so proud of Mr. Hubs, and I am so proud of US. I pretty much like to take credit for all of his accomplishments; after all, I did let him practice putting IVs in my hands while he was in undergrad. Wife. Of. The. Year. You're welcome, Jeremy (and all of the patients who have received epidurals, spinals, central lines, nerve blocks, and whatever other things he does with needles.) And, I know you don't read this, but just in case I make you...I AM SO PROUD OF YOU!!

image by Brittni Schroeder Photography | Gateway Arch | September 2012

Medical College of Wisconsin Graduation | May 2009

Stella's Birth | November 23, 2009

Stella Visiting Daddy at BJC | February 2011

Stella Playing Doctor | April 2011

image by Brittni Schroeder Photography | Forest Park, St. Louis | October 2011

[in five]: Favorite FREE Printables

2013-05-22T04:00:00.000-05:00

Today is my first installment of my new series, [in five]. Let's be honest: [in five] is really just going to be an excuse for me to be ~~even more~~ random ~~than I already am~~. But in list form. I might share five faves, five wishes, five things about myself, five reasons, five anythings I'm feeling like I need to share. I'm super excited about today's [in five], because it's five of my favorite free printables, and these are uuhhh-mazing. Print, frame, hang--they're fab. The links are under the pics, let me know which one is your fave!

image from Smitten on Paper

image from Mormon Mommy Blogs

image from Poppytalk

image from On to Baby

image from Gi Det Videre

Linking up at

Mom on Timeout

Displaying Children's Books with Picture Ledges

2013-05-21T04:00:00.000-05:00

I have wanted to create a book wall for quite some time. We found out we were moving over a year ago, so I thought I might save our walls from additional holes and save Mr. Hubs from patching said additional holes. Plus, it's kind of a need-to-live-close-to-an-Ikea project, because that's where I would buy the ledges. I'm a huge advocate of being able to see book covers. It's the (retired) second grade teacher in me, but let's be honest, it also looks super cute. I can't wait to do this in our next place.

P.S. I also want the stripes, but we'll save that little bit of good news after Mr. Hubs finishes his boards and gets in a few rounds of golf. Timing is everything.

image from Elizabeth Sullivan Design via House & Home

image from Jones Design Company

image from Sydney Morning Herald

What $1300 Will Buy You

2013-05-20T04:00:00.000-05:00

Remember that one day when I took my Mr. Hubs' car to the dealership, and it needed over $1200 worth of work done to it? And then, the very next day, I got a ticket for $100 and a picture of me running a red light in the mail? And, remember when I could have sworn that when Mr. Hubs opened that piece of mail, he kind of grinned, because he was happy that it was me and not him this time? Remember when I made that grin go away as soon as I reminded him that this was the only ticket I'd gotten since we've been married, and that he's had...a few more? That was my Friday and Saturday. Don't even get me started on everything and anything else that I could have spent that money on. Car problems and tickets are definitely at the top of my list of things I hate to spend money on. So, what will $1300 buy you? For you, any one of these three things. For me? A red light ticket and car repairs. Ugh. You win some, you lose some, right?!

image from Restoration Hardware

image from Anthropologie

image from Crate & Barrel

[kreyv of the day]

2013-05-17T04:00:00.000-05:00

image from Eric Piasecki

Tablescapes...Some day

2013-05-16T04:00:00.000-05:00

These. These are what I would like my table to look like when I have dinner guests. I love to entertain, and someday, maybe I'll splurge on fresh flowers, and great chandies (or marshmallows), and well, a table that seats more than four. Oh, and maybe I'll actually invite people other than the missionaries (who will eat anything) over to my house for dinner parties. Yes, someday you'll be invited to a dinner party. Just let me know what meal you'll be bringing, so I can decorate accordingly...unless you want cold cereal. Or the marshmallows hanging from the ceiling. I can do pretty, but I can't always do yummy. Trust me. You don't want my food.

image from Wednesday Custom Designs

image from Dreamy Whites

image from Kohler Jones

Canopy Beds: I'll Take Two

2013-05-15T04:00:00.000-05:00

I know I usually post a few pictures, but these beds, these little pieces of heaven right here on earth, need their own post. Have you ever seen anything so dreamy? Sigh. I think I'm in love.

image from Elements of Style

Beds & Windows: Can't We All Just Get Along?

2013-05-14T04:00:00.000-05:00

Bedroom windows can be tricky, but don't let them discourage you OR have too much control of your bed placement. A bed in front of a window can definitely work. Just remember: Window treatments should not compete with your headboard or furniture--they need to get along! Here are some tips:

Beds Blocking Windows: If your bed is directly in front of your window, opt for a non-obtrusive headboard. You don't want your headboard to be too tall and block a majority of the light coming in. Remember, they need to get along. If possible, install panels, so that they flank the bed. Try to avoid blocking your panels with your bed.

Windows Above the Bed: I recently worked with a client who had three square windows above her bed. Rather than using full-length panels (that would have been covered by the bed), we opted for pelmet boxes and roman shades similar to what's shown in the House Beautiful picture. This gives a completed look without cluttering the wall behind the bed.

Windows Flanking the Bed: This one's not as difficult, since you can install two panels on each window. The tricky part comes when there is little space between the bed and the window, and/or the bed and the wall. If this is the case, try using a light or shear panel, so that you are not blocking light. This will also help avoid window treatments that feel too heavy and compete with the headboard and/or nightstands. Another option is using a partial rod and one panel on each window. This gives the illusion of one big window and avoids a feeling of being crowded (especially if you have a headboard, panels, and nightstands to work with).

image from House Beautiful

image from Atlanta Homes Mag

image from The Lettered Cottage

Baby Girl Nursery | Sydney

2013-05-13T04:00:00.000-05:00

I hope you all had a fabulous Mother's Day. Mine was wonderful. Being a mommy is just the best gig ever and having a day of breakfast in bed, gifts, a dinner AND chocolate chip cookies made by my man is pretty awesome, too! I can't complain--I'm one lucky girl!

I created this design board for a client expecting a baby girl. We kept the room, linens, and furniture neutral and added in some major pops and pattern with the rug, pillows, and the chair...oh that chair! To. Die. For. It was important to the client to have a space that allowed for some growing up. This room could easily go from nursery to little girl just by switching out the crib for a bed.

I personally love to design with a neutral base and add my pops through less-permanent pieces, because even though I may pretend that I will keep the room the same for a while, well, it's just not true. I will change things out, and this way, I can do so more easily. In other words, it's less obvious to the Hubs if I'm just changing out accessories rather than furniture and paint! If you would like more information about my design services, go here.

[kreyv of the day]

2013-05-10T04:00:00.000-05:00

image from Helt Enkelt

[color kreyv]: Gray

2013-05-08T04:00:00.000-05:00

Guess what. The sun came out today. And it was magical and wonderful and delightful and any other good adjective you can think of. Know why? Because it was in my "range." Just ask Mr. Hubs...he kind of has me figured out. This was his response to an email when someone invited us to a football game: Jamie doesn't get invited to outdoor sporting events due to her low tolerance for "extreme" conditions. Extreme meaning slight breezes which may disorganize her hair, high humidity, or slight drizzles which have similar effects on her plus some undesired effects on her make-up, and finally, temperatures beyond her comfort range of 75-76 degrees. It may ~~or may not~~ be slightly exaggerated, but the man knows where I stand. We have an honest relationship. For instance, I can let him know that he's not that funny when he writes things like that.

P.S. In my defense, this was an invitation to a Packers game. Those are out of most people's comfort range, with the exception of Eskimos and, of course, Packers fans.

P.P.S. This post has nothing to do with gray except for the fact that I started out thinking about how happy I was that the skies weren't gray today. Sometimes I get distracted.

image from Car Mobel

image from Jean Larette Interior Design

image from Sissy + Marley

So I Lied...

2013-05-07T04:00:00.000-05:00

So there I was, in a weak moment, eating Stella's pink Starburst from the package she had chosen at the store earlier that day. As I dumped the remainder of the Starburst into her reward jar, I thought to myself, She will never even know there were pink in this package. And then, I started to think about all of the other lies that I've told her in her three short years and how someday, she's going to have several moments of realizing her mommy may have not have always been so truthful like...The day she discovers pink Starbursts, and how they are way better than the yellow and orange and even the red. Or, when she realizes that Cool Whip is definitely not the same thing as ice cream, even when it has sprinkles and is served in a cone. Or, that she won't go bald if she twirls her hair. She'll realize that nachos are made with chips and WAY more cheese than I use on her nachos that are made of Triscuits and mozzarella cheese. She'll realize that her teeth won't fall out, and that her thumb won't fall off if she sucks on it. Sheesh...I have a lot of explaining to do. This mommy's pants are a little bit on fire, are yours?! (This is when you tell me the lies you tell to your children and make me feel normal...)

A Place for Velvet Furniture

2013-05-06T04:00:00.000-05:00

Happy Monday! How was your weekend? Ours was kind of wet with some sore throats, but regardless, it was the weekend, and weekends are kind of the best part of the week, dontcha think? I've come to the conclusion (again) that I could never live somewhere with a lot of rainfall...like St. Louis has been the last few weeks. It's cloudy and rainy and wet. I've never really liked being out in the rain , and I REALLY don't like being out in the rain grocery shopping, loading a toddler into the car, or going to a place with no parking (inside snuggling is a completely different story--that's pretty awesome). Speaking of things that don't like to get wet (other than me), check out this velvet furniture. Pretty maj, right? I think I could definitely use a velvet sofa in my sitting room. With my baby grand. In my imaginary house. I guess I should have stuck with piano lessons. Maybe Stella will be a pianist. If not, who wants to come play the piano while I sit on my velvet furniture and listen to you? I know. This blog of mine sparks quite the imagination in me, doesn't it?

image from Little Green Notebook

image from Domino Magazine

image from Anne Hepfer

[kreyv of the day]

2013-05-03T04:00:00.000-05:00

image from 79 Ideas

[so cheap, so easy]: Washi Tape Projects

2013-05-02T04:00:00.000-05:00

I have GOT to get on the washi tape train. Seriously. Take a look at these projects. Dying over those tea lights. Die. Ing. Have you played with washi tape?

image from Trendenser

image from Design Stiles

image from Design*Sponge

[color kreyv]: Moss Green

2013-05-01T04:00:00.000-05:00

First of all, it's May. May, people!! May! Can you even believe it? Where is the time going? Second of all, let's discuss moss green: gorgeous, fresh, timeless, and I'm going to spell colour like the Canadians, because it looks rich like the colour moss. Need I say more?

image source unknown

image from Sisse Jonassen via Design Sponge

image from BHG Centsational Style

Dreaming of a Loft

2013-04-30T04:00:00.000-05:00

So, you know how we're moving in T minus 56 days? And, you know how we don't have a house, yet? Well, there is this house I'm in love with, and it has a loft. Naturally, I've been doing some imaginary designing trying to figure out what to do with the space. In my dream house, I actually have a loft. It is full of built in book shelves and comfy chairs to sit in, so maybe I could do a cheaper, less permanent version of that. I also like the idea of having a TV room with some of Stella's toys, so that I can get that big ol' TV out of the living room. Or, I can throw a mattress in there, and make my mom sleep there whenever she comes to visit. (The last option will most likely not happen. I think Grandma Jude will get her own private room. It's the least we can do in exchange for all of the free babysitting she'll be doing for us. Hehe...) I guess I should mention that this house that I love with said loft is probably not available. You see, it is available now, and people just really don't like the idea of keeping their properties vacant for T minus 56 days. Not even Mr. Cute House with a Loft Guy who will TOTALLY be missing out if he rents it to someone other than us. That's right, Mr. Cute House with a Loft Guy, if you're reading this, don't say that I didn't warn you. You will never find renters better than us! (By the way, that was in a nice, joking, completely not creepy, non-threatening, if you really do read this blog, keep doing so and tell your friends about it tone.) And to the rest of you, what would you do with a loft (that actually looks nothing like these, but aren't they amaze balls)?

image from House Beautiful

image from Feldman Architecture, Inc. via Houzz

image from

How to Create a Vignette

2013-04-29T04:00:00.000-05:00

When I design a room, I start with the big things: the rug, furniture, window coverings, lighting, etc. The last step is the styling. Styling is what pulls a room together and gives it personality. (Think of it as the jewelry, scarves, and killer stilettos of an outfit.)

Vignettes are a great way to style a room. Every room in your house probably has a vignette or two (or three), whether you know it or not. A vignette is just a display or arrangement. Whether or not design rules exist is debatable, BUT there are definitely certain arrangements, layouts, and designs, that are more visually pleasing. Here's one easy way to create a vignette: think tall, medium, short, layer, layer, layer. I actually don't think about "rules" when I design, but when I think of my own house or clients' homes, I find that I've subconsciously used this formula again and again, just because it looks right! Of course, there are several ways to create a vignette, but this way is a great place to start, and it always works!

image from Lilypad Cottage

image from Better Homes & Gardens

image source unknown

image from Apartment Therapy

Linking up at

Mom on Timeout

[kreyv of the day]

2013-04-26T04:00:00.000-05:00

image from Me & Alice Photography

[so cheap, so easy]: DIY Ladder

2013-04-25T04:00:00.000-05:00

Know what's easy to make? A ladder. Know what's even easier to make? A ladder that is never going to be stood on. Know what's even easier than those two things? Watching someone else make a ladder that is never going to be stood on. That Mr. Hubs...he sure likes to roll his eyes at my DIYs, but as much as he doesn't like to get involved, he can't resist cutting things. He also loves burning things, but I haven't found a way for that particular skill to benefit me.

Linking up at

Imprintalish

The Dedicated House

Fluster Buster

Loving Ladders

2013-04-24T04:00:00.000-05:00

I've been loving ladders for a while now. Here's why: 1| They're versatile. You can hang blankets, towels, magazines, or nothing from them. 2| They add character to a space. Even if you go out and buy a ladder from Pottery Barn, it looks like it has a story behind it. (You know, kind of like the apothecary table Rachel bought from PB, but told Phoebe it was from the "swap meet" from the days of Yore?) My last reason: 3| They're easy to make in any size. And because of that, I have one. I'll show you tomorrow. I kind of love it!

P.S. Does anyone else have, Go My Son, Go and Climb the Ladder stuck in their head? If you didn't, I'm sorry that I put it in your head...make your people proud of you, ooooh, oooooh...

image from The Veda House

image from Apartment Therapy

image from Decor Pad

I Rug You, I Rug You Not

2013-04-22T04:00:00.000-05:00

I love rugs. My current dream home consists of wood floors throughout and lots and lots of rugs. I currently have rugs in almost every room, but I had to remove the rug that was living under the dining room table. The reason? Stella Joyal. I couldn't keep up with the vacuuming, and don't even get me started on the fun of cleaning up rice. I hope to someday, replace the rug in the dining room and add one to the kitchen (love this look), but before I do that, I'm going to have to add yet one more item to my wish list: a central vac system.

image form Architectural Digest

image from Jeanne Rapone via Willow Decor

image from Elle Decor

[kreyv of the day]

2013-04-19T04:00:00.000-05:00

image from Houzz

Birthday Girl

2013-04-18T04:00:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday. Birthdays kind of make you think, like really think about where you are, where you've been, and where you're going to go. I'm not sure what the next 33 years hold for me, but I must say, the last 33 have been freaking awesome. I am one lucky girl! Happy Birthday to me!

image source unknown

[color kreyv]: Beige

2013-04-17T04:00:00.000-05:00

Just when I think I'm over a color, I see a beautiful space, and it totally changes my outlook. I'm not really over beige, I'm just over the shade of beige in my own home. I have a feeling that would be the case regardless of the color. After all, it's been that way for almost three years. Don't we get to change the color of our house every three years? That was my understanding. Anyway, these spaces are absolutely gorgeous. The soft beige with the white gives contrast, but it's not an in your face contrast. Make sense? Probably not. I've had one of those days where I haven't stopped going. I'm exhausted. It's late, and I'm rambling...and by late, I mean 9:21. I'm a wild one, that's for sure.

image from Linda McDougald Design via Decor Pad

image from Lonny

image from Decor Pad