I know I said I'd be back yesterday with a real post but I'm pretty backed up right now with work & trying to figure out the childcare situation, so I need a little break.  We toured a couple of daycare/ preschools  yesterday and I'm feeling pretty good about 1 so we'll see how it goes.  For now I'll just leave you with an image I got from one of my favorite reads, Head Over Heels.    It's perfect for the beginning of Fall and I cannot get over that velvet.  So sumptuous & beautifully aged!!  (I'm not sure I've actually used "sumptuous" in a sentence before but could think of no other word!)

xoxo,

lauren

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My New Love... Vintage Gym Baskets

Look at these vintage gym baskets from Shiner, Texas.  When my sister gave these to me, I had love at first sight.  These baskets aren't just from any gymnasium, these are from the Shiner, Texas High School, the same town that brews my favorite Shiner beer. Useful and beautifully aged from earlier, perhaps simpler days gone by.  What could I do with this fabulously Texas Chic home accessory?

All the designers are using these vintage baskets to separate design jobs.  Gina got me started on Max's office redesign.  How perfect for holding plans, fabrics, paint swatches and wood samples.

In the office to hold design magazines

Outside for Mike's chew toys

In the playroom for Alan's legos

In the dining room to display my cork collection

On the bar

By the bathtub

Or in the shower

Thank you, Gina, for this perfect birthday present.  I  L O V E my vintage gym baskets!

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Taking the Plunge

We're off today to check out a part-time daycare/ preschool for our little guys.  I'm sort of mixed about it, but mostly excited.  It will be 3 days a week and my mom will be watching them on a 4th day.   I'm attempting tp take the 5th day off so we'll see how it goes.  Christian's three years old and is dying for "friends" and loves classes and that sort of thing so I think it'll be great for him.  I worry a little bit about Justin (8 months) but I'm sure he'll be okay too.

We're really hoping that with almost full-time daycare, that we'll be able to get a bit more of a separation of work & home.  I hope my expectations aren't too high but I really feel right now that "something's gotta give."  If anyone has any insight out there about all of this, I'd love to hear your thoughts. 

I'll be back today later with a real post!!

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What I'm Loving right now... Burlap!

Everyone needs a little touch of burlap in their homes at the moment.  From gift wrap, drapery, furniture, children's room decor to accents in your wardrobe.  The love for this natural textile may come and go, but there's no denying the neutral texture and the low price point.  Some of my favorite burlap finds:

I cried because these burlap ribbons were so beautful.  A gift from my sister, I didn't realize how much I loved burlap until she thought to find these for me.

Aidan Gray's Burlap Dining Arm Chair

Aidan Gray's Bookcase with painted burlap interior

Pottery Barn wine gift bag

Restoration Hardware Chair

Burlap Bar stool from Layla Grace

Large Ballard Drum Shade

Aidan Gray Salon Chair

This burlap is for someone like my sister, who probably won't rush out today to buy a burlap home decor item, but she might be tempted to buy these burlap accented sandals from Anthropologie!

Aidan Gray's Burlap Cube Ottoman

Etsy shop butterfly on burlap print pillow
http://www.etsy.com/listing/54812404/large-le-papillon-french-butterfly?ref=sr_list_3&ga_search_query=burlap&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=3&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

Pottery Barn Lamp Shade in unlined burlap. I have two of these in my home.  I love the warm glow of the filtered light.

Etsy Shop Coffee Sack Burlap Roll Pillow. I'm so tempted to order this!
http://www.etsy.com/listing/37164224/coffee-sack-pillow-neckroll?ref=sr_list_28&ga_search_query=burlap&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_page=&order=&includes%5B0%5D=tags&includes%5B1%5D=title

This burlap string adds the perfect touch to presents, another birthday present from my sister.

RH Baby and Child Doggie Pillows.  How cute to toss on your child's bed!

I love burlap on the dining table.

Ballard's personalized tote bags.  Only $25.

Wisteria's wall art handprint kit.  Wouldn't this be so charming with your new puppy's paw print or tiny baby's footprint. 

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Corolla & "my" Beach House

We're finishing up our week here in Corolla, North Carolina and I DO NOT WANT TO LEAVE.  I love this place.  we've been coming here for summer vacations ever since I was a kid and I even spent a summer working here with one of my best friends, Alissa, at the local sports bar, Sundogs.   

Here's a picture of Sundogs and its appearance is deceiving.  It's so much fun!!!  (If you ever come here, it's in the front of the Food Lion Shopping Center and gets going late night.  There's a huge tiki bar inside.)

During the 4 months that I worked at Sundogs (a college summer) I made some amazing friends who we get to come back & see every year...

It was a late night...  Nat Hall (on my left) & Jerry Cooper (on my right) used to bartend at Sundogs and play music all over the Outer Banks.  (Jerry's since moved & is now living with his wife in SC)...  I worked there 8 years ago and I've never looked at Corolla the same since.  It was interesting to get the "local" perspective after vacationing there for so long.  Honestly, I'd recommend having kids work at least a summer at their vacation spot because you really just do get a whole different flavor for it.  You respect it in a different way.  You see all that goes on behind the scenes and you appreciate it more.  (And, you always having friends to come back to!)

...The only types of pics Dave & I usually get together are the hand-holding the camera kind:

So, as I was saying, I do not want to leave this place:

Here's our beach house this year:

I'm not going to show you the inside BUT I'll show you what I wish it was:

Check out the lower level entry:

{Image via House of Turquoise)

And the dining area:

{Image via Head over Heels}

And the living room- oh my goodness!!!

{Design by SR Gambrel}

And "my" bathroom:

I LOVE this hammock which sits on the deck:  (really)

The bunk room:

{image unknown}

And my bedroom:

{Design by SR Gambrel}

Here's the walk up to the beach:  (Now back to reality ;)

Christian's having the best time.  He & my grandmother built this fortress:

Dave & my little sister Morgan (13 years old) enjoying the surf:

And Justin relaxing in his stroller:

I could literally dedicate an entire post to my son's thighs.  I CANNOT get over them.  They are so insanely squeezable and kissable and...  I'm going to spare you but it's hard for me to stop ;)

So anyway, have an amazing weekend and we will be enjoying the rest of ours right here:

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