Good times

One of my favorite new house features is that we no longer live on a giant incline {slash} mini mountain. Whichever term you prefer works for me. It was horrid. Our driveway was seriously a struggle...to walk down, to park (emergency brakes always had to be ON), and at the bottom of the driveway, there was street, no sidewalk. It made for some pretty lame sidewalk chalk parties.

Now, we love our flat driveway that leads to a sidewalk and we also enjoy that our street is pretty quiet (we are one of 3 families in the neighborhood right now). Every evening after the temperature has gone down and dinner has been eaten, we venture out to play.

We push our babies.

Pushing magnet animals...haha

This is about 30 seconds before she abandons the stroller.

 We draw on the driveway.

I have the most fun drawing...no one plays hop scotch yet.

We take wagon rides.



Spying out the window when my mom was visiting ;)

 We even walk our half mile loop with the dogs off their leashes.

Grace will run the entire half mile loop.
We cheer/talk about how tired she will be when done. ;)

Sometimes they do their "business" in the model home yard...picture not included. We pick it up, I swear...

So far we are loving our new digs and the extra time we are spending together outside. Grace is even going through a shoe phase where she always wants them on so that she is ready to go whenever the opportunity to get outdoors presents itself. She will literally wake up, be on the couch with her morning sippy and will get her shoes on before she has had breakfast. T-shirt, diaper, shoes...and homegirl is ready to get moving.

Oh...no shoe is off limits. Mommy's shoes, Daddy's shoes...if they go on her feet, then they "fit" and she is super proud to be in them. Fun times in toddlerhood.

Don't worry, we have crazy toddler times too...but that deserves a whole post of it's own!

xo,
H

Hey Monday

Happy Monday, friends. :)

Just rockin' and rolling through the day. We had a great weekend and after being without D and Grace for a few days last week, it's safe to say we made up for lost time when they got home. One reason for my lack of posting.

Got the chalkboard frame up...how 'bout a lazy picture from my desk? I'm not sure if it will be a to-do list or maybe something for a fun quotes, but for now it's here. I'm looking for some curtains, have another quickie DIY project (3 fabric wrapped cork boards for behind the desk), replacing some pictures that are up, and then we'll call the office good. For now...

Other weekend fun? My first spin class in for-ev-er at the local gym, couples date night with Madeline and Chris (D's new man friend haha), a 6 mile run at J.F. Gregory park with Maddie, and a new friend followed by meeting up with the boys and babies at our local breakfast spot and then a lazy Sunday to wrap things up. Not too shabby of a weekend, if I do say so myself. ;)

This week? Started bright and early with a couple of contractors at the casa. We are putting in crown moulding throughout the first floor and it's insane how much it adds to the house already. D is still on Daddy Daycare duty through the end of the week and finally reports back to work on Friday. We are both pretty excited for him to get back into the swing of things and it's safe to say that he no longer hopes to retire from the Army and become a stay at home dad/gym teacher/football coach. Haha...well, maybe keep the gym teacher/coach option on the table...

Hope every one's weeks are off to a great start! Check ya later.

xo,
H

Mini porch update

I'm officially back from the beach and holding down the fort for a couple of days. I'm thankful to have my two guard dogs (haha) here, but in all honesty I don't really enjoy being home without D and Grace. I'm such a sissy. I sleep with one eye opened and it makes for a tired day.

I do, however, not mind the free time I will have this afternoon between work and bedtime. That I can live with.

Today I plan on finally:

• Unpacking and organizing my closet.
• Hitting up Homegoods without having both D and Grace whining to leave.
• Getting wood cut for my chalkboard frame and painting it tonight.
• Registering for a gym membership and getting in a good workout.
• Eating dinner in front of the TV...trashy reality TV is preferred.

It's gearing up to be a productive evening. Hopefully I can tire myself out enough that sleep won't be as difficult. In the meantime, I got the ball rolling with a 5 minute porch update project. One of the problems we've had at the new house is that there aren't house numbers that are clearly visible from the street. 90% of neighborhood is still under construction, or not even started, so there are lot numbers everywhere---which don't correspond with house numbers at all.

Here's where Pinterest comes in and saves the day:

Source

I found this image and fell in love. Turns out, it linked to an Etsy Shop, Piccadilly Peddler, where I was able to place an order for $10 and literally 3 days later had my own house number to apply.

Didn't it turn out cute?! Now for the rest of the house...

xo,
H

Weekend Plans

Tomorrow afternoon we head to Hilton Head, SC to meet up with D's parents. They were generous enough to rent a place for a week and make it close to us so that we could partake in their yearly beach trip. After moving, we weren't up for anything crazy, but a one hour drive? We can do that.

I'm only hanging out through Monday, but D and Grace will have fun in the sun through Thursday next week when they will head back here with his parents in tow to show them our new digs.

As much as I love the sun and beach, can I be honest about what I am looking forward to most on this mini trip? Going to the Tanger Outlets. My priorities may be a bit skewed, but a momma wants what she wants, ya know?!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. I'll be back with more pictures of my sweet tushied baby in her tankini, so watch out! ;)

xo,
H

Decor Score

One thing I love about our town is that you won't find a bunch of commercialized stores or restaurants. 90% of the time they are locally owned, mom and pop type places.

I know.

You guys are like, "How are you living without a Target close by?"

Answer: I'm not. The closest retail areas are a mere 10 minute drive away, but far enough that our immediate area is peaceful and doesn't have crazy traffic running through it at all hours.

Anyways, from the day we came to check things out and look at houses, I knew I needed to get into some of these cute little boutiques. When my mom came to visit, we took a nap time trip out for iced coffees and some browsing. It did not disappoint.

We saw gift shops, cute little nurseries, and an antique and home decor boutique. I found some fabric at one of them that I may use for accent pillows in the living room...and of course, like any neighborhood shop, they kindly let me bring the sample home to match to our existing color scheme. When I returned the fabric sample a week later, they had already updated some of their stock...to include this stunner:

She's larger than she looks in pictures. The frame is actually about 2.5 feet tall and a little over two feet wide. The shop owner bought it at an auction in Indiana and brought it back. It originally had some art in it, but she took it out to just sell the frame...in which I plan to DIY a chalkboard and hang in our kitchen so D can stop asking me what's for dinner every night as a menu board! 

Hopefully some after shots to come soon!

xo,
H

Blogger 411 - Link up!

Linking up today for a little 411 with Becky at From Mrs to Mama. Head over there and link up. :)

1. How long have you been blogging? And what got you started on blogging? Has your blog changed?
I started blogging in March 2010 as a way to keep friends and family up to date on my pregnancy. As a military spouse, I was at my first duty station and as a newlywed was just settling in to life with the hubs. It was sort of a crazy time with lots of changes. The blog has sort of evolved into more of keeping up with daily life around these parts, to include working out, home decor, but the focus has always been and still remains on our family (even though the husband refuses to be on the blog...for the most part).
  
2. Did you go to college? If so where, and what did you study?
Yup. George Mason University, in Fairfax, VA, right outside of DC. It was a blast. I studied Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and met D...although we didn't meet until the winter after I had graduated and he was finishing up his senior year. I also met some of my very closest friends. It was a great time.

3. Where have you traveled?
Many places in the U.S., not so much outside of that. Except for London. Went there for Winter semester my Junior year in college and had the best time ever {aside from losing my wallet after having one too many pints...or something like that}. My friend Jen and I actually had a pact that we would return for the 2012 Olympics...unfortunately not happening!

4. If you won the lottery, what would be the first thing you would buy?
I'd pay off this house. Hands down.

5. What are your 3 biggest pet peeves?
1. Printed paper towels.
2. When my husband puts things "away" in the wrong place. Dishes, groceries...I know, I should just be happy he helps.
3. Sandals with socks.

6. What is your favorite movie?
I don't know if I have an all-time favorite. For the past year or so I have loved Bridesmaids.

"Look away!!! Look awayyyy!"  -Megan (scene where everyone gets food poisoning)

I use that quote with D a lot. Hilar.
7. What is your drink of choice; wine, beer, or liquor. Or Water, Soda, Tea?
Lately I feel like I can't get enough water, like I am constantly craving it. Alcoholic drink of choice is usually wine, but I do love some summertime beers...and the occasional Gin and Tonic. I swear I'm not a lush.

8. What is something you enjoy to do when you have me time?
Running is great me time and pedicures are definitely a me time treat!

9. If you could have a $10,000 shopping spree to one store, which store would it be?
J.Crew. I'd have a gorgeous wardrobe and be able to justify buying Crewcuts for Grace.

10. Share with us an embarrassing moment of your past? Or present.
I often say really, really stupid things without thinking. Like complete dumb blonde comments. Once when my friend was dating an Accountant and I got really excited and told her if they got married, she would be a Countess.

::Crickets::

Apparently that's not how royal titles work. ;)
11. What day would you love to relive again?
Grace's birth day was probably the greatest day(s) of my life.

12. If your life was turned into a movie... what actor would play you?
Geez, no clue. I've heard Alyssa Milano a couple of times and obviously my movie would be on the Lifetime channel or something, so that probably works...
13. What are the jobs you had in high school/college/the early years?
It was pretty much all about the pool...as soon as I could get a workers permit I started assisting swim lessons, then became a lifeguard and started teaching my own. I worked a brief stint at the GAP outlet during off season and then moved onto Nordstrom where I worked through college. Didn't save a ton of money working there. Dangerous! ;)

14. Show us a picture from high school or college.
I pick 2...wearing fushia in both, ha...


Prob my best year of college...living with 5 other girls. Still love all of them to this day!

My 21st Bday.

15. If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?
Some place ridiculous like Fiji, where we would stay in a hut about the water, eat fresh seafood and live like Kardashians for a week.
16. Show us the most current picture of you or you and your family.

Taken Father's Day 2012

17. Where do you see your life 5 years from now?
Thats a toughie. With the hubs being military, who knows where we will be (or if he will decide to get out?!). I really love it here in Savannah, so I wouldn't mind being in the same location, in the same job that allows me to work from home and spend more time with my family. I see us with one more child...but other than that, I'd be thankful for some things to stay pretty much the same.

Can we talk about how Grace would almost be 7?! I can't handle it.

xo,
H

Savannah Living

Anyone still out there?

After a brief couple week hiatus, I think I am back. Between moving, unpacking, painting, and getting settled the bliggity blog took quite the backseat. Good news is, I have SO much to share with you all in the coming weeks. It'll be like I was never gone. ;)

We officially left Ft. Benning the night before July 4th and were in camp out mode until Friday the 5th, when all of our things arrived. My mom also came to visit, help us watch Grace, and get settled. She was seriously a huge help...the kitchen was unpacked by Friday night, and before she left on Monday we had the kitchen, guest bath, and guest room pretty much done. Painting included (minus the guest room).

P.S. Painting isn't very fun.

As of today we have the dining room, powder room, kitchen, and guest bath done. We are planning on tackling the master bedroom this week and then Grace's room too, before I give it a rest for a while.

I need to do a tour or something, but let me get a little more settled first. For now, here are some iPhone pics to hold you over...

View out the kitchen window. D is in heaven.

Chalboard paint project.

Recovered chairs with painters dropcloth

Runner for kitchen in Rug Option 3 :)

Obsessed with seagrass barstools. Ignore the rest of the mess.

Option 1 made it into the Family Room...which is a hot mess.
Again, ignore. :)

G-unit's room.

Powder room...awaiting some shelves over the toilet and other finishing touches.
Benjamin Moore - Nantucket Fog

Guest Bath.

Want to hang the wire mag holder somewhere.
Sort of not digging it by the toilet.

 Benjamin Moore - Stonington Gray.



So there you have it for now. A whole lot of things started, not a lot of things finished...and that's not the half of it. The master, guest room, office/dining, bonus room, and G's eventual "Big Girl" room are all also on the do-to list. Hope to have lots of finished products soon.

Happy to be back! Have a nice week!

xo,

H

Fridge Staples

Good morning! As I type, our boxes are making their way out of the house and onto a truck! So excited to get this show on the road.

You know what else excites me?

The inaugural grocery trip I am looking forward to making when we get to the new casa. Remind me to show you a picture of our refrigerator one day. I mayyy have gone slightly overboard. She's a freaking monster. (But angels sing when I open her gorgeous french doors...)

::Back to my grocery trip::

I have grown to LOVE grocery shopping. It is something I look forward to each week and as we have grown as a family and as I have gotten better at cooking, we have really streamlined our list. Don't get me wrong, I get things we don't need fun, new things to try almost each week, but we absolutely have our core necessities that we HAVE to have to function.

Here are some must haves:

• Bananas
• Gala or Honeycrisp Apples
• Baby Spinach
• Kale
• Avocados
• Baby Carrots
• Grape Tomatoes
• Sweet Potatoes
• Garbanzo beans
• Black beans
• Hummus
• Almond Butter
• Van's Waffles
• Eggs
• Liquid Egg Whites
• Almond Milk
• Whole Wheat Tortillas
• Ground Turkey
• Chicken Breast (haha, breast)

It's a pretty long list of essentials...but truthfully, we make mid-week grocery runs if we run out of any one of these things. I almost added more, but tried to stick with the big time needs. We like food in this house. :)

If I had to narrow it down to my personal top 3, it would easily be: Avocado, Almond Butter, and Egg Whites.

God, this is a riveting post.

So, share time. What tops your grocery list?

xo,
H

Move Week Kick-off

Well Happy Monday, friends! :)

We've officially closed on our new home and I finally have stopped hearing "Closing Time" by Matchbox 20, playing in my head on repeat. Good times. Especially because I don't particularly enjoy that song...

Any who, we are back at Ft. Benning now, and the packer(s) are here and have gotten started. I added the (s) because right now there is only one person in our home...and two others set to come later today. Needless to say, it's been slow going and I'm dying to just throw our shit in boxes myself...but I'm reigning it in and just working on the lap top.

Tomorrow (if the packing is ever finished) our things will be loaded onto a truck and we'll see it all again at the new house on Thursday or Friday. Can't wait to rearrange and organize the place.

My view.

 

Catch you all soon!

xo,
H