Weekend.

I have to say, the extra hour yesterday came in handy around my house.  The Texan worked on getting one of our guest rooms in order for company in a few weeks by finally replacing the gross old ceiling fan with a simple ceiling fixture. 

Flush mounts are not my favorite.  But due to the way the electrical was completed and the giant hole that is in the ceiling, a flush mount was the only option.  I think it looks much better and the light it gives off is great.

While he was being handy, I was mixing up my second slow cooker meal of the week.  We are normally not a slow cooker family.  The recipes usually make way too much for my family of three.  But, I've gotten pretty good at adjusting recipes down to a serving size that works for us.  And given that I worked all day yesterday, it was so nice to come home to a warm house with a meal ready to go!

Last night, we had Shredded Steak sandwiches and on Halloween, I made her Cafe Rio Chicken, which is TO DIE FOR.  We had no problem enjoying leftover tacos all weekend!  Her enchiladas are also in heavy rotation at our house - even The Bug will do them (without the sauce). 

How was your weekend?

Around Here.

My house has been in a state of disarray since about May.  It started with a few touch ups to the dining and living room, thanks to my new friend Lindsay.  She really came through with the bookshelf styling - and put to good use all the random books I had sitting around.  

I also adore the Lulu & Georgia rug she selected for the dining room. It perfectly pulls together all the random fabrics I already had going on.

I finally invested in a Michelle Armas piece, which makes me smile every time I glance in that room.  

Once the little things were done, we were ready to tackle some bigger projects:

Thibaut Cheetah print in the Powder Room (now I just need the perfect gold mirror to complete the space)...

Grasscloth in the entry (nearly impossible to photograph)...

And the biggest of all - a master bathroom remodel...

Rumor has it this space will be finished this week so I am hoping to capture some "after" images to share.

Don't worry, my to do list isn't done yet!  There's always something I feel needs improving.

Be sure to follow me on Instagram to keep up with my constant decorating - sharrison1028

Pizza Party.

Why, yes, it HAS been 4+ months since I last posted.  I don't know what to say.  Summer was crazy, The Bug started Kindergarten, The Texan is traveling like a vagabond and the next thing I know it's October.  Apologies all around.

The good news is I'm back, feeling rejuvenated and have some fun posts planned.

Let's kick things off with one of my favorite events of the year - The Bug's birthday!  Today is actually the big day.  6.  It's hard to believe.  I can't imagine my life before him, but I also can't imagine what's to come.  Besides The Texan, he is the best thing in my life.

We've normally hosted parties at home.  (See 3rd birthday, 4th birthday and 5th birthday recaps...)  This year, I knew I couldn't manage a gaggle of 5-6 year olds in my house, not to mention our house is a construction zone right now (more on that to come.)  So, I decided to host the big day at a local pizza spot.

Mustaches and chef hats all around.  A "spinning" lesson from the staff, dough to play with and a good old fashioned game of "Pizza Hole" and the kids were happy, full and having fun.

Happy Birthday to H!

For info on the printables featured, visit Anders Ruff. 

More Laura Loves.

Last week, my friend Maria invited me to the "paint the world flawless" at the Laura Mercier counter at Nordstrom.  I really don't need to be asked twice.  Plus, it was time to pick up a new spring lip color.

Once I arrived, Maria introduced me to a fab new product launched by Laura Mercier and considered one of Marie Claire's 25 new products that will change your life...the Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact.

I am already a HUGE fan of the Tinted Moisturizer   It's my go-to for every day makeup - light weight, nice coverage and easy.  I've worn it for years.  Now it comes in to-go form?  Genius.  

Even though it just takes minutes to apply the Tinted Moisturizer, I'm a bigger fan of the new Creme Compact.  It's perfect on the mornings where I am headed to the gym and I don't feel like doing a full face.  I just smooth this on with the handy applicator sponge, add a bit of blush and out the door I go.  It makes my skin dewy and natural looking.  And for someone who is NOT a make up pro, this is THE easiest way to get flawless looking skin.

The even better news for me that day?  The compact was FREE.  FREE!!  I couldn't believe it.  A $45 compact free to me for attending the event that day.  I love it!

While there, I also picked up a Matte Radiance Baked Powder in Bronze, which I was hesitant about as bronzer usually make me look orange and streaky, but this stuff is amazing as expected and adds just a hint of tan.  Maria also gave me great application tips, which this novice needed.  

And finally, the reason I went in the first place?  My new spring lips, Lip Glace in Baby Doll...cute, pink and natural.

Bottom line - get ye to Nordstrom (double points right now!) and get yourself the Tinted Moisturizer Creme Compact.  Life changing for sure.

Check out my other Laura loves - here and here. 

Summer Bucket List.

Well, today is the last day of preschool for The Bug.  In just 12 weeks, he will start kindergarten.  Where has the time gone?  And what the heck are we going to do with all of our time together?!

Inspired by my blogger friend (and real life friend!) Julie, we came up with a Summer Bucket List.  Even though The Bug will be attending "camp" each week, there are still plenty of days for us to fill and memories to create before he's officially a kindergartner.  

How many of these can we check off this year?

Trip to Omaha (Zoo, Children's Museum, Air & Space Museum)
Day Camp at the Kansas City Zoo
Visit Science City
Make boats to sail at Franklin Park
Weekend at the Lake (of the Ozarks)
Visit Little Freshie for a sno-cone
Participate in Summer Reading Program
Get frozen yogurt (maybe he will eat more than toppings this year?!)
Trip to Texas to visit Nana and Papa
Trip to Lee's Summit to play at Williams-Grant Park (totally stole this from Julie - they have a pirate ship in the park!)
Get a treat from the ice cream truck
Play with my cousins
Night at Great Wolf Lodge
Eat a Shipley's Do-nut
Go to work with Dad
Take the training wheels off the bike
Day at The K
Impromptu dance party (current favorite jam?  "Mirrors' by JT, of course!)
Spend the night at Nan's house

We are kicking things off today with a celebratory picnic with our friends, followed by an afternoon at the Zoo.  Welcome Summer!

PS - Need some ideas to create your own Summer Bucket List?  Visit The Happy Family Movement for more ideas. 

Bronze Body.

Tis the season for exposing my pale, pale bod to sunshine.  I do tend to avoid the sun, but I don't necessarily want to look like Powder while doing so.

I've used many a sunless tanner before and just can't get in to them.  Jergens especially is bad for me (I turn orange) and it stinks so everyone's go-to just isn't my thang. 

So, at the reco of a friend, I picked up a bottle of L'Oreal Sublime Bronze last week at Target.

It is an instant bronzer, meaning you look immediately tan and then the self-tanning lotion part kicks in about an hour later.  The instant bronzer definitely helps you see where you have applied none or too heavily, which is a nice feature.  There is a bit of a subtle sheen/glitter to it that may not appeal to everyone, but there isn't a noticeable scent, which is a huge plus for me.  

I have been mixing it with about 1/2 regular lotion just to tone down the bronze a little, but for those ready to dive right in, I'd use it as is.  

L'Oreal claims that once you have achieved your desired tan, you only need to apply 1-2 days a week to maintain.  This seems like a lot less maintenance than the gradual tan lotions out there.  

Anyone else try Sublime Bronze?

Art.

I am having a full art obsession.  I used to just run to Z. Gallerie to pick up something to fill a spot, but now I am trying to be deliberate about my choices and willing to invest a little for a piece I love that will get through a variety of decorating changes.  

A few of my faves...

Michelle Armas "Michi"

This has been an artist I have been watching for a while now and I just love how fun and whimsical her work is.  These colors aren't exactly ones that work in my house, but that is why I love it.

Janet Hill, "Mistress of Disguise"

I love this work because it's different.  I think the woman looks mysterious and the title works perfectly with how she is painted.  I think this would be fun tucked in to a little corner.

  

Clare Elsaesser, "Undertow"

This comes across as sort of sad to me, but I love the colors.

It seems I'm definitely in to abstract and people...odd.  What are your favorite pieces these days?

Weekend Find.

It never fails that I manage to hit a store over the weekend.  My latest pick up came from the Gap who continues to kill it for me for casual every day wear.  Plus, with their BOGO sale it was a no brainer to take home.

What started as an innocent trip to grab The Bug a pair of jeans - seriously, why are we still wearing jeans in May?  And why does he continue to get holes in every pair of jeans he has? - ended with me finding this totally adorable dress while checking out. 

Henley Maxi Dress, Hot Coral 

Henley Maxi Dress, Juniper Green 

Cute, huh?  

Weekend in Food.

My bod is not happy with me.  I pretty much ate my way through the weekend - a huge meal home on Friday, homemade cookies courtesy of Nana all day Saturday followed by a meal out that night.

But what really killed it for me was Sunday. 

Guacamole from Ina.  (It was Cinco de Mayo after all.)

And a pretty easy White Chicken Enchiladas that were gobbled up at family dinner.  I'm happy that I made a second pan for leftovers this week.  These are fairly easy to make for enchiladas.  The rolling up of the tortillas is the most time intensive part, but the Sour Cream Green Chile sauce that goes on top is super quick and oh so tasty. 

My mother-in-law followed up her famous ginger cookies with yet another Ina special - Raspberry Crumble Bars.  Not ashamed to admit I ate 2.  The perfect sweet, crunchy, salty combo.  And I think they look very impressive - would be great to bring to a party. 

I will have to hit the Bar (Method) pretty hard this week, so it's probably a good thing that their second studio opened last week in the West Plaza area.  Now I have zero excuses to find a class time that works for me.  

How was your weekend?

Girl Stuff.

Tomorrow we're heading over to some friends house to celebrate the 3rd birthday of their sweet little gal.  It's hard to believe she is ONLY 3 since she's been potty trained for quite a while, speaks in full sentences and can hang with my almost 6 year old.  Girls are just different I guess.  

This little lady happens to be one of my favorite gals on the planet and not just because she compliments me on my accessories every time I see her.

"That's a pretty bracelet."

"Can I wear that necklace?"

"Those shoes are fancy."

Instead of going with toys for her gift, I decided she needed some accessories of her own.  Ones that can hold up to tiny fingers and constant wearing.  

It is a good thing that The Bug is not a girl..we'd have a lot of glitter and bows around here.  Full disclosure:  he has been wearing the headbands.  He looks pretty cute!

Lately.

Excuse the absence, once again.  I find that when "real life" hits, like the events of a few weeks ago, blogging seems to take a back seat.  It feels silly and strange to blog about material things when there is real heartache happening in the world.

But, the sun was out today and I am feeling fine.  

There are a lot of balls in the air over here - work events, wrapping up preschool (I can't believe it!) and a mini-makeover on the home front, dining room specifically.  A big reveal coming soon - promise.  

In the meantime, a few things that have been on my mind lately....

J. Crew Punk Floral Trouser

I can't get enough of this Punk Floral print.  I'm trying hard to resist snatching it up in every possible piece.  And it comes in quite a few:  dress, scarf, bikini, shirt, skirt, sweater.  For now, let's just say I own the blouse.  (Don't tell the hubs that there are 2 different blouse styles...)

I just finished reading The Dinner by Herman Koch.  It's twisty and a page turner.  If you liked Gone Girl, you'll like this.  I have a feeling the movie options just might get picked up...

This is the "ice box" my mother-in-law and her family used as a refrigerator growing up.  I have big plans to update it with new hardware and a snazzy color so it can serve as a bar table, but I'm having a hard time deciding what to do with it.  Thoughts?  

What's been going on with you? 

Sleepless in PV.

We are living in Allergy / Asthma Hell over here.  The Bug is currently on FIVE medications all to supposedly help his runny nose, red eyes, scary cough and wheezing.  One of the medications is a steroid which makes him out of control hyper and suffer from insomnia. 

It's 9 parts annoying and 1 part funny.  I am imprisoned to the house because his behavior in public is just so shocking and I am tired of telling strangers "he's on loads of medicines.  please excuse his crazy."

Thankfully, we only have one more day of the steroid so I am hoping we can finally sleep.  Four restless nights are catching up with me.

Hope you are not battling allergies!

Weekend.

It was another beautiful weekend in KC - it's too bad the little guy's allergies are in full force.  Very little sleep was had and a visit to the doctor is in order today.  

We did manage to sneak in some fun.  An amazing facial Friday morning, a great meal at my mom's on Saturday, some major online stalking of my sales (live time!) during this weekend's Rhea Lana sale ($180 so far!) and finally wearing a few spring goodies.  

I picked up these loafers during Triple Points at Nordstrom and basked in their comfort and coolness all weekend...

Adam Tucker Me Too Loafers, $89.95

I also added to my Spring Jacket obsession by grabbing this white one at Madewell...

Tailored Blazer, $138

How did you spend your weekend?