Pool anyone?

Every January the blogs are filled with resolutions and goals, mine included. But I think for me that this year is the year of the house. This blog is going on five years which totally blows me away but I think that it's time for a little less inspiration and a lot more action. I have this large front room that has served as the play room since the boys were babies. I have a dining room table, buffet and a sofa and the rest has always been kidland. It served it's purpose and still does. The boys still have mean balltag games but I'm thinking it's time to add to our room.

So here's my thought, move the family room into the large front room and make the family room more of a game room. I know some of you might gasp at why I would think to put a pool table, TV, video games system but with two boys getting older every day I want them to want to be here. I want them to be able to bring their friends over to hang out, I want to be the fun house...or should I say the-in-the know/fun house. This is all in the planning stages and probably won't happen in the next few months but I think this is where I'm headed. Seen any totally awesome not too manly game rooms? 

{via}

Dreaming :: Paris

I know we just got back from Italy but now that I've gotten a bad case of wanderlust and all I can think of is what I've always dreamed of, Paris.

I can't stop.

Maybe I should eat croissants and drink champagne? No I don't think that will do, I know the croissants won't even be close to the authentic ones. So for now I'll just stick with the champers and read HipParis  while wishing it were me there too.

So I'm Paris, where's your dream destination?

{1,2}

Do it :: Ping Pong

When my husband and I were dating we would battle it out with games like Trivial Pursuit and Sorry even leaving it ready to play if we had to go anywhere. Now there really isn't any of that but I sort of miss it. We have a patio table outside that rarely gets used, pretty much just gets dusty. I wonder if we could attach some sort of ping pong top to it and saddle up for Epic Battles Round 2? Fun times to be had at home for free! Kids optional of course.

Ping Pong anyone?

{1, 2}

Today

This is how I'm feeling today. I like feeling like this.

On days like this I pretend it looks like this right outside my door.

Since it doesn't I'll probably wear something like this, because it's still warm here folks.

Then maybe I'll make some tea and play make believe that it's chilly.

Maybe tonight it will get chilly? Crossing fingers.

{1,2,3,4}

Dreaming of Fall

I don't want to be a total buzzkill but why can't Mondays be filled with presents, glitter and shopping trips? Instead they're (well mine) is flat tires and hot weather. I'm ready for hot cider, sweaters and scarves!  I know it will be here before I know it. So until then I'll dream of autumn colors and lots of yummy treats!

{via Cherry Blossom Girl, Glitter Guide, Elizabeth Messina, Canadian House and Home}

Wishful thinking

Dreaming of a tranquil beachy days because of Fulvia Farolfi's home in the Hamptons.

And she's wearing my hat...

{all images from The Selby}

Paint ideas?

Opening this up to anyone with great paint suggestions. I have a powder room that is painted Martha Stewart's Barn red. It was one of her colors when her paint line was at Sherwin Williams. At the time (when we built our house) I loved it and as with all trends now I'm really ready to see it go. In my dreams we would have wainscoting and wallpaper in the WC but that's not really an affordable option so I'm thinking paint.

My mom and I had a brainstorming sesh and thought brown would be a nice option but I'm still on the fence. P-p-please any ideas or pics you could send my way would be extremely helpful, I'm plum out of ideas.

PS - My house is all warm colors and grays and blues are great as suggestions as long as they have a warmer undertone. I need all the help I can get, I'm stumped.

I need to get it together.

Do you ever feel so overwhelmed you just want to bury your head in the sand? That's exactly how I feel today and for no good reason (well it could be the stack of leftover dishes that wouldn't fit into the dishwasher). I've actually had some time to myself since the kids are both in school for a few hours at the same time and I've spent that time goofing off and basically just hanging out. Enough already!

{there is NO way my pantry will ever be so pretty so let's just pretend}

I have got to get myself onto a nice schedule and maybe one of these days I'll have the gumption to organize my pantry and get my blog back into tip top shape. With that being said is there anything that you would love to see here? Or are my mommy rants and snaps of all things pretty good enough? Let me know because I'm always interested to see if there's something that you like that I'm not doing enough of, so let's chat.

{image via Country Living}

Lady of Leisure

Do you ever wish you were an lady of leisure? You know the ones that are undecidedly glamorous, that flit from flower to flower? If I were one my day might look something like this, complete with evening gown of course.

{image from top via: Marie Claire UK, flickr, vi.sualize, vi.sualize}

Small Spaces to Getaway

Who doesn't always dream about a small space to get away? When I was little I always dreamed about having my own little playhouse for my doll adventures. Is it too much to ask for a little getaway in the back yard now?Awhile back Erin from Villa Pacis blogged about vacationing in a gypsy caravan (so cute you must check it out), it got me to thinking about a book I had read as a child. Since I already had my romantic notions about what it would be like images like this make it even more exciting.
Not to mention the other day I was driving right beside a classic Airstream and I was smitten. So the whole way home I tried to figure out how to finagle one of those into my life.
What's your little getaway fantasy?

[images via Marie Claire Maison & Flickr]

Etsy personal shopping

This morning I did a little Etsy shopping and here's what I found.

My trip started off with this adorable child's chair. I've always really wanted a vintage child's desk you know the ones that are all one piece? Well I've yet to find one, I live in a city with little to no good vintage shopping.

Next up some industrial bins, I love how they look all stacked up.

A great fan.

Here's where my trip gets kinda sad, I'm posting girl's vintage pink play kitchens. I have no girls. So I suppose I'm shopping vicariously for some of my favorite preggo bloggers (yes I'm talking you sweet Amber, Erika & Melisa) who are expecting darling girls.

And to finish of my trip a dolls highchair, cute stuff.

I love muscles!

One of my neighbors has one of these except in black. I secretly love it and and want to drive all over town in it pretending to be Kelly Garrett.

P.P.S

OK Santa since we're already on the subject of fitness one more teeny thing, I've been lusting after these for awhile. I think they would fit perfectly in my stocking.

xo - Moi

Wish List Vol. I

Dear Santa, I know this year it's probably not in the cards but you have to admit this would be perfect for me. Maybe next year? I promise to be extra good.

Love, Sarah

PS - Maybe you could squeeze in one of those new arcs to go with it?