The easiest way to make a flower arrangement using scotch tape!

In honor of Valentine's day I wanted to repost this super easy trick to make a flower arrangement! I hope everyone has a wonderful Valentine's day weekend! My sister-in-law and her boyfriend will be visiting for a few days. We will be celebrating as a big happy family!!!  xoxo, Kelly 

For as long as I can remember I have been the worst at making flower arrangements! My mother on the other hand seems to have this magical way of putting flowers in a vase so effortlessly and they look picture perfect every time ! I don't know how she does it! She knows just the right length to cut the stems, she knows just the right size vase to use and how much extra foliage to add ! I somehow didn't inherit the flower arrangement gene from her! But I did learn a really easy trick that has helped me tremendously ! I actually saw florists use this trick on one of those million dollar wedding shows. They were making huge extraordinary center pieces but I thought I could try the same technique on a small arrangement. I tried it and it worked ! So if you are like me and didn't inherit the flower arrangement gene (hehe ) .... Then hopefully this trick will work for you too! :)

Step 1:  Choose a bowl and add water 3/4 of the way full.  I choose this beautiful grey and white bowl from West Elm that my sister gave me for my birthday. 

Any bowl will work but of course using an extra pretty or detailed bowl looks best! Try to use a bowl that is about the same size in circumference or a little smaller than the bouquet of flowers you buy or pick. 

Step 2: Begin putting strips of scotch tape vertically across the bowl. Make sure the tape is ending just on the edge of the bowl and not hanging down the edges. I like to start in the middle and then work my way to the left and right . 

Step 3: Now start placing tape strips horizontally to make a grid. Leave small spaces in between tape sections about a 1/2 inch or smaller. 

Step 4: Now the fun part ! You can start adding the flowers!  Cut flowers one at a time just a tiny bit taller than your bowl. I like to start in the center and work my way to the outside. It also works best if your center flowers are slightly taller than the outer flowers. Make sure to vary flowers by color and fullness. 

One trick I use is to always save one of the prettiest and fullest stems to add last and find the perfect spot for it! It usually ends up in the center of the arrangement or somewhere that has a gap.

Step 5: The final step is to add extra foliage. Take different size and shape leaves off the stems and arrange them in sporadically. 

One trick and perk of using this masking tape method is you have the ability to tape the leaves in place on top of the grid masking tape, so you can easily place the leaves exactly where you like them and they will stay put ! 

 So easy !!! And here is the finished product! I hope this trick helps you like it does for me! If I can do it then anyone can! :) 

Gold and White Guest Bedroom

I'm getting our guest bedroom ready for my "oldest" friend! Our mothers were best friends and we therefore have been friends since birth! She's coming to spend the weekend and since we moved ten hours from home I have had very little time with friends! It will be much needed girl time!!! 

 I'm not quite finished decorating the room but it is coming together. I found the two Euro pillows at Target and knew they would go perfectly with Caitlin Wolsons gold Flower pillow in the center . I used our old ikea bedside tables which were too small in scale for our new masterbedroom. 

I will just need to pick up some pink flowers before the weekend to add the last finishing touch....and it will be all ready for her. I can't wait ! Hope everyone has wonderful plans this weekend too! 

Xo, Kelly 

Sneak Peak!

While my husband was away on business I rearranged the family room furniture ! It always seemed to work that way ... When my husbands gone I change things up ! :) I took a quick picture after I was done and if you look closely my daughter is in her favorite hideout with her baby doll. She cracks me up! ;)

More pictures and angles to come soon. I will be on the hunt for side tables and bookcases and/or display cases. My mom is planning to visit this week and our favorite hobby together is SHOPPING! Can't wait! Speaking of shopping with Mom I took my little ones shopping at target. And they both had their first Starbucks. 

What girl doesn't love Shopping and Starbucks! 

Hope everyone is having a wonderful day! 

Xo, 

Kelly 

New ottoman!

I finally received my Serena and Lily Ottoman!  

I'm still waiting on replacement legs for the ikea  sofa. I ordered them in a dark walnut which will match the legs on the ottoman! 

I love how large the ottoman is (42" square )and how my family of four can all cuddle comfortably on the couch now!  

That's exactly what I plan to do today with my two cuties!!! Next design choices will be side tables and a few bookshelf display units for the large blank wall. Choices ... Choices!!! Stay tuned! Working on this room little by little! 

Xo, 

Kelly 

What a year!

Oh how fast a year goes by! 

We started the year with a new baby and ended with a new house ! If you told me a year ago we would be living in a new state I wouldn't believe you! It's amazing how much can change in one short year! 

It feels like yesterday we were setting up her nursery in our now "old " house! 

And now in a flash our little princess is ONE ! She has the sweetest personality shinning through now and is so much fun! 

Wishing everyone a happy and healthy new year!!!! 

Xoxo, Kelly 

Best Dad!

I have said it before but I'll say it again .... I have the greatest Parents! My mom dad and sister came to visit this weekend and while visiting my father helped put up some curtains and mirrors! 

I finally started getting our living room together. It's the room to the left when you walk in the front door (first impression room) so it feels great to see it coming together! The curtains fit perfectly! They are the best home decor bargin around! They are 98 inch panels  (two panels per package) for only $30 at IKEA! They are even nicer than similar ones In have from Pottery barn that are only 96" and around $100 per panel! At ikea you get 2 panels for $30!!! Can't beat that price!!!! The mirror was a second wedding anniversary from my dad! We went antique shopping together and I was so excited to find this with my Dad! The memory of finding it together holds so much sentimental memory! We originally had the room layed out differently but I did some rearranging today.  Here is the original arrangement 

The couch was originally to the right and chest and mirror staight ahead. Here is the new arrangement . 

The couch straight ahead and the chest to the right. 

I love the new rearrangent but now the mirror is a little too high. Nothing we can't fix!!

The white hutch also holds special memory! That was our 6th anniversary present also from my Dad! We bought it at a tag sale and he refinishe it! You can read about that project here! 

So there are many special memories of my Dad in this room and now I can add memories of him putting up these curtains and mirrors in our new house while he was visiting (and technically on vacation!)

  With a few minor adjustments and a few extra design details this room is almost finished! It needs something special or a pop of color which I'm still contemplating..... I'm on the hunt! But I'm so happy with the way the curtains turned out! And the new layout! Thanks to my super dad!!! 

Xo, Kelly 

Some Christmas Details

This year our Christmas colors are mainly silver and gold with hints of green! It's very simple , yet sparkly at the same time! Here is a sneak peak of some of the details I have been working on.  More pictures to come! 

Little by little it's coming together! 

Xo, Kelly