A White Christmas

Winter in Alaska can be a difficult time of year.  The sun rises at 8:30 AM and sets at 3:00 PM.  It can be dark and dreary but around christmas time Juneau Alaska turns on the charm ;)  The once pitch black rainy evenings are suddenly illuminated by the arrival of christmas lights and freshly fallen snow extending the time we have to play outdoors.

After snow cuddles are the coziest

        Cheery decorated storefronts line the streets of downtown, and the local Nickelodeon hosts a family matinee showing beloved christmas classics like "Frosty The Snowman" and "How The Grinch Stole Christmas".  I hope my girls will look back on our time here and cherish the memories we made.  After all you really cannot beat a white christmas.

Christmas Morning she woke and asked "Is it Jesus' Birthday today?" I'm so happy she knows what the holiday is truly about.

My Little Jelly Belly

 "When I'm worried and I can't sleep

I count my blessings instead of sheep

And I fall asleep counting my blessings"

-Bing Crosby

White Christmas

Another Snow Day

Nothing like some cozy cuddles to warm you up

I don't know about me, but you're turning 33

Okay so maybe i did kinda quote T. Swift but there is no other way to Celebrate my accomplice.  He just turned 33; we were 23 when we met, and I can honestly say he is the best thing that has ever happened to me.  Not to say that our daughters aren't as well; it's just my life wouldn't be what it is without him, the love we share, and the life that has grown from it.

Here's to many more birthdays to come.

xoxo

Baby It's Cold Outside

We went to the Glacier with some friends. We arrived just in time to watch the snow clouds roll in.  When we returned home this is what we found:

Then I asked Cecilia if she wanted "to build a snowman"…. Yes I really did!

This years Olaf was so much better than the first one we ever built.  Check it out HERE

Up to Eagle Crest for some family sledding

Home Again Home Again; Jiggity Jig

We miss our little farm down the street back home in Vancouver WA.  I feel so fortunate to have been able to visit it again, even if it was only for a little while.  Cecilia and I would stop in at the market to purchase some veggies and spend our afternoon enjoying the sunshine feeding the animals.  Farms are a wonderful place to play and Bi-Zi farms never fails to impress.

 "Life starts all over again

When it gets crisp in the fall."

- F. Scott Fitzgerald 

The Autumn (Alaska)

It would seem as though Autumn came and went.  As we began to settle into our new family dynamic;  we celebrated Cecilia's 5th birthday, watched the leaves change, and enjoyed playing outside in what warmth was left before winter arrived.  

Lena Point

Out the road

The Autumn 

by Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1833)

Go, sit upon the lofty hill,

And turn your eyes around,

Where waving woods and waters wild

Do hymn an autumn sound.

The summer sun is faint on them 

The summer flowers depart 

Sit still, as all transform’d to stone,

Except your musing heart.

House to Home: Living Room Makeover

My textiles have been in desperate need of a facelift lately.  I've had the same pillows and most of my decor for 3 years and during that time my tastes have evolved, as well as received some serious wear and tare thanks to living with kids.  I love interior design!!  Some of my design idols are:

 Joanna Gaines

Her eye for rustic simplicity, beautiful color pallets, and her ability to repurpose once loved items amazes me.  She can do no wrong! 

#Shiplap

Emily Henderson

A fellow Oregonian; I feel Emily delivers that local flea market flare Portland is known for without it being TOO much.  Her style it eclectic, simple, and clean.  She recently joined up with Target as a style expert and made some useful design with target videos.

and Lets Not Forget

Genevieve  Gorder

Genevieve Gorder was my first interior design love.  She has a playful approach to spaces and a knack for mixing texture and different elements.  Before I found her on HGTV I probably would have bought an entire matching furniture set from some furniture store, with a generic style that was not my own.  Genevieve made design tangible; anyone could do it, and she showed you how.

#DearGenevieve 

Some of my favorite places to troll for good deals and unique finds are Schoolhouse Electric Co., West Elm, Magnolia Market, Target, H&M, Ikea (however they don't ship to Alaska…..), and Anthropologie.  Living in Juneau Alaska there really isn't much of an antique or craigslist market so I rely heavily on these shops.

Here is a photo of some pieces i will be updating our living room with.  Some of which I already own but I am very excited to show you when it all comes together.

Schoolhouse Electric Co.- US Map, Green Fern Pillow
H&M- Beige Linen Pillow
West Elm- Plaid Pillow, Wood Vase
Ikea- Couch, chair
Magnolia Market- Cherry Blossom Branch

Cecilia and Elsie's Shared Room

While trolling pinterest I came across this photo of a darling shared girls bedroom.  I have been thinking for a while about having my girls share a room, especially since I was having some anxieties about Elsie being in a crib in a room by herself.  So I decided to finally pull the trigger.  

I am constantly battling the mess that can occur in Cecilia's room; so by giving my girls a designated play space I am hoping it will help eliminate some of the clutter.  I will post photos of that room at a later date.  With that said, let the tour begin.

Cecilia's corner

Cecilia's linens are a mix of Martha Stewart, Target, West Elm and pillow from Dot & Bo

My little traveling girl reading some Lately Lily in her "sunny spot".

Cecilia's deer that sit in her sill.  I love having these little trinkets on display.  They are a daily reminder of the things she is interested in.  It's fun to see where she places them…. sometimes she'll arrange them as though they are having a conversation.

 My Mother found this adorable antique bassinet that is just perfect for housing all of the girls lovies. 

Cecilia's artwork from The Black Apple

She is also very much into the solar system…. Thanks Bill Nye the Science Guy!

Found this gem at Fred Meyer on sale! $30!!!  I think it's the perfect piece to marry the two halves of the room.

I used the flat sheet from Cecilia's Martha Stewart linens for the bedskirt. 

Elsie's artwork

I made Elsie's mobile from two crystal dragonflies from a local boutique here in Juneau called Trove.  

More little trinkets from our travels

 I really love the end result and so does Cecilia.  My only wish is that I had more tree decals to continue around the rest of that back wall.  I'm sure the room will continue to evolve as they play and grow together.

I just love my girls

xoxo