One way to slice it: an easy DIY wreath alternative

We are really enjoying our time at the beach (will share pics of the house we are staying in soon) so I'm just popping in to share my latest post on My Daily Bubble.

Check it out here!

Have a great rest of the week!

- Caitlin

Time-out

Morning!

I'm taking a time-out for a few days to enjoy some downtime at the beach with friends and family.

source

Summer isn't over until I say it is!

Have a great weekend.

- Caitlin

Let's get personal

Morning!
Today I'm sharing a few deals from Jane.com that can be personalized with your monogram or name.
Check 'em out before they sell out:

Handmade Monogram Initial Necklace

Okay, so it's not even Halloween yet but it's hard not to get a head start on Christmas when there are labels as cute as these:

Set of 60 Gift Labels

I love these mugs.
They sort of remind me of something you would find at Anthropologie.

Custom Floral Name Mugs

I just ordered this in the tortoise.
I'm always digging for my keys so I'm hoping this keychain will help me find them more easily.

Monogrammed Keychains

Personalized Return Address Stamps

I like the idea of keeping one of these large tote bags in the trunk of the car to hold miscellaneous objects (dog leash, reusable grocery bags, extra diapers, etc.)

Personalized Extra Large Tote Bags

Enjoy your day!
- Caitlin

Figuring out the family room

About a month ago, I shared our plan to refresh our family room by selling all of the stuff we felt "eh" about (which was practically everything) and starting new.

We were left with this (a whole lot of nothing):

The room is still looking like that today but some plans are in the works.

As I did with our master bedroom and Charlie's nursery, I've created a mood board to help figure out my vision for the family room:

I don't horseback ride or live on a farm, but lately I've been loving horse paintings like the one in this picture below:

Rachel Halvorson Designs

So, I found these two affordable versions below and hope to use something like them in the room above the fireplace:

1. horse print

2. white horse print

We will need some throw pillows on the couch but I'm considering buying fabric by the yard and sewing them into pillow covers:

3. black check fabric

4. gray fabric

We already purchased this couch during one of Pottery Barn's upholstery sales.

It felt very weird to buy a couch in a store versus finding one secondhand but there's a first time for everything!

I can't wait to plop down on the chaise in front of the fire this winter.
Sounds cozy, doesn't it?

5. sofa with chaise

6. rug

This coffee table is another piece we already have. It was a floor model marked down almost 50%. Buying floor models like we did with our kitchen table is a great way to save some money.

7. coffee table

An armchair similar to the one below is another item we already have for this room. We picked up ours from a garage sale for just $150!

8. nailhead armchair

I'm really looking forward to getting this room started this fall and will share the progress.

- Caitlin

Baby's better afters

Happy Saturday!

Charlie's up-cycled changing table, along with a few other really cool baby-related DIY makeovers, was recently featured on Better After.

Read all about it here.

His changing table is one of my favorite DIY projects that we did in his nursery.

In case you missed them the first time, here's a recap of some of the other DIY projects we did in his room:

DIY bookshelves

DIY heart art

DIY swivel rocker

DIY curtains and clock

DIY pillowcase hamper

 Have a great weekend!

- Caitlin

Ikea for the kiddies

On a recent beach weekend away with family, our cousin had this adorable ticking stripe play blanket for her baby and Charlie to roll (and drool) on:

LEKA play mat $24.99

When I learned that it was from Ikea, I headed over to the website and checked out some other stuff they have to offer for babies and kids. What I found was a lot of cute stuff with prices that are pretty unbeatable.

Here are a few of my picks:

SKAMSTAM crib duvet cover/pillowcase $9.99

LEKA snuggle blanket with soft toy $3.99

LEKA mobile $9.99

SUNDVIK crib $119

VISSLA bench pad $14.99

STANKA baby towel with hood $7.99

AGEN children's armchair $19.99

DUKTIG play kitchen $99.99

SKYLTA children's market stand $14.99

A quick thank you to my very talented friend Tara for designing the blog's new header!

- Caitlin

Month 3 with Charlie

Charlie recently hit the three month mark (yay!) and I documented it with his monthly picture that I posted about here:

You can see a big difference in his size and overall contentment compared to month one!

It was also less stressful taking the month three picture thanks to some more neck stability.

I've also been filling this frame in his room that I posted about here with his monthly photo.

It's been fun documenting his first year this way and I'm looking forward to the months to come!

- Caitlin

Project porch

It's been a while since I've shown what's going on our porch.

The last look was this one below, when the temperatures were a bit more frosty than they are today.

Brrrr. 

Winter can wait as far as I'm concerned.

Anyway, these days this space is looking a little different as we recently scored this Pier 1 set below (similar here and on sale) off of Craigslist for a deal way too good to pass up (everything for just $150!!):

The cushions were a little dirty but all it took was some spot cleaning and a run through the washing machine.

I picked up a couple of these Serena & Lily pillows (same print as our DIY cornice) on sale.

I figure the orange/coral color can carry the porch into fall.

The space isn't quite complete just yet.

Chris is working on a coffee table to go in front of the settee. 

Will share as soon as it's complete!

Thanks for stopping by!

- Caitlin

Friday Fashion Fix: wedding dress edition

With my sister's big day quickly approaching (you can read about her shower here), I can't help but have weddings on the brain.

And while getting married once was plenty for me (you can check out my wedding here), it's still fun to look at other wedding dresses.

When it was my turn to dress shop, it was hard to find one that didn't break the bank, especially with all the other crazy costs that come along with weddings.

So, today I'm sharing a few dresses that, like my wedding dress, cost under $1000.

J. Crew has a bunch of affordable dresses, including these two:

J. Crew

J. Crew

It's a little hard to see in this picture but this dress has an illusion neckline, which I love.

Overall, I think the dress is so soft and ethereal.

BHLDN

I love the cap sleeves on this one and the back of the dress is pretty special as well.

David's Bridal

Sometimes simple is the way to go.
But this dress could easily be dressed up with a pretty belt like this one.

Nordstroms

Jenny Yoo also makes a lot of affordable and beautiful dresses, like this one:

Jenny Yoo

Wishing you a wonderful weekend :)

- Caitlin