Summer List Progress Report

I hope you all had a lovely holiday weekend. We kicked off the official beginning of summer with a few activities from our Summer List(s). Here's a look at what we've been up to.

Our Egg Drop (from the new list) was a success! The winning combination was bubble wrap, foam cushioning and air-pak pods topped off with a grocery bag parachute. Good thing we have loads of moving supplies hanging around. :) Hooray!

Piñata (List 1)

Ball Pit (List 1)

Are you making any progress on the Summer Lists? Print 'em out and join in the fun. Or even better: write your own and have an adventure!

Memorial Day Blowout at One Kings Lane

Remember how I mentioned that I'm mentally living in the future and decorating our new home? I blame One Kings Lane. I'm addicted. Really. I may have a serious problem here. It's quickly become part of my morning routine. Breakfast, shower, get kids dressed, check the new sales. 

Last week I scored the perfect rug for under the kitchen table...I'm still on a high from my bargain shopping, and I can't wait to see what I find next. You'd better believe that I'll be waiting to pounce, as the clock strikes 8:00 for the big Memorial Day Blowout sale starting today. 

The Chevron Navy Vanity Tray in Navy, (available in the Decor and More sale) may just make its way into my shopping cart. Wouldn't it be perfect to corral perfume bottles or bracelets? But then again, I can't wait to see what other goodies they have in store for us.

If you're not a member yet, go here to sign up. Happy shopping!

100 (More!) Things to Do This Summer

Remember last year's Summer List? It was a tremendous hit with my kids...so they've helped me come up with a new list this year. Anyone up for a challenge? Try completing BOTH lists this summer.
Two hundred fun, easy activities should pretty well annihilate the summer boredom phenomenon. At least, for a week or two. Then you're on your own. ;)


Update (6/6/2014):
Both lists are available as free printables here. I've got both a color and a black and white version for you so you can print them any which way you want. Have fun!

Obsessed: Julep

I'm officially obsessed with Julep. I definitely haven't been this excited about nail polish since the seventh grade. That year it was my "thing." I had a signature "thing" every year through middle school. One year it was statement necklaces. Another year it was colorful shoes. And seventh grade was all about nail color.

A couple months back, I discovered the Julep Maven Program. They send you a box with two polishes and other fun products every month. You can use the promo code SHAREONMAY and get your first box for just one penny. Serious. The first time that sleek black box landed in my mailbox my heart skipped a beat. And I've been back on the nail polish bandwagon ever since.

I don't get out much, so twenty bucks a month is a pretty great way to treat myself. Nail polish is cheaper than a babysitter, and more low-calorie than the ice cream. How do I find the time to paint my nails? Well, I'm blessed with this baby who can't sleep unless he's ON me. So I slap a quick coat of polish on while he's snoozing in my arms. Not ideal, but it works.

Oh, and if you ever want to send your monthly box to a friend, you can do that, too. Like, say, your little sister's FIRST twenty-ninth birthday is coming up and you want to send her something cool, but you're in the middle of packing up your house and don't have time to go shopping. You can divert your shipment to her house with a gift message tucked neatly inside. She's happy, you're happy. Two birds with one stone.

What are you still doing here? Get over there now and get your Maven box on its way.

Color Crush: Primaries

Mentally, I'm living two months in the future, and decorating our new home. It's my coping mechanism since I'm bobbing in a sea of boxes, bubble wrap and checklists. I spend my quiet time gawking at houzz.com and dreaming up ideas for the new place. I forgot how much I love interior design.

I've noticed a lot of fun interiors lately making great use of primary colors. Here are a few of my favorites:

eclectic living room design by Grace Home Design, Inc.

The mustard yellow, rusty red and dark blue make this room look sophisticated and energetic at the same time.

bedroom design by los angeles interior designer betsy burnham

I love the mustard, turquoise and orangey red paired with Asian accents. I think this would be a perfect guest bedroom.

contemporary kids design

Slate blue walls + crisp white, yellow and red accents = adorable gender-neutral nursery. This would also make a great color scheme for a boy/girl shared bedroom.

kitchen design by The Sky is the Limit Design

For those skeptics among us who think primary colors are reminiscent of a kindergarten classroom, try a cheerful runner for a smaller dose of color.

P.S. All photos are linked directly to their pages on houzz.com.

Have a great day!