Pumpkin Season!

It's finalllllly pumpkin season!

(Thank goodness there isn't a shortage this year.)

I have many ideas this year for letting the fall into my home. I already have decorated a little bit; fall is sneaking its way into my house! I bought a couple of little pumpkin canisters at the thrift store the other day. I love them because they not only speak of fall but of Halloween! 

My little owl vase looks great with some fall flowers inside, doesn't he?

AND the new glass canisters that I bought will look wonderful with some fall leaves, pine cones or miniature pumpkins inside! I have a feeling that these will be a very versatile pair...

The greatest thing about all of these are that I got them ALL from the thrift store. I have people ask me all of the time, "Where do you find that stuff?" I have always loved thrifting. My aunties taught me the sport of thrift store shopping when I was just a girl. I have such a passion for other people's junk. I would much rather buy something old than something brand new! Keep in mind, it has to work and be able to be used; I won't buy just anything.

Here are some other fall things that I will be checking out:

This amazing recipe for roasted-pumpkin soup. Yes please!

These 8 easy fall makeovers. So cute!

I plan on making this for my house. Hopefully to go over the electric fireplace that we are talking about purchasing!

So much fall inspiration and pumpkin love going around!

I can't wait until it is actually here!

25 before 25.

I have been thinking about doing this for quite some time. I am a list maker. I always have been. My problem is that I am not so great at following through. (I tend to make the excuse that I am too busy. Sometimes that it true, sometimes it is not.) So here it is ladies and gents, I present to you...

1. Learn how to use my sewing machine.

2. Organize my office closet. (For my sake, and my husbands.)

3. Finish paying off my credit card debt.

4. Plant a garden of some sort in my backyard.

5. Start reading again every single day.

6. Organize ALL of our photos into albums.

7. Sew a dress for Violet.

8. Have regular date nights with Josh.

9. Take more photos as a family.

10. Put a brick front face on my house.

11. Paint our shutters.

12. Find the perfect paint color for our kitchen & office.

13. Write MORE.

14. Sew some fun pillowcases.

15. Minimize the "stuff" in our house. Less is best!

16. Be more intentional with both friends and family.

17. Listen well.

18. Grow my hair out.

19. Take a family road trip to a somewhat unfamiliar city.

20. Get a crockpot and use it!

21. Tattoo my feet.

22. Send more letters.

23. Build Bean a playhouse/tent.

24. Spend more time with the Bible & Jesus.

25. Watch less t.v.

Some of these are things that I need to do everyday. Some of these aren't. I am excited about this because not only will I document my progress, but I will hopefully be held accountable to do so! Now, I turn 24 in November. I plan to start this list on the day of my 24th birthday. That gives me about 2 tasks a month to "fulfill." I'm challenging myself and hope that maybe this will inspire you to do so as well. We all make lists and have dreams/aspirations. Why are we not following through? For me, the time is now. I can't wait to cross each and every one off.

Watching You...

SO, I got my home try on glasses from Warby Parker. I have been waiting for these for so long! The pictures didn't come out great, but here are the three that I like best.

 (The Finn)

 (The Sibley)

(The Miles)

The reflection was crazy because they are just plastic lenses inside so the pictures are not that great. I think that I am going with the Finn, the first pair. What do you think? Do you think that glasses speak a great deal about your personality?

Bang-A-Rang.

I have new fall hair. Wanna see?

EH.

I did it. I just wrote Emily Henderson an email asking her to come to our house and help us. I love her style, and although I am 99.9% sure that we won't make the cut, I tried. Here is what the email looked like:

Dear Emily -

First off, I have to admit this. My husband Josh told me that your show was looking for people that need makeovers. I literally went to bed last night scripting out my email to you. That sounds a little crazy...but I was that excited. We do live in Phoenix, Arizona, but I thought hey, it wouldn't hurt to ask right? I have been reading your blog since before you were even on Design Star. My husband and I are HUGE fans of your work and would love you to come and help us.

Let me tell you a bit about ourselves. Our names are Josh and Brandi (that's me) and we just recently bought our first house. We have been married for almost 2 years and have the best little girl in the world named Violet. (We call her Bean for fun.) We bought a 1200 sq. foot brick house that was built in the 50's. I think that we have a somewhat decent sense of style; we like vintage, thrifted pieces with some brand new modern stuff thrown in. Traditional, yet updated. I think that when it comes to this house, it is so rectangular that working with it is a bit challenging. There is a little tiny nook that I have NO idea what to do with, and then there is the big challenge: the office. The office has to serve a few purposes; we need a defined workspace, a place for Violet to play as well as somewhere that just feels quiet and peaceful. I like to read in there, but often I get distracted because the space just feels so thrown together that I have no idea what to do with myself.

(I included pictures of the office, and that weird little nook that just stumps me.)

I am not sure that you can come this far, but if you are willing to entertain the idea, we are ready for you. Congratulations on the show being picked up and we will be watching!

Sincerely,

The Johnson Family

 

Nice, right? I know that we are technically "breaking the L.A" rule, but I have to ask. HAVE to. I really need help with this space and I am crazy about her style. At least maybe she'll send some tips? These are the photos I sent her, maybe you can offer some suggestions to me?

Here is what I would love:

(This is actually her office. We have the same chair!)

I need HELP!

Fall!

 

I know that Arizona looks nothing like this in the fall, but it got me thinking...

Last night when the rain was falling quite hard outside my house, my air conditioner kicked on. I thought, "Isn't it time for this to stop? It's the end of September!" It seems quite insane to people from "normal" parts of the country where they have four seasons, but if you live in Arizona you understand. There is something about the change of a season that gets me really excited. I love sweaters, breaking out the boots, hot vanilla chai (from GoldBar thank you very much) and putting more blankets on the bed. I love incorporating fall and winter decor into my house, and frankly cannot wait until I can do so this year. Just another excuse for more neutral colors, right?

The seasons are changing and so is the Johnson household. Josh's hectic work schedule is finally getting to a place where and he AND I are both happy. This fall, we will welcome our great friend Drea as our new roommate. We get to take Bean trick-or-treating this year; just a few of the many things that I am terribly excited for. I love the holidays and I can't wait to start them off!

Wall of Frame.

Happy Tuesday!

Yesterday, after the dishes and the laundry, Josh and I hung Bean's family wall collage. I think it turned out pretty great! Early in the summer, I made family silhouettes. (What an easy project.) After some old wrapping paper that I had lying around, it became beautiful and even color coordinated with the colors in her room! 

The middle larger picture is a thumbprint tree that we did for her birthday. Instead of putting it in her baby book, I decided to take an old frame from Target that I had, paint it white and hang it. The picture to the right is her birth announcement and the "love" print is just something that I made in Microsoft Word with some free fonts that I downloaded. Great, right? I think it will be nice because we can change out the pictures over time, customizing it to her liking.

Penelope.

This is my newest family member, Penelope Sofia. She was born on Wednesday at 8:15 p.m. at a perfect 7.12 lbs. I am so excited that she is here and I can't wait to snuggle her with Auntie love. She is my cousin Chelsea's second little bundle of joy and I wish them a gigantic congratulations!

Isn't she cute? I think that she kick started my baby fever. (Uh-oh.)

Current Likes of Mine.

Fall is almost upon us and I literally CANNOT wait until I can wear a sweater and tights. I'm really into this fall and I'm counting the days! Here are some things that I have come across that I would love to share with you!

I am LOVING H&M's fall fashions. I went a couple of weeks ago and picked me up a couple of really great staple pieces. I came across this on their website and hadn't seen it before. They have a magazine! It has some really great stuff in it! Check it out!

I am really enjoying Whipped lately. I am not a huge food person, but it's beautiful and inspires my inner foodie. There are some pretty simple, yummy recipes on there that I can't wait to try out. This wheat berry salad looks to die for, right?!

I stumbled across Revolt70's Etsy shop and immediately became a watch person. I don't normally wear watches, but if I could wear one like this I would! Isn't this cool lookin'? (I think that it is my favorite.) They have lots and lots of other kinds of watches in their shop. Go visit them on Etsy!

This Little Piggy's House is the kind of stuff that every little kid dreams of. Pre-made, all recyclable materials and awesome looking kid houses! They sell paper goods as well as cardboard playhouses and their stuff is AWESOME. I would love one for Violet when she gets to be a little bit older. Some stencils and paint, and you could have your very own custom playhouse!

And last but not least, the beautiful workings of Etsy shop mr. Yen. I love paper cuttings. I love them in frames, I love them in cards, I just love them. His simple yet intricate pieces woo me once again and I thought that I would share them with you. This is one of my favorites.

From illustrations to other works of design, his stuff is gorgeous and one of my favorite current likes this month. (Also, if you like Alice in Wonderland, you'll love his work.) Check him out!

Working Gal.

I really think that there is something to say for being a stay at home mom.

I was talking to my dear friend Audra the other day and she asked me how my job hunt was going. (I am basically an "on-call" staffer now that enrollment is low at the school I was teaching at.) I told her that is was alright, no big developments lately. I began to share how much of a mental thing it is for me to know that no matter what kind of job I have, I am working for my family. I like the time by myself and I really like feeling that I am helping out. She told me that by staying at home, I am helping out. It takes a lot more work than one thinks to stay at home with a child. I get that, I really do. 

So why does it feel so different to get out there and work? What is pulling me to do so?

I haven't quite figured that out yet. I should be happy knowing that I am busting buns working as a mom. Isn't that enough? Is there masochistic cells in my body telling me that this isn't enough? Maybe there is, but I hope that I will be at peace with either decision that I make. I mean, my savings account isn't going to hate me for putting more money in it. Violet won't dislike having daddy time at night. There aren't many drawbacks except for expelling more energy in another job.

Girl is in the Yard.

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Thank you, Goodwill.

Ever since we had purchased Laredo, I think that Josh and I have had an idea for the house that we thought that we could never really achieve. We love vintage furniture; anything with a story really. We (I mostly) are constantly on the hunt for inexpensive, great finds for our home.

Well, I think that this weekend we are on our way to achieving that goal. 

Look at what we found!

She's Walking.

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Best of the Best.

Okay, so I couldn't wait until Monday. Here are a few from our quick mini-vacation up to Prescott Valley. 

 (I pulled over on the side of the freeway so we could take shots in the flowers.)

Violet decided that while we were at my grandparent's house that she would like to fully commit herself to walking. I am talking serious walking, the entire length of their house and trust me, their house isn't the smallest in the world. She did so great and was VERY proud of herself. (Video to come soon.) We relaxed, had great conversation and ate even better food. I love going back to that house time and time again, I wish I could keep that feeling forever.

Somehow the first afternoon that we got there, I was standing in the kitchen talking to my Nana. 

Sidenote:

I love talking to her because she never says anything unless I ask her to, her ears intently listening to whatever it is I have to say. I don't think that I really grew to appreciate our relationship up until about 4 years ago and ever since that transition, I look at her like a whole other woman. She has guided me in such a way that my entire life is transformed, something that I have no idea how to thank her for. I can say the same thing for my grandfather. He is such a wonderful teacher; always spitting out random facts about birds or fish, sharing his new paintings or giving me tips on what kind of herbs to grow in my back yard. These are two people that I care very much about.

The conversation somehow lead to their will being reorganized. We discussed why they had changed it, how they felt about making one and what the "plan" was. Nana said to me that she has created a special list for members of the family. She told me to look around the house and pick out whatever I wanted to keep when she passed away. My grandparents are both incredibly healthy and not dying in the near future, so for her to just casually mention this to me completely caught me off guard. I stood in her amazing kitchen with tears streaming down my face. I couldn't bear to think about either of them leaving my life. Their house feels like home, their voices are comforting and what could I do without them?

I began to think about what I would like from them. I mean, she said that I could have anything. She mentioned her serving dishes, her grandmother's china, books, her strawberry collection (which is her favorite things EVER.) I thought about what was most representative of their lives in my heart. I put together a few things, things that I would cherish beyond belief. 

I hate having that thought. I wanted to shut it out of my mind as soon as it entered. It got me thinking, what would someone want to keep of mine if I passed away? What legacy would I have to leave behind? Would there be one? 

So many things to think about. I am so not ready to go yet.

 

(Trying to) Walk in the Park.

She has found a new passion: COLORING.

We are taking a mini vacation to Prescott this weekend. I will be back on Tuesday with pictures from our 4 day weekend! Have a good Labor Day weekend everyone!

Likes of Mine.

While my new work schedule hasn't exactly been working out, I have had a little extra time to surf the web. Here are some things that I have been enjoying lately. 

Johanna McShan Photography. HOLY MOLY, does this lady know what she is doing! She recently started her own maternity book. While I just literally found this blog today, I am amazed by it. Her work is outstanding and her week-by-week pregnancy journal is pretty awesome. 

There are several more weeks involved, but isn't this the greatest? How special for you to be able to look at one of the most amazing times of your life as well as share that with your children? Any possible way of documenting your pregnancy I am totally for. Count me in.

And how about this from Etsy shop ladiesandgentlemen? Although a bit pricy, I would love to see a DIY version of this. If I had $600 extra dollars lying around, I would own one of these. Simply beautiful.

I really love How about Orange. Their DIY tutorials are amazing and always get my creative juices flowing. I swear, I think that there is an 80 year old woman living inside of me sometimes because I just cannot get enough of doilies. I want them everywhere, yet see no real practical use for them. (I'm not sure that Josh would love them either.) Here is a tutorial I came across and thought twice about their practicality. Doily Tutorial, yes please! 

 

Oh My Deer Handmades. This may be my all-time favorite blog. Please, please indulge. If you love Tec Petaja like I do, this is his wife. She is equally as talented and I think together they are like super heroes of capturing timeless, beautiful moments through paper and photo.

Check out her wonderful Etsy shop too. OH MY DEER!

Most of you know this by now, I am a nursing mother. I love everything about breastfeeding. Admit it, the fact that a woman can not only grow a human being, but sustain it's dietary needs is pretty darn cool, right?!

Now nursing does not only take place in the privacy of one's home. I have nursed walking down the aisles at Target, at coffee or restaurants. I could not have done this appropriately without the use of an Udder Cover. I think every mom-friend of mine has at least one of these. I own two I love them so much! Here are the two that I have, I highly recommend them.

Aren't they cute?!

Well, the reason that I brought this up today is because I got a promo email from a sister company of Udder Covers that is called Seven Slings. They always send out promos that comp the price of the nursing cover and all you have to pay is shipping. You get a $40.00 nursing cover for like 10 bucks! I checked out Seven Slings and they're product is beautiful! There are seven different slings, all different colors and patterns. I of course ordered one. Violet isn't really a big sling baby, she likes to move around a lot. I figured that at a price this cheap maybe we could use it for the next one. The age ranges from 0-12+ months which makes their product incredibly versatile. 

Here is the one that I picked out: