And they’d be Rainbow flip flops slipped onto feet with coral-painted toenails. My friend is a rock star, I knew that much–but I learned so much more on my blink-of-an-eye trip to Tallahassee, Florida. It’s hot there. And humid. I felt right at home in the climate, almost as if I had time traveled back to my 18 years spent in Pittsburgh–except Florida’s April is like Pittsburgh’s August. We talked for 48 hours straight. So fast, we were interrupting each other. I think we both had the fact that we only had 2 days and an evening together lurking over us the whole time and we had a lot of catch up to do. We chatted and laughed and listened to one another’s stories while changing diapers, warming up bottles, and chasing one toddler and 2 babies around from 7 am to 5 pm daily. My best friend usually tackles the nanny task by herself–but I was there to help her. Even though, I feel like she ended up helping me. I picked up tips on how to help Greta use a spoon and how to be patient when life gets hard. I didn’t know I could stay up until 12:30. Honest. I learned that there is life after babies go to bed. I learned I could cook more. And love more. And laugh harder. And cry more freely. I learned that some pregnant women wear heels their entire pregnancy (okay, we learned that one from Bravo.) I could and should get dressed every day, for me and for Chris. I learned that as much as I feel like I do–I could do more for–for my family, for other people, for myself. Because, my friend TOTALLY does double (or more) what I do in a day.
Of course I missed Chris and Greta. And that was so good for me. Every mother deserves an out-of-routine experience. Maybe it is across the country. Someplace warm. With an acquaintance turned friend turned bff turned kindred spirit. Go. I promise you. You need this, whoever you are.
More details about Meagan and I, and our days spent together here.
Our wood grain Shaker cabinet fronts were designed for busy, high-traffic homes like ours. Clad with durable textured thermofoils, this line is compatible with Sektion, Akurum, Godmorgon, and Besta cabinets from IKEA. It's the perfect, practical way to add the warmth of wood to all the rooms of your home.
We have teamed up with Loloi to create a line of rugs that are as affordable as they are beautiful. This collection houses a great mix of traditional and modern rugs, in cottage-y colorways, as well as vintage-inspired beauties that you’ll want to roll out in every room.
We partnered with Stuga on a line of hardwood floors — The Ingrid is really livable, and the color is very neutral. It doesn’t lean warm or cool, it’s that just right in-between. We have really loved putting it everywhere in our house. It’s the best jumping-off point for design, no matter your interior style. In addition to being beautiful, Ingrid is really durable — we have three kids, and we always have a home construction project going on. Ingrid stands up to it all.
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Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
A reader recently asked me if I’m starting to fully embrace traditional style and whether we still consider our house to be a “modern Colonial” and why. It was a really great question and so timely — I had really just been thinking about my approach to this home and how my style has changed […]
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Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
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Get Around
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Starting Monday, lets get back into that P90 sched. k??
Tots getting spanks by the way. way excited!!
Starting Monday, lets get back into that P90 sched. k??
Tots getting spanks by the way. way excited!!
Wow. That was a good post….chills the whole way through. Perfectly said. Kindred spirits. This was SUCh an amazing trip I was worried we would get bored. ISN’T THAT FUNNY????? BORED???? are you kidding me???? TOnight Ry and I were watching TV while I was blog surfing. He goes, “You’re so quiet. I’ve been hearing you talk non-stop and it’s weird. Why are you quiet? Don’t you want to talk to me????” hAHHAHAHA!!!!! anyways, yes Ryan I want to talk to you, so I closed the laptop. Wasn’t that sweet??? Love you. post a new vid of Greta!!