Seven On Saturday

What a busy week this has been! So busy I missed "Five on Friday", but I did not fail to bring you Seven on Saturday!

1. Another Class Completed

I really enjoyed this course and the professor who taught it, but I will not miss Friday night class (after a long workday) and turning around and going back to class AGAIN from 8 to 5 on a Saturday. I finished the course last weekend and my grade is in! 

One more class down!

2. Summer Birthday Season Begins

All of my nieces' birthdays are in the summer, so I've dubbed summertime "Birthday Palooza." June is Audrey's birthday, July is Ava's birthday and August is Amelia's birthday. They all have theme birthday parties and their parents go all out (I don't know how they do it!!) and we all participate. Last summer was the summer of: pirate party, paint party and cowgirl party. 

But that was the summer of 2013 and this is the summer of 2014. 

My first invitation arrived in the mail today for my niece Audrey's birthday party. She's having, very specifically, a pink butterfly birthday party.  

I love this picture because she looks like a little kid model. 

3. Arrival of Summer

Today was the official start of summer and it couldn't have been more perfect. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and I celebrated with these beautiful roses in our window sill. Cheers to summer! 

4. Starting Another Class

This is my third-to-last grad school class. I repeat, this is my third-to-last grad school class. This includes my thesis course. This is the last course of the summer semester and I then begin my LAST semester. If you can't tell, I'm a little geeked. 

I feel like I started my grad school journey out with a light jog, energized and ready to roll. I am now on the ground, crawling through mud and the only thing getting me to the end is a complete mind-over-matter approach. 

I don't meant to seem ungrateful; I love learning, I just don't love the time away from my family. I'm very much looking forward to finishing up!

5. "Crawl With Me" Turtle

The online group of moms I've talked about before--"December Moms" on Facebook--have this care package rotation set up for those who want to participate. I don't participate just because I wouldn't want some poor soul waiting on this overly busy mother to get her act together and get stuff in the mail. However, when the moms who do participate post a picture of what's coming for the next person chosen for the care package, I get good ideas for stuff for Jackson.

One of the moms posted their teaser picture of the care package items and I saw this little turtle. It was too cute to not investigate myself. 

This is the "Crawl With Me" turtle by a company called Gund. The turtle is reasonably priced, plush and adorable. Jackson is thrilled with the music that plays and the encouraging words that come out of the turtle, i.e. "you're doing great baby!"

The turtle slowly crawls and is meant to encourage your baby to crawl. It's seriously one of the most adorable toys you will ever see. 

6. Rock Garden Border

So, we contracted a gentleman from Smith Floral to remove our weeds, dig a trench around our garden, remove some old plants that weren't working and lay mulch. He did such a great job (and wow was it nice to not have to worry about doing the work myself during such a busy time) that we decided to have him lay a garden border as well. 

The contractor came out last night to take a look at the garden and talk through border possibilities. 

We are going with a rock border and are anxious to see the results. 

7. Ready Rice

My husband and I figured out a really delicious, low-fat and easy to make dinner, which includes this easy staple--"Ready Rice."

All you need is a microwave and a minute-and-a-half. Seriously! 

At least until the end of December, I'm all about finding shortcuts for delicious and low-fat meals and these rice bags are definitely one of them! (And as you can see, they come in a variety of flavors.) 

 I hope you enjoy the rest of this wonderful weekend, darlings!

Cheers,

Samara

Interior Design Updates

Since I have had the pleasure of being indoors SO MUCH this winter (thanks a lot, Mother Nature!) I have noticed the bajillion mini projects that need attention in our home and the items that needed hanging  and have been sitting for months. 

Last week, our handyman was kind enough to drop by and help us knock a couple of things off of this list. 

ONE--In our dining room, we finally hung the shelves underneath our mirror. 

I always envisioned a row of tea lights illuminating the mirror for a very artsy, contemporary look. I absolutely love how it looks!

TWO--Since before I was married, I wanted my bedroom a shade of green (my favorite color). When I got married and our wedding colors had an earthy shade of green in it, I thought having the room painted green was not only a perfect and calming color for our bedroom, but also a subtle nod to our wedding colors. 

My husband got an AMAZING deal on the picture (now finally hung!) above our bed. The painting is a picture of our wedding rings--hung on the branches of the trees that were on our wedding reception tables--turned into a canvas painting. 

We still have several projects left, but it feels good to get ANY of them done. 

Cheers,

Samara

Five on Friday

I'm hoping your week went by as fast as mine. Can't believe we've made it to Friday again. With that said, here is this week's Five on Friday. Enjoy!

1. Winterscapes

I've always loved snow up until just after Christmas. And then, I've always wished for it to go away. I mean, what purpose does snow serve once we are done "getting in the spirit" for Christmas?  Since this is not usually a reality in Michigan, I decided to embrace winter this year. (At least as far as décor goes.)

We decorate our tables with beautiful flowers in the spring and pumpkins and gourds in the fall, but what about that period after Christmas and before Valentine's Day, spring and Easter? Aware of the decorating void during this period, I decided to decorate our dining room table with my best "wintry" interpretation. 

This time of year means tree branches and abandoned pinecones as the leaves have all blown away. With that in mind, I threw a few pinecones and candles on the table atop a rustic, burlap-like tablecloth. 

I am absolutely LOVING it. Very simple and serene.

2. Downton Abbey

I could probably include this on each and every one of my "Five on Friday" posts until the season is overwith because it is THAT good. Every Sunday at 9 p.m. I am glued to my tv anxiously awaiting the fancy dinners complete with long gloves and tiaras, witty exchanges and the scandal and hoopla that is the servant quarters. 

3. Fashion Week

The New York Spring 2014 Fashion Show is officially underway as of yesterday and I cannot wait to see what comes of it. 

Above is one of my absolute favorite color combos!

4. Custom Closets

Until just before the arrival of our son, the second bedroom closet served as my own personal closet and my husband used our bedroom closet for his closet. Having to downsize to sharing a closet has proven to be a bit chaotic and definitely CRAMPED. 

With that in mind, we bit the bullet and sprung for a professional closet company to come in and take a look at both bedroom closets. Above are the blueprints and the process will begin late next week. I cannot wait!

5. Virgin Islands (St. Thomas)

 This one is WAY exciting. I found out late last week that I will be heading to the Virgin Islands--specifically St. Thomas--later this year. Although I wish I were going NOW with the winter we're having, I am so grateful and excited to be heading to this destination. 

Above are pictures taken from the resort we will be staying in. 

Did I mention I'm excited?!? 

Cheers,

Samara