Wednesday, March 6, 2013

A Wink of Pink

The color pink is iffy for me (Kari)---kind of a "be very careful" color.  It's not bad---in fact, it's a lovely color!  But have you ever seen a thirty-five year-old woman in head-to-toe baby pink?  It's seldom done in a way that doesn't scream "I wish I was still twelve!"  I think pink is really fun when used as an accent.  Pink can create the most delightful little splash, especially this time of year when spring is trying to peak through the chill.

Here are some of my favorite pink accessories to add a little rosy cheer to outfits as we transition from snow to sun:

First, this scarf.  So sweet, but not overly saccharine. 

Next, I love these Liberty of London ditzy floral shoes from J. Crew.  I mean, you could wear these with all black and look spring-ish.


This necklace from Anthropologie isn't usually my favorite shade of pink---I'm pretty careful about wearing "baby pink" and prefer to wear more punchy pinks.  However, I think this necklace would be fun over a chambray shirt or a gray and white stripe t-shirt.

This little bag from J. Crew is such a fun shade---somewhere between berry and neon.  Such a great little splash of pink!

Um, I'm pretty sure this Kate Spade necklace will find away into my closet eventually (can it please go on crazy sale, Piperlime?!)  I mean, it's fantastic!  Super fun with almost any other color, stripes, a floral top, chambray, etc.  Even would be darling over your favorite LBD!
Finally, these shoes.  Plenty by Tracy Reese.  I LOVE these shoes.  I can think of a million outfits to wear them with this spring.  So stinkin' cute.
How about you?  Do you dare to try pink?

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Happy Birthday, Babs!

It's our Mom's birthday today!  She's the namesake of this blog, by the way.  More importantly, she's our mom!  As someone once told us, we "lucked out in the parent pool."  It's true!  Our parents our incredible people.  If you'd like to see the adventure that our mom and dad are on right now, check out their blog right here.

Mom, we hope you had a great day that involved cake, or at the very least, icecream.  We miss you and love you!

Happy birthday!


Monday, March 4, 2013

Using unconventional containers for succulent gardening

I (Kari) like living in Colorado A LOT. There is this misconception that we get cold, miserable blizzards most of the time. This is not true at all. Actually, we get more annual days of sunshine that most parts of California. The weather here rocks.  (The native Coloradans would drag me out into the street and beat me if they knew I was broadcasting this.  They don't like it when Californians move in and they want everyone to think we are three feet deep in snow all of the time.)  Even though the weather here is pretty awesome, there is one time of year that makes me wistful for the California livin' I am accustomed to.  It's this time of year---that February to March stretch when, in California, folks are already beginning to dig in the dirt and prepare their yards for spring.  In Colorado, our ground is frozen.  There is still snow that drops in from time to time.  Nobody's thinking about green in Colorado quite yet.

This time of year, I'm always itching to hurry spring along.  When I lived in California, I'd start the weekend forays into the garden centers and I'd start planting pots for my yard.  It felt good to be in flip flops on those rogue 70-degree March days.  So now, in Colorado, I find myself wishing I could dig in the dirt.  Yesterday, we had a glorious Colorado day.  The park was full of people in their shorts (and a lot of VERY white legs!) and I was itching to get some planting done.

So, I planted.  No, not in my yard, but in containers that can live in my sunroom until it's warm enough to transfer them to my porch.  If you've followed the Babs Blog for awhile, you know that I love planting unconventional containers for my yard.  And you know I love, love, love using green moss for nearly every planting project.  Need a recap?
See my first vertical planting here.
See my second vertical planting here and the update for that here.
See my tutorial for moss hanging baskets here.

And now, for the most recent unconventional succulent garden...

First, I used two bags of this moss PER "tower."

I used one bag of this cactus soil per "tower."

 The "tower" I speak of is this...
Technically, I think it's supposed to hold kitchen thingies or citrus or something.  It was on clearance at Hobby Lobby, so I bought two to plant out.

Step one:  Dump two bags of the moss in a 5-gallon bucket filled 3/4 of the way full of water.  Use your hands to stuff the moss down and mix it around until it is saturated with water.  Then, pull handfuls of the wet moss out and start patting it down on the bottom of the first tier.  You are going to put the moss on thick enough to hold the soil in place.  Pat it down and then start to press moss around the sides of the tier.

Take a wee little succulent and place it roots inside the basket, green part outside of the basket, as shown in the picture below.  Use wet moss to hold it in place.

Keep adding succulents around the edges and then put a few in the center.  Use the cactus soil mix to fill in the basket so all the succulents are officially planted:

Repeat the process for all tiers.  Remember that the succulents will grow and spread out, so give them room.  Don't plant the tier solid with succulents.  While that will look awesome for about a week, your succulents will get crowded and die eventually.

The moss helps keep the soil moist, but the cactus mix will ensure that it also drains well.  The succulents will live a happy life if they are watered when the soil is nearly completely dried out.


These two towers will live on my porch as soon as it's warm enough, but right now, they will hang out in my sunroom.  Succulents need sun and they aren't fans of snow.

And that's it!  Super easy.  With green moss, I think you can plant in almost any container.

Saturday, March 2, 2013

For lack of a better title: Nice Knobs

I (Kari) have a love-hate relationship with Hobby Lobby.  It's a strange place:  art & hobby store, framing workshop, fabric shop, and home decor emporium.  The home decor part makes my heart hurt.  There is so much BAD stuff there and the designer in me wants to do interventions in the aisle every time I see some poor well-meaning woman buying a huge resin fleur de lis for her kitchen wall.  If I avoid the home decor part of the store, I can usually get in and get out without having feelings of self-despair overwhelm me.  Usually. 

On the other hand, Hobby Lobby can be a very useful place.  The store stocks a lot of handy art and craft supplies and a great selection of ready-made frames.  Hobby Lobby is also my favorite place to look for hardware when updating a piece of furniture in need of new knobs.  Have you ever spent time ogling the knobs at Anthropologie?  SOOOO many great options for a pretty penny.  Did you know that many Anthro knob look-alikes can be found at  Hobby Lobby? Yep, it's true.  And, while my loyalty lies with Anthro and is shaky at best when it comes to Hobby Lobby, I love the selection and the price at Hobby Lobby when it comes to knobs.

THIS is the Hobby Lobby knob aisle...

See?  I wasn't lying about the selection.  There are a lotta knobs here, most for about $3-$4 apiece.  But wait!!!  See that 50% off sign?!  Yes, every few weeks, the knobs go on sale for half-off.  That makes a really awesome deal when you need to dress up a piece of furniture or some cabinetry, no?

Here are some of the knobs that caught my eye.  I would have photographed more, but there was a very surly woman in mom jeans who was really irritated that I was snapping photos of knobs within ten feet of her.  I was afraid she might whack me over the head with the weird resin dolphin sculpture that was sitting in her cart, so I moved on quickly.

I really loved these, and actually picked a couple up for a set of nightstands that I am refinishing.  They have a great vintage vibe going without being too "shabby chic."


Super fun turquoise knobs:

Fun color!

Mercury glass options:

Really loved this fresh blue and white knob:

More color.  I LOVE green:

Fun hand-painted options.  Definitely have seen similar items at Anthro:


Brass-tastic.  These would look great on so many things, especially with brass being the thing right now:

I really loved these mother-of-pearl knobs.  Such a fun shape!

More turquoise.  Fun option for a kid's room:
 I have a couple projects coming up for which I'll definitely be using Hobby Lobby knobs.  So many great options---the hard part is choosing!


Friday, March 1, 2013

Dream Cottage...


Do any of you out there dream of a cottage somewhere as I (Kari) do?  In my dream, the cottage exists on a lake or facing the ocean and it looks a lot like the photo above.  I love this little home!  I love the metal roof, the white clapboard, and the small size.  Yes, the small size.  I know it's not normal, but while the rest of the United States is trying to have the biggest house on the block, I'd be quite happy with the smallest house in the neighborhood---as long as the yard is sprawling so I have lots of dirt to dig in.  After all, a cottage like the one above would have to exist where outdoor living happens year-round, right?  ;)

What is on your wishlist for a vacation getaway home?

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Taming the jewelry mess

Accessories are fun, but I (Kari) find that my jewelry is a constant frustration when it comes to organization.  Also, I feel that I wear the jewelry that I can see, so I like having my accessories easily seen.  That means it can't all be shoved in a drawer.  Above is a photo that shows what my jewelry situation looks like by the end of the week.  On Saturdays, I generally spend about ten minutes putting it all back in order.  Someday, I hope to be better on keeping up with it during the week, but it seems that when it's late and I undress, the jewelry gets pitched wherever.  :)

You can see in the photo that I have three things on my dresser to help manage my jewelry clutter:  A bust, a neck form, and a bracelet holder.  The bust was a purchase from Homegoods---keep your eyes open as they pop up from time to time for a cheap price at Homegoods, TJ Maxx, and Marshall's.  The bracelet holder (or one similar) can be found on Amazon.com.  Just search using the words "bracelet holder."  The neckform was a DIY project of mine---you can see it here.  The items that don't quite make it to the top of the dresser go in stacking jewelry trays similar to these which are kept in the top drawer of my dresser.  This system seems to work best for me, and I do love seeing my jewels out in the open.  They become part of my bedroom decor, and somehow, that only seems right.  :)

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

S'mores bar

This past October, Robert and I (Kari) moved into a "new" house. It's new to us, anyway. Built in 1923, it has enough old-fashioned charm to satisfy my need for creaky old wood floors and wavy glass windows. Not long after we moved in, four of my favorite gals came into town to help me break in the new place with a good old-fashioned Girls Weekend.

Jill, Meagan (our sister-in-law), Heidi, and Heather (our two cousins) were kind enough to fly to Colorado for some girl bonding time.  We did pedicures, drank champagne, shopped, ate rich desserts, and giggled.  It was so, so nice.

Our new home has a fireplace in the backyard.  With the girls in town and temperatures feeling chilly and fall-like, we decided to break in the fireplace.  Of course, when it's Girls Weekend, every activity must involve calories, so we decided to break in the outdoor fireplace with some serious s'mores.    When I say "serious," I mean it.  Jill and Heidi especially took the s'mores seriously when we were shopping for ingredients.  There was much discussion about which flavors would create the optimal s'mores experience.  When we got back from grocery shopping, the amount of ingredients that sat on the table for our s'mores bar was a little bit crazy:

We set all our ingredients out in ramekins on Ikea trays.  Then, the trays sat atop a rolling cart (also from Ikea).  We used skewers from my husband's BBQ supplies to roast our marshmallows.

The s'mores were so good, but as there were only five of us, we had a CRAZY amount of ingredients left over.  I mean, two s'mores and you pretty much enter a diabetic coma.
There is something so wonderful about gathering around a fire, you know?  (Especially when there is wine present).  I can't think of better people with whom to break in the new fireplace, either.

Um, can you tell my family is full of blondes?

Even if you don't have a fireplace in your backyard, a portable firepit will do for a s'mores party.  S'mores and wine go great together, by the way.  And is there a more fun thing to do on a chilly night than to gather around a fire?

Tuesday, February 26, 2013

The lamp that haunts my dreams...

So do y'all ever have something that just sticks in your brain?  For me (Kari), it's often a home decor item that sticks with me.  A couple years ago, while doing some research for a client, I stumbled across a lamp that I loved.  This lamp, called the Annika Tangerine lamp by Mary McDonald, just called out to me.  I have not purchased this lamp yet, but for the past couple of years it's been on my mind as I source things for clients.  I love it:

Well, now this lamp haunts me on a weekly basis.  Do you watch the Mindy Project?  I think Mindy Kaling is hilarious and I enjoy her new show more than I probably should.  And, each week, as Mindy sits at her desk, look what lamp peeks out from behind her?  MY lamp! 

So now, I'm getting dangerously close to purchasing this lamp because I think it's just the cutest thing in Mindy's office and the thing keeps. staring. at. me.

Do you have any home decor items that haunt your dreams?

Monday, February 25, 2013

Removable Wallpaper from Urban

Wallpaper has sure come a long way, hasn't it?  It's funny---wallpaper has become wildly popular in the last few years in the design world, but there is a generation of people who used wallpaper in the 70's and 80's who will quickly remind some of us who are a bit younger than wallpaper is a big commitment.  As in:  You will regret this decision.  It's somewhat true---if you've ever moved into a home with old wallpaper, chances are you know the woes of having to remove it.  Removing old wallpaper can test marriages, be the source of newly invented curse words, and is generally a less-than-awesome experience. 

Today's wallpaper ain't your grandma's wallpaper, though.  Sure, if you use high-end wallpaper, you're still using paste and you still need a level of patience and skill.  Removing this paper is easier, though, as the papers themselves are different.  And then, there's a whole other brand of wallpaper:  the removable wallpaper.  Yes, removable.  It's a great option for renters or commitment-phobes. 

Know what else removable wallpaper is great for?  Parties! 
Think of it:  you want to create a photobooth space with a fun background?  Use removable wallpaper and then peel it off when you are finished.  Or, wallpaper your dining room table (again, peel it off when you are finished with the party).  We love the possibilities...

Here are some great removable wallpaper options from Urban Outfitters:


(sorry for the poor photo quality.  Urban's website was NOT cooperating...)

Saturday, February 23, 2013

Build your own large-scale canvases

So, I (Kari) have a HUGE project going on right now.  A year ago, my husband and I bought an old schoolhouse-turned-home with the plans of fixing it up and living blissfully there for a long, long time.  However, life changes.  We didn't end up doing the full-scale reno on this place that we had planned and we have decided to sell the place.  This was not an easy decision and I will admit that I've had to mourn this "loss" for awhile.  However, Robert and I don't know how long we will be in this town, so the idea of pouring our heart and soul into this place didn't make sense if we weren't going to live there to enjoy it longterm.  Also, my husband's travel schedule is so crazy right now, and the two of us had to be reasonable about the scope of this project with him on the road so much.

That being said, selling the schoolhouse is gonna be HARD.  We love this place.  The property is incredible---over an acre with lake access and mature trees in a friendly neighborhood in a great location.  The house is incredible---soaring ceilings, windows taller than a grown man, and a view of the Rockies that would make most Coloradans jealous.  Original hardwood floors, and lots of space---glorious space.  There's also a bonus house on the property that was originally built as the teacherage:  it's a two-bedroom, one bathroom little gem with a sunporch that is toasty and wonderful for reading a book even when it's ten degrees outside.

As we approach the date of putting this treasure on the market, we are getting stuff on the walls and furniture in the rooms so that potential buyers can see the potential of the house.  It's a big place, so not having furniture in it makes the space seem a little overwhelming and we know that not everyone is able to imagine and mentally space plan.

A couple weeks ago, I had a great week.  My parents and Jill spent a week here!  A whole glorious week.  And, I put them to work.  :)  My family is a "project family," and for that, I am lucky.  We don't sit around and watch TV for too long before getting itchy for a project.  So, Dad, Mom, and Jill dove in and helped me move furniture around the schoolhouse and get some projects completed.  One of the projects we worked on was an art project---really fun!  The schoolhouse has a long hallway downstairs that needed some color and art.  Problem is that, with the high ceilings, we had A LOT of wall space to fill in.  A LOT.  And, if you are an artist, you know that canvases are expensive.  I didn't want to spend the money on canvases because I am cheap about stuff like this.  So, we built our own canvases:

First, Dad built six frames out of 2x2's from Home Depot.  No need to use nice wood for this---scraps would work just fine:

Next, we put the frames on top of painter's drop cloths from Home Depot.  The 5 foot square painter's cloths at Home Depot do not have seams running through the middle of them, so they are good for this project.  Also, the backs of these painter's drop cloths are coated with a thin layer of plastic, so you don't have to worry about paint seeping through when you are having your artistic moment.

Next, you staple the drop cloth to the frame:

Here's a close up of the corners---it's good to fold the canvas over like this in order to get a clean corner:

Okay, here's the trick to all this:  You gotta PULL THAT CANVAS TIGHT.  And, when you pull the canvas tight, you run the risk of totally making your frame wonky.  As in, not square.  So, it's helpful to have two people working on this, like my Dad and Jill are demonstrating here:

In the photo below, you can see that Dad has a white board against the frame as he stapes the canvas to the frame.  If you put the board in the corner of the frame, you help keep the frame square as you staple the canvas to the frame.  (Also, if you were making these to be a permanent part of your home, it would be wise to cut an additional length of wood to make a brace for the middle of the canvas.  Then you wouldn't have to worry as much about the canvas losing its shape).

My dad is so handy and he really made sure these turned out the right way.  Thanks, Dad!

Also, keep pulling the canvas tight, tight, tight.  That way, the wrinkles will disappear when you are finished.

I was not as good at this whole thing as everyone else as my handy-dandy staple gun was missing until AFTER we were finished.  See, my hands are too small for a normal staple gun and I look really lame trying to make one work.  My staples were all halfway in, and Jill was mocking me.  My personal staple gun is smaller and when I have it in hand, I have mad stapling skills.  Just sayin'.

Tada!  Here's the finished product.  Not too bad, right?

Then came the fun part---the painting!  Mom, Jill, and I all got to work.  We decided to all paint flowers in vessels as the plan was to put these on the wall as a kind of "series."  Dad supervised and then was sweet enough to cook us dinner while we worked.  It was very, very fun.

And here the hallway is, brightened up by some custom art!  The paintings made a huge difference in the hallway.  The colors are fun and cheery, which is just what the space needed:
We had such a fun time giggling over our paintings (there was spilled paint AND spilled wine in the process), that we think this would actually be a really great activity to do with a bunch of girlfriends.  The canvases cost less than $10 each, so it's a pretty cost-effective project.  The three of us agreed that sometime soon, we'd like to have a Girls Night where we paint our homemade canvases over cheese, chocolate, and wine.  

A HUGE thank you to Dad, Mom, and Jill for helping with this fun project.  Oh, and I miss each of you already.  :)