Peck Life

Can stripes be an addiction?

As you can see if you are viewing this post on the actual blog page, I have a thing for yellow and a big thing for stripes. Put them together and it just might be my favorite thing. Remember the yellow stripe tablecloth I used for Sky’s birthday party? Well, it wasn’t really a tablecloth. It was actually 2 yards of fabric that I had secret plans for later.

You see, we have this bookcase in our living room and while it has doors and is perfectly fine as is, I wanted to try and brighten it up a little.

If you look close, there are imperfections. But overall, I think it will do! With the doors closed you don’t really see it but I like knowing that there is a little bit of color hidden in there. In case you’re in the mood for more bookshelf “backing” inspiration, here are a few of my other favorites: one, two, three, four, five.

{Linking up with the Colour Me Happy Project!}

A cup for the Keurig

 

We recently got a new coffee machine – a fancy keurig that makes individual cups within minutes! I was a bit skeptical at first but I love it and probably won’t ever be able to go back. It’s perfect for mornings where Josh needs coffee at 3 am and I need it at 7 am. Are you one of those people that has matching coffee cups or all different? We used to have matching but we are slowly amassing a collection of very unique mugs and I like it! Even though it’s inappropriate, this is one of my favorite mugs we own. It stands for Salt Lake, Utah – that was the first thing you thought of, right?

{from left to right, top to bottom: dandelion mug, orla kiely mug, garden mug, jonathan adler mug, le creuset mug, vintage flower mug, arrow mug, branch buddies mug, and listen to the world mug}

Eye Candy For Your Monday

When Josh and I were out on our date last Friday, we happened to wander into Anthropologie while we were hanging out at U Village. I’m in love with this store, I could live there, seriously. It’s funny that it’s one of my favorite places, yet I don’t actually own very much from here – it’s all so expensive. Sometimes though, the sales are great and I can get my fix with some home items, which are usually more reasonable. It’s amazing what a little twine and some pretty pencils can do for my mood!

Ever since I took Blogging Your Way and we talked about using stores/shops as a blog opportunity and asking for permission to take photos {vs. just being sneaky about it}, I’ve been scared! But, I had heard somewhere that most Anthro’s welcome photos, so I got the courage to ask….and they said YES! I still felt a little awkward because I thought other shoppers would think I was a crazy person who takes pictures in stores without asking. I didn’t end up taking that many photos but it was still fun and I was proud of myself that I asked. I think I need to stop being so shy!

The merchandising is always so pretty. I’m kind of in love with the Christmas balls all grouped together. I think I could do this in our dining room?! Maybe hanging them all at varying heights would be pretty!

I get giddy when I see things like Rifle Paper, and books by my favorite bloggers – Grace and Holly.

The polka dot frilly paper picture above are pencils…and yes, I bought them. My heart skips a beat just holding them – is that weird?! The gift tags are actually cards with red/blue thread sewn on – SO CUTE, right?! We will be making these for sure!

There’s so much to love, it’s unbelievable. Happy Monday friends!

Birthday Inspiration

1. Paper Circle Garland 2. Antipasto Kabobs 3. Felt Birthday Banner 4. Old Fashioned Birthday Cake 5. Ice Cream Cups 6. Pizza Muffins 7. Streamers! 8. Nilla Wafer Goodness 9. Simple Decorations

Sky will be 2 in a little less than a month, I can’t believe it! We are having a small, simple family party and even though most of the house will be decorated for Christmas, I still want to have some traditional birthday touches so Sky knows it’s his day! At this point, I’m definitely planning on circle garland, a fat striped table cloth, some sort of birthday banner, and balloons {maybe polka dot?}. The party is happening between lunch and dinner so we will have lots of appetizer-ish snacks and of course, cake and ice cream. Sky’s favorite food is {what else!}….pizza so I think the pizza muffins are a must.

Much more pretty party inspiration can be found on my pinterest boards: general party ideas, garlands, buntings, & banners, and cupcakes & cakes! What did we do before this site existed?!

Another Sign I Might Have OCD.

Remember the sweet nightstands I scored on Craigslist a while ago? Well, I finally got around to lining the drawers!

Did you know that the shelf and drawer paper selection out there is dismal? It’s hard to find anything remotely pretty. After LOTS of hunting, I eventually stumbled upon Chic Shelf Paper. FINALLY, some options! But, after measuring, it would have been almost $70. Not really within my “drawer lining” budget, especially for something no one really sees!

I soon realized I would have more options if I went with fabric or paper so after lots more searching and second-guessing, {a little about paper but more about why I can’t stop obsessing and must find THE ONE}, I landed here:

This is actually wrapping paper from Paper Source, one of my favorite stores in the entire world. At $3.50 per sheet, my total spending for this project was only $21! I also used a little bit of removable double sided tape in each corner of the drawer to keep it in place. I really like this paper, although it’s not like….to die for. It’s pretty and it works {it’s one of the few papers that was actually wide enough to fit!} and as Josh had to remind me a million times, IT’S IN A DRAWER. I guess I was hoping to find something that would spark me and be the perfect thing, but I now realize that’s unrealistic given how picky I am about EVERYTHING. Please don’t ask me why I feel the need to find “perfect” paper for the inside of a drawer. I think it’s a sickness, for REAL.

In case you are also in the market for some unique paper, here are a few of my favorite online shops:

Caskata Paper

Luxe Paperie

Paper Studio

Paper Mojo

It's like this and like that and like this....

This post is going to be random today…lots of little bits of stuff to mention!

First, I went to the Pacific Northwest blogger meet up on Saturday. It was kind of amazing. Can’t wait to see the pictures and share them with you all! If anything, I realized that the people I felt most connected to on their blog definitely translated to real life. Like same, whoa! It’s pretty cool stuff.

……

I have disqus on my blog now. it’s a commenting system that is more interactive and allows you to subscribe to the comments via email and also get notified when I reply to your comment on the blog. Yay! Speaking of interaction, Peck Life is on Facebook. You should like it if you don’t already!

……

Fall is here. I broke down and got Sky a Halloween costume from Target. I know a million other kids will probably have it but I didn’t have the motivation to be creative this year…partly because I know he won’t wear whatever we land on. I’m not sure if he'll be into trick or treating. He has a pumpkin pail and currently uses it to carry around his binkies.

……

A few weeks ago, I had some luck at the goodwill and came home with a few treasures. I’m in love with the bed sheet!Josh wasn't a fan of using it on the bed so I’ll probably just use it for projects, it’s perfect fabric!

……

We have potatoes! We grew them in a garbage can this year (thanks dad!) and were unsure if they would make it, but they did! These are Yukon Gold and this was only what we uncovered in the top layer of dirt. The rest are still in there….ready to be harvested when we need them. I really want to make this pizza.

……

Does anyone watch Project Runway? It’s my SHOW…the one thing I have to watch each week. I don’t really have a favorite {so far} this season. I’ve LOVED reading all of Ez’s posts about fashion week, sneak peek at the collections!

……

I think all the hubub around Missoni for Target is funny. Don’t get me wrong, I’d totally buy it all if I could, it’s super cute. I just can’t believe how it’s all gone down! I loved these pictures of empty display racks. haha! I guess I shouldn’t be too surprised, Target seems notorious for never having enough of anything in stock {although it's clear I probably can't live without this store}! Bah!

Ok, now onward to Monday...back to the grind at work after being off for a week. I think there will be multiple cups of coffee needed to start this engine back up! Yeeee-hawwww!

Collecting: Globes

First and foremost, let’s talk about collecting. Do you have collections of things? I wish I was better at being strategic with my collecting, so I had a full grouping of something that’s eye-catching. But, I’m usually not. I have one or two of lots of different things and then it just looks like a hodge podge. I also never seem to have time to go scavenging for goodies. I think it’s a combo of not having fund$ for collecting (kind of not a necessity), or the fact that there is an almost 2 year old running rampant throughout the house who would probably break whatever I collect. But all that aside, I love collections, especially when they are displayed….and I’m envious of people who manage to perfect this art of decorating. I thought it might be fun to regularly feature some collections I’m coveting, both to inspire and to free up some of my brain space to stop obsessing about gathering objects to collect dust put in my house.

My first collecting obsession? GLOBES.

I know globes are all the rage right now, but I can’t help it. I love. Globes look really cool as a stand alone item but I think they look ten times better when they are grouped together….two (or 20) is better than one right? I’m especially loving black globes right now….and globes used in kids rooms. swoooon.

{real simple}

{oh happy day}

{via pinterest}

{smile and wave}

{the pleated poppy – one of my favorite blogs}

{the handmade home}

{both images via life made lovely – another favorite blog!}

{marcy penner via tumblr}

{please sir}

{design sponge}

And Then Craigslist Got Awesomer.

In case you missed my post last week, I’ve been high on craigslist lately. It all started with finding a pair of matching dresser/nightstands for our bedroom. Two other pieces that I’m constantly on the look out for? A dresser for our bedroom {still searching} and a twin headboard and footboard for the day when we move the twin bed out of our guestroom and it becomes a big boy bed for Sky. I’ve always been a fan of Jenny Lind style beds so imagine my excitement when I found this little gem:

This bed has a history. It belonged to the 70-something year old brother of the woman I bought it from. It was most likely manufactured during the great depression in the 1920’s or 1930’s. The clue being that the side rails connect by the use of steel hooks that slide into a slot in the headboard {you can see it above since I accidentally photographed the backside each piece!}. It does need quite a bit of love but for only $15 and literally minutes from my office, I thought it was a complete steal, especially since this same bed brand new retails for $499 at Land of Nod. Jenny Lind isn’t really a brand or manufacturer, she was actually an opera singer who preferred spool beds and somehow this style of furniture got her name. I should let you know that I AM aware that if these beds aren’t done right, they can border on something you’d see in an insane asylum. In the article linked above, it even says the beds were used in prisons in the olden days! Eeek! The dark colored frames actually creep me out a little so I want to make sure this bed gets a cheery coat of light color and doesn’t resemble anything even remotely depressing.

Jenny Lind style CRIBS all over blogs and decorating sites. They are super popular and rightfully so, they look adorable in any nursery. But, the beds are catching on as well and make the perfect mix of old and new, especially when they are given new life with paint or modern bedding. Here are just a few of my favorite Jenny Lind makeovers:

{via little lovely}

{via ohdeedoh}

{via lovin the mommyhood}

{via ohdeedoh}

{via apartment therapy}

{via anna maria horner}

{via design sponge}

{via ohdeedoh}

{via honey + fitz}

{via ohdeedoh}

{via ebay}

There are so many fun colors and options! Now, time to pine over paint colors…

Sometimes Craigslist is Awesome

I don’t know about you, but it takes me FOREVER to find stuff on Craigslist. It’s kind of hit or miss. Do you ever look at the craigslist adds in other states just to see what they have? I do. And of course, I find something dreamy and then mope that it’s all the way in Texas. I need to stop that. Eventually though, months and months of searching will usually result in stumbling upon something worth while. It takes daily searching and knowing what you want, but it’s there….hidden between all of those annoying furniture ads and people who list their trash as “antique”. This is my long winded way of saying that I’ve been looking for nightstands on craigslist for….maybe a year? At first, I was just looking casually but for the past 3 months-ish, I’ve been checking every day….it’s like hunting your prey, very serious.

Look what I found! A matching pair of mid-century modern dressers in perfect condition! I desperately wanted dressers so we would have more storage and they had to be matching, I almost couldn’t believe it. So perfect.

Solid wood, dovetail construction….it’s completely magical.

On a similar note, I also scored some CLOTHES at the Goodwill. I’ve never really had a lot of time to look at clothes there, usually because I have an impatient baby with me. But this time, it was just me and Josh and I was able to look at stuff and try it on (over the clothes I was wearing of course). I look for well known brands, high quality, and low wear at the goodwill. I only buy it if it looks new. I scored an H&M top (I know, I know, they are cheap to begin with) and some designer jeans and some VERY VINTAGE and VERY AWESOME pants for Sky. He’ll probably hate me when I put them on him but they were too adorable to pass up at only $1.99. They are super soft! Welcome to the brady bunch!

Have you had any good Cragislist or thrift store finds lately?

You Had Me At Yellow

I’ve always loved yellow but this year….well, it’s out of control. I’m obsessed. In particular, yellow stripes are really doin’ it for me. I just can’t get enough…..whether it’s accessories, craft supplies, home décor, or clothes….I want it all.

{Bag #1, Umbrella, Bag #2}

{Straws, Twine, Tape}

{Bathroom, Jenna Lyons’ Ceiling, Rug}

{Pouf, Nursery Curtains using this Shower Curtain which I am making for Sky’s room, Chevron Curtains} – I decided to include Chevron because it’s seriously like the big brother to stripes.

 

{Dress, J Crew Hat, Swimsuit}

Do you love yellow too? What do you think the next color will be?