An Impromptu Gender Reveal

Posting regularly has definitely been a challenge for me.  Sometimes I don't even know why I try to maintain a blog.  Then I remember that this is a creative outlet for me.  This is a way I am able to express my love for design, art, gardening, and well, life.  I have been thinking about life a lot lately seeing that I am carrying one inside of me.  It's a crazy wild experience, and it's not always an easy one.  The back pain and penguin walk are in full swing!  I will be 26 weeks pregnant on Monday.  

Moving to Atlanta from Philadelphia has been a very challenging experience.  New job.  New home.  New people.  New city.  We will soon add "new baby" to the list.  None-the-less, it is a blessing to be within driving distance to family and a few close friends.  Here's a little snippet on what's been going down at The Tiny Abode.

Gender Reveal

 This party was definitely impromptu!  I wasn't even sure if I was going to do a gender reveal.  It just seemed like a lot of unnecessary work and planning for a tired pregnant woman.  Almost everything you see in the pictures was stuff we had lying around the house or stuffed in moving boxes.  This just goes to show that you can plan a party without spending a lot of dough.  Here's what we did...

With the help of my mother and sister, we were able to make a cute pendant banner out of scrapbook paper and twine.  The fabric on the tables was purchased years ago at Jomar in Philly and was in the hub's box of fabric that he uses for still-life backdrops.  Jomar has a huge selection of fabric at wholesale prices.  I'd recommend it to anyone who is willing to dig.  I purchased the teal Mason jars from a vendor at Phila Flea Markets about 3 years ago for only $2 each.  That's a steal!  I was lucky enough to find the vintage Fiesta Ware at B & R Thrift Store here in Atlanta.  I bought it for myself weeks before the party with intentions on reselling it on Etsy (I'm considering opening an online seller's account... hasn't happened yet).  Throw on some pumpkins and add some florals... BAM!  You are ready for a party!

I am very fortunate to have talented to friends that I can call up on a moments notice.  My childhood neighbor who has her own business, Charlsie's Catering and Cakes, made my cake as a gift!  I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

All of the photos were taken by my very talented friend Ashley, the husband of my college roommate.  If it wasn't for them, I may not have been reunited with Jason back in San Francisco May of 2007. We'll save that story for another day.  

It's A...

GIRL!!!

Sorry Jason.  Better luck next time.

 We took the photo shoot above prior to revealing the gender to our families.  The BIG gender reveal actually happened during the cutting of the cake!

My mother's expression was priceless.  I'm not sure I would want to see her expression if it ended up being a boy.   We would have been happy either way.

 Lastly, I couldn't have pulled off this impromptu party without the help of my family.  We only invited immediate family with the exception of my college roommate.  I swear she's got my blood in her somewhere!  Keeping things simple eliminated the unnecessary stresses when it comes to party planning (in the matter of a moment's notice might I add).  Each person contributed in some form.  Whether it was bringing triangle tuna sandwiches or helping a preggo climb up a table to hang a paper banner.

Thankfully, Blount County is beautiful.  The pictures were taken at Palisades's Park in Oneonta, AL where the party was also held.  It was great for the kids to have a place to play while the adult's mingled.  I had some of my childhood parties here as well, so it made it a bit sentimental. 

Our little one is expected to arrive February 17th 2014.  Let's hope and pray that she stays inside her incubator for that time-frame!

West Philly Living Room Transformation

Happy Monday! Wait a second, isn't that an oxymoron? It's a rare thing for me to be blogging during the week, but I couldn't wait to share with you the results from this weekend's living room transformation!!

Photo: The Tiny Abode

Notice anything different?  Here's what the space looked like before.

 Photo: The Tiny Abode

Feeling inspired, I went to IKEA on Saturday and purchased 2 yards of Sofia fabric in black and white.  Stripes really can make a room feel more uniformed, tying the entire room together making for a more finished design (we still need a lamp shade!!). This was such an easy DIY!  Anyone can do it, and it only cost me pennies.  Here's how it's done: 

 Photo: The Tiny Abode

So what do you think?  Are you feeling the stripes??  Have you ever attempted a Roman Shade DIY?  Window treatments can really spruce a room up!  I'm very happy with the results.  Oh and one more side note!  We brought the faux bamboo tables out of the dungeon (aka, the basement).  I feel they look rather sculpture-like in the living room.  You can see more of our West Philly Home here. 

What's Black and White with Stripes all Over?

All day today I was in go-mode!  Feeling inspired, coming up with new ideas, totally energized!  Where did all of this come from, and why can't every weekend be this way?  Perhaps it had something to do with the first snowfall.  It's always so pretty to see the city streets covered in a white blanket of snow.

  Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

 I headed to Ikea and purchased two yards of Sofia fabric.  That's right, this self-proclaimed BIY-er (Buy-it-yourself) is going to attempt a DIY!!!  Who is this girl this girl, and what's she planning on doing with my house?

I'll be working on the surprise project tomorrow, and hopefully I will finish if all goes as plan.  

Wish me luck!

Oh Mighty Succulent...

 
January may seem like an odd time to consider gardening, but ever since the hubs and I cleared out a vacant lot beside our home, I can't stop thinking about all the possibilities!

 I am no expert, but I know that this is no time to consider planting outdoors in the dead of winter.  To satisfy my fixation, I have been focusing on the possibilities indoors!  I started with my potted succulents which were in dire need of being rescued.  These little creatures were once living in my office, but too many hands kept touching it.  I am not sure, but I have a theory that the oils on fingertips is not good for succulents.  Does anyone know for sure!?  Anyway, I brought them home about a month ago and started my own little growing / rescue project.  

I started by rounding up all the clear containers I could find.  Nothing is new here besides the potting soil (which it is actually cactus soil... you could make your own if you prefer).

Next, I gently pulled apart the plants until I had individual units.  I wanted to keep some of the original soil in effort to not shock the roots during the transfer.  I even saved some of the broken pieces, and let them sit on just on top of soil.  After a couple of weeks, roots began to form. 
 

I decided to separate my plants out into mostly individual containers.  I was to give each of them room to grow and to really establish their roots. At some point, I may combine several of them into one container to make an interesting collaboration. Here are the outcomes...

During the holidays, I decided to decorate my mantel with the terrariums in lieu of having a Christmas tree.  It was quite serene in my opinion.

Right now, I have placed mine in the window seal for extra sunlight.  There are so many ways to use succulents in your home!  Really the possibilities are endless.  Plus they are great conversation starters.  People love them!!

So far, I am pleased with my results (i.e. nothing is dead yet!).

Must-have-coffee-table... Stat

It is time to introduce my living room (as seen here) to a new friend, and to give the hubs something other than the floor to place his finished yogurt container.  For the love!  Seriously, the garbage can is ten steps away.  He's wonderful, I can't complain.  Heck, it's my fault that I've gone this long without a proper piece of living room furniture.  Yes, my friends, I'm talking about a coffee table.  But I don't want just any coffee table.  No, no, no. That would be too easy.  I want a beautiful wood carved Moroccan coffee table with intricate details that cost a bazillion dollars.    

 Such as...

 Photo via Saffron and Silk

Or like this one which was placed in a living space designed by one of my favorite designers, Windsor Smith.  

Photo: Windsor Smith

Then there is always the option to explore stores like West Elm, Anthropologie  or even Material Culture (if you are lucky enough to live in Philadelphia). The table below is from West Elm and is nearly perfect in my opinion.  It could really work in my current space.

 Photo: West Elm

Although these stores are really great, this girl is on a budget.  So, I'm hoping the Land o' World Wide Web will meet me where my pockets end.  That or a flea market.   First stop, Craigslist.  The closest piece I could find that had that Moroccan style was this one.  However, I need a coffee table, not an end table. 

 This table is a small in scale, but has some nice details.  It could definitely be painted.

Then there's this one that could also use some fixing-up. Right size and shape.  Some detail, but not exactly what I'm looking for.

I know they are not totally the same, but it's the closest I could find on Craigslist.  I think with a little TLC, they could possibly work.  Could I do a DIY?  Would I even dare?  Eek!  I love the spirit of DIY-ers, but as I've mentioned before, I'm a self-proclaimed BIY-er (BUY IT YOURSELF)!  I don't know where people find the time and energy.  Oh how I wish I was a teacher again and had my summers off!   Dream on, sister! I think if I were to purchase any of the above, it would have to be the first one.  Even though it's not a coffee table, it has the look I'm going for.  Maybe I'll have better luck at Clover Market tomorrow!!  I want the real deal!  I hear they are going to have a lot of antique dealers at this upcoming market. 

Wish me luck!

Little Peanut... Gender Neutral Baby Shower

Bring on the A-game, because this is going to be tricky!  My friend is preggers, and I'm helping her with all the ins and outs of decorating.  Baby Shower included. For all you pushing 30 folks (or 40, it's the new 30, right?), you should know that not finding out the sex of your baby is the new fad.

In my best Barney Stinson voice, "Challenge accepted!"

Image: The Bro Code

I headed over to Pinterest for some inspiration, and even started a board for my friend's shower.  You can see more of it here.  Think orange, teal, and turquoise. 

Image: Kara's Party Ideas

So I went to Michael's, and bought all of this...

  

I am overall pleased with the final results.  

The shower is not until June, but you can expect the whole process to be documented.  The tinted mason jars I scored over a year ago from the Phila Flea Market will most definitely come in handy.

I have a dream... Painted Floors

Whoa!  Where'd you guys go!?  It's been weeks if not months since we last spoke.  Ok, maybe that's a bit my fault {totally my fault}.  After the holidays, I crash!  Onto recovery!  After being spoiled in Alabama, I am forced to come back to Pennsylvania only to be submerged in my career.  Day jobs...pshh.  Who needs them?  {I do!}  Speaking of careers, I hope you are all off enjoying this beautiful holiday in honor of a truly great man, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr!  Jason had to go to school... what's up with that?   If you are interested in ways you can serve and are in the Philadelphia area, go here.

Long weekends like these give me time to take a good look at my unconventional apartment and start dreaming up ways to make this challenging space swoon worthy!  Like say... painted floors!

Source: racheleisner.com via Donna on Pinterest

I wonder if my landlord would go for it!?  Highly unlikely, but it's fun to dream!  What are you dreaming up for your space?  Feel free to send me an email with pics and I'd love to share!

Design Sponge at Anthropologie!!

Eeeeeeee!!!  I'm very excited that Grace Bonney from Design Sponge is making her way back to Philadelphia to one of my (and I'm sure your) favorite places on earth, Anthropologie.  

Image: Design Sponge

I missed the first book signing at Terrain, *sigh*, but now I have another chance to get my new book (which I purchased from Vintage Now at Fete Noel) signed by Ms. Grace herself!   Not only is this a book signing event, but it's also a Wreath-Making Workshop!!  How fun is that!?  And you know how we here at The Tiny Abode are starving artist, and how I work in Early Childhood Education by day... yeah that stuff.  Well, we are happy to hear that they will be supporting a local charity, Fresh Artists, by requesting donations of new art supplies such as pens, markers, crayons, etc. for art education.  If this is anything like the Oh Joy workshop we went to August, tickets will likely sell-out in just a couple of days (if not hours)!!  If you are interested in reserving a spot sign-up here.

I realllly hope I can make it!!

My Pseudo Farmhouse

It's a beautiful day in Philadelphia!  A nice 68 degrees, with only a slight autumn breeze, enough to make you want to crawl up on your roof top!  

So that's exactly what we did!!

A quite unique perspective, and it gives you an idea of just how close we are to our neighbors.

(Please excuse the lack of make-up... it's Sunday, peeps!)

A little rooftop therapy, if you will.

 Farmhouse Table Update:

Today is only two degrees shy of perfect spray paint weather.  I think I am safe to give it a go!  Besides, there are very few days ahead that will offer this type of weather perfection.

Backstory:

 I found four of these matching vintage chairs on, you guessed it, none other than the curb!!

The chairs are covered in dated upholstery and what I'm guessing to be cat scratches.  Overall they're in pretty good shape.  Sturdy, just the way I like them!

Besides, it's nothing a few cans of spray paint can't handle. 

I simply lightly sanded the chairs, wiped them clean, and Kilzed away the ugliness.

I'm not sure if you can tell, but the chair on the left is slightly darker than the chair on the right.  I was going for antique white, but it turned out to be more of a buttercream... no thank you.  So, I will be spray painting all four today in Krylon's High Gloss White. 

Here's a reminder of the Restoration Hardware-like table I found at Impact for a steal at $35!!

 And the Restoration Hardware table currently on sale for $2295!!

Courtesy: Restoration Hardware

Just for fun, here's a farmhouse table in a chic city apartment.  Farmhouse chic is not just for the country!

Be on the watch for my reveal!