SMS: Super Mom Syndrome

I recently signed up for Apartment Therapy's January Cure putting rather high expectations on myself.    We definitely have been putting our fair share into organizing our tiny abode in preparation for baby (Holy Heck!  Am I 35 weeks already!?), but by no means am I following the guidelines or email notifications that Apartment Therapy has been sending me (in which I signed up for).  On the other hand, I think that you should!  It's really a great tool, but there are WAY too many distractions and baby preparations going down in this apartment to seriously follow the this year's January Cure.  Being a perfectionist, I can't help but be a bit disappointed that I was not able to meet this expectation.  News Flash to Self:  I am not a Super Mom nor Super Woman for that matter. 

Now let's all take a moment to breathe, shall we?

If you follow my Facebook page, you will recognize this cute lil' cloud (available here).  This is one of the inspiration pieces I have found while designing our Sunshine themed nursery.  You can read more about our nursery inspiration here.  

This weekend we managed to attend a pregnancy preparation course... WOWZA!  The videos I watched.  Nuff said.  Thank God I now have this glider to come home to... in which I will be sure to practice my pelvic tilt rocking and breathing exercises.  

And here's where it gets real, Y'all!  This was and practically still is our current state of the room we refer to as "the nursery."  Oh, yes.  As hard as it is to tell, it's coming along!  Jason, the hubs / soon to be new dad, has been doing a great job applying layers of perfection into this massive piece of furniture.  

It's hard to tell now, but we are using Behr's Nocturnal Sea.  

Also, if you look really hard, you may even spy a crib.  More on that later.  5 WEEKS (at least I hope)!!!

My Little Sunshine...

This weekend was supposed to be full-on baby preparation.  Meaning, get the crap out of the nursery and organize or else TRASH (I would donate it... don't hate) everything!!  How in the world did we accumulate so much anyways?  Prior to our big move, we donated many items for the sake of not having to haul our junk across the eastern coastline.  Somehow it seems like we have more stuff!  I miss our basement.  At least we could hide our mess.  This is forcing me to become a minimalist. Something I aspire to be, but my parents could potentially be on Hoarders!  Just kidding, Mom.  Well, maybe.  

I decided that the best way to spend this Saturday was to organize the nursery in my head rather than  physically removing our crap from the nursery only to stuff it in some closet somewhere in which would more than likely be moved 15 more times in efforts to "organize."  Sorry for the massive run-on.  

I'm a visual learner.  Just looking at a mess gives me anxiety.  Where to even begin!?  Do you feel me?  For me organizing my ideas on paper, or in this case by creating a mood board, helps me know what steps to take.  Starting with the end in mind really is motivating!  Here's the direction I plan to take: 

Click on the image above for a better view.

Resources: 

Window Treatments - Santa Maria Desert Flower by Waverly

Vintage Lucite Lamps - Thrift store find

Vintage cocktail table - Philly curb alert

Vintage Faux Bamboo chest (not this exact one) - Atlanta Craigslist find

Lambskin rug - Atlanta Craigslist find

"Bee Happy" print - Spread the Love (Etsy store now closed)

Crib sheet - Rosenberry Rooms Petite Dots in Navy

Crib - Jenny Lind DaVinci Crib

Smile pillow - Pillow Talk

Crib skirt - Doodle Stripe Lime / Pure Organic Bright Pink by P. Kaufmann

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!).

West Philly Home... Living Room

Hello ladies and gents, here is a glimpse of what we've been up to at The Tiny Abode. Tiny spaces are tricky! Figuring out a layout does not only need to look good, but its got to work too.  We do not have a lot of Benjamins to be throwing around, so most of the furnishings are the same we had at our previous apartment in East Falls.  Now that a layout has been established, we're starting to consider accessorizing options.

I know its hard to tell with these dark pics!  It was broad daylight.  Maybe it has something to do with East facing windows, or it could be that I am relying on my iphone.  Regardless, this girl needs to add "awesome camera" to her Christmas wish list.  Sorry for the giant tangent!  

Anyway, I am not sure what color curtains (or patterned curtains) to use in this room.  As awesome as this Persian rug is, I think I may have made a boo boo purchasing it.  Who am I kidding?  It was an AMAZING deal, but I am not sure if it is the kind of vibe I want in this room.  I would love to bring in some graphic prints!  Vintage Modern, if you will.  I will also be adding some greenery and a gallery wall for those finishing touches. 

Okay, here is a look at the before. Gross, right!?!

Any ideas on paint colors?  Better yet, anyone want to come help me paint!?!  Painting to me is such a task and seems like such a big commitment.  In reality, its the simplest and one of the cheapest ways to spruce up a space.  I must just be lazy over worked. 

In West Philadelphia...House Tour

I may not have been "born and raised" here, but for now this is HOME.  The teacher inside of me wants to say, "We moved at the beginning of the year."  (School year that is).  It has been a hectic time at the ol' 9-5, so I'm just now getting around to posting a tour.

Here's the outside... and yes, that is a a google maps pic.  How'd you guess?  Our's is the one on the far right with the cute little window box.  Flowers come with the house, score!

Living Room

The house is on the small side with only 840 sqft of design space available (that's including the basement).  On the bright side, we have a basement!  No more shared washing and drying!!!  I was the worse!

I'm not digging the modern fan and some of the remodeling choices, but the wainscoting is a nice touch.  I'm not too sure about the Navajo-ish fire place either.  It's not my jam.  I'd prefer a white brick fire place like this one.    I toyed with the idea of fauxing something up, but I'm sure I'd just %@# it up.  

  Source: unknown

Kitchen

 Again with the modern lighting... why!?!  Not only that, but the cabinets practically match the hardwood, and white hardware reminds me of connect the dots worksheets from elementary school.  Boo!  On the up side, check out all that cabinet space!  Major step-up from our last place.

This is an odd space and really the only option I have to add a table.  So long farmhouse table.  You are just too big for this space. Here's a picture of it in our old apartment.

I'm thinking a banquette setting would be nice due to the limited space, but that's only if we plan on staying more than a year or so.

 Photo via Apartment Therapy

We are only renting, so heavy investing and hardcore construction are out of the question.  One of the best things about the house is the outdoor space (a treasure in the city).

Backyard

So there you have it.  This was only the first floor.  We have two bedrooms upstairs, but that will have to wait till another day.  All in all, I am so grateful to be living in an actual house rather than a tiny apartment!!  Four years and four places later, I finally feel settled.

Peace.

Peanuts, and Elephants, and Hearts... Oh My!

About a month ago, I received a sweet lil' peanut baby shower invitation in the mail!  I was very excited to see the final results since I edited the original version from an yellow-ish / gray color scheme to a yellow / teal color scheme.  

BEFORE (unedited version available for free at Bump Smitten):

Image: Bump Smitten

AFTER (edited by The Tiny Abode):

 **Names, phone numbers and addresses have been changed**

 

I think the edited version turned out super cute, and I couldn't be more proud!  I'm still learning all the tricks of the trade, and I am not fortunate enough to have Photoshop!  So my friend Picasa and I have been spending long nights with one another.  

My friend, and mommy to be, decided that she wanted to carry over the lil' elephant from the invitation into the thank you card.  This morning (we work together) she shared with me a dream that she had last night which included me designing her thank you cards.  For all of you who may be curious, I by no means am a designer, nor have I had any professional training in design.  However, I do like a good challenge!!  
Hence my day job (special ed. supervisor... nuff said).     

I decided to make my co-worker / mommy-to-be / friend's dream come true!  Or I thought I'd at least try!  Sounds like a fairy-tale, right!?!  It's not often that you can make dreams come true.

Designed by: The Tiny Abode

After many, many attempts, here is the final product of my thank you card design for my dear friend's Lil Peanut themed baby shower!! This is my first thank you card, so I'm a bit proud. I think it goes well with the overall theme and the ribbon wreath I made in April.

P.S. For all you regular readers, I've been a bad blogger.  Sorry about that.  Super busy with art shenanigans with the hubs!! 
 

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!