Monday, April 26, 2010

London Bound!


It's been ages since I've posted because I've had some things going on at the homestead. I am due (or rather was due) with my first on April 24th. No sign of baby yet. And my husband's job is moving us to London this summer for a few years. So we've been in the throes of figuring out the logistics of having a baby, packing up and renting our house and moving overseas. A lot to do but we're excited for the adventure!

For anyone that's in Philadelphia, we're renting our house. It's a 4 bedroom, 2 bath house just shy of 1800 square feet on one of the best blocks in Fairmount. Lots of young people and families, close to Center City, the Whole Foods, Fairmount Ave, and Kelly Drive. It's perfect for a small family or roommates. We're hoping to rent it out for a 1 or 2 year lease as of July 1st but can be flexible. We're also willing to leave it partially furnished. And it's dog friendly. If you know of anyone that is looking for a great house downtown, is in the area for school, a residency, a job, or for whatever reason - please pass along!We can be reached at schoolofsalmon@gmail.com




Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Paper Dolls


Have you ever checked out Mrs. Lilien's Styling House blog? If not, you should add it to your blog roll for some great eye candy. Today she's created a Mrs. Lilien Paper Doll. How cute!

Monday, March 8, 2010

Random Stuff


I can't recall where I first came across this adorable site but I came across it in my random stuff folder again this weekend. Molly Mutt makes doggie duvets, covers for your already existing dog beds or piles of old towels, blankets and sheets.

I really like the Perfect Afternoon duvet seen here, almost looks a little like Schumacher's Chenonceau.  

And speaking of Schumacher, they've partnered with Dempsey and Carroll for a line of fabric inspired stationary. You can find the Chenonceau, and the ubiquitous Imperial Trellis and Chiang Mai Dragon.

 

And finally, I was perusing the Trina Turk site (now that's it's beginning to get a little warm, summer is on my mind!) and saw this pillow in here Residential collection.



I thought, I think I've seen that pillow before....



Inglenook Decor has a similar pillow in green and white for half as much.

Happy Monday!

Friday, February 26, 2010

Nursery Part 1


I'm due with my first baby at the end of April, just 8 weeks or so from now. Yikes! Amazing how the time flies. We finally got the nursery cleared out, cleaned up, painted and wallpapered over the last few weeks. Here's a peek:

 

Here's the pretty boring before picture. It was painted by the old owners a sort of peachy pink and had worked well as our nondescript office space. We cleared out everything except this Lack shelving unit which I think we'll probably end up keeping in the nursery. It's too big to go anywhere else and figure it will provide lots of storage. 



We decided on Benjamin Moore's Simple White for the walls and, above, Florida Aqua for the ceiling. The aqua is a shade lighter than the birds on the wallpaper we're using which you'll see below. Both are from the Aura line which is super easy to work with and low-VOC to boot. Only the best for baby!


Here's the wallpaper that we're using. I posted about this last year; we were planning on using it in the guest room but decided otherwise after we found out I was pregnant. It's a print by Julie Rothman sold through Hygge & West called Daydream.

 
 
This was our first time wallpapering so it took a while just getting set up. Initially we were going to have it professionally painted and hung but my increasingly handy husband (do men go through that nesting phase too??) decided he wanted to do it himself. Notice the very helpful dog. 

  

The first panel was definitely the hardest. We hadn't yet figured out exactly how much paste to use and had to line up the panel perfectly in order for the pattern to track evenly across the wall. We're also working with uneven walls because our house is old and shifty. We ended up using too little paste so I had to go back with a paint brush to get the edges to stick. 

The next 3 panels went increasingly well.....



We were expecting to have to use a 1 1/2 inch piece at the very end but either our measurements were wrong or the paper expanded and the 4 panels ended up fitting almost perfectly. 
 

We (or he rather) also ended up installing a dimmer switch for the overhead light which I'm guessing is why this picture turned out as dark as it is. But there you have it, nursery walls and ceiling painted and wallpapered - check!

Next up....setting up the crib (I decided on the classic Jenny Lind) and figuring out carpet, bedding, window treatments, lighting, a chair and some odds and ends. I'm finding that I'm being drawn to more gender-specific decor so may opt for the decorating-dash after the baby is born. In the near future expect some options for each!


Tuesday, February 23, 2010

Operation Freefall

I'm heading off topic for this post to let you know about Operation Freefall, a sky diving event held at the end of April to raise money and increase awareness of sexual violence. I'm plugging this event because my friend Laurie is taking part this year. Here is her request for support: 

I am sending you this email because (as some of you may know) I was the victim of a break in and rape in October 1999. The four-hour ordeal was the beginning of a long journey.  I now know firsthand how difficult the healing process can be and understand how important it is to offer support and resources to survivors of sexual violence. One of my personal goals is to work towards changing how society views victims of sexual assault and to lessen the stigma associated with rape survivors. 

Please help me raise awareness by sponsoring me in Operation Freefall. Thank you to those who have already shown support by donating or passing this message along. I can’t express my gratitude!
I’m raising money for Speaking Out About Rape, Inc.® (SOAR®) - please make a donation by visiting my Firstgiving page: http://www.firstgiving.com/laurieamurphy

You can donate online with a credit card. All donations are secure and sent directly to Speaking Out About Rape, Inc.® (SOAR®) by Firstgiving, who will email you a printable record of your donation.

P.S. I'm deathly afraid of heights!!! I appreciate all of your positive thoughts on 4.24.10.  :)

I can tell you firsthand that Laurie is indeed afraid of heights! We went zip lining in Costa Rica last year....and I'm not sure Laurie realized what she was getting herself in to. Her she is perched on the platform for the tarzan swing. The rest of our group was on the other side patiently coaxing Laurie to jump.


Here's a great picture of her FINALLY taking the leap. Look at that face! Her courage and determination is evident in everything she does and I know she'll tackle this skydiving adventure head on as she has every obstacle in the past.


In the past nine years, Operation Freefall has raised over $1,000,000 with nearly two-thirds of that going back to local communities. These funds are used to:
  • Increase local support and outreach services for survivors of sexual violence.
  • Provide recovery, risk-reduction, and prosecution information to tens of millions of people, including many in your local community, each year.
  • Enhance SOAR’s programs to help victims of sexual violence throughout the healing process.
  • Educate lawmakers, police officers, students, the public, and the media about sexual violence.
Please donate to Laurie's cause by visiting her Firstgiving page. She has only a few weeks to catch up to $5000!

Good luck Murph!

    Sunday, February 14, 2010

    Happy Valentines Day!

    Some love from Etsy....

     


     

      

        
    HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

    Wednesday, February 10, 2010

    Snow Day

     

    A few things to do while you're stuck inside during the SNOWMAGGEDON!!! I love the names the media comes up with...

    Check out Lizzy's latest post on winter cleaning here. What better day to tackle your home than a snow day?! My house could really use it.

    Lonny's newest edition is now online!!

    Make Valentines Day cards or decorations - some fun ideas here, here, here and here.

    Read blogs! Check out the some of my favorite blogs, listed at right. I just updated today so there may be some new ones you've yet to peruse.

    Happy snow day!

    Image by Dewey Nicks via Habitually Chic.

    Friday, January 29, 2010

    Round Hill

    I came home from Arizona ready for some warmer weather....no such luck. But second best was my new issue of Coastal Living and this spread of Meg Braff's recent redo of Round Hill in Jamaica. I'm dying for some bright, juicy colors and sunshine right now!



    Naturally I ended up on the Round Hill website dreaming of sand between my toes. A classic Jamaican resort built on the site of an old plantation, Round Hill has been hosting jet setters since the 1950s. You can see why!


    Wish we were off to zee islands MON! (that was for you Morley).