A Beachy Kind of Father's Day

 niantic river

my meema

my view

ahoy matey

 my favorite beach bag

dog mama?

pink

now you see me

now you don't

daddy love



Ashley

Uncharted Territory... Well at least in it's New State!

This spring, my family and I have purchased our very first home. Although small, it has charm and a couple more rooms for our growing family! I wouldn't say we were actively looking for a home, rather we were waiting for the right home to present itself. One with enough bedrooms, a nice neighborhood, and most importantly a price we could afford.

As exciting as this next step is in our lives, it is also bittersweet. In the past six years I have given birth to two of our three children there. So, there are many memories in this home. We will also miss our neighbors that happen to be family... no longer will we be able to walk down to Sunday dinner, or be greated each day by our two year old nephew/cousin Christopher! I know the moment we close the door to those memories, there will be some tears.

It will take some time getting used to this unknown territory, and to make it feel like home. Personalizing the space, and creating a cozy homestead for my children, will contribute to many happy memories both Bill and I will one day cherish in our old age.

Before we personalize the space, we will first need to renovate a bit! Here are a few before photos of our new house...

  Here are some of the after photos...

Kitchen:
Painted walls: Benjamin Moore's "Simply White", new sink, tile, painted cabinets, tile floors, new light, and recessed lights!

Dining Room:
Painted walls" Benjamin Moore's "Gray Owl",new light, wainscoting, and refinished wood floors.

Living Room:
Painted walls:  Benjamin Moore's "Gray Owl", refinished wood floors.

Christopher and Bryce's Room:
Painted walls: "Stoningtion Gray", Ikea light, painted knotty pine, refineshed playroom.

 Chloe's Room:
Painted walls: Benjamin Moore's "Pink cloud". Painted wood floors: "Cloud Cover".

Master Bedroom:
Painted walls (forgot name of color sorry) Painted wood floors: Benjamin Moore's "Cloud Cover".

It's not finished, but it is getting there...

Although a lot of time, money, and effort went in it, I am very pleased with the almost finished result!

Thanks for looking!!!

Sarah

 

Father's Day Gift Idea

Sorry I'm posting this so late...it's been a hectic week. Here's a simple DIY project that daddy would love to open tomorrow. I followed Ashley's tutorial over at The Handmade Home and I am very happy with the results!

Purchased two pieces of plain wood at A.C. Moore:

And here's what I made:

 Had a little trouble with Ella's...just a little LOL

Hope you all have a great Father's Day weekend!!



Ashley

For the Love of Salad

As the temperatures climb, so do my cravings for light, crisp salads. I like making different salads to substitute for heavy meals and also for sides for picnics and BBQs. Here are two easy, yet delicious salads that I made the other night for a small gathering.

Salads don't have to always start with a green leafy lettuce as the base....why not mix up a few other healthy options and call it a "salad"?!?

                                                        Edamame Salad

I used:

~ 1 bag of frozen edamame

~ 1-15.25 oz can of corn
~ 2-15.5 oz cans of black beans
~ 1-8.5 oz can of julienne cut sun-dried tomatoes with herbs in olive oil (found in produce section near fresh tomatoes)
*can use all frozen or all canned or a combination. whatever you have on hand or is on sale*

Drain corn and black beans and mix with thawed edamame and sun-dried tomatoes (olive oil included).
Mix all ingredients together and add a few dashes of black pepper. Easy Peesy!!! And a perfect side for any summer meal.

                                        Summer Strawberry Salad

I use:

~  6 oz bag of baby spinach
~  About 8-10 good-sized strawberries (Great time of year to pick them yourself)
~ 1/2 of a softball sized red onion. Sliced.
~ either peppered or herb and garlic feta cheese (whatever is available at the time)

Top spinach with sliced strawberries and onions and sprinkle with feta cheese. I like to use a raspberry vinigrette like Newmans Own Light Raspberry and Walnut.....or something on the sweeter side. So light and yummy and great for a luncheon or brunch.

I love entertaining....and I've found that small little touches, like these little cards with the name of your recipe on them, are not only simple and easy to make (I ripped a small note card in half and folded each piece in half), but often become a conversation piece at any party or cookout.

              Happy Summer Entertaining!!!

                      Kirsten

Kristen and Glenn

On Saturday, June 11, 2011, I witnessed one of the most beautiful weddings ever. My good friend Kristen was marrying her best friend, Glenn. The venue was a gorgeous beach pavilion (that looked more like a mansion) overlooking the Long Island sound and the decorations were beachy and simple; less is truly more, in this case. The pictures say it all...

Brightly colored rose petals paved Kristen's way down the isle to her husband-to-be. Glenn, with tears in his eyes, stared as Kristen walked down the isle with her Grandfather so gracefully.

Her wedding gown, from J Crew was absolutely breathtaking. Kristen was the definition of a classic, flawless bride that night.

Kristen opted for hues of blue and white throughout the ceremony and reception which complemented the rustic, beachy feeling of the pavilion.

The happy couple so in love.

Surrounding the place cards, were framed candid pictures of Kristen and Glenn throughout the years. I love this informal shot the best.

Centerpieces and maid of honors bouquets were made out of bright white Gerber daisies paired with (my favorite flower) green hydrangeas.

Each guest got to take home a soundtrack of Kristen and Glenn's favorite songs. I rocked out the whole car ride home... haha!

I love Kristen's style. Her four tiered wedding cake topped with two miniature Adirondack chairs was to die for.

She chose to only have her two best friends as maid of honors in her bridal party. Here is one of them with Kristen, dresses are also J Crew.

Congratulations Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Anderson! Enjoy every moment of each other.

Ashley

Birthday Party craft #1: Pom Poms!!!

At the end of this summer my daughter, Chloe, will turn 1!!! I am really excited because this is the first summer birthday I get to plan! But let's be real... there is no way to make it incredible if I start planning it a week before! So, I will be doing things "Sarah" paced, which is incredibly slowly but surely! I will be posting the fun and pretty decorations I make through out the summer...

As I'm sure you all know... the Marchlela girls love to decorate their parties with the infamous pom poms!!! And why not? They are a beautiful accent for any party, they are fun to make, and very very cheap! But why stop there? I also decided to make pretty garland out of miniature pink pom poms!!!

The choice of colors I went with were pink, white, red, and beige! I chose these colors because it will be a fairy woodland party with lots of pink, and white fairies, and little toadstools everywhere!

You will need...

~Tissue paper

~Scissors

~Craft wire

~Twine

To begin...

Take 8 sheets of tissue paper. Fold back and forth like a fan! Tie craft wire around center, and make a small hoop for hanging!

Next...

Round the edges with scissors!

Then separate the layers of tissue paper until it resembles a puff!

For the garland...

I made 6 miniature pink pom poms. Then I ran a strand of twine through the wire hoops!

One decoration down, many to go...

Thanks!

Sarah