It's All About the Kids...

It is isn't it?

I mean, that could be said with a smile or a scowl, depending on the day, the mood or the moment.

And I have experienced the gamut in just the short week since summer break started.

I have discovered that working from home, surrounded by kids and the noises of summer, is REALLY hard. That I may have to shift my thinking and my schedule: working only at night, after everyone is in bed. Because writing creative thoughts for two magazines, while fielding endless questions, supervising swimming, and running a taxi service and an ice-cream stand really doesn't mesh.

Not that I'm complaining (well, maybe a little...). Because if anyone writes me and tries to tell me that there aren't growing pains associated with having the kids home for summer, well, they are too organized or saintly to be my pal. Just being honest...

And because the internet can be a very bad influence on me (for example, I cleaned my oven the other day just because a Facebook friend said she was cleaning hers), I decided to take inspiration from the lovable Meg (who has really set the bar on being a fun mother, hasn't she?) and made this with my girlie:

(and yes, there is a spelling error: Sunday should read Sundae)

Only you just know that making this list is going to come back and bite me...

As in, "Mummy, we need to do something on the list, so let's have a water balloon fight and make a campfire to make spider hotdogs, K?"

And I will grimace while entertaining thoughts of using that list to start the campfire...

And then, magically, I will get in a groove and loosen up and things will get done and I will reap the reward of all that late night working: sleeping in!

Because that's a summer activity, right?

Must go add it to "The List!"

(Sophie's class picnic...we can scratch that off The List, too!)

High, Low, you should go!

In  case you haven't heard, I LOVE Homesense/Homegoods. While shopping there last weekend I discovered these beautiful mother of pearl cabinet knobs. At $7 for a package of four, I remarked to my mother that they look like hardware you'd find at Anthropologie. I scooped up every package and replaced my former hardware (crystal knobs which I still love) and am happy to have an easy, inexpensive make-over.

(Beware, poor quality photos ahead)

(before):

(after):

And what do you know? While perusing Anthro's website last night, I decided to check out their cabinet hardware. What did I find?

Wait for it...

MY knobs...at $12 for ONE knob!!!

A savings of $41/ package of four!

I'm sorry, Anthropologie.

I love you... but I love Homesense more!!!

Happiness is...

Is it possible to not be happy when on a swing?

(Sophie and her cousin, Sarah)

I felt happy just watching them...

Doing it Right...Happy Father's Day!

We are lucky.

 Lucky to have a man who walks the walk and lets us know he loves us every day. If I did one thing right as a mother, it was choosing a good father for my children and a great example of what a husband and father should be.

Now, I am off to get him a pound cake with butter cream icing and some big steaks to barbecue.

Because that is what the smart wives of men-who-don't-want-to-go-out-for-Father's-Day-dinner do!

We love you!!

Summer, summertime!!

I am ready.

As my eldest finishes his final exam, my youngest son announces he is playing hooky for his final three days next week (and I am okay with that) and my girlie has her field trip, I am hereby declaring the arrival of Summer!

I am through making bag lunches...and waking up in a cold sweat realizing I forgot to pick up bread for sandwiches.

I am ready for full-time flip flop wearing, and less socks to wash.

I am ready to use my clothesline every fine day.

I am ready to fire up the barbecue more days than not.

I am ready to fill my deep-freeze with freezies, and watch my children slyly poke the empty wrappers down through the gaps in the decking.

I am even ready for sand in the tub.

I am ready for trips to the beach and ice-cream or snow cones afterwards.

I am ready to swing on my porch swing with the handyman, listening to the radio on a Saturday night.

I am ready to see my children's hair turn lighter as the sun and chlorine bleach it out.

Speaking of that, I am ready for my own hair to need less touch-ups.

I am ready for even more freckles to sprinkle across my kids' cheeks (and my own!)

I am ready to watch the handyman mow the grass and build me things with no shirt on, while envying his freedom to do so!

I am ready for my friends' annual Canada Day party.

I am ready for CAMPING!!!

I am ready to be the ever present life-guard, and assure myself that daily dips in the pool means they can skip the odd shower.

I am ready for my farmer's tan.

I am ready to wear more dresses than pants.

I am ready to work my butt off writing (note to self: must find way to type while life-guarding)

I am ready to sleep in and hopefully my internal clock will understand that before the summer is out!!

Are you ready???

You and your home...in a magazine!!

Yep, it's true! Calling all of you stylish and talented homeowners: get your cameras out and head on over to Holiday with Matthew Mead to enter our BIG contest!! I've seen a lot of beautiful homes around these parts and yours just might be the one that makes it into the pages of HOLIDAY.

So, click on the button below and find out all of the details of the contest.

Oh, and just a reminder:

Holiday with Matthew Mead is a 144-page magazine delivered directly to you home/mailbox and can ONLY be purchased here! HOLIDAY will not be found on newsstands and is selling quickly. We have almost met our sales quota for the first (and only one we have committed to) printing.

So, get yours very soon!!!

Yellow Fever...

After years of using yellow on my walls and in my decor, I started to feel a bit, well, blue. Yellow had lost its cheery appeal to me and instead made me feel like yawning, in much the same way that staring at the sun provokes the physical need in me to yawn. As a result, I headed over to bluer pastures and kissed most things yellow goodbye.

(image source: Katrin Cargill.com)

Well, it seems that yellow is experiencing a new day with me. I find myself slowly drawn back to it and even picked up a new yellow and white duvet cover for my bed. You see, there are changes going on in mi casa. I am experiencing a restlessness that comes from actually living in a house for more than two years and my style is going through a bit of a revolution.

(image source: unknown)

My house will be photographed this summer for HOLIDAY with Matthew Mead and I plan to unveil my new look in the pages of the magazine. There won't be any major changes and there will still be LOTS of blue, but I think I may surprise you with some of the tweaks I am planning. Of course, any and all changes will be budget friendly (that hasn't changed) and you might even see a bit more colour in these parts.

A bit of YELLOW perhaps?

But in a whole new light...

Besides, I am turning forty this year and it just seems a whole lot easier to change my house than myself!

Decorate like an Anthropologist...

(taking inspiration from a Phoenix restaurant bathroom)

You all know me by now.

I like to decorate on a budget.

I HAVE to decorate on a budget.

But I like things to look pretty.

Any my husband can be pretty canny with money (definition: chiefly Scottish a : careful, steady)

I can't get everything I want simply by making meatloaf.

What he can't make, I buy...at yard sales, flea markets, thrift shops, Walmart, or Homesense.

Or I make it myself. Unless it involves sewing. Because I've moved on from wrestling with my jammed up sewing machine and glue gun.

But I have always wanted to go to Anthropologie.

So, I went there on my recent trip to Phoenix.

Before crossing the threshold, I was an Anthropologie virgin.

But I crossed over to the dark side and browsed the racks like any respectable newbie would.

Brought an armload of clothes into the dressing room and cursed myself for forgetting my camera.

Laura takes hers in there and has a jolly good time.

(But everything she does is funny).

In the end, I bought this beautiful top:

Except I have since checked out the online reviews and the non-starters said the ruffles make the mid-section look thicker.

Great....

I need that like I need another blog (because I have two).

And then I bought this tea towel:

I spent too much. My mother would agree.

$28 USD

But you forget that I like to decorate on a budget.

And that my husband is canny.

And I like things to look pretty.

And I am a bit obsessed with clotheslines.

So, guess what I am going to do with my $28 tea towel?

WALL ART!!!!!

Yep!

Because even my mum wouldn't scold me for spending that on some art.

Because I am pretty sure she doesn't do the free art thing.

Can't remember my drawings plastering our harvest brown fridge back in the day.

Is it any wonder I have my quirks?

Sweet Nielsons and...Smeeks!

While I won't win any prizes for taking any stellar photos with my putz of a camera, can you really find fault in any of these photos of our HOLIDAY photo subjects, the Nielsons? I shamelessly followed around little Nicholas trying to coax him of his more serious demeanour and discovered he- like any self-respecting smart three-year old - knows it is best to hold out for a wad of bubble gum before revealing a smile or two. As you can see, his daddy is wise to his ways:

And when Stephanie said he has the most gorgeous brown eyes (and silky blond hair) she wasn't kidding:

A little blue soda pop appealed to him, too:

The entire Nielson gang (along with their cousins) soon relaxed and offered up some silliness:

And not opposed to gushing when it comes to kids, I declare Stephanie and Christian's children as truly well-mannered, grounded and adorable children. They were a joy to meet and photograph.

And, as we all know, pretty comfortable with being in front of a camera!

You are all going to swoon when you see the photos from the shoot.

I think we will have done Stephanie proud...as she should be as the mother of such a sweet brood.

Oh, and if anyone is wondering...

 Christian?

Yep.

He is as wonderfully charming as she says he is.

And sooo in love with his wife!

*******************************

See more behind-the scenes of the Smeeks shoot here.

Sweet Home, Arizona!

Wanted:

One retirement home, fully furnished in a retro-modern style, in a great location. Walking distance to great restaurants and delis like Postino's and LGO and a no maintenance yard, save for the requisite cactus and palm tree. Grapefruit tree-lined street a must and a social club where regular Scrabble players frequent is a bonus. This home won't be needed for another twenty years or so, but I am under advisement I should start putting my pennies by now!

It goes without saying:

 I LOVED ARIZONA!!!

The people, the restaurants, the shopping, the lovely DRY heat, the palm trees and the cacti.

Beautiful, stylish people and all the younger men had cool, funky hairstyles.

I just might have to chase the handyman around the house with a tub of styling gel in hand!

And as for my hair?

Four days of frizz-free hair!!

That's reason enough to retire there, don't you think?

(To read about our experience with the Nielson shoot, please follow along next week over at the Holiday blog!)

Out of the Office and into the Desert!

I am away in Arizona this week for the NieNie magazine shoot for Holiday with Matthew Mead. I will be updating via the holiday blog and we will be tweeting about the shoot over there, too.

Pop on over and see what we are up to! Have a great week!