Finally...It's Time!

Would you believe me if I told you that you can head over to the new site today?!  There are still some parts under construction and a few kinks to work out, but we're close enough that I feel good about launching over at Collected!  So if you wouldn't mind, would you please update your links/bookmarks?  It should only take a minute!  Or you can now subscribe on the right of the new blog.  I just don't want to lose you, so don't forget to save the new site!  This site will remain up for a little while, but all the content from here has been transferred over. 
 
Click here to head on over to Collected!

Rue

I'm so happy about all these fantastic online magazines at our virtual fingertips these days.  Rue just came out with their 3rd issue and it does not disappoint.

Doesn't this apartment just scream New York to you?

I'll take this whole outfit, thanks.

Love the mid-century modern pieces below.

Cute styling in this feature section!

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See more from this issue and past issues here.  Have a great weekend! 

Tea Towels

I've been thinking about ways to add some more color into the kitchen.  We have some accessories in orange and yellow and I decided that a fun tea towel would add something extra in to the kitchen.  Here are some options I found on Etsy:

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And speaking of the kitchen, it is 99% done.   I would like to wait to post until the new blog is (finally) up and running.  We've been working on some minor coding issues but they should be resolved ASAP.  Do you feel like I'm that guy who says he's going to call, but never does and is just totally leading you on?!  Because that is how I feel right now.   I don't want to make any more promises on the launch of the new blog or the kitchen reveal or I might have to break out into my favorite 3LW song..."I'm gettin real tired of your broken promises, promises".  A song which I sing to Adam all the time.  I sincerely hope it's up on Monday and I can show the kitchen Tuesday but I'm not getting my hopes up!

Chocolate + Good Packaging

Check out this cute chocolate company, Curious Chocolate.  With Valentine's Day coming up, I thought these might be a relevant share.  I appreciate the cute packaging and overall feel of their brand and website!  To order or see more products, go here.

They also have fun little packages and cards.

 

{found via Creature Comforts, images}

Pirate Room

Talk about a kid's my dream room!  Complete with a rope into the closet and a bridge, this pirate themed room wins for best kids room in my book.  I was excited to find this because it coordinates with another real kids room I'll be sharing next week!

 {found via Morgan, images via Kuhl Design Build}

This room was designed and executed by Kuhl Design Build.   Check out their site to see more creative and inventive ideas (including a secret spiral slide in a house) here.

Alt Recap

First of all, as you can see, we are not up and running on the new blog.  We are working out a few kinks, but I will let you know as soon as we're live over there!

Secondly, I have to tell you how much fun I had at Alt!  I feel refreshed, inspired and overwhelmed by all the knowledge from the panel speakers.  I loved meeting new people and seeing some familiar faces.  Overall, the conference was a complete blast.  Here are some (really bad) pictures:

Mondo and Seth Aaron from Project Runway

 

The perfectly planned Kate Spade + Girls With Glasses sponsor party.  They certainly knew who they were marketing to!

{photo c/o Angela and Ithyle}

I could go on and on about all the great people I met and all that I learned.  Instead I will just tell you that if you have the opportunity to go next year, go!

Alt Part 2

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I'm having so much fun at Alt. listening to the great panel members and meeting the faces behind some of my favorite blogs.  I'm also loving being introduced to so many new to me blogs.   During lunch, Mondo and Seth Aaron from Project Runway did a little interview and then stayed to meet and greet.  Mondo was darling!

I will share pictures, recaps and new blogs with you all soon!  Also, the last minute touches are going on the new blog.  I'll send you over there today!  If you want to follow along today or any day, I finally got a Twitter account for the new blog.   You can find me @collectedblog!

Alt

Here I go!  The new site will launch later today or tomorrow morning so check back in!!

Here's the after of my skirt and my outfit for the day:

Have a good day and hope to see some of you at Alt!

To Do's

Sorry for the late/lame post today but I have been frantically trying to get things together!  I have a grocery list and meal planner from Knock Knock but I'm thinking I could really benefit from one of their To Do lists.  With all this technology, I still prefer to write things down...I think it helps me remember things better that way.

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I am picking up my new business cards for my NEW BLOG that will hopefully launch in part, tomorrow or Friday!  I'll be bringing them to Alt to hand out.  When I get back from the printer, I'll try and get a post up showing you them.

I also stopped by Savers (thrift store) and bought some great stuff the other day to wear at Alt.  Gotta look your best for this you know.  I'm in the process of hemming this crazy floral skirt.  Its before is quite hideous, but when it's just at the top of my knee, it turns into this totally cute flouncy little thing!

I'll show you the final skirt/outfit hopefully tomorrow, before I head to Alt.!

And check out these amazing shoes I found at Savers that were very sadly, NOT in my size.  I even brought them to the checkout counter because I didn't want to part with them.  If anyone is a size 6-6.5 run to the Orem Savers and grab these.  It would make me so happy to see them with a good home!

Adam has been so amazing and has been working on the kitchen.  The backsplash just needs to be grouted and then a final coat of paint needs to go on the walls.  I would love for the reveal to be on Monday, but I'm being realistic since we are quite busy this weekend.  I will bet on next week for sure though! 

I am off to complete all the little things on my To Do list!  Have a great Wednesday!

Valentines Chair Pouches

So who forgot to tell me Valentine's Day is only a few weeks away!?  With the kitchen, design work, Alt. and one crazy little girl who is one month away from 1, I completely forgot that it is quickly approaching!  I loved these pouches when I saw them in Pottery Barn and really like this adaptation from The Polka Dot Chair.  I'm not making any promises, but after this week, I hope to at least make one thing for Valentine's Day.  Once this week is over, I *think* things may calm down around here!

{old Pottery Barn}

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Paint, Paint, Paint...

At least I hope that's what we do today!  Between Adam's school stuff and some major cleaning I need to do, I'm hoping we can get the kitchen mostly finished up.  I'm also hoping to get everything together for Alt., which is Thursday!  Enjoy MLK Jr. Day!  I'll leave you with this old Sony Bravia commercial...the paint seems fitting for our plans today.




And if you haven't seen the Sony Bravia video with the bouncy balls, you must see it here.  Such happy commercials.

DIY Cake Stands

This whole 1st birthday party is coming together in my head and I am loving it so far.  I had just been lamenting over the fact that I don't have a pretty cake stand for the fabulous cake I'm getting when I saw a post on DIY Cake Stands on You Are My Fave.  Perfect!  Simple and really cute.  And I'm assuming much cheaper than all the ones I've been looking at.  I'll have to see if Adam is in the mood for another project...

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Oh and speaking of the cake!  Back during Bloggers Give Back, I bid and won on a cake from Pink Peach Cakes.  I tried some of her cake at Bijou Market and it was delish!  Plus her cakes are so unique and beautiful.  I'm sure whatever Darcie comes up with for the party will be fantastic!  Here's a sample of her work:

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Happy Friday!  We are trying to get this kitchen finished up over this long weekend!

Indie Lyn

Here is teeny tiny little Indie Lyn.  She is only 5 lbs, but oh so cute.  Meet Indie...

I can't tell you how happy I was to get to finally see little Indie Lyn.  She has been long awaited and much anticipated and I'm so excited for Trey and Jami.

Subway Tile

The more I look at pictures of kitchens, the more I lean towards wanting to put in white subway tile as our backsplash.  It's so clean and classic!  I have to check out some of my options before I make a decision though. 

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