{Home Series} First Home Tour Part 2

If you're just joining in, yesterday I posted the exterior and downstairs of our first home in Houston. Today I'm continuing with the upstairs. I wasn't crazy about the grandma looking floral carpet, but it was new upon move in and H didn't want to rip it out and change it. 

There were 3 bedrooms upstairs, a washer and dryer and 2 full baths. The rooms were on the small side but still ample space for us. One thing I don't miss is the squeaky floors. I had to be like a ninja sometimes trying to leave a room after putting the girls down for a nap or bedtime.

The nursery was my favorite room in the house. When we first moved in, we were approaching the second year of trying to conceive our second baby. I purposely kept the room empty until I got pregnant. I remember I used to sit in there and pray, sometimes cry after I miscarried in 2009.  Decorating the room throughout our years there as our family grew is something I will never forget.

If you want to see the original post where I did my nursery reveal and the products that went into it, you can click here and it will take you to it.

I hope you enjoyed taking a tour of our first home!

Topknots and toes

White & mint scalloped tops: {Target}

I have way too much fun dressing these two. Happy Monday!

A little girly Halloween...

When I received the October issue of Better Homes and Garden last month, I fell completely in love with their floral pumpkin display. I knew I had to create something similar. I found fake carveable pumpkins at Hobby Lobby along with faux floral bouquets. The gold studs and the glitter paper for the bat garland were bought at JoAnns. The glitter owl was bought from Target and the plush witch from Marshall's.

Have a great weekend!

Our weekend

My babies are growing up. I swear I say this like a few times a month, but time goes by so fast. Even faster if you have kids. Yesterday we converted the crib to a toddler bed and by convert, I mean we just took off the front headboard. It's pretty neat because it can also be made into a full size bed. Mariam started climbing out of her crib last week so I figured it was time and we also moved Layla's bed into her room. Last night was the first night they shared a room. I'm super sleepy today but it went much better than expected.

This weekend we also went to a birthday party on Saturday so Friday evening I took the girls to the mall really quickly and then checked out Marshalls afterwards. I found these adorable Skechers shoes for Mariam.

Mariam's and Layla's outfits for the party.

Have a great Monday!

A wee baby no more

I've had a baby bassinet in my room since Layla was born 3 years ago. She only slept in there for a few weeks and Mariam only slept in there for a few weeks as well, but I just can't bring myself to put it away somewhere. Not to mention I like the look of it off to the side of my bed.

I did however temporarily move it to the nursery last weekend. My mother is visiting from South Africa so we moved Layla's toddler bed into my room so there could be more space for my mom and Serena to share a room. The wood on it and the wood in the room don't match but I kind of like the way it looks in the nursery. I may end up leaving it in there and who knows maybe it will be put to use again in a couple years...or maybe not.

 

Before I sign off, just want to throw it out there that I'm having a sitewide sale in the shop all week. 30% off everything and it also marks the first time nursery décor will be on sale. You don't want to miss it. ;)

 

FHJ Baby

 

Have a great Monday!

 

Nursery Feature!

Happy day before 4th of July! I know it's been about a week since I've blogged but it's been busy as usual. The girls have been up to their usual activities of turning the house...and my life upside down and I've had back to back wholesale orders. So there ya go. Blogging is always the first thing that gets pushed to the back when I've run out of room to fit anymore things in my life. Anywho, popping in today because I was thrilled to see Mariam's nursery featured on Apartment Therapy today! It's a popular website filled with interior design inspiration and plenty of DIY ideas.

 

 

You can find my original reveal here and I'm still absolutely in love with how the room came out and I look forward every evening when I nurse Mariam to sleep in the glider as the sun is going down. I haven't made any progress to Serena's room since the last update, but slowly but surely I'll get around to it sometime after we get back from vacation.

 

Have a great weekend!

 

Sweet girls and new hair

I finally got some "me" time a week ago and was able to get my hair cut and colored. I usually only  see my hairstylist 2-3 times a year and touch up with L'Oreal Hi-lift Ash brown in between. This time I wanted to go a little bit lighter instead of what we normally do. She added in more highlighted pieces and I really like the way it came out. She also took about 2 inches off the bottom (it was so long!) and gave me a few layers for volume since I like to wear my hair wavy. Currently I'm growing my bangs out, but we'll see how long that lasts. You know I've always been tempted to try being blonde and I'm sort of inching my way there, but we'll see if I actually go through with it. Just one of those things I want to try once in my life. Sometimes I just want to do something drastic but still look like me--which probably makes no sense at all.

 



 

Oh. If you notice, Layla's bangs are a little short. That was a little "oops" on my end. I didn't mean to cut them so short, but it's really hard to trim her bangs because she moves. We tried taking her somewhere to let a professional do it but she just refused. Maybe next time she won't be scared.

 

Classic Mariam. :)

 

 

 

Have a great Monday! Can you believe we are in June already? I mean how did that happen?! It seems like every year just goes by faster and faster.

 

 





Shop Giveaway!

Happy Monday!

 

I hope everyone had a great Mother's Day yesterday. Just wanted to pop in today and talk a little shop. The date has been set for when the nursery décor line drops. It's going to be next Monday May 19th!

 

To help spread the word I'd LOVE it if you entered the giveaway on my Facebook page by liking and sharing today's post. You can win this gorgeous wooden love script. The contest ends Thursday May 15th at midnight and the winner will be announced on Friday.

There will only be one winner selected but as a thank you for entering, there is a code for $5.00 off anything in the shop!! Offer valid for US and international contestants.

 





Birthday outfits!

My mom was unable to be here for Layla's 3rd birthday party so she insisted on buying the girl's outfits last week before she left. We first went to Macy's and I immediately fell in love with a white lace dress for Layla. It didn't hurt that it was marked down heavily. I actually liked two different lace dresses and it was so sweet to see Layla try on clothing in a dressing room for the first time. I always just buy something for her without trying it on since she's a toddler, but I wanted to make sure the dress I picked fit right. After trying them on and deciding, my mom came across a mint lace outfit for Mariam and then of course we had to get Serena something too to match her sisters.

 

{Pink & Violet Dress}

{Mint lace top & leggings}{Purple lace top}

 

{Cut out ballet flats}

 

I had to join in on the fun too so I wore my lace Agaci top and white jeans from Pac Sun.

 

 

 

I'll post more birthday pictures next week. Have a great weekend!

 

 



Nursery Reveal!

 

 At the beginning of the year, I decided that I wanted to update the nursery. My primary focus was adding in chic décor and delicate details to transform it into a sweet and elegant nursery. The nursery is my favorite room in the house with it's cathedral ceiling and stained glass windows. The girls and I spend a lot of time in there reading, playing, or just laying on our backs, staring at the light beaming through the windows and daydreaming.

 

It's no secret that I'm a big fan of pink and elegant details. I didn't turn to magazines, books, or other nurseries for inspiration. Instead I gained inspiration from gorgeous décor I came across on One Kings Lane and from various small shops. One Kings Lane is a destination where one can shop, get inspired with their home decor handbook, and find your favorite home and lifestyle brands. You can tell they put a lot of thought into handpicking only the finest items for your home and I just love the scenes they set up to display some of their wares.

 

Let's get onto the pictures!

 

 

I truly love the way the room came out and along the way I made some new friends, got to spend some time with my older brother who painted the wall (post here), and discovered that I wanted to move FHJ Baby nursery décor up ahead in production. The gorgeous sequin script pillow and wooden love sign will be a couple of the items available soon along with other decorative pillows, décor, and changing pad covers to start out with.

 

The bow window valance, faux fur rug, gold heart picture, wood love script and sequin script pillow were designed or made by me and it was also fun getting to know a few other shops that helped contribute into turning it into my dream nursery.

 

Here are the shops I worked with that provided some of the key elements that transformed the room:

 

Gold sequin hanger: c/o Oh Deer Ceative Shop

Damask stencil for wall: c/o Royal Design Studio Stencils

XOXO gold foil print: Collectivity Lane

Dream Big gold foil print: Abby & Grace

Pink satin rose ball in urn: Hobby Lobby

Clothes stand for ballet tutu: Ikea

 

There are so many other big retailers such as Target, Hancocks, Walmart, and Babies R us that I bought items for and I plan on doing another post sourcing everything and giving the breakdown on how I was able to bring this room together on a budget.

 

Have a great weekend!