Frame It, Hang It, Make It Special...Your child's artwork

As I was working on this post, I was asking myself if this was just me {proud mom} taking an opportunity to show off how talented of an artist my daughter is.....However, I really did want to share how wonderful it is to show your children how much you cherish what they create.  Frame it, hang it, and make it so very special.  Give their art or creations a place of honor.  It will inspire them even more! My daughter of 12 years took a very serious art class last summer and I had to get her work up on her wall for everyone to see.  Hanging them up gives her a great sense of accomplishment and pride.  They also gave a lonely wall in her room much needed personality...and it is original to boot!

Daughter's room...her favorite reading nook

I found these poster frames at Michael's craft store.  These pieces of art were rather large so this was the best solution. {I think I hung the pictures a bit crooked...not the best at hanging art}

Art via my daughter

Photo of rocks via my daughter

This photo was also taken by my daughter when we were at the beach on Martha's Vineyard, MA.  I thought it was such a beautiful shot of the water and rocks below, I just had to frame it {I had it enlarged to 8x10 first}.  I want her to sign it too.  I think it is just amazing when you give your child the opportunity to create.  Why don't you let them have the camera for the day?  They really get into it and produce something wonderful.  I think this photo looks amazing framed and we have it in our guest bedroom/office for family to see when they come and stay with us.

We cropped and hung this still life, by my daughter, in our small sitting room off of our kitchen.  I love how art looks hung on shelves and really love showcasing this piece here.

Another piece she did that I just adore.  I love the trees and the mushrooms are so cute!  We framed it and have it hanging in our kitchen.  I hope you are inspired to hang some of your children's art work!  I plan on hanging more!

~jamilyn

{All photo's taken via me, artwork via my daughter, all images property of Living It At Home}

Topiaries Are An Obsession

Images via me

Kitchen

Breakfast

You must own a topiary!  I have a hard time passing them up when I come across one.  I just love to look at them!  Over breakfast this morning, I was enjoying the lemony scent and the earthy rosemary aroma...so heavenly!  I have been trying to keep them alive due to the fact that I kill all my plants.  I am really surprised that these two have lasted so long.  I have been misting and misting and misting...I learned that they need that!  Aren't they lovely?  I think they are worth the investment.  I just wish I had space for more.  I would love to imitate this image below from Lonny Magazine.  To see more on topiaries go here.

{Love}

Martha Stewart

Clustering topiaries together really creates a visual impact!

xojamilyn

{Photo's via me and images from Lonny Magazine and Martha Stewart}

Right Brain Creative Type Gets Organized With Plastic {Not Typical}

• Right-brain types are visually oriented. They tend to think in images rather than words, focus on the big picture rather than the details, and go through life in a somewhat seat-of-the-pants (a.k.a. scattered) way.  Source Real Simple.

OK, that is me in a nut shell {I try though}!  I have been reading so many organization articles recently and I am happy it finally is getting into my head on how to become organized.  I have a million projects to do for this new year 2011!  I definitely overwhelm myself  thinking about it all. Our bedroom closet has always been on my mind and it was a mess!  Without even putting it on my list for the day, I just walked in and starting taking it apart {I just had to}.  I had not even removed our summer clothes yet!  My one biggest frustration was how much dust accumulates on shoes, handbags, ect...   After stumbling across the Container Store's clear shoe boxes, I knew I found something that would solve my problem.  I couldn't wait to get over there and get busy recreating my closet {made a list first of what I needed}.  I am officially obsessed now with these plastic boxes!  They hold everything and no more dust or toppling items in my closet!  Neat...neat...neat and only $1.79 each!  I bought the box of 20 and saved a few dollars.  You seriously have to try these for your shoes and other items!

By the way...here is some advice from Real Simple for right brainers {go here for more-also some advice for you left brainers too}

Right-Brainers
Forget about trying to adhere to strict rules. Your keep-it-neat plan should capitalize on your pull toward the creative and the emotional. Containers you already own and love can be motivating. Investigate your clutter patterns: Do you drop your necklace on the bathroom counter when you’re getting ready for bed? Maybe you need a wall hook by the sink to catch jewelry. If it works for you, it’s correct.

 I love how my shoes look and fit into these boxes...I really am obsessed!  Container Store even has boxes for boots!  Seeing my boots here make me so happy!  

 My small handbags were always falling off the shelves and getting dusty.  I love how nicely they will be stored now.

I have managed to even find a spot for my delicate scarves.  I never knew what to do with them.  I seriously am giddy!  

I don't have the fanciest closet but it feels so much more organized now.  I can walk in and "see" everything and everything has a home now.  I am not a super organized person {remember? right brain creative type} however, I love it when I am inspired to become organized and actually accomplish the task!  I still have more work to do in here though.  I would like to replace all my plastic hangers with real wood and paint the walls.  Oh, I even got some mens clear plastic shoe boxes for my husband {he does not like plastic boxes}.  However, he loves how organized his side of the closet is now!

I hope this organization bug doesn't wear off!  I am feeling really good right now about my closet project and the results.  To keep it like this however takes work and maintenance.  That means periodically eliminating items you no longer wear.  Also, put back things were they belong...make sure everything has a place.  I am feeling neater already!

Go get organized!

xojamilyn

{All photo's taken via me and property of Living It At Home}

Too Soon For Tulips? Our Happy New Years Eve

After a long week away visiting family for Christmas, it was really nice to come home and fuss about.  Somehow I thought New Year's Eve was on Saturday and I would have a day to gather myself, unpack, clean and get organized before the New Year.  After I said to my husband about ten times that I couldn't believe it was New Year's Eve on Friday, I ran out to go food shopping (cupboards were bare).  I also needed some flowers ASAP for some cheer!  These tulips felt so fresh and gave me a hint of spring.  I hate to admit that I woke up that morning (Friday) excited for spring!  It is only the beginning of our long winter and  spring is very far away so I better get over it!  I highly recommend filling your home with flowers during these long winter months.  I plan on putting flowers in several rooms in my home, even on my bedside table.  Flowers when you wake up?  Just lovely...I will try and find some scented ones...

I think the reddish pink tulips compliment the antique silverplate vase perfectly!

For New Year's Eve, we kept it simple and easy.  No cooking (whew)!  I had to have candles to set the mood.  We kept all the lights low and put on some classical music.  We also had our fireplace going to make it even more cozier.  

I love my collection of brass candlesticks from antique stores

We had a lovely antipasto platter and an assortment of cheeses.  Opened a bottle of wine, ate shrimp cocktail and just sat back and relaxed.  It was the best night ever!

The aftermath....

Photo taken by my daughter

A view from my dinning room through the foyer to our living room where our chubby Christmas tree is. I did not do much decorating this year because we were traveling.  However, it is nice to be home and enjoy our tree now.  My husband asked me what are two things that I would like to accomplish in 2011...that would have to be, travel (Ireland and San Francisco-for now) and get a new refrigerator!  Also, healthy eating and exercise...oh yeah, update and care for my blog better (have not been posting that much).  It is exciting to "feel" like you can start fresh for the new year coming.

What do you resolve to do this year?

Happy New Year!

xojamilyn

{All photo's property of living it at home}

Brilliant White for the summer

Yeah!  Just had the whole exterior of our house painted!  Finally it is done...no more peeling paint!  My house feels so solid now.  I couldn't stand driving up to my home and seeing it look messy.  The painters were here for a week and I am so happy to see them go.  I really don't like having strangers around.  You know how it is.  You get up in the morning in your p.j.'s and there is someone right outside your window working and looking at you!  Ugh!  More work to be done though and it isn't so bright and sunny...we have some dry rot issues and water just came pouring inside from a rotted gutter.  We were running around yesterday cleaning up pools of water in our home.  Never ends does it.  Home ownership can be tough with all the maintenance and expense of repairs!  Looks pretty though!

Our shed in the backyard even got a face lift.  Looks so fresh and sparkly.  Now to tackle all the other jobs.  Landscaping, new driveway, rotting wooden gutters, interior painting, new appliances, and the list goes on and on.  Help!  I think I am ready to move into a condo!

I am loving this summer weather.  Nice and hot!  House paint is Brilliant White by Benjamin Moore Paints.  Shutter paint, Black Forest Green by Benjamin Moore.

Jamilyn

Photo's via me

Home For Christmas

We have decided to stay home for Christmas.   We usually travel every year to see family for the holiday.  We are looking forward to relaxing and enjoying our home.  However, we may sneak off to NYC to Rockefellar Center to see the enormous Christmas tree and do some skating!  Can't wait!

My little built in corner hutch.  There were so many things I wanted to do as far as decorating for Christmas.  Time just flew by and I was distracted by other things.  So, I didn't do that much!  *Note to self....Refer back to this post so you remember how behind you were with decorating in 2009! Start earlier...make plans ahead of time, like in September!

Nutcrackers on the mantel.  Our daughter traditionally receives one after dancing in the Nutcracker every year.  I never pictured decorating with Nutcrackers, but they actually look cute!

My favorite Nutcracker that I bought at Bombay Co. years ago.  His teeth are kind of funny but it is so much fun to unwrap him every year and hang a stocking.

Our Christmas tree...

Looks like we are going to have a white Christmas!  My daughter was wishing for one.  That wish usually comes true here in Massachusetts!

We are all enjoying our new bird feeder!  We really love watching who shows up everyday.  I am so happy that the birds have something to eat during all this cold weather.  The Cardinal and Blue Jay are my favorites!

Turning into a snowman expert!

Maggie, our dog, is a glove thief!  She loves her new treasure!

With all this snow and frigid weather...It is great to end it with a wonderful big pot of chicken soup!

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas!  We are looking forward to a great 2010!!!!!

Where have the years gone?

~Jamilyn~

*All images property of Living It At Home*