Luvies And Lunges With Zella

If you missed our fitness Friday a couple weeks back you need to head over to Angie's blog and see how we worked it out at the playground.  Yep, I have agreed to a fitness series, mostly because I want to hang out with these two moms and they think working out is good for you.  Ok, so do I.  As long as there isn't too much sweating. 

But endorphins, yes.  Lower anxiety, for sure.  Deep Breathes, absolutely.  Tighter buns, hell yes.

During the holidays this is challenging for moms like me because my workout MO (m) is heading to a Bar Method studio and now the kids are about to have 17 days off.  But who's counting...I am!  It is my goal to not set an alarm for 17 glorious crazy days. 

So how do we fit in staying active when we need it most?

Angie dreamed up todays workout, location fit for your kids bedroom, and apparently the lower to the floor bed the better, ugh those push-ups - complete with luvie props and trophies.

It's not to be missed. 

And of course I have to talk about our Zella workout clothes.  It's like we planned it.  How cute is my top, it has a built in tank bra, which is exactly what I prefer since I am not doing high impact exercises and it's one less piece of equipment needed, and I love the back detailing.  These striped leggings are crazy comfy, fun print, high waste design, super flattering - what more could you ask for in a workout pant?  Oh well the price is also nice. 

The snazzy red zipper detailing on Angie's leggings, and Jenn's sweatshirt that you could wear everyday, both get my vote too.

my leggings here, and tank in other colors on sale here.

Jenn's leggings here and sweatshirt here

Angie's tank here.

No surprise I still haven't figured out how to upload videos to my blog, maybe I should attempt this when it's not 11pm.  So the blooper reel will have to wait.  If anyone would like to teach me, I'll make you dinner.  But I did sew some faux fur pillows today for my living room.  So there's that.  Priorities. 

Thank you to Angie and Jenn.

Photos by Jessica.

TGIF
Kirsty

This post was done in partnership with Zella.

The Magazine Of Our Life, A Work In Progress.

For a moment I was inspired to share this space on the blog.  Even as it's leaps from being finished - maybe at some point I will get around to having that mudcloth actually upholstered onto those chairs - and bounds from an editorial, I am quite happy with the direction it's heading, and it shines it's best when full of life.  The magazine of our life I suppose.  So when my friend and favorite photog Angie was in town, she took these photos for me.

And yet I never pushed publish.  Not being able to let go that it's a work in progress I guess.  And wondering what I really had to offer you all, it sat in my drafts.  In the spirit of inspiring others and myself, as life is always a work in progress, and when it's even less relevant two months past, I'm publishing it.  Go figure.

Most of the pieces in the space, as with the rest of my home, have been slowly gathered over time and have a story behind them.  Like the chairs that were treasures discovered on the side of the road, complete with newspapers wrapped around them circa 1925.  Disclaimer:  that are now too rickety with my energetic boys to use so they have been reassigned to side tables in the guest room.

Or the hutch that I commissioned my husband to create because I couldn't find what I wanted for the price I wanted.  And by create I mean I found two separate antique cabinets and had him build a platform to attach the two.  I then spent one black Friday pre-kids, painting and distressing, not shopping.  Then we moved and somehow didn't think to NOT put tape all over the front.  Hello tape strips.  Yet more patina.   It even has a secret false ceiling.

Or our antique dining room table, that I bought on a whim when 8 months pregnant and clearly making wise decisions.  Then spent the next year covering it with a table cloth, partly because I felt so guilty about the money I spent, partly because I needed half of it for a changing table.  Now it's a focal point of our home.  And every sliver it so lovingly gives is a reminder that, man I should get it waxed at some point.

So obviously it takes a long time for any space in my house to come together.  But look how far we've come!  This was our dining room when we bought our home...

I would say the dining room is the closest to "complete."  or at least I am very happy with it at the moment...

The latest dining room updates were spurred by these sconces.  I have always loved the chandelier that I found at a salvage yard years ago when we were remodeling our dining room.  But I love it even more with the updated ever so slightly modern, yet nod to historical, hand-painted STRIPED beauties.

The final touches adding custom frames, designed and built by us, in our shop.  Crazy and amazing.  Amazing and crazy.  That's something I never thought.  The cluster of 3 priceless water colors my boys painted for different Mothers' Days.  No brainer to frame in silk wrapped mats, ornate gold frames, and filets.  That's the inner beaded gold part.  Yah, I didn't know that either until Queen Anne Frame & Gift.

The other frame is one of our favorite quotes from Through The Looking Glass, above which I plan to hang the vintage ship's clock I recently scored.  We have no working clocks in this room.  So I can't decide if I should try to get this wind up clock fixed or just hang it.  It sort of weighs a ton.  It's a major commitment to hang it on the plaster wall.  But it's amazing.  And Alice's ship was The Wonder.  So I'm committed.  Much to my husbands chagrin.

You can find my stools at Target (currently on sale, yippee!), a few cans of spray paint later.  Voila.  I love this addition to my dining room, where there used to be a kiddie table, now my kids, or guests, can sit at the counter and chat with me while I prep.  Time flies.

That part about my mud cloth chairs not actually being upholstered, there they are.  I like to think I will get around to it someday, my husband believes otherwise.   Maybe I'll put this on my New Year's resolution list.  You know - cuz then it will totally happen.

You can find my chandelier glass shades here, chandelier is vintage.
My table runner was made here.
Mud cloth came from here.
Bar stools here.
All my frames here.
Light switch plates and french door hardware all from here.

Thanks for checking out my work in progress.

Happy Monday.

best,

Kirsty

How to Dress a Halloween Party Just Right. The Cocktailing Crafters Part 3

 

  

 

 

The moon, Halloween, Erin, it just made sense.  Knowing that Erin of YayParties loves Halloween I was thrilled to let her take the lead for this Cocktailing Crafters get together.  I couldn't wait to see what she created.  I'm so stoked to celebrate her vision on this blog and share with you all.  It was outstanding.

What I love and why this works so well.

1.  Florals, that moody inky deep color combo mixed with the freshness of vibrant green.  I just can't get over how beautiful the arrangements were.  Such a sophisticated and modern way to do Halloween.

2.  Mixed Materials.  This palette was mirrored in the green glassware and napkin settings, silver serving ware and candelabra.  Except then she added cement candles holders to keep everything from getting too stuffy and haunted.  Right?  That cement touch was just right.  

3.  Details Details Details.  The layers continue from animal bones housed in cloches to vintage frames and toe tags as menu cards, old books used for height on the food table (genius) and mudcloth upholstered chairs.  

4.  Perfect Backdrop.  The Anders Shop is the perfect space to let this concept shine.  Light and bright with well thought out furniture and smart minimal touches.  

 

If you live near or are visiting Seattle, both these gals are local gems.  YayParties specializes in vintage party rentals and event planning.  Anders Shop is the stylish new spot to be in Ballard.

Tomorrow, I saved the best for last, our signature cocktail!  It's worth an exclamation point.

Happy Thursday.  Photos by Kristen. 

Best,
Kirsty

ok, so just add a cardi

3 weeks ago this outfit was totally relevant, now you just need to add a great cardigan.  I couldn't let them end up on the cutting room floor.  Funny how quickly a tan fades.  sigh.  I love this outfit.  A great skirt and tank/tee is such an easy on point outfit.  This skirt is years old, scored on the Anthro sale rack.  This tank has been a staple all summer.  The Good Hyouman line is as inspiring as it is flattering.

Whenever I wear this shirt, I am reminded to look for reasons why this day is the best day ever, and it does change my perspective.  Yes, sounds a bit cliche, but try it.  There is beauty in almost any day. 

These photos were taken on a thursday afternoon in my home by my dear friend Angie.  Her darling family was visiting for the day.  Then we headed to the farmers market for the afternoon.  So many moments of the best day ever.

Tomorrow I'll share more of our attempt at photographing my dining room, with 3 boys in tow, and one more in the belly!  disclaimer: not me y'all, the other belly.


Tell me about your best day ever moments please!  I changed my comments process, so it's nice and easy now. 

best,
Kirsty

Summer Creating with Your Girlfriends: A Crafternoon.

For better or worse - I'm a crafter, by necessity, for therapy, it's deep in my blood.  I can whip up projects in an afternoon or on an whim.  You DON'T want to see my basement, my poor husband.  The craft supplies that would make your hair stand on end.  But I realize it's not therapy for many, it can be intimidating and stressful.  And overwhelming even where to start.

Something I always dream of doing is a crafting evening with my girlfriends.  Why has this not happened?  Oh right - life.  And taking it a step better than sip and paint, I want it in my home, with inspiring food and cocktails, and of course an awesome awesome craft.

So where am I going with all this?  Enter The Crafter's Box.  I seriously am obsessed.  I love their crafts.  They are they kind you want to have in your house, and not because your kid did them.  Give me a house of my boys creations for sure, but you know what I mean.  Plus - they think of every detail - which is for sure where I fall short.  All you do is sign up.  Anyone can do it.  They even provide you with inspiration and how-to videos for each of their featured crafts.  So partnering with them for an afternoon of girlfriends and DIYing was a no brainer.

Now it can be therapeutic and inspiring to all.

This is the afternoon I dreamed up.  4 other women who inspire me with their creativity.  Yummy bites, delicious desserts, a fabulous cocktail.  And a craft I have been itching to try.

For our cocktail, I had sparkling water and prosecco with all sorts of fun add-ins for everyone to make their own - watermelon sticks, jalepenos, lemons wedges, mint, cilantro and lime.  Key is to keep it simple and DIYable for all.  Plus have your girls come early and chop and assemble.  Being together is part of the fun.

And because eveyone crafts better with a happy stomach, we had to have yummy snacks.  Think healthy but yummy.  I made a greek plate - homemade hummus with toasted pine nuts and also feta with mint and parsley.  Then I gave the girls lots of dipping options - carrots, cucumbers, toasted seed crackers and good bread.

And then do not forget the Pie Babies.  The best little dessert I have found.  I know everyone says - just buy the dessert, no one will notice.  Honestly this makes me crazy because I love the dessert.  But when you have Pie Babies around, this is the type of dessert you purchase, and serve with pride.  And they are just the right size to have oh say half a dozen.  And the crust to filling ratio of these sweet minis is perfection.

We spent the afternoon block printing fabric, the featured maker Cotton & Flax collaborated with The Crafter's Box for this project to create one of a kind table runners.  We also printed on our canvas bags and I have my eyes on my boring lamp shade as I type.  Next week I will share my table runner, I'm so happy with how it turned out.  But I am even happier with the afternoon spent inspiring each other.

Thank you to Erin, Sally, Kristen and Jenn.  I love how each of our block prints was totally different but all equally awesome.  This is the best part about creating.  

The fabulous table decor and barware was provided by Yay Parties, and the Pie Babies by A La Mode.  If you are in the Seattle area, they are both gems for any engagement.  

Photos by Kristen.

best,

Kirsty

This crafternoon was in partnership with The Crafter's Box, all creations and opinions are my own.