25 Years

Today is the day, I am a quarter of a century old. I have been so dreading this birthday where I enter mid-twenties. However I have decided to celebrate. I get to be with family and friends and the most exciting times in my life are happening now. Here's to 25.

Design*Sponge Book Signing

 As many of you know, I am already a huge fan of Grace Bonney and the Design*Sponge website. This fall my dear cousin and I decided to make a small road trip to Salt Lake City, UT. We had the opportunity to meet Grace Bonney herself and have her sign our copies of  her latest book Design*Sponge at Home.

The event was held at Anthropologie, and of course their setting design was spot on. There was a nice little table setting, that held champagne and tarts and other goodies.

I love this flower arrangement with the felt ribbon.

They also set up their own photo booth for us to pose on our fabulous night out!

Aside for the much needed mini-break, the book itself is wonderful. It is dynamic and offers a wide variety of inspiration, DIY ideas, and Before and After transformations. 

Here is a video of Grace talking about this amazing book.

Design Sponge at Home (Official Book Trailer) from The Panic Room Videos on Vimeo.

Très chic: All Things Felt

Lately I have been loving and wanting all things that are felt! I love the look of it for the little home touches, as well as clothing and decor. Being an art teacher I am continually looking for crafts that my students can take on, and felt is a perfect medium.

Here are some great felt products and ideas for the home and for my classroom.

These are felt trivets that I would love in my home. Found in the fabulous Oregon based store Alder & Co.

Martha Stewart of course has some amazing DIY felt projects such as these coasters and the tissue box cover.

This is a must for my classroom.

Awesome holiday decor idea, neon felted trees.

One of the many brilliant ideas that PurlBee has to offer.

These ideas and products make me so happy, and I wish there were more hours in the day so I could make them all. I love the flat texture felt offers to any space, and the projects are endless with this wonderful material.

Love is in the Details

In this exciting time in my life, being engaged and planning a wedding, I am feeling so much love from friends and family. Recently a close friend of mine reminded me of that with the most thoughtful and fabulous gift.

She surprised me with Essie's Bridal Collection, and they are the most wonderful spring and wedding colors. First of all I love Essie products, especially for work. I have my hands in paint and water all day and it never chips!

Here is a look at my new set, and notice the fitting color names.

I love these little touches, and the friends and family that have been so much help are making this time such a pleasure. Little gifts, emails with ideas, and my own Mark cutting out Save the Dates has filled me with joy and made me appreciate planning a wedding.

I look forward to many more small personal touches and inspiration. Let the planning begin!

Where did 2011 go?

Hello to everyone. I am back. The fall of 2011 has brought me joy, happiness, worry, a few wrinkles, and again joy! I apologize for my absence, it seems as though life took over for awhile. In a good way of course! I would however like to start fresh in 2012.

But just to catch everyone up...

School is back in session and it has brought a new batch of kids as well as new classroom projects. This is my teacher chair that I found at a thrift store for five dollars. A little paint and some pseudo wear-and-tear and it is a charming addition to my classroom.

Wedding season! Mark and I had the pleasure of attending two of our close friends' wedding at the end of our summer. One was in Boise and the other brought us to Spokane, Wa. Weddings are just the most fun events, and I love this time in our lives when they seem to be in abundance!

Another fun adventure was my first visit to Yellowstone National Park. We went with Mark's parents and spent the weekend there. It was so beautiful and relaxing. I am already dying to go back and maybe camp out this time!

And finally, the moment we have been waiting for, Mark is now a MASTER! He received his Master of Science in Nuclear Engineering this fall, and I am so proud of him. I have never seen anybody work so hard and accomplish so much. I could not be more proud of him.

Oh and there was one more thing...

My dear Mark proposed and I am so thrilled! There are so many exciting time ahead for both of us I look forward to more adventures to share!