Copy cats

I know this is a hot issue: copy cats.

Let's say that someone asks for your advice on something you kind of specialize in and wants to know how to do it (for the purpose of making this easier, we'll just say it's sewing). You have a friend who has never touched a sewing machine. You happen to know your way around one, have completed several successful projects, might even do a little for money, and have a blog dedicated to your hobby. You give this friend some tips and advice, answer their frantic texts when they don't know what to do, and become their go-to person. And then one day they create a blog about sewing and start posting all the stuff that they're making (which happens to be awfully similar to the things you do) and don't ever give you credit for the ideas or advice or help.

What do you do in this scenario? It's not like the projects you do are original. You weren't the first person to make a pillowcase or apron or curtains. It's fair game. But now they're going crazy publicizing their blog and projects to all your mutual friends (who may not be as familiar with the fact that you've been doing it a while)...still never giving you any credit or saying you helped them get started. And now you hesitate to say anything or post anything on Facebook because it looks like you're copying or being a jerk by trying to out-do them...when really...you started this sewing frenzy first.

Are you following me? What would you do in this scenario? Would you say something to this person and express your frustration and let them know you're a little hurt or do you just keep doing your thing hoping people notice that you've been doing it much longer and quit offering advice and tips to your friend?

**I may or may not be in a situation like this. I may or may not be asking for your help because I don't want to screw up a friendship if I'm just being ridiculous and arrogant for wanting credit.**

Can you help a sista out? I'm not sure where to draw the line sometimes. I'd love to hear your thoughts and suggestions.

Young Love

I don't usually review music or albums...but I can't help myself on this one. Mat Kearney's newest album Young Love is seriously ridiculous. I love his old pre-record deal day rap stuff and have every album he's ever put out...but this reaches a whole new level. If you haven't heard him, you are missing out. I've had Young Love on repeat all night (got it a little early through iTunes) and all morning. I can't even begin to describe the amazingness that graces my ears as I type this. Now go buy it!

**I haven't received any compensation of any sort nor have I been asked to write this. This is just my honest opinion, and I wanted to share it!

grocery list

have you seen these great grocery list notepads from knock knock stuff?

I had one for a while a loved it. I ran out yesterday though and didn't feel like paying another $8 for it plus $9 in shipping...$17 for a grocery list? No thanks. I made my own!

Couldn't decide if I liked the white title or charcoal title better, so I made both :)...I obviously can't take credit for the design idea because I completely copied it from knock knock stuff. But I didn't want to pay that much. Plus, I like mine better anyway. I also personalized the items on my list a bit. I removed some things they had on theirs that I don't use or buy and added things I buy regularly that weren't on the list. I also added a "baby" section. I know it looks off-center on the seafoam background. It's not actually that way when I print it. My printer is fickle, so I have to do odd things (like make stuff off-center) for it to look right when it prints. Don't ask me why or how...

What I'm loving

First off, I have to give a shout out to Pottery Barn for these hydro cotton towels. Oh.Em.Gee.  Drying off after a shower is like wrapping your body in a cloud. That's what my husband says anyway! Seriously though...they are the softest towels to have ever graced my skin. For whatever reason, the white is softer than any of the colored ones. I have the porcelain blue for hand towels and white for the bath towels.

Loving the chevron print trend that's popping up all over the place...

via UO

via West Elm

via

via

via 

via

via

LOVE the subtleness of those painted zigzags on the wall in the last one. It makes a normally busy pattern very easy on the eyes.

Last of all...
How cute is this salt and pepper shaker set?! And so affordable too!

via

Cloth Diapers

Any moms out there use cloth diapers? I'm considering making the switch just for the purpose of saving money. The idea of cleaning poo off a diaper doesn't exactly thrill me, but it's something I might be willing to do if it makes sense. I just had no idea there was so much to cloth diapers! So many brands, types, etc. My poor girl inherited my extremely sensitive skin. The only diapers that don't give her little bum a rash is the chlorine-free, all natural diapers. So we use Seventh Generation exclusively. It gets pricey. Not to mention the idea of all those diapers going in the landfill...I've changed over 700 diapers since she was born. Yikes!

I'd love any advice/tips/suggestions cloth diaper mamas have to offer on brands, types, how you made the switch, etc. Thanks friends...sorry to use this as a mommy blog, but a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do.

As a quick side note...I'm getting ready to do my first commission piece. I plan to use Annie Sloan's Old White with some dark wax for the project because the look this client is going for is perfect for chalk paint. I'm kind of waiting to find out if we get this house to start it because I'll either be painting it in my own basement, or I'll be painting it at my client's home (she only lives a mile away and is a good friend). Hopefully we'll have an answer on the house by the end of next week. I'll be sure to post a before/after when the armoire is done!

daydreaming

We still haven't heard back on the house yet. 

This is the house we made an offer on at the beginning of June:

It's an old craftsman style house that was built in 1918. It needs a little TLC and some major yard work, but we're really hoping it works out! As I said before, it's a short sale, so it takes forever to get an answer. We should know within the next 2 weeks or so. 

I'm trying hard not to get my hopes up or to get too excited about it. I just can't help but daydream about the way I'd decorate the inside. 

I saw this color palette on decor8blog.com, and I love it! I'd love to do this in my sewing/craft room (because I will have one if we get said house). It would be adorable in Eden's room too. The funny thing is that I loathed the color pink until I gave birth to a baby girl in April. I think I was traumatized as a child. My mom decorated everything in my room pink. Walls=pink, bedding=pink, dresser=white w/pink stenciled hearts, decorations and artwork=pink. I'm not kidding. And because of that, I think I just got "pinked out" or something. I love the variations of pinks in this palette and the hues of green and blue. So happy and cheery. A room in this palette would do me some good, I think! 

 

Inspired by paint

Have any of you ever heard of Annie Sloan's Chalk Paint?? I'm reading a bunch of tutorials on it and doing some research...and let me just tell you...I cannot wait to get my hands on this stuff! Yes, it's pricey at $35 a quart, but from what I can tell, it seems to last a long time. You don't have to use as much to cover your piece as you would with regular latex or oil-based paint. And you don't have to prime or sand (you'd want to sand if you were going to use it to paint over something super shiny or laminate, but that would probably be the only time, from what I've heard). I've heard nothing but marvelous things about it.

Now if only I just had a place to paint and get my hands on some furniture!! The one downside to our quaint little apartment...no garage for painting. I will say that we put an offer in on a fabulous craftsman-style house and are waiting to hear back. It's a short sale, so it will be a long process, but our agent is pretty sure we can get it (as long as the inspection doesn't bring up any major repairs or serious issues that we can't afford to fix). And it has a huge basement for all my painting...which was a must in our house hunt! So as soon as we get in there (or get into a different house if this one doesn't work out), you can bet I'll be going crazy with the painting!

Any of you used the chalk paint? I'd love to see your pieces or hear about your experiences! I'm seriously dying to use it. If we don't get this house, I might have to make my living room into a makeshift studio. This paint doesn't have that toxic odor, so I wouldn't have to worry about that in the house and having it around the little one. Eeek! I'm excited :)