It’s hard to believe that in just a few weeks school starts back up again. I love what summer brings, but I’m definitely getting the itch to return to routine. Plus my kids are fighting like cats and dogs, so school is a welcome event in my books. This summer has been one big slow down regarding work and renovation and speed up when it comes to relationships and social activities. While the blog has been a bit more stagnant, our lives have been bustling. Other than swimming in the pool and playing referee to the kids, here’s what I’ve been up to and loving this summer…
Following: Snapchat is where it’s at these days I’m @themakerista and I can’t get enough of the raw glimpse into so many great designers’ lives. Some favorites include @vintagedesignme, @indiahicksstyle, @houseofbrinson, @keoghhabermann, @makingitlovely, and @chrislovesjulia.
Family Life: The kids have learned to swim really well, and we’ve made lots of memories with friends and family by the pool. The beginning of this month we welcomed a 16-year-old from Spain into our home, and Eva has been a wonderful addition. Xander and Milly love her and it’s been fun introducing her to American culture. We’ve been to a Royals game, museums, amusement and water parks and done a lot of things in our city we probably wouldn’t have done without her. She’s had her first milk shake, first PB&J, first funnel cake…all the good stuff. She leaves at the end of this week and we’ll miss her!
Pregnancy: I’m 25 weeks along today and finally pulling out of the pregnancy slump. For the last few months I’ve been tired, grumpy just ask Micah, and really uninspired. That last one has been the most frustrating. It’s the first time I’ve been pregnant while writing this blog, and it was difficult to give myself the grace to step back a bit and just rest. But the fog has started to break up, and I’m getting excited to work on things again. I’m starting to concept a space for this little babe, and the design juices are beginning to flow again!
Watching: When I’m not watching Murder She Wrote with Milly she asks to watch “Murder She Rope” every night before bed with me – she’s 4, mind you I am watching British television. Endeavor is on PBS’s Masterpiece right now and not only are the stories and acting impeccable, the interiors are crazy good. Classic bones with touches of mid century modernism will always get me. And Murder She Wrote serves up some pretty intense 80’s goodness too…
Creating: Less focus on renovation means more time to clean, organize, and create with the kids. Xander had been asking to make a stuffed bunny, so a stuffed bunny we made. Teaching your kids new things is a rewarding and sometimes exhausting task. Plus, it always feels good to take materials you already have and create something fun.
Wearing: I’m not really into beauty products I’d rather spend that money elsewhere, but getting older kind of forces you to step up your game. My sister is a beauty lover and suggested this Belif moisturizer. I am totally obsessed. It’s more than I used to spend on the stuff, but it’s been totally worth the upgrade. I can’t believe how it kept my face from being dry all winter long. The smell and feel are amazing too.
Thrifting: When we’re in the thick of renovation I don’t thrift a lot. I try to focus my funds on the bigger needs at hand and don’t really have time to hit my favorite stores, but I’ve been doing a bit more thrifting again this summer. We’ve been focusing so much on the bones of this house that I kind of forgot how much joy the little details can bring. The marble orb with brass stand and porcelain dalmatian were things I picked up on a break during our family’s church camp yes, while most people were swimming or rock climbing, I was searching for the local thrift stores and I love the bits of personality they bring to this yet-to-be-completed space.
Design: As we head towards fall, I’ve got some fun projects on the horizon and rooms I would like to put the finishing touches on. I’m looking for a piano for the library and these chairs still need an upholstery job. No luck finding busts that I can afford anyways for the top shelves, but I’m trying to be patient knowing the right thing will come along.
What have you been up to this summer? Please tell me I’m not the only one ready for school to start!
Susan Brinson says
Thanks so much for the SnapChat mention! I kinda like we can be a bit looser and not so perfect on Snap Chat.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I agree! It’s nice to just share and not have to think about it. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
Lisa Goetz says
Who do you use for upholstery ? You are very thrifty so I thought maybe they might not be crazy expensive
themakerista@gmail.com says
Are you in KC? There’s a place on the Independence square that does a good job and then if you google “liberty upholsterer” there’s a guy up there as well. I haven’t used these places myself yet, but family and good friends have and they are next on my list to try. 🙂
TNIc says
Nice pictures, Gwen. I am starting to run out of summer mojo myself (and fall is my favorite anyway) and I ‘m ready for routine and school. (I cringe with guilt everytime I sneak a peek of my daughter on her ipad…but mostly b/c I’ve been letting her indulge a bit so I can get something done.) I have a quick question for you. I clicked on one of your posts from your old house and I am curious…what was the color of the living room and kitchen? It looks like a really pale blue or maybe a blueish gray? Thanks!
themakerista@gmail.com says
If you search for my post called living and dining room details I list the color numbers, it’s a custom blend and I still love it. My parents ended up using it in their master and they are so happy with it!
Amanda says
Oh, I forgot your were pregnant! I’m so glad you shared that you’ve been feeling off your game. I’m 24 weeks with my first and just last Friday, after months of pretty much nothing, I decided to start learning how to hand letter, painted a few canvases to prep for projects, and did a photography challenge from Shoot Fly Shoot. It was literally the most creative day I had had in about five months! #exhaustingtoo haha. I’m so glad to be feeling a little more normal. Thanks for reminding me even the best (you, obvs) get off their game too!
themakerista@gmail.com says
Glad I’m not alone! Ha, not the best, but it is always nice to know we’re not alone in our issues. Thanks for reading and commenting, Amanda!
Nicole says
Thanks for the Snapchat love! And have you seen the new bust from CB2? It’s black, and maybe you want white, but it’s pretty fantastic.
themakerista@gmail.com says
I haven’t, I’ll have to take a look, thanks! 😉
Kayla says
I absolutely love this post! I’ve been obsessed with your blog and would love if you would check out mine! The web address is http://www.theuglydresser.blogspot.com
Austin says
Totally unimportant, but I absolutely LOVE Murder, She Wrote! Ha ha – as a 28yo woman, I’ve taken my fair share of grief from friends about my “old lady show,” but I grew up watching it with my mom, just like your daughter, and the love stuck! Nice to know someone young (but far cooler than myself) likes it, too! 🙂
themakerista@gmail.com says
Ha, I love that! It’s nice to hear it was a good memory with your mom!