THE PLAYROOM.

Allow me to brief you, this has been 6 months in the process. Nursing school, having a baby, organizing and re-decorating do not go hand in hand. They aren't even in the same room with each other. I'd like to think they live on separate continents, and can only survive when attention is devoted entirely to one thing at a time. Yes, precisely. Anyways. It's done, and that's all that matters!

Our playroom was originally an enclosed garage that we used as an office / storage room / guest room. That's a whole lot of / 's. Well, my brother took our guest room furniture off to college with him, so that cleared up that part of the room. I think we had 3 guests in our 5 years of marriage, so yeah, not necessary to have a room devoted to invisible guests.

The office area was huge. I mean massive. It was an L-Shaped desk a dear friend of ours gave us when we were married. It was awesome when we were first married as we had tons of space and no furniture. My, my, how five years collects alot of vintage finds! Well, needless to say, it too had to go. So, I condensed my enormous office into a computer armoire, which is beeeautiful. Found that puppy on craigslist for $100. It was originally $1299. Yeah, heck of a steal, if I do say so myself!

And well, the storage, how do I explain the storage. It was junk, junk that Chad and I have not touched in 5 years. That corner of the room was the "off limits" side of the room to Miss Bee. It was ridiculous. So, Salvation Army made out big time, because I went through it all in one day and essentially gave most of it away.

So then, we were left with bare bones. I repainted the baby-poop-tan (horrible paint choice, made by moi) walls a light grey. I wanted a blank pallet for all the color I intended to use. I started thinking, maybe I could just go with a theme and fill it with items in that particular genre. Her 1st birthday was vintage shabby circus themed, and I had TONS of handmade decorations that I placed in storage. I whipped that stuff out and now it has a home in the playroom! I girlified the room with lots of pink and threw in some primary colors with it. Hard to picture when I was putting it all together in my mind, but it turned out way cute.


Wheeee!

Top of my desk filled with decorations from her 1st B-day.

Now, to plan out what would go into the playroom, I had to think of what we already had that needed a new home. Miss Brie received a pink play kitchen brimming with M&D playfood for her 1st birthday, which I purchased with this very playroom in mind. So that got it's own sweet little corner in the new digs.

We can't have a kitchen without a grocery, so Melissa and Doug pulled through on that. Thank you Kohl's Cash and Kohl's Giftcards. The whole grocery was paid for without me having to shell out one dime. And that sucker is expensive! I ended up buying the felt veggies at IKEA and the fruits came from Melissa and Doug, I still need one more box of fruits to even it out. The wooden scale and register she received from Mommy and Daddy for Christmas.

 

I found her table and chairs at a vintage store downtown. All of the other tables and chairs I saw were just, eh, like everyone else's table and chairs. And if you know me, you know that can't happen. My things usually are pretty unique. The table I found is so very perfect. It is round and oak and lovely. The chairs are slat back and slat seated. Perfection.

Next item on the agenda was the one item I knew I wanted for Brianna since the day I learned I was pregnant with a princess. A Land of Nod tent. It was made for princesses. If you haven't seen these in person, they are to. die. for. Stella and Dot paid for that and the matching cushion with my very first trunk show. Check. Not sure if this purchase was made entirely for the benefit of my child... Pretty sure I am fulfilling a childhood dream with this one!

Next, toy storage and a rug. IKEA is the only place for reasonable and large toy storage and reasonable rugs. Trust me, I looked. Everything else is too expensive, too small, too flimsy or not built for toddlers. So, the Expedit storage unit and the Lusy Bloom rug are what I got. At first, I thought I would buy two of the rugs and put them together for one big area rug, then I thought differently once at the store. Heaven knows why. Well, now I need to make another trip to IKEA, because I need two. The storage basket's, the easel, the puppets and the rocking horse (also Christmas presents) are also from IKEA.

For the decorating, I still wanted a vintage look, but functional. Most of her toys are wooden, I love that look. I'm really not a fan of plastic, but sometimes I'm ok with it if it's something she really loves. And I'm always ok with Green Toys, as they are made from receycled milk jugs... yeah, awesome. Wood items last, my parents still have some of my old wooden toys, and they look like new. So, the wooden items I kept out for display. The suitcases are vintage which I hand painted to match the colors at her birthday party. They worked out great for extra storage! The alphabet banner is made up of 8x8 alphabet cards I found from a lady on Pinterest. 

Vintage painted suitcases.

More decorations from her birthday.

Circus puppets!

The R-E-A-D fabric letters for the reading nook I bought from the Shabby Chic line at Target about 5 years ago for $5 total. Originally it spelled out D-R-E-A-M. They hung above my guest bed. Well, they too were in storage and I nearly put them in the Goodwill pile. Luckily, I was quick on my toes and worked the letters around to spell exactly what I wanted it to. Whew. Nice save, eh? These heavy duty upholstered letter sets go for $45 - $60 on etsy.


I needed a few more items to make the room a little more circus-y. In steps the Melissa and Doug giraffe and the Pottery Barn Elephant head. I was on Amazon this Christmas season when they had their toy lightning deals and ran across this beautiful plush for $35, usually in the neighborhood of $80! Sign me up! I then found the Elephant Head by chance, in Pottery Barn Kids one day. Tucked away in a place you would never expect was a glorious elephant head, begging me to take him home and place him in the playroom. I hesitated to turn the tag around, I thought not to even look so I wouldn't be disappointed when I couldn't afford him. Thanking my lucky stars that I turned that sweet little tag around, because it read $19.99 down from $99. Plus, Momma had her 15% off Friends and Family coupon. Oh yeah! I'd like to think I'm approaching an amazing, shiny gold medal for my shopping skills! Why don't we have gold medals for shopping? It should be a sport. Call the Olympics! I'm going!

 

Well, that's about it! There's a few odds and ends that need fixin' and a few more items yet to get, but other than that, she's finished! Finally! Hope you enjoyed the tour and tale of Miss Bee's Circus Playroom! 

 

*****A few people have asked... The small rug by her kitchen is from Circo by Target. I think it's $24? The stuffed animal / blanket basket is by Smith and Hawken from Target. The airplane is Green Toys. The train was from Circo, last year. The cupcakes and cakes on the cakestand are from Haba. I have no idea who made her little table since I bought it at a vintage shop, sorry! It was just a super lucky find! And I hand made the little sashes on the animals on my desk. 

Christmas Time Is (Was) Here!

This Christmas was crazy, crazy baby! Briefly catch you up, then the good stuff...The hubs and I were able to get out for Christmas break at the same time this year, which is awesome, so our few weeks together have been jamponied!

We went to Disney 3 times this break (in two weeks time) and we are planning one more trip before the end next week! We also went to the zoo and the aquarium and to various Christmas events in the area. We saw most of our family members, which usually never happens. Hubby and I also hosted Christmas morning brunch as we do each and every year. I tried to convince him to change it up this year and let someone else take the lead on that event, and I was promptly asked if "I was on crack?" lol... Ooook, I'll take that as a negative on the skipping.

Brianna had her second Christmas, but this was the first one she could actually enjoy and take part in. She loved it all. The lights, all of the people (mainly because she was the center of attention at all times), Disney (of course), the carols, the amazing church service we attended for Christmas Eve, the food (eh, some of it...picky, picky) and of course, the presents. It was so neat watching her little eyes light up with each new experience. It makes Christmas all that more special and meaningful. We started teaching her the story of Jesus' birth this year, and with each manger scene we saw, we would reiterate the story and she listened so intently. My heart is so full. Chad and I absolutely love Christmas time, it's our favorite Holiday, so this season was simply amazing.

As for the loot on Christmas Day: My darling hubby bought me the #1 gift on my list this year, an iPad. I too bought him a pretty awesome gift, some Cole Haan Wingtips! He's been lusting after them for about a year now. He was so excited! When he opened them, he wore them the rest of the day, while in his loungewear! lol... My mom bought us a Keurig (yummmmo) and Chad's parents got us front row seats to Wicked! Woooot! And dinner to boot! As for Miss Bee, she received the gift I always wanted, her very own playroom. Furnished to the max with Land of Nod, IKEA and Melissa and Doug goodies. She is one lucky little girl. I have Stella and Dot to thank for it all. Momma's hard work paid off! The next post will include all the details on the room.

For now, here are some pics of Christmas!

 

Pickin' out her first tree!



The zoo!

 

 

As passholders, we were one of the first people to see New Fantasyland
at Magic Kingdom and meet Princess Ariel!
My dream come true, er, umm, I mean Brie's.



At Hollywood Studios for the Osborne Family Lightshow

Gasp! Really, Mom? All for me?

Daddy's Gift - Wingtips! Nucky Thompson style ;)

Momma's Gift!

Our Christmas Card

The Christmas card in the making.

Love this tutu bum.







Playing Catchup! Halloween '12!

I am playing blog catchup, BIG TIME! I have been so very, very busy with the holidays and exams and the babe. Oh my!

Well, Halloween has passed and Thanksgiving... So, I figured I'd show y'all how precious my sweet baby girl was on her first Trick or Treat outing. She was Raggedy Ann. The dress was my baby dress when I was one year old. Mmmhmm, awesome, meaningful vintage. Gotta love it!!!! The overalls were a gift from Aunt Debbie and the wig was purchased from the same shop as the lady who made the infamous crochet mermaid outfit. We had so much fun.

Two days before All Hallows Eve, we went to John's Pass Boardwalk for their Fall Festival. This place has such significant meaning to Chad and I. It was the scene of our first date, the scene of our proposal, where we took Miss B's 6 month old pics and it's also my families favorite past time, lots of memories there. Little Miss had way to much fun marchin around the boardwalk, showin off that toothy grin. She steals my heart.

For the actual Trick or Treat outing, we went to my Daddy's. He decorates his golf cart every year and his neighborhood gives out THE BEST candy. I'm not kidding, people bring busloads (literally, there are buses) of kids to trick or treat. Needless to say, we get to see loooots of costumes! So much fun. Well, here ya' are!

 

 

 

 

 

Stella and Dot, Stella and Dot!

Ok, so I'm ready to delve into my new business venture. I was recently contacted by my super sweet cousin, Chrissy. She currently is a Senior Stylist for a company called Stella and Dot. If you haven't heard of S&D, you must be living under a rock somewhere. It is EVERYWHERE. I see it on Kelly Ripa, on The View, in every magazine I pick up, and I always see in online.

Picture from www.stelladot.com

It is a beautiful jewelry line created by a mother of two, Jessica Herrin. She wanted to solve the problem many women have in today's world. How can one be a mother, a wife, a student, keep house and earn money? She solved that problem with Stella and Dot. It is an entrepreneurial type business which allows women to fit all the roles their life requires, and keep a flexible work schedule. You make your hours, how awesome is that? You can earn as much or as little as you want depending on how much work and time you dedicate to the business. For moms who go to school, who's husbands go to school and still have a household to run, money is tight honey. If I can contribute and fit all my other hats that I wear, bring it on! Plus, stylists earn credits toward jewelry of their own! Yeah buddy! Gotta love that!

Picture from www.stelladot.com

On to the amazing products! I am officially obsessed with this stuff. First of all, when it reaches your door, it's litterally like Christmas morning. All the jewelry comes beautifully packaged and wrapped, like a little present. Even the shipping box inerds are beautiful shades of aqua and green. Unbelievable packaging. The jewlery speaks for iteself. It is made of incredible quality and it is very durable. Stella stands behind their products and gives the customer a "Delight Guarantee" with every product they sell. They will replace your piece if it becomes faulty or you don't like how the metal wears over time. Love that. 

Picture from www.stelladot.com

So for me, I am just starting out. I just had my first trunk show on Sunday, and it was super fun!!! I am a little wobbly and unsure right now, but these women are amazing. They are the best set of encouraging folks I have come across in a long time. Everyone you speak to is so positive and uplifting and excited about Stella! It's so nice to be around ladies like this, and around a product that is causing so much stir and excitement in the fashion world.

I'm so excited about this new little venture in my life. I've always, always wanted to do something within the fashion world, and to work for a company that is so on trend with fashion and so well known, is just a dream. I'm so very greatful to Chrissy for introducing me. It looks like it is going to work out pretty well with the school schedule and with Brianna. No where else can I possibly make my own schedule, gab and play with jewlery when I work, and occasionally, bring my daughter to my job. Pretty amazing if you ask me! And Brie loves to play with the jewelry. She loves sparkly things so much (Daddy's in trouble).


Picture from www.stelladot.com

If your little heart so desires, you can check out the line at my website link: www.stelladot.com/brittanyburgess. Website clicker beware, once you get in the site, there's no turning back. You will become a Stella addict. Don't say I didn't warn ya!

Fall-ing For You

Welp. The running stage has begun. Little Miss is now SPRINTING to everything. She chases the cats, she chases Grandma's dog, she chases boys (shhh... don't tell her daddy). She is soo fast! To say that I am tired all the time is an understatement.

Two weeks ago, I took Miss Priss to the Punkin Patch. She was all over that and then some. Once she figured out it was wide open spaces and Mom was trying to snap a pic or two, she would take off without haste! It was too cute, but really, it's impossible to photograph this child anymore (unless you're holding a cookie above the camera, then it's all smiles and giggles and idle awe).

So, here are some of the Little Punkin' in her dolled up, punkin' best.

 

 

With the "boyfriend" she was chasin' and bossin' around. Teehee...

 

Happy Fall From Our Punkin' To Yours!

 

 

 

Fishy Friends

My wonderful Mom works at the Florida Aquarium, so naturally, one of Brianna and my favorite things to do is visit her! So, last week we went back for a quick visit. It is fascinating for my mom and I to watch how differently B experiences the Aquarium each time we go.

Last time, she really wasn't able to focus on the smaller fish or the sea urchins or leafy sea dragons. This go around, baby girl was into EVERYTHING! She loved it all. She would point her little finger out and say, "OoooOooo... Ooo Ooo!" to each and every creature she saw. It was a precious visit.

My girl, so talented, she can read the Berenstein Bears and explore the Aquarium simultaneously.

Cheeseball. She loves other kids. Smiles and giggles and waves to every one of them.

"Mom, Mom, look!!! It's Crush!"

Always havin a snack.

Sweetness. Pointing and tellin' us a big story.

Dancin' in the streets! Boogyin' down!