Favorite Things: Montara

A few generations ago, my family bought a house on the cliffs of Montara in California. When they first acquired it, it was just a single room and a fireplace. Now it's two bedrooms, a fantastic kitchen and a dining room as well as the Big room. Most of my family holidays have been spent here and more than a few of my favorite memories took place in that kitchen or on that deck. I've made friends there and grown up there. I solidified my love for my family and discovered some of my favorite foods there.  

Basically, I love it. 

We stayed there in May and I got to snap a few photos of the place, my cousins and the newest family member, my cousins baby boy. Here's some of my favorites...

Puppy Love

As I was packing today, it occurred to me that I won't be living with dog dogs once I settle in Milwaukee. So I decided to show off the snuggly little pups I've had the pleasure of living with this year.

Wish List: Bedroom

inspiration

I'm not bringing any of my furniture with me when I move. See, it's all Ikea, so by the time I disassemble it, pay to ship it and put it back together, I might as well leave it all here and sell it to friends. Which I've done. This leaves me with a blank slate. And oh, oh so many options. A dangerous combination.

See, since we now have an apartment, another blank slate, I have of course been pouring over countless decorating blogs, magazines and websites in search of inspiration. Well, I've found more than my fair share of ideas. Indeed, flooded by paint chips and throw pillows, I eat, breath and dream in apartment design. Not that I have the money to buy the furniture or wallpapers I want. Or can paint the walls. Or go back in time and steal some chandeliers  from Versailles. Ok, I couldn't do that one anyways, but still.

So in an effort to rein it in a bit [laugh track], I've made a list of my essentials for when I get to Wisconsin. The essentials are a bed, storage, and light. I looked back though my pinterest boards and found some great inspiration. I then ventures onto the great wide internet and searched for hidden goodies in my price range. Here's what I found:

ikea bed frames, both under $200. WIN. 

i'd probably paint the mirror frame. and i love the glass cupboard  for shoes and accessories

pretty sheets, glory lamps and a little bit of sparkle

I'll keep you guys posted on how everything turns out!

Packing Buddies

I have some helpers.

I was packing, with the dogs (Buddha, the black one, Matzah, the blonde one, and Hobbes, the ginger,) stared me down from my bed. Settled under my blankets, they gazed at me with sad disbelief as I folded and stuffed and sorted. Once I put the quilt in, though, the mood shifted. Buddha and Hobbes hopped right in and made themselves at home.

  And I decided to take a packing break.

i can has come too?