Mint – Cacao Banana Smoothie

November 22, 2013

This smoothie is SO, SO good. I’ve been making it, with variations, for breakfast this past week. If you have all of the ingredients on hand, it only takes a couple seconds to throw together. The raw cacao has so many health benefits and it tastes like chocolate {healthy chocolate}!

Gather all of the ingredients.

In your high speed blender add 1 frozen banana, 2 tablespoons of raw cacao powder, 1 tablespoon of cacao nibs, 1 cup of almond milk, a few springs of mint leaves, 2 teaspoons honey, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a pinch of salt. {I’ve also made it with adding 1 tablespoons Spirulina, a few handfuls of spinach or some kale – or whatever greens you have on hand}. Blend on high speed until well combined. You can add a few ice cubes if you think it’s too thin.

Pour into a cup and enjoy!

Post by Ali: Papery & Cakery

Nod Traveling Road Show

November 21, 2013

We’re so excited about our Holiday Collection that we thought we should take it on the road. We’ve partnered with many of our favorite bloggers across the country to host Nod Trunk Shows tonight, Thursday, November 21^st.

At each location we’ve partnered with a blogger to showcase our exclusive assortment of toys and holiday décor. So, it’s a chance to see just how they deck their halls with Nod product. And maybe inspire you to add a little holiday cheer to your home.

If you want a peek into the festivities, follow us on Instagram @thelandofnod or search #nodevents for photos and posts from all of our participants.

Here’s where we’re going and who we’re visiting! Check out their blogs…these ladies are pretty amazing!

Atlanta, GA

Our host is Joni of Lay Baby Lay. Joni’s blog is chock full of nursery design inspiration. If you’ve ever seen a drop dead gorgeous nursery mood board on Pinterest, chances Joni created it! You can also follow Joni on twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @laybabylay

Boise, ID

Our host in Boise is Kirsten of Simply Grove. Kirsten’s blog is all interior eye candy. She designs bright, beautiful spaces that are minimal with a ton of soul. Definitely check out her site if you’re redecorating any room in your home. You can follow Kirsten on twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @simplygrove

Charleston, SC

Our host here is Chassity Evans of Look Linger Love. Chassity has an insane sense of style and her blog is filled with beautiful things, including fashion, interiors and entertaining. Also, Chassity and her family were featured in a recent Nod catalog as one of our Real Families…check them out here, they’re adorable!! You can follow Chassity on twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @looklingerlove

Washington D.C.

We have two hosts in D.C. First, Darcy of No Monsters In My Bed. Darcy blogs about life in D.C. with three kiddos. She’s also been a longtime contributor to Honest to Nod, and was also a Nod Real Family.

Our other D.C. hosts are Rebecca and Suzanne of A Feteful Life. Over at A Feteful Life these ladies are serving up all things DIY for creating simple, never plain parties. You can follow them on twitter and Pinterest @fetefullife

Kansas City, MO

Our hosts in Kansas City are the creative minds behind Ampersand Design Studio, Carrie and Morgan. Their aesthetic is clean and playful and always on trend. I dare you to visit their shop without buying a little treasure for yourself…in fact, my iphone case is an Ampersand Design.

Follow them on twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @ampersandstudio

Los Angeles, CA

We have two hosts in LA, as well. First, our venue is uber exciting…the lovely ladies at Honest Company have agreed to let us host the party in their super fabulous corporate office. It’s like no corporate office you’ve ever seen, check out their Instagram for some sneak peeks at the space @honest

If that’s not enough, Kelly of Studio DIY is decking the place out for the party. Kelly’s pretty much the queen of fabulous party décor. Every time I pin a genius DIY craft or party décor item, it’s inevitably from Kelly’s site. I’m not sure how she comes up with this stuff, but you should for sure check out her blog, and follow her on Instagram, twitter and Pinterest @studiodiy

Nashville, TN

In Nashville, our host is the lovely Rachael of Finding My Feet. Rachael blogs about life with her two young kiddos and has tons of great sewing tutorials. She even contributes to honesttonod.com. This is one of our all-time favorite tutorials by Rachael. Rachael and her family were also featured as a Nod Real Family. You can follow her on twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @rachaelmyers

Los Altos, CA

We have two hosts in Los Altos. First, local business owner, Mary Heffernan. Mary owns several shops in Los Altos, including the died-and-gone-to-heaven crafting shop, The Makerie. Mary and her family were also featured in a past catalog as a Nod Real Family.

Mary’s co-host is Michaela of Michaela Nolle Designs. Michaela is an interior designer whose site is dedicated to her own interiors projects as well as DIYs and other lovely bits she finds around the web! You can follow her on twitter, Pinterest and Instagram @michaela_noelle

Provo, UT

And last, but certainly not least, we have co-hosts in Provo, as well. First up is Kirsten Kranson of http://6thstreetdesignschool.blogspot.com/. Kirsten is an interior designer; on her blogs she shares everything that’s inspiring her from interiors and party décor to products and DIY projects. Follow Kirsten on twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @kirstenkrason

Along with Kirsten, the lovely ladies of Small Fry Blog are co-hosting. Small Fry is a children’s lifestyle blog that does just that, showcases everything that’s stylish for a life with children. On a daily basis Nicole, Emily and Jenna brings the best in kids fashion, travel, dining out, parties and more, always served up in a stylish package. You can’t help but have fun while on their site. You can follow these ladies on twitter, Instagram and Pinterest @smallfryblog

I think that sums it up, we can’t wait to kick off the festivities. And, we’d love to see how you’re using our holiday décor in your home this season. So, when you’re posting pics of your perfectly coifed tree to Instagram, don’t forget to tag us @thelandofnod.

Happy Holidays!
Danielle

Danielle is the Creative Director at Nod and an over-protective mother of two. She’s also completely obsessed with Pinterest, Twitter and her Kindle, but not necessarily in that order. Danielle loves to craft, sew and crochet, but all her supplies have a layer of dust on them about 6 ½-years-thick, wonder if it's just a coincidence that her oldest kiddo is 6 1/2 years old?

Things to Do – A Birthday Slumber Party

For F’s 8th birthday she requested a slumber party, so we talked about keeping it simple and only inviting a small, close group of her friends. And then, in a miracle wave of sisterly good cheer, F decided to let P invite some of her own friends, suggesting that this way they could all play together. So the group became larger than anticipated.

The morning of the big event F came down with a fever, so we rescheduled for the Monday night before election day (they had Tuesday off of school). That Monday was a little bittersweet because F’s best friend was moving the next day to the Philippines with the Foreign Service (I love DC, but I hate how everyone leaves).

I picked all of the girls up from school on Monday and brought them to our “party room” in the backyard and so began the 18 hour celebration . . .

(I decorated the room with Land Of Nod’s new Toot Sweet party decorations. When the kids were little I usually purchased low end supplies for parties (think Dollar Store), but as they grow older (and as we recycle the decorations from year to year) I’ve realized that a beautiful room can really make a party. The kids especially loved the cupcake carousel, every time I turned around someone had put the wheel in motion. I made the cupcakes (with love) using my ultra-fabulous recipe, my one and only “party” claim to fame). The girls started out by decorating Land Of Nod’s Make a Mask princess kit (I find that starting birthday parties off with some sort of craft project tends to help everyone bond and feel relaxed around each other). Then the girls took over my spotify account (via bluetooth speakers and an ipad) and One Direction became LOUD!! If you’re wondering how to make a 2nd grade girl dance, boy bands are the answer. I used butcher paper to create a few “autograph” walls where everyone could write birthday messages for F, which was a big success. Eventually F blew out her candles and we came inside for a movie and sleep. Okay, so that was wishful thinking. I meant a movie, then 2 tv shows, then a lot of whispering, and finally at 11:30 pm the chattering stopped. I must note that the cutest thing ever was watching little T slumber in his little sleeping bag while surrounded by 7 giggling girls. By midnight, I figured we were pretty much in the clear – just some of Dan’s fantastic pancakes in the morning then the party would come to a close. What I did not plan on was seven wide awake girls (and one sleep deprived preschooler) ready for round 2 at 5:30 am (yes, you all read that right, 5:30!!!).

By 7:30 am they had already eaten breakfast and started asking for things to do. Luckily, LON also gave us two Artistic Collective Poster kits, which kept most of the kids entertained for another half-hour or so. And then, around 8 am, I broke out Suzy Ultman’s Shrinky Dink Kit. Two kits contain 62 shrinky dinks and we managed to make each and every one. Luckily all of the dinks (is this the correct term?) come hole-punched and cut, which made it a great craft to take on with a group of children. Especially when sleep deprived. And finally, around 10 am, the girls all left. And I drank a red bull. So goes birthday party season – one down, one to go (we host P’s birthday party this weekend). (And a special thanks to Land of Nod, for gifting us the wonderful crafts and decorations!)

Post by Darcy : No Monsters in My Bed

The Best Doughnuts in Orange County

November 20, 2013

I just recently discovered Sidecar Doughnuts & Coffee. They brought some doughnuts to a store event of ours, and the photos looked so good I had to taste it for myself. The maple bacon doughnut is to die for – pure heaven. This is where I discovered Stumptown Cold Brew Coffee. Try it. It’ll put hair on your chest (my grandpa used to say that to me).

xo,

Michelle

Michelle is the mother to four kids (yes, FOUR!), a gourmet cook and a retail junky. She’s painted her dining room countless times and changes rugs like most people change their bedsheets. When she’s not living and breathing retail, she’s weaving amazing works of art with her sister for Bourbon+Gin Weaving.

Create an Easy Art Studio

November 19, 2013

Post by Julee of Warm Hot Chocolate

My daughter has always loved arts and crafts, but now that she’s in kindergarten, she also seems to be developing a love of art education. Her favorite pretend play of late is ‘Art School.’ She, of course, plays the role of teacher, and I am the student. She draws a picture on her easel and then instructs me to do the same in my notebook.

Now that ‘playing art’ has become a two-person game, I was super excited to receive Land of Nod’s wall paper holder so that both teacher and student could have a space to create. In fact, once we installed the paper holder, a new theme seemed to emerge for the décor of her room: Art Studio.

We recently moved into a new house and have yet to decorate the kid’s rooms. Since Jenna’s walls are entirely empty (and we are holding off on hanging anything until we’ve painted), we decided to run with the art studio theme in the interim and let her decorate her walls with her own creations.

In addition to the easel we already own (similar one here), we used the following materials to set up her studio:

Wall Paper Holder
Paper Roll
Crayons
Washi Tape (for taping pictures to the wall)

Now Jenna’s room is filling up with adorable pictures.

And she has plenty of space to create, right in her own room.

Post by Julee of Warm Hot Chocolate

Looking for even more playroom inspiration? Check out our Playroom Board on Pinterest.

One Pot Pasta

November 18, 2013

As much as I love standing in front of the stove, slaving over dinner {catch my sarcasm}, I’m absolutely intrigued by the thought of a one pot dinner. Especially one that includes pasta {read: can be make very very quickly / tastes delicious / requires very little cleanup}.

I’m dying to try these and I promise to share my results with you.

Do you have any one pot wonders that you like making? Do share!

Post by Niki: Papery & Cakery

On The Go

November 15, 2013

The Hustle and Bustle Train set features many different modes of transportation–from a bulldozer to a space shuttle! You can hop aboard a train, watch a car race and witness a space shuttle take off from its launch pad all in one day. Avery and Nate loved the variety of vehicles and settings and all the little details of the play mat.

A perfect companion to the Hustle and Bustle Train Set is Line 135, a story that follows a child on a journey from the city to the country and eventually to a magical and imaginary landscape. The detailed line drawings and sparing use of color make this a unique experience and story.

Post by Michelle Sterling of Avery and Augustine

You can see her work and read about her two young children and their first forays in cooking, art and everything in between at Avery and Augustine.

Kale and Basil Pesto

November 14, 2013

I never got on the kale bandwagon. I tried to like kale, but failed miserably in the past. Even kale chips didn’t impress me. The other week my fears came true – our CSA share included quite a large bunch of kale. What to do? I didn’t want to waste it, so I scoured the two very healthy blogs, Sprouted Kitchen and Love and Lemons to see what they had done with kale that might convince me to try.

And guess what? Kale pesto was something I was willing to try and something I actually liked! I won’t ever go out of my way to buy kale, but if I happen to have some kale, this pesto will be top of my list. We served it with eggs one day, mixed it with boiled potatoes and a little extra olive oil another day, and added it to pasta with a splash of cooking water for dinner one night. It’s tasty, versatile and healthy as well.

Kale and Basil Pesto – inspired by Sprouted Kitchen and Love and Lemons

Yield: This makes a lot of pesto – about 1.5 cups.

Ingredients

1 medium bunch kale, thick stems removed
3 cloves garlic
1/2 cup lightly toasted walnuts
1/4 cup of pine nuts
handful fresh basil leaves
1/2 cup fresh grated Parmesan
pinch of red pepper flakes
juice of one lemon
sea salt and pepper
1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil or more for smoother texture

Instructions

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Cut the tough stems from the kale and roughly chop the leaves. Blanch the kale leaves for about 30 seconds, transfer to a strainer and run cold water over them to stop the cooking. Once the kale is cool, squeeze out the excess water.
In a food processor, combine the garlic, walnuts and pine nuts and pulse to chop. Add the kale, basil, Parmesan, red pepper flakes, lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and pulse to combine. Turn the processor on and drizzle in the olive oil until you get the consistency you like. Taste and adjust as needed.

Notes

To use as a dressing add a little more water and lemon juice. If using it in pasta, reserve a bit of cooking water to help loosen the pesto so it coats the pasta nicely

Post by Giulia Doyle : Audrey's

One-of-a-kind Giant Creatures Designed by John Murphy

November 13, 2013

Princess Sandrine Theropoidica is a rare kind of Polar Tyrannosaur from the Cretaceous South Pole. Eric Vreem is a paleontologist from a wintery star system very far from Earth. Eric had a love for Earth's ancient bones and took a trip to the past to see his beloved skeletons alive and breathing. Sandrine met Eric when his ship landed on her glacier. The two fell in love almost instantly, but neither could live in the other's domain, so they decided to have a long-distance relationship. The two meet via wormhole as often as they can and they travel the stars together sharing a love that defies space and time.

The Land of Nod is raffling off these two love birds along with a handful of other handmade plush animals! You can enter daily for a chance to win.

John Murphy is a native of North Carolina and started drawing at the age of three. His affinity for quirky, colorful monsters of all shapes and sizes makes his artwork instantly recognizable. His primary product is custom, soft sculpture monsters made from recycled fabrics.

Pretty Pink First Birthday Party

November 12, 2013

First Birthday Parties are so special!

I had the pleasure to style a party incorporating The Land of Nod’s Pretty Banner’s and Bows.

A ONE year old girl party was the perfect fit!

Lots of pretty pastel pink dripping with gold and silver…

Stunning photo’s by Anne Nunn Photography

Pink champagne cake, cupcakes & mini desserts from Market of Choice Bakery in Eugene, Oregon.

I pushed some white sticks into mini powdered donuts and tied a pink bow onto the stick.

Great for little hands to hold and just the right amount of donut for little guests.

I found some great ribbon to wrap around little plastic apple juice and water’s.

Beautiful Bows and Banner’s from The Land of Nod.

Silver Glitter favor boxes from Michael’s Craft Store in the wedding section.

Lovely pink bedspread made a beautiful table cloth and can be re-purposed.

Pretty Glitter Clothespins found at Michael’s Craft Store in the wedding section.

O N E letters from The Land of Nod.

I sprayed them with adhesive spray and covered them in gold glitter.

It held perfectly and had great coverage.

The Number 1 made a great cake topper!

I made it from silver glitter cardstock paper from Michael’s Craft Store.

Glitter filled wishes from guests to the birthday girl!

Paper Party Decor and Party Supplies from Where the Green Grass Grows Designs

Post by Andrea: Where the Green Grass Grows Designs

Photography by Anne Nunn Photography: http://annenunnphotography.com/

Pumpkin Power Shake

November 11, 2013

This shake is so fitting for November.

Gather all of the ingredients.

In your high speed blender place 1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree, 1 cup almond milk, 2 frozen bananas, 2 dates, 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract and a sprinkling of nutmeg, cinnamon and ginger. Blend on high speed until totally smooth.

Pour into a cup and enjoy!

Happy Baking!

xoxo,

Ali

Post by Ali: Papery & Cakery

Pinwheel Bubble Gum Fun Party

November 8, 2013

Gumballs, Pinwheels, Trinkets and more…

It was my pleasure to style this party incorporating some great products from The Land of Nod.

Beautiful Photography by Stacey Anderson from Little Avocado Photography

The three-tier flea market bin stored all the party favors.

Party Bags from Where the Green Grass Grows Designs

Little fingers couldn’t crank that gumball machine fast enough!

They filled their candy cups to the top.

It sure catches your eye standing tall on a tower of novelty suitcases.

Simple and shabby gingham fabric wraps help little hands hold the mason jars a little better.

Fun pinwheel banner, letter flags and felt dot banner’s from The Land of Nod.

I used ric rac ribbon to bring the name banner together.

Retro Pinky Hi-Bounce Balls, Slide Wooden Whistles, Metal Kazoos, Bird Whistles and Candy Necklaces were a big hit with the kids!

Lime Green and White Paper Party Straws added a POP of pzazz!

Martha Stewart’s Pin Wheel kit found at Michaels Craft Store made the perfect cake topper.

Pinwheel Invitations and other paper products designed by Where the Green Grass Grows Designs

Party Bags from Where the Green Grass Grows Designs

Post by Andrea: Where the Green Grass Grows Designs

Grandpa Cat

November 7, 2013

Grandpa Cat is old and wise. He moves slowly but he carries many many stories in his heart. Little Sabrina loves to sit on his lap and listen to those stories with her eyes closed, imagining and dreaming and wishing upon the starts. It is all about the places that Grandpa Cat has been to and the places that little Sabrina is about to discover. Dream big, little kids, dream big! Imagine and never stop fantasizing.

Mama Dinara

The Land of Nod is raffling off Grandpa Cat along with a handful of other handmade plush animals! You can enter daily for a chance to win.

A lifelong doodler, Dinara Mirtalipova left her hometown of Tashkent, Uzbekistan to start a creative new life in Cleveland as an artist and designer. She’s developed an incredibly recognizable style of art and illustration that’s inspired by her family life, folk tales and her native Uzbek art and culture. Featuring everything from cheerful animals to bright bold flowers, Dinara’s artwork is always a treat to look at.

Making Necklaces

November 6, 2013

This wooden bead set from The Land of Nod is perfect for many things: a morning of crafting necklaces, making bracelets at a play date or as a fun activity at a birthday party–guests can string together beads to make their own personalized necklace or bracelet and then take it home as a favor. The alphabet beads provide extra practice with letter names and sounds, too!

Post by Michelle Sterling of Avery and Augustine.

You can see her work and read about her two young children and their first forays in cooking, art and everything in between at Avery and Augustine.

Exploring

November 5, 2013

Give your kids hours and let them explore!

XO,

Michelle

Roasted Beets and Carrots with Tahini Lemon Dressing

November 4, 2013

I received a huge amount of beets over the past couple of weeks in my CSA, and I’m the only one in the family that likes beets. With this slight dilemma I tried to find a way to use a large amount of them in one meal. I decided to roast my beets and serve them with this great dressing inspired by Love and Lemons. I also added a big bunch of carrots to the mix and finished it off with some crumbled feta and sunflower seeds.

This combination turned out beautifully – even my non-beet loving husband had a second serving. We enjoyed it with roast chicken, but any protein would work well with this.

Roasted Beets and Carrots with Tahini Lemon Dressing

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 1 hour, 30 minutes

Yield: makes a lot!

Ingredients

6-8 beets (depending on size)
6-8 carrots
6 cloves of garlic
olive oil
handful of sunflower seeds
handful of crumbled feta cheese
4 tablespoons lemon juice
4 tablespoons tahini
2 teaspoons of maple syrup
4-6 tablespoons water or olive oil (or a combination)
salt & pepper, to taste

Instructions

Chop vegetables into even sized pieces. Arrange in roasting pan, add garlic cloves and toss with olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast vegetables and garlic at 400F for 1-1.5 hours. Remove from oven and cool slightly. Check that both beets and carrots are soft all the way through.
Combine lemon juice, tahini and maple syrup. Adjust with water and olive oil until you get the consistency you like. Salt and pepper to taste. Toss roasted vegetables with tahini lemon dressing, sprinkle with sunflower seeds and cheese and serve at room temperature.

Notes

You can speed up your roasting time by covering the vegetables with foil and increasing the heat to 450F. You would probably be done in 1 hour depending on the size you cut your vegetables.

Post by Giulia Doyle : Audrey's

One of a Kind Giant Princess Yeti & Workout Alpaca

November 2, 2013

When I got asked to do the giant plush friends I knew I wanted to do a giant yeti lady. The basis of the idea was entirely based on my NEED to make those little sparkly snow shoes. The rest of her sweetness just fell into place!! Even though she's a big round poofy ball I imagine her delicately bounding through the snow in those little shoes collecting icy trinkets throughout the forest.

In my magic character universe I've drawn "Workout Alpaca" who wears a sweatband and leg warmers for a long time. I'm pretty sure this is his snowy cousin. She needed more than just a sweatband to keep her head warm!!

And, in the spirit of giving (and since they don’t fit down chimneys), The Land of Nod is raffling off these enormous works of art. You can enter daily for a chance to win a giant plush animal.

By Illustrator/Designer Michelle Romo: Crowded Teeth

We haven't checked with any doctors, but we’re pretty sure it’s physically impossible to feel unhappy while looking at Michelle Romo’s artwork. Each piece she designs for us is overflowing with cheerful characters and smiling objects. Her artwork is as eclectic as her upbringing. The childhood influences of her Japanese grandparents and American grandparents have led to an art form that blends various genres and styles. Her company, Crowded Teeth, was founded in 2004, and now designs everything from bedding to toys to art prints and more.

Black and White and Fun All Over!

November 1, 2013

This summer I set about the fun job of finally giving our (then) 6-year-old a big boy room. I knew I wanted the foundations to be neutral and high contrast – dark wood for the bunk beds and dresser, natural pine wood floors, a very light color on the walls. Once I had my foundation in place, I picked several other high-contrast, achromatic pieces to give it a very hip, "I can grow into this" vibe. I used a black and white zebra head, two chalkboard wall poster decals, and black and white polkadot sheets with white duvets. So, hip and edgy it was.

But he's six, not sixteen – it was time to layer in the fun! I never actually set out to do this (I detest "themed" children's bedrooms), but somehow a definite travel element made its way in with the cool captain's mirror, the map pendant (which is supposed to be a light, but I love it just hanging over his desk!), the dressed up animal prints (hands down, Oliver's favorites), the canvas map, and the motorsport hat. Of course, this room existed in my head and on a pinterest board far before it existed in real life. I even sort of pre-created the room in Photoshop because I'm such a visual person and I wanted to see it come together before I pulled the trigger and made final decisions.

Now that it's finished, it is absolutely my favorite room in our house to date. Oliver loves the desk area and he and Hazel will perch up on the stools by the window for hours drawing or sneaking my washii tape when I'm not looking.

The curtain rod came from the woods behind our house. I liked bringing in natural elements like that, the wood floors and the twine hanging the map pendant. We even have one giant branch in the corner by the closet just leaning there looking serious.

I think that bubble clock might be my favorite thing in the room. It hangs over the top bunk, and since Oliver is getting good at telling time, it actually serves as a useful tool for him.Hazel sleeps on the bottom bunk almost every night. I honestly thought the novelty of bunk beds would wear off after a while, but they really just love to be together. That beautiful pink room down the hall doesn't get a lot of action these day.

I wrote a bit about the honeycomb shelves a few weeks ago. Adding chalkboard decals to the back of some created a nice repetition in the room, and I loved the fun of filling the shelves with some of Oliver's favorite things.

Desk Area: rug / curtains / finials / stools / desk / art caddy / finials / map shade / "beware of ninjas" print / "I'll eat you up" print / mirror / "i heart michigan" art / teal waste bin

Honeycomb Shelf wall: honeycomb shelves / chalkboard decals / knuffle bunny / Science Alphabet Decal / bocce balls / hippo / giraffes / Q&A for Kids / monster pillow / silver chair / globe ball / ice bat/ Under the Stars poster / log pillow

Bedding: white duvets / polka dot sheets / grey sweatshirt blankets / grey pendant light / monster pillow / log pillow / "M" pillow / wire wall bins / alligator pillow / bunk beds / rug / canvas map / bubble clock

Dresser wall: tiger art / zebra head / teal garland / rhino bookends / accordion / black lamp / dresser / green hamper / striped blanket / wood floors tutorial / curtains / finials / motorsport hat / rug

The EYES Have It

October 31, 2013

Post by Christina Williams of Just Call Me Chris

I’ve mentioned that I have a thing for skulls and spiders this year. And eyeballs round out my top three for the season. I’ve seen so many great eyeball themed items around. Lollipops, bouncy balls, novelty glasses, etc. The eyes are where it’s at this year.

I’ve been stocking up on Halloween eyeball-themed goodies all season, so we can spread holiday cheer everywhere we go. Pass them out to your soccer team, the kids at church, or cousins. The spooky play on words will have them giggling in no time. Or at least rolling their EYES. Pun intended. Good one, huh?

Download the printable file here. Eyeballs not your thing? Here’s a little bag topper from a couple years ago.

Christina Williams is a blogger and graphic designer living in Salt Lake City, Utah. She’s a night owl and a bookworm, as well as a mother to three children ranging in age from two to eight. She shares her latest DIY and design projects along with her adventures in parenting on her blog, Just Call Me Chris.

Riley (My Vintage Trailer) Style

October 30, 2013

Oh my, have you seen this fabulous Land of Nod camper tent? So, adorable. Well, if I didn't have my own real vintage trailer, I'd definitely need this one to play in.

There's really nothing better then camping with your kids. It's the best way to really spend time together without the distractions of life. We LOVE to tent and trailer camp as a family.

I recently decided to give Riley, my vintage trailer, a little more style. I had saved a few vintage items that I've found at flea markets and thrift stores this year and I also added some fabulous new finds for The Land of Nod.

I tried to stay true to my original inspiration board, a little vintage, a lot of color, and very much outdoorsy. He's getting some personality, and although he is a mountain man, he doesn't take himself too seriously. There's a lot of fun, quirky pieces that keep this old guy (built in 1948) young and hip.

I'm really happy with the color palette. The forest and mint green, red and pink are really fun together. This pink striped throw is incredibly comfy and I love the touch of feminine it adds to the space. I want to find more pink for Riley, like another floral similar to the front door vintage tea towel curtain I made or some pink plaid. I also love this red and white camp rope pillow, I think it's a fun modern take on a cable knit sweater.

This adorable print called, Theodore Collects Firewood, is hung by a vintage wood hanger. Art in trailers can be tricky. You don't want anything heavy or breakable. This can easily be taken down and laid flat when in transit.

I like to have reading materials in the trailer, these a a few of my favorites. The Sunset National Parks of the West book is from the 60's, My Cool Caravan was a Christmas gift from my hubby when we first got Riley and the mini Ansel Adams National Park book I found in a gift shop when we did our Southwest road trip.

This might be my favorite pair of pillows. The handsome bear pillow has been named Fuzzy Wuzzy, by my son Dylan and the white faux fur pillow gets pet by everyone who sees it.

My Hudson Bay pillow shams look great with this fun camp log pillow. And I'm absolutely dying over the S'mores pillow. He's my kids favorite addition to the trailer.

Like a thought, my vintage picnic basket works really well for blanket storage.

I also made one more pillow. This felt white bear kind of looks like a polar bear, but actually he's my California bear. And this new pillow looks great beside the Alaska pillow I made years and years ago. And really, does anything say mountain man more then read red plaid flannel?

I still like my birds and wire hanging thing that I put up a while ago. It's fun to change out the pictures now and then.

I found this green oak leaf tray at a local flea market this weekend for only $5. It may come inside for Fall decorating as well.

The bird theme is repeated in Riley. The shelves are edged in this fun detail. I keep my vintage jadite green melamine dishes on one of these shelves. I know the wood is kind of a yucky yellowy color, but I can't bare to cover it up. Although I love when old trailers are painted crisp inside, I feel this obligation to keep the original finish. 1948 is pretty dang old, you don't see too many trailers that old out there.

Posted by: Jeran Oleander + Palm