Happy Halloween!

Remember how Madeleine was a dragon for Halloween last year?

This year, she has magically transformed into a lady bug. A cute-as-can-be, busy-as-can-be little bug.

In California, we got a preview of the Midglets' gnome costumes, skillfully designed (sans pattern!) and sewn by their super creative mama, Sally. 

We managed to snap a photo with all seven PEPS friends this week. 

What are you or your little person/people/pet going to be for Halloween?

Fall in San Jose

What a wonderful weekend! We spent this weekend in Silicon Valley, which included hanging out with the Midgleys, our second pumpkin patch experience, and delicious Sunday morning brunch with other friends who are former Seattlites. I'll let some photos tell most of the story.

As much as we wish these guys were back in Seattle, we love visiting them in California once or twice a year. 

Guess who's all about lifting her shirt and sharing her new word, "belly"? 

The kiddos had their first carousel experiences. The boys loved it while Madeleine merely tolerated it. 

Traveling becomes more challenging as Madeleine gets older. She was definitely out of sorts when we first got to the hotel and when we first met up with the Midgleys, but she eventually warmed up. Even though it can be challenging, I think it's important to keep exposing her to new experiences. 

Overall, it was a great trip and definitely too short! 

(Check out these three kiddos last October.)

Pinned It & Did It: Paint Chip Art

This pin was originally about the coral wall color, but I loved the paint chip art on the wall. 

Pin. Original source via this source.

This is a pretty simple project and added a little oomph to our guest bath. After considering a whole lot of different greys for our house, I had a bunch of paint chips, which I cut into 1.5 inch squares. 

Then, I did a temporary arrangement before busting out my favorite adhesive: rubber cement. 

Ta-da! 

I'm pretty happy with how the colors play off of the yellow paint and grey shower curtain (an Ikea hack made from sewing together two cheap-o regular curtain panels). 

There are about a million paint chip projects out there. Which one(s) is/are on your to-do list? 

Modern Traditional Patchwork Ombre Quilt

I am so excited to share my most recent quilt, which is going to live in Dallas with Denaye and David's son. Denaye and David like both modern and traditional elements, so I tried to incorporate both into this quilt. Denaye asked me to try to do something ombre, and this nursery rug inspired the palette.

I used a traditional patchwork pattern but all solid fabric and straight line quilting for modern touches. 

Check out that post-laundry crinkle! 

All those solids made the front a little serious, so I lightened up the back with this cute puppy print.

I can't wait to see the little guy having tummy time on his quilt! 

Hooked!

I've mentioned before how it's important to George and me that we fill our home with meaningful things. Just like I try to incorporate some antique and rustic items that remind me of growing up in Ohio, we try to bring home special pieces from New Zealand when we visit.

On our last visit, we picked up this beautiful hook, which we have just finally hung in our dining room. I love how it contrasts against the dark paint (Benjamin Moore Stampede). Fun fact: the hook holding the hook was my first ever Anthropologie purchase.

Bonus! The color of the hook nicely ties in with the stone around the fireplace. I love happy accidents!

As an unhappy accident, the lighting in this photo make the living room paint color look similar to the dining room when it's actually the significantly lighter BM Sonora Gray. Oh well, I'm still hooked on our hook. Har-har.