A Bright Breakfast Spot for the Fam

This fun family of 5 needed a more functional dining spot in their kitchen - a place for meals, for homework, for entertaining...the list goes on. Building in a banquette for them seemed like the most fun option, as it saves space, provides storage, and gives you additional seating in the case of "extra" kiddos around the table. 

I love the new drapes to soften this space with the comfy pillows and bench cushion. Toss in a modern chandy, a farmhouse table, and blue & white jars and it's a fun, sophisticated, updated trad space. 

Hope you guys love it too! 

All pics by Alexandra Haynes! 

A Bright Breakfast Spot for the Fam

This fun family of 5 needed a more functional dining spot in their kitchen - a place for meals, for homework, for entertaining...the list goes on. Building in a banquette for them seemed like the most fun option, as it saves space, provides storage, and gives you additional seating in the case of "extra" kiddos around the table. 

I love the new drapes to soften this space with the comfy pillows and bench cushion. Toss in a modern chandy, a farmhouse table, and blue & white jars and it's a fun, sophisticated, updated trad space. 

Hope you guys love it too! 

All pics by Alexandra Haynes! 

My House Tour: Kitchen, Keeping Room, and Porch

Hi guys! 

I know I've been promising this for a while now. Thanks for your patience! 

I finally had time to take pics of a semi-clean house to share with you all since our move back in the spring. We've been painting, and doing small projects along the way, and its a fun time to share it with all of you! 

First up, our kitchen. Where we spend a lot of time. A lot. 

I painted our cabinets and all trim in this room Revere Pewter. For its coolness and for its neutrality. I'm a sucker for a white kitchen, but our little 1940's cottage seemed to call for something a little different. We keep the bone subway-tile backsplash installed by the previous owner, but swapped out the perimeter countertops for Delicatus granite. I'm kinda obsessed with it. 

With all the stone, I thought the balance of a wood island was fun. We painted the island Antique Pewter and used a pine countertop stained in Special Walnut. 

This space has been perfect for our little family and Henry knows right where everything is. He's a great helper and gets into watching what Mama and Dada are doing now, at 2 and a half. 

In our kitchen is a seating area (the sofa should look pretty familiar to you guys) centered on a fireplace. I used a block printed grasscloth on an accent wall just for fun. 

We sit here and watch Mickey, put our shoes on, and FaceTime the grandparents. 

At the end of the kitchen is the breakfast table. I love this angle as it shows the subtle contrast of trim and wall color. The wall color is Acadia White by the way. 

This is where we eat all of our meals. Usually, Henry's high chair is at the left end, aimed toward Paw Patrol. :) We sit here as a family to have breakfast and dinner together. 

I was so relieved that there was a great spot for my big ol' hutch piece. You guys remember it from our last kitchen? 

Off the kitchen, on the back of the house, is probably the main reason we moved. Besides the fun neighborhood with awesome neighbors and proximity to work and school. :) 

This porch has been where we enjoy grilling, having our friends over, and now that its Fall....its Game Day central. 

Y'all stay tuned, because I am sharing my house tour all week long! Yay! 

My House Tour: Kitchen, Keeping Room, and Porch

Hi guys! 

I know I've been promising this for a while now. Thanks for your patience! 

I finally had time to take pics of a semi-clean house to share with you all since our move back in the spring. We've been painting, and doing small projects along the way, and its a fun time to share it with all of you! 

First up, our kitchen. Where we spend a lot of time. A lot. 

I painted our cabinets and all trim in this room Revere Pewter. For its coolness and for its neutrality. I'm a sucker for a white kitchen, but our little 1940's cottage seemed to call for something a little different. We keep the bone subway-tile backsplash installed by the previous owner, but swapped out the perimeter countertops for Delicatus granite. I'm kinda obsessed with it. 

With all the stone, I thought the balance of a wood island was fun. We painted the island Antique Pewter and used a pine countertop stained in Special Walnut. 

This space has been perfect for our little family and Henry knows right where everything is. He's a great helper and gets into watching what Mama and Dada are doing now, at 2 and a half. 

In our kitchen is a seating area (the sofa should look pretty familiar to you guys) centered on a fireplace. I used a block printed grasscloth on an accent wall just for fun. 

We sit here and watch Mickey, put our shoes on, and FaceTime the grandparents. 

At the end of the kitchen is the breakfast table. I love this angle as it shows the subtle contrast of trim and wall color. The wall color is Acadia White by the way. 

This is where we eat all of our meals. Usually, Henry's high chair is at the left end, aimed toward Paw Patrol. :) We sit here as a family to have breakfast and dinner together. 

I was so relieved that there was a great spot for my big ol' hutch piece. You guys remember it from our last kitchen? 

Off the kitchen, on the back of the house, is probably the main reason we moved. Besides the fun neighborhood with awesome neighbors and proximity to work and school. :) 

This porch has been where we enjoy grilling, having our friends over, and now that its Fall....its Game Day central. 

Y'all stay tuned, because I am sharing my house tour all week long! Yay! 

My Henry Turns 2!

It's so hard to believe that another year has gone by! 

Our Henry has made life so FUN and keeps us busy with his curious questions, funny words, and ever-growing vocabulary. He talks all the time, which we love! He loves to play outside, eat crackers, and watch Chuggington. 

His dancing skills are pretty awesome, and he could stand on the steps of the pool and splash for hours. Preferably naked. 

He's a great eater, and probably likes breakfast most of all.

Eggs, waffles, hash browns, Kashi, and avocado are his favorite things to start the day.

It seems like just yesterday we celebrated our little man with his Radio Flyer Party 

and his big Safari party! 

(click links to see more on those)

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This year, for his 2nd birthday, we celebrated with a Firetruck party at my parents' house, for a small group of family and close friends, over the Mother's Day weekend. 

Henry was tickled to get his very own shiny, red firetruck to mark his big day! 

I had little red favor boxes ready for our guests, filled with some of Henry's favorite things. Cheese crackers, peanut M&M's, sidewalk chalk, and sugar cookies. 

My amazing sister-in-law Laura Lyn designed and painted the adorable signs for Henry's breakfast buffet! She always does such a wonderful job, and I am so lucky to call her family! Henry adores his aunt "La-Lyn"! 

My super-mom made the most delicious grits casserole! 

My mother-in-law, Pammy, is famous for her incredible homemade biscuits, so I was tickled to serve them at the party. They were a hit! As usual! 

David, my super-hubs, and my Dad, the breakfast-chef-extraordinaire, were in charge of waffles, bacon, sausage, and eggs. Deeeeee-lish! 

Family friend Su-Su did these amazing pecan muffins....they were fantastic! 

This is my best friend Amy's daughter Kennedy - she is so sweet and Henry is crazy about her! 

My grandfather, Henry's great-grandfather, Gongaman sat with Henry during breakfast....these two make each other laugh and smile like no other! 

As a surprise for my Henry, we asked the firetruck to visit. Henry wasn't sure about it at first, but really warmed up to it after a few minutes. 

My sweet nephew Ben (and cousin Aiden in the cab too) played all over the truck! I think the little ones, the big boys, and the adults all enjoyed seeing the firetruck, opening all the doors, and climbing on it too.

This is Henry and his cousin Gray. They were both born in 2013....I am so happy they get to grow up together. Love those little curly headed boys! 

Henry was elated to be in the firetruck with his cousin Ben! 

We are so thankful Mr. John came and brought the firetruck to Henry's 2nd birthday party! 

Family! 

Mom, Gongaman, my aunt Jill, brother Brince, sister Abbye and Chris

David and (our other friend) Chris 

It was such a fun morning, and we loved having our closest friends and family there to celebrate Henry's love of Firetrucks! 

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For Henry's real birthday, I had a super casual afternoon/evening play date here at our home with our Gainesville friends. Easy, kiddo-friendly food was out to snack on between trips down the slide, drawing with chalk, and running around the yard. Pretzels, goldfish, squeeze pouches, popcorn and M&M's, mini cupcakes, and a Chick-Fil-A platter were out for kids and adults to snack on. 

Henry and his darling friend Evelyn...as you can tell, they've enjoyed their cupcakes! 

My friend Caroline and her little Turner

Precious girls: Arabella and Annie Kate

Sweet baby Elizabeth! 

My awesome friends Callie and Jen

Henry loved playing with the "big" kids! 

Jen and her 3 girls - loved having them here to play! 

It was such a fun day of celebrating our little one. We are so blessed with amazing family and friends, and are ever thankful for them. Henry loved having his friends come to his house, and so did David and I! 

Happy 2nd Birthday to our Henry!