Just in time for Monday

I've said it before...

Blogs and coffee are a great combination...

That's why I decided to add a few favorites of mine... blogs I like to read when I need a bit of inspiration.  With my morning coffee... of course.  (the links are on the left... in case you're wondering)

Happy Monday!!

Yup. I like it a lot.

As I enjoy my morning coffee, I like to flip through a few of my favorite blogs.  Blogs and coffee... what a great combination.  One of my daily reads is Young House Love-- if you haven't heard of it or checked it out-- you must.  The blog is written by a young couple who document the ups and downs of renovating and decorating a house.  They're funny, quirky, and have some fun projects that are worth checking out.  Today's post was about this awesome gallery wall they put up in their hallway.

As soon as I saw the pictures I thought about the all white gallery wall I put up in our hallway-- same idea... only this one is way more awesome.  I love it.  It almost makes me want to add more to my wall. Hmmm....

Blog Stalking Pays Off...

Like many of you, I read my friend's blogs.  I also read the blogs of complete strangers.  One of my favorite 'stranger' blogs is Aubrey & Lindsay's Blog.  I saw it featured in Style at Home a while back and decided to check it out.  I've been a faithful follower (and non-commenter) ever since.  They've got some pretty great DIY stuff going on in their house-- check out the before & after's of their basement and master bedroom.  Amazing.  So back to my blog stalking.  A while back Lindsay had a series titled Mommy Week on her blog-- and there were several awesome giveaways.  I decided to break my non-commenting streak and enter a couple of the giveaways.  And what do you know, I totally won this fabulous ERGO Baby Carrier!

Gotta love the mirror assisted photos.  Classic.  Reminds me of those pregnancy photos from a few months back.

Emerson and I have been trying it out lately, and we're loving it.  When she's in the carrier, Emerson will tilt her head way back and look up at me with this intrigued look on her face.  So cute.  I was a bit worried about how the shoulder straps would work for me (for the blog newcomers out there-- I have a pretty messed up left shoulder due to a car accident a few years back) but I find that most of Emerson's weight rests on my hips so it's been pretty comfortable for me to wear.  And the best part is... it's an adjustable carrier so Doug can use it too!

Thanks Lindsay for the awesome carrier :)

But that's not all!  Erica, a friend of mine from the good old Bethany days also had a giveaway on her blog-- first one ever.  And what do you know, I won that one too!  I scored a cute little handmade toque for Caleb.  Thank you Erica and Odd Duck Creations!

After much coercing and threatening on my part, I managed to get Caleb to stand still long enough to take this picture of him modeling his new toque last night.  It's not a great picture-- but it's not blurry and I can actually see his face.  Mission accomplished.

So there you have it folks, blog stalking totally pays off. 

Now it's back to the basement to put in my time with those crazy bookcases.

Sometimes I wonder who's winning the painting war-- me, or the bookcases?

Nope.  The kids win every time.