She's Crafty

School is out. Memorial Day has come and gone. It is officially summer at our house! Sport Cort started swimming lessons this morning. Fisherman has taken two buddies to Camp Grandma at my mother-in-law's home in the country. Sweet Pea is "resting" until Fine Arts Camp begins next week. And we are all wondering, "What are we going to do today?" Yes, summer is here.

I needed some paint for a job that I am working on, so we journeyed to Michael's today for a little outing. The "little bit of paint" turned into a basket full of crafts to spend our "downtime" away and ward off the dreaded boredom monster that is already lurking in the shadows. Isn't "downtime" what summer is all about? Well, ours will be crafty! If only my studio area looked like the pictures above. How productive I would be! Maybe I could turn this into a fun game. It's called, "organize mommy's craft room". I'll let you know how that goes.

Happy crafting! Happy Summer!

Krissy

Finishing Strong - Words of Encouragement

The last two weeks I have found myself constantly saying to the Minipearls things like, "If something is worth doing, it's worth doing right." or "Focus!" or "Is this your very best work?" or (in desperation) "If you will just get this over with, I will pay you a dollar!" Yes, the end of school is here. My babies are done. I am done. Done!

Friday is the last day of school. So, why pray tell, have the teachers saved their "best for last"? Sweet Pea has a test today over the fifty states. She will be given a blank map of the U.S. and is expected to correctly name each state, it's capital and postal abbreviation and "yes" spelling counts. But wait, there's more! Sport Cort turned in a State Report this morning. We have been working on this for a week and a half. I applaud my little intellectual, as the day he brought home the assignment, he immediately started to work on it. However, we lost some steam when we got toward the end of the "report packet" and the answers required more than a simple one word answer. Sport Cort's state of choice? Florida. We here in the Pearl household love Florida. This is our third report on "the Sunshine State". Sweet Pea and Fisherman were quick to step in with "helpful hints" and advice and that did not help matters. We muddled through and after a trip to Hobby Lobby on Friday, Sporty produced a wonderfully bright and colorful poster - all by himself, right down to the border of sunshine stamps - all his idea. I am thinking of sending it to the Florida Board of Tourism. He gives his oral report tomorrow. I know that some of you are thinking this, so I will ease your mind. I absolutely did NOT do this for my boy. I am not one of those mothers. If my children aren't willing to work, then neither am I. I am there to try and answer questions, let them use my art supplies and make sure they don't print crazy pictures off the internet and for the occasional drive to the craft store for more supplies, but I do not do the work. I'm a mean mom that way.

Fisherman is having an easier week, for now, as he is a "senior" in the school that he attends. He has a graduation on Friday that I cannot talk about right now, as the tears are coming too fast. He is enjoying a week long party, but I received no less than ten emails this weekend about summer reading lists and book discussions, student volunteer opportunities, sports conditioning programs and next year's elective sign-ups. Oh dear. We aren't in elementary school anymore. I am soooo not ready for this. Middle School. That's a whole 'nother post.

I know that I am not alone in this mad dash to the finish line that is the last day of school. I encourage everyone (moms and dads, too) to remember that "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right." and "Finish strong" and my favorite,

" If only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me.." Acts 20:24

My task? Get my babies to summer by ending school on a strong note and making sure that I carry a smile on my face and finish strong! Good luck!

Krissy

Flashback Friday - My Dream Ride

The original

Yup. The dream.

My dream ride? A Jeep Wagoneer from the 1980's with the wood trim kit of course. Someday when the safety of my dear, darling minipearls that I chauffeur around each day isn't what drives my car purchases, I will have one of these. I can't wait! Have a wonderful weekend!

Krissy

photos via: howstuffworks.com, autoblog.typepad.com, web.me.com

Retro Kitchen Love

If this was my biggest problem...

These last weeks of school are so crazy, fun and hectic that I can't help but think about living in a different, more simple decade. Ok, so I doubt life was as sweet and candy-coated as these fun kitchens, but they do bring a smile to my face. Maybe a pink phone would do the trick?

xoxo,

Krissy

photos via: Country Living and Retro Kitchen

It's All About the Pouf

No, this isn't a post about my hair. Although, those that know me and see me on a regular basis and not from the carefully cultivated pictures that I choose to post, know that my hair is a little on the pouffy side and that is being kind. The eighties were my decade. Anywho, my hair isn't the focus. The focus is on poufs used as ottomans and cozy additions to a room. I was ready to pounce on the fabulous, silver pouf from the Calypso Target line but these little jewels are nowhere to be found. If found, please let me know! I think that a room, like life, is a little softer and more cozy with a little pouf. Agree?

Krissy

photos via: Coastal Living, Country Living, House Beautiful

A Case of Stripes

What is it about stripes? I love the crisp, classic accents in each of these rooms. I love stripes of all colors, these just happen to be black and white. Stripes give a nod to the nautical, as well, and that makes me think of summer! Summer. Yes, it's almost here. I have two and a half weeks before the minis are out of school and it's officially here. I guess I had better finish filling-out all of those camp forms!

Bright, Fun and Girly Bedrooms

design by Amanda Nisbet

via - www.nicedecors.com

via - www.robykarp.com

via - www.littlemissheirlooms.com

Happy Monday all! I had a wonderful weekend. Mr. Pearl and the minis totally spoiled me yesterday with a fantastic Mother's Day and I got to spend time with my beautiful mom. I hope you had a great weekend, as well. I was feeling girly today, so I pulled some favorite pictures from Sweet Pea's room inspiration photos. Enjoy!

Krissy

Flashback Friday - Royal Weddings

Are you tired of all of the Royal Wedding nonsense yet? Me? Not so much. I will let Catherine and Wills have a break, as they have a pressing duty to attend to and provide the world with an heir. Royals past? They are fair game and just in case it has been a while since you last studied pictures from Royal Weddings past, I thought I would share a few with you.

Queen Victoria

Some say that we have her to thank for starting the whole "white wedding" dress thing.

King Edward Vll - 1863

King George V - 1893

The Queen Mum in 1923.

Little did she know what was ahead of her. She was just marrying a prince.

Wallis Simpson and Edward

Scandal! Ok, so this really wasn't a "royal wedding" but I am so amazed at all that Edward gave up to marry an (gasp!) American, (gasp!) divorce'.

The Queen, then Princess Elizabeth - 1947

Grace Kelly

No, not British but oh so beautiful and every inch a princess.

Princess Margaret 1960

What's up with the animal hide?

Happy Friday All,

Krissy

photos via: weddinggowns.com, google.com, hubpages.com, telegraph.co.uk, goodhousekeeping.com

Home Tour -Kathy's Colorful Traditional

My sweet friend Kathy and her family have one of my favorite homes. They live in our old neighborhood. It is historic and full of trees and the homes have lots of character, as do the people! We miss it, although we are not far away. Kathy and her husband make a great remodeling team and have worked hard to achieve perfection in their home, and now, they have put in on the market. They are on to a new project! Their loss will be someone else's gain. The home is fabulous.

The entry is actually a strie salmon pink and is lovely.

The dining room window overlooks her fabulous front garden and you can barely spy the Butler's pantry to the left.

Kathy and I share a love of pink and green - the living room color scheme

The kitchen - blue glass subway tiles, Carrera marble - perfection!

The family room was the latest addition. What you cannot see is the perfectly worn Chesterfield leather sofa and wonderful deck that sits outside.

Happy Wednesday!

Krissy

If you would like information on this home, leave me a comment!

Royal Recap

2:45 came very early on Friday morning, but I wouldn't have missed it for anything. I fixed my cuppa and settled in to watch history. I waited to wake-up Sweet Pea until 4:45. We dined on scones with clotted cream and jam, English breakfast tea, chocolate-dipped Digestives cookies (that's Brit speak for tea cookies) and fresh strawberries. Yum! I was afraid that Sweet Pea would find the entire production boring, but she enjoyed each magical moment. I don't know what I loved more, the wedding or watching the joy in my daughter's eyes as she watched a real-live fairytale unfold. What a day! What a dress! How genuinely happy the Royal Family was. (What a change that is!)

Do you think Pippa has on Spanx? I've heard she has the Dukan Diet to thank for that body.

Is anyone else "wild about Harry?" He is the cutest, cheekiest thing!

I LOVE this shot! I have dubbed it "The Queen's Worst Nightmare."

She is standing next to a commoner - the mother of her grandson's new wife, and Camilla - the last person she wanted to be her eldest son's wife. Poor Queen. I do think she is coming around though. Maybe there is a hopeless romantic underneath her "stiff-upper-lip" exterior. Another favorite about this pic? The wicked step-sisters hovering in the background. Get those poor girls a stylist and a proper make-up artist!

Anyone else thinkin' Harry and Pippa? Just saying.

And they lived happily ever after.

photos via www.zimbio.com