Xavier Gets a Big Boy Bedroom Via City Furniture

The little man turns six this weekend - cue my bucket of tears!
So how fitting it is that I was able to revamp his bedroom as an early birthday present in partnership with the folks from City Furniture
I've used City Furniture for many projects over the years including this and this because they have insanely good collections at an affordable price.
However I'd never used anything from their kid's collection so was excited to learn they'd revamped their kids offerings, with some insanely stylish options.

I chose the full size bed from the Ryder collection and the grey dresser from the same collection. Mixing colors from the same collection is always a fun option, and one you can easily get away with especially when designing for kids. 

Be sure to infuse your child's personality throughout his or her space. All of Xavier's favorite things are on display here: bowling, travel, Roblox, reading, soccer, saving, personal art and his love of fashion via hats and ties etc 

The beauty of this room makeover is that his bedroom had seemingly been made for this collection. I painted his room myself when we purchased this home in 2014. 

These store bought curtains in white and navy inspired my choice of the Ryder bed in Navy.

This before photo shows his old bed with Teenage Mutant Ninja bedding. It is a  is a cherished memory since it's the day he decided to carry out his very own science experiment - with powder ! God bless that memory but he's happy as punch with his newly updated bedroom. 

His new headboard allows him to sit up in bed and practice his reading, plus snuggle with his favorites - Fluffy, Mr. Sonic and Mickey. PS, I tried to give these away since I thought he was now such a big boy, but he was mortified and placed them on the bed himself. 

The brass hardware on the Ryder dresser is a surprisingly stylish feature for a kids collection and one of my favorite elements in the room. This is his first dresser and he's been excited to have drawers for all his clothing. And there you have it, a stylish yet playful bedroom for my growing little man and a room that's both fun and functional and one he'll enjoy growing up in.

I acknowledge that City Furniture is partnering with me to participate in this bedroom makeover. As part of the program, I am receiving compensation in the form of products and services for promoting City Furniture. However all expressed opinions and experiences are my own words. My post also complies with the Word of Mouth Marketing Association (WOMMA) Ethics Code and applicable Trade Commission Guidelines.    

Lace Me Up and More

Traditional Powder Room by Minneapolis Design-Build Firms Eskuche Design

Whoa. My week has been a blur. I can't believe that I quit one full-time job and yet my schedule has gotten even busier. Being the boss of me all day, every day, is really a never-ending venture.
Any who, I've been missing around these parts but have been drooling over all the fab work being done over at the One Room Challenge aka, my design virtual reality show addiction. Can't wait to see all the reveals next Wednesday.
As you can see from the above photo, I've been smitten by lace. Definitely a sexy re-emergence of this timeless fabric being seen on the runway and in home decor. I dished about it over on Houzz this week.  

Modern Dining Room by Amsterdam Architects & Designers gosto design & lifestyle
  
What a soft touch this lace add to this modern dining room.
This other Houzz feature on ways to build a strong client/designer relationship went viral and sparked quite the conversation. So pleased to see homeowners and design professionals learn and share so much about their own experiences and expectations. Definitely an eye-opening read for many so be sure to swing by, check it out and share some feedback. 
In other news, Xavier and I survived a little fender bender yesterday. Definitely a scary moment as the car was hit on the back passenger side where he was seated. I think my heart stopped when I felt that impact and realized how close it came to my little man. Thankfully, the dude who hit us was coming out of his driveway, with not much speed, so the impact was not devastating. We are both okay and had no scrapes or bruises, just shaken up for much of the day. Thankful and eternally grateful to be okay. Thanks to everyone who sent some well-wishes and to my virtual sister/bestie DesignAddictMom who called to be sure we were okay. We have been trying to connect by phone for an eternity and just like that, I finally heard her voice. It meant the world. Cheers to a fab and safe weekend to everyone.
 

Time Is a Flying....

The little man is just two months shy of turning the big 2, and the mommy in me is having a moment. Why, oh why, is he growing up so fast?

Most of you warned me about this speedy ride through his childhood, and yet I still can't believe he's already parroting everything we say (which means I'm now spelling out a LOT of words) and just chatting up a storm. 

Eternally grateful to have this little man in my life, and to be there to watch him discover new things - Umbrella? Elephant? Crackers? Dora? Bubba Guppies? 

These photos are from our little family escape to Naples for the Labor Day weekend. I SO needed that break and some rest!

 Showing off his baby muscles. He now has a serious fan club in that town. SMH! 

Loves him so! Thanks for indulging my little moment. Really needed that moment of pause/reflection. 
Here's why: I'm gearing up for a grueling weekend - finally wrapping up this project and shooting final pictures. We are also doing a baby shower for this wonderful client. We also have lots of project reveals in the works. Be sure to follow me over at Instagram to see how we survive this weekend's madness.  

I Love You Dad

Dear Dad,
Thanks for being there for me these early months of my little life. 
I'm learning to laugh, to say "please, please, please," when I'm hungry.
I'm learning to open doors for mommy and other ladies; to be kind and loving.
I'm learning that "mine" isn't such a good word, so I'm learning to share my toys and my snacks.
I'm happy to stand next to you every day, and to learn as much as I can about being a great man.
Love you to the moon and back.
Xavier.

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing men who love and nurture a little soul.

Flat Weave Rugs and Things That Melted My Heart

I'd bet a $100 Jamaican bucks, that most of you have used a flat weave rug for a project or your home? They are definitely the new ish among rugs so of course I'm dishing about this trending obsession over on Houzz. Swing by and check it out.

In other news, the lil man graduated from one daycare class, to another class - across the hall. Still scratching my head about that one but hey, it was a great moment for all us parents. A moment of annoyance for him though as he cried, wishing I'm sure that we would all just go away and let them play!

Proud mama!

Yep, he was happy as punch once the hoopla was over and he could return to his normal activities i.e. playing and eating. Love that kid!

I'm in Atlanta on a business trip and this absolutely warmed my heart! A book exchange. Leave a book, take a book! Love this especially since I'm still among the few folks who must read a book in hand i.e. no E-books for moi.
Don't judge.

What have y'all been up to this week? What, if anything, has warmed your heart? Holla.  

Back Among the Living and Xavier's Commercial Goes Live

I know, I know, it's been a hot minute since I've posted. Forgiveness please? I've been waist-deep in some killer installations - no longer knee-deep people!  Things are deep! 
Anywho, I'm slowly emerging from the madness and will definitely need to swing by and see what y'all have been up to. 
But first up, my lil man's commercial is now airing in South Florida! 
Remember I mentioned it here a few months ago. 
The sad thing is everyone and their mama has seen it air, except the hubs and I. But this kid has some serious fans, and many have sent me text messages, emails saying "Hey, is Xavier in a commercial?"
Major shout-out to the one and only Dr. Ferdinand Pino, aka my dearest friend Sophia's dad. He's never actually met Xavier, known affectionately at the day job as Tito. Don't ask! It's a Miami Latin thing. Thanks to Sophia, Dr. Pino  has seen so many photos and heard so many tales about Xavier that he recognized him right away on the commercial and emailed her a clip. 
It's hella brief, but hey, we'll take it and deposit his well earned check straight to his little baby account. 

What did ya'll think? That kid is a natural no? Such intensity in that little appearance. Lol. 
p.s. his dad's role was cut from the commercial! So it goes in the business. He has his own commercial in rotation so I think he'll be alright. 
Anyway peeps, it's good to be back and writing. 
Lots of projects to dish about in the next few weeks so stay tuned. 
p.s.s Happy Hump Day!

The Lil Man, Aka Our Resident Celebrity

 

 

 

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a celebrity in our midst! The lil man landed his first commercial last week. Yep, earned his first pay check at just 16 months - definitely will be adding that tidbit to the baby book.
The commercial is for a local hospital and will air only in South Florida, but thanks to You Tube, I'm sure I can share it someday with y'all.
Some background: Xavier has been signed to an agent since birth. Believe me, I'm no stage mom so have no clue about this world, but the hubby has been doing commercials for years and so they are with the same agency. The hubby and he chase around town on the occasional casting calls. My role? Mommy support and mommy stylist.

 

 

There was no casting call for this job, which happens on occassion. The hubs got a call that evening saying Xavier was selected by the client and needed to be on set at noon the next day. Of course I squealed when he told me this, I mean like pulled my car off the road and squealed. He'd been on a few castings before and had not been chosen, so this was major! My task: assemble an assortment of outfits, which of course I was happy to oblige.

This acting life is hard work. He had to seriously pretend to care about playing with toys. Trust me, he practiced that role all day and night, hehe. 



His favorite word these days is apple, which he says promptly everytime the phone rings because many of the learning Apps we use on the phone begin with, you guessed it, apple! There is also a chance that he called that ball an apple. I kid you not, he loves that word. 

 

Ok, seriously dude, how much longer do you need to hold that camera in front of me? Can a baby just play? I wanna focus on these toys man!

And it's a wrap! A huge hug from the director who marvelled at his charm.
p.s. guess who played his daddy when the actor who should have played daddy was a no show? Xavier's daddy! So proud of my two men! Can't wait 'til it airs. Trust me I'll squeal all sorts of noise, because you know, that's my little man.

Instagram This!

Sometimes I'm missing in action here because well, life is kinda hectic.

But I'm usually posting something fun, quirky, design or Xavier related over on Instagram so be sure to head on over yonder to get your LLD fix.

And oh, TGIF everyone!

Be safe and have some fun this weekend.

Nursery Blues and Savoring Every Moment

When I was pregnant with Xavier, every mom/dad told me one thing: savor every moment, they grow so fast. At the time, I thought, Ok, how possible is that? I envisioned an endless life of diapers, pacifiers, strollers and formula.  Now at just 14 months, he is already quite the little man, fiercely independent, determined to learn and discover new things, translation, wreaking havoc everywhere as he runs from room to room, and pokes his hands and head into every little corner of the house. 

Xavier at 8 months.

At 10 months and chillin in the laundry basket, just because.

Chillin yesterday on his first little bike, a gift courtesy of Grandma Quinn. This bike also plays music by the Beatles, among my faves! I was too psyched to discover that.

I look at his nursery now and often get a little misty because I now see what those parents were trying to tell me. He is growing. Fast. I can barely rock him to sleep because he is busy twisting and turning and trying to escape from my arms. In no time, the kid will be at the University of Miami (his dad and uncles - UM alums -  have already pretty much ordained this).
You guys were right. I am now savoring every single moment. 

His nursery was a budget friendly affair. I installed simple shelves from Ikea to display his shoes, books, stuffed animals and other mementos, like that Rubik cube my husband had when he was a child. As you can see, he has a thing for hats so those had to be displayed as well.

I was knee deep in my love affair with yellow and grey when I did his nursery. My office too is the same color. Truthfully, I couldn't go too crazy with his room because it also serves double duty as a guest room for Grandma Quinn who stayed with us for the first 10 months of his life, the biggest blessing my husband and I could have asked for. If we could have done a solo nursery I would have so added a rocking chair! I soooooooo see the benefit of that on the nights I walked the room rocking him to sleep in my arms. That kid weighs a bit.

His crib was a gift from my boss (at the day job) and his girlfriend. We can hardly get him to sleep in it these days. Sigh. The matching changing table was a gift from the parents of dear friend Simone who died of cancer a few months before Xavier was born.

His initials, XQ and framed art of the many names he was called while I was pregnant. Debbie whipped that together and I used frames from Target for all the artwork seen here. My colleagues and friends had a field day with the names. Tito, Zion, Jabba, Encarnacion, Patricio? You know we live in Miami with those names right? He'll hopefully get a good laugh from those wacky names one day soon. 

Finding bedding for a crib was no ideal task for me. I hated all the Winnie the Poohs, cartoony bedding that was everywhere and wanted something simple. Good luck. Pottery Barn had a classic white with black trim that I yearned to have but it was on back order for months. Sigh. I settled for this yellow/grey geometric one from Buy Buy Baby. Oops, I clearly forgot to add the matching blanket in this photo.

In my never ending obsession with Looney Tunes, I printed photos of some of my faves with frames from Target. Rug and curtains are from Ikea. Changing table baskets are also from Target. 

That's all folks. We're house shopping later this year so this room will indeed soon be a memory. To all the expectant parents out there, here's my simple advice: savor every single moment.  

Happy 1st Birthday Xavier!

The lil man turned one yesterday. 

He had a blast with his Looney Tunes cake and decor (so did we of course hehe, what's up Doc!) and showcased his Obama/Seersucker suit on a welcome sign to remind folks to vote come election day.
I'm a lucky woman to have been chosen to bring this lil man into the world. He is the sweetest, chillest,  dude and my heart melts every time he smiles at me or simply crawls/walks over to be near.
It's been an honor to watch him grow up this year and make so many memories.

At three months

At five months

At seven months

Pool Time

Candid moments throughout the year.

Thanks Xavier, for changing my life in the most extraordinary way. Love, love and more love. Thanks even more to everyone who has grown to love him over the year as much as we do and for all the party rockers who helped make his birthday celebration a smashing soiree.