Flowers

My sister, Summer not only is an amazing stylist, but she also has done flowers for weddings for several years now (although this is not what she wants to do for a living... we just do it for friends).  Her "crew" is really just my mom, my sisters, a few of our close girlfriends and me.  It has become a very fond time for us, because we enjoy the company with each other and it is just fun to see what we can create.  I only brought our point and shoot camera, but here are a few photos showing the process.

Hudson and Gunner in the car on the way to Riverside:

Summer and Brittany went to the LA flower mart to get the goods:

Then we prep the containers:

And we prep the flowers:

Then the first job is always the bouquets:

I actually made the bridal bouquet which is normally Summer's job... I was up for the challenge:

Working on the centerpieces:

And taaa daaa:

These are just a few of the smaller fun flower accents:

These look crazy here, but there were so cute in between the smaller arrangements:

The flowers were for Taylor's sister's wedding... So, off Britt and Taylor went to the rehearsal dinner.  Such a gorgeous couple if I do say so myself:

One of the things we LOVE LOVE LOVE about Riverside are the people who live there.  And two of those people happen to be Chad and his girlfriend, Christen.  We were able to leave Hudson home with my mom and headed out to celebrate Christen's 21st birthday. 

Happy Birthday Christen!  

Logan Bear and the Hud Bud

Buddies for life

Trying to keep the boys contained while we did the flowers for a wedding

Logan has been taking lessons from Hudson... (in case you missed it click here)

I love this video of my bestie and her baby :)

Disneyland and Date night...

We love Disneyland in the fall :)

Thanks to the Beco, we go stroller free... and love it!

First time on this ride, Hudson was fine... Trav and I felt sick...haha

Watching the parade...

Oh yeah, that is Hud Bud giving you the stare down:

We also love date nights :)  Thanks to Summer, Travis and I went out with some friends then after we went out for dessert just the two of us.  

our cottage

This blog is titled "lil yellow cottage down by the sea" and so I thought I would update you on our cottage.  After painting Hudson's room last year, I fell in love with the color gray and I started getting the itch to paint our house.  I knew it was going to be a big project and that I would want a few things to redecorate.  So, I started saving my pennies (literally) and I started collecting things at flea markets, antique shops and whatever store I was at. 

Finally, last month I cashed in our coin jar and took the money from a few items sold on craigslist... and waaa laaa our cottage has had a makeover and of course, thanks to the help of my sister, Summer.   And thanks to Brandon, Bruce and my mom for their manual labor in painting our house.  

I am ordering prints for the frames, so forgive the price tags and empty frames :)  Here are some pictures of our home with all our fall decorations:

Hudson with his sweet comb over hair welcoming you in...

Yes, even after a month with a white couch, a toddler and a dog, I do LOVE my white couch. Thanks to Ikea our coach cover was only $50!  How is that for a quick makeover.  Plus, I can bleach it, wash it or buy a new one if it gets destroyed. -Tip: If you own a couch from Ikea and you don't like how the back cushions aren't very full... then cut an egg foam mattress to the shape of the cushions so that you can surround the cushion with it and stuff it back it.  Then enjoy your firm cushions :)

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I am ordering a black and white canvas print of our family to put in gold frame towards the top left.  We are also really enjoying our fall pillows.  A fun aspect to having a white couch is I can get any pillows and they match.

And thanks to a gift card, this little gem only cost us $29!  I just love it and I am excited to change what we put in the boxes depending on the season.

One of my goals in redecorating was to create a way to display more family photos.  So, I love this cluster of frames on our piano.  Now, I just need to order prints...

Thanks to Martha Stewart's inspiration and Summer pointing it out, I made the pine cone cluster.  And to the right is the antique lamp I bought last year.  I bought literally just the base without the wire to plug it in or a light bulb socket, then I just bought a kit to rewire it and a new lamp shade... and now I have a lamp I love...

It is amazing how turning my mirror vertical instead of horizontal changed the look of the fireplace:

Here is a close up of the garland on the fireplace and the armoire.  I just love how dainty and small the little pine cones are.... and is was only $10!

I really wanted our rocker to be more appealing to sit and read.  I figured the solution was a little side table so you could actually set a cup of tea down while reading a book.  Thanks to TJ Maxx I got that little white table for $29...

I wish I could keep these light ups all year round.  I love the cozy feel it gives:

Summer threw together this arrangement to hang above the doorway heading into our kitchen:

This piece of furniture from again TJ Maxx, totally changed the look in the kitchen:

It is actually fake wood, but you can't even tell.  

It is amazing what a little paint can do. 

Thanks Sum for all your help! 

a week of visiting grandparents...

A couple of weeks ago, my mother-in-law came to California for a business trip, so we got to enjoy her while she was out here.  Travis was in Nashville doing some song writing with some amazing folks, so unfortunately he missed out.  Also, Hudson and I just happened to see 4 out of his 6 great grandparents! 

My grandma, my dad, Hud and me... 4 generations :)

Travis' Grandpa and Grandma, his mom, his brother and of course, Hudson (this is the Grandpa along with Travis' mom who both have the same light blue eyes that Hudson has):

Hudson's first trip to the library:

Showing off his mad drumming skills to Grandma Collins (aka "internet Grandma" thanks to webcam):

I think it is safe to say Hudson had a busy, but great week:

Unfortunately, we didn't get pictures with the other two Great Grandparents, however, we had a great time with them!