practical design solutions

One of my bestfriends, Anonymous, sent me this message after reading this post that I wrote the other day:

maybe you should help me do some home improvement too! my place is just a toy dumpster...we now have 3 rooms full of toys! F's bedroom, the spare bedroom AND the living room! plus bec we don't want to hang anything on the walls since we're renting, it looks so blah! should i perhaps take pics and send to you then you can come up with some ideas?

I'm far from being an expert in interior design but practical I am and good taste I have so here goes trying to help out a friend in need.

To my dear Anonymous, I have a two part response to your dilema. First, let me introduce you to the renter's best interior design solution - 3M Command Picture Hanging Strips. This allows you to hang as much photos, paintings and prints without having to hammer a nail through the wall! In Manila we got them at Ace Hardware and here in the US we get it at Target or Walmart. I'm sure you have it over there in Switzerland. They also come in hooks for the heavier frames.

Aside from wall art, you can also incorporate character to your space by adding floor lamps, plants, jars and mirrors as seen in these photos.

Now to address your clutter issue, I have three words for you - storage, storage, storage! Let me share with you some of my favorite design ideas that allow us moms to organize and de-clutter without scrimping on style.

use matching baskets or bins to corral your clutter

use benches and ottomans that double as extra storage compartments

giant baskets and chests can be both decorative and functional

I hope you found these helpful, Anonymous.

Happy nesting, bunnies!

photos courtesy of designsponge.com, diyideas.com, ikea.com, apartmentherapy.com

home improvement: bud's room

For the past months I've made a conscious effort to restrain myself from decorating Bud's room. We wanted to keep stimuli in his room to the bare minimum while we were sleep training him. So for months the walls have been bare and the toys out of sight.

Now that he has no problem putting himself to sleep, we've started sprucing up his room with some fun frames and wall stickers. Here's the work in progress...

wall stickers from Ikea and frames from a garage sale

You probably noticed he still sleeps in a crib. I do plan to put him there for as long as I possibly can!

minnesota gurls

Here's an amusing musical parody of Katy Perry's "California Gurls". I can so totally relate! Geez, have I been living in Minnesota that long??

home improvement: toy shelf

I know I've been very deliquent with updating my blog. I can't believe how easily time passes. Even as I am typing now part of me is already going over the other to-dos that I need to attend to after this quick post.

I've been on home improvement mode for a month now and I've been trying to organize and decorate our home one area at a time. Nothing fancy or elaborate. Just trying to make it look more like a cozy home than a daycare. I get surprised with how little things like new rugs and towels could do wonders for a bathroom. Or how a few frames and a vase could change the mood in the living room.

Today I just completed my project for the week which was to decorate our "toy shelf". This particlar shelf in our living room is literally full of toys! Since it's still part of our living room, I wanted it give it a more polished look. Here's how it looked before:

Here's how it looks like now:


I just put 6 new items on the shelf and now it looks like adults DO actually live in this house!

The house is still a work in progress so I'm pretty certain I will be writing more about my home improvement projects in the coming weeks. Feel free to give me your ideas and suggestions, ladies!

closet cleanup

After weeks of procastinating I finally spent some time yesterday to reorganize my closet to make it winter-ready. I bid a sad farewell to my summer dresses and greeted my sweaters with a warm welcome. P thought I was losing my mind when he caught me saying sayonara to my summer clothes while i neatly folded them and tucked them away on the top shelf. Am I the only one who does that?

Here are some inspiring closet ideas from Apartment Therapy

and Real Simple

Las Vegas for the family

Las Vegas would probably be the last city you'd want to visit for a family vacation with a toddler. You're probably thinking, they didn't call it the Sin City for nothing. But despite all the cautionary tales from countless CSI reruns, we still went ahead and celebrated my birthday and our anniversary in Las Vegas early this month. P and I have always been curious about The Strip and wanted to experience the excess and grandeur for ourselves. As it turns out, there were other adventurous parents like us who were brave enough to bring thier kids along to a weekend in Vegas.

I would say the trip was a success. We were able to see what we came to see while making it as enjoyable as possible for the little one. If you're planning a family vacation in Vegas here are some kid-friendly tips that might come in handy:

If you're vacationing with minors, only walk the strip while the sun is out. Once it gets dark the crowd gets rowdy (probably because by this time most people are drunk) and all the sex peddlers come out. Not even a stroller will stop them from handing out their flyers.

The hotel buffets are a good choice for dining with toddlers. For one, they eat for free. Secondly, there's a variety of food to choose from so you have options for your picky eater. The buffets are very casual so you don't have to worry about your little one making a bit of mess during meal times.

the buffet at the Paris Hotel

Entertain yourselves for free by touring the different themed hotels. The lobby at the Bellagio is something you wouldn't want to miss. While we were there their lobby was transformed into an enchanted forest - enchanting both young and old. Other must-see free attractions are the water show at the Bellagio fountain which starts at 6pm everyday and the lion feeding at the Lion Habitat at MGM Grand everyday at 4:30pm.

enchanted forest at the Bellagio Hotel lobby

Choose your accomodations wisely. I recommend the Venetian for families for several reasons. One, the suites are very spacious. Two, there is a food court in the hotel, convenient for buying food especially since rooms don't have microwaves. Third, they have heated pools so you have the option to just have relaxing family time in the pool area. Fourth, there's a Walgreens in the hotel if you need to get supplies. Believe me, that's a real consideration if you have a toddler in tow. The next closest place you can get water and other miscellaneous items are from Walgreens and CVS near MGM Grand (which is like a mile away). Another family-friendly hotel that we want to try on our next trip (if there will ever be one) is Mandalay Bay. The hotel is situated at the end of the strip so it's close enough if you want to join in on the action but far enough so you can also enjoy some peace and quiet. Plus they have a great resort with a wave pool.

Last but not least, relax and enjoy each moment together.

cold season

We caught the cold bug that's been going around. Buddy and I are both feeling lousy and congested, not to mention sleep deprived! My mother-in-law's arrival couldn't have come at a better time. I'm so thankful for the extra set of helping hands especially since P working in Dallas again this week. With that said, I bid you adieu and I will be heading off to bed for a mid-day nap while the little boy is asleep.




p.s
The cold didn't stop us from shoe shopping yesterday. Gap flats were on sale. Who could resist?

photos courtesy of gap.com