BEST FRIEND PROBLEMS

Dear Olive,

You know how sometimes we meet someplace and we are dressed just the same?  Ella had a playdate a few weeks ago and this is how they looked when they met:

Best friend problems are sometimes good problems to have.

BATHROOM REMODEL SPECS

Dear Olive, 

We finally got the call.  The contractor is ready to start.  I am so excited!  Here are the specs on what we are planning:

We'd like to retain the historical character of the bathroom (including pink tile) while also updating it to include better fixtures.  We're planning on blowing through the wall to include the neighboring closet as a walk in shower with black stripes on the wall.  The floor will be hexagon or square penny tile.

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I have been on the hunt for an antique cabinet to recess into the wall and also like the idea of a small plunger closet to keep it accessible but out of sight. 

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I love the look of the Kohler wall mount sink to retain a vintage industrial vibe, but I don't know if the wall will hold it, so our second choice is the St. Thomas.

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If I can fit a tiny clawfoot tub in there, I will die happy.

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Gonna start demo this weekend.  Fingers crossed for no major surprises behind the walls!

SMALL PLAY WORLD

Dear Olive, 

I feel like I have been awaiting spring for an eternity.  A few days ago, when the sun finally began to shine, we packed up and lugged Ella's rolling crib storage drawer out to the lawn.  I gave the kids each a box and we each started to paint a "small world" for our plastic animals.

Cardboard boxes are amazing, aren't they?  

This action seriously bought us at least two hours.

It did devolve when we got to the "lets imprison each other in our boxes" stage.

But, ultimately, the product was successful.

Ella's play with small animals is very dramatic.

Why is the baby always lost and the mama is stranded?

I blame Disney.

Irregardless, I think we came out on top with this one.  Hope your start to spring involves less imprisonment and more rescue.

xo Laurel

DREAMING OF: PINK TILED BATHROOMS

Dear Olive,

#savethepinkbathroom.  I've decided that I just can't let the pink tile go in our master bath.  It reminds me of my grandma and of the history of our house.  On doing some research, I realize that there are very few  pink bathrooms left in our world.  They were originally motivated by Mamie Eisenhower, who decorated the White House with so much pink, it was dubbed the "pink palace."  Who am I to destroy pink with such political prowess?

Fortunately, Jason is game for the challenge.  We are planning to start renovation next month.  So I am sculpting a plan to retain the pink but add some updated touches.  I've been pouring over photos of what the space originally featured.

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I wonder if our bathroom once had a tiny version of the pink sink pictured here:

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I've found few new designs that marry modern and post-war well.  Here are some of my favorites:

I loved Jordan's update to her San Francisco pink bath.  The labeled hooks are perfection.

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Maybe with this wallpaper?

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And here is our sink!  

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I'm excited to share with you my specs for our vision.  Phase 1 Leisure Suite!

PS: Check out the bath AFTER reveal here.

CALMING MY FERRAL CHILDREN with environmental research

Dear Olive,

My kids are losing it.  It is seriously baby fight club over here.  Do I need to create a sensory room in our house?  Should I use physical restraint more often?  Neither Catholic guilt nor positive psychology is working.  Maybe they are just disregulated?  This week, our intervention will be going outside.  Do you remember when our parents locked the screen door and told us not to come back in until it was dark?  Apparently all of that boredom in the backyard was good for us.  I'm not willing to go quite so far as unsupervised shank creation...

But maybe this?

Today we took a hike for about an hour outdoors.  They did try to participate in the shank exercise, but after redirection seemed calm.

I will be collecting data of sibling strangulation and will let you know if this plan works long term.

HOW TO MAKE A $5 SENSORY TABLE

Dear Olive,

When my mom was throwing out this caned bench, I thought.  Score!  A project for which I don't need to saw.  (One of these days, I really need to learn to saw).

So, I popped out the caning, painted that situation yellow (of course) and got thee to the dollar store.

We bought some sand toys, popcorn, flour, and lidded storage containers.

We have a bin for each substance that we switch out upon boredom.  And never the substances shall meet. 

Bam.  DIY sensory table.

Come over and partake of sensory stuff.

10 HOMES THAT CHANGED AMERICA

Dear Olive,

I can't wait to watch this tomorrow night!

Whenever we travel, I always picture the people who lived in various buildings throughout the ages.  People's lives as it relates to their homes is a never ending source of fascination.  How satisfying to have someone outline the most influential structures impacting America's hometowns.  PBS: I heart you!