Kitchen Updates– We Have Progress!

Kitchen after backsplash 2

We have backsplash and a vent hood! My dreams have come true…on this side of the kitchen, at least. It’s so beautiful, it makes me want to cry. For reasons that I have yet to elaborate on, I really needed a “win” today, and this little update is just what I needed!

Here’s the before, just in case you forgot. Huge improvement, yes?

Valle kitchen after 2

Earlier this afternoon, our contractor came and installed the vent hood and peeled off the granite backsplash for me. Looks done, right? 😉 The before shot is a better representation of the aqua paint I had on the walls to see if I liked the sea-glass color.

Kitchen before backsplash 1

Kitchen before backsplash

I used peel and stick tiles from Mineral Tiles, and I love how they have a hint of sea-glass green in them! Jesse and I installed them in just a few hours. We still have to grout them, which is good because although they’re very sticky, I don’t want to take any chances.

Here’s another couple looks for you!

Kitchen after backsplash 1

Kitchen after backsplash 4

Onward to the other side!

Valle Kitchen After

Stay tuned for next week’s installment (and if you missed the previous house tours, you can see our living roomlaundry roommaster bedroomupstairs bathroom and downstairs bathroom).

Preschool at Home: Week 1

Preschool at Home-- Storage Caddy

Just recently, we decided to switch our 5 year old to a different and better preschool. The only caveat is that they were already full one day a week, so I have to keep him home.

If you remember, one of my New Year’s resolutions was to be more consistent about doing preschool at home with Gregory. Having our 5 year old foster child home one day a week was the perfect excuse I needed to finally got on the ball about this.

Where else to turn but to my trusty side kicks, Pinterest (you can follow my homeschool board here) and the Dollar Store?

Preschool at Home Week 1 Workbooks Preschool at Home Week 1 clothespin tags

Clothespin Spelling inspired by Imperfect Homemaking

Preschool at Home Week 1 alphabet

 

Preschool at Home Week 1 Letters

Letter Practice inspired by Actional Alphabet

Preschool at Home Week 1 Songs cover

 

Preschool at Home Week 1 songs

Preschool Songs inspired by Create Studio

After we did a few hours of school, we headed to our library for story time. All 3 of my boys loved it. They got some wiggles out by dancing to a song and shaking their noisemakers.

Library Day 1

 

When we were done, we read books and did puzzles in the children’s corner.

Library Day puzzles AJ

Library Day puzzles Gregory

All in all, it was a fun schooling day– up until a gigantic meltdown from Gregory in the afternoon. Oh well. No day’s 100% perfect, right?

What are your favorite homeschooling ideas? If anyone has a great Pinterest board to share, leave a link in the comments! I’d love more ideas!

What I Wore Wednesday: Sandals in Winter

WIWW summer sandals

I told you guys it was warm here. Don’t judge me for wearing sandals, but I got a pedicure on my birthday, and I probably won’t get another chance to show it off.

WIWW sandals and boyfriend jeans front

Shirt: TJ Maxx/ Scarf: World Market/ Jeans: Lucky Charlie Baby Boot/Sandals: Target 

Yes, I’ve been wearing these new jeans from our awesome garage saleing day as much as possible. They are the perfect baggy boyfriend jeans! I wish I could get them in every color. Let the eBay shopping commence!

WIWW sandals and boyfriend jeans side

WIWW summer sandals and boyfriend jeans

 

Does anyone else own like 10 pairs of pants but only wear one or two, over and over? I wish I was brave enough to do a giant purge…maybe some spring cleaning…

Linking up with The Pleated Poppy, Because Shanna Said So, Vodka Infused Lemonade and The Mummy Chronicles.

Inspiration: White Modern Kitchens

Modern White Kitchen 1

via House and Hold

Guys, I have a secret to admit. Despite my love for all things shabby chic and vintage, I’ve been majorly crushing on some white modern kitchens lately.

I blame our kitchen facelift. The moment I got on Pinterest (you can see my Kitchen Board here) to see what was out there, I couldn’t help but be drawn towards these modern sleek and glossy fixtures. Seriously, there’s something about shiny white that says “clean” and “sterile” to me in a way that crowded cottage kitchens do not. But modern kitchens have to have balance, nonetheless, which is why every kitchen you’ll see here also has a touch of rustic, either in the butcher block counters, the wood floors, the farmhouse light fixtures, or the glass bottles. They add texture to an otherwise sterile terrain.

Modern White Kitchen 2

via Daniel Maddock

 

Modern White Kitchen 3

via Desde My Ventana

 

Modern White Kitchen 4

via Simply Grove

This hexagon tile is absolutely to die for!

Modern White Tile 5

via The Minimalist Home

This last one is my favorite. The bright pops of turquoise? So fun! Having shiny white countertops like these would make me feel like I could take on the world, I’m pretty sure.

Modern White Kitchen 6

via Daily Dream Decor

So, let’s hear it. Does anyone else find themselves being drawn towards a light, modern kitchen? Or is this a phase of mine that will quickly pass?