Cubicle Cute

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In case you missed it, I started a new job last week. I'm loving it so far - great people, interesting and challenging work, shorter commute - but when I accepted the position, my new manager warned me that I would be trading in my office for a cubicle. My company's office is certified LEED Platinum, so luckily I still have a great view and lots of natural light, and I'm oddly excited to add some personality to my desk area - something I never did in six years of having my own office.

I've already purchased a snake plant - did you know they're easy to care for and help improve air quality? - and my aunt gifted me a beautiful piece of pottery (similar to #4) that I use as a pen holder. In addition to the Etsy art, I'm planning to print one or two photos of Hannah, so I can sneak peeks at her sweet face while I work.

So, do you have an office or a cubicle? And, more importantly, have you decorated it?

Guest room headboard: after

The guest room headboard is done! You can see the before here. The surface was a wood veneer, so I started with a coat of my favourite Zinsser oil-based primer. The paint is leftover from our shutters, garage door and foundation. The colour is a custom Manor Hall tint, but it's a very dark green - almost black.

I finished it with two coats of Rustoleum's Ultra Cover spray paint in clear gloss. I really love the gloss finish - it took the headboard from just OK to something special.

Now we just need to install new baseboard and quarter round, and we can call this room done. So close!

Photo inspiration + my favourite Father's Day tips

via

I had a great first week at my new job, but I couldn't be happier that the weekend is here: I'm exhausted! So it's probably no surprise that I was drawn to this cozy-looking hammock. And did you spot that glass of wine in the background? Heaven.

We're supposed to get some sunshine this weekend (finally!), so we're hoping to do some more work on the patio. And I'll finally have a chance to snap some 'after' shots of the guest room headboard (I love it, guys).  But most importantly, we're going to celebrate Adam's first Father's Day!

I came across this article with tips on celebrating Dad's first Father's Day a little while ago and it really struck a chord with me. I tend not to like gift guides; the people I love never seem to fit into those narrow gift guide categories. And I really hate how they can make it feel like both Mother's Day and Father's Day were designed to reinforce outdated gender stereotypes (it turns out not all Dads are sporty tech guys who love to BBQ). Rant aside, I think these tips are applicable to celebrating any Father's Day, whether it's his first or his fifteenth, so make sure you check it out.

Happy weekend and Happy Father's Day!


P.S. Now that I'm back at work full-time, I've decided to switch up the format of my Friday posts. I don't have a lot of time to get lost on the Internet these days and I want to post links because I think they're really worth sharing, not just because it's Friday. So, I'm going to try sharing just one or two links each week instead of the usual five or six. Quality over quantity. I hope you understand :)

Bed styling

Last week we talked about sofa styling, so this week I thought it would be fun to look at bed styling. There are lots of options out there, but I prefer a pared-down look (no surprises there). I secretly hate making the bed, but after years of my parents forcing me to, it's now a compulsion. Plus, who doesn't love climbing into a nicely made bed at the end of the day? That said, if styling the bed takes longer than 30 seconds, it's not going to happen every day (and my husband would probably refuse to make it that way, anyway).

Here are several inspiring beds that manage to look great and seem like they'd be pretty easy to make:

via Design Sponge

via Emily Henderson

OK, folding and positioning the throw blanket would definitely take longer than 30 seconds, but it looks really good and I would do it for my cat, who would obviously think it was the world's best napping spot.

via Emily Henderson

Same.

via Design Sponge

via A Cup of Jo

via Design Sponge

via the brick house


So, did your parents force you to make your bed every day? And how many throw pillows are too many?

Hannah's monthly photo

Hannah turned 10 months old last Wednesday. We see more of her personality each day; Adam and I both agree that this month's photo captures it almost perfectly.

Photographing Hannah keeps getting harder, since she's always on the move. She's a speedy crawler and makes a beeline for anything she can use to pull herself up to standing. She's started moving from object to object - or object to person - while standing, but her balance is a work-in-progress ;)

She loves most foods - lately hummus is a favourite, along with toast dipped in egg yolk (Adam has already passed on his love of hot breakfast). We've been trying to teach her how to use a sippy cup, but she prefers to drink from our water bottles (either way, she wants you to do the holding). Her current favourite song is 'Old MacDonald Had a Farm' and her favourite book is a picture book of pets, so I guess that means she's an animal lover.

She's handled my return to work really well, which is awesome (of course it helps that she's at home with Adam during the day). We get to hang out before I leave for work each morning and I'm home in time to play, feed her, bathe her and put her to bed. I still can't believe that she's nearly one. We've booked a family photo shoot with our favourite photographer next month and I can't wait!

Headboards, blueberries and Robo Fish

How was your weekend? I start my new job today, so you're probably thinking that I spent the weekend relaxing with my family in preparation. Ha! Adam was recording with his band all weekend, so it was just the girls around here (with the exception of Henry, our cat, who I'm quite sure would want me to clarify that he's not a she, if only he could talk). And even though I was mostly in mom mode, this happened:

While Hannah was sleeping, I finished painting and now the headboard is hanging out in our garage to cure. Hopefully I'll get a chance to install it and snap some pictures this week. I've periodically gone into the garage to gaze at it (because that is not at all weird) and I'm pretty excited about how it turned out. Of course, you never know until you see it in the room.

It poured all day on Saturday, but Hannah and I braved the weather to go grocery shopping. We got blueberries and clearly she loved them.

We also finally tried out the Robo Fish my dad gave her. I'm not going to lie, I was equally enthralled.

I made this carrot and lentil soup for dinner last night. It was delicious. And now I have lunch for the week :)

Photo inspiration + weekend links

Pinterest via Simply Grove

I'm loving this kid-friendly dining space by Design Development. As Hannah gets older, I'm increasingly drawn to spaces that not only look great, but can also stand up to the constant abuse that kids dole out (Hannah's only 10 months old and our dining table already needs a makeover!). It's also an example of an accent wall done right, in my book. That gives me an idea...

Today is my last day with an organization I've worked for since I completed my MPA degree more than five years ago. On Monday, I'll start a challenging new role that will give me the opportunity to learn a whole new set of skills in a new field. I'm excited, and a little scared. Change is good, but it's also hard. Luckily, I just started reading Sheryl Sandberg's book, Lean In, and it's given me a huge boost of confidence as I move forward. If you haven't had a chance to read it, I would highly recommend getting your hands on a copy.

It looks like we're in for some wet weather this weekend, which means we won't be able to work on the patio (I can't decide if that disappoints or relieves me). Not to worry, I've got painting plans :)

Have a great weekend! Here are a few links to get you started:

-Our mayor debuts his own - much less controversial - video. Vote for Halifax, pretty please?
-These celebrity look-a-likes are scarily bang on.
-Exciting news for the AGNS.
-Anthropologie-inspired DIY projects to try this weekend (I love #19 and #33 kind of blows my mind).
-This would make a sweet gift for the gardener in your life.
-Locals: make sure you check this out this weekend!