photo tips :: how to snap kid pix
I’m often asked how I’m able to get kids to cooperate during a photo shoot. “They never smile for me!” “How’d you get that shot?” So many parents are so worn out by the end of a photo shoot. I’m the same way. I laugh at myself when it’s my turn to do our family […]
top 2012 projects at imeeshu!
hi everyone! can you believe all that’s happened this year? woah. i’m amazed that i have a single reader on my blog. what a treat to be able to see that there’s a trend going on here…people love the restoration hardware look. lucky me…so do i. rustic and industrial and distressed are still HOT… […]
How to refinish furniture with a Restoration Hardware wood finish :: Annie Sloan tutorial
oh Restoration Hardware… how i love thee… Big A is currently in his converted crib. Problem is that he’s getting too big for us to comfortably snuggle and read books in the glider. and sitting on the floor to read to him isn’t fun. so mamma started searching for a new bed on craigslist…. and […]
fall day with my new camera
don’t tell my husband, but i bought a new camera… isn’t this hibiscus divine? i just love the old wooden crates. why do i love the old distressed wood look so much? the colors are coming in on the fall flowers around the arch of the front door. so pretty. this child moves too fast […]
industrial tae kwon do belt rack :: galvanized steel pipes to the rescue
this is lil G’s room. notice it’s a bit disheveled. but it’s real. he loves maps….and lightning mcqueen….and books….and tae kwon do. for a four year old, he’s quite accomplished, having earned his 4th belt already. i’m pretty sure little kids don’t fail their tae kwon do exams…. maybe they learn a […]
brussels sprouts with chinese sausage and spicy sweet & sour sauce. nom nom.
does your stomach ever talk to you? tonight, mine said “meesh, i NEED those crispy brussel sprouts with chinese sausage that you and Hubby had at Broadway in Laguna Beach.” then i learned that it’s actually brussels sprouts. plural. not sure why. just is. tonight, i absolutely needed to have these. so delish. even Hubby […]
Restoration Hardware inspired wood growth chart :: DIY
i’ve never met a piece of wood i didn’t like. i made a makeshift wooden deck around the kids’ playhouse last spring. there was a 6′ piece left. i knew i’d use it. someday. somehow. today was mr. woods’ lucky day. Ecowood Treatment is pretty nifty. But what I’ve found is that on smooth wood, […]
powder room reveal :: sophisticated beach vibe
i’m in love love love with our new powder room. our awesome designer, Erica Bryen, helped us find this perfect sea fan wallpaper. it’s blue-ish green, has some shimmer shimmer and sea fans. it’s official. i’m old. i’ve chosen wallpaper with shimmer? BUT, it’s perfect for our beachy, laid back vibe, yet sophisticated enough to […]
delish lamb chops with a balsamic viniagrette reduction
i’ve been watching a LOT of kitchen nightmares. gordon ramsay is harsh, but seems to know how to motivate people. he’s kind with some, in-your-face with others, yet encouraging throughout the show. anyway….all that being said, watching the show has sparked some inspiration for new recipes! i picked up some lamb chops at my favorite…costco. […]
antique pedestal table refinishing project :: step by step how-to
this adorable side table was handed down by my hubby’s grandparents, via his uncle. pretty beat up, but good structure. the legs were nearly perfect. then, we had a garage sale and one of the kiddos put his half-eaten donut on the table. (confession: i love my kids…almost as much as i love donuts). some […]
queen anne dresser :: grand finale
don’t you love when life knocks you for a few loops? i got the flu shot, and low and behold, got a 4 day mini flu. at least it wasn’t the whole shebang, but 4 days of fever es no bueno, as we like to say in so cal. so, i took a few weeks […]
fall is HERE! i found a pumpkin in my garden.
that’s right folks….i didn’t think it would happen. i planted pumpkin seeds in june….and we had amazingly gorgeous huge leaves. they grew all through the yard. then they started to get the white powdery fungus. so i ignored it figuring nothing would come of it. it was 100 degrees+ in our area for weeks….i certainly […]
queen anne dresser :: part 2
The Queen Anne dresser is coming along quite nicely. This is where I started: These are the steps I’ve taken thus far: Pulled out all drawers and sanded the body of the dresser with a 220 grit paper. Definitely wore a mask and had the garage door open as the dust was everywhere! Wiped […]
queen anne dresser refinishing :: part 1
my husband and i took care of our uncle george for the past 18 months. he was a kind man with a generous nature. he had nothing, but gave everything he found to those in need. he treasured this queen anne dresser, which belonged to his parents. i decided it should stay in the family. […]
shabby chic guest bedroom update
this room is a continual work in progress, but it’s to a state where i can actually share some photos now! the room is finally coming together. i negotiated this room with hubby when we bought the house as everything other room we designed to be very masculine. i just always loved the romantic, soft, […]