The littlest spools...

I had these wooden spools just hanging around in my house. I think I got them at an antique store and figured I could do something cute with them. Well, it happened. 

I made little animals and shapes out of air dry clay. It was pretty easy to use. Once they were dry (mine sat here for over a month- whoops), you can paint them with acrylic paint.

I made this one look kinda like our little yellow house and our little pup. 

The rest were random.

Once the paint is dry, hot glue them on top of your spools. and wrap the spools with twine, string, or yarn to make them look complete. 

I feel like these would be cute to make for the holidays... Valentines Day, Easter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Eid...anything with a symbol that you could make out of clay. 

-Nicola & the little pup

The cutest souvenir...

I've been traveling quite a bit the past few years. I just love going new places and learning about other cultures and people. The food, the art, the hobbies, and best of all, the beaches. I am a total beach lover. I could spend the rest of my life on a sunny beach and feel pretty happy about it. 

I haven't been great about collecting treasures from all of my travels, but I began to notice that I had a collection of sandwich bags filled with cute souvenirs from some of my trips.  I always think that beaches are so interesting. They all have different shells, wood, seaweed, birds, and sand. I like to collect a thing or two to take home to remember my trip by. Don't be mad. 

I decided that I needed a cuter display than sandwich bags... so out came the bottles!

My Beach Bottle Collection

You can really use anything you want. I think small Ball jars could be cute. Or old baby jars (for all those Mama's out there).  A little string and a tag and you're on your way.

I lived in California for most of my life, and visited a lot of beaches. I wish I had collected a thing or two from some of my favs...Carmel, Pismo, and a bunch of southern CA spots. But we go back a few times a year (to see our families), so I am going to fix that in a few months! And funny enough, my family has a timeshare in Maui... we have gone every year since I was about 12 years old. And I haven't collected and sand from there either. What is wrong with me?! All my favorite spots have been forgotten. I guess I'll have to go back. 

I have SO many other beaches to visit to really feel like I've completed my collection... although, I don't really feel like it will ever been complete. 

-Nicola & the little pup

15-LOVE... (see what I did there)

A fun little D.I.Y

Add a little color to your home with some homemade Rainbow Rackets. 

A few months ago I made my tassel bag with my friend Emy (see previous blog post).  I had a bunch of left over embroidery thread from that project that I wanted to put to good use. Emy had just finished a cute racket of her own (that inspired me-obviously) and with my  3+ hour drive from DC to NC, I figured I had time to waste tying knots and wrapping thread. I started with the "heart" racket... which was super easy and just takes some planning before you start.  This DIY can definitely be done while watching TV in your PJ's. Trust me.  I think they would be so cute hanging in a kids room! And I love that you can create whatever you want.  

Supplies:

1.  I found the rackets at a thrift shop for about $1. Can't beat that! I prefer older looking rackets (all wood). Plus, I like reusing!

2. Embroidery Thread (Michaels or Joann's fabric has a bunch). 

My embroidery thread. I like lots of options. 

How to:

1. Gather your materials.

2. Choose a design... you can create anything that you can visualize in squares. 

3. Choose your starting point and tie your embroidery thread in a knot in that location. 

4. Wrap the thread until you get to the desired stopping point. 

5. Tie another knot to end the color. 

6. Move to the next color and/or design.

The heart.

Modern plus signs.

 The finished products...

Have fun!

-Nicola & the little pup

Guest Room Upgrades.

The last few months have been pretty cold. We haven't had many visitors in a while, so I decided to spend some time switching up the guest room bedding and pillows. I do this often.

Our guest room has become more of a "California Dreamin" room if you ask me. It has all of our old beach decor and some of the art...

Don't mind the light. This room has a lot of windows. 

It's coming along just swimmingly. 

-Nicola & the little pup

Time for some holiday flair up in here...

Happy Holidays!

This year, we will be going to California for the holidays, so the decorations in our house were cut to a minimum. Just enough for it to feel like Christmas...

- Nicola & the little pup

I'm a slacker...

I apologize for going missing for a few weeks.  Although I really have nothing to do over here in Raleigh (well aside for organize this house and figure out how to get places without my GPS), I have been busy. I have been exploring. It's been fun.

A recent walk around town led me to a cute neighborhood named "Historic Oakwood."  I have driven through many times, but this time Andrew's Aunt and I decided to take the dogs for a walk there. She's lucky that I didn't just break in to a home and re-locate my life that day. The homes were built around 1901... some even earlier. And many of them took YEARS to build. That seems crazy considering that these days you can get a house up in months. I love the area because it has beautiful, established gardens, charming details, and decorated porches. Is it too soon to sell my house and move? ; )

Don't mind the pictures... I only had my phone handy... next time, I'll bring a camera for some good shots.

Not sure I would choose pink and purple, but the neighborhood sure is fun to look at. 

There is a cute Inn located in the heart of the neighborhood. We went to check it out. Molly (the golden retriever) felt right at home. There are also a few cute restaurants and shops down there.

Oakwood Inn

My favorite part of the homes is the front porch! I love the different doors, address numbers, and details. I'm going to have to step up my game...

The best part was that we were able to go inside of a home that was being renovated. During our walk, we started chatting with a friendly man who was in charge of the construction going on in an adorable 1901 home. He let us in, told us about the homes down there, explained the historic home rules, and told us to come back to see it finished! Well, I don't mind if I do! :)

Every room had a fireplace. Old pine floors lined the house. Layers of vintage wallpaper were being stripped. The home was being updated and modernized, which was sad and exciting all at once. The new design would have a more open floor plan, but with original mantels, trimmings, and floors. 

Even the storm door is cute. 

I wish I had taken more pictures of the little gem. 

Ok, so the best part is that 14 of the homes have a Christmas open house... where you can walk through and check out the home and their holiday decor! Sign me up!

Anyone want to come with me ? :)

- Nicola & the Little Pup

A Man Party.

BIRTHDAY'S ARE WORTH A little CELEBRATION... 

Last week was my hubby’s birthday. Given that we live out in NC with no family and a few friends… I decided we would have a little party… Just the 3 of us (pup included).

The Cake: Carrot Cake with Browned Butter Cream Cheese Frosting  

the recipe

The details: I used a map to make the garland. All the gifts were wrapped in polka dots or kraft paper. And topped with red twine and cute party balls from Target. 

 The Party:  Miles busted out his bow tie for the occasion. He was pretty happy to find out what was in the boxes that we just wrapped an hour before they were opened. 

A happy party guest. 

Overall, it was a good Celebration!

-Nicola & the Little Pup