All posts in NEST

NEST … with inspiration from the creative mothers in my life

by Julie on May 17, 2013 in NEST with 1 Comment

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This Mother’s Day made me think fondly of all the creative talent that my mom and mother-in-law have and how much my children absolutely adore and cherish the handmade gifts from their dear grandma and grammie!

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The kids and my amazing mom … they love their sweet grandma! My mom has such a special gift of patience and creativity. She has always made loving gifts for all of her 21 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren and she even made my wedding dress!!

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These blankets lovingly made by my mom are the ones my boys sleep with, snuggle up with when they watch movies, use to build forts, hold tight when they are sick, scared, or sleepless, take on long trips, and the ones we pack along to go camping. These are just a couple of the many blankets handmade by my mom and usually a few are always found on their bed for snuggling.

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More handmade goodness from my mom and my aunt Anna Louise

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A special dress made by my mom.

My kids prefer to have my mom mend all of their clothes, they have even asked her to mend their socks (that I did not allow her to do). I COULD mend their clothes, but grandma’s mending is ALWAYS much better and filled with more love and way more patience.

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My dear sweet girl and her Grammie (my mother- in-law).

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Grammie made a collection of doll clothes with great little details… mini buttons, ribbon, rickrack, and coordinating fabric. She also lovingly makes fantastic photo albums of the entire family (8 siblings and families, soon to be 26 grandchildren!!). Each family sends their favorite pictures and she creatively weaves a year long story through an album of pictures and presents it to us at Christmas. It is such a cherished gift for our family and definitely a labor of love.

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Reflecting on the love and patience of my mom and my mother-in-law allows me to appreciate motherhood even more and value the importance of making and creating for my children and with my children.

I know firsthand how much time it takes to make something by hand, but the meaning and connection is so strong when time is spent laboring over a crafted gift for a loved one.

What handmade gifts are special to you and your family? I would love to hear.

Thank you Moms, we are so blessed!

Julie

NEST + CREATE + NOURISH … on this mother’s day weekend | inspiration by luli sanchez

by Julie on May 11, 2013 in CREATE, NEST, NOURISH with 4 Comments

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lovely watercolor images by Luli Sanchez

Blessings to all of you lovely mothers this weekend!

NEST … by embracing your family and all of the special mothers in your life.

CREATE  … by taking a few moments to think creatively, maybe just looking at inspiration for a project or possibly beginning one that has been lingering in your mind. The images above are certainly inspiring me lately.

NOURISH … with (hopefully) some peaceful moments to yourself to rejuvenate and reflect on the goodness of motherhood.

Julie

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NEST … recycle + color series

by Julie on May 1, 2013 in NEST with No comments

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Kitchen image via spark creative   |  Floral image credit | paper and type

Wishing you all a happy first of May!

This kitchen looks quite inviting and it has a nice mix of vintage and modern touches. Great natural light, reclaimed wooden beams, open floor plan, and a fantastic moving island (which of course you would want locking castors or the kids might decide to take it to another room entirely). What about that whisk light? Here’s a tutorial to make your own. Let me know if you find one and decide to try it- it is a nice touch and absolutely love the idea of reusing an industrial whisk for a light.

The ranunculus flowers on the right are some of my favorites and the mix of vases settled into the wooden crate makes quite a clever arrangement.

Have a lovely start to your May!

Julie

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HAPPY EARTH DAY … and a reminder about the first family hike of the season.

by Julie on April 22, 2013 in CREATE, NEST, NOURISH with No comments

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Happy Earth Day my friends .. it is finally a beautiful day here in Kansas City and life is getting busier with the garden and other outside projects. We’re currently carving out a little spot for a strawberry patch to add to our growing list of fruits and berries in the backyard.

I wanted to remind you all of our first Spring Family Nature Hike coming up this Sunday at 3:30 at the Parkville Nature Sanctuary. We usually meet at the front parking area, but take a look at the details here.  Also, the May hike has been cancelled but we will have another one in June and maybe a couple of hikes in the summer.  Look for details on a Five and One trip to Beanstalk Children’s Garden this summer.  It is a fantastic place to get inspired and we will be doing a tasting tour of some of the tasty fruits and veggies they have growing.  It is a great place to explore garden life and the five senses with children.

Enjoy this beautiful day connecting to nature with your family!

the photo above is one that I took of my family while we were exploring a trail with many caves in the Lake of the Ozarks.  

Julie

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NEST + NOURISH … celebrate earth day by planting a butterfly | wildflower garden

by Julie on April 19, 2013 in NEST, NOURISH with No comments

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It’s so lovely to finally see the blooms of spring and our kale, swiss chard, and peas sprouting in the garden. I guess they don’t mind being covered in a foot + of snow! Last year by this time we were enjoying these lush blooms. It is taking a bit longer this spring, but love to see this new life begin. The photo above is a black swallowtail butterfly enjoying our wild bergamot last summer.

I recently read this article on the monarch butterfly and their decline sadly due, in large part, to genetically engineered crops and herbicides. We have slowly added in native shrubs and flowers to attract butterflies and it’s so great to see them around the background during the summer. Take a look at some of these beautiful wildflower palettes below by Landscape architect Piet Oudulf for a little inspiration on planting a butterfly garden or maybe just a few milkweeds. (view more images here on Scott Weber’s pinterest board).

Here is a great resource from the Missouri Department of Conservation for ideas on Native Plants for your landscape.

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This last image is the High Line in New York, where Oudulf designed native plantings for the public park built on the elevated historic freight line above Manhattan’s West Side. What a fantastic blend of nature within the city.

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If you would like to add more native grasses and wildflowers into your landscape a favorite local sale of mine for buying wildflowers and herbs is the John Wornall House annual herb/wildflower sale, coming up on April 27th. They have a great selection from the Missouri Wildflower Nursery. Also, the Prairie and Wetland Center is a fantastic resource for finding native plantings and seed mixes. Would you like to know more about why growing native plants is so important? Here is a great explanation. Also if you do not live in Kansas City, here is a great resource for finding native species to plant in your area.

Enjoy planting some natives with your children and provide a welcome habitat for birds and butterflies.

- Julie

 

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NEST … recycle + color series

by Julie on April 12, 2013 in NEST with No comments

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RECYCLE  +  COLOR SERIES

A nesting series pairing an interior image for inspiration that includes a recycled detail or vintage/reclaimed furnishing + color palette inspiration for paint, textile, and accessories. Images for color palettes may include the work of an artist, a textile, or a natural environment.

I am mixing in more of the NEST portion of Five and One with this new series, since before staying home with my lovely children my background included Interior Architecture and Design and Furniture Design. I will be focusing on featuring ideas for blending recycled and reclaimed furniture and finishes to complement the modern home. 

I pretty much love everything about this interior vignette on the left (via casa tres chic). The mirror, the mix of vintage and antique furniture, the creamy white interior, and the lovely view to the outdoors. A nice addition to the color palette would be a rich blend of blues like the colors in these hand painted Rebecca Atwood pillows. I really like the exposed brass zipper and the natural cotton/linen backing paired with her hand painted designs. Take a look at more of her lovely handpainted designs and creative process here. She also posts design palettes and creative inspiration on her blog that are incredibly inspiring.

- julie

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NEST … recycle + color series

by Julie on April 3, 2013 in NEST with 2 Comments

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RECYCLE  +  COLOR SERIES

A nesting series pairing an interior image for inspiration that includes a recycled detail or vintage/reclaimed furnishing + color palette inspiration for paint, textile, and accessories. Images for color palettes may include the work of an artist, a textile, or a natural environment.

I am mixing in more of the NEST portion of Five and One with this new series, since before staying home with my lovely children my background included Interior Architecture and Design and Furniture Design. I will be focusing on featuring ideas for blending recycled and reclaimed furniture and finishes to complement the modern home. 

The bathroom vanity design above could incorporate a vintage/antique table, or salvaged wood could be used to build the counter for the sink.  Artwork by Laura Berman (a local Kansas City artist), on the right, blends colors that would work well for accessories and paint to add a dose of bright spring cheer.

Interior | image source Boligpluss, Artwork |Laura Berman

Hope you enjoy the new series and please let me know your thoughts.

- Julie

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NEST + NOURISH … have a lovely easter weekend with your families

by Julie on March 30, 2013 in NEST, NOURISH with No comments

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Hope everyone enjoys some peaceful family time over the weekend.  We kicked our Good Friday off with these Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns.

If you are decorating easter eggs this weekend take a look at the Five and One Easter Pinterest board for a little creative inspiration.

- julie

NEST … family nature hikes | spring schedule for local kansas city hikes

by Julie on March 20, 2013 in NEST with 1 Comment

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Happy 1st Day of Spring! It’s a chilly one here…

Join us again this Spring for local hikes on some nearby Kansas City trails. Click on the image above for the schedule of hikes.  All families are welcome to join us in building community while we explore the nature that surrounds us. If you are not local, find your nearby trails and have fun exploring with your family.

View this post from last Spring for some great resources for connecting with your family through nature this season.

- julie

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NEST + NOURISH… with comforting irish food inspiration

by Julie on March 12, 2013 in NEST, NOURISH with 3 Comments

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Image above … Mocha Chocolate Mousse with Irish Whiskey | What Katie Ate

Kale and Olive oil mashed potatoes | 101 Cookbooks

Guinness Glazed Lamb Chops | Gourmet Magazine

Beef and Guiness Pie | Gourmet Magazine

Brown Butter Soda Bread | Bon Appetit

Irish Soda Bread | Smitten Kitchen

 Mocha Chocolate Mousse with Irish Whiskey | What Katie Ate

Homemade Irish Cream | Design Sponge

Homemade Irish Cream (made with coconut milk) | Oh She Glows

My belly would be most happy with a bowl of the kale and olive oil mashed potatoes and the Mocha Chocolate Mousse with Irish Whiskey!

- Julie

 

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