Happy Monday!

 Hey, friends! It's a Happy Monday for SURE!  I'm feeling better, we had a super fun weekend and I was able to get organized for a really busy week AND get my Easter decor out!

Before I show you my decorations... I wanted to remind y'all that Matilda Jane will be launching their next release "Ribbon Dance" tonight at MIDNIGHT!  When MJ releases a new collection there can be "sell outs" of really popular items, so to ensure that everyone gets what they want, I'm going to need your Wishlists ASAP (if you want to send it at 3 AM go for it!).  

To make a wishlist, go to www.matildajaneclothing.com and click View Collections.  As you view items, click "add them to your wishlist".

I'm asking for all lists by 1 p.m. CST (my Trunk Keeper can start "carting" items for us at 2), but if you don't have it in until later that's fine as well!  If you send it at 10 a.m. and then decide to add stuff, send a second list!  All lists need to be emailed to dave-and-andrea@hotmail.com and katkempson@matildajaneclothing.com 

ALSO - Kat (she works for MJ) and a friend of hers have been working on a super secret photo project... taking GREAT pics of the clothes mixed and matched and modeled and I'll be adding those to my blog SUPER EARLY Tuesday morning (think 12:01 a.m. hahaha).  So be sure to check those out as well!!!

In the past, I've done "minor" decorating for Easter.  A few glittery eggs here and there... that fake pink plastic grass stuff, etc.  This year I decided to go another direction...

I wanted a "Pottery Barn-esque" feel.  Natural.  Simple.  And Botanical (does that make sense to anyone but me?!?! hahaha) and I was pleased with how it ended up looking by the end of the day considering that this is how my counters looked when I started...

And since I know you're going to be wondering the whole post, all of the eggs and trays you're going to see I picked up the weekend of Thanksgiving from a random storage unit sale.  We were going to Home for the Holidays downtown McKinney and as we pulled into the parking lot, this guy had three storage units full of totally random stuff opened up.  Apparently he bought them from an older lady and hadn't even sorted through them.  That is totally my kind of thing and when I saw these stuffed on the back of a shelf I immediately had a "vision" for Easter decor.  I offered $10 for it all and Dave thought I was crazy. hahaha

These apothecary jars are my most favorite decorating item ever.  I've had them for around 4 years and they make it so easy to make things look festive. 

If you don't have any apothecary jars, be sure to check these two out.  I love the bases and the finials on the lids.  So pretty!

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My chef bunny actually came from a thrift store several years ago.  I like to thrift for seasonal stuff because you can usually find some great items for CHEAP!  And about the chalkboard signs I do... if you're using regular chalk on your chalkboards it's HARD to get something "clean" looking.  Invest in a set of "chalk pens" to use instead.  Also... every time I read this sign I sing the hymn...

This awesome wooden bunny I picked up a couple of weekends ago when my mom and I went to Trade Days.  I had no clue what I was going to do with him, but I knew he fit in my "natural" motif so I talked the lady down to $8 and threw him in the stroller :)

 You'll notice LOTS of Spanish Moss in my decorating.  I bought a big $6 bag from Hobby Lobby and there's still a bit left!

The little mossy bird is from a boutique on the McKinney square and it's usually on top of a stack of books on the built ins in my office. 

The door knob is usually in my office as well... it was a gift from a lady who I used to work with.  It was a knob from her parents farm house.  So cool, right???

I kept the kids table pretty basic...

The "runner" is actually a curtain panel from Target that I ironed into the width I wanted.  I picked up these two panels at a Thrift Store with the purpose of turning them into a pocket advent calendar . That project still hasn't happened, so I was glad to get to use it for this.

The silver tray was a thrift store find (see a theme here?) that I painted with chalkboard paint.

The little plant and galvanized holder are both from IKEA.  I love these and have them in my office and the boys bookshelves in their room.

I switched out my Sid Dickens tile to one that fit my theme a bit better, and filled my cakestand with moss and more eggs. 

I have a wall of Sid Dickens tiles and a few "extras" that I have on easels around the house.  I love that I can switch them out seasonally and to fit my themes.

The cake stand I actually won in MCA's Spring Auction when Luke was a baby.

The little tray of eggs that was on the kids table was "nested" in this bigger tray.  This tray was empty, so I added some moss, eggs and a little mason jar with a tea light...

So when I bought the big trays of eggs, some of them were attached to wires and sticks and were stuck into the foam that was adhered to the bottom of the tray.  I had just the big tray on the center of the table and it was too low, so I stacked them, added moss and some small jars to hold tea lights and then started placing the eggs back in...

In progress...

and DONE!!!

 I was REALLY pleased with how this ended up looking...

... it has height, layers and is kind of "quirky"...

 ... and it looks GORGEOUS at night!

So there you have it!  I still want to make a "He Is Risen" banner out of burlap.... but the kiddos Monster of a Party is coming up in a few weeks, so I'm devoting my "crafting time" to making things for their party.  That may be a project for next Spring :) 

If you're looking for items with a similar "look" to mine, here are a few ideas I found for you!  They're all from Pier One and you can order online and pick up in store!  That's my favorite kind of shopping :)  You know it's available and "yours" but you don't have to wait for shipping. hahaha

This vine bunny is natural and super cute :)

Most of my decor revolves around natural looking eggs... and unless you can find hundreds of them at a random storage unit sale, then you might want to pick up a couple of these sets :)

Or if you want JUST the eggs, these are right on point...

I am having a love affair with this bunny lantern...

These bunny bookends would be awesome supporting a selection of spring cookbooks on your kitchen counter, or on different shelves on a bookcase to add a little "Spring" :)

I ordered THESE napkin rings and THESE gorgeous napkins to set my Easter table...

Happy Monday, Everyone!!!!

Five on Friday - What I Wore This Week

So I thought today I'd share five of my outfits from the week for my Five on Friday.  The weather here has been kind of all over the place, so my outfits have been too :)

1) Last Friday to the Zoo

Last Friday I took just Mason to the zoo and I wore my favorite jeans, twill jacket and this super fun lobster scarf from Hippie Chick boutique.  If lobsters aren't your thing, you need to scoop up the SOFTEST SCARVES EVER in cream and navy instead :)

My new favorite earrings are from this cute shop on Etsy (they're leather and are super lightweight!) and my bag is by Matilda Jane.

And in case you're curious, Mason is sporting his go-to Boden shorts (he wore these all last year and they've grown with him to this year as well!) and GAP hoodies are pretty much the only jacket my boys wear :)

2) Monday - Mustard pants with mixed prints

Monday I wore my yellow cords, demin jacket, mixed print shirt and Anthropologie scarf to work.

Apparently mustard skinny cords aren't as popular as I thought (hahaha) and I couldn't find a single pair to link to.  Mine are the Mia cords by Kut from the Kloth, but Nordstrom sold out of them a few months ago (I bought these in 5 colors I love them so much).  I did find THIS PAIR of mustard skinny jeans though!

My shirt was the "back story tee" from Anthropologie, but it's sold out as well... boo!

But I think this shirt is ADORABLE and has great back detail, too!

And THIS SHIRT comes in a similar color to the one I had on :)

Better pic of my mustard cords and TOMS wedges :)

3 - Sari Scarf and Boyfriend Cardi on Tuesday

Tuesday I wore my FABULOUS new scarf by Just Dawnelle on Etsy.  Mine is the 90" one and I'm pretty sure it's going to go with everything :)  She uses vintage saris (and serapes! that's on my wishlist now, too!) and mixes them with great florals and stripes.  LOVE!!!

My boyfriend cardi is from Forever 21 YEARS ago, but HERE's a $20 Target version that's a fun, summery orange.  I have a whole collection of hair clips from Anthropologie that I like to throw in my hair when I'm doing a messy bun.  THIS SET is super pretty. 

I paired the cardi and scarf with the same skinny cords, this time in grey, and my TOMS booties - this time in suede :)

Y'all - I could wear my TOMS booties every single day and not get tired of them.  For reals.  They're that comfy.  The black suede ones are back in stock and even though we're heading into Spring/Summer I think it would be pretty much irresponsible of me NOT to get them at this point. hahaha

4 - Wednesday - Sari Scarf (AGAIN!) and Matilda Jane Ruffle Pants

So I know a ruffle pant isn't everyone's cup of tea... I had a student call them my "crazy art teacher pants" :)  They make a statement, and I'm okay with that. hahaha  I have several pairs of Matilda Jane ruffle pants, and this particular pair is my current favorite.  I love the length, I love the color and I love the little lacey detail.  Totally my jam.

I paired it with my sari scarf for a second day in a row (I never do this, so that should tell you how much I love this scarf!), but I wrapped the scarf a third time around to give it a different look and my favorite denim jacket.  I got my jacket last summer from Nordstrom (they don't have it any more), but the one I linked to is from Zappos and they have awesome shipping and returns!

These flats did the job, but I'm definitely in need of an upgrade.  These TOMS ballet flats have been in my Nordstrom shopping cart for a few weeks and I'm thinking it might be time to bite the bullet.  Gorgeous, right???  #iloveyellow

THIS PAIR is a great neutral too.  Hmmmm.  Thoughts??? Which pair would you pick?

And as always, my big ol' stack of bracelets.  This is a bunch of different finds from all over.  The snake bangle is Stella and Dot, the LOVED leather bracelet was in Instagram find, the two red bracelets are vintage and I found them at a flea market, the gold feather bangle is Anthropologie and the cross beaded bracelet is from Hippie Chick.

5 - Thursday - Sick Day

Thursday my plan was to wear a maxi dress with a jacket since it was GORGEOUS, but I ended up staying at home in my pjs :)  

I wore my blardigan and my favorite fun pjs and didn't do anything with hair or make-up.  It was perfection. 

Speaking of perfection.... can we just talk for a minute about how there are now BLARDIGAN PANTS?!?!?!

The blardigan (blanket/cardigan) was discovered by one of my besties, Sheaffer, and while I was able to resist for a while (sticker shock!) I finally caved and have literally worn it every single day since then.  These pants are made of the same material (which I am confident is woven by angels in Heaven) and I'm afraid that if I got them I'd never leave the house :) 

If you aren't up for spending $90 on lounge pants... here are a few more economical (but just as cute!) picks...

THESE TWO are from Old Navy and are less than $15 each

And I know I'd sleep sweetly in either of these pairs...

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Happy Friday, Friends!!!