mini kitchen remodel

 

so we have been hard at work trying to make out new house a home, just getting things to FEEL like us is hard enough. we painted the house, hung pictures and found a place for our "stuff'.. that itself is a stressful chore..

the kitchen is the heart of the home and we really wanted to make it bright and white and on a budget we did it ourselves, well, damian did.. most of it.

we took inspiration from pinterest, houzz and of course picking the brains of all my stylish girlfriends..

here is what it looked like before.

 

we tore down all the upper cabinets and all but 2 people told me i was crazy and i actually thought i was too for a minute when damian actually started ripping the door off..

6 useful cabinets of storage..

poof! 

GONE!

 

the one cabinet above the fridge i actually wanted to keep but.. it came off when damian removed the one next to it.. so.

we went with it..

yep. we will take that one down too.

why.

not?

we tiled up the wall.. allllll the way up the wall..and on alllll three sides..

the hardest part was removing the 8" black splash of granite.. that was a whole day.. yes. 1 whole day.

 

it is a bit tricky to get the pattern down.. and all the cutting! all the light sockets.. geesh!!

but.

i just LOVE the look of subway tile.. so clean and fresh..

 

we took down the drop ceiling light boxes and had some pocket lights installed.. it lifted the ceiling and made it SOOO much brighter...

 

we had all the bottom cabinets painted white and put new clean modern hardware on..

found it all home depot.. nothing too fancy.

 

repainted the ceiling a fresh coat of white..

 

hubby worked late after work every night for a week.. his hands were raw and he was so exhausted..

looking back it was quite a stressful task we took on but to tell you the truth.. 

we over simplify everything..

i mean we really do..

we usually jump into things and go..

"oh wait! this is sort of a big deal!"

it always works out and i love that about us..

remember our camping adventures?

prime example, bought a pop up trailer and went camping having no idea AT ALL what we were doing..

but we figured it out and it is what we look forward to every summer..

sometimes you just gotta JUMP! and the net will appear..

have you heard that saying?

i love it..

 so here it is the after photo.. 

a sweet friend bought me an air plant and glass bubble for christmas and i am obsessed! i went to buy 2 more because i love it so much! they were the perfect addition to our new kitchen! hanging in this corner they are just perfect!

{thanks nicole!} 

a BIG tip i learned.. adding some plants, my oils on the counter, cookbooks, etc.. made a HUGE difference it making the space feel lived in and not too stark white or just being non functional.. who would of thought i would ever say too white.. right?

for that great question..

 "where is all your stuff?"

{additional photo added}

so here is where we store all of our dishes, everything we need to serve our meals is here, i love the restaurant feel of having the dishes out there and stacked up..  we have a couple more wood salad bowls that i just pile inside of the one you see here, something about a kitchen feeling used but organized.. it just feels great! all over flow of platters, big bowls, pitchers etc are in the garage in bins and labeled for the one time a year i may actually use them :)

the tooth fairy arrives.

little c.. 

she lost her first tooth.. february 16th, 2013

we were at jersey mikes and she bit into her salami sandwich, winced in pain and there it was.. the wiggly tooth just fell out.. it wasn't pretty and i feel bad for the poor patrons that had to watch me basically do cartwheels and whip out my phone to take a photo.. it was quite exciting.. she has been hard at work.. wiggling that tooth for weeks now..we got home, she wrote her letter and put her tooth under her pillow..

it says " i am so iside."

{i am so excited}

simply stated and to the point..

love that girl.

6 things.

1.

okay.. so we bought a house! yes! uhh-huh!! we did! i want to shout it from the roof tops.. hear me roar.. we BOUGHT a house! i am still in total awe of it.. you know when things just line up and one thing after another just works.. this was one of those things.. we moved 12 house down.. same neighborhood, friends, school and street!! i didn't breathe a word about it because i am superstitious and didn't want to jinx it.. but yes. we are homeowners. it was a stressful 45 days and we are now settling in.

{iphone photo}

2.

we did a small kitchen remodel before we moved in and i took photos. on my iphone. i am working on that post. i have not had time or energy to blog and i am sorry for the absence. but my awesome hubby worked his tail off.. the kitchen is so important to me, i think it is the heart of the home.. i am glad it all came together.. i was a bit worried for a moment {or two}
yes. we ripped off all 6 upper cabinets
yikes! right?


{iphone photo}

3.

work is going to start up again soon, i have 2 wonderful engagement shoots this weekend and i have a feature coming up soon on an amazing blog i am so honored to be a part of. it is looking like another great year and i am just so blessed.

4.

i took the facebook app off my phone. decided..i really do not need another distraction from what is in front of me. my girls are growing so darn quick and i just don't need that distraction. i AM on instagram and i love the idea of snapping a photo of my life and sharing it, two passions colliding to me. i love instagram.

5.

i had a birthday. it was a weird one for me. i think the emotions of moving and adjusting to the new home, my girls decided they want separate rooms and then being another year older.. it wasn't a fabulously exciting birthday for me. i just wanted to be mellow.  hubby and i enjoyed a delicious dinner at burlap in del mar.  i went to la costa spa for a massage the day before which is like disneyland to me. seriously. the best place. ever. the day of my birthday we had a picnic on the beach with caprese and pink champagne. that was pretty amazing.

{iphone photo}


6.
a friend of mine gifted these gorgeous sunbursts to me for my bday and they make me so happy.. i adore them. and her.  
{thanks angela}

i have learned that warming a house is pictures up, friends and family who visit,  cupcakes being made and lots of snuggles on the couch.. it is starting to feel better.
so glad this is finally OUR home.
{insert sigh of exhaustion here}

for the love of beets..

if you know me.. 

you know i LOVE beets.. when i see a recipe with beets, i usually have tried or i will.. this was no different..
 i love goat cheese and i have found a interesting love for arugula lately.. i love it on top of pizza and in sandwiches.. how about sourdough bread, goat cheese, beets and arugula.. umm. yes..
most ahhhh-mazing combo..
ev.er.

i actually thought to take this photo as my stomach was severely grumbling..
 and then.. 

POOF! the sandwich was gone..

and how pretty is it?

a great sandwich for a lunch guest!

iphone photo moments..

so damian has been taking the girls to play tennis.. each one their very own day.. chloe i think enjoys the time by herself with dad.. she is a lot more concerned about her outfit then getting the ball over the net..

makena loves it and has a lot of fun with it, neither of our girls have that super competitive drive like their dad.. it's funny to see him being so patient.. it is awesome time together and it is FUN.. and that is what matters most.. 

we hiked torrey pines and it as always, was so stunning.. san diego is such a beautiful place to live and i count my blessings {the many} every single day..

it started to rain on us halfway through the hike..

it was sort of fun but..

 {mental note: check the weather when it is a bit cloudy outside before going on a hike}

loving that my 8 year old still wants to match with me.. i made her promise when she climbed in my lap at dinner the other night to always want to snuggle.. her response..

"really mom?really? do you think i would ever not want to??"

oh man. how i hope not.

and i can't stop wearing these grey suede boots..

i love them. mucho

we went and explored low tide with some friends and it was SO freezing!! can't you tell by this photo?

i mean, it is 37 degrees in the mornings lately.. 

i am allowed to say its cold?! right!?

i need a puffer jacket or something?

a friend shot a photo of her in the in- n- out drive thru on my instagram feed on saturday and i couldn't get it out of my head all day.. i caved.. we do not eat fast food.. ever really. not saying that i care if you do.. i grew up on it.. and i am totally fine.. {right?}

we eat brussel sprouts/veggie tacos one day and pizza the next.. i am all about moderation and to just try your best..

no judging or lecture here..

but fast food chains.. i don't do.. 

but in-n-out..

they don't count..

{we all make our own rules, right?}

so. when i indulge in- n- out..

i go big..

i go animal style and extra extra pickles and i enjoy it tremendously..

it is a glass of wine worthy meal..

look at this hanging planter i made.. a friend of mine has one in her home and i admire it mucho.. i was browsing through pinterest and came across a tutorial on refinery29.. pinned it and voila'..

i love it.

we recently went ice skating in del mar at the del coronado hotel.. it was stunningly gorgeous.. ice skating on the beach.. 

that is pretty fabulous..

chloe was over it in 2 seconds, my mother in law fell but was a total trooper.. man that lady is awesome and so makena and i were the last girls standing..

it was pretty awesome.

little c is reading.. i had tears in my eyes.. that moment when the lightbulb just goes off and they are reading is so wonderful.  few words to describe..

precious precious moment.

oh. and? she was a wiggly tooth..

i am a proud mama.

ok. and did you watch the golden globes??

man.. kate hudson..she knocked my socks off..

my jaw dropped when i saw her in that stunning alexander mcqueen master piece..

she is perfection..

i will leave you with this photo of her..

as i sit here in my sweats, hair in a high ponytail and coffee in hand..

someone has to keep it real around here.

jump into 2013

2012 was a fabulous year with many awesome moments, i never do resolutions.. too much pressure.. i always try my best, hopefully that is good enough.. as i reflect, i really feel SO blessed..

this year i learned a lot about friendships, the importance of family and just being comfortable in your {my}skin..

balancing a wonderfully crazy life can be hard, i truly try to be present and in the moment with these little munchkins and my hubby.. i want to savor our life together..

2013 is looking pretty darn good already and i hope to continue to grow and learn..

and give..

thank you from the BOTTOM of my heart for visiting this little spot on the big web..

it means so much.

it really does.

have a happy, safe and giggly new year!

cheers! -fawn

private first look

this is why i love a private first look.. this kind of moment is what it is about.. just the two of you, seeing each other for the first time.. quietly, it's almost like you freeze time.. a magical time.. it is just about you two.. it is one of my favorite moments to shoot..

now that's a keeper..

yes i snuck my camera in.. apparently if you buy a package.. you can take a photo yourself.

otherwise.. do not dare.

i snapped this one in between the awkward clicks of mrs. claus..

the kids really bring back that magic..

look at those smiles..

our christmas card.

got our christmas cards out last week and i am actually pretty shocked that we squeezed one in! i love that my family {hubby especially} is so game for whatever i am up to.. one year, he dragged a vintage couch to the beach for me and this year? yes. he rocked reindeer antlers for me.. without a SINGLE complaint.. 

love my little family.

merry christmas!!

over here.

 

gotta love the home depot ...

{instagram photo}

we have been getting into the christmas spirit..

this is hubbys favorite ornament from when he was a wee one.. we all love it..

 i love taking photos of the christmas tree.. i love creating these bubbles with the lights.. just looks so dreamy..

our little girls are SO fun right now.. they are so dramatic and a bit of work {ahh-hemm}..

  but i can just stare at them in amazement for hours.. they are so precious and they are my heart.

 here is a tip.. hang some mistletoe in your doorway.. it will create a lot of giggles.. guaranteed.

 i finished up my last wedding of 2012.. here is a teaser pic..

it was is san francisco and it was so magical.. i will share it with you soon.. it rained for days and cleared for just a couple hours to get some amazing pictures.. these two are so in love and so special.

 i am obsessed with the website the glow... i know you have heard me talk about it before, the photography is so amazing and all the uber stylish working moms that fill the pages make me so happy.. i just have such love and respect for moms who love what they do, juggle the house and still make themselves a priority.. and let's talk about this wallpaper?? {so amazing right?}

this is basically my everyday.. i sit with my coffee..at my desk.. listening to tunes while i edit, surf and sing.. these coffee cups are a great gift and one of my go to's.. they are from anthropologie and i love to gift them in sets of 4 or 6 with the families last name initial..

.

do you bake?

 i have to share this recipe for some amazing-ness...

i am NOT a baker.. by any means, sorts or kind..

at.all.

but these i can do..

they are always a hit and you have to give them a whirl..

recipe here 

.

and what do you think of my new logo?

cards?

i just wanted something clean and fresh..

i am very happy with them..

check out some new photos and updates on my website..

i still can not believe what a great year 2012 has been..

sometimes i really feel i am the luckiest..

and have i thanked YOU for reading my blog lately?

seriously from the bottom of my heart.. 

THANK YOU!

i can't say how much it means that you stop by, check in and want to read my rants, obsessions, complaints and silliness..

xx-fawn 

hubby and me

at the glorious golden gate bridge..
love this man.

a dream

 

i have dreamed of this photo.. in my head.. i have thought.. a black and white first dance photo with a swing band.. big windows and hard wood floors.. a bit blurred to show movement as the newly married couple floats through their dance.. first time as husband and wife.. just smiling.. giddy from champagne bubbles and the love in the air.. the first dance is truly magical.

 i shot this amazing couple in san francisco last week.. and this vision of a dream came to life...

 it was perfect.

they were perfect.

so.perfect.

venue: The Headlands Center for the Arts, Sausalito, ca

fawns favorites.

fall is here and i am obsessing over boots, boots and boots!!

from my newest grey fringe or my newest ankle tan suede COWBOY boots.. i am in love with boots!!

simply throw on a fab pair of boots with skinnies and a tee..

you are styley and really? what can be easier?

umm. do these have my name written all over them?? fawn cookies? so perfect!

obsessing over navy blue nails for fall..

such a chic take on black or grey.

my little m made it to level 3 gymnastics this week and she is so happy and nervous.. and me tooo!
 this girl is slipping through my fingers.. i mean, she is so cuddly and attached to my hip, she is SO not a "i'm too cool for mom girl" .. but i can see her personality, confidence and integrity like never before and it makes me so proud but so sad.. i'm trying so hard to be present as much as possible..just taking it all in.. every second..these girls are growing way too fast.

 i am IN LOVE!!!! with these gold and white headphones! i saw these babies posted by a friend on instagram and had to have them.. like.. i put down my piping hot coffee and commented WHERE CAN I GET THESE???

 my friend and her hubby started this company called FRENDS.. and they are now available in apple stores and i am so happy for them.. 

wow! 

i rushed in the first day they went on sale at apple and happily slid a pair off the shelf and into my hands..

they are a lovely gift for you..

{or someone special.. or you}

 

we dyed pasta for necklaces for chloes class..

it was so fun and a fun project for a playdate..

1lb of raw pasta goes in a gallon sized zip lock with 3 tbs of rubbing alcohol and 1/4 tsp food dye. swish it all around until coated and dump onto newspaper for 30  minuted to dry. string it and voila' fancy necklaces!!

and i am off to sausalito this weekend to shoot the lovely sailboat couple kalista and kyle and their amazing wedding..

this venue if going to knock your socks off friends..

it is so  fabulous i can hardly stand it..

i am so honored to be there to capture this day..

this is my grand finale' of the year.

i am taking december off to be with the family 100%. 

this is my last SHOOT of the year and i can't think of a better way to go out for 2012..

 

back to photos of my kids, fashion, cooking, crafts  and some babbling..

good times!

:)

photos via: here here here here and yours truly.