Author Archives: Aimee

before and after :: dining room

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Finally, the sun came out today and I could take proper pictures of the completed dining room. As I have mentioned before, it’s a teeny tiny space. But now it’s a teeny tiny space with a lot more spice.

I started by choosing a color palette. Sherwin-Williams was a big help here. I consulted with a store associate (thanks, Tom in Riverside!) and utilized their online Color Visualizer app. Very cool. The main color is called Peppery. My mom sent me an awesome table runner (it’s actually a scarf, but awesome as a table runner and Mom-approved). How does she always know what to get me? (probably magic)

I now have a lot more storage. The table has a discreet yet spacious cubby at it’s base and the faux leather storage ottoman (stealthily hidden from Mr. Kitty under a quilt) holds my kitchen linens, special glassware and other fancypants whatnot. I put inexpensive sheers on the two windows, they filter the light perfectly and the leafy shadows that come across the table during mid-day are soothing (click the gallery above to see the images larger). I’m THISCLOSE to painting the even tinier kitchen space a midnight blue. Totally serious. Maybe this Fall?

I’ve made a lot more dinners since vamping this space and even more desserts. I love it so much.

make stuff

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It’s no secret that I love just about EVERYTHING James Hance does. (Obsessed much? Yes, I am. Thank you for asking.)  He’s got all sorts of goodness going on at Red Bubble (t-shirts & hoodies, kids shirts, stickers, iPhone cases) in addition to the prints you can order through his website. Anyhoo, I’ve found myself with a lot more free time lately (which is awesome, btw). I’ve redecorated, reorganized, weeded, planted, baked, napped…and now I’m making stuff. Or, making stuff better, I should say. I ordered stickers from James’ Red Bubble and turned them into magnets using MagneCote (I know a guy). The Red Bubble stickers come kiss-cut on a strip of decent quality vinyl. I stuck them on a sheet of magnet material and got out my scissors. With a smidge of precision and dash of patience, it was not long before I had custom fridge magnets. I recently got a shiny (ok, it’s not shiny, it’s just white) new refrigerator and I’m tickled every time I see these adorkable magnets. I’ve already ordered more stickers (since this project was somewhat of a test).

This weekend I have more DIY projects planned (Oh hello, Mother’s Day. Here so soon?) and I will finally post before and after pictures of my teeny tiny dining room. TTFN!

image © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen, magnets inspired by James Hance.

puppy love

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Today I woke up with one arm asleep and a crick in my neck. I was literally a tangled mess while Mac was comfortably curled up in the center of the bed, snoring. He let out half a squeak (more like a squonk) when I shifted the sheets in order to free my lifeless appendage. I tried to make a fist as I waited for that picky bug-crawly feeling to kick in. When Mac realized I was (attempting) to get up, he stretched, rolled over and tucked his sleeping face (eye boogers and all) into my neck. He then let out a huge sigh. It was almost cute enough to make me forget about the crick in my neck and worrisome arm numbness. Almost.

It appears that the amount of love I have for this little monster is in direct proportion to how much of the bed he occupies (illustrated in the graphic above)– and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

i smell cake

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The fox cake is all gone. The little guy lasted almost 2 hours, which is funny because that’s about how long it took me to make him. It was a tad more difficult than the bunny cake. He turned out pretty much how I imagined. You can click over to my Eats board on Pinterest if you want to see his construction. Here is the sketch I had up on my fridge all week until I was able to make the cake on Saturday:

images © Aimee McEwen

the wildlings are coming

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I “planted” a whole bunch of wildflower seeds in the front yard a couple weekends ago. There is a tiny rectangular space in between the two front stoops of the townhouse I live in. It was terribly unkept, overgrown and icky, so I spent 3 hours on a Sunday and cleaned it out. I added some fresh soil and then replanted two tiny olive trees that I was able to save from the lizardtopia the space once was. I put two little solar light in  the front (only one works, DRAT!) and poured, nay, dumped a ton of wildflower mulchy stuff into it. I have no idea how it’s going to turn out, but I’m hoping it’s lovely and colorful at least for a couple months. I’m also going to plant climbing jasmine and try to train it to grow up onto the iron work that frames my front entrance. We shall see!

image by me

pretty on the inside

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I found a tiny cocoon today just outside the doorway of my best friend’s house. At first I didn’t know what it was. Then, as I peeked around to the other side (on tippy toes), I saw the familiar wing of a monarch butterfly. I’ve never seen this kind of thing in person before and I was excited to be able to take a picture of it and share.

Tiny miracles are the best kind.

image © Aimee Elizabeth McEwen