Prime Day 2017 | Our Favorite Toy Picks

Ok, ok.  So, I've never been one to stand in line at midnight on Black Friday.  But, Prime Day?  Yeah, I've gotten into it the past two years!  Something about sipping a drink in my pajamas while shopping appeals to me.  But seriously, I've been able to find some great deals on brands we love during this annual sale.  And below are some of P & K's FAVORITE toys and/or brands we love, both past and present, (plus a few things I have my eye on!) that just happen to be included this year in the sale!!!  So lucky, lucky you!  I'll continue to update this page as I come across more finds!  In the meantime Happy Shopping!!!

Below are my TOP Lightning Deal Picks (the deal starts at the time listed, so be sure to be online immediately for you're best chance to score the deal!)

7:45am

Shape Sorter, Hape

8:25am

Stroller Toy, Lamaze

9:05am

Wood Shape & Farm Magnets, Melissa & Doug

9:40am

Binoculars, Kidzlane

10:25am

 
 

Garden Tools, Click N Play Kids

11:00am

Toddler Backpack, Yodo Kids

1:35pm

Collapsible Play Castle Tent, Suesport|  Turtle Play Purse, Stephen Joseph

2:30pm

2:30pm

4:50pm

Farm Magnets, Mudpuppy

5:25pm

8:30pm

 
 
 

***Update, 10:45pm***  The items BELOW, are now either sold out or no longer offered at Prime Day Deals.  I'm currently working on posting more items for you to look out for in the morning!  

*****DEALS ARE CHANGING FASTER THAN I CAN KEEP UP WITH, PLUS ITEMS ARE SELLING OUT...PLEASE PLEASE VERIFY PRICES BEFORE FULLY COMMITTING!****

 

Scooter, Hape

Dump Truck, Hape  |  Digger Truck, Hape  |  Cement Truck, Hape

Play Burger & Dogs, Hape  |  Play Pitas, Hape  |  Pizza, Hape

I'm Frantically Adding to This Post,

So Check Back soon for MORE!!!!

Blueberry Picking With P & K

Blueberry Picking

This summer I'm loving our little weekend adventures with P & K.  And a few weeks back, we took a day to go berry picking just south of Atlanta, in a town called Fayetteville.

Blueberry Picking

We found a sweet little farm called Adams Farm, which offered blueberry picking among other things!  K took her job very seriously, and was all too pleased to carry her own bucket.

Blueberry Picking

Nostalgic Dress, Boden  |  Vacation Sandal, Boden  |  Hair Bow, Target

She diligently searched for the perfect blueberries.

Blueberry Picking

Knowing which to pick and which to pass on.

Blueberries

Her sweet face, all too cute as she found the perfect spot!

Blueberry Picking

And pleased as punch to show off her bounty.

Blueberry Picking

P enjoyed picking blueberries as well...

Pocket Tee, Target  |  Suede Sandals, Boden  |  (Similiar) Navy Shorts, Crewcuts

But would rather spend his time running through the blackberry isles.

Blueberry Picking

So, off K went, bucket in hand, for more scouring and picking...but this time, for a bounty full of blackberries, while P, ran and ran!

Blackberry Picking

Dear Friends,

I hope you too are enjoying your summer.  Finding joy in the simple things and seeking out adventures, both grand and small!

Love, Michelle

P & K | A Shared Toddler Big Kid Room

Shared Kid Room

Wood Dump Truck, Hape   |   Colorful Wood Blocks, Grimms   |   Wood Digger Truck, Hape

They grow up so fast!!!  OK, well, mine aren't quite headed off to college.  But boy oh boy, I'm not sure where the past two years have gone.  Well, to be completely truthful, the past year and a half!  After moving last year, we've put most of the renovating / decorating on the back burner.  And after loving our twins' nursery in our last house (photo below), I knew it was beyond time, to start creating a more suitable space for both P & K.

Boy Girl Twin Nursery

Liberty Crib, Serena & Lily  |  Dahlia Chandelier, Pottery Barn Kids  |  Glider, Pottery Barn Kids

For starters, we recently transitioned out of cribs (insert super sad face).  We debated using the toddler conversion that was included with our cribs, but ultimately were desperate for more floor space in their tiny bedroom (110 sq. ft.)  So, to maximize space, but also wanting to fit two twin size mattresses we decided on bunk beds.

Ikea Bunk Bed

Knowing good and well, that bunks for toddlers isn't always the most practical, we planned for two things...one, we looked for a unit that was shorter than a standard bunk height (therefore, we bought the Ikea Mydal) and two, we plan to diy this budget friendly bunk ($169) into an awesome cottage / castle  / fort for our kiddos.  So, inspired by the look of this and this, we hope to finalize and create our design in the upcoming months.  In the meantime, our kiddos love sharing the bottom bunk, and P has even spent a few nights on the top.

**Something To Note:  If you're considering the Ikea Mydal, know that the rails do not go high enough to safely secure a traditional twin mattress, you need to plan on purchasing a twin that is 5 inches in height or less.  We didn't realize this until we were at the store, so out of convenience we went with Ikea Minnesund Foam Mattress, $89.  So far, it's getting the job done and works for the kids.  Had we thought it out more, I'm thinking I may have gone with this one instead.  Anyways, just a heads up!

Playroom Table, Pottery Barn Kids

In the space where the second crib had resided, we put in a round play table (ours we got on major major clearance and is now sold out ~ but you can find similar ones here, here & this budget friendly one here).  Paired with these chairs, this space is perfect for puzzles, blocks and drawing!

Reading Nook

I lOVE that my kiddos can now sit for more that just board books!  With their current favorites being this, this, this & this!  So, to encourage their love of reading, a reading nook was on the top of my list for their new space.  For shelves we went with a popular Ikea hack.  At just $3.99 a piece, Ikea's "BEKVAM" spice racks make for the perfect children's bookshelves.  We painted ours white, and hung a total of 6 units.  Easy, Peasy!  A diy poster from their second birthday party, this framed art and this animal head, bring more color to the space.  For chairs I came across these children's loungers from TJMaxx, they were a steal at $35 a piece.  Similar styles can be found here and here.  There's nothing I love more than hidden storage!  These storage ottomans have stood the test of time and come in all kinds of great colors.  Perfect for hiding larger toys or corralling loose ends!

Toddler Room Toy Storage

And to solve our major storage issue, we installed two Billy Bookcases from Ikea, both with height extensions, to corral and organize all the toys.  The ultimate plan is to make these into 'built ins'.  But in the meantime, they're perfectly functional with the addition of storage bins and baskets that store and hide all of P & K's toys.

One final thing to note, the rug can be found here.   Color is Swedish blue.  We had it in their nursery and kept it in this space.  It's cotton and has held up well to all of our wear and tear!  I highly recommend a significant rug pad underneath (we bought and love this one), as this rug is by no means plush.  But I love that it's lightweight and can easily be washed and hung outside, tackling all those stains that are unavoidable with babies and toddlers!

So, there you have it.  The current state of P & K's room.  There's still walls to be painted, a new light to be installed, the bunk design to finish and execute and another wall that needs to be designed (thinking making it a multi use space, displaying / hanging dress up clothes, while also making it a wall to display their art).  So, while this is no way a completed space, I'm so happy it's finally a cheerful, functional bedroom for my growing toddlers!

 

____________________________________________________________________________

And on one final note...I'd like to address (and thank!) all the outpouring of love and support from my last post.  I'd be lying if I said the past two years have not been hard.  In searching for some measure of peace, I've taken the past few months (and frankly, last year) away from the internet and away from creating.  I miss this little space I've created here and I look forward to sharing more of our simple life with you!  So, thanks for sticking around and thank you to the many many many of you who took the time to reach out through email and comments and messages the past few months.  It truly means more to me than you know!  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE you!  

love, michelle

Brenda Joy | To Mom, With Love

Brenda Joy Cannon

Ordinary is underrated.

That's what my mother said.  But for those of us who knew her, her life was anything but ordinary.  What was extraordinary about her life was her ability to find great joy out of the simplest of pleasures.

A good cup of coffee.

A quote on the fridge.

A photo of a loved one.

A walk on the beach.

She was effortlessly beautiful.  A natural beauty who shined in a simple white tee-shirt and blue jeans.  Her gentle smile put everyone at ease.  And for those who took the time to get to know her, they quickly found behind her gentle smile was a caring, thoughtful, funny, sweet women.  She was filled with goodness.

Filled to the BRIM with goodness!

I think we only hope to seek out and find our purpose in this life.  For my mom, she did just that.  She found great pride, success and joy in being a wife, mother and grandmother.  Always putting the needs of those around her before her own.  She was quiet, a listener by nature and a nurturer by instinct.  She made the days count.  The good ones...the hard ones...the fun ones...the sad ones.  She was present for all that life brought her way.  She provided a hand to hold, a shoulder to lean on, a friend to laugh with.  She was our glue, our cheerleader, wife, daughter, sister, mother and grammy!

Words obviously can't do her justice for all the good and joy she spread throughout her life.

As a young girl, afternoons were shared with her sister and best friend, Beth.  The two spent many a day crafting and creating.  Scrap fabric turned into tie-dyed pieces of art, trips for ice cream (bubble gum was my mom's favorite!), and days spent talking!  Summer days on her dad's sailboat.  A love of antiquing from her mom.  Her childhood was simple and sweet.

High school brought a boy into her life.  My mom was smitten by this tall, dark haired boy who, unlike her, was loud, an extrovert.  He made her laugh.  On a date to the movies he bought her an x-large popcorn and an x-large coke, one for her, one for him.  It was love!  A simple memory, yet it was one of her favorites!  Then there was prom, and college and soon this boy asked her to marry him.  This boy was the love of her life.  He brought so much joy to my mom's life, and she to his.  For better, for worse...for richer, for poorer...in sickness, in health.  They had the love story we all dream about.  He made her laugh every day of her life, and that above all else, was the greatest gift he gave her!  She loved this boy, and I'm lucky to call this boy my dad!

They traveled the globe with the military.  Her life proved to be quite adventurous, with multiple moves, many flights and trips to far away lands.  I came along in Texas, then my brother Andrew in the Philippines, Austin in Arkansas and Lucas in South Carolina.  Yet through all the changes, she somehow made sure that every place felt like home.  It was the simple things that brought her comfort through all the change...a strawberry printed dish towel, a canning jar on the counter holding coffee beans, a photo, a seashell.  She knew what mattered.

Cannon Family

She was a preschool teacher.  A community volunteer.  A giver.

God, did she give!

Her life work was giving.  Giving to her family.  To friends.  To those that needed it more than her.  She gave her time, she gave her love, she gave all of herself.

And through all her giving, never asked, "what about me?".  She was selfless.  The true, pure kind.

She was smart.  Great with words.  A beautiful writer.  A funny lady.  She embodied so much!

When tragedy struck in the form of cancer two years ago, she assured me she had no regrets.  She loved her life.  Every single bit of it!  But her favorite parts were the ordinary ones.  The ones most of us overlook.  There's beauty in simplicity and joy in the small things!  In trying to find the words to best describe her outlook on this life, I came across this email she sent me last fall.

I think it says it all...

"So, when I was diagnosed with cancer - yuck- your Dad said, "we can follow the course or we can have a knee-jerk reaction.  We can keep to what we're doing or we can turn it upside down" He said we could travel anywhere, buy anything, sell our house and move...in other words your Dad was willing to do absolutely anything to make me happy.  Isn't this what we all dream about?  Win the lottery and have someone tell us we can have and do anything we want?  So maybe it was a surprise, even to me, when guess what I wanted...my ordinary life.  I wanted days of:  sipping coffee with him on the porch swing, my daughter calling because she had not one but two flat tires and wanted to talk to me until the tow truck came, I wanted to blow bubbles with my grand babies and watch them giggle with excitement , I wanted to yell at my son that he left his dirty socks on my floor but then pick them up anyway for him like I always did.  Ordinary is underrated.  I am living my life doing what I love most - being a wife, a mom, and a new Grammy.  I am bike riding with your Dad, listening when your brother stops by to tell me about his video tournaments, clapping for my grandson learning to walk and appreciating these little moments more than ever.  Now, when I am trying to homeschool and see the frustration growing,as your 13 year old brother tries to grasp the logic of grammar, I stop and confess to him.  Never in my life have I used the word SWUM!  It sounds weird to me.  So we start making up outrageous sentences using it until we are snort laughing and then I do what is out of the ordinary for me - I say, "let's not write about how we 'have swum', let's 'go swimming instead'".  And then, we throw English out the window, throw our swimsuits on and head to the pool.  I pause to pray that in 10 years this child will remember this ordinary day - not because he learned the proper use of a verb but because he had a mom who loved spending her day with him."

So, to honor my mom, I invite you to embrace the small things, find joy in the ordinary and remember how precious this life truly is.

On Tuesday morning my mom, Brenda Joy Cannon was called home. She passed peacefully, surrounded by family. There are no words to describe the loss and not a thing in the world to replace the void and we all miss her terribly.  

I do want to share that over the past couple years we have certainly felt your thoughts and prayers. We appreciate your support. Today, we begin by rallying around Lucas. Brenda's love and mission for that boy will carry on, we'll be sure of that. 

Brenda truly had a gift and calling in her care for children, especially infants in need. In lieu of flowers or food, you can honor her mission by donating infant items, in memory of Brenda, to an organization nearby that aims to support infants in need. Or, here in the Charleston area, memorials in the form of donations or infant items can be made to the Lowcountry Pregnancy Center, (843) 553-3505. 

To her wishes, there will not be a public funeral. She will be cremated and memorialized by her family at a time to be determined in the places she loved the most, the beaches nearby and the house in Colorado. 

I'm sure you all want to do more to show your support, and you're of course most welcome to send condolences as you'd like (cards, letters, etc). However, to maintain a balanced environment for Lucas within the house, we ask that you seek alternatives to flowers and delivered food. Feel free to send me an email or give me a call if you have any questions. 

5 Ways To Style Color Blush Into Your Life & Home

For Your Wardrobe

New Balance Blush

With Valentine's Day next week, I thought it was only appropriate to discuss the color pink in today's post!  (Last week we styled Gingham, if you missed it check it out here!)  So, to kick things off we're talking Athleisure - have you guys gotten on board to this trend yet?  Obviously (per last week's posts, I love a good white tennis shoe, with this one being my go to...I'm not kidding when I say I bulk buy these things).  So, last year I thought I'd step it up a notch and bought these sneakers (in a pink & grey color) to wear with jeans.  I love them so much, that I'm currently in the market for another pair and am loving the blush tone of these, these & these.  Pair them with a basic white tee, some distressed denim, and a luxe leather crossover for a super casual, yet pulled together look, great for playtime at the park or lunch with friends.

New Balance Sneakers, Anthropologie  |  White V Tee, J. Crew  |  Denim, J. Crew  |  Leather Crossover, Mark & Graham
J. Crew Tippi Sweater

I'm currently wearing this blush sweater on repeat these days.  This is my go to 'uniform' during the colder months, as I've collected quite a range in color of these (25% off today with code ZY5BU).  They're a lighter weight which is perfect for our southern winter.  They run true to size, you want this to be fitted (but don't worry, they're in no way a slim fit)  Great with jeans, I also transition them with shorts in the spring.  This time of year, pair with a colorful ballet flat.  And another trend I'm daring myself to try this Spring is the bandanna.  I love the liberty print on this one.  Tie it around your neck as a necklace alternative or tie a bow on a purse for a colorful pop.

For The Home

William Sonoma Pink Grapefruit

A subtle way to bring some color to the kitchen along with a fresh aroma!  This is my favorite scent for Spring.  Pair with white dish towels for the perfect hostess gift (this would also be a great teacher gift for Valentine's Day!).  Next to the sink it looks great paired near a cake stand filled with all those heart shaped sugar cookies I'm hoping to make(#goals).  And while I'm discussing the kitchen, I ran across these ceramic hand juicers the other day ~ too cute and they may just motivate me to make hand squeezed orange juice!

White Dish Towels, William Sonoma  |  Cake Stand, Domino|  Ceramic Hand Juicer, Target
Hayley Mitchell Print

I've been spotting Hayley Mitchell prints throughout Instagram this past year.  This abstract feminine print would be a fun addition to a small entry table.  Display it in a brass frame.  It would make a welcoming entrance paired next to a simple lamp and a white bowl filled with green apples.

Hayley Mitchell Print, Anthrologie,  |  Lamp, Ones King Lane |  Frame, Target  |  Faux Green Apples, Pier 1
Dash & Albert Arlington Rug

How sweet is this pink indoor/outdoor rug?!  It would be perfect for the mudroom or a backdoor.  Place it near a white shoe rack to create the perfect place for your wellies and shopping totes this Spring!

Dash & Albert Indoor/Outdoor Rug, Nordstrom|  Shoe Rack, Design Within Reach  |  Hunter Boots, Nordstrom  |  Tote,  Domino

For more pink picks, I've rounded up my favorites for Spring including the sweetest little dresses for girls and a fun duck umbrella that I think we all need for April Showers...check it out here!

This Week On Iron & Twine

FEBRUARY 2017  |  WEEK ONE

In case you missed it, we're sharing a roundup of all the happenings from Iron & Twine this past week!  And after Thursday's post, I noticed my favorite hand soap (which you can currently find here), is currently 20% off this weekend!  Perfect time to stock up on a spring essential!  Be sure to catch up on this posts below, and be sure to sign up for our NEW newsletter, IRON & TWINE DAILY, to stay up to date on all things Iron & Twine!