I absolutely love the big, American pantries. When Daniel and I got married, we lived in someone's small garden cottage at the back of their house. It had a tiny kitchen (with no oven), little nook area for our small table that my Grandfather made for us as a wedding gift, space for one couch and a desk (since we both worked and were studying at the same time) then one small room and a bathroom. It was a perfect size for us (we were 21 and 23 years old at the time) and I am afraid to say that I ... View the Post
Spring Updates: Dining Room Refresh
{Check out my dining room inspiration post here and the "before" here.} Happy (almost) spring y'all! This time of year is 100% my favorite. The days are longer, windows are thrown open...fresh spring air just SMELLS good. I think I even get a tiny bit high from it. Just me? In my former life as a teacher, this was about the time of year when things all start to click into place. Kids start understanding how to walk down the hallways in a semi-civilized fashion, you're seeing ... View the Post
Oliver’s Montessori-Inspired Nursery
"It is important now to take time to think about the organization of the home (or any other setting where a child of this age is to spend significant periods of time). Does it make sense? Is it ordered, simple, and functional? Is it beautiful?" -Montessori From The Start by Paula Polk Lillard and Lynn Lillard Jessen. I absolutely love the last three questions of this quote and think they should be nailed to my forehead when I make any kind of purchase- clothes, shoes, and especially home ... View the Post
Ensley’s 2017 Christmas Card + Holiday Home Tour
Hey Rebelles! Ensley here. I'm so excited about this post because it not only is all about CHRISTMAS (the only thing I like about winter), but it gives you a chance to peek inside our new place. I've been dying to show y'all, but was waiting until all the Christmas decorations were up. Here goes! For starters, our 2017 Christmas card: I ended up going with the recycled paper versions of these from Minted. I love how they turned out! Also extremely glad I didn't pay a photographer ... View the Post
Non-toxic Essential Oil “Lysol”
Winter. Germs. Colds. Gross. Just a little word association for the most wonderful time of the year. Back when I was a teacher, my immune system became super human thanks to the 23342901298 times a kid came to ask me a question and then sneezed/coughed in my face. Classrooms are germ factories, especially Montessori classrooms where kids are handling the same materials all day. Toxic products like Clorox wipes and Lysol spray were always on the school supply list, but I refused to use ... View the Post
Master Bedroom: Ideas + Inspiration
{Check out last week's dining room inspiration post here.} T-minus 36 hours until moving day, and I couldn't be more ready. Get me into that 2-bedroom apartment! (Note: I mean "ready" in an emotional sense, since my current apartment looks as though a tornado hit and yet I've barely packed anything. Send help.) I know I keep mentioning this, but I'm so.freaking.excited to have a guest room in our new place. I love entertaining and having people visit, and it just doesn't happen often ... View the Post
Dining Room Upgrade: Ideas + Inspiration
Good news: We signed a lease! In last week's post I mentioned how much I wanted to rent a little 2/1 bungalow in our neighborhood, but that just wasn't meant to be. I had dreams of adorable cottages with lush yards, but the only homes available were old, hopelessly outdated, and had a freight train running through the backyard. Hard pass. For about $100 more per month, we found a beautiful 2 bedroom/2 bathroom apartment with amazing amenities (sauna! steam room! hot tub!) that's right on the ... View the Post
registry favorites: one year later
Y'all, Patrick and I are the reason wedding registries were invented. When we began cohabitating, I had basically no possessions other than my clothes, and he had the typical bachelor pad with three mismatched plates and scratchy sheets. (Actually, when I met him he had full-sized sheets for his queen-sized bed. Reason #12910293 men need to be married.) Needless to say, our lives have improved greatly with our registry gifts. We have fluffy towels, soft sheets, and dishes I'm not embarrassed ... View the Post