GET THE LOOK (PLAYHOUSE MAKEOVER)

If you're looking for a fun and rewarding summer project, the playhouse makeover is for you. Here are the sources that brought this project together, as well as 2 cans of Behr paint. The kids LOVE the result and so do we. Enjoy!

01./ Wall vases; 02./ Wooden playhouse (similar); 03./ Door mat; 04./ White chair; 05./ Light garland; 06./ Market basket; 07./ Chalkboard sign; 08./ Chalk pens; 09./ Play table.

SCANDINAVIAN MAKEOVER OF WOODEN PLAYHOUSE

I have seriously dreamt of making over this wooden playhouse (similar) since the day it was put together...three years ago. Sigh. Children...take what seems like a busy life and they magically make it even busier. It was in serious need of a major overhaul as the stain had faded and wood planks had fallen off. It was a case of "good enough" and "someday" but this summer, it finally got the makeover it deserved! To redo the whole playhouse took a little work, to say the least. We started by removing all of the curved features. Then, after the initial sanding, it took 3 coats of Behr Ultra White paint to get the house covered and then the fun began! We spray painted all of the trim (easy and quick!), fixed the boards, added a few extras and then it was simple decoration.  

Now...let me just show you what this beauty looked like BEFORE the playhouse makeover.

And...AFTER!  

Same same but, oh-so-different! What do you think? Do you like the lighter version with pastel hues a little better??? You can shop the stools (and our play table, not pictured) here!

It's true...so many adventures really do happen here. With three kids 5 and under, there are countless play dates, backyard summer escapes, imaginary pies, lemonade stands, muffins made. Keep in mind I really do have a 5-year-old whose favourite food is blue cheese! Don't you love this adorable wooden sign from Parade and Company? It pairs perfectly with the garland from Canadian maker Jae to the Wall. These peaches were hand picked from Papa's tree the day we left from our week in the Okanagan and apart from making perfect props for the revamped playhouse, they were the juiciest, most delicious peaches I have ever tasted. 

This gorgeous market basket is from Majorel Design and I love the flowers from Gypsy Petal so much. They are indestructible and the kids love playing with them!

So there you have it. Our wooden playhouse lovingly restored and refreshed for the kids to enjoy and make memories in for years to come. Who wants to come over and play?

MAMA & ME OUTDOOR SUMMER PHOTOSHOOT

After seven years abroad, my sister is home! This is cause for celebration on SOOO many levels (hello real life visits and wine chats on the couch!), and I am very very lucky to have her back here to beautifully photograph my growing family! She mainly photographs newborns over at Amanda Haddow Photography in Victoria but on this occasion she agreed that I needed some mama and babe shots, so we headed to the park with the kids, took a picnic and the kids ran around, picked flowers, made daisy chains and played. 

It is unbelievable how few photos moms take WITH their children and our family is really just the same. I would love to change this but since I am typically the one behind the lens, it may take some time to get used to being in the frame with the kiddies. I had the cutest shirt picked out for Xavier but he absolutely refused to wear it (or any shirt for that matter!) so we just went with it and thankfully that bare belly turned out to be the most adorable thing. Capturing his personality at this stage is really so much more important anyway, right?! Although we rarely get a 'perfect' picture, I look back at all of our photos together with so much love. Seeing how little the kids look in past photos is the best incentive to get out there and take more!

Just look at my gorgeous little ones! Nothing makes me happier than seeing their beautiful faces and delicious giggles captured to keep for years to come. 

We haven't been particularly great at taking photos all together (even these ones are missing my number one sidekick, my husband) but I have taken lots and lots of the kids over the years and have learned a few tips along the way. Here are my top tips for getting the best success when shooting with kids.

At the end of the day, it's the unexpected moments of pure joy or love or surprise that shine. Or in this case, pure goofiness. The outtakes are always so funny. C'est la vie when you have a three year old along for the ride!

All photos taken by my uber-talented sister Amanda (thank you! thank you! thank you!) from Amanda Haddow Photography. Visit her in Victoria for newborn photography or to book a mama and me session of your own!

Kaia's dress: Zara kids
Noelle's dress: vintage fabric, made by Nana
My dress: Lucky Brand
Blanket: Amazing find from Salvation Army
Basket: Majorel Design
Girls' shoes: Saltwater Sandals
Hat: Hat Attack, similar

STORY TIME WITH THE STORY BOX

Anyone who has been following along for a while knows that I am an active advocate of literacy in young children. So, it comes as no surprise that I LOVE this new subscription to books delivered for kids. Say hello to The Story Box! When I was young, my house was full of books and when I had my own children, I knew I wanted the same. These days, we are so lucky to have so many ways to get books into our homes, without even entering a book shop. 

This subscription is online based and the ordering process is straight forward. There are three packages to choose from: the board box package, the picture box package or the family package. When the box arrived, I was not only impressed by the simple but lovely packaging, but also that each box is curated by a speech pathologist. A parent guide was included in our picture book package, which detailed things to do with your kids while reading the books as well as an add on idea for a craft after you've read the books. Genius!

The kids LOVE opening packages and this one really feels like a present. The books are high quality and all three kids instantly fell in love with Hooray for Hat, with Xavier quickly picking up the line, "Go away, I'm grumpy" with the biggest smile on his face. 

Not only fun for your own kids, The Story Box offers such a great idea for a gift subscription for any favourite little one in your life.

The Story Box has kindly offered to share the code READ for US$5 off the first order. Please note that shipping is currently only available within the United States.

* This post was created in affiliation with The Story Box. All words and photos are my own.

WINTER DAISY PICKS...THE LAND OF NOD

One of my favourite shops for everything kids is the Land of Nod. As part of their 4th of July celebration, they are offering free shipping within the U.S. today which is great news for all of our American friends. Here are today's quick picks for all things 

01.// Table lamp, pink; 02.// Twigs mirror, round; 03.// Flokati rug, round; 04.// Fish mobile, multi; 05.// Owl bin, crochet; 06.// Blanket, multi.

Love these picks? See more here, here and here!