Front Room-Home Tour

Sorry for the recent lack of posts, I turned the big 4-0 this week and my husband took me to Chicago to cheer me up, um I mean celebrate. :)  Actually, we've really been having a fabulous time!  I need to do a post when I return with all of my Chicago musts.  This is such a great city!  I have a good friend with Chicago connectections who has given me all of the inside scoop on the best Chicago has to offer.  She has been spot on in her suggestions!

Today I wanted to share my front room with my readers before it undergoes a major transformation.  Throughout the next couple of months everything on the shelves gets put in storage as I start decorating for the holidays.  The shelves in this room are customized specifically to showcase my Department 56 village collection.  It is currently hiding in the cupboards below and I'm just itching to get it all out and set up.  It is one of my favorite hobbies. I can't wait to share all of the details

This is what the front room looks like for the spring and summer season.  I love bright, happy colors and wanted to use a lot of crazy bright colors in this room.  

I've always wanted to use a bright yellow in my decor and this floral painting was the perfect jumping off point for my color scheme (see details on where to find it below).  I was able to use a lot of bright books, both new and vintage (like my vintage Nancy Drew collection).  

Goodbye bright, happy summer decor.  It's time for things to get spooky around here.

Hive Five-Back to School Ideas

Can you believe that summer is almost over and school is just around the corner?  This year I will have a Freshman in College and a 3 year old preschooler starting their first days of school.  It's been a long time since I've had a preschooler.  It's been fun to look back and remember some of the traditions we started when Queen Bee was starting school 15 years ago.  I can't wait to do those same things again this time around with Baby Bumblebee.  I wanted to share some really great back to school ideas that I've found around the web.

1. This is a great way to keep things organized for your little student.  Back to School Station by 36th Avenue

2. I can't wait to start this tradition with Baby Bumblebee.  It will be so fun to look back and see how he changes throughout the years. Back To School Interview printable by Giggles Galore 

3. So many yummy ideas!  No more boring PB&J sandwiches.  31 Days of School Lunch Ideas by 5 Dollar Dinners

4. I love this idea!  Kids will love making their own fun pencils.  This is a great way to get them excited to go back to school.  DIY Washi Tape Pencils by Pink Doormat

5. We read the Kissing Hand every year before the first day of school with Queen Bee. (I get teary just thinking about it)  I love this idea of cutting out a hand print to see how they grow.  Kissing Hand Keys by Crissy's Crafts

3 Must Have Book for Fathers

3 Must Have Books for Fathers

If you're searching for the perfect Father's Day gift, you've come to the right place!  Today we are featuring 3 books that Worker Bee (the dad around this hive) loves.  Click on the titles below the books for links to more information or to buy.

Strong Fathers, Strong Daughters: 10 Secrets Every Father Should Know

According to Worker Bee:  "This book is a must read for fathers of daughters. I read this book many years ago, and it was one of the best things I have done to help my relationship with my daughter. It is very straight forward and insightful. Let's face it guys, we don't exactly think like our female counterparts! Knowing what your daughter not only wants, but really what they need, from a father has really made me stop and think about the things that I do and say with my daughter. Nothing is better than a daddy/daughter relationship! Who wouldn't want to learn everything they can about the dynamics of that relationship so it can be the best it can be. It helped me realize that maybe just taking my daughter to a game and not saying all that much might not be the most effective approach to building a deep, lasting relationship. Leave the primal grunting communication for your buddies and stand up and fight for the relationship that your daughter needs from you and give it to her the way she needs it, not the way you think she needs it."

Dad's Playbook: Wisdom for Fathers from the Greatest Coaches of All Time

Worker Bee passionately loves three things: being a dad, sports, and inspirational quotes. So it was safe to assume he loved this book!  In fact, I'm pretty sure we bought out all of the copies they had at the time so he could give this book to everyone he knows.  

Just Me and My Dad (Little Critter)

Baby Bumblebee is OBSESSED with Little Critter books.  He pretty much insists that his dad reads him this book every night and he can recite it by heart.  If you've got littles at home this is a perfect gift for them to give dad for Father's Day.  They can even write their name (or scribble) or trace their hand in the front with the date and occasion so they can look back years from now and remember that they gave that book to their dad.  This is one of my favorite things to do when giving books as gifts.  Writing a little something in the front  makes the book more special. Every time you get the book out to read it, even years later, you are reminded of that special person in your life.