Monday, February 28, 2011

Nordstrom's Small World Collection for Baby


For a split second I considered getting pregnant! Check out the adorable Small World line available at Nordstrom

Wednesday, February 9, 2011

Indiana Jones Bedroom

(reposted from my photography site)


I was thinking about childhood the other day. How we all know how to be kids, but we don't really know how to be grown ups. I thought about how much fun I had as a kid. A ton of tree climbing, ditch digging, and twilight games of tag. I remember secret bike rides to the gas station to buy jolly ranchers and lemon heads. I remember the smell of of creosote and juniper when we walked the train tracks home. These are things my kids rarely (or never) do. And I feel bad for them. But it got me to thinking about what I could do to make their time at home more imaginative and maybe help them create something to remember. First idea? Turn T's room into something inspired by Indiana Jones (and the outdoor areas of the Disneyland ride)

So of course, the biggest project was the painting. The room used to be lavender (from when it was C's room) The stone wall, and the distressed white walls took me about 8-10 hours to finish. I love them. When I check on T at night it really looks like he is sleeping in a cot outside some ancient Mayan ruins.

The steamer trunk holds his toys, the red shelf his clothes. I tea stained a few dozen maps from thrifted National Geographics for his map wall. They are held in place with just thumbtacks. The headboard is made from an old fence. I painted different cities with the mileage to them (like a sign post) on it and spelled 'Tanzenia' wrong on purpose (you MIGHT know why). You can't see the light fixture, but it's an industrial style light that I found at goodwill for $7. I spray painted it black and distressed it with paint. Eventually I will redo the red shelf to resemble a shipping crate. After that I'll devise a pulley system for the curtain, paint the closet and bedroom door, order the pictures for the wall, and make a night light out of the lantern... fun!


Indiana Jones inspired bedroom by Monique Duke


Indiana Jones inspired bedroom


Indiana Jones inspired bedroom


Indiana Jones inspired bedroom


Indiana Jones inspired bedroom

Monday, February 7, 2011

Mickey Mouse Club

Today's Mickey Mouse Clubhouse is a highly entertaining show, no? It's hard to believe (or remember) Disney to be anything BUT colorful! But did any of you watch the old Mickey Mouse Club? That old black and white t.v. show featuring Frankie and Annette? I did. It must have been in syndication in the late 70's when I was just 3 years old, but i vaguely remember watching it as I sat on my parent's olive green sling back style couch (geez my kids would LOVE that couch!)

I'm sure it was entertainingly nostalgic for my mom to have it on (much like watching an episode of Ducktales here). I remember her singing this song "Sho Jo Ji" to us from that old show.

make-up tutorial for a CUTE day at Disneyland