winter storm

I'm a Kansas City dweller... and apparently we're about to get hammered with a winter storm that could cause power outages. I just wanted to write a quick update in case our power goes off and I'm offline for a time {praying praying praying that's not the case}. Otherwise I'll be posting regularly. Stay warm!

{giveaway}

Today {to celebrate the winter storm... or just for fun} I'm having a 

Here's what it is!

3 handmade cards 

a flower headband

a flower clip

two custom silhouettes from my shop

Here's how to enter! 

Write a comment 

&

"Like" Back {to} Domestics on facebook or "Follow" the blog {if you are already a follower or liker then just leave a comment}


for a second entry
repost the giveaway on facebook and let me know that you did.

I'll be choosing the winner on Friday {February 4th}!

{pearls & prayer}

This is just a little story I love about my daughter that I thought would be fun to share.

Whenever I see pearls I am always reminded of Zuriah, my sweet first born {3 1/2 year old}.

When she was a baby I would sometimes go into her room in the night before I went to bed and get her out of her bed, rock her in the dark, and pray over her. {Sleeping babies are just too sweet}.

One night I remember asking Jesus about her and feeling like He said, "She's my pearl." I remembered the parable in Matthew about the pearl...

"The kingdom of heaven is like a a merchant looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it."

I sat and meditated on that for awhile- wow this little baby in my arms was worth Jesus dying for! Even if it was just her- he would still have done it.

We were shopping not too long ago {at Michael's no less} and she stopped me in the aisle and said, "Mom, we need to get these, they're pearls and Jesus said I'm a pearl." 

I was shocked she had said that because I hadn't told her about how I felt like He told me that about her. It was a tub full of pearl beads {that were a little on the expensive side} but I bought them anyway. {How could I not?}

Now every time she sees pearls she always has to have one to hold. I love that! Jesus is speaking to her even now at 3 years old.

I want to encourage you to pray over your little ones- it's amazing how much impact a mother can have through prayer!

nix wallpaper coming back...

Remember when {two posts ago} I said wallpaper was coming back? Nevermind about that. I found something SO much better!

photo by Ashley Ann Photography

I saw this post from Under the Sycamore about painted subflooring and was super inspired. {How beautiful are her floors??} Then yesterday while shopping at Hobby Lobby I stumbled upon a number of different giant stencils to use for walls or floors! To give the appearance of wallpaper! 

I'm pretty excited... and am pretty sure I have much more patience for painting stencils than putting up wallpaper. {Plus there's no tearing down if you want to change... hallelujah!}

I must say I love this website I found- Royal Design Studio. Please check them out- SO much inspiration and amazing stencils to buy. Here are just a few inspiration rooms from them I know you will love...

So much fun, I can't wait to stencil a wall or floor! 

knobs and hardware

I've grown up with some attention to detail- especially in door and cabinet hardware- thanks to my parents' little business where they sell these things. Watching a movie Dad would say, "that's a Baldwin knob", and Mom would say, "yep they put it on backwards." 

Not uncommon. 

So I think door and cabinet hardware is really fun and can add tons of character to a space.

One day while shopping in one of my very favorite stores {Anthropologie} I came across some really beautiful hardware I can't get out of my head {and that I really think Mom and Dad need to start carrying} 

Beautiful huh? They are pretty pricey over at Anthropologie, but I've seen some beautiful hardware also sold at antique stores, World Market, and Hobby Lobby {which are often on sale!} 

My cabinets are hardware-less right now. A perfect time for dreaming!

adding {character} to your house

I'm in the planning and dreaming mode of re-design.

Can I tell you how much I love a house with character? LOVE old houses that have beautiful moulding, crystal door knobs, built-ins, old fixtures. Unfortunately our house was built in 1967 during a time when houses were built pretty much cookie cutter without much character. I've always wanted to live in an old house, maybe someday... but in the meantime I can add some character myself.

Like a crystal chandelier for the dining room...

photo from Coastal Living

And some paneling...

photo from McCabe Lumber

I have to say I'm REALLY excited about adding paneling. And I refuse to spend a fortune, so I'll share with you how I do it when it comes time. Until then,

Here are some of my favorite ways to 

add character to a house:

1. Add crown moulding 
2. Replace flat doors with paneled doors
3. Add vintage or interesting hardware to cabinets and doors
4. Exchange outdated {un-pretty} fixtures with vintage or stunning new ones {I like the new ones that look old}
5. Add wall sconces 
6. Buy ornate outlet covers, switch plates, and vent covers to replace the white {or worse- beige} ones.
7. Add paneling to walls {no not that 70's retro pretend wood that covered whole walls- although I've seen that painted and it can look really good... painted} 
8. Build a fireplace {even if it's faux} 
9. Add built-ins {shelves, cabinets, desks, even murphy beds}
10. Update your front door with a pretty leaded glass door
11. Instal french doors {I love them in offices and dining rooms... pretty much anywhere} 
12. Refinish or put in wood floors 
13. Use antiques {an old desk for a bathroom vanity? Vintage curtain rods?} 
14. Dare I say... wallpaper? I know... I'm even scared of it, but have you seen new hotels that use it to texture a wall? It looks incredible! Or really fun big vintage patterns... but paint can also add nice texturing. {I think wallpaper is coming back- mark my words}
15. Expose {or add "exposed"} beams to the ceiling 
16. IF you need to replace windows... go for the really pretty, original designs {by no means replace them to just to replace them- if you're going to do that call me, I'll find a use for your old ones}
17. Spiral staircase anyone? My parents somehow managed to add two to their house- but they are fun and very pretty. {There's no way one would fit in our house but I wish}
18. How about outside... a cobblestone pathway or patio

Hope this inspires you! 

snow day!

We woke up to 6 inches of snow today! 

Happy snow day!