Tarin Rafferty Inspired

Welcoming the Wellings!

Posted on March 7, 2011 by tarin

Yippee! The Wellings are coming to visit this weekend. I can hardly contain my excitement. The Wellings are our super awesome friends from Birmingham. And while I would love for the house to resemble the images above… I’ll be happy to get the floors clean and the bar stocked.

Above:

1. Guest Towels from Luster 2. Towel Baskets from Maillardville Manor 3. Flowers by Real Simple 4. Burlap Welcome banner by Funkyshique 5. Homemade goodies 6.Wine Cellar image from Amy Mumma Wine.

I think I’ll start hanging one of these signs from Mary Kate McDevitt on each room as it gets cleaned deeming it off limits!

That’s it for now,

Posted in Entertaining, Friends | 5 Comments

My Shade of Green!

Posted on March 4, 2011 by tarin

If you are a part of the “Home Show Circuit”, you have probably already blown your child’s wardrobe budget for the Spring & Summer, right? I’ve been there, believe me, since before Georgia was born I have faithfully attended these shows. And spent more money than I care to reveal (should Sean choose this post to read.) Turns out children’s clothing shows aren’t such a big part of the Blacksburg scene (shocking) so I decided it was time to mix it up a little this year. After all, Georgia is over it. But before her closet looks any more like an aisle at Old Navy, I decided I needed to find a few Georgia approved alternatives. (no buttons, no logos, no tags, no bows etc…) A couple weeks ago I bookmarked this. Love at first sight. Twirls & Twigs from desinger Shawna Dalton who “turns sustainable fibers, designer left-overs, and recycled cotton into trimmed and bountiful whimsy that reconciles style with substance.”

Do I need to mention that I am not in any way compensated for my reviews? I’m not…but I’ll take all future compensation in product please! Is organic clothing important to you? Tell me more…

That’s it for now,

Posted in Family, Fashion, Kids, Shopping | 1 Comment

Cleaning For a Reason

Posted on February 28, 2011 by tarin

I got an email last week I thought was worth sharing. Are you familiar with Cleaning For a Reason? According to their website, “this nonprofit offers free professional housecleaning, and maid services to improve the lives of women undergoing treatment for cancer - any type of cancer” Pretty great idea, right! What is your favorite Breast Cancer Foundation? Please share in comments. There is no shortage of product available in the market place offering percentage donations to the cause. Anything from high end coveted items to things we buy every day which makes it so easy to contribute. Every bit helps right?

1. Everlast Boxing Gloves 2. Kitchen Aid mixer 3. M&Ms 4. IPod 5. Campbell’s Soup 6. Dyson Vacuum 7. Spagat 2007 Campaign Print 8. Kohls Simply Vera coin purse 9. Tory Burch Limited edition boots.

That’s it for now,

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Happy Birthday Lily Charles

Posted on February 26, 2011 by tarin

Two years of LC Love

Well despite my best efforts to prevent it, Lily Charles did in fact turn two today. It is so easy to loose yourself in the chaos that is life with three young children but there is no better opportunity than your child’s birthday to take a step back and see this life for what it is…Awesome.

The Gifts:

We really enjoyed our sweet little family party. Even our funny little cake now seems wonderfully charming.

That’s it for now,

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Birthday Season

Posted on February 25, 2011 by tarin

Whimsy Press doodle paper, LOVE!!!

Well it’s birthday season at the Rafferty household. We will be celebrating Lily Charles 2nd birthday tomorrow. We are just planning a small family affair, consisting of simply lunch, presents and an adorable disaster of a homemade cake. Don’t count on seeing many pictures of it. I am seriously calling BS on Betty Crocker’s suggestion to grease only the bottom of the pan. Anyway check out some of my favorite party finds:

Backyard Bash

1. Felt hat from hillyhouse. 2. Oil cloth banner with chalk backing makes customizing your event simple, from Magpie & Cake. 3. Have I mentioned my wrapping paper obession? from Sukie.

Glamorous Gala

1. Dressy place card holders available at Social Couture. 2. Diamond ring crayon favors from Lil Doodlers. 3. Fashion wrapping by Josie Wrap.

Radically Robotic

Think I can talk one of my girls into a robot party???

1. Robot cupcakes from Hello Naomi, yummy. 2. Robot wrap from The Good Life 3. Robot crayon favors from Lil Doodlers

Nesting Dolls

1. Nesting doll stationery set by Red Berry Apple. 2. Pillow dolls by Petunia. 3. Wrapping paper from The Good Life. Love this theme? Check out this brilliant idea from Peachy Keen Ideas, great photo op!

I can’t leave you without sharing these paper designers…

1. Olive Paper 2. Heidi Wrap 3. Chairs by Julia Rothman 4. Elum Designs

That’s it for now,

Posted in Party | 1 Comment

10 Things

Posted on February 22, 2011 by tarin

So over at rikrak studios they are offering the oppertunity for anyone to create a post on their favorite things and share a link with her readers. So here’s mine: (some constant, some fleeting fancies!)

1. These guys!

2. These Calendar Girls from Sarah Jane Studios

Sarah Jane Studios

3. black coffee

4. This place! -especially this time of year!

5. Bedtime for little girls! 7 o'clock sharp!

6. These guys!

7. This book!

8. House hunting...in neighborhoods I can't afford!

9. Anything that Janet Hill has ever painted.

Janet Hill

10. The best Dad in the world! (evidently we have no solo pics of Sean)

Hard to stop the list there, but…

That’s it for now,

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Removable Wallpaper

Posted on February 22, 2011 by tarin

I’ve been thinking about wallpaper lately. The commitment to permanently adhering anything other than paint to my walls is all that is holding me back from some really dramatic decorating. It kind of feels like having the Marc Jacobs spring line tattooed on my forehead. But guess what? There is an alternative: Removable Wallpaper! I came across this phenomenon over at Oh Happy Day! Her wall paper came from Sherwin Williams Easy Change. I have to agree with Jordan, this site is far from user-friendly, which meant I spent a ridiculous amount of time looking through “cheap hotel” wallpaper to find these. I only came across one other source for temporary wallpaper: Tempaper. (The last orange pattern) I Like the idea of doing a smaller space like Jordan did in the entryway. They are not giving this stuff away afterall. Please share your sources for removable or temporary wallpaper!

That’s it for now,

Posted in Interiors | Leave a comment

Spent

Posted on February 21, 2011 by tarin

Click on each poster for full image.

I have found that when it comes to writing, the best topics just happen to fall in your lap. And I’d like nothing better than to show you beautiful pics day in and day out but…have you seen this site playspent? Ouch, I ran out of money on day nine, and I’m somewhat thrifty!

Check out the video and then give it a try. Who is behind this amazing site? Urban Ministries of Durham. What an awesome campaign!

That’s it for now,

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Target Trends

Posted on February 20, 2011 by tarin

Where’s the one place you go, on that super rare occasion you have no where you have to be but you just have to get out?…Target, right? Even if that means piling two toddlers in the minivan and eating lunch in the target snack bar. So that’s where we were friday…

Which is your favorite color palette? All we came home with is the red striped swimsuit for Georgia, aren’t you proud of us!

That’s it for now,

Posted in Fashion, Kids, Shopping | 4 Comments

Meet The Girls

Posted on February 18, 2011 by tarin

So I thought I’d introduce you to the girls:

I love the way my girls personalities always seem to come through in photographs. (BTW, Georgia is not quite 6, she will be in next month and LC will be 2 in 8 days!)