Happy Facial Monday...on Tuesday!

Happy Monday Everyone!

Life seems to be flying for me right now! Summer is transforming into Fall so rapidly, schedules are changing, one last Summer trip is planned, and there is still soooo much to do before school starts!

That said, I still want to find the time to take care of me. I stand behind the premise that I am a happier Mommy when I take a few minutes to pamper myself, and this doesn't require a lot of money spent or time away from our home. I love the spa, but am so very thankful that I can bring the spa home too!

So, in addition to my Monday facial, I am going to take care of my feet too! Summer is wrapping up, and my flip-flop feet need my attention. Today, extra TLC for my feet will include:

• First a long soak in a warm tub of water with an orange/vanilla aroma-therapy oil and a chick flick!
• Then each square inch of my feet will be scrubbed with a peppermint and tea tree scrub to break down the callouses and clean out the pores, as well as relax and sooth the muscles!
• A creamy and soothing peppermint mask is applied and allowed to soak in...this product leaves my feet feeling soft, smooth, and so relaxed! Oh I can't wait!
• Each foot is then massaged with a peppermint and tea tree hydrating lotion, a very important step for happy feet!

The end result: my feet are clean, soft and invigorated, hydrated, a little bit tingly, and ready to be polished in a fun Fall color!

I can't think of a better way to enjoy a rainy Fall Seattle day!

The best view of all...Fall under its canopy of gold!

photos: Flip-flop-snake charmer, Fall leaves- Scandinavian Escape

Drinkin and Flea-in!

Last Saturday, my sister in-law and I grabbed a latte and began our day with the Cranberry Cottage French Flea Market!
The vendors were amazing.

Each booth was a fun mix of old, new, rusty, and blue!

Loved these silver spoons each with a garden label hammered into them! I would love a herb garden neatly labeled with a silver thyme, basil, rosemary, and parsley spoon!

Pots, pans, cups, and teapots all neatly stuffed with succulents, ground cover, and herbs...loved them!

It is amazing that I didn't walk away with most everything there!

Great job Theresa and crew!

What a fun way to spend a Saturday morning! What are you doing this weekend?

All photos: A Lasting First Impression

Rest

Calm, Quiet, Relaxing, Restful, Serene...Wishing for a weekend away!

Doesn't this look like a great place to rest? I think there might be a lake just steps away from those french doors! : )

I love the wall paper in this space. One day I will try a linen textured wall covering!

Wishing you rest and relaxation this weekend!

Photo: Country Living

Blueberries and Boys!

On the hottest day of the Summer, blueberries went on SALE! So slathered in sunscreen and water bottle in hand the boys and I went a pickin!

Some of the sweetest memories are made when we work together, laugh, eat, and get a little dirty!

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

Psalm 128: 2 NIV

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever (Ps. 118:1).

I hope you find yourself thankful for all that you have been blessed with today! We are so thankful for our fun, healthy, sweet boys..., for the time spent together, and ALL the blueberries we will be eating for months!

All Photos: A Lasting First Impression

I Am Officially A Soccer Mom!

When I was pregnant and found out that I was having a boy, I was terrified. I thought surely God had made a huge mistake. I had one sister, loved to babysit but gravitated towards girls, and had fully prepared myself to be a mom of girls. So I prayed, pulled up my boot straps and started reading everything I could get my hands on that would give me the inside scoop on raising boys. After reading, I was even more terrified and so certain I wasn't ready to be a mom of a boy...let alone two!

Now, two boys later, I am a full blown mini-van driving, constant referee, wrestling coach, fort building expert, Lego architect, and most recently a super soccer mom!

Erik is my youngest and is turning 3 today!

He lives, eats, wears, sleeps, breaths, LOVES soccer! The first thing he does when he gets up in the morning is pull on ANY soccer clothes he can find, even if they had been thrown into the dirty basket from the day before! He runs around my house kicking a ball, he watches shows sitting on his soccer ball, an is constantly talking about being a soccer boy!

So it is only appropriate that for his third birthday we plan a soccer party! I am working hard to incorporate the theme into each element of the party. I have to say I am actually very excited about it! My house is decorated in green & yellow...our team colors, and of course black and white. Our day will consist of 30 of our favorite people in fun soccer clothes, a relay, soccer bowling, soccer pizza, melon ball salad, long kick chips, and go-go juice. Of course there will be cake, a yellow and green jersey, candles, and ice cream! I can't believe that my little munchkin is going to be three.

It is official, as of today I am a real soccer mom. My journey as a mom of two boys continues, and Erik is counting the days until we enroll him in a soccer team! This is a day I know that will come all too soon! My plan, enjoy each moment today, tomorrow, and the next! My life with boys will always be exciting, but it is the life God planned for me, and I love it!

I even love being a soccer mom!

All photos: Property of A Lasting First Impression

Feature Friday!

A big Seattle welcome to my very talented, creative, classy, fun, inspirational, and an incredibly gifted designer friend

Lana!

Lana just transplanted into the Seattle area from California. She has been working for years as a professional stager. Then spent a year traveling across the United States bringing her design talent into many lucky American homes. She loves to travel and brings those experiences, colors, and textures into each new space she encounters to create a welcoming, fresh, urban approach to design.

Although she is eager to try her hand at designing in the rain and incorporating all the attributes of the Northwest into your space, she had to begin with her own very cool 1920's studio. She has done an incredible job. Here is just a glimpse of her amazing talent.

These lovely corbels hold two Quite Essential originals! They hang over the bed and create a naturally beautiful focal point!

Just a little collection on her entertainment center...love it!

A fancy down pillow with Grandma's vintage buttons!

This is a Lana original, I love this idea. She has combined the need for an entertainment unit with her much needed office storage, and a few pretty pretties! A small space must!

Love the contrast here!!

Now that her space is just about done, she is ready to tackle yours! Her bags are packed, ready to design at a moments notice!

To see more of Lana's talented transformations visit her blog, http://www.quite-essential.com/

Happy Friday!

All photos property of A Lasting First Impression

There is Snow in the Air!

My world is becoming white with ideas, flocking, greens, and decorations! The holiday season is rapidly approaching, at least for me, and Premium Wreath Design is bustling around to make this the most spectacular holiday season yet!!

I know for most of you it is too early to be thinking about the holidays, but pre-ordering your holiday wreath or one for a friend is a great way to get a jump start on the season. Checking items off your holiday decorating list in August and saving 20%, who ever heard of such a thing???

So for those who want to think ahead just a little, this post is for you! We are currently taking pre-orders for the 2010 holiday season. Here are a few pictures to wet your whistle, there are more on the website. If you don't see your design style represented, and have an idea for what you would like your wreath to look like, please contact our designers. We would be happy to create a unique and custom wreath just for YOU! Tree design and decorating is available for local clients only.

All wreaths are designed on a large, fresh, evergreen wreaths. They are big, lovely, and smell amazing!!!

photos: All rights reserved-Emily Carlson