Guest Post: Meet the Hubby

So, I often refer to my hubby within my blog, so after over a year, I thought you might be interested in his whole take on the whole blog. Enjoy my first guest blog post!

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Well, it’s high time the “hubby” gets a chance to weigh in on this forum. I would consider myself somewhat of a consultant when it comes to Lauren Playing House or LPH as I like to call it. Lauren definitely comes up with 100% of the content, but as many of you know, this is an edgy blog, and sometimes it needs someone to pull back on the reigns. And the “rocking the suburbs” part of LPH’s newly redesigned tag line? That’s just a taste of some of my handiwork – h/t Ben Folds.

When Lauren first proposed the idea of starting LPH over a year ago, my first thought was, “Oh, that’s cute. Kind of like the time I was going to start fishing.” I got as far as making a trip to Bass Pro Shop and buying a book entitled, “The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Fishing Basics.” Two years later, I’m still waiting to pull the trigger on a middle-of-the-road rod and reel which I could do if I ever bothered to crack open the book I purchased.

The blog was something for her to do while I was stuck with working long hours, so kept my mouth shut and tried to be encouraging. As long as she made her blog posts about her life and didn’t make her life about her blog posts, I was excited to see what she could do.

Lauren has not disappointed. LPH has covered ALL of the important aspects of our lives from her discovery of Pinterest to the decoration of our master bedroom (which you can piece together in 27 conveniently separate posts). Not one stone was left unturned in her chronicles of the grey and yellow guest bedroom. And when it comes to crafting? She’s the craftiest you-know-what I know.

I’m actually not surprised at her ability to stick with the blog and continue to update it on a fairly consistent basis. Once she decides to do something, you can’t talk her out of it and you really can’t keep her from doing it. What did surprise me was the overwhelming response in terms of readers. She would never brag about this, but the number of hits she gets on her posts is stunning.

The moment I knew she was on to something was when my friends started coming up to me and saying things like, “Dude, I’m never gonna 'comment' on it or anything, but I really like Lauren’s blog,” or, “Bro, I don’t really read the home décor stuff, but the other random posts are pretty clever.” After a year of keeping 794 of her closest Facebook friends involved in what we’ve been up to, I’d have to say I agree with my friends.

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For an accountant, he's a much better writer than I thought. :-) So, for anyone curious - that is "his take" on my blogging. You never know, maybe I'll be able to talk him into another post in a few months...

New Look. Who Knew?

Every once in a while, a little tweak, nip, tuck or tighten is in order. And for the ole blog, well, I'd say it was about time. When I first started this blog a little over a year ago, I had no idea what I was doing.

Earlier this year, I thought it was high time for my blog to put on her big girl panties. So, say hello to the blog's new look (thanks to Designer Blogs).

I'll be back later in the week with my blog's first guest post! Stay tuned...

Dressing the Part

As I mentioned before, it's definitely getting to be wedding season. At this point in our lives, we range from about 6-10 weddings per year. (This year, we're on the lower end at six weddings.) What can I say? Our friends are the marryin' kind! But then if you add bridal showers, bachelorette parties, baby showers and in some cases, rehearsal dinners - well, what's a girl to wear?

Each year, I will literally inventory my dresses, count how many events I think I have and plan out what I'll wear to each so as not to repeat the same dress with the same group of friends. (I surely can't be the only person that does this, right?!) As much as I'd love to, I can't buy 15 new dresses each year.

Well, regardless, I've inventoried the dress sitch, bought three new dresses and on the hunt for at least one more. I will almost never spend more than $100 on new dresses, so thought I would share my go-to's for new dresses.

And I'm just counting on the fact that we won't show up at the same event wearing the same thing. Hoping, anyway. :-)

ModCloth.com - Pretty affordable, mostly have cutesy dresses, but some really cool vintage-looking styles, too. Expect lots of color and pattern.

Dorothy Perkins - I have spotted some super-cute stuff here. I had my eye on a dress from here for a while (I almost pulled the trigger as the dress was $75 plus a 15% off coupon code.) Well, lucky me, I checked back and it was on sale for $27 (yes, that's two-seven). I'm not sure I've ever online-ordered anything faster! Expect classic shapes, with modern touches.

Oasis-Stores.com - I actually have never ordered anything here, but have had my eye on a couple of styles for ages.Throw the right coupon code at me and I would be all over this shiz. Expect more conservative looks (i.e. I could wear to work), but cute patterns.

Local Boutiques - Don't overlook the local boutiques! Some of my Dallas faves include Movida, Ella Bleu and Accents.

Here's a few dresses I'm loving - none of which I have actually bought (so they are all fair game).

Summer Wedding/Bridal Shower

Evening Wedding

Bachelorette Party

If I were the bride-to-be

(1/2/3/4)

What other go-to's am I missing?

Master Bedroom Re-Do: And Then There Was Light

Are you tired of hearing about the slow progression of my master bedroom? Yeah, me too. But I'm happy to announce we've entered the final stage. The hubby and I are figuring out the "above our bed situation" and then we've got to throw up a couple of shelves, some frames and we'll be done. We are mere weeks away!

But in the meantime, we've made a few additions. First, the lamps I've been talking about for ages came in (and nearly a month early - no less. *High-fives to West Elm*)

The day they arrived, it sort of felt like Christmas morning.

So, we set up the lamps and added my DIY-stenciled wall art. What we thought would take 10-15 minutes, of course, ended up taking 45-60 minutes. And our wall may have a few "test" holes in it, but it was so worth the wait!

Targeting: Target Style

I'm not that trendy, I don't pretend to be. I gave up on that a long time ago. If I happen to like something trendy, well, lucky me. I'm into simple, casual; I like bows, ruffles and stripes. I straight-up have an addiction issue to cardigans (The hubby once told me I sometimes dress like a teacher. Whatever, I will own that.) 

But you know what I love? Yeah, you do... You know. I love Target. I actually don't buy many clothes at Target (I prefer to saunter in and around the home decor section) but, well, I just might start.

Meet Target Style.

It's a blog that features monthly stylists and themes who put together looks from the current or upcoming Target lines. The current guest editor is June Ambrose, the last one was Brad Goreski, whom I love!

I love the style on the right so much, I had to run out and buy the dress. And at $24.99, well, I can't complain.

Of course, you can follow Target Style on Tumblr, Twitter or Facebook. Me? I think I do all three.

Happy Targeting!

March-ing

Is time not FLYING? Geez, I feel like I was just saying, "Oh my gosh, how it February already?!" and now it's already March. I'm super-pumped about the new month, though. Here's why:

1. Wedding Season kicks off. I love wedding season. Who doesn't? I mean, I do have to put away a larger percentage of my salary to cover all the bridal shower/bachelorette/wedding gifts, traveling to weddings, etc. BUT I don't mind it. While our first wedding of the year is actually next month, the showers and fun start this month. So begins the season of random lunchtime trips to Pottery Barn and Bed Bath & Beyond. Well, I say bring it on.

(here)

2. Hunger Games Movie Premieres. Enough said. Wait, no. I take that back, not enough said. I've been looking forward to this movie ever since I read the first book back in 2009 (oh yes, I was a HG early-adopter). I've already got my movie ticket purchased and me and my pals are ready to squeal with the rest of the tweens who will - no doubt - be in the audience with us! #TeamPeeta

 

3. St Patty's - Best day of the year in Dallas? Maybe. Excited for round 5!

 

4. That's a Wrap. I should finally (for the most part) wrap up my re-do of our master bedroom. I'll be putting some finishing touches on in the coming two weeks. It looks so great - can't wait to share!

5. Busy Season is O-vuh. (Yes, that's over.) Lucky me, my husband's busy season wrapped up early so I've been spending lots of time with him, which explains the lack of blogging. 

6. Almost there... And last, but certainly not least, March just means one step closer to... Summer Fridays (the most glorious time of the year.)



Is it just me or is this the best time of the year?!

Baby Shower Inspiration

As I previously shouted from the rooftops, happy-tearfully announced mentioned, my sister is having a baby. This is the first baby in our family and I will be an aunt for the first time. And I get to help plan my sister's baby shower! My mom and I are hosting the shindig at my casa this Spring.

Of course ever since the hubby learned of the baby shower planning, he's been finding every possible chance to say "We hav-een a bebe showuh!" circa Franck Eggelhoffer from Father of the Bride Part 2. (Best movie ever.)

As soon as we found out the sex of the baby, we've gone into baby shower planning mode. (It won't take long for you to see below whether I'll be getting a niece or nephew...)

Here is the mood board I created to help guide the baby shower "theme." (P.S. I know I'm a little late to the party, but can we talk about how amazing Olioboard is?!)

And we can't wait for Eli Christopher to get here in July!

Isn't he the most handsome thing you've ever seen? ;-)