Real life in my living room

I started this year with a new mantra: keep it real.  So here it is. No fuss and frills. Just my real life, flaws and all.  I am always looking to improve so I do plan to paint and rearrange here and there but with intention and a thrifty mentality.  Let's take a tour shall we?

I have a palette of green, blue, tan and brown going on in this space right now.  I had all of the main pieces already.  I didn't realize I had this whole thing until I found some pillows at big lots and suddenly it hit me.  Now my cow makes sense in the room.  It is a bit dark in here still but a fresh wall color will take care of that.  Yes, that is Elmo photo bombing. I move him around often so my 2-year-old is always surprised to see him.  I think she believes he is real.

I had a larger basket making this a coffee table but I like the simpler look of a smaller tray.  The large white basket now sits atop my fridge.  

I've heard plants help air quality in your home. These two are hard at work beside a basket I picked up from the dollar spot in Target.  It's made of clothes line and is perfect for holding coasters and any random bits floating about.

A serendipitous purchase of placemats from Big Lots keeps my table cloth clean a bit longer. Who has time for laundry much less changing the table cloth everyday.

Someday I may style this table but for now it holds napkins, and coloring books.  The limpton tea can holds crayons stylishly and the jar on the bottom shelf holds a can of spray sunscreen.

This little lovely was a request from my husband.  A handy place to hold coats and hats since we have no foyer or hall closet to catch our belongings at the door.

Life is real. I could wish for a magazine living room but with pets and kids and a less than perfect home design we do what we can, the best we can.  Our home may not reflect the popular tastes but I hope it at least reflects the love within.  

I have dishes to wash. Mouths to feed. Laundry to fold. Everyday stuff.  I also have a wonderful family who spent the day with me.  My home is filled with the smells of my childhood while dinner is finishing up in the oven.  It makes me a little misty as memories flow through my mind while I stir my beans and the pork roast sizzles.  I am making memories in the everyday.  Today was a good one to remember.