My Lasts by Lindsay Asta; TCOT owner

As the delivery of my new (and last) baby approaches I am having such mixed feelings. So excited to meet this beautiful, perfect little one and yet willing the days to slow down at the same time. My three oldest children (2, 4 and 8) are just growing up way too fast. I love each new and exciting chapter with them and love to see the amazing people they are turning into. With that said, it's all the lasts that are making me heavy hearted.

My oldest son just lost his last front tooth. He picks out his own clothes. He gets himself ready in the mornings. I can't remember the last time he wanted to snuggle up and cuddle on the couch and watch a movie. When I tucked him in and kissed him goodnight on the eve of his 8th birthday a few weeks ago I cried like a baby! I wonder, how much does he really need me for these days? When will he be too old and too cool to hug me and tell me he loves me before leaving for school? When will I be completely uncool to him?

With my four year old son I just keep wondering...is this his last nap? Is this the last time he will cuddle up and ask me to hold him so he can fall asleep?  I can't believe this fall he will be in pre-k and it will be his last year of preschool...unbelievable, it feels like he were just born. Will he even need me to hold his hand on his first day of kindergarten? He plays soccer and goes out to play with the "big boys". He goes to preschool and then surprises me with everything he learns...(insert sigh here)

And my baby girl, I am unsure how she is already two! She tells me we are best friends, will she always say that? Right now she need your mama to fall sleep, comforting arms to hold you tight, when will be the last time until you too, won't need your mama so much? All this little girl wants to do is play babies and make-up, Minnie Mouse dress up and do hair and nails...with me! Will she always love to spend time and share all her favorite things with me?

I know we have so much to look forward to, but am I alone in missing all the lasts? We get so excited about the firsts in life...baby's first smile, their first words and steps...first day of preschool and kindergarten. How about the last diaper you changed or the last bottle you gave them or the last time they nursed. What was the last bedtime story you told them. It's all these things I will miss with my older children as I prepare to welcome our last baby.

So, I will continue to try to live in the moment. Enjoy each and every thing, because even in that moment I might not be having very much fun, but because it just might be their "last".

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The next book you should pick up!!! -Carly Morris, TCOT founder/owner

If you have read this book, then you know what I'm talking about! I absolutely loved this book and could not put it down. I would consider myself an avid reader, I am always looking for my next favorite book. Well let me tell ya, this book did not disappoint. In short, its narrated by a sassy/spunky teenage girl who is dying of cancer and her love story with another teenager who happens to be a cancer-survivor.
Their story is quirky and artsy fartsy and adorable. The character's wit and charm make you fall in love with them.

It is true that this book is categorized as a YA (young adult novel). Don't let that deter you!!! It has eloquent writing and really tugs at the heart strings. I would also go as far to say that this book provoked deeper thinking about death and dying....it did for me anyway.

Warning, this book will most likely make you cry. Like probably sob. Like probably that ugly cry/sob.
I actually read and amazon review of someone who said he was a teenage boy and he said this book made him cry. So buyer beware.

The author, John Green is a great author that has some other popular books available. I had to know more about him after I finished reading this book so I did a little digging. He actually wrote this book with someone in mind. His inspiration was this 16yr old girl, he randomly met at a Harry Potter Fan Conference with his brother. This girl had thyroid cancer and he kept in sporadic touch. Ready more about that here!!! (warning there might be some spoilers in that interview) The girl who inspired this book actually has a book of her very own. Find out about that here. I am thinking it might be a good follow up read for me since I just recently finished the book.

Another exciting thing about this book is that they are adapting it into a movie due out this Summer. I'm hoping that they do this story justice because it definitely has been added to my list of favorite books.

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Helicopter Dad? by Carly Morris TCOT owner/founder

We have all heard of "Helicopter mom" with its negative connotation of being uptight and clingy and who inhibits their child's independence/creativity with their "hovering."

But what about Helicopter Dads? Dads who "hover" and disrupt play at the first sign of a challenge or discomfort.  Well guess what folks, there are plenty of those out there too but we are too busy zero-ing in on moms to put the spot light on dads too!

My stance on parenting is usually "to each, their own" but recently while I was out at a play date at the Family Museum (on a Saturday,....ugh!) I noticed a huge amount of dads toting their little ones around. It was great to watch and observe the many fathers of the QCA playing with their children.
One thing really stood out to me though. There seemed to be two type of dads on this particular Saturday.

The first type was the Dad that looks anxious and nervous and a little "out of his league", Let me defend them for a second by saying that The Family Museum is a complete Nut house on weekends/Spring Break. Its packed most of the time when its crummy outside. If you have ever been to Chik Fil A when noon strikes, then you know what I'm talking about. Back on topic, those dads look terrified and are trailing their kids like the NYPD. They are on top of them, telling them to "be careful", "be nice" and telling them how to play at each station. "No splashing" is heard a lot at the water table. When a child is playing with something in a non typical way, they are quick to let their child know. (ie: "don't use that stethoscope on the Milk Carton") I have even heard some "shushing"! Yes!!! At a Family Museum, there are Dads that get VERY uncomfortable when their children shrieks (loudly) with delight. I just want to reach out and tell them "its ok, I know...its overwhelming but it can also be A LOT of fun if you just relax."

And then there are the Laid back Dads...the ones who are getting in there and playing with their kids instead of instructing them. They look like big kids all over again. I think they are enjoying themselves just as much as their kids. Living in the now, and letting their kids go off on their own a little bit without breaking out into a sweat. They are getting served wooden Melissa and Doug Pizza at Sal's Pizza. They are working the register at the Harvest Market while their lil one checks out with their overpriced fruit snacks and block of cheese. But they are also letting their kids explore without interfering. Letting their kids make some decisions on where to go and how to play. It was interesting to watch as these dads were very comfortable on stepping back to watch from a distance.

Needless to say, I was definitely having a good time observing the parents at the Family Museum while my kids splashed at the water table, shrieked with delight,  and served me some yummy Wooden Pizza. PARENTING....to each, his own.

Which type of Dad is your husband? We would love to hear from you!

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Five Places to Shop on a Budget by: Sherri Scott, Interior Designer

                                                            Five Places to Shop on a Budget

Sometimes I have a bit of a problem cracking open the wallet and making a purchase, sometimes!  I blame my mother, really.  Like most mothers her first priority was her children and she spent money on us before she spent it on herself or something for the home.  And I have unfortunately inherited that trait.  I find myself in the store just thinking it over forever, sometimes leaving and coming back (hello, because sometimes with the little ones they leave very little time for thinking something over, am I right?).  Anyway, it really can annoying! So here are a few places to shop on a budget for the mass population.

1.      Target  Now this should be NO surprise to anyone.  Target has everything.  They have a lot of bold patterns in drapes and rugs.  Great picture frames, vases, artwork, lamps and furniture.  I love the look industrial look of these stools and the turquoise console table has been calling my name.  I do find sometimes the quality can be a bit lacking but for the most part there are some good finds.

2.      Home Goods  I checked out the store locater and saw that there is not a Home Goods listed within 100 miles of Davenport.  Total disappointment.  Home Goods is a sister store of TJ Max.  They are filled with seasonal items, frames, kitchen, bath, furniture, artwork, lamps (love the lamps), bedding….and really so much more.  They also have a kid’s section with room décor, toys and books which is a must hit if you have kids.  They have decent quality chairs for kids very similar to the Pottery Barn Anywhere Chair.  This is a must hit if you are on a budget but looking for a change up or even updating your mantel for the new season.

3.      Hobby Lobby  I first went to Hobby Lobby during college for supplies for my design boards.  That store is HUGE.  My girls love going there and picking out a new craft to work on.  The last time I was there I fell in love with an apothecary type dresser that was distressed and had the alphabet on it.  (complete fail and didn’t take a picture) It would look awesome in a little boy’s room.   They also have some fun table clocks (pictured) and metal art that would add a little something to your simple gallery wall.  KNOBS (pictured)….tons and tons of dresser knobs or pulls that you can get to easily change up your dressers.   I bought some for my daughter’s room and will share in a future post of her nursery. 

4.      Etsy Is an ecommerce site that sells vintage items and just about anything that someone has made.  I have purchased subway art (similar to the picture below from Word Whipped) and stuffed animals for my girls on the site.  You may have to be patient and do some searching but it is an awesome site and can hook you for hours.  You can also find creative seasonal items or craft starter DIY items such as felt cutouts for garland.  Check it out.

5.      World Market  Is also a unique place to shop with a very ethnic and eclectic vibe to it.  They have curtains, rugs, furniture, wall art and more.  They also have a small food and beverage section in case you need a snack.

A few honorable mentions would include Joss and Main (a members only site with daily deals), JoAnn Fabrics and let’s not forget GARAGE SALES or estate sales.  You can find a lot of vintage furniture items and bring new life to them at garage sales.   These are just a few big box places to shop but I love love love to find a gem in my neighborhood to support the local talent and business owners.  It is the best way to find something unique that not everyone else will have.  So when possible, shop locally.  What are some of your favorite places to shop?

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Baby Shower Ideas

If you are in the process of or have ever hosted a baby shower you know how daunting of a task this can be. You love your friend and her baby to death and you want everything to be perfect on this special day. One of my best friends had her first baby this summer, a boy! It was a very special time for her and I was thrilled to have the opportunity to co-host her shower! So, I did a little research and I think we did alright! Here are a few highlights from what we found...

Do a beautiful cake or cupcakes as a centerpiece for the party. A gender reveal cake or cupcake would be so fun if the mommy hasn't told yet!

Don't buy expensive decorations that will get thrown away. Instead, get creative, use your gifts as the décor.

Make your gift practical. Fill a basket or a wash tub with items they will need for baby. Of course you can always throw in some fun things too!

Do the new mommy/mommy to be a favor and purchase thank you's when you purchase the invites. When guests arrive have the envelopes sitting with the guest book and have guest address them to themselves to save mommy a little time!

Hand make your guest book. You can begin baby's first scrap book by beginning it with the guest book. Have each guest write a personal note to the baby.

Get these little stickers along with some onesies for easy monthly photo ops!



Make a diaper cake. It's a great center piece and it is so practical! You will need a lot of diapers and rubber bands, so be ready! I love how the bottom picture has a tutu, shirt and booties for baby incorporated into it.

Fun treats and food ideas...

Good luck!!!

All pictures found on Pinterest



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Make a Small Space feel larger! Tip and Tricks by Sherri Scott, Interior Designer

How to Make a Small Space Feel Larger

Our old house was a small, quaint, three bedroom home.  There were a lot of things that we loved about it and as usual, a number of things we compromised on.  The main level did not have an open floor plan.  The kitchen/eat in area was completely walled off from the living room.  What it did have was a great cathedral ceiling that helped the main living areas feel more open and spacious, but we also had to get a creative with our décor and layouts.  Here are a few tips to keep in mind when putting together a small room.

1. Clean up your space and keep the clutter at bay.  Often with a small room storage can also be a challenge.  It means that organization is that much more important.  Use baskets and multi-purpose furniture pieces to minimize what is out visually.  Try not to over accessorize; keep it simple.
2. Selecting the right paint color.  Neutrals are typically the best way to go with small rooms.  I am not talking white, but a warm gray or even a very subtle cool blue can be a neutral.  Then throw in accent colors of cool, soothing colors such as light greens or blues to give pops of color without closing the space in on you.
3. Mirrors.  Mirrors will give the room an illusion of being larger.  Here are a few ways to use mirrors: place them near a window to reflect the natural light, use a tall mirror to give the space visual height or use mirrored furniture for fun.
4. I touched on this in a previous post.  Hang your window treatments at your ceiling to create height.  Also keep as much of the window open as possible to allow the natural light in.  Window treatments are meant to frame your window when they are open, not cover them (accept of course when you close them, right?!)  Have the fabric stack overlapping the window slightly and the rest stacked over the wall.
5. Keep the furniture at a proper scale. Who doesn’t love a great, comfy sofa to lie down on?  My husband is tall so one thing that was important when shopping for furniture was buying something he could stretch out on.  But sometimes you have to find something that fits in your room. Buy furniture at the correct scale.  Often smaller furniture is referred to as apartment scale in stores.  Try a sofa or entertainment stand that is on legs for more openness.

As mentioned on first house we compromised a lot.  And now the second house…we compromised on different things.  The space is much larger, but the home doesn’t quite have the same character or open ceiling. We are continuing to work away on projects and I hope to share some with you soon.

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Fashion Friday: Anchor's Away; TCOT Boutique Style

We are always excited when a fun new trend spreads like wild fire! Not because we like to dress like everyone else but quite the opposite. We love to see everyone's else's take on a certain trend.
The one we are diving into for Spring is Anchors (you may have seen this last year too!)

It has such a fun "All American" feel with crisp colors and clean lines (also seeing lots of stripes again). Lets take a look what is out there!

 

The Maxi Anchor dress by The Cherry on Top Boutique will be added to the online shop soon!

The Maxi Racer back Tank Top will be perfect for outdoorsy trips and family picnics. The Cherry on Top is excited to be adding this top to the online shop very soon!

Old Navy is crawling with Anchor Sweaters and Tops. Check it out here! We are loving the pop of color with the bright coralish red Anchors on this lightweight top!

Even Target is getting on board (no pun intended) with Anchor themed fashion! We are loving the red exposed zipper on back too! Reminds us of our zipper back tops!!!

 

 

 

J Crew took it a step further with Anchor themed/accessories for the whole family. At J Crew, you can find tie clips, socks, handkerchiefs, sweaters, belts, and dresses with the Anchor logo!!!

I am personally a huge fan of J Crew because of their great quality and timeless fashions.

 

So what have you been adding to your wardrobe, lately?

 

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A Picture of Health -Libby of Advocare

A Picture of Health

So the girls have not been napping lately...Which means no sacred mommy time. That is precious more than I ever expected! I have felt more frustrated with the girls which I hate to say but that little hour break was important for me to relax. Or at least to wash dishes in peace. I’ve always been anxious after my kids were born. I was reading the other day what kind of physiological things happen to a mother when she hears her baby cry. Instantly wanting to make everything ok. That’s me for sure. Do you ever just hear that and tense up instantly?

I’ve been trying to find things that help me relax. Working out is definitely one of them. Releasing that tension and anger sometimes helps. Meditation helps too but when you have 20 minutes do we really lay there?

Last week I took the girls to The Children’s Museum in Normal, IL.. That was soo fun! It was nice to see another museum and what they have to learn about there. It kept the girls busy for hours and afterward we hit up our favorite place. ... T.A.R.G.E.T. Oh yes, that store is quite awesome and could surely spend thousands of dollars on really nothing per visit. Especially with three little girls who also like to shop.

Today I promised them I would buy them some paints. I love all things crafts. All the messy, gooey crafts that are possible.

 

 

Paint, Play Doh, glitter, stickers....love it all.

Of course kids LOVE painting but I had totally forgotten how much I loved it too. It was relaxing and corny to say but Good for My Soul. It’s like just a way of expressing yourself right on paper with your choice of color and stroke. Liv and Bella being 4 and Bre almost 3, it is was enjoyable because they weren’t trying to eat it and were making one picture after another for whoever they could think of. I was one relaxed Momma to say the least and perhaps it helped all paints were washable.

So if you’re ever in the art aisle, grab some paints and get to it. You may just surprise yourself in how sometimes a mess can put you back together.

As for the girls, they say it’s their favorite time is painting with Mom... :)

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