Month: August 2009

by Allison

for the love of nie nie.

I love Stephanie, I really do.

Last week I had the chance to spend an afternoon with Stephanie, Rachael, Jyl, and Marie at Stephanie’s home in Utah. She won a BlogLuxe award from the SocialLuxe Lounge for *most inspirational* and wasn’t able to travel to Chicago to accept it, so we brought it to her.

What’s killing me is that we didn’t have a winner swag bag to present along with the award. Stephanie’s not really all that materialistic, but it would have been nice to give one to her just the same.

Sitting in her living room having profound conversation was so enjoyable I was late to my own C’s 5th birthday party. I could have chatted all night. Hanging out with Stephanie felt like spending time with one of my oldest and closest girlfriends; she immediately made me feel at ease. Even though I once accosted her in Costco.

A few months ago, in the midst of stressful planning and preparations for SocialLuxe, I was at Costco returning something with P. I immediately recognized Stephanie and Mr. Nielson ahead of me in line. I don’t know whether to blame it on SocialLuxe stress, … >> find out more…

Allison

Well, hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. We do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, crazy home remodel projects, and cool (yes, cool) DIY crafts you'll totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!

by Alma

Okay, Seriously This Time

So Mike and I would like to work on instituting a healthy lifestyle in our home. No, I don’t want to say diet, because that’s a dirty word, and it also I think doesn’t help much. I don’t need a “diet.” I need to change my whole lifestyle. For good. It’s funny. When I had gestational diabetes, it wasn’t hard to follow my meal plans. And I’m telling you—it was restrictive! Try limiting yourself to 45 carbs at dinner during the holiday-packed season: Halloween, wedding anniversary, Thanksgiving, my birthday, Christmas, and New Year’s! But I was able to do it because I wasn’t thinking about myself. I was thinking about my little baby.

The rest of my life should be the same. I should be thinking about the fact that I’m more likely to develop Type II diabetes. I should institute the changes now that will prevent that and that will promote excellent health.

Being a designer, I find it helps me to get excited about something if I can design around it. So I’d like to share with you my healthy lifestyle chart, which is largely based on a health&fitness; initiative by a group of my friends some time … >> find out more…

Alma

by Allison

giveaway winners: stella & dot, crayola, & cherish bound.


And the winners are:

Stella & Dot: Whimsical Creations
Crayola: Tara
Cherish Bound: $100: Stacia $75: Stacey $50: Motherboard

{If you didn’t win one of the three gift cards to Cherish Bound but are still interested in making a book, email me for a 10% off coupon}

Congratulations! Get in touch asap with giveaways@petitelefant.com


… >> find out more…

Allison

Well, hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. We do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, crazy home remodel projects, and cool (yes, cool) DIY crafts you'll totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!

by Allison

children’s bathroom remodel.

Shortly after C was born we gutted the second bathroom upstairs. We needed to renovate, bring the bathroom into the 21st century. A little more functional. In fact we just wanted function, period.

You realize C just turned 5. FIVE. This bathroom has been a sore spot in our lives for several years, and finally, finally, FINALLY it is almost done.

Victor is pretty handy with a tile saw, I’ll give him that. In fact, I can’t really think of anything Victor isn’t good at. Keeping his opinions to himself, perhaps. He isn’t capable of that.

I digress. Look! The bathroom!


I would like to take this opportunity to thank IKEA for inexpensive, contemporary lighting.


Home Depot also deserves a shout out: for being open late, coaching us through the tough spots, and making tile available to the poor man. And woman.



Victor, you had quite a vision. The tub + the tile at the end? I like where you’re headed with this.

I love this little touch around the shower handles. Makes the tile feel extra fancy.


My favorite part though is the tiny tiles on the ceiling. Those things were a beast to get up, grout, … >> find out more…

Allison

Well, hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. We do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, crazy home remodel projects, and cool (yes, cool) DIY crafts you'll totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!

by Kimberly

I’m a believer

Here’s the ugly truth: about 3 months after I gave birth to each of my babies, my hair fell out. Alot of it. Every day. Catching up for the natural shedding that slowed way down during pregnancy I suppose. I didn’t go bald, or course, but the warp-speed shedding did make my hair situation more problematic than usual. And then it starts to grow back at warp speed. But that’s another problem for another day.

I’d heard rumors that bumble and bumble offered a thickening product that could help. I was a little skeptical at dropping that much cash on a styling product, but I was also desperate. The gal at the salon affirmed that the spray could indeed work miracles. Ok. I’ll take it.
She was right. I love it. I will use it forever. It made a big, noticeable difference in texture and fullness instantly. Worth every fat penny.
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… >> find out more…

Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.

by Allison

blogher 2009, chicago i love you.

I’ve been sitting on this BlogHer post for several weeks because it’s taken me that much time to wrap my head around it. I’m still sifting and mulling in my brain, but it’s time to show you some photos.

Of course at first there was the SocialLuxe kick-off party, which was fabulous. Worth the last 5 months of my life I spent working on it.

When SocialLuxe was finished I was off to the races!

This was my first time to Chicago, and like every other city I visit I wish I’d had more time to wander around and get to know the city better. It’s beautiful. The architecture of all the buildings downtown is stunning. The buzz in the air is electric. The Sheraton was beautiful, the beds divine. I wanted to marry my bed, seriously. A big, huge, fat THANK YOU to Brand About Town for the ticket to BlogHer and the hotel room. I never win anything in my life, and I can’t believe I won admittance and a hotel for the conference. It was fate.

I accosted Pioneer Woman, Marlboro Man, and her adorable kiddos in the lobby. Marlboro Man is much taller … >> find out more…

Allison

Well, hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. We do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, crazy home remodel projects, and cool (yes, cool) DIY crafts you'll totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!

by Kimberly

room for a growing little boy

We bought our new home 2 years ago. It’s cozy (small-ish by western US standards), and we spent the first year here finishing the basement. I never knew choosing paint could be so traumatic. The major work is done, now it’s time for prettying things up outside and in, like with our toddler’s room. I was aiming for comfortable, cheerful, boyish, but not babyish or too grown up. On a very very snug budget. I’m pleased with it so far, though it probably will not be featured in any design magazines soon. We did our best to make use of existing items, hand-me-downs, and sentimental pieces plus a few bargain buys. I’d love your feedback.
  • headboard: homemade. not perfect, but suitable for now
  • bedding: vintage cowboy sheets from Potter Barn Kids (they were a clearance item) and IKEA duvet. $10. M calls it his windmill blanket.
  • quilt: made by my sister for M as a newborn. more cowboys
  • bedskirt: leftover from my single years
  • shelf: $14 from Roberts Craft, painted by me, treasures include a pair of cowboy boots that belonged to my husband and a silver train “bank” gifted from a dear friend.
  • dresser: IKEA. notice the knobs are

… >> find out more…

Kimberly

...by day, making a home where the buffalo roam. By night, pretty much the same thing, punctuated by the occasional fantasies of sunny beaches, italian movies and sparkling lemonade.

by Allison

and now you are five.


” A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five”
*Groucho Marx*






It was tricky getting you here baby C. It took nearly all I had, all you had, to get us both back. I’m so glad we made it. I love you more than words. You’re my moon, my sun, my stars. My light in the dark. Your sweetness is insatiable, your kindness and love contagious. Please be my baby until the stars run out of light.

Happy Birthday baby boy.


… >> find out more…

Allison

Well, hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. We do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, crazy home remodel projects, and cool (yes, cool) DIY crafts you'll totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!

by Allison

{suave} back-to-school giveaway for MOM.

I always feel a little bit justified in buying myself some back-to-school supplies. Moms need a little something to get through the school year too, right? Suave is generously giving away a basket filled to the brim with hair products for one of you. $50 worth. You won’t have to shop for hair products all year.



This stuff is fantastic. I’ve been a Suave fan for years, {it’s inexpensive!} and I’m loving their new {to me} hair products. I was introduced to a few new things at Suave’s BlogHer ’09 lounge, and have been using the Color Care shampoo since. What? I’m not a natural blonde, you know. You’ll love it. Here’s what is included in the giveaway basket:

  • Humectant Shampoo and Conditioner (2 of each)
  • Vibrant Shine Shampoo and Conditioner (2 of each)
  • Suave Advanced Therapy Lotion (2)
  • Suave Naturals body wash (2)
  • Suave 24 hour protection deodorant (2)
  • Professionals Extra Hold hairspray (2)
  • Professionals Extra Hold Styling gel (2)
  • Volumizing Root Lifter Spray Gel (2)


Giveaway Details:

1. To enter the Suave Gift Basket Giveaway, leave a comment here.
2. Leave ONE comment on this post between today and September 1 Midnight, MST. A winner … >> find out more…

Allison

Well, hello there! I'm Allison Czarnecki, founder + editor of Petit Elefant, a blog all about style on a budget for every part of your life: style / home / travel / family. We do a lot of how-to beauty + style tutorials, travel posts, easy recipes, crazy home remodel projects, and cool (yes, cool) DIY crafts you'll totally want to try. I'm super happily married (to a hot Polish immigrant) and am the mother of two kids, a daughter and son, all of whom are featured here on the regular. We live in the country but we're a little bit rock + roll. Welcome!