Andrea has been doing a fun series this year on her blog called What’s on… and earlier this month, she did What’s on…Your Walls. So fun, right? I missed the original link up date (because it was like 2 days after we moved in), so I’m making up for it today.
Here are a few of my favorite things on my walls…
Every time Andrew and I travel, we bring home a piece of art. We bought the top painting in Paris and the bottom painting in Venice. The majority of the art in my house are paintings we have picked up during our travels and then come home and frame out. I like to buy the paintings from the local artists, and then we always have our picture taken with them. We keep that pic on the back of each painting. When I walk around my house, I can remember my travels.
Here we are with the artist from the top painting way back in 2006 in Paris…
Hmmm…let’s all take a minute to be thankful I no longer have bangs..or wear Bermuda shorts.
In our family room upstairs, we have our giant Powercat hanging next to Andrew’s Big XII Championship jersey. A family friend (who has since retired) made these big Powercats for my parents and us. Unfortunately, they can’t be purchased (because I know my K-Staters will ask!). We love seeing our K-State stuff when we walk up the stairs in our house :).
I have a random monkey or two framed and hung in the house…who doesn’t love a silly looking monkey in a gaudy gold frame?! It’s so over the top ridiculous that I love it. 🙂
Three of my very favorite pictures of Kensington and Smith hang down one wall. I just love their sweet faces.
And the wall leading out of my office has this set of canvases too. I can’t have too much of my kiddos around me!
Coming in the back door, we have our hooks and “mudroom” type area for all three kiddos. This hangs on our wall.
Each kid has their own little chalkboard under their name.
If you missed my post about my laundry room/office from last week, I have a lot of wall art in that room too.
My favorite art in my office area are my foodie prints (all of my original recipes).
Andrew and I have also been collecting old books when we travel (seriously, don’t we have the most random collections?!). We keep these books on our bookshelves (which are on our wall). Most of the books are not in English and most of them are very, very old. We have become really good over the last 10 years at finding obscure little bookshops wherever we go and collecting really old books.
My favorite wall though is…my birthday sign wall. Every year, I have a sign made for each kid’s birthday and in the past, I have hung the signs in their rooms but I knew in the new house that I wanted one common area to display all of the signs at once. I always get a sign to represent the day that they’re born and then one sign for every birthday after that…
If you’ll notice, even sweet Ashby has her own sign. She most definitely has been born…so she needs a sign too :). I can’t wait to keep expanding my sign area as the years go by.
Lots of signs to represent lots of fun birthdays.
The sign that says Kensington (London, England) is the one I had made for her birth, the sign that says Smith Shull (Wildcat Football) is the sign I had made for Smith’s birth and the sign that says Ashby London (with polka dots and butterflies) is the sign that I had made for her birth.
To see their actual birthday parties, click below…
My friend Amy always makes my signs for me and as of now, she doesn’t want to expand and sell signs to others. I’m sure there are a lot of people on Etsy though that would make signs for you. This is such a fun way for us to remember their birthdays.
If you want to link up to Andrea’s post in the future, here is her schedule…
Speaking of Andrea’s walls…have you seen her patriotic DIY wall art????
Shut the front door. She made this. For under $30. And she says it’s easy! Click here to learn how to make this and to see her other fun patriotic decorations and DIY ideas.
And one last thing…
My friend Dani has been looking extra fabulous lately and it’s because of her eye makeup! She’s been using Younique. Do you know what this is? It’s the mascara-like product that you layer on top of your regular mascara for killer eyelashes. I have tried out the product too and geez, my eyelashes look so good!! It really does work! If you’ve ever been interested in Younique, have questions, considered selling Younique or want to check out their site, click here.
I love this stuff because it goes on just like mascara (over my mascara) and then washes off at night when I’m done. No tweezers, no falsies, nothing complicated! Just really pretty lashes.
Don’t Dani’s lashes look fabulous?!
I’m hosting an online Younique Party between now and the 28th! Click here to see more.
Dinner tonight is my Coconut Crusted Chicken with Orange Marmalade. The simplest little weeknight meal!
Happy Thursday friends!
Melissa Kelly says
Love your artwork and the picture on the back idea. Your birthday signs are adorable. Do you mind sharing what size they are?
Natalie @ Never Serious Blog says
What a fun series!
I LOVE their Birthday signs, too cute! 🙂
Tara G. says
We always bring art home, too. I love the memories.
Anonymous says
Bday signs are soo cool! What a great wall display!
Sheaffer {Pinterest Told Me To} says
Okay. I'm officially dying. BERMUDA SHORTS? Huh? What? I literally have never been so confused. Like if I saw you in a pair of Bermuda shorts now I would think I had been transported into some type of alternate universe. Bermuda shorts on others? Fine. Bermuda shorts on you. Strange and confusing. For some reason I assumed you were wearing short shorts since infancy!
Paula says
I love the memories of art from your travels. Of course the birthday signs are to die for. I wish I thought of that. I have a nine year old next week, 6 year old and 3 year old twins…too late. But such a fun idea!
Shesabigstar says
LOVE the hooks in the mudroom… what a great area! And those birthday signs?! Ahh, I love everything about them… so perfect! <3
Elaine Welte says
Love your travel collections! Great idea to take a picture with the artist!
Hayley Chandler says
I love what's on your walls because everything has meaning and has been collected. Love, love, love!!!
dresselfamily.blogspot.com says
oh too cute, and I LOVE the birthday sign idea, where do you get them printed up? I am mad I didn't know about these before my kiddos were born 😉 I would have ALOT of signs to make up!
I love the travel ones too, what a great idea!
melissabunny100 says
You have like the best ideas ever!!
Rebecca@littledevilswithwings says
I love what's on your walls, everything is special to you.
clatk says
Not sure if you're a reader or not, but your travel artwork reminded me of JoJo Meyer's book The Girl You Left Behind. You should check it out!!
Jenny says
I love your book collection and the idea of buying a local painting on your trips. How fun!
Anonymous says
Tell us more about the birthday signs!! Details, please! What size? Are they printed up and then put on a canvas or wood? LOVE this idea…
Tiffany {A Touch of Grace} says
I love the canvases you have! And the birthday signs…amazing. Love.
What a fun series Andrea put together!
Anonymous says
That is a great idea to take a picture and put it on the back to document where you bought it! I love the kids signs for each birthday! How clever 🙂 Your children are lucky to call you mommy!
Slightly Askew Designs says
I love everything in this post A LOT and equally… well… maybe I like the birthday signs just a little bit more than the others 🙂 But seriously, everything you have on your walls is fabulous… your walls themselves are fabulous… and yes, even you in bermuda shorts is fabulous 🙂 I remember (AND LOVE!) bermuda short Shay. hahaha Bermuda short shay and crazy short hair Andrea used to have lots of free time. Thanks so much for linking up and for the shout out on my flag… I expect to see you spray painting furring strips out in your fabulous driveway ASAP 🙂
Mix and Match Mama says
The signs are painted wood. They're all a little different in size but roughly 10" by 24".
Sarah says
OH my gosh you have the best collection, so cool that you get a painting in each place you've been with the artist. And those birthday signs, amazing! I think you've convinced me to get some canvases done…now where to put them…
Tracy says
There's so much I love about this post! Your picture with the artist on the back of the painting – great idea! The mud room (would love to see the whole thing!). The birthday signs are adorable. Will you be doing a home tour on your blog of your new home? I'd LOVE to see the room where the monkey print is hanging! Looks like a fun color and such a crazy print!
Anonymous says
Where did you get those frames? They all look so nice!!
Kimm Atwood says
This post is awesome. What fun things full of memories you have in your home. And Andreas flag, that is like to die for…I will pay her to make me it and the wreath!!! Darn I need to get more crafty! Happy Thursday
Sethsmom says
Love it all! Can I start over? Lol
Elizabeth says
Hi Shay! Can you tell me about your monkey pictures? I've been looking for something similar since I saw them in a post about (I believe) your guest bath. Thanks so much!
kristinwithani says
You look fantastic in that 2006 Paris pic. In fact, you look just like your beautiful mom.
hillary says
OK your house is amazing but what got me so excited in this post was seeing Ashby London's name on your walls!! OH my word. Too thrilling. What a miracle. And hearing that she is definitely born?! EEEEEKS!!! You're killin' me SHULLS!
Shelby says
Loved looking at all of your wall decor!! <3 It double, triple reminds me I need to get canvases!! Love!!
JJaz says
Awesome post 🙂
I saw this while browsing and immediately thought of you:
http://m.katespade.com/charles-street-kensington/PXRU4668-1%2Cen_US%2Cpd.html?dwvar_PXRU4668-1_color=395&cgid=ks-sale
Aubs says
love love love the art you've collected while traveling and that you have a picture with each artist!! And I love that so much of your wall décor has special meaning to you!!
Jaren says
Love all your wall art. Would you believe we moved into our new house 3 years ago and I still haven't decided what to put on my dining room walls! I just can't make a commitment and hate putting nail holes in the wall. I wish I could be decisive at times. Love how you did the birthday signs!
Misty Colton says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog, kids and fashion style. You're a one of kind!
Misty Colton says
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog, kids and fashion style. You're a one of kind!
ajaespoo says
I love that your home mixes trendy design with so many personal touches. The shelves of old books are my favorite, of course besides the K-State gear! Go Cats!
Anonymous says
I like your signs, but I prefer a picture each year on their birthday. I frame them in a simple white 4×6 frame and it dramatically shows how much they have changed/grown and it's easy to fit on a wall…18 years fills up a wall fast!!
Emily says
Hi Shay!
What are dimensions of your birthday signs? I’m wanting a size similar for a sin I’m having made to go get the couch in my family room. Thanks!!