chanelmovingforward

I solemnly swear that I am up to no good

October 31, 2018

Happy Halloween! The best day of the year has finally arrived and I could not be more excited! It’s been a busy day gearing up for our annual Halloween party tonight and celebrating at the kids schools this morning. It was so fun to see all the kids in their costumes and I love how special the schools make it for all of them. I may have even cried after leaving Henry’s school because he was so cute and excited to see all of us there. This years costume is a family affair and I’m obsessed with how everyone’s turned out! The kids have really gotten into Harry Potter lately and my husband and I have always been fans. When brainstorming family costumes a few months ago, Harry Potter came to me like a lightbulb moment and from there it was time to start planning.

My husband is 6’5 so Hagrid was the perfect choice for him. My maiden name is McGonigle so Professor McGonagall was very fitting. Evelyn makes the cutest little Hermione and my sweet Henry plays the Harry character so well. This was such a fun costume to put together and nearly everything was from Amazon (everything linked at the bottom of the post) except Evelyn’s costume which was handmade. All of the Hagrid pieces came from a few thrift stores! Also, can we talk about how he rocks the Jesus hair and wig?!? What are you guys being today? I hope you all have a safe and fun Halloween! xoxo

Green Velvet Cape // Witch Hat // Prof. McGonagall Glasses // Jesus Wig // Scarf // HP Glasses // Harry Potter Accessory Set // Harry Potter Robe // Tie // Evelyn’s Hermione Costume was handmade from Little Ladies Boutique. I’m not sure if she makes the costumes anymore but there are a ton of small shops on Etsy who do custom dresses! Here is a cheaper option.

The Best Vacation Spot in Georgia for a Relaxing Girls Weekend

October 26, 2018

A few weeks ago my girlfriend Katie and I packed up our cars, kissed our kids goodbye and escaped our busy daily lives of wiping bottoms, feeding babies and cleaning up endless messes. All moms deserve to be pampered, even if it’s for a quick 48 hours. Barnsley Resort is located just an hour west of Atlanta which makes it perfect for a girls’ getaway literally any time you’re craving a break but are short on time. It is one of those places that can make you feel like you’re in another country. Since visiting Barnsley last year with my family, I knew I was going to have the best time and I couldn’t wait to experience this beautiful resort with Katie!

Last summer my husband, kids and I stayed in the cute cottages because The Inn at Barnsley Resort was still being built. For my visit this October, I was able to experience the brand new Inn which just opened in March. It is simply exquisite with brand new furnishings, plush beds and an elegant staircase in the lobby. With only 3 floors, it’s just quaint enough to feel like you’re the only one there! My favorite part was definitely the end of night s’mores around the fire pit! I love how the staff had everything you needed and they even lit the fire pit for you! It was a great end to our whirlwind trip!

One of my favorite, and most relaxing, things to do was walk the beautiful grounds and breathe in the fresh Fall air. The weather in early October was ideal and it made all the outdoor activities so fun. From Bocce Ball to Disk Golf, Clay Shooting to Horseback Riding, there is something for everyone. In addition to the numerous activities Barnsley offers, there is endless indoor & outdoor space, making it an ideal location for retreats and weddings.

When you’re ready to relax, head to the incredible spa with whirlpool tub or take a dip in the saltwater pool. And don’t forget the food, which to me is the most important thing on a trip! I definitely travel for food and Barnsley Resort does not disappoint. From extravagant breakfast spreads to a deviled egg flight, every meal I’ve eaten at The Woodlands Grill has been fantastic. The only thing better than the food and amenities is the service which exemplifies Southern hospitality!

This expansive resort is the most breathtaking and magical place you will come across! Basically, you’ll never want to leave! And with that, I am so, so excited to be teaming up with Barnsley to give one lucky reader a FREE stay! The giveaway includes a Light Up The Holidays prize package in a Barnsley Resort Cottage, $50 resort credit, and a commemorative ornament {Valid November 24th – December 27th 2018}!! Entering is SO easy and we can’t wait to give one of you a weekend trip to see their beautiful Christmas display and tour of lights! HOW TO ENTER: Follow @chanelvanreenen @kotuttle and @barnsleyresort on Instagram and like & comment on our giveaway photos that we will post over the next few weeks. SO EASY! For an extra entry, leave me a blog comment and let me know who you would bring with you if you won! Thank you so much for reading, following along, and for your continuous support! xoxo

*Thank you to Barnsley Resort for sponsoring this post!*

Halloween Home Tour!

October 24, 2018

It’s no secret that Halloween is my favorite holiday! I mean, I had my dining room painted dark purple because of my deep love for this holiday! If you have been following me on Instagram (@chanelvanreenen), then you have seen some behind the scenes decorating that’s been happening over the past few weeks. Within only one week until Halloween, I’m so excited to share our home tour! Decorating for the holidays is hands down my favorite thing to get everyone in the holiday spirit and really makes the month leading up so much fun. Let’s get onto the tour!

Living Room

Sunroom

Dining Room

Foyer

Kitchen

Basically my house looks like an asylum right now and I’m definitely okay with that. My favorite places to shop for Halloween decor are Target, Home Goods, TJ Maxx, Party City, Michael’s, Hobby Lobby, Home Depot and Lowe’s. I’ve actually never, ever purchased Halloween decor online because I love getting it in person and I need instant gratification. Do you decorate for Halloween? What is your favorite part of this holiday? I’d love to hear in the comments below! Happy Haunting!

Oh Sugar, Sugar

October 14, 2018

Halloween is so close I can practically taste it! The house is decorated to the max, candy is stockpiled, the kids have their costumes and now they finally have their trick-or-treating bags! These super cute Kelly Green tote bags are made by the Father/Daughter duo Gunner & Lux. You may have seen Evelyn wearing their adorable shirts or necklaces over on my Instagram feed because I am seriously obsessed with everything they make. I am so excited to share that they are giving away TWO bags to my readers! These are the perfect totes for Halloween night and any other Halloween activities you have. Entering is super simple, just head to this Instagram post! Good luck, Friends and happy almost Halloween!

A Healthy Halloween

October 11, 2018

Since we tend to go overboard on the sweets for Halloween, I’ve been trying to keep healthier treats around this month. Starting on October 1 every year, the kids and I do a “countdown to Halloween” each day after school. This includes anything from painting pumpkins, making a spooky ghost gingerbread house, baking something yummy, or going on a scavenger hunt to find a new holiday toy. I find most of the months surprises in the Target Dollar Spot, at Michaels or Joann’s craft stores, or even Party City. Ultimately, I want to create memories of togetherness and have the kids always cherish special holiday times that they will remember forever and hopefully pass down to their children.

Holidays with kids really are the most amazing thing. I love getting them excited and giving them something to look forward to. We love celebrating for the entire month of a major holiday and since Halloween is my favorite holiday, my excitement has rubbed off on them. Last week I surprised them after school with a real life skeleton and some yummy snacks, including a Bootastic Bouquet with Orange Swizzle Berries & Swizzle Bananas from Edible Arrangements! It’s a great alternative to the typical Halloween candy and snacks and comes with fun chocolate covered pineapple cats, bats, and ghosts!

I’ve shared my love of Edible Arrangements in the past and they really are my go-to special treat for any occasion. Just last month we threw a mini party for my husband and the fruit arrangement from Edible was gone that evening, haha! This time I picked up some orange drinks to go with the Halloween theme, a few homemade cookies that I made using applesauce and almond flour instead of sugar and white flour, and of course a Bootastic Arrangement from Edible.

Do you have any special traditions that you do with your children? I’d love to hear them in the comments! Whatever the occasion you may be celebrating, be sure to including an Edible Arrangement which is perfect for everyone in your family!

Transitioning from a Crib to a Bed

October 9, 2018

Now that Evelyn is settled in her big girl room, establishing a nighttime routine has been tricky. Prior to her sleeping in a twin bed, she slept in her crib with a tent over it. I would have kept her in that crib for as long as possible because she couldn’t climb out, so she had no other option but to fall asleep, and stay asleep, at night. Unfortunately, her being able to run free in her bedroom has definitely posed a challenge for us at bedtime. From playing dress up for the 100th time to feeding her baby dolls their 12th meal, Evelyn was so preoccupied with playtime that she wasn’t sleeping. That lack of sleep really affected her personality throughout the day but luckily we’ve integrated a few tricks that seem to have gotten her back on track.

Prior to moving her out of a crib, we never had a nighttime routine because she knew that crib equals to bed time. If you also have babies in your cribs, it pays dividends if you invest in blankets, such as those personalised baby blankets, so they can be extra comfortable which will result in them sleeping faster. She had no toys to play with and most importantly, couldn’t get out of bed. In her new room she has this sense of freedom so she takes longer to fall asleep. Transitioning her to a bed wasn’t the hard part because once she was asleep, she would stay asleep all night (and not fall out of bed, thank God!) What we discovered is that we needed to eliminate and change a few things that were prohibiting her from getting to sleep.

1. Nightlight & sound machine – In the past we always had white noise playing in her room at night but this go round I let her pick out a sound machine from the store. I know they are usually meant for babies but Evelyn said she wanted music and since The Greatest Showman soundtrack wasn’t an option, we went with lullabies. This machine has several sounds that Evelyn can choose from as well as a projector for the ceiling. I found the most beautiful, handmade porcelain nightlight from Little Belle Nightlight’s. Each one is intricately carved and hand painted with non-toxic glaze over a 30 day process. The pink and white fairy house goes perfectly with Evelyn’s room!

2. Covers for the light switch – Evelyn never really cared about messing with light switches until she wasn’t in a crib anymore. For nearly a week she was sleeping with her ceiling light on which wasn’t good at all for her little eyes. My husband discovered these magnetic switch outlet covers for her light switch and it has worked wonders!

3. New pajamas – Raise your hand if you love matching your little in the clothing department? It’s no secret that I love twinning with Evelyn any chance I get, so when I discovered Leveret pajamas, I knew I had to get matching sets for us. Aside from having adorable patterns and prints, Leveret also offers Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) Certified Organic Cotton pajamas for the whole family as well. The majority of their pajamas sets are under $40 and the quality is superb. The fabric is soft and stretchy and I feel better knowing Evelyn is sleeping in pajamas that aren’t irritating her skin. From seasonal to holiday themed sets, Leveret is a one-stop pajama shop. Evelyn loved getting new pajamas as a celebration for transitioning into a big girl bed and it definitely helped boost her moral and made her want to stay in bed!

Have you moved your child to a big kid bed yet? How did the transition go? I’d love to hear your tips and tricks in the comments! Thank you to Leveret for sponsoring this post!

Evelyn’s Pajamas – Bird // Stripe / My Pajamas – Bird // Stripe

Evelyn’s Big Girl Room Makeover with Minted!

September 28, 2018

When I starting planning to makeover Evelyn’s nursery, I knew I wanted a room that could grow with her. Having come from an art background, I have a huge appreciation for artists and artwork. For me, choosing art for your home should be a reflection of your personality while also enhancing the look of a room. The beautiful statement art above Evelyn’s bed is from Minted, and if you didn’t know about the incredible artwork they sell, now you do. I’ve been a huge fan of their home line for years and before that I used their cards and invitations for nearly every special occasion in my life. Minted curates beautiful pieces from independent artists and they’re constantly refreshing their selection. I knew the artwork I chose, Atmospheric, would be beautiful against the wallpaper and tufted bed. The abstract colors are soothing and calm. As the artist who painted this explains “The colors in this piece evoke a calm yet cheerful and lighthearted mood.” and I felt this best represented Evelyn’s fun, unique and sweet personality. The size I chose is 40″ x 30″ framed in a herringbone frame. I was blown away with the frame options and loved so many, but ultimately the herringbone won out. Not only does Minted sell affordable, high quality art, but they are customizable to practically any space in your home.

Since Evelyn is used to sleeping in beds (from our vacations and weekend sleepovers), a toddler transition bed wasn’t necessary and I actually think they aren’t practical. Just like we did in Henry’s room, we chose a twin daybed with a trundle that can be used for when she’s older. When I saw this pale pink tufted daybed, I knew it was the one. In fact, this bed was the inspiration around the entire room. I created a mood board and carefully chose pieces that would mesh well together. Her mattress is from Avocado, a green company that makes non-toxic and eco-friendly mattresses. Sleeping on that is like sleeping on a cloud. It’s so comfortable!

I’ll admit that the bedding was a tad pricier than what I have spent on any other bedding in the past, but I wanted to invest in a set that could grow with her. Unlike character bedding that she will grow out of every 3 months, this tufted black and white makers quilt has a girly touch without being too over the top. I love the little black pom poms and since it’s neutral, adding bright colored pillows won’t throw off the look of the room. Speaking of pillows, they are one of my favorite ways to add pops of color to a room without spending a ton of money. They can be switched out seasonally or as styles change and they’re an inexpensive way to change the look of the room. This adorable Fringe Piñata Pillow is by far my favorite. Most of the others, like this Rainbow one, are from Target.

The wallpaper is peel & stick from Livettes Wallpapers and if you watched my Instagram stories, then you know how much I couldn’t help but rave about it. I will be writing a full post next week going into more detail on how to install, so stay tuned! Just like with the bedding, I chose to go with a neutral pallet for the wallpaper. I wanted a design that would match the existing paint color in her room (Gentle Rain by Behr) but still stand out on it’s on. The Dalmatian print is fun, youthful and the perfect addition for the statement wall. My go-to for rugs has always been Rugs USA. They are literally in every room in our house. I love their vast selection of colors and patterns. This one is the perfect combo of bohemian and modern and has a low profile so Evelyn doesn’t trip on it.

I love using pieces that have a story behind them so, let me tell you about the dresser and vanity. When I was single, before I met my husband (over 10 years ago!) I came across this antique furniture. The dresser was purchased at an antique market and the vanity was literally pulled out of a dumpster by me and a friend. I knew that if I ever had a daughter I would want this furniture in her room. So, they’ve been with us for over 11 years, moved to 3 different homes and have been in the basement for the past 7 years. When the time finally came for me to refinish these beauties I was ecstatic! As was my husband but for different reasons (he married a semi-hoarder). We spray painted both with a white chalk paint and then sprayed all the drawer pulls in a shiny metallic gold. I love mixing old and new together and they fit perfectly in her room.

All of my sources for this room makeover are listed at the bottom of this post. Most importantly for Evelyn’s room, I wanted to create a space where she could dance, sing, play and feel comfortable to be herself. Thank you to Minted for sponsoring this post and making this room makeover happen! As always, all opinions expressed are my own. Do you have a favorite art piece in your home? I’d love it if you shared it with me!

Minted Art – The name of the piece in Evelyn’s room is titled ‘Atmospheric’ // Rug // DayBed // Wallpaper // Bedding // Fringe Piñata Pillow // Rainbow Pillow // Mattress // Curtains //

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