The Procrastinator's Pin Wheel Diaper Cake

My awesome brother and his wife are having their first baby, a girl they plan to name Kayleigh.  Her shower being tomorrow, my fellow procrastinator of a sister and I have decided to attempt a diaper cake.  Being virgins at this (ha!), we had no theme, no idea what to do except to roll up some diapers and hit up the nearest craft store for some inspiration.  I don't know what it's like for you when you walk into a craft store... I sort of walk in like it's an airport.  Everyone knows where they're going and then here's moi trying to get my bearings!  Well I found some super cute pin wheels and some buttons and I ran with it as a theme.  We have no clue what our new Sister-In-Law's mother has planned as a theme for the shower, but that would have only stressed us late starters, anyway, so it's much better just making things up as you go.  

Pin Wheels!  Of course!  Such an obvious baby shower theme!  

Now we had our supplies unpacked at home but had to come up with a plan of attack.  The beauty behind the Pin Wheel idea is that the sticks were so long, we were able to thread them through 3 layers of diapers and the sticks sort of acted as re-bar -- adding some serious stability to our new project.  We amazed even ourselves at this point.  Our last minute planning was starting to look purposeful!  

Supplies!  Buttons, adorable scrapbooking paper pin wheels and receiving blankets were our weapons of choice.

Et voila, the finished diaper cake.  On a cake stand, bien sur.  My sister had brought over some rattles and teething rings -- not to mention a cute little doll for Miss Kayleigh to love.  We wrapped each tier with a receiving blanket, a 2 and 1/2 inch pale pink, satin ribbon, and a 1 inch burlap ribbon in a light creme color.  We used adorable wooden buttons from the scrap book aisle to add some finishing touches.  Now hilariously, I am a saver of all things pretty.  The pink satin ribbon?  It came from the wrapping of a Simply Shabby Chic blanket we purchased from Target almost a year ago.  Aaaah upcycling.  I can't seem to quit you!

Each layer wrapped with receiving blankets and a double layer of ribbon.  The varying textures between the blankets, ribbons and finishing pieces really made it fun.  & even though it's pretty busy with all the little toys and touches, I think the muted colors help keep your eyes from crossing.  

The scrap book aisle was just what these two procastinators needed.  We found these great pinwheels in our muted color scheme -- made up 5 minutes before, mind you -- and added these awesome wooden buttons.  To me, there's just enough detail and texture to keep you interested while still avoiding a migraine in the making.  

Receiving blanket wrapped around each diaper layer, followed by a pink satin ribbon and then a light creme-colored burlap ribbon for added texture really brought together our soft color scheme.  the paper pin wheels and the little, wooden buttons were our favorite parts.  

And we're done, in time for the shower tomorrow.  I may want to do this again I had such a fun time with this.  Are you a diaper cake maker?  Seriously, what a fun job!

Vintage Lovelies

Bling for your door. Or use it in a repurposing project. Wine stoppers come to mind immediately! 

Or how about a vintage glass door knob wall rack for jewelry, or towels in the bathroom?  I can think of a ton of things to do with them, but right now, I can only stare at them.  What can I say?  I'm addicted to bling.

They are just arrived at my Etsy Shop.  

Any project ideas come to mind?  

Dressing Up the Master Bath Part 1

Sometimes I amaze even myself at the number of projects I have swimming around in my head at the same time.  Right now, my focus is on -- and in no particular order --


One.  Master Bath and Bedroom update.


Two.  The Kitchen Backsplash (or lack thereof).


Three.  Multiple Random windows that need to be covered.


Four.  Carpeted Stairs.  Yuck.


Five.  The Laundry Room's ugly wire shelf and sad utility sink.


First World Pains, I know.

Mr.'s sink in the Master Bath

These are the projects I know I need to get to, but that I get sidetracked from, because well, they're not sexy ifyouknowwhatImean.  Especially Three.  I know I need to just call the Plantation Shutter dude.  There's no real question as to what kind of treatment we want on the window.  Not like Two.  Oh the choices that I need to make when it comes to Two!  So many choices in fact that my mind starts to go numb after considering white subway tile (too safe!), colored glass subway tile (too trendy!), and penny tile (too odd!).  I get to a point where I put down the laptop and in my best Scarlet O'hara impression say that all of it will happen tomorrow.  

Mr.'s side of the vanity.  Octagon & Dot tile floors.  

Project One, aka Master Bath & Bedroom update, is about as sexy as projects in the queue can get.  I say it's an update because I'm not overhauling the existing bathroom. The house itself is less than a year old.  I chose those white cabinets, those tile floors and subway tile surrounds.  What I want is to get away from the "Builder Typical" mirrors and add some glamour but keep the house in line with its vintage and low-key vibe.  I want to keep the existing cabinets, floor and tile surrounds and maybe work on the smaller aspects that sort of get on my last nerve when I walk in the space.  For instance, the huge wall-to-wall mirror.  Why can't we have something that's a little more subtle?  Something with a little swagger...

The Kensington Mirrors from Pottery Barn.  I love.

I'll need to measure it out, but I love these Kensington Pivot Mirrors from Pottery Barn.  The Chrome finish would work nicely in the space and break up all the white.  You know I love the fact that we chose an all-white bathroom.  It always feels bright and airy in there.  But sometimes a girl just wants a little contrast in her life.  & some hint of color.  This bathroom is dying for some color.  A perfect example of where color would work -- above the tile moulding along the tub!  How nice would a little slivery grey color look against the white tile?  Something like the grey in that marble in that marble behind the mirror, maybe?  

There is also a large window (not pictured) over the tub with white plantation shutters keeping our modesty in check against the neighbors' second story view.  Above the tub is a sad and generic-looking recessed can light.  What I would give to have this updated with something more vintage, more dramatic, more swagger?  It's screaming for a chandelier of some kind, but I don't want the bathroom to have this huge crystal piece.  I want something with a little bit of charm.

The necessary last touch.  11 inch drop from the ceiling.  

Like this gorgeous light from Pottery Barn.  The Clarissa Glass Drop Flushmount is pretty perfect.  A flushmount, it drops 11 inches from the ceiling which will may work nicely above the tub.  I love the metalwork along the lip.


I could put up with soaking in jacuzzi baths in the evenings looking up to this baby.  The only way it could get any better is to put this bad boy on a dimmer.  How gorgeous would the twinkling lights off of that be?  Any suggestions?  Any ideas?  I would love to hear any additional ideas you have!  Do you love it?  Do you hate it?  Are you wondering what was I thinking when I chose the tile and countertops that I did?  Can't wait to hear your opinion!

I'm Marisa, and I live in a house on a park.

I'm a girl obsessed with houses and interior design.  In school I studied Economics and now work as an Analyst studying spreadsheets all day, but I spend every free moment thinking about design, fabrics, tile, flooring, couches... you name it.  The dorky side of me loves planning for a space... From creating a cohesive look across multiple rooms to carving out the details of a nook -- these are all things that I'm happy to dwell on when none of the other duties call.  

My style preferences definitely lead to beachy, coastal and casual interiors.  I like nothing that's too precious or too proper.  I have two boys that would want to use those ultra precious pieces for their Nerf gun target practice.  I like slipcovered furniture, bold graphics, dark woods and natural elements.  A little history doesn't hurt either - I'm a huge fan of adding vintage pieces with a story to a space.  Hawaii living lends itself perfectly to beach house style, and I'm going to show you my mixed plate version of beach house chic that is budget-friendly, personal, and inviting.

Pacific Vintage is my virtual mood board.  It's my way of collecting all my favorite finds and sharing them.  In one post you might find a focus on a certain house that made my week, and in another I might be waxing poetic on a sweet, little Etsy discovery.  It helps that I'm obsessed with my house, my little garden, re-habbing furniture, the list goes on... It gives me a lot to talk about and keeps the ideas flowing.

Thanks so much for reading my blog!   I've learned so much from other bloggers and I love the comments and discussion!  Hopefully I'm able to share something that makes you as happy as it made me.