The Uptown Acorn

Monday, September 15, 2025

Acorn Cottage {J's Bath Redo}

When J and I purchased the Acorn Cottage in 2018, the bathrooms received a full gut upgrade: classic subway tiles on the walls and timeless black-and-white penny tiles on the floors. Fast forward to 2025, and it was time again for some cosmetic refreshes. One change led to another—as it always seems to go—and soon we had a new vanity, sconces, mirror, cabinet, brass hardware, towels, and even custom art.

The most dramatic update came when we had a contractor remove the geometric wallpaper. It simply hadn’t held up to the daily use of the bath (especially by J). In its place, I chose Benjamin Moore's First Light, very faint pink in a glossy sheen—a subtle but elegant shift.

The new mirror, from Global Views, might just be my favorite addition. I’ve always loved the wispiness of bamboo leaves, and the gilded gold detailing feels like jewelry for the wall. Above the toilet, teh Apothecaire cabinet from Ballard Designs now holds extra towels and canisters filled with daily essentials. The finishing touch? Embroidered towels from Weezie, delicately trimmed in pale pink, which tie everything together with just the right amount of softness. The addition of labeled bottles for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash helps tie the bath essentials seamlessly into the overall décor. It’s a small touch, but one that makes the “new” bath feel more cohesive and thoughtfully finished.

The custom artwork has been commissioned, so I’ll revisit the space once it’s installed. There are also a couple of brass shower fixtures still to be replaced—another reminder that a bathroom redo is never truly finished, but always evolving.

This is how the bath looked when we purchased the home in 2018:

And here it is in 2020 after the bath was wallpapered in Cole & Sons:

J's "Primary" Bath, y'all!

Monday, September 8, 2025

So Ready for Fall

I am so ready for Fall. The cooler temperatures, the vibrant colors, and that unmistakable crispness in the air always bring a fresh burst of energy and inspiration.

This past week, I took a trip to one of my favorite places—Perino’s Garden Center. Wandering through the aisles of plants, I couldn’t resist picking up some rich, Fall-inspired coleus to give my front yard beds a seasonal refresh. Their warm tones and bold patterns instantly transformed the space, adding that cozy feeling I crave this time of year.

To top it off, I added a pumpkin door hanger to my entryway. It’s a small detail, but it signals that Fall is truly on its way. Sometimes, it’s the little touches that set the mood and help us embrace the changing seasons.

Here’s to welcoming Fall—one leaf, one plant, one pumpkin at a time.

So Ready for the Fall Season, y'all!

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Classroom Theme {Think Like A Scientist}

This year in my classroom, the theme is “Think like a scientist.” I want every one of my students—whether they’re studying Earth Science, Life Science, or Physical Science—to step into class each day ready to explore the world through the lens of a scientist.

When students think like scientists, they don’t just memorize facts. Instead, they practice important science skills such as:

Observing carefully what’s happening around them
Hypothesizing about what might be true or what could happen
Evaluating data and evidence before forming conclusions
Inferring meaning from patterns and results
Investigating through experiments and research
Classifying information and organizing what they discover

Hands-on lab activities are a huge part of this process. By experimenting, testing ideas, and sometimes even failing and trying again, students experience science the way real scientists do—through curiosity, persistence, and discovery.

To set the tone, I’ve prepared our classroom and hallway space to welcome my 6th–8th grade scientists. Bright visuals, thought-provoking quotes, and science-themed displays remind students daily of our shared goal: to think like scientists in everything we do.

This year, my students won’t just learn science—they’ll practice being scientists. I’m excited to watch their curiosity grow and their scientific thinking skills strengthen!

(Photos below show our classroom and hallway displays, ready for a new year of exploration!)