The gorgeous living/dining/kitchen space in this photo is not mine. But I wish it was. And I guess that means it's confession time. I absolutely hate -- yes, I said HATE -- entertaining in any sense of the word. Whether it be hosting dinners, holiday parties, martini nights, or any sort of get together involving anyone other than my parents -- I really can't stand having people over.

And it's not because I'm antisocial or don't want to deal with cooking and cleaning for anyone other than myself, my husband, and my kid. It's because I'm embarrassed about the fact that the interior of my house has absolutely no decor going on whatsoever.

Let me be the first to tell you that pastels are most definitely not reserved for girls! The wall color in this nursery done for baby Jude will testify as much. It's such an inviting space and you'll love to see how it all came together after being gutted down to the literal bare bones.

Click through for more!

Terrariums are the best way to add a little green to your surroundings with a minimal amount of effort -- no green thumb required! The best part is that you can build a terrarium out of just about any kind of container as long as you have the basics on hand. That cool geometric cube terrarium above is from Etsy seller ABJ Glassworks and comes with a simple starter kit, plants included.  

I've pulled together a few more fabulous terrarium inspirations and ideas for you to browse through below.

Congratulations to our winner, momof4aqfm!

It's time for the first giveaway of our birthday week! Today's chance to win comes from IKEA, the Life Improvement Store. We love IKEA because not only is it an awesome playground for kiddos, but it also has everything you could need (and want!) to spruce up your living space.

We also love IKEA for their huge array of lighting options including their LED lights, which can help improve your family's carbon footprint in a stylish way. Hey, Daylight Saving Time is as good of a time as any, right?

To enter for a chance to win $100 from IKEA, simply tell me:

Winter is so taxing on kids and their imaginations. Sure, they've got plenty of time indoors to hone those skills, but it's easy to run low on places where they can exercise. I mean, the family room and their bedrooms are only exciting for so long. Unless ... unless you've got a killer built-in playhouse in their rooms. What kid wouldn't go bonkers for that? 

The one pictured above is from an amazing Brooklyn apartment designed by Incorporated. Kind of ridiculously awesome, right? Click through below to see 6 more indoor playhouses below:

During a spa trip for my 40th, it became apparent that when seven moms get together for some R&R, they become alarmists. Yep, we spent much of our "relaxation" time discussing what to avoid and how it could kill you.

I know, you totally want to party with us.

We couldn't even escape our cynical chit chat by catching a flick on pay-per-view. Who was going to risk their lives and touch the germ-laden hotel remote? Someone also mentioned that one should avoid handling menus. Needless to say, this made ordering dinner quite difficult. Thankfully, it didn't hamper the flow of sarcasm and margaritas (my favorite combo).

After my vacay I posted, "A Sarcastic Look at 19 Common Things That'll Kill Ya" and was relieved to learn that I'm not the only lame-o who sits around discussing this crap. So, here's a list of more everyday things I've actually been told to avoid, just don't quote me on the effects.

Reading this list can cause ironic revelations, incontinence, and typhoid:

I love the different elements of this nursery for a baby girl that I spotted over at Jen Loves Kev. There's just something so calming and peaceful about it, exactly the kind of vibe you want a nursery to give off, don't you think? 

Read more about the special details that went into this space below!

Whether it be used for homework or for coloring the next great masterpiece, every kid needs a spot where they can get creative! Of course the kitchen table will do in a pinch, but I've found that having a designated space available certainly helps foster a bit more focus, so why not have some fun with it?

I've put together some rather delightful inspirations (like that spiffy little nook above, a renovated closet if I'm not mistaken). Click through to see 5 more below!