Our cards have been sent out in pretty silver envelopes. This one is to you, all my dear blog friends. Merry Christmas, well, almost!
so pretty
I love the festive look of these from church & state. I first came across them on the lovely blog, simplesong. With the warm weather we have been having these would be perfect. I would love to have the one on the left for the Christmas party I am attending tonight.
Any one of these shoes would top off a lovely dress or skirt. Are they not so pretty? As you can see I am trying to get my fill of things for me on my little blog. I have held off spending on myself for this holiday season. I think I am getting my fix.
1. from urban outfitters.
2. from here.
3. believe it or not are from here.
I love the dainty feel of these pieces. Maybe one day I will have one of my very own. Okay, now I am done. I feel much better. Have a great weekend!
1. by Me& Ro
2. found on etsy via powder mill studio
3. found on etsy via blue canary vintage
4. by Marie-Helene de Tailliac
7 days and counting...
I am so excited that Christmas is only one week away. We head off to my parents every year after we open our own presents under our tree. We eat good food and watch our children get more spoiled by the second. One day in the far off future I hope to have Christmas at our house. Maybe it will look something like this...
Wouldn't a few of these mixed in with all my white dishes make the table look extra festive. I especially love the one's with the pinecones, but I do love the idea of mix and matching.
photo via once wedA lovely simple centerpiece like this would be so pretty.
Every Year we make a birthday cake for Jesus so our kiddos remember the reason for the season. I think Jesus may love these cupcakes one year.
This garland would add a touch of the organic look I like so much.
While I am fretting all around I would love to wear a dress like this. A friend of mine purchased it and I must say I am quite jealous. It looks so lovely on her.
just a few changes
photo via flickrI still heart this house
I have shown this home before, but I found a few more new images to enjoy. I really do love this home, it has dropped in price. Hubby says if it drops another $700,000 or so he will consider it, ha! I love the mix of new and old. My style exactly. I really do wish I could go in and take a gander. I already am such a home body, I would probably never leave if I lived here. I would have so many parties though and you would all be invited.
simply stunning
Okay, as you know I have never shown love to a photographer on my blog besides my wonderful hubby of course. My hubby rocks, but I have to admit these photos captured my attention in a big way. They were done by Tec Petaja a wonderful photographer from Nashville. I hope to have a family shoot with him in 2009, my fingers are crossed. I will allow these lovely images to speak for themselves though. I hope you all are have a wonderful day.
A new week
After a very busy last week and weekend I crave simplicity and some peace. The kids and my never ending series of sickness is back. We are going on a month with only a few days of wellness last week, but let's not forget that wellness was accompanied by stitches for my little lady. As for the birthday weekend, it could not of gone any better. The hubby was surprised and had fun even though we did not catch a single fish.
Anyway, let me just tell you how much I love this house. I love the serenity of it all. I am thinking this would be a fun style of house to live in. The kiddos would have a blast riding bikes throughout. It would stick out like a sore thumb here in Alabama though.
Would you live here or is it too simple and clean to be actually livable?
I've gone fishing
Photo via flickrShouting it from the roof tops
I am so blessed that God brought our two hearts together and made us one. You are as handsome as the day I met you. You make me want to be a better wife, mother, and person as I watch you be you. You are the most amazing daddy. The kiddos can't seem to get enough of you. You simply make me smile. I love being able to watch you grow, not in size thank God, but in life. Thank you for being you and loving me with quirks and all. I LOVE YOU more than I could ever express in words. So here's to you...
Happy Birthday Babes!
Where it all began
When I first took on this project I told Mr. and Mrs. F it may take me awhile to sort it all out, but as soon as I found my inspiration I was able to see the whole picture ever so clearly. So here's to my inspiration...
Photo via Phoebe Howard
I would love to see a brushed nickle knob like this. It would easily make ho-hum cabinetry really stand out.
Over the kitchen sink is a window and to the right is cabinetry and to the left is one smaller lone cabinet. To make the cabinet seem less lonely I like the idea of adding two shelves across the window to connect the two. I would need to measure to see if these would work or not.
You can easily keep the existing counter tops, but I also know how much Mr. F dislikes them. If you choose to go with another I like the idea of something in the white/beige family. I know I already said that I am not a huge fan of tile counters, but a large tile done closely together would work and be much cheaper than a stone slab. It would need to be a granite or something equivalent in order for it to look done right though. I think I hear Southeastern Salvage calling your name.
Sorry for the ridiculously small photo, ugh. Anyway, I like the idea of hanging a pendant lamp over the table. Mr. F was brilliant and made banquet seating with storage and a table! It maximized the space beautifully and did I mention how good it looks.
The above fixture could easily be left white, but covering it with a pattern would add another fun element. This same pattern, but in green or blue would be lovely too. By the way this would be easy and cheap to make with a hanging light kit and a simple and cheap drum shade.
Mrs. F I do love the idea of a gallery wall behind the seating, I would stick with similar color frames to keep it from looking too chaotic. You could also do one huge photo of someplace you love, my hubby could help with this. I hope you do like my ideas thus far. I have more to share, but this post would become terribly long. Of course we can tweak here and there or even start anew. I want it to be perfect for you two.
moving on...
to the dining area to be exact. As you may recall, I mentioned yesterday how this home has a very open floor plan. A long narrow rectangle. I also forgot to mention the beautiful dark wood floors Mr. F installed. It has made a world of difference and made this home stand out among the other's in the neighborhood. Such a good call on their part. Currently in the dining area is a beautiful dining set and hutch that his grandmother passed down to them. Mr. and Mr. F painted it all white and recovered the chairs in a lovely blue and green stripe. Now to snazz it up a bit...
This a picture of the furniture mid process and before the floors were laid. To me it looks like they are spraying the piece in the living room and the dining area is just beyond that.
Photo via the lovely home of erin
I love the elegance of this light fixture. The white shades would easily play off the white table and act as pretty eye candy.
Currently they have a dark long dresser that does not fit and their bedroom and the most beautiful mirror leaning on top of it. As you walk in the door it is the first thing you see and does look very nice. To make it still stand apart, but blend more into the dining area since that is where it technically is I would simply add a few white accessories to the current silver ones. I also think the above green and silver frame would tie in the green and silver aspects of the room.
Yesterday my precious little Ellie got her first set of stitches. She fell while playing and her little teeth went straight through the skin. She was very brave and luckily we have a family friend who is a surgeon so we were able to bypass the emergency room all together. We also had a leadership party at my husband's first job last night. I thought it was a smashing success and everyone looked quite lovely. I am hoping to upload pictures of both in the next couple of days.
a fun new project
In past posts I helped a friend get home ideas together, well, I am at it again! We will call them Mr. and Mrs. F. They live in a newly built tudor style home. Two bedrooms and baths with a open floor plan make up this darling home. They thought they would be there for only a couple a years, but along with everyone else, have decided to stay much longer. This means they want to like it and have the interior ready and paid for before they try to bring lovely little babies into the world. Mr. and Mrs. F have tons of ideas, but are having trouble making the ideas flow and work for them. This is where I come in to help, I say let's keep it simple. So here it goes, I give you the living room...
For starters, they want a sectional. I love the idea and it will help separate the space a bit. This one is from ikea. Does anyone own a sofa from there? How well do they hold up? I would like it to last, but I also love this price point.
I love the simple and clean shape of this bookcase. Mr. F has an amazing talent for craftsmanship so I would love for him to make two to go on either side of the fireplace. He may be asking right about now, "why make when I can buy?". Well, it's simple really, I would love to see them in real wood and in a darker stain, but I want to see the grain shine through. Very similar to the color on the piece in my front entry way. Mr. and Mrs. F we can measure the size out soon if you like the idea.
They have these beautiful huge windows that look out over the street. I think curtains with this color family would be so pretty. Mrs. F loves greens and blues so something similar to this would add some fun and color into the space.
We then discussed how she needs to keep organized, but has trouble with this in their current home. A place for mail she said specifically. I propose a white desk in front of the window looking out. This is a space just for mail or writing an occasional thank you card or two. Also, with get togethers it will make a great place for snacks. I like the lines of this desk and think it would be fun to find something similar at a flea mall or antique shop to paint white.
A chair similar to this would act as the desk chair and then when extra company arrives it can be turned around to face the seating area. If I recall correctly I saw a similar one in pier 1.
As for paint colors I like rice grain for the walls throughout and mega griege for the trim and mantle, all by Sherwin Williams. Sound familiar? It is what's in my house. I believe it will add the warmth you are looking for, but at the same time give the illusion of more space.
My dear friends so far this may seem too plain, but the way Mrs. F changes her mind I do believe the bigger pieces should be kept simple. Color will be added through pillows and accessories. Maybe a couple of bright blue vases on the mantel. I am also thinking a large dark trunk for a coffee table. I also would add simple hooks along the long the wall as you come in the door. Adding much more I am afraid it will begin to look crowded. This is only a basic run down, I want to know your thoughts before I proceed with too much detail and work.
a practical christmas list
Miss Aimee, from a new and stylish blog, Mostly Mod, asked what my practical wish list would be. I thought I would join in the fun. Be sure to check out her lovely list, here. As for me, the hubby and I decided to be really practical and only do stocking stuffers for each other. Here is my little list...
I think this little day planner would be so nice to have. I live by one every year.
These gloves are quite nice. I believe they would be long enough for my 3/4 length coat.
I normally do not shop here, but they do carry the best socks. They would be so warm and comfy on a cold winter's day.
I love stationary, especially letterpress one's done by Suann from simplesong. My favorite card was the one with the little camera, but they seemed to have sold out. I believe Mrs. French won some personalized one's awhile back, so lucky she is.
As for the kiddos we do three gifts: a want, a need, and a surprise. We decided on three to represent how Jesus received a gift from each of the three wise men on His day of birth. Oh yeah, and they too get stocking stuffers, no need to worry. Also the hubby and I were able to pay off all credit cards and it looks like our car too. Yeah, for no debt, except for our mortgage of course. This is the best gift of all, so thank you hubby and your brilliant use of a camera.
have a great weekend!
Photo via flickr.oh so pretty...
but I have no need for you. Would any of these lovelies work in your home? I want them, I really do. Maybe, if you drop your prices a bit then I could save you for later.
image 2 I can't remember where I first found you, but your home is here.
image 1 and 3 live here and here, but I saw you first here.
image 4 you are sadly too much for me, but you can get one here.
keeping it simple
I love the clean simple lines of these fireplaces. They almost have an organic feel to them. I would love to have any one of these in my home one day. To see more of these lovelies go here. As I said I am keeping it simple today, have a great one.
all photos via remodelista
One purse two ways
With Christmas being right around the corner also means holiday parties and gatherings are also on the horizon. While browsing this site I fell head over heels for this purse. So I then thought I would try to make it work in multiple settings.
I have a holiday party next week in honor of those who help out at my hubby's work. It is always loads of fun. The cardigan and tights help make this look less fancy and more me.
one purse two ways by twoellie
I then started thinking about what I will be wearing on Christmas day when we head to my parents home in the country. This seemed so very perfect, but then again this looks like me everyday.
It's starting to look a little more like Christmas
Yesterday we decorated for Christmas. We left the tree decision up to my little Ellie and I think she did a splendid job. Yes, the tree is real. Not so green I know, but I did buy totes at Publix to contribute a little more to our world. I do the little things, low voc paint, organic milk and eggs, mrs. meyers and method cleaners, etc. It seems I do what is good for my kiddos after reading my short list, hmm. Anyway, we baked cookies and had hot chocolate with marshmallows. Ellie now is a huge fan and KJ not so much. I ended up doing most of the decorating myself, the kiddos got bored with the work part of it pretty quickly. What can I expect from a sick 3 year old and 20 month old? They ended up sitting on the couch with daddy and watching Elf. They were quite delighted with the final product though.
just a little dream
I have this little dream of taking an older, cheap, drab home and making it shine. I found these while real estate stalking. The second has already sold, but was too pretty not to share. What I love about the first is that they took this typical home added the wood posts and the three double doors along the front.
The great room with vaulted ceilings painted all white was not what I expected for this home, but am totally in love. The dark wood floors are beauties and again the double doors hung on either side of the fireplace is perfect for entertaining.
I really am just in awe of this bathroom vanity. I would take it down a notch by adding a wire basket of towels below.
This kitchen is just, wow! It stated in the listing that the rest of the counters are white marble, my fav.
This is the second beauty of a home. I Love the character it oozes. The green paint, the rock, the pretty little flower box, and the simple landscaping are all so very nice.
This kitchen is what got me. Again with the white marble. Those doors that bring in so much light. The first shot really shows how simple and un-kitchen like this room looks. I rather like it.
Finally, this side yard is stunning. Again with the simple lines and landscaping makes it right up my alley. I would just hope there were hydrangeas in the back.
I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday. We unfortunately are all fighting this dreaded family cold that just won't go away. I believe my little boy may have an ear infection to top it off, so away to the doctor we go. Oh and we also will be getting the tree today. My daughter could not be anymore excited.