The Boy Edition







Last week I did little girls fall essentials this week is dedicated to my little man. This is his style or rather my husbands and I's style that we have imparted on him. This past spring we hit the Crewcuts outlet and scored big time for this coming season. Most pieces were in the 5 dollar range. Of course I will still make him a few of these shirts, I must keep it personal.

{via Crewcuts}

Feeling Ill + A Pretty Picture

I have been going back and forth whether to share this tidbit of information or not, but here it goes... the kiddos and I have had the swine flu since Wednesday. There I said it and no don't worry we have not left the house. It's a funny story really...

Ellie woke up Wednesday morning a bit warm and out of sorts. I thought she may be getting the cold we all have been fighting the previous week so I kept her home. KJ cried a lot throughout the day, but again it must be that dreaded cold. Thursday I have to wake up the kiddos and Ellie feels about a million degrees and doesn't want to walk, eat, etc. KJ is warm, but still acting normalish. At two is there ever really a normal? We had well check ups that day so I called and made them sick ones. We walked in the lovely nurse swabbed for the flu and the next thing I know everyone has masks on. I caught on pretty quickly and I was sent home with prescriptions for all of us and breathing treatments for brother, he has a bit of a wheeze. The whole day I cared for my lifeless children and by the time I put them to bed I felt like I was run over by a bus. The flu is awful, but I will spare you any details and it seems the children and I all had different aspects of it. I miss the days when my mother waited on me hand and foot while I laid in bed. Now I have no time to be sick except at night and during nap time. We are all on the mends and seeing the light of a very long tunnel. My husband found a plus side to it all... since we can't get it again we don't have to worry about germs so much this season, back to licking handrails for us I guess. Oh, and I am sure I am a few pounds lighter, just in time for all that holiday eating.

So if some if my comments did not make much sense or I missed a few emails, please excuse me. It must have been the fever. And to all the locals... I have no idea where we got it. It's anybody's guess I suppose.

{image via here, via Anna Aden}

Giveaway!


What are two of my favorite things? Why food and photography of course. That is why I am so excited to be hosting a giveaway from Amy and Ann. Their blog is a place for them to collaborate through simple everyday pleasures that involve food and their love of photography. Their blog is filled with gorgeous images and recipes galore.

Well, what's up for grabs you may ask... a set of six folded cards! I just adore a hand written letter and these would make it all that more special.


To enter simply hop on over to Amy and Ann's blog and become one of their follower's and be sure to comment on this post letting me know that you did just that. As simple as apple pie...

**The giveaway winner will be announced next Wednesday the 23rd.**

**Also make sure you leave a way for me to contact you, it just makes it all a bit easier**

A Home to Buy










While being the real estate stalker I am, I came across this home. Not sure about the location, the school system is not the best, but the price is beyond right. Oh, and we would be close to this I believe and that would be lovely. It would need personalization, but I rather like all the major renovations that have been done. The front door would become yellow and the landscaping needs some extra care. I love the rounded door and what looks to be original hardwoods. I would probably change the light fixture to something more modern to play off the historical home. I am rather fond of the farmhouse sink, butcher block counters, and subway tile. I would change the appliances to all stainless steel though just because I could and possibly marble counters one day. To me it appears the loft space may have the second bath at the very end. I am thinking master suite. I would change the railing to something more substantial, maybe horizontal thick slats. What I like the most is the yard. I dream of having mature trees in the yard and this one fits the bill.

Overall I am thinking a drive by is in order. Also if any one would like to buy my current home for atleast what we paid in order for me to indulge in my new infatuation then I would greatly appreciate it. I would be sure to share the after photos if this helps in your decision making at all.

Shopping Hiatus {2}

Modern Economy had their online sample sale and well, I just couldn't resist. Unfortunately or luckily, depends how you look at it, I was a few days behind and missed out on some really great goodies. I did come away with a few great scores though...


Good on Paper sticky note set, I bought these last year and loved them. I had sticky notes everywhere.




A couple of card set from Oh Joy! could not make me any happier.


I always carry around a little notebook to jot down a new paint color I may like, phone numbers, shopping lists, etc. I can't wait to start using this one from Mateo Ilasco.

This dish towel I bought last year and the very next week my husband used it to clean a greasy mess. Hopefully this new on from Tikoli will last just a bit longer.

My whole bill came to just over $30.00 and that included shipping. Now that is a huge savings for such wonderful brands and products. I can't wait for it all to arrive. I am just giddy.

On Dressing Up








I believe these would all make wonderful fall essential's for my little lady or even me for that matter. In reality my Ellie will be wearing what I make her. I better get started soon or she will be quite cold in all her summer dresses.

{via Crewcuts}

1 Year Blogiversary


This past Saturday marked my one year blogiversary. If I were to have a party I would love to try Sprinkles Cupcakes. I hear they are suppose to be the best and I do love a good cupcake. When I started this blog it was a way to get out my creative energy, to pursue other interests besides Curious George and coloring books while still being able to be that stay at home mom I so wanted to be. In the beginning I had no idea if I would have any readers, but now I do and I thank you for sharing in my random tidbits that bring me such great joy. This blog has brought me a few decorating clients and so many new friendships. I thank you for taking this journey through blogland with me. I really do feel blessed.

Outfit to Room...

I rather enjoy my daughters style. She even borrowed the hat and glasses from brother. I may need to start using her styling tips to achieve this effortless "boyfriend" look.


Outfit to dining area...

{via Anthropologie}

Six of these gorgeous chairs...


to sit around this table.

{via pieces}

A unique pendant light....


I would love a few flower arrangements lining the table...

{via Dwell}

while sitting a top this runner.

{via Etsy}

We could eat off these...

{via SugarBoo Designs}

Simply because she is my sunshine.

Shopping Hiatus {2}

{Nothing to do with today's post just thought I would share the flowers from my garden}

On Labor Day my dear husband surprised me with a family day trip to Atlanta. We walked around Atlantic Station, shopped at Ikea, ate, and rode the mini train. A trip to Ikea may have thrown off my shopping hiatus technically, but I paid all in cash and it was all for the house and kiddos. I even stuck to my needs list and if it weren't for my husband I would have spent even less, ha. Needless to say I am thrilled with my finds and can't wait to share. We then hit the Peachtree Mall and I did not want to shop at all. So weird I know. We then drove around and looked at all all the great architecture. Next time we go sans kiddos I definitely want to hit this shop and Pieces.

{again nothing to do with this post, but this is what I almost ran into while weeding my garden, yikes!}

A Home





I like this home. The wood work, the leaning photo gallery, the skylight, the simple child's room, and of course the claw foot tub are all calling my name. The color palette, or lack of, is what I am drawn too. I would love to have a good conversation with my husband in the comfortable seating while staying warm by the fire. I could see a dinner party and hours of lounging. Hmm, it seems as if I have already moved in...

{via Homes and Garden}

Happy September


Even though it is still in the high 80's here, I am enjoying the fact that fall is on it's way. Fall is my favorite season. I get to wear my boots, but it's still warm enough during the day to wear a dress without being cold. I love apple cider and white hot chocolate. I love the long walks the family can take without melting. I love college football season simply because it makes my husband so happy, War Eagle. I love the colors of the season... I really do just love the fall.

What is your favorite season and why?

Thank you for all the help on yesterdays post. I can't wait to go through all your input. My poor husband was editing all day yesterday so I did not have a chance to hop on the computer.

Being Design Happy

Dear design savvy friends,

Please help me...

xx, me (the one who can decorate other people's homes, but struggles with my own)

This is my dilemma...




We switched the dining area with the sunroom. The "former" dining room opens directly onto the kitchen and the sunroom is a room of it's own, but has an arched opening. Why did we do such a thing, well we were gifted a fabulous 1940's piano. We have a smaller home and had no where to put it. Soon it will sit under the mirror in the first image. Although I like the switch I can't seem to get a grasp on how to make it look lovely. I do feel as if the new family area will come together once I figure out the dining area. Oh, and I do realize it needs a larger rug and I am in search mode. All the (big) pieces you see must stay although I am thinking about changing out the chairs. The fabric over the piece in the second photo is not how it's going to stay I was just testing the idea of a skirted table with the largest piece of fabric I had.

I really can't believe I have showed you all these photos. They look awful, I know, but I can't live in an unfinished space without feeling out of sorts.

These are some dining areas I like...

{sorry?}


Please send your ideas this way. I am sure you all have tons of them. Oh, and keep in mind I do have a 2 and 4 year old which makes grubby hands a given, so everything must be easy to clean. We do plan on replacing this table one day, but for now it works for us and all the art projects my kiddos do.

Last thing... I can't do lots of color. Although I like it I can't seem to live with it very long, I have tried. Boring, I know.

A Classic Wedding

I am so excited to share this wedding with you all. No detail was over looked, everyone was stunning, and the setting was divine. Oh, and did I happen to mention there was a cool breeze and no humidity on an August day in Alabama, unheard of really.


The bride and groom are the two most gracious and sweet people I have met. The bride even remember it was my birthday, I mean really, can it get any better than that.


The rings on a framed letter the soon to be husband wrote to his teary eyed bride.


The flowers were all done by a family friend. I so wish I had her talent.


The mother of the bride stayed up to 2 in the morning finishing up this lovely piece to pin inside her daughters dress.


The meeting between bride and groom always gets me a bit teary eyed. Theirs was no exception.


The bridesmaids all wearing Bagley Mischka thanks to her sister Amanda, co-founder of Coup de Coeur shopping tours in New York. Oh, and did I happen to mention this is a private residence of a friend.


A close up of one of the dresses and bridesmaids flowers, isn't she stunning?


The men looking dapper while taking a breather.


The groom and his brother having one of many laughs that day.


I just adore her tattoo against all the elegance. This image captures the brides personality to a tee.


hello groom...


The food was incredible...


the cakes were to die for (trust me I tried them both)...


and the band was fabulous.


Isn't her dress darling? And a thank you to the bride and groom for sharing your day with us. It was an honor.

To see more and to leave my husband a lovely comment on his blog (it would so make his day) go to Kellen Jacob Photography.

Shopping Hiatus {2}

This is the second week in a row that I have not fudged on my spending hiatus. It probably helped that I received gifts for my birthday, but that is besides the point. I really did not want to shop. I found my niche, if I simply stop making wish lists then I do not want. Very easy really, can't believe I didn't figure that one out before. I do have a few home projects in the works, but I have saved and saved so when that time comes I will not feel a twinge of guilt. Oh, and if I were to have a wish list then this would be at the top...


...I am so ready for fall.

{via Anthropologie}

My Weekend

Sorry for the none post yesterday, things have been busy around here. As for the highlights, Saturday was my birthday and I was the recipient of some fabulous gifts...


I recieved this fabulous purse from my love, my kiddos got me a heart rate monitor watch for the gym, my parents gave me a wonderful gift card to my favorite store Home Goods, and my sisters gave me a gift card to Ulta. I racked up nicely I would say.


That evening we shot a wedding that could not have been any more beautiful. I will do a full post later, but here is a shot from her bridal session. More to see on Kellen Jacob.


My dear friend from this baby shower finally had her baby boy on my birthday. He is beautiful, but had a few complications and will be able to come home tomorrow, praise God.

Hubby and I rounded off the weekend with a much needed date night.

How was your weekend?