I kept on going back and forth whether to post on this or not. Why? you may ask, well simply because words can not suffice. In case you have not heard Marija of Holding Court lost her life in a car accident over the weekend. I did not know her personally but I did get to know her through this crazy world of blogging. We emailed and of course enjoyed each others blog. Funny how a simple blog can make you feel so close to someone. She truly was a beautiful person inside and out. She was married and had 2 beautiful children. Prayers would be greatly appreciated for her family. I can not even imagine what they are going through right now. Marija you will be missed.
Guest Blogger: Haven and Home
Hi Two Ellie Readers!!!! I, Marianne, am so happy to be here on Paula's blog. Not only is she a great blog friend of mine, but we are also friends in "real life". I can tell you she is just sweet as you think. When she asked me to guest blog I had just returned home from a clients house where we decided to do horizontal stripe wallpaper in the bathroom. I know stripes are everywhere in the blog world but I can't get enough of them, especially turned on their side. I thought I would share our inspiration....
Oh I LOVE the colors in this picture, love love love
I even love the horizontal stripes in tile...
I have used stripes in my work several times but I have to say my favorite so far are these, maybe because they run across such a big room and my painter was such a trooper....
What do you think? Are you a vertical or horizontal kind of person?
Thank you Paula for having me guest blog, it was great being on one of my favorite blogs by one of my favorite people!
**Also, I am sorry I don't have the sources on these, they were saved in a clients file for inspiration. If anyone has the sources please let me know!
KJ's Big Boy Room
I finally finished KJ's big boy room and he could not be more excited. We kept the same wall color, dresser, and rug, but everything else has been reworked and added. The bookshelf was once in our room, the mirror is freshly painted, the shade was once our old Pottery Barn duvet cover. I found the bed at a local antique shop and painted it Benjamin Moore Hale Blue. The frame behind the bed may be my favorite piece. It was made by Kiwi Wood Works and Design and I am smitten. I am now deciding whether to add a photo or design a special print. The last image has the fabric that I am thinking about making the pillow out of. It has a touch of every color and my son loves it.
Bedding: Ikea
Rug: Pottery Barn Kids
Basket under bed: Home Goods
Gallery Wall: more info here.
Chair, bed, dresser, side table: Vintage
white frames: ikea Ribba
Frame behind bed: Kiwi Wood Works and Design
From here on out for the next two weeks everything had been guest blogged or pre-posted. I am hoping to still enjoy all your blogs daily but commenting may just not happen right now. Kellen has been my editor and he can not possibly edit every comment I have till I am fully off the meds. Hope you all understand. I am one loopy lady lately.
A Good Day...
Today is a great day for several reasons; first of all, Paula had her surgery on Wednesday and everything went very well! She is recovering now and is in a slightly medicinally altered state for a awhile, hence the husband turned guest blogger (a real honor by the way!). Secondly, today also marks our sixth year of marriage! You all get to enjoy spending a few minutes a day with her on Two Ellie, I have the honor of spending every day with her as she excels as a wife, mother, blogger, and an incredible friend. The last six years have been an incredible adventure and I can't wait to see what's to come. Here are a few gems from our big day 6 years ago...
Isn't she beautiful?
Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers this last week. I know Paula is excited to return next week. Until then...Weekend in Review
We had a wonderful 4th of July. I checked off every last item off my list so now I am just going to relax and just enjoy my family. Over the weekend I majorly cleaned and organized so Kellen will only have to play keep up for the weeks that I am out of commission. Oh, but don't you worry I also found time to take the kiddos to a friends pool, do a little shopping, and enjoy a 4th of July cookout. We also had fun using Kellen's fathers day present a fuji instax instant mini film camera. Definitely the coolest thing we have gotten in awhile. It's never practical to lug around all our pro equipment for the little moments.
What I Wore- and Ellie's New Favorite
This will be my last what I wore for the next few weeks. I hear that after this surgery I won't be making it out of bed for a couple of weeks never mind making it out of the house. Oh and for those that are curious it seems my body did not think too kindly to having two babies close together. In short my insides are trying to make there way out so they are going to put them all back where they go. Lovely isn't it? Anyway, back to the outfits at hand...
Oxfords: Steve Madden
Shorts and Top: J.Crew. Oh, and this striped top I bought years ago and somewhat started my stripe obsession. If only you saw my closet you would laugh with all the stripes.
Necklace: Anthropolgie. I am trying to be better with accessories. I thought this piece was a good start.
Sunglasses: T.J. Maxx
Dress: had for years maybe T.J. Maxx
Shoes: Chinese Laundry found at Ross
Necklace: Anthropologie. Love it so much I want to wear it everyday.
top: Gap last year or two ago?
shorts: J.Crew
shoes: Chinese Laundry. It seems I repeated quite a bit this week.
belt: Anthropologie
Now to Ellie's dress. This is Ellie's new favorite dress so much so that she never wants to take it off. She has also claimed it to be her birthday party dress because she looks so pretty in it and really I must agree. Ellie is a hard fit she is very thin but also tall. Most dressed swallow her whole or are too short. This dress fits her perfectly. The key is the way the straps tie, they can be any length you choose. She will be able to wear this dress for years. When she eventually gets too tall a pair of leggings would work and look cute.
The dress is from Hijkids. My new go to shop for extra special pieces that are slightly different from what every other child is wearing. Remember this cute number? Another gorgeous dress from this super cute shop.
A Spanish Abode
I am sure you can tell by now I like many different styles. More than the style I simply appreciate good design. A Spanish abode is no different. I love the use of gorgeous tiles, architectural details, a pretty courtyard, and weathered woods. It also doesn't hurt that this home is beautifully decorated.
This home is a Forest Park local listing that has since expired. Asking price was $1,149,000.
Too Cute
I am rather smitten with the favor boxes by Hicks Paper Goods from Party Perfect. I think they will make an appearance at Ellie's upcoming birthday and my 30th birthday party. They are too cute not to.
Oh, and talking about parties my middle sister turns 23 today. Happy Birthday sweet sister. I hope you wear your new dress to celebrate.
Gallery Walls Obsession
It seems I like a gallery wall. Maybe a little too much since almost every room holds one. The first is in the hall that is right off the entry towards the kiddos bedrooms. The bottom right frame will soon hold the kiddos art project the rest are filled by my Mr...
This is the one in KJ's bedroom. It was inspired by the art walls in Moomah.
The two bikes are by Hillarie Tasche who seems to have closed up shop.
The two bottom 5x7 are by Simplesong Designs.
Middle is from Seesaw Letterpress.
The four middle 5x7's are note cards from Moomah.
The two top 5x7's and the right top are by me.
The top left was a gift.
This is in Ellie's room. The green walls photographed much more saturated than they really are.
Top left and large abc print were gifts.
Bottom left was designed by Brooke of Blueprint Bliss.
Top middle and wooden flower are by local artists.
Of course you have seen this image before, but it is part of my gallery wall obsession just with a slight twist.
I have been checking my list off left and right and it feels so good. KJ's room is almost finished just need to sew a pillow for his bed and a few odd and ends. Ellie's room just needs a coat of paint on the bed to finish it off. The office supplies have been ordered and now waiting for arrival so it can be completed. Oh, and my deadline is to have it all done by the weekend. Why such a hurry? Well I am having surgery that will keep me laid up for a good six weeks at least. I know it doesn't really matter, but I do not want any of my uncompleted projects hanging over my head. I am a dweller.
A Bit of Provence
I am absolutely enamored with the Provence collection at Restoration Hardware. The weathered gray wicker is right up my alley. All the above pieces are meant for the garden, but to be honest I would have any one of these pieces live in my home. I could imagine dinner parties going well into the night while sitting around that table. Movie watching in the lounge area. The large pedestal bowl would be great to corral all the mail that makes it's way into my home. Oh, and lets not forget how pretty a few of the lanterns set on the buffet would look.
What I Wore
Well, this week I spent most my time in running shorts and tee's, but when I did get dressed I was sure Ellie picked sandals. I have knocking off my list of to do's so dressing "up" was not an option especially while painting.
Sandals: so old I can't remember. They are from when gladiator sandals were cool the time before this. So happy they are back, again.
Jeans: Joe's Honey. They are my skinny jeans and I was able to get them back on!
White Top: Anthropologie
Tank: J.Crew
Necklace: Gara Danielle bought off of Gilt
Purse: Old Navy $6.00
Dress: Loomstate bought through Rue La La
Sandals: you have seen them before, they have become my favorites they are by franco sarto.
Modern Living
As you know I love a cottage, but every once in awhile I think going completely modern would be quite fabulous. Of course, modern must be done right and it comes with a hefty price tag. This home is done right. Gorgeous isn't it? Nice clean lined furniture and great art are a must. I think most people's main concern with going modern is where do you put your stuff. Well, I like the idea of being minimal and besides who needs toys when you can ride your bike in doors and play in the pool daily. I think the homebody in me would love my own compound. Now just to come up with a mere $799,900.
Could you be this minimal and go modern?
*As always you may email me for the listing if interested.
A Few New Things
I am not sure if you remember, but part of my New Year resolutions of sorts was to simplify. I feel as if I am getting there slowly but surely. One step towards this goal was to refrain from buying lamps for 6 months. I have a bit of addiction to them. So my time is up and I came home with this beauty and another similar tall lamp which will be revealed along with Ellie's room. Honestly I think it would have been hard not to get them even if my time were not up. Isn't she gorgeous? If you can't tell this is my entry which is always changing. This feels perfect for summer to me. The copper planter is filled with sea shells from all our beach tips, the glass bottle holds my favorite flower, the thrift store bowl with gold detailing is perfect for mints, and my favorite new piece is a print I won from Le Papier Studio. I think a print like this would make for a unique wedding gift. I just adore her shop and blog. Vana truly is an inspiration.
Project Crazy
We have had quite a busy weekend which happens to be spilling over into this week. Friday Kellen and I headed to Atlanta for a bit of shopping. Kellen surprised me with a few new dresses and we stopped by ikea for this shelf to organize our little office area. Saturday we had yard sale to raise money for KJ's new mattresses for his new big boy bed. That evening we celebrated Father's Day by heading to the Lego store and buying the kiddos first set of Lego's. Okay so maybe that wasn't Kellen's actual gift but just an added bonus. This is the most amazing father ever...
and this is the most amazing Lego city...
So for the rest of the week I will get to actually organize the office area, finish Ellie's room by doing a bit of sewing, I am going to paint both Ellie's and KJ's beds, hopefully finish converting KJ's room to a big boy room, finalize paint choices for the kitchen cabinets, and make more Lego fun. Oh, and let's not forget cleaning out the garage of all yard sale leftovers. This is going to make for one crazy week. Don't worry I will share each project as it gets checked off my list.
Style Mix
I have been reading La Dolce Vita for some time now, I just adore all the home tours that she features. Last week she featured a studio that I instantly became smitten with. This image represents so much of what I love. Feminine mixed with masculine, industrial mixed with modern, and I just can't get enough of the linen pillow with a contrasting trim. The rest of the tour is stunning see it here for yourself.
What I Wore - Shabby Apple Ed.
The sweet people from Shabby Apple were kind enough to send over a dress for a little review. My review? I am in LOVE! No Ellie did not pick the shoes for this dress, but my Mr. told me which looked best. We thought we would make it extra fun so I donned some red lipstick and we did a little shoot. Now Ellie thinks I should wear lipstick everyday, but alas that will not happen since I rarely even wear makeup. Isn't this dress just the sweetest? One of my sisters thought so too and when she tried it on I could tell she felt pretty so it now hangs in her closet. Everyone needs a dress that makes them feel extra special. So a dress that makes you feel pretty and special, now that's a winner. I can't wait to try their fitness line and this swimsuit is just too divine, oh and to order another dress, ha!
My Style in One Image
From the Right Bank is at it again with her your style in one image challenge. I loved it the first time and am having trouble with a post for today so I thought I would join in, ha! I think I could have a different image for everyday, but today mine comes from Cote De Texas. This is the home of Sally Wheat and I am quite obsessed with it. I love the neutral palette, new mixed with old, unique art, industrial pieces, the linen slipcovers, the simple window panels, the antlers, I even have the same trough on the table, really I could go on and on. I want to live her, I really do. Anytime I am in in a design slump I come back to this home, I truly am in love.
Getting Organized
Our "office" is also part of our keeping room right off the kitchen. I love the location, but with all our photography paperwork, bills, Ellie's new school paperwork, and being the place I blog from it is becoming one huge mess. Well, in order to contain all the necessary clutter I am thinking a bookcase is in order which will replace this side table that will then move into KJ's big boy room. I like the simple lines (and price tag) of this one from Ikea...
I then hope to get organized in a few of these lovely binders from Russell+Hazel...
I already own one of these clear file sorters but another may be in order. I love how simply changing the folders can change the whole look.
Over the desk I want to cover a huge bulletin board in some simple linen to hang photos of clients that we love, calendars, and other inspiration that comes along my way. Think Erika's office board of Urban Grace. A few plants will done the top of the shelf along with the same lamp although it now has a different shade.
I hope a few of these simple changes will get this mess in order. We are making an Atlanta trip to Ikea on Friday so hopefully this task will be done sooner than later.
Want not Need
Calypso Home I just adore thee, but you will need to have some major sales before you can make your way into my home. Let's talk soon, okay?
A Mouse's Back
If you have been reading my blog for awhile you know I have been going back and forth about painting my cabinets. Finally I am ready to take the plunge, but finding that perfect color has been harder than I have expected. My wall color although nice is an odd color and if you pair it with the wrong color it can look yellow which is something I don't want. Also painting my walls is out of the question, open floor plans makes for a lot of wall space. Anyway, I came across this gorgeous image on Lonny. The cabinets are painted Mouse's Back by Farrow and Ball. I was thinking of going lighter, but this has my wheels turning once again. I have finally succumbed to asking for help and Marianne is coming to my rescue to narrow down what I like for me. I am at the point where I just want someone to tell me what to do. I think she will be perfect.