MAYFAIR














I always say I like a smaller house, but this one could just change my mind. A historic home filled with charm. Not sure which I love more the entry way ceiling or the worn painted floors. White marble, gorgeous lighting, and a porch that acts as a room all on its own makes this home right up my alley. Oh, and let's not forget to mention the beauty of the decorating, modern mixed with traditional is so me.

This home is listed at $619,000 4 bedroom 3 1/2 bath... want more info email me and I will be more than happy to give you the listing.

A Bold Teen's room


I rather enjoy a bold room although I can't actually live with one. I thought I would indulge myself and play pretend for the day. I could see a young teen's bedroom painted white or maybe even a dark gray if I want to be completely daring. Imperial Trellis wallpaper would make a bold statement on one wall. A fabric headboard in a fun bird fabric could take center stage against the trellis. A simple white duvet with a lovely trim would keep it from being too overwhelming. A nightstand with a modern feel makes me ever so happy. How about a traditional chair in a stand out color for a desk where I am sure homework would be getting done. The striped pendant really could make the whole room all on it's own. Let's not forget a soft spot to rest, I think a faux sheepskin rug would do the trick.

Having Seen Better Days...

This is my dining room, although at the moment it is in complete disarray due to our new found love for legos. They have officially taken over. The dining chairs are still at the reupholsters and have been since March, ugh. That's what I get for going to someone who is a bargain. Anyhow, my dining table which is a square fits the room perfectly and seats 8+, but it has seen better days. I would love a long dining table, but in reality it just won't fit. We enjoy entertaining so many seats are a must. so I am thinking of giving it a face lift.


Over on Vanessa's blog I saw a link to a DIY project that left me speechless. It seems the lady from Freckled Laundry gave an ordinary wooden dresser a faux zinc finish. I personally think its gorgeous and wonder if it would hold up as a dining table top. Does anyone know if a coat of poly would make it last? I think chipping or paint transfer would be worse than my ugly table top.


I also thought about leaving the top to ruin and keep the aged look and then paint the legs and apron giving it a more farm house feel.

{Let me know if you know where this image is from, I have had it saved before I made it a point to site every image, sorry}


Or my favorite and won't ever happen option is just take off the top and add a slab of marble! Although I am thinking for that price I could just buy a new fabulous table which is something I want to avoid right now. I am thinking cheap.

{again I have this sited as David Jimenez, but could not find it on his site when I went to link, any ideas?}


So what would be your pick?

POSH





I am sure you all have already seen these images of the new J. Crew Bridal shop, but I could just not add them to my journal of pretties. I am rather smitten how they designed it very much like a home, well a very posh french home. Oh yes, this sure does take my J. Crew obsession to a whole new level. I simply now want to live there!

What I Wore

This was my first official week since my surgery that I have gone out and about with my kiddos all by myself and it was a hit! By nights end I am exhausted, but the pain is minimal. Oh, and yes I realize heels were very much a dumb idea, but after weeks of living in my husbands t shirts I wanted to feel like my girly self.


Shoes and skirt: Target
Top: J.Crew
Tote: Lands End Canvas
Sunglasses: Fred Flare in Tortoise


Ellie actually picked this outfit top to bottom. She was so excited I went along with it.

Top and belt: J.crew
Skirt: Anthropologie
Shoes: Banana Republic
Clutch/wallet: Hobo from Rue la la


Movie date with the Mr.

Shoes: Banana Republic
Leggings: J.Crew
Top: Target

The Marion House











Joslyn of Simple Lovely has a weekly line up of bloggers favorites. It truly has become one of my favorite reads. Well a few weeks ago she posted on Emma of The Marion House Book. Let's just say I became a tad bit enamored and soon a downward spiral of reading every single one of her posts ensued. Lucky for me she hasn't been blogging for too terribly long, ha! One of my favorites features on Emma's blog are posts on her home. This lady has an insane amount of style. Oh and I am not the only one that thinks so HGTV Canada and Bloesem blog both did features hence the crazy amount of photos. Now if I can somehow add a full black wall and a marble one to compliment I will be set.

Turning 30: An Inspiration Board


This month I turn 30. I am rather quite excited. I always thought 30 sounded so grown up so maybe just maybe this will be the year I finally feel like one. I am not one to have a party for myself although I love to throw one for others, but I thought this year should be different. This year I shall have a birthday party of my very own. I am going to have my close knit friends that I have known since college. Although I am thinking a backyard soiree I am also thinking everyone must dress up. A little glitz and glamor is always fun in my book. I am thinking a pretty dress and a grownup version of a crown. You know I love a pretty heel, but flats may be more practical in my yard. As for decor I am thinking a la sunday suppers, a few balloons, and a yummy cake topped with the most perfect bunting. For my gift my Mr. is painting our kitchen cabinets so to continue on with that theme I would love for every friend to bring their favorite recipe to add to a pretty recipe box that would take center stage in my lovely kitchen. Oh, and not to forget party favors, maybe a lovely linen flower from Emersonmade could be worn during and even after the party. A pretty touch I think it would add.

KikiLaRu





I have been reading Dawn's blog for quite sometime. She is everything I so admire. She's an artist, cans, and looks at the world beautifully even when life is not what she expected it to be. Plus she signs her posts country girl which just throws me over the moon. Well, she also has an etsy shop that is just as wonderful as she is. I am thinking one of these gorgeous cake buntings is going to top my upcoming 30th birthday cake! Talk about making something extra special. Oh, and I am sure over the course of this month you are going to grow quite tired of my birthday ideas. This year I am going to have a party for me!

PAPA


Don't you just love coming across old photos of your parents? Facebook has become quite the source lately, ha! My papa is the furthest to the right. Wasn't he such a Colombian stud? Although I do not quite remember him this way I do know he has been the best papa over the years. Oh and don't even get me started on how much Ellie and KJ love this man. Anytime they go spend the weekend with my parents they know papa will get them up bright and early for a waffle house run. It's become quite the tradition. Well papa happy birthday and no I will not tell anyone how old this photo is. Love you.

What I Wore


Did you happen to know I won this fabulous Rikshaw kurta from one of my favorite blogs? Well, I did and it came in this week! Even though I have still haven't made it out of the house much my new little prize made me want to get dressed. Let's just say I am smitten. Cute and comfortable? YES, please! Oh, and did I happen to mention Rikshaw is having a huge sale. I am thinking this top with a pair of leggings is going to be my new fall uniform and I am pumped.

Rikshaw Blog here.

The Donnely House














This Is where Kellen and I got married 6 years ago. It seems it is now in foreclosure and if I had an extra $950,000 plus some to make an actual kitchen and furnish the place I would so want to buy it. I could imagine both Ellie and KJ getting married in the same place we did, wouldn't that be a dream. The previous owner rented it out for events and was rather a pain to work with but this place exuded southern charm.

FIVE


Today is Ellie's actual birthday. Five is such a huge year. She starts kindergarten soon and will be in uniforms almost daily. Although she is excited to get to wear what she likes to call "unicorns" I feel this fits her stylish self best. A pretty dress that her mommy would also like to wear would be her choice. The gold shoes would top it all off and if you really new Ellie you would know we buy these in bulk. As she gets to color with brother I am sure she will pause and apply her new Lip Smacker. Oh, and let's not forget my sweet girl also has an eye for design so a colorful lamp and a few pom poms would fit into her room perfectly, of course if these were to actually make it into her room the walls would have to go white. She is only five after all. Happy Birthday to my little lady. You changed my life forever when you came into this world, I thank you.

Ellie's Circus













The party for Ellie's 5th birthday was a smashing success. She is still talking about it play by play. We had a plethora of popcorn, cotton candy, cookies, and cake which make for some extra giddy children. We had a spot to get photos taken and a face painting station all under a tent of red and white pennants. My sweet sister was suppose to be the one doing the face painting, but Ellie and KJ thought it was more fun to paint her face, ha! A party for my favorite girl with friends and family makes for one lovely night. I must admit I am a bit exhausted, we also had a wedding to shoot on the same weekend, so now I rest. Oh happy day!

Ellies top hat made by me
Ellie and 5 stickers printed from here
Ellie's dress: Hijkids
210 feet of pennants: here
popcorn and face painting signs: Hobby Lobby
popcorn machine: a friends
top hats: here
cake stand decorated by me: petite square
Oh Happy Day printable: here
cupcake pennants made by me: lollipop sticks and this
Invites in case you missed them: here

You're Invited!



Today we are having Ellie's fifth birthday party although she doesn't actually turn five until the 28th. She is beyond ecstatic and has been talking about her fifth birthday party since before Christmas. After a trip to the circus she decided she wanted a party just like it, of course I was going to oblige. I gathered and ordered most everything before my surgery and today Kellen is in charge of setting up. Not an easy task for him since I am not one to hold back on a good party. Ellie made the invite list and I designed the invites and printed them at home. Okay so maybe my inspiration was completely taken from a recent baby shower invite we received, loved the three fold idea in sweet little envelopes. Hope to post the party next week!

a few other parties of mine here, here, here, here, and here

Ellie's Room Makeover







Well, I finally got it done and posted! I have to say although the before was rather fun this version is a bit more soothing. Ellie loves it and says she feels like a princess. The paint color which she picked out before stayed the same. We did a bit of rearranging , the occasional mess is now hidden from the door way is a huge plus. The biggest difference for me was painting the bed. I went with the same gray that is on the dresser in our room since technically they are a set and one day the dresser will go in Ellie's room. This was also my first time to make fully lined curtains, I must say I am quite proud of the way they turned out.

Paint: Sherwin Williams Parakeet Green
Gallery wall: here
Lamp, side table, white quilt, rug: Home Goods
Fabric for curtains: Paula Prass Garden Trellis in Aqua
Pillows on bed made by me: Barbara Barry Poetical linen bought from LGN and Pink fabric bought from local shop King Cotton.
Bulletin Board Fabric: Same as on pillow
Pink and white Blanket: made for Ellie when she was a baby
Doll Houses: Pottery Barn kids
Kitchen: Target
paint on bed: gray (my own mixture made by Benjamin Moore)

I did a fun little interview with Catherine from iBlog. Her husband is the creator of the gorgeous frame that hangs over KJ's bed. Oh, and when they lived here in Birmingham her sweet little nursery was featured in Southern Living. How fun is that!

Checking In...


I have been an awful blogger. I have just been a bit tired so when I have a good moment I like to love on my family. Today though the kiddos are playing at a friends and I am having a good moment so I thought I would stop in and say hello and leave you with this lovely photo. It makes me smile. My husband has branched out and got a few film cameras that we are having so much fun with. He posted a few if want to see more. Anyhoo, miss you all and hope to be visiting soon. My first post op is tomorrow. Hoping to hear that I can drive again.

Tomorrow I will have Ellie's room makeover up! I thought I would take full advantage of this good moment.

Guest Blogger: Blue Hydrangea

I, Sissy of Blue Hydrangea, am thrilled to be at Two Ellie today for a guest post. In honor of Paula I was going to do a room to outfit post but guess what? It's harder than it looks. So I have decided to work on something I need help with. Lighting up my home and making it feel more youthful. I don't know about you but I have a lot of inherited furniture and it is all dark wood. I know what you are thinking...paint it!! Well, what do you do if it is too nice to paint?


To me, nothing updates a traditional room like colorful artwork.


In fact a piece of abstract art can change the whole feel of a room.


While going through my files of favorite photos it was amazing how many rooms had an over-sized, abstract work of art.


The more color the better.


If this doesn't make you happy I don't know what will.


Don't you think it adds some drama and sophistication to a room?


The best part is it doesn't have to cost a fortune. Go to Ebay or Esty or better yet paint your own. Or have your children paint it. How do you update a room?

Paula, thanks for letting me visit!!

Sissy I am so excited you were able to join me here, but let's not forget the most amazing piece of art I have seen in awhile...


the one you and your children did! Really its stunning. I can't wait till I can do this with my kiddos.

pictures from: Lindsey Harper, Peacock Feathers, Made By Girl, Elle Decor, Lonny, Peacock Feathers

Foxy



I haven't been able to do much besides lay in bed which also means I haven't been getting all dolled up or really getting dressed for that matter. As soon as I get to break free though I will be sure to put on a sassy dress, slip on a pair of heels, and maybe even wear a bit of lipstick. Heck even at this point I wouldn't mind getting dressed up and staying in. Maybe some lemonade in grown up glasses would suffice as long as I get to sit in a a lovely chair for a while. I am rather loving the styles of the 50's and 60's as of late. A touch of elegance with an added touch of foxiness.

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Guest Blogger: Flourish Design + Style

For the Love of Violet-

Who knew that a girl who’s closet consisted of black, grey and beige would come out of her shell. I am learning to ADORE color, and at the top of my list right now is violet. Mixed with brown, navy, cream, white or grey ( I could go on ) it adds a fabulous and lighthearted punch. It adds color to my cheeks and puts a spring in my step. While I haven’t introduced it into my home, I would in a second if I didn’t have a dominant blue/ grey that really wouldn’t mix well. So for now I admire those who can and enjoy having a few pieces in my closet. Our clothing favorite J Crew has some great basics in great shades of purple right now!




Thanks Paula for inviting me to post for you while you are getting some rest. It truly was an honor! Paula’s blog was one of the first that I started reading daily, and she’s the first person I visit in the morning with my cup of coffee in hand. So Paula, if some of those comments I’ve made on your posts in the past you’ve questioned a little.. I may be just waking up J I hope you are recovering well, and I’m sure that beautiful family of yours is taking the best care of you. xx

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Thank you Sarah of Flourish Style and Design! Could you believe violet is one of my fave "colors" to wear too.