SERENE


Before I head out the door I would make my bed and be sure to layer it with my favorite blanket that keeps me warm on the cooler nights we are now having. Two pretty pillows would sit front and center and then I would instruct my children not to jump on my freshly made bed. I would admire my oatmeal walls and then want oatmeal for breakfast. I would then be sure to grab my handbag and coat off my lovely chair, because let's be real and know I did not hang them up the night before. I adore a serene palette and my life needs some sort of serene.

* I am also guest posting on Simply Seleta today! Adore her and her blog.

DREAMING


Every once in a while I come across an image that instantly sends me into a dream world. Yesterday that happened while visiting Carolina Postcard. This is the countryside estate of Stella McCarthy. It is nothing short of awe inspiring. Hope you join me over on Mrs. French to dream along with me...

PUPS

Photobucket

I think I need to make a quick run into Pet Smart to see Martha's line of dog goodies. I am not one for skull and bones, but the idea is brilliant for a little shirt. I would so not mind if our little pup left his toys out if they all looked as good as these.


Oh, yes he sure did find one of KJ's old pacy's and took it upon himself to make it his own. Ridiculous, I know.

Our Christmas Cards with Minted




One of my favorite things about the holiday season is sending out our Christmas cards. Last year we went with a photo with just kiddos that we adored, but this year I knew I wanted a family photo, which is much easier said than done with two small ones. While on vacation we decided to take a chance and see what we could come up with. Thankfully it went off without a hitch and we managed to capture quite a few winners.

A few tips on capturing a great family photo...

1) Dress in what you are comfortable in. You can wear complementing outfits without being too matchy matchy.
2) Keep it simple...especially when using a self timer like we did for the first image. If you try too hard it will show, and not necessarily in a good way.
3) Be yourself. Again this goes back to dressing in what you would normally wear and stay away from too many trends unless that is who you really are. People want to see the real you.
4) Have fun!!! So many people put too much pressure on having to get that perfect shot, but in the long run you will see the stress of it all on your faces. The in between moments are always our favorites anyways.
5) Using a self timer can be hard even for a photographer like my Mr. so asking a friend to help can be a life saver. It also gave us the chance to do something that comes completely natural to us...walking as a family.

Then comes the choosing of the card. We being the creative types like to be a bit different and try to choose something that not only represents our family, but our photography as well. Once we saw Minted we knew they would be the best choice for us. The quality is superb with thick paper and the designs are fresh and so very unique. We liked them so much we choose two different designs this and this one. Really it was too hard to choose just one...so we didn't!

Now to get addressing so I can have them ready to send out the week after Thanksgiving. Yes, I like to be on top of things.

A Charmer














Another local real estate beauty going for $529,900. The choices of fabric, art, antiques, and style all lend itself to such great design. The bedrooms may be my favorite part. Each one puts such a smile to my face. The built-ins are fantastic and a seagrass rug is always perfection in my opinion. I even love the slipcovers on the outdoor chairs. This also makes me think this home was decorated by a pro, no detail over looked.

*as always if you interested in this home email me I will get you in touch with the listing agent.

Harvest to Holiday- The Event



Yesterday I attended the Harvest to Holiday event at the French Market. I had the most wonderful time and met so many inspiring women. Of course I took photos and wish I could have shared them all, but I know better than to do that. The first photo is an arrangement that would be so easy to recreate. A gorgeous basket of some sorts and all your favorite herbs is all it would take. I could see this sitting in my dining area right by our big window. Hope to see you over on Mrs. French to see more from this most fabulous event!

A Full Nest

This is a cookbook...


That was made for this family...


Why? You may be wondering, well it is to raise funds for an upcoming adoption that they have underway. They are adopting two little ones from Uganda, Africa and all proceeds will help to bring them home. This family is one of my favorites. Jeremy has been a great friend since college and when Lauren came into the picture, well we made fast best friends. Our children are growing up together and I can't wait to see them add two more. I know my Ellie and KJ are excited to have more friends to play with. I can imagine all the happy messes now.

So if you would like to know more and possibly purchase a cookbook that we all had a hand in, be sure to go here. I even shared my pizza recipe that tastes remarkably close to my favorite one that I shared about here. I have already started using it and I can attest that it is filled with good eats. Plus it will make great Christmas presents. It will be kind of like you are giving two gifts in one!

Lovely Fabric


In the November issue of House Beautiful they featured Peter Dunham's home and I instantly became smitten. His use of color and layering of patterns is something I only wish I could do ever so boldly. The entry way with its antique weathered rug, boxwood, and gorgeous sofa is a look I would love to recreate one day. West Elm carries a line of fabric that slightly mimics this feel. No its definitely not as wonderful as the Peter Dunham fabric which is handprinted and the spindle legs of what I am sure is an antique sofa, but for the budget conscious this one would work ever so nicely.

Blog Love








Have you seen the newish blog of a stay at home mom of Bijou and Boheme? Well, I must say it had me at hello. Yesterday she featured the first floor of her home and I am beyond smitten. Her style is beyond fabulous. If you haven't seen her blog yet then I must tell you it's a must. To see more of her home be sure to go, here.

The Office




I know I mentioned a home office redo quite awhile ago. Well, we also did one quite awhile ago I just haven't posted it yet. So this is it, nothing too fancy, but practical. This space is right off our kitchen and is where I blog and where we meet our most wonderful clients. The board over the desk was completely inspired by Erika's office inspiration board although mine was done on the cheap. I simply used 2 of the largest cork boards I could find at Walmart and stapled them together in the back. I then used a cream linen to cover. I am also planning on repainting the desk. It was not a great paint job in the first place and with the new sprayer it will be a cinch to do. I am thinking of using Rosemary by Sherwin Williams. It is the same green that Erika used for her kitchen cabinets and I am rather in love. So I guess I should say a huge thank you to Erika for all her help. She is so good that she can help me without saying a word, ha!

Chair: CB2
Edison Lamp: bought from Tracery's Rosemary Beach Shop
Mouse pad: Shims + Sons
File Folders: Oh Joy
White drawers: Walmart
Lamps: Restoration Hardware
Lamp Shades: Home Goods
Binders: Russell + Hazel
Bookcase: Ikea

Vacation + Good Eats


If you happen to follow my tweets then I am sure you quickly realized I was on our family vacation. We go to Rosemary Beach Florida a couple times a year and it has really become quite the tradition over the past 6 years or so. Although we cook most nights it never fails that we eat at the Pizza Bar in Seaside a few times. Yes, it's that good! Not only is the food divine, but so is the atmosphere...


We eat out on the beach side patio every time.


I get the focaccia bread topped with mozzarella and mushrooms.




The Mr. gets the sausage something or other...




The table always ends up looking like this...


It's pure bliss really. If you would like to see some of our favorite family photos you can see them on my Mr's site, here. They may be my favorite yet.

* Also while away I stepped back from my emails/blogging. I tried to catch up over the weekend. If you sent one and I did not reply please email me again. I may have gotten delete happy.

Antiques at the Garden











Mrs. French was invited to the Antiques at the Garden here in Birmingham. The Friday morning of the weekend long event was a special invitation only Designer Preview. Mrs. French deemed me special and carried me along with her as her +1. The show featured many premier dealers from around the country minus any of the Birmingham dealers. I must say I fell head over heels for so many pieces. Alas I only took home photos while I am sure some others took home these fine pieces.

A Double Dose


Okay so I said previously that I would try to not give you a double dose of me on one day. Well, today is an exception. Of course I am over on Mrs. French, but I am also guest posting on The Marion House Book. Without planning on it both posts go hand and hand. That makes me a little giddy.

*remember Emma from the Marion House Book home tour I did? Let's just say I am still rather smitten.

A Perfect Fall Salad



I am not one to make myself a salad. Not that I do not care for them, but I have never been happy with the basics. Well, that is until I made this one. I found it in the October issue of Cooking Light. It was very easy to make and now I find myself making it just for myself. I left out the shallots and used feta instead of goat cheese. I really can not get enough.