Sharing a Source...

So today I thought I would share one of my favorite sources for Audubon prints. I have a set myself that I had framed, but have since split. You can see them hanging in the powder room. They were a perfect touch in order to make the current wallpaper work. I was more than happy to have another set framed when a client brought them to me to use in their future home. We are using them in the guest/study. They really are quite beautiful and the best part they are {for lack of a better word} cheap. Granted framing so many prints isn't the most economical, but thankfully I work with wholesalers that make this sort of thing much less expensive than any store ready art. I am sure I will be using these again some time soon. Next month I hope to get better pictures to share, but for now iPhone photos will have to do.

Being Black & White

I LOVE summer. I love having the kiddos home. I love the heat. I love eating outdoors. I love gardening. I love being able to sleep in-ish. Although I still love all these things, this summer has been a bit different. This is my first year working on top of our regular photography schedule  and being a so called stay at home mom. I tried my hardest to get everything coasting before school let out, but alas a few hold ups set me back. All this to say I now have two of the best design assistants out there. They have helped on mini-installs, deliveries, pick-ups and the choosing of many design elements. Is it easy? No, not in the least. I feel as though I am constantly juggling. Not in a bad way, but it is quite the balancing act.

The toughest part of the whole working with two kids in tow is keeping up with our own house. I have tried to do a good cleaning once a week with the help of them and then we do mini sessions throughout the week with the help of the Mr. It's all about keep up I have slowly learned. I can not even tell you how many loads of laundry I did yesterday. Oh, and there may have been a few times that I just sat in the middle of the floor and cried over it. Silly I know. Does this print not just say it all??? I think I should hang it predominantly.

 I have been adding in fun elements for the kiddos too. Don't worry there. I firmly believe in a lot of play. They are at a great age where they enjoy doing there own thing together outdoors thankfully, but to be honest it has been hard to balance. Although I believe I have said that already.

And, since I am being all black and white on the matter doesn't Celerie Kemble's book seem quite appropriate. She's pretty much the bee's knees. I wonder how she has balanced all? And to think her projects make mine look like drops in the bucket. Ha.

Oh, and don't get me wrong. I am enjoying the process of learning and designing immensely on most days. I just want ot do all parts of life well and I am just not sure what that takes. I am figuring it out though, slowly that is.

How does my Garden Grow {an update}

As the kiddos played outdoors the other day and as the storms rolled in I grabbed a few iPhone pics of the progress that has been made in our yard. May not look like much, but it has made leaps and bounds! Ha. The veggie beds are doing great. They are completely organic and GMO free. Most started from seed minus the center tomato plants and the strawberries hence why they aren't huge as of yet. I am sure a healthy dose of Miracle Grow would do wonders, but alas that would defeat the purpose. To the left of the patio I planted more limelight hydrangeas to make a full hedge. They grow so quickly I know next year this will make such an impact. A few things left on my list to do is to stain the play set a dark black/green, add sod to all the missing places, and make a grilling station for the Mr. My sweet papa is also going to head up making a pergola over the patio for some shade. Can't wait to cover it in vines. My initial thought is Jasmine for it's evergreen tendancy's, but wisteria could be quite a show-stopper too.

TIDBIT: I bought the coil hoses at Target, but have this one on my radar. With so much everyday use the ends have already started to kink and this one has GREAT reviews. The coil has been a life changer this season. Not sure why it took me so long to convert.