KITCHEN PROGRESS

My day is filled with touch up paint and putting this mess back together. The Mr surprised me with starting the massive project of painting the built in cabinet in the kitchen to match the rest of the cabinets I finished here. The built in's act as a pantry for us so I have been taking extra care in not only making it pretty, but also making it functional for the long haul. You are also getting a peek of our new kitchenaid appliances and did you notice the little glass partition has been removed too? I am so excited with the progress and can't wait to share the final outcome. Well, I am actually most excited about having a final outcome in general. After this we are taking a pause till fall on house projects. Easier said than done for someone like me though. Ha.

PAINTING: Farrow and Ball Railings color matched my Sherwin Williams in Color Accent semi-gloss oil based paint. Oil base was not my first choice as I really wanted to go with the actual farrow and ball paint, but the previous owners used all oil base paint and I did not want to put the effort into sanding it all down, priming, then having to paint again as this is not our forever kitchen. Although I can honestly say I am kind of loving it as is now.

ORIGINAL KITCHEN  | KITCHEN PHASE ONE | KITCHEN PHASE TWO

PS: Serena and Lily is having their big Tag Sale and my favorite baskets that are in our living room are on a HUGE sale. I have these and these!

SEVEN THINGS

Via Wall Street Journal

1. Jenni Kayne's site is always a go to when I need a good dose of inspiration. This home she featured is exactly the feel I am going for. Modern yet still organic and classic in feel.

2. I am not a big makeup kind of girl, but I am enamored with this highlighter and cover-up for random spots and under eye circles {My olive complexion wears a 22}.

3. Nordstrom card holders have early access to their big sale starting today. For everyone else it starts the 22nd. I'm keeping my eye on these!

4. I have read countless books this summer and this one has been my favorite. Already wanting to read it again! My favorite author is coming out with another book in August. I have had it on pre-order since May.

5. Bought these jeans on sale at J.Crew and I am smitten. A good crop jean is perfect for a short girl like me. They are super soft too.

6. Bought my favorite hangers in bulk. Ellie's clothes are starting to outgrow kid hangers so I am making a slow switch over.

7. This house. WOW. Only wish they showed the kitchen more.

Transplanting a Fiddle Fig Tree

The kiddos are at our church's summer blast and the house is so quiet I am not sure what to do. My normal self who craves time in silence to recharge is missing the constant bustle. Who knew. Who knew it could get so quiet that the crickets outside become deafening. Who knew that trying to write in silence almost makes my brain too loud. Who knew.

Recently I transplanted our fiddle fig tree. It's been going strong for years now and has survived two moves. This past move it did suffer a limb breaking, but she sustained. I was nervous to make the change as I knew it might kill this finicky plant, but we are a month or so out and she is doing well. She was dry when the move took place. I lined the bottom of the pot with rocks and added good soil from our local garden shop. It was recommended to use this root stimulator that would help ward off the shock of the move and it has seemed to help. I rationed down the bottles recommended amount to about a quart of water. I was afraid the full dosage would be too much as she only gets a few cups of water every couple of weeks. I topped the soil with my favorite moss. I hope now she has room to grow, to spread her roots and grow tall and full once again.

Who knew I would find a kindred feeling with this ole tree. I too know how it can feel to be put in a pot too small. A pot that can make me feel bound by the news that can wreck my heart, by another flair up after a trip that reminded me how good I have it even if my body hates me most days. I know the feeling of wanting to break free and have the room to grow and not be confined by my own thoughts and feelings. I also know the moments I feel like the Lord breaks open that pot and puts me in one bigger. One that allows me to stretch, breath deep, and move forward. I know when that pot starts to grow too tight again, as it always does, I know that the Lord will grant me one larger. Who knew... He knew. He always does even when the silence around me makes my brain too loud and it is too much to bear. There is so much of this world I will never understand, but He Knew. He always does.

SOURCES: pot | root stimulator |

You can see our full living room HERE