Sweater Perfect

Aging. It happens to everyone and at 36 I am slowly, but surely seeing signs of it. Some absolutely refuse to admit that aging will occur, but I am welcoming it with open arms. The lines on my face that are developing are ones that represent a life lived with ups and downs. Just recently I noticed my eyelids getting softer and looser as I applied makeup, but I also saw laugh lines that represent years of joy. My hand veins are popping more as KJ likes to point out. I am also noticing the lines between my eyes growing deeper from years of squinting in the sun and maybe concentrating a bit too hard. I now try to be conscious of when I am furrowing my brows and never leave home without sunnies. No one wants to look permanently grumpy. Ellie is starting to wear my clothes more and more and I although I love it I also wonder if she is dressing older or am I dressing too young. This past week as I walked into Abercrombie and Fitch for the first time since high school I knew I aged out, but it did not stop me from finding the very piece I went in there for. The lights were so dim I could barely see and the music I found to be a tad too loud. The kids working there gave me "may I help you ma'am" and my only thoughts were how absolutely adorable they were. Alas none of that stopped me from finding the sweater I saw on a much younger generation that I knew would become a staple in my small rotation of clothes. So here is me sans makeup sharing the most perfect sweater fit for any age. It hangs just right, I sized up to a medium from my usual small. It's warm, but not so warm it can't handle a hot flash or two. It's soft enough to wear as I throw it over my pj's for carpool and can then be worn to client meetings or on a date with the Mr. I loved it so much I even bought it in green. 

* I have been reading Cameron Diaz book longevity and the insights it has on aging. It's a great resource for those who inch towards 40 and beyond. 

SOURCES: sweater | PJ shorts old {similar} | jeans this line by Paige bought mine years ago {this is a great similar deal though!} | heels are old coach ginny found at nordstrom rack a few seasons back {similar high, medium, low}  | most comfy new boots 

{photos by Ellie age 11} 

Blow It Up with Simply Framed...

Can you see the change? It's one I have been waiting for since we moved in. You can see the before here. See it? Yes, our petite New York photo went HUGE. Like really huge. It's now a happy 60x40. It was framed by Simply Framed and I could not be any more thrilled with the way it turned out. the print was done by Artifact Uprising. It added the impact this space needed. To the right is our bank of windows that I LOVE, but it made finding the right proportions for the other walls hard to find. 

I have also been working on the ikea shelves for some time now. Originally I wanted get rid of them all together. I felt like they added to the busyness of the room with all the built-ins. I do like the storage they provide for all our blankets and random kid stuff. They still may change one day, but for now I am content with the current set up. I can not even tell you how many times I rearranged the shelves. Again, it was all about trying to find a balance. 

Most of the items I owned, but I did add a few more baskets and books to my collection. My goal was to keep it simple, practical and interesting at the same time. Easier said than done apparently as it took me 8 months to reach my goal. 

I injected a few dominant black pieces to help ground the space some more. You may sense a common theme throughout our house in the form of black, white,  warm wood and leather tones. I find that color palette easy on the eyes and introduces a calming effect to me. Others may find it boring, but to me it really helps balance all the saturated colors from outside that are always prominent due to our home being mostly windows. 

As you can tell we haven't hung the Simply Framed piece yet and I am still debating if I will. I kind of like the more casual look it brings. For now I still have the piece layered with other frames, but that may change it I decide to actually hang the frame. 

Here is my 5ft Ellie for scale. I love getting to see a vision come to life in this ole fixer upper of ours. This room is finally becoming what I knew it could be. Can you recall where it started? Next up will be new furniture pieces that represents the more lounge like area this room has become. Can't say the wicker chairs lend themselves to movie watching and this room can handle a larger sofa easily. Currently this sectional I am dreaming of although a major sale needs to happen before I could make it a reality. The proportions would fit the room perfectly and give enough room for the whole family to lounge. Anyone have an insight to the longevity of Crate & Barrel furniture? 

sources: print taken by us printed by artifact uprising | framed by simply framed | lamp - no longer available {similar + similar} | bottom metallic baskets no longer available {similar} | small basket | wood stool | black vase - no longer available {similar} | pillows | side table in-between chairs {similar + similar} | brass frame | few favorite books: kinfolk, remodalista, commune, modern cabins, styled | rug

life according to my iphone...

This week has been a whirlwind of goodness! Granted I've been ready for bed by 8 every night, but I have been fully inspired, rejuvenated, and ready to hit the ground running. Here are a few from the highlight reel...

One of my favorite showrooms by Lee Jofa at ADAC

Last week I went with my team from Katrina Porter Designs  {new website coming in the next couple of weeks!} to ADAC to hear a bit from their discover series. Two of my favorites talks were from Vern Yip and Jenny from Little Green Notebook with Jessica Romm from Domino. Vern was oh so inspiring and one of the best speakers I have ever heard. Hearing about his upbringing was left me in awe as some of it was similar to mine. He was highly approachable and I now have his book on order. It's so good! Tons of tidbits on how to make a home and it's completely practical in every way. Plus he was a sweetie and who doesn't want to support that? I FINALLY got to meet Jenny. She was one of my first blog "friends" way back when blogging was becoming huge. I remember her sending me some fabric that I loved when she lived in New York from some discount store. I have loved getting to see her progression from a young mama trying to figure it out as I was to who she is today.  She has worked her tail off and it her design business reflects that. Her smile is contagious and she really is quite stunning. She also introduced me to Jessica Romm of Domino. We only got to chat for a minute, but she read as a friendly neighbor and for that very reason I may just be her number 1 fan. I kid, sort of. I highly respect those that treat others as an equal and take the time, even though they were about to speak, to just be friendly. LOVE that! Plus did you know Domino is coming out with another book? I can't wait as I still read the last one all the time. We then had dinner with Tiffany, another blog friend turned real life friend, at St Cecilia. It was amazing!!! They didn't even bat an eyelash when they had to work around all the dietary restrictions. Plus it was oh so beautiful. 

room and board - atlanta

During a short break we ran over to one of my favorite areas in Atlanta, Westside Provisions District. We ate at my all time favorite Yeah burger and had just a few to explore some of my favorite shops. I got to introduce Room and Board to one of our teammates. It's one of my go to shops. Along the way I may have decided this sofa needs to live in the most perfect media room... or my house. I always border between wanting a space to look in scale and then I come across something like this and think who cares if the WHOLE room is a sofa. It would invoke the coolest and most comfortable place for hangs. We aren't too far from teenage years and I want our house to be THE place to land. Can a sofa help with that? ha. 

In the same district we ran into Warby Parker. I know my next eye appointment will have me leaving with glasses. I think I found my perfect pair in the Burke. Maybe now I will actually make that much needed appointment! 

KJ snuck this photo of me. Why? because he deemed me looking ridiculous. Thanks son! Besides all the ridiculousness I have to say one of my favorite meals are zucchini noodles with grass fed beef and a clean sauce. With my new Dr ordered diet I have to be sure to read the labels always and finding a meal that feels "special" can be heard. This one is as close to comfort food as I can get and leaves me feeling satisfied. I also found a chiropractor that is changing my life. In only one session he helped reduce a constant pain that has plagued me for years. He fully believes that it something that will be put into remission completely with some dedication. 

This is the moment we let the kiddos know we were heading to the Auburn game. They were giddy to say the least. I failed to get one image at the game so this will have to do. We had a blast seeing Auburn win big. One of my favorite parts though was the two hour drive there and back. The Mr played era's of music starting in the 20's. They loved hearing the progression and both deemed rock and roll the best. We may have gotten some eye rolls too once we hit the 80's and 90's and belted every lyric to not so great music. Macarena anyone?