Things I'm loving today...

I'm back and feeling much better this morning....got a busy day ahead but wanted to share some of the things I'm loving today!

This new line of frames by Kiwi Wood Werks...love them!

This apron that Liv and I need to finish - she loves ruffles!

Stacks of library books for the kids!

Julie's (from Milk & Honey) cabinet hardware - I could transplant her whole kitchen to my house!

This haircut....I am thinking seriously about chopping mine off!

This shade (from Shades of Light)- would look great in my breakfast nook...bc the one I have is seriously ugly!

Hope you have a wonderful Tuesday!

Needing a "sick day"...

Feeling under the weather today...well, since yesterday really! Gonna take a SICK DAY...I'm hoping my Liv will cooperate and join me in bed - maybe a movie marathon today? Hope your Monday is a happy and healthy one!

I have a 3rd grader????

Yes, I officially have a 3rd grader today...I don't know where the time has gone! He was up and ready to roll this morning as he and dad took off for school! I will be honest and say 2nd grade was a struggle...not academically - he is a wiz - but in other ways...I cannot say that I felt he got all he should have last year (I'm sure every parent feels that way at times...) Now before any of you teachers out there get your feathers ruffled, let me preface this by saying I went to public school, loved public school, my husband is a teacher in the public school - but when that same husband mentions the word "home school"...you know it is for good reason! Braxton is an "active" learner...likes to be moving, constantly going and challenged - which is not always so great in a large classroom environment. Twenty kids, with different learning styles, different levels academically - well, that would be a challenge for even the best of teachers - I don't know how they do it most days! At the same time, I think every child, not just my child, but EVERY child deserves to be educated in a way that bests suits their learning style - I realize that is not always possible in a class of 20+ students! We did debate other options this year, including home schooling...we truly wrestled with what would be best...it is no easy decision! But in the end we sent him back to public school - for this year at least, mainly because David's mom will be teaching some of B's classes - this is reassuring - she's been teaching for YEARS and it will be her last year before retirement - we are so very thankful she choose to stay one more year and of course B is even more thrilled! Our public schools are changing...my view of public school is changing...I am still processing and praying for God's wisdom as we go into this school year! My prayers have been something like this:

• Pray for B's teachers - give them patience, understanding, and a love for their children that can be felt throughout the classroom!
• Pray for B to grow in self control - emotionally, physically, mentally
• Praying for Godly friends that B can connect with
• Praying that 3rd grade will be a positive year for all the children in B's classroom

Happy Friday!

Just a little peak...

Just a little peak into a client project...working on finishing up design boards!

Hope you are having a wonderful Wednesday...

Random thoughts...

Happy Monday...here are a few random thoughts for the day: Trying to find a vintage map of the US for a client job...hoping to use it as ART! Really need to do something with all the shells we brought back from vacation... Would like to try out this sewing pattern...just my style - loose and comfy! Dreaming of having a pantry like this someday... Loving this little "zig zag" dress for little girls... Hope you have a wonderful day...gotta go finish up a design job and catch up on house work!!! Photos: stock map photo, shell - my own, McCalls, Emersonmade, dress-unknown

Rainy Mondays!

It's raining!!! Yeah, we really are in need of it too...our grass is dead and my plants aren't too far behind! The boys are out of the house today so Liv and I are just hanging out - maybe we'll get a few projects done! Happy Monday!

Tile love!

This is a random post today...but I felt necessary to share it because my husband and father-n-law worked so hard yesterday that I had to give them props! Long story short, we've been trying to put in a new bathroom floor in our master bath for MONTHS!!! We've been walking around on a bare concrete floor (very cold) for what seems like forever after we ripped up the hideous sheet vinyl...so here it is today:

It is a travertine stone laid in a "brick layer" pattern! All it needs now is the grout so that's what I will be doing Friday morning! Happy Thursday!

Home sweet home...

Well, we are back! My family and I spent a week at the beach and it really was wonderful! It was the first time since high school that all my siblings were able to be there! Here are a few pics...more to come! Happy 4th! talent show...Liv wearing my nephew's cowboy hat to sing "Shake Your Groove Thang" with backup from cousin Emma! On the beach to snap family pics... This photo was taken by my eight year old...pretty good I think...I never have pics of David and I!

Searching for peace...

Yeah, it's Friday!!! The last few weeks have been a bit crazy for me and my family! It's almost the end of June,halfway through Summer break, and I am ready for our vacation! We (my family and I) are going through lots of changes...some big decisions need to made and I wont lie to you - I am in need of some major PEACE right now! God has been working on me for over a year now in several areas of my life...work, family, children, school - I could go on, but I know that each area is connected! So I am looking forward to a week of PEACE and a time of seeking God for his wisdom and direction! Speaking of peace, I am praying for just that between these two: For the most part my kids are great pals...they get along well....BUT there are those moments when all they do is pick and fuss at each other!!! So I was so glad to read about this over here at A Holy Experience. I think I might need to change our "timeout" corner to a "peace retreat"...especially since our timeout corner has turned into a graffiti wall for taking out their frustrations on! Oh yeah, I can show you some great artwork up on those walls! Praying for peace this week - Happy Weekend!!!

The goods from HOME GOODS!

OK, so I was asked to post pictures of the items I scored at Homegoods for a staging job...so here they are: Nourison Rugs 5x8...I purchased two in order to make one larger rug - they are really divine...soft, plush - perfect transitional rugs and you cannot get much better than Nourison! Next up, a pair of lamps...ceramic, creamy white...with solid white drum shade that have a silver foil lining! The design is very "West Elm"! Next, we have another rug...this one is a soft jute rug measuring 4x6 and it has a brown cotton border!

Mirrors!!!! I have three of these babies....they are square and so unique with a deep teal color with gold accents...I used these together - stacking one on top of the other to visually make it read as one tall mirror!

Next up, the artichoke vases...I have two of these - used them on a mantle! The scale is wonderful...you could fill them with flowers if that's your thing! The color is a wonderful apple green - muted with bits of brown and cream showing through a crackle finish!

Plates are up next...these are by a wonderful company called Moonlighting - they do decoupage and I am not even sure if they are still producing...this set has wonderful primary colors and would be great for any kitchen!

Last, but not least...this wonderful little lamp which is currently resting in my kid's bedroom....it has a shiny white finish with a silky, drum shade....I am tempted to keep this one - just like I'm tempted to keep all the rest!!! I also have a bench - wooden and rustic in a deep brown/black tone....I haven't photographed it yet but will do so today! If you are interested in any of the above, please send me an email or leave me a comment and I can get the details (measurements, pricing , etc) to you! Happy Thursday!

Summer days...

My summer days have flown by so far....work has kept me busy along with trying to finish up some projects around the house! This is what my week looks like:

• Going through closets to "edit" and take the loot to Habitat Home...although it's been some time since I've purchased new clothing...my closet is full of items I don't wear and I've held onto them for YEARS...so I'm saying "goodbye" and I pray they will be a blessing to someone else!
• Finishing up cleaning out the garage ....well, that has been totally my husband's job over the last week and a half (I'm a lucky girl)! I must say he has done a terrific job of cleaning it out - even got the kids involved while I was working! Gotta post some stuff on Craig's List!!!
• Finishing a design job - windows, reupholster sofa, accessories...all going in this week!!!
• Returning some FABULOUS items to Home Goods that didn't work out for a staging job - I'm tempted to keep them...but we are in a simplifying mode! If you are interested in some great lamps, rugs, and accessories - give me a shout and I will post pics and pricing!!!
• Getting ready VACATION!!!! Yes, my family is leaving for vacation soon...to the beach we go and I cannot wait!!! I guess I should hurry up and find a bathing suit!!!

Photo credit: Spring Storm/ Flickr Happy Tuesday!

Happy Birthday to my boy!

Happy 8th birthday to my boy...eight years ago, on June 19th you came into my life and changed it forever! An easy baby, a challenging toddler, and now growing into a sweet, young man - you make my life wonderful! I cannot wait to see what another eight years will bring! Happy birthday B, I love you!

On the road...

I've been on the road today! Up at 6:30am, out the door around 7:30am and off to Cleveland,TN. with a truck load of 'stuff' to begin staging a house that is on the market! Now, it is 5:45pm - I just walked in the door and I'm waiting for my family to get home - they've been swimming!!! Summer is really crazy for us schedule wise....for me it is a time to pick up a little more work since my husband(who teaches HS math and coaches basketball) is home more! The trade off is that I am home more with the kids once school begins bc his schedule gets crazy once basketball starts full time...either way, I am very blessed to have such a flexible "job"! There was a day when I worked full time in the design industry - for someone else! Working five days a week...not getting home until 6:15 at night - and I really enjoyed it, I was passionate about it... but since having kids, well, they really have become my focus! Daily I am reminded of the precious gifts (Braxton and Olivia) God has entrusted to me...that is my purpose, that's my number one ministry - my family! So that is where I am content, that is where I am my happiest...and I am thankful for the design jobs that allow me to do that! Anyway, HAPPY WEDNESDAY!

Where does the time go?

It is June 14th...I'm not sure how I missed the last two weeks, but I did....in a flash - gone! Our summer has been very busy so far...I am hoping to slow down after this week! Here are a few things on the "to do" list:

• plan a birthday celebration for my oldest - he's turning 8!
• going to the beach at the end of the month
• finish minor renovation in my master bathroom - new flooring and paint!
• CLEAN OUT THE GARAGE!!!!

In the meantime, here are some random images from my computer! Happy Monday!

Studio Calico Scrap Kit

Sisal or Jute - love them both!

Amanda Talley art

Noir table in a black, hand waxed finish - I want to do this to my kitchen table!

Finished concrete floors and slipcovers - simple and clean!

Trying to catch up!

Happy Tuesday! I've been absent, but for good reason! Last week found me in D.C. working on a design project - then back to my family to finish up the last week of school...so I've been busy!

My trip to D.C. was great....my sisternlaw, Melissa, and I made a trip to the Luckett's Antique Fair - which was amazing! She found several pieces for her new house at a steal...and it was probably good I flew up bc I found LOTS of things that I wanted to bring home - but couldn't! It definitely made me want to drive up with a van for the next one!!! One of my very favorite vendors was Chartreuse & Company...they had so many wonderful things....

(photos via Chartreuse & co.)

Wish I had taken photos...but it was raining all day - we looked pretty fun as we both had worn sandals and were covered in mud!!! If you are in the area...you must go check it out...you can go to their website here...