One Level Living

In the April issue of Dwell I came across this amazing home re.do. It needed tons of work, but the owners kept the same layout which I adore. Around here there are not too many homes like this. I would love to build one just like it one day. I absolutely love the covered court yard and how all the main rooms open up to it. I am a ranch style kind of girl and this home fits me perfectly, now to just move in our own furniture. We are also a family who needs tons of seating.

Shopping Hiatus {2}

{Just because I want them... via Twig & Thistle via Crate and Barrel}

The wonderful Aimee from Mostly Mod had a brilliant idea to extend the shopping hiatus we did earlier in the year till the end of the year. At first I was intrigued, but quite doubtful that I would ever attempt such a thing. Well, now it's official, I am in as of today. Okay so I actually told Aimee last week that I was in, but I made a few lovely purchases so starting this week sounds much better to me. Of course this hiatus will be a bit looser for me this time around.

1. I will buy gifts
2. We are hoping to tile the kitchen back splash this year
3. I will get my hair done
4. I will buy my kiddos clothes, but only when needed
5. I will buy fabric to sew
6. I will finish the garden
7. I love a good book, but don't worry I share them when I am done
8. I will probably purchase some calling cards in the near future, they are just so very efficient
9. If I am gifted money then I shall spend it happily (hint, hint)
10. If I do want to make new home purchases then they must be a superb deal and I must sell my old to make room for the new.
11. I may occasionally buy local or from an Etsy seller just to be supportive (I must be realistic, right?)
12. Oh, and vacations may not count. I will just have to see about that one.

Like I said it will be a looser hiatus. My goal will be to save, save, and save some more. Now just to get my hubby on board with his spending and we could do wonders to our account.

"Be okay with what you have."
Dave Ramsey (financial guru)

*Sweet Ellie is over at Blog Googles today. I just love morning surprises.

pre.shopping hiatus

So I just purchase the Micheal Kors purse on the left at T.J. Maxx. It was at a huge discount, but still on the pricey side. On the right is my current purse from Dooney & Burke. I soon noticed they are some what similar, which only adds to my current uniform. My question is, should I keep them both, take the Kors one back, or sell my current purse to justify the new splurge? What would you do lovely readers? I am truly at a loss. Oh, and hubby if you happen to read this just ignore it please. I am having a moment of weakness that is not so very flattering.

Blissful Blue

How lovely would this little sweater be paired with a white tank top, long strand necklace, and simple white shorts. Oh, and don't forget the comfy flip flops.

{via Toast}

Blissful Blue at Home

This blue lamp makes me smile. Oh, how I do love blue and green and yellow and gray and...

{lamp via House Beautiful magazine via Stray Dog}

I Sew

This year I decided to make and design the majority of Ellie's little dresses for summer. My daughter even wears them with jeans on occasion just because that's what she likes to do. I hope to sell the dresses and variations of them sometime soon. So here is a sampling of what I love to do...







I then let the mama guilt set in and felt bad for never making K.J. anything so the lovely Katie from Katie Did helped me create some special shirts for my son. Then, of course, my sweet little lady wanted one too. Although it is a bit time consuming, they make the best gifts and my kids can not get enough of them.

Book Club: chapter 2

{via The Black Apple}

In the book, the Artist's Way, there are people who can be labeled as crazymakers in your life. These people try to derail you from creating and believing in yourself. I feel highly blessed that I do not have these kinds of people in my life. As a child my parents enrolled me in art, horseback riding, dance, and etc lessons even when they barely had anything themselves. They knew I thrived to create so they enabled me to do just that. In high school I derailed myself from most of my once loved activities in order to be so-called popular. In college I did find myself taking dance once again and dabbling in pottery classes at least until the party life took over. I am so grateful that I even graduated. During my last couple of years at school I found Jesus or rather He found me and I turned my life back around. Now I have a wonderful husband who also is in the creative world at his work and with photography. He supports my every creative whim. All this to say I am thankful where I have been brought in life.

I shut my eyes in order to see
Paul Gauguin

Outfit to Room... Eco Chic

I absolutely adore Alabama Chanin and if you couldn't guess they are based right here in Alabama. Each piece is handmade locally and use recycled and organic materials. I am so excited to be able to include them in not only my outfit to room series, but also my eco-friendly week.

{photo via Delight by Design}

This outfit as an entry way...

{via Lee Industries}

A lovely place to sit to pull on your rain boots.

{via Pottery Barn}

Reclaimed wood side tables would make a nice spot for keys and mail.

{via Stray Dog}

A mirror to check your lip gloss on the way out.

{via pieces, of course}

An old vine basket made into a light fixture fitted with a florescent light bulb of course.

{via pottery barn}

A natural fiber sisal rug would be cozy under foot.

{via Alabama Chanin}

Yes, I know this pillow is quite literal, but it is much too scrumptious not to share.

For this outfit to room I used more earth friendly options, but the best way to do it would be to buy local. Also, this room is so me. Just add one pop of color or shine then it would be perfect for my home. I just adore texture.

Have a happy weekend!

A Green Home

This home was given away by HGTV and the best part is that it's green. I normally imagine a more modern and simple home when I picture a green home, but this home is full of warmth and comfort. I love all the little touches such as the horse photo divided into three, the tile in the bath, the stools in the kitchen and that fabulous green room. I also am loving that composter. It may not be lovely looking, but it would do wonders for my garden.

Happy Earth Day!

{Via Kellen Jacob Photography}

I know I should do more to help the green effort, but I must be honest where I live makes it more difficult to make it a lifestyle. In order to simply recycle we would need to drive quite a ways in order to even make a drop off.

I do try to do a few things though...

1. I use organic cleaners such as Mrs. Meyers and Method.

2. I always try to remember my own bags for the grocery store.

3. I am a homebody so my car can sit in the garage for days at a time.

4. We use cloth napkins.

5. The magazines that I do not want to keep I pass on.

6. Low VOC paint is my paint of choice.

What I want to do...

1. Change out all our light bulbs to something more eco friendly.

2. Only buy what I need. Whether it's clothing or food, I just don't want to waste. FYI, I am continuing my shopping hiatus till the end of the year. I will expand on this later.

3. Bring my own bag to all stores, not just the grocery store.

4. Try to fit more organic and locally grown foods into the budget.

5. Use reusable water bottles for the whole family.

For helpful tips, here are a few blogs that feature green living in a beautiful way.

{a feature by The Haystack Needle}

I would love some more tips if you have them. I know I could do more. Now to go do some gardening.

Green is Glamourous

Gorgeous and organic, just perfect. I especially love the pockets. Check out more of this line here and here.

{via Delight by Design via Ecoganik}

Green is Glamourous at Home

How I would love to curl up in this eco-friendly chair and read a good book.

{via Bohmo}

It's Lovely Being Green

{via the haystack needle via Hable Construction}

A lovely tote to carry everywhere, not just the grocery store.

{via West Elm}

In need of new glass ware, go for recycled.

{via Pieces}

Re-purpose an old piece and make it fresh and new or buy one already done for you.

{via Branch}

Grow your own garden and if you don't have the space nice herbs like this would be lovely on a window sill.

Happy Earth Day week!

Book Club: chapter 1

{via flickr}

So far so good on our read. I did my morning pages everyday even though sometimes that was the last thing I wanted to do. Other days it all poured out. Normally I wrote about my daily life. No wonderful book ideas or poems poured out. Oh well, maybe next week. As for my artists date, does working on the garden and yard count? Although, I did get together with fabulous friends and we did discuss the book. Bonus points for me, ha!

How did you do? Check out more here.

Outfit to Room...

{ via Heidi Merrick}

Outfit to home office...

{via Pottery Barn}

Every office needs a desk. This one would sit facing out from the wall.

{via Modern Dose}

A special chair to sit in.

{via Velocity}

A soft rug for under foot.

{via Hudson}

A fabulous pendant for maximum desk space.

{via West Elm}

Simple ways to keep organized.

{via Wall Blank}

A stunning piece of art to hang behind the desk would make anyone happy especially one as beautiful as this.


You can still e.mail me your outfit. Have a wonderful weekend!