Outfit to Room... Emerson Made

Is it possible to be enamored with someone you don't even know? Emerson really is quite precious and has serious style in my book. She makes flowers from hand-dyed cut linen, simply gorgeous. I not only love this outfit (my winter uniform plus a fabulous flower), but she's bare foot in a garden to boot. My kind of gal.

{via Simplesong via Emersonmade}

Outfit to living room...

{via Restoration Hardware}

A sofa to lounge in...

{via Pottery Barn}

I secretly want this but alas it's a bit out of my price range...

{via Anthropologie}

Every room needs a pretty accent chair...

{via Sundance}

Such a feminine chair needs a side table like this to roughen her up a bit...

{via Pieces}

A cashmere throw for a chilly night...

{via Revival Home and Garden}

Can a person ever really have too many lamps?


How about a lovely piece of art shot by my husband to hang behind the sofa.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend! Oh, and next week kicks off my birthday month so I have a few lovely surprises coming your way. Tutorials, DIY's, and giveaways... I so can't wait!

A Lovely Renovation

This style of home is not what I would initially gravitate towards, but something about has me hooked. The painted white floors are worn in just enough, the salvaged pieces used in different ways is something I just adore, oh and let's not forget to mention all the fabulous lighting. I think what makes this place not feel too weathered for my taste is the use of photography. The pieces really stand out and give a slightly more modern feel. Oh, and the sink into me for hours furniture and that tub, well they don't hurt matters either.

{home via Living Etc.}

Shopping Hiatus {2}

Maybe I should change my weekly post title from shopping hiatus to confessions of a blogger. I completely rocked my first hiatus, not so rocking the second. The first hiatus was more of a three month fast for my Jesus, but the second has been for me and wow, it makes it so much harder...


These are what I bought. I really bought the one's on the far left a couple of weeks ago and already confessed, but they finally came in. I love them all. Now I have a pair to go with everything I already own. I would have shown you how cute they look on my feet while I did a walk of shame, but I am in need of a pedicure. Hubby was not upset in the least, he didn't really expect me to last all the way till next year. I think he is still happy I am trying though.

{photo via Kellen Jacob/quote via LobotoMe}

Yesterday as I was trying to play catch up on all my favorite blogs, I came across this post on LobotoMe. She has been doing a stellar job on this hiatus and really is such an inspiration to me. Her moto is the same as mine, live a life more simple. Anyway, she expressed the importance of living debt free and has a wonderful list of better places to put your money, like college funds. As for us, we too believe in living debt free. Our last bit of debt, the car, will be paid off by the end of August. Once we do that we have a plan to start the college funds and retirement. All this to say, that we do not live beyond our means, we pull cash out every month to keep to a budget, so as I fail at my hiatus every so often I am not failing my family but failing you all and these weekly posts, ugh. To some it may seem we have a lot, to others you may think we already do live the simple life. I really just want to get to a place where I feel as if we do live simply, not a stuff thing, but more a heart thing. Does this make sense? It's clear as day in my head, ha!

The Winner...

The winner of this adorable dress from Shabby Apple is... Becki!

winner selected using random.org

The random number generated...#23

Happy Birthday Ellie!

My sweet little Ellie is full of personality, loves to play dress up, loves to pretend, loves to go high on the swing, she freezes up in large crowds, but always remembers her please and thank you's. She loves her daddy more than her mommy (her words not mine), but I am okay with that. She loves a good family dance party. She loves "good" food. I love my sweet little lady and 4 years ago today our lives changed when she joined our little family. This is my Ellie...

(see what I mean, when I say personality)

and here is her small family party we had over the weekend...


I made the skirt and added the 4 to the top... tutorial for the 4 coming later this week or next.


The theme Ellie wanted...flowers. She is so like her mama.


Close up.


Simple details. For dinner we enjoyed steak and pasta. Like I said my little lady enjoys "good" food.


I so got the idea and tutorial from here. I just adapted it my little lady.

Cake is from Edgars for the locals. I added the pink banner around the bottom of the cake plate just for some extra fun.

Happy Birthday baby!

My First Giveaway!

And I could not be more excited! The lovely ladies from Shabby Apple have offered to giveaway the Pink Panther dress from their little girl's line (0 to 5t)...


Isn't it just too sweet. Wish my little Ellie could win, but I suppose it's good to share too.

I just adore their woman's line too. I could picture myself wearing this or even maybe this on a hot date with the hubby. They also have a great maternity line, shoes that make me want to swoon, and they are about to start carrying a preteen line. Really they have us covered in the looking good category.

What I love most is that 5% of their net dress sales go to support work in India as a partner with Unitus. Please read more about it here. You know me and my heart for good causes. Women helping women, what could be better.

Oh, and did I happen to mention they are offering Two Ellie readers a 10% off discount: just enter "twoellie10off" at checkout in the "coupon" box. The coupon expires August 15th.

Anyway back to the giveaway...

If you would like to be entered to win this sweet little dress just leave me a comment. If you would like to be entered twice: blog about this giveaway and be sure to let me know! I will be choosing a winner at random.



**I will be announcing the winner on July 28th (Ellie's 4th birthday)**



To follow Shabby Apple on Twitter, go here.

To check out their facebook, go here.

Oh yes, and they have a blog, go here.

*giveaway has ended*

Taking the Day

{Kate Spade ad via here}

I am taking a day for myself. My mother gifted me a facial this past Mother's Day and I am finally going to have one done. I am excited and a bit nervous though. Also I am going to pick up the last few odds and ends for Ellie's birthday party this weekend. We are keeping it small this year, but I am not going to skimp on making it extra special. Oh, and be sure to check back tomorrow... I have a fabulous giveaway from Shabby Apple!

Mexico

As if you all haven't heard about it enough, but my hubby was away a couple a weeks ago to take a team of 63 people to Victoria, Mexico. He got to go a few times to one of our favorite places to visit and sometimes stay, the orphanage of El Rancho de Louisiana. My husband has been able to go numerous times the past 12 years and I only three, but it holds many dear memories for us both. On our last trip together, almost 5 years ago, I found out I was pregnant with our first. I haven't been back since, but hope to do so again when our kiddos are a few years older. These are some of the images my husband caught on his visit...








Seeing these sweet little faces and remembering some of their horrid stories, but all the while still having contagious laughs, made me have to recheck my priorities. I am trying not blog while my children are up just so they know they are number one and I am making sure my husband is top priority and that he feels it. I never want to take for granted where God has put me in life. I am thankful I can cloth my children, eat well, have a home that I love, and a family that I can love on. Oh, and because of Mexican laws these sweet little children can not be adopted.

A few of these are doubled, but if you like to see more you can go here and scroll down a bit.

Feeling Plain

While browsing my daily read, Simple Lovely, last week I came across this stunning image...


In my mind I feel as if I could be this power house of a women. Strutting along in fabulous heels and looking ever so chic, but when I stop a moment and realize I must sweep the floors for the 3rd time in one day and clean up the inevitable spilled milk all while having a two year old on my hip, I come to the quick realization that I am more this (add a few stains here and there)...

on a good day by twoellie featuring Clu

Oh, and I am okay with that.

Inglenook Decor

I have slowly, but surely been befriending Maureen of the inspiring blog Ingle Talk through e.mail and, of course, blogging. She is stunning, has a stunning daughter, and fabulous taste. Well, she just revamped her e.shop of wonderful goods and I just had to share. I just adore seeing someone following their dreams and seeing her's come to reality just thrills me. Here are some of my favorites...

{green needlepoint pillow}

A pillow like this would look great on a simple chair.

{scale wall hooks}

The wall hooks I could see hanging in the kitchen just for an added somewhat quirky touch.

{cast iron glass basket}

How fun would it be to serve drinks in this?

{glass owl bank}

This glass owl, well, I think he speaks for himself.

You can find so many more goodies here along with decorating and design tips. A very fun site to explore!

Lovely Surprises

Last week hubby and I celebrated our 5 year anniversary apart. He was leading a missions team in Mexico while I stayed here with the kiddos. I really was not expecting anything at all, but to my surprise hubby had other plans. This is how the story goes... Hubby called somewhat frantic saying someone drove by our house and saw our rocking chairs on the porch all knocked over, I was just waking from a much needed nap and went running out thinking someone may have tried to break in, then sitting on our little table was this gorgeous flower arrangement and a box of goodies from one of our favorite bakeries. I cried like a baby as hubby proceeded to explain that he just wanted to make sure I know how special I am to him. I just love surprises!

I hope over the weekend you have a chance to make someone feel special!

Sale

Dace is having a sale up to 80% off! I am in love with the dress above, size small please.

The Holiday

Since I have been sharing what I did while hubby was away all week I thought I mine as well continue till the end. On the nights I did not want to sew I would pop in one of my favorite "girly" movies and sit back and relax. One of my all time faves is The Holiday. What I love more is the decor in Amanda Woods (Cameron Diaz) home. I love the simplicity of it all. The textures and color palette have me swooning.











I was so very excited when the lovely ladies of Fiddlesticks and Funny Girls posted photos of this amazing home. They also posted photos of Iris's (Kate Winslet's) home in case you want to take a gander.

{images via fiddlesticks and funny girls, via James Radin, via Cote de Texas}