Being Design Happy

Dear design savvy friends,

Please help me...

xx, me (the one who can decorate other people's homes, but struggles with my own)


This is my dilemma...




We switched the dining area with the sunroom. The "former" dining room opens directly onto the kitchen and the sunroom is a room of it's own, but has an arched opening. Why did we do such a thing, well we were gifted a fabulous 1940's piano. We have a smaller home and had no where to put it. Soon it will sit under the mirror in the first image. Although I like the switch I can't seem to get a grasp on how to make it look lovely. I do feel as if the new family area will come together once I figure out the dining area. Oh, and I do realize it needs a larger rug and I am in search mode. All the (big) pieces you see must stay although I am thinking about changing out the chairs. The fabric over the piece in the second photo is not how it's going to stay I was just testing the idea of a skirted table with the largest piece of fabric I had.

I really can't believe I have showed you all these photos. They look awful, I know, but I can't live in an unfinished space without feeling out of sorts.

These are some dining areas I like...

{restoration hardware}

{restoration hardware}

{elle decor}

{sorry?}

{via Belle Maison}

Please send your ideas this way. I am sure you all have tons of them. Oh, and keep in mind I do have a 2 and 4 year old which makes grubby hands a given, so everything must be easy to clean. We do plan on replacing this table one day, but for now it works for us and all the art projects my kiddos do.

Last thing... I can't do lots of color. Although I like it I can't seem to live with it very long, I have tried. Boring, I know.

A Classic Wedding

I am so excited to share this wedding with you all. No detail was over looked, everyone was stunning, and the setting was divine. Oh, and did I happen to mention there was a cool breeze and no humidity on an August day in Alabama, unheard of really.


The bride and groom are the two most gracious and sweet people I have met. The bride even remember it was my birthday, I mean really, can it get any better than that.


The rings on a framed letter the soon to be husband wrote to his teary eyed bride.


The flowers were all done by a family friend. I so wish I had her talent.


The mother of the bride stayed up to 2 in the morning finishing up this lovely piece to pin inside her daughters dress.


The meeting between bride and groom always gets me a bit teary eyed. Theirs was no exception.


The bridesmaids all wearing Bagley Mischka thanks to her sister Amanda, co-founder of Coup de Coeur shopping tours in New York. Oh, and did I happen to mention this is a private residence of a friend.


A close up of one of the dresses and bridesmaids flowers, isn't she stunning?


The men looking dapper while taking a breather.


The groom and his brother having one of many laughs that day.


I just adore her tattoo against all the elegance. This image captures the brides personality to a tee.


hello groom...


The food was incredible...


the cakes were to die for (trust me I tried them both)...


and the band was fabulous.


Isn't her dress darling? And a thank you to the bride and groom for sharing your day with us. It was an honor.

To see more and to leave my husband a lovely comment on his blog (it would so make his day) go to Kellen Jacob Photography.

Oh How I Love You

I recently picked up the September issue of Martha Stewart Living and fell head over heels for this home. I love all the traditional pieces but with the modern spin. I love the neutral base with color thrown in here and there. The rugs are stunning and the details are impeccable. I really could go on and on, but I believe you can see it all for yourself.

Shopping Hiatus {2}

This is the second week in a row that I have not fudged on my spending hiatus. It probably helped that I received gifts for my birthday, but that is besides the point. I really did not want to shop. I found my niche, if I simply stop making wish lists then I do not want. Very easy really, can't believe I didn't figure that one out before. I do have a few home projects in the works, but I have saved and saved so when that time comes I will not feel a twinge of guilt. Oh, and if I were to have a wish list then this would be at the top...


...I am so ready for fall.

{via Anthropologie}

My Weekend

Sorry for the none post yesterday, things have been busy around here. As for the highlights, Saturday was my birthday and I was the recipient of some fabulous gifts...


I recieved this fabulous purse from my love, my kiddos got me a heart rate monitor watch for the gym, my parents gave me a wonderful gift card to my favorite store Home Goods, and my sisters gave me a gift card to Ulta. I racked up nicely I would say.


That evening we shot a wedding that could not have been any more beautiful. I will do a full post later, but here is a shot from her bridal session. More to see on Kellen Jacob.


My dear friend from this baby shower finally had her baby boy on my birthday. He is beautiful, but had a few complications and will be able to come home tomorrow, praise God.

Hubby and I rounded off the weekend with a much needed date night.

How was your weekend?

Outfit to Room... My Birthday Addition

Well, technically it's not my birthday till tomorrow, but since I don't blog on weekends then today will just have to suffice. This will be my last year to be in my "20's". I actually am excited to hit the the big 3-0 next year, but don't worry, I will be sure to enjoy my final year in my 20's to the fullest.


Birthday outfit to bath...

{via Beach Dwelling}

If I must have a shower curtain then this one would be lovely.

{via Anthropologie}

I would love to see these knobs outfit a simple light gray sink cabinet with a white marble top.

{via Pottery Barn}

This mirror would hang vertically over the sink of course.

{via Serena & Lily}

I would love to see white walls with this hydrangea color paint on the ceiling. This one has gray undertones which keeps it from being too over the top girly.

{via here}

Oh how I love this light fixture.

{via here}

Every person should have their very own bath towel hook. These one's would work just fine lined up along the wall.

I hope you all have a lovely weekend. We have a wedding to shoot tomorrow. I wonder if the bride would mind if I put my birthday candles on her cake, just a thought...

At home with Bagley Mischka

I wouldn't mind staying in this home in Kentucky farm country. The design airs on the masculine side, but that makes me love it all the more. Oh, and that tile work in the kitchen is just stunning.

{via Elle Decor}

Shopping Hiatus {2} + Etsy Love

I am so excited to say that I did not shop this week! If anything I was a bit of a scrooge. I feel as if I have everything I need and am not in want. Of course, this all can change in matter of moments I am learning, but for now I feel good. One thing I am always in need of are gifts. As you may or may not know I normally make my own baby shower gifts, but I always add a little something extra, well, I found my extra. My dear friend Brooke from the fabulous blog Blueprint Bliss has opened an etsy shop, Blueprint Bliss Designs. Here are some goodies for baby...




Oh, and wouldn't a personalized home drawing make for an amazing house warming, birthday, or any time gift...


Brooke also has sweet birth announcements and invites for you or a little one.

Now I am ready to go shop, just kidding. I hope you all are having a lovely day.