PRETTY

Still one of my favorite images from Cottage Living. The whole home was rather lovely. I needed a simple dose of pretty for today. I have been working daily on organizing and purging our home of non essentials. I will share my embarrassing progress later this week. Today I am still working away. Feeling completely grateful for having a smaller home right about now, whew.

An Organized Life: Master Closet

My first stride into living a simple life means starting the year with a good purge. I decided to start in the closets. I removed around 50 items from my closet that I have not worn this past year. I also did this last year, yikes. I won't even mention how many pieces I took out of Ellie and KJ's closets. Let's just say they dress well. I plan to do this twice a year. My closet isn't anything special. Long and narrow. I get the bottom and the Mr. gets the top on one side. The other side is just big enough for a few shoe shelves that aren't even full anymore do to the purge, yay!

I hang all my clothes by type then color. It just makes me happy. Oh, and yes we have plastic hangers of all colors. So ugly, I know, but they are cheap. I would love to one day do all wooden hangers, but for now I will just try to make them all cohesive in all white.

This year I am going to try to buy only a few new items. I would love to say none, but that's not really realistic for me. My number one want right now is the perfect white v-neck tee that you can't see through. I think it is a staple that can go with just about anything. Let me know if you have a good source.

{image via House Beautiful}

This closet somewhat reminds me of my own although mine is not quite as pretty, but every post needs a pretty picture right?

Over The Moon

I am loving this rather manly industrial loft. The chesterfield sofa's have me over the moon. A few throw pillows and this amazing piece would add so much life to this space. Hope to see you over on Mrs. French where I share the piece that would send this space to a whole other level.

An Organized Life: Being Transparent

I know you have heard me say before that my word for the year is SIMPLICITY. Did I happen to mention it was also my word for last year? Although I do believe I made huge strides last year I feel as if this year I have some room for improvement on my journey to live a simple life. I am going to share weekly what I have done to get closer to my SIMPLICITY goal. This week there will be two posts instead of one because I figured you all do not want to read a novel.

{via The Polished Pebble old home- LOVE}

What I love about blogging is finding others who share the same goals. The sweet lady over on Lavender and Lilies is also going through some great ideas to simplify on her blog. I am borrowing quite a few for myself such as "only buy it if you love it". She is talking about wardrobe, but I could easily apply this to all areas of my life.

 {via here via the nest}

Emerson Made who was just featured in the nest might just be the posterchild of being organized and living simply. I love how she said "keep only what you need, and keep it in plain sight. No hidden junk". This one may be harder to obtain, but I am willing to try.

 {part of Emma's assessment}

Emma took photos of her own home and evaluated what it is she liked and what needed changing. I love how she said "I feel like I have a road map now of what to tackle next and where to direct my money and energy". I too am adopting this idea. I feel as if I seem to make the same mistakes over and over in my home. There are countless times that I have bought things and quickly regretted them. I am hoping having a well mapped plan will keep me from making unnecessary purchase.

Seleta's 2011 words for her year resonated with me too. I really could just copy her list word for word, but I guess that would be cheating. The one that spoke to me most was to be more "playful". I find myself getting too serious at times and I am afraid that robs moments with my husband and kiddos that should just be fun. I analyze everything which is odd since I am quite laid back on the outside. Oh, and by the way I completely failed at this while doing this blog post. Got frustrated with the kiddos, ugh.

 This year the Mr. and I also talked about our future and what would benefit us most as a family. Well, to make a long story short we are going to try to be even smarter with the money God has blessed us with. We already take living debt free quite seriously. Our only main debt is the house. So we are going to try to dwindle that down in a five year plan. This means my not forever house is going to become my long term house and my love of spending will HAVE to be smarter, not much extra to play with.  I know in the long term this will be quite good for our family financially, but to be honest it will be hard because you all know that I dream of a move, but we are blessed with what we have so I am going to find joy in it.

Like I said a novel...

The Unexpected

As I am every Tuesday, I am over on Mrs. French sharing my love for beautiful pieces used in unexpected ways. Of course the traditional way works too. I am not too picky.

Super Heros

Over the weekend I received one of the most moving emails from a reader. Her 2 year old son James is battling cancer like a champ. They quickly became an inspiration to me. Inspiration to just do life better. As the kiddos and I prayed for sweet James and his family we thought it would be fun to do a little something special for James. Ellie and KJ decided to draw picture of them all playing together one day. KJ says you are a super hero and Ellie says you are prince, I think they both are right. James that's you...

Finding Peace

{via}

Something about this image makes me stop and stare. The neutral palette, the woodwork, that door, and of course the mix of modern and traditional are all things I adore. Oh, and lets not forget the the thick floor boards, just beautiful. The simplicity of the space makes me yearn for the simple things. I think this would be a perfect spot to catch up on some blogging and then grab a nice hot cup of tea and curl up with a good book.

I know I have been scarce from blog land and I have a few emails to answer also. I do apologize and hope to catch up on both very soon. I want to thank you all for your more than generous comments as of late. I read every one and they brighten my day. It seems with my desire for simplicity I become a chaotic mess. Thankfully I know this too shall pass and I will find my peace...

Worry never solves tomorrow's problems. It only robs today of its peace. 

 Matthew 6: 25-24

A Crush

I have a crush on her. Hope you come visit me over on Mrs. French to see why...

Home Tour That I Adore

You know how one click leads to another here in blog land, well my search led me to this local and gorgeous home. It is the home of Graham Yelton a photographer and a brilliant branding and design artist.  Her home was designed by her and her husband and I could not be any more inspired...

As soon as I saw this image of her dogs I soon realized I am friends with one of her friends that own the other part of this dog family. They are some of the most beautiful dogs I have ever seen.

Oh, and let's not forget to mention the before of this amazing home. I can hardly believe it.

I find myself looking at the images over and over and noticing new details every time. Thank you Graham for allowing me to share your beautiful home and images.

Here is a list of where she found some of her gorgeous finds. I love that there are highs, lows, and pieces they made...

Bedding: White Linen Duvet by Matteo Bedding

Headboard/Bedskirt: homemade, fabric is from King Cotton

Bed Sconces: Pottery Barn (via ebay!)

Curtains: Ikea!

Jute Rug: west elm outlet

armless chair: Abode Knoxville, Tn (just closed)

chandelier: vintage, found at Retropolitan in Nashvile, Tn

TV armoir: Scott's Market Atlanta

Posters: Hatch Show Print in Nashville

Frames: Ikea

Sofa: Bernhardt "Taylor", At Home

throw pillows: Ikea

coffee table: cb2

rug: Hannah's Antiques 

bertoia chairs: Scott's Market Atlanta

bathroom mirror: Scott's Market Atlanta

vanity: jay made this with the heart pine wood

sink: Ikea

faucet/fixtures: Kohler

stool: At Home

woven baskets: discontinued pottery barn

chandelier in closet: found on ebay

hallway letters: ebay

planters on porch: ikea

living room rug: ikea

"fresh" sign: At Home

ceiling light: At Home

Chairs & Table: Pottery Barn (Outlet!)

Birmingham Magazines

It seems January was a good month for both the Mr. and I. I was chosen as one of the top trendsetters & Tastemakers for the Birmingham area in Birmingham Home & Garden. I was humbled to be paired with my friends Marianne, Doug and Paige, Brooke, Jennifer, and Megan among a few others. (Click on the image to make larger)

We then got an email from one of our past brides and she let us know that her wedding was featured in the Birmingham Magazine. We could not have been any more excited. Loved seeing Kellen Jacob Photography in print. Ha! (click on the images to enlarge)

So Fun, right?

*oh, and don't worry I am still over on Mrs. French and sharing the images that inspired my choices from yesterdays post. Love being inspired.

Making Choices

I have been thinking for quite some time about having a new style sofa in our keeping room. It also acts as our home office when we have potential clients over for a meet and greet. Not that I did not like the light gray one we had, but it was rather large for the space. So I pitched the idea to the husband and he gave me the go as long as I sold the current one. Thankfully it sold quickly to a dear friend who happens to have a larger home than I. At first my heart was set on the english roll arm sofa...

Even though it is the same size as our old one it feels smaller due to the smaller arm proportions. I could also see it as our main sofa in our next home, but that may still be years away. Here is somewhat of an image of my old sofa in the room, just so you all can get an idea of the feel of the space. I then came across this lovely lady...

She is a bit more tailored and comes in a 72" option which would give us tons of extra room and open the room up even more. It also reminds me of this beauty in which I have had my eye on for quite some time. As I said our sofa sold and I still haven't even ordered the next sofa so I moved the chairs that were on the outer edge of the rug back to where the sofa once sat. I could even face this new sofa towards the windows with a console/storage behind it if I didn't move the chairs back. Just a thought.

Then again I rather like how moving the chairs opened up the space. This then got me thinking that maybe I could just add one new chair by the piano. Loved how the other chairs somewhat hid all the toy baskets.  The only downfall is that at times we have a lot of people in this small space and it is my favorite place to lounge with a magazine and I do love to lay out. I think a chair like this would work if I went with this idea though...

Then of course choosing a fabric is the next big decision...

I LOVE all these choices. I know pink would never actually happen for this space, but it would be fun. Maybe one day. You know how I love a pink sofa. I was thinking the natural linen for the english sofa and the more gray tones for the more tailored sofa. As for the chair I have no idea as of yet, I could possibly even do a pattern here.

I would love your thoughts and ideas. It can be kind of like a vote, but in the end I truly decide. Ha. I am the one that has to live with it after all.I do value your opinion greatly though.


*all my choices are by Robin Bruce an extension of Rowe. I like that it is an eco friendly line that also happens to be in my budget.

Three Days

Not sure if you had heard, but Alabama had quite the winter fest. I have lived here for 14 years and have never seen this much snow here. The down fall of never having snow here is that the state is not prepared for such things so the whole state just shuts down. The first day was fabulous. We made make shift sleds out of plastic bin tops and had hours of fun outdoors. Well, the next two days turned to nothing but ice which makes it no fun to go outside. So we made forts, painted, and I just let the kiddos destroy the house. By day three I must say the kiddos in all their hyperness were driving up the wall, ha! Yesterday Ellie was back in school and I managed to do a few fun errands and clean the house. It's so funny how much the state of my home effects my mood. Messy = chaos / tidy = peace. I am so odd.

Change

This is an old pic of my living room. A few things have changed, but not much. Today I am over on my other blog, Mrs. French, sharing a change that would make my heart skip a beat.

Design Crush

Do you remember this image from Better Homes and Gardens that inspired me ever so much? Well, it's from the home of Amy Meier. This past week I somehow came across her blog and was in awe of other snippets of her home. This is one from her bedroom. Isn't is lovely? The simple color palette has such interest with the use of different patterns. That checked chair is something I so want to recreate.

I then took a peek into her portfolio and instantly new she is my design match. Her traditional design takes on such a fresh and young feel with her use of color, texture, and patterns. What I love most is that every space looks livable even if you have small children like me. I would be ecstatic to have any of these looks for my own home.

Simple can be Better

While devouring Katy Elliot's blog I came across Plain Kitchens and knew I had to share the beauty of their work. What I love most is the simplicity of the design. SIMPLICITY is my word for the year and I will post more on this once I have it all sorted out. To see more of my favorites from Plain Kitchens be sure to visit Mrs. French.

A Pillow

Last week I gave you a peek of this David Hicks fabric that I got from Shannon. It is going to be used as a pillow for my bedroom. When I came across this image I knew that this is exactly how I want it to come out. Isn't she pretty?

Classics

On our little Atlanta adventure we went into Bungalow Classic. The shop was gorgeous. Again I really do wish I had my real camera on me and next time I will be sure to have it, but for now again with the blackberry. All the raw wood, linen, and gray paired with white had me head over heels. The stair case looks very much like the color I painted our master dresser in so of course I had to snap a photo. The small doses of color scattered about mostly in pillows never felt overwhelming. Maybe, just maybe I could do color, but I will have to start slow or will surely chicken out.