For the Love of a House

I try to be somewhat original on this little blog of mine, but sometimes that can be hard. As design blogs become more popular being original can sometimes feel next to impossible. I was feeling slightly uninspired so I picked up my camera and started shooting. Slowly and surely I began feeling inspired again, by own home. Now that's fun and rare. Maybe my simplicity goals are actually working. Here is a glimpse into what makes me happy in my own home...

The color green reminds me of spring. Spending time outside, having picnics, and fresh air.

My 30th birthday party dress stays out. I adore it and it reminds me all my fabulous friends and family. Happy memories. The piano was a gift. Can't wait till the kiddos learn how to play sweet melodies.

My new lamps look extra lovely wearing my jewelry. This nook in the bedroom has changed dozens of times since we moved in and I was never happy with it. Finally, while gaining simplicity and not wanting to buy anything new till I was 100% sure I would love it, I stuck a chair that I had for years there and well, I am smitten with it.

We have been doing so many art projects that I decided to stop putting the brushes away. Ellie then started hanging her art on the wall. I rather like how it looks. I think we will continue to do it until the whole wall is full. Makes me happy.

An old star burst clock that I "borrowed" from my parents against the greige walls makes for a lovely combo. The antlers in the guest/kiddos bath adds a little whimsy. I like whimsy and apparently jumped on board with a few trends over the years. ha.

My garden is starting to grow back. Love seeing the sedum peeking through drinking up the sun. Spring time is on its way.

Can you see a trend? My own home makes me happy. I am so excited. Isn't that the way it should be? Oh, and no it still isn't our forever house, but it is my house and I think she can be pretty.

Sing It

This song by Adele has me dancing at my desk. The whole album rocks, really.

*Also my about page has been updated!

An Organized Life: The Blog

In my attempt for an organized and simple life I decided that it must extend to all parts of my life not just my home. As you have noticed the blog has been going through a bit of a make over. I tried to keep the same basic feel, but just tidy up a bit. I still need to add my must reads, but that is going to take awhile and time is not what I currently have much of. It will get done though. I also added an about page, but am having a hard time writing it so I thought I would open up to you all. If you have any questions about me then I would love to hear them! It will become more of a faq's page of sorts. You can email  me or ask away in the comment section. Of course if this does not work then I will take another route. Ha.

*Yes, I so just snuck/sneaked in another Disney pic. No worries though, next week I will back to my design obsessed self.

A Crazy Day + New Lamps

Sorry for the missed post yesterday. We had quite an eventful Tuesday and not in a good way. That morning we got a phone call from my husbands coordinator at work, her husband was in a motorcycle accident. Praise God he is doing quite well. A true miracle really. The Mr. spent the day at the hospital with them. During this time KJ quickly became ill. Never seen him so sick, I was quite scared to be honest. His fever reached 103 and we (dr and I) had a hard time getting it to go down. He wasn't alert and kept on falling asleep. When he did speak he just kept repeating that he was burning. He ended up having strep. Had no idea it could get so bad. A few other things thrown in and wow, it made for quite a day.

I am sure you are ready for me to get back to design so here are a pair of lamps that I got at Scott's in Atlanta. I didn't purchase the shades, but it's on my to do list. I will share as soon as I do. They are in the master and make me quite happy.

For more design related posts you can come see me on Mrs. French. I have a new one up and I am quite smitten with the inspiration image.

A Short Recap

If you follow me on twitter then I am sure you got tired of me talking about our vacation to Disney World. It was the first time for all of us and we had a blast. Although I do wish I started training for the trip in advance. I simply had no idea. Here is a short recap of our trip...

KJ's Favorite part was getting to meet Buzz Lightyear. "To infinity and beyond" has now become part of his daily speech. He really can fit it into any circumstance. It's a hoot.

Ellie's favorite part was doing the princess experience in the castle. We surprised her. They decked her out like a princess head to toe. She then got to meet a bunch of princesses and she was in high heaven.

My favorite part was getting to spend some much needed time with the Mr. Oh, and the food was amazing too. I am now in need of a detox. This friend is going to help me.

The funniest part of the trip was when Aladdin and Jasmine kept on asking Ellie if she remembered certain parts of the movie. She kept on saying no. They then asked if she ever even saw the movie. She said no, they were heartbroken. Ellie simply wanted to meet the pretty princess. ha. No worries though last night we watched the movie.

* Today I am also on Mrs. French.

An Organized Life: The Kitchen

Here is my kitchen. Since I learned how to cook last year I quickly realized that our kitchen was a mess. Not necessarily looks wise, but in how it functioned. Here is how it works for us now...

We have two fruit bowls so it keeps access easy for the kiddos and I. Actually seeing the fruit out makes us want to eat it more.

The large basket keeps all our bread at easy access and the small one keeps all our bars like granola, lara, etc bars within reach. I like having all our wooden cutting boards out in plain view, but I keep the plastic meat cutting board hidden away.

This is my baking drawer. It has all my specialty flours and sugars. I keep our all purpose, bread flours and sugar in jars on the counter.

This is an example of inside our cabinets. Everything is neatly lined up and yes we use chinet recycled plates for when we are on the fly.

A few of my favorite cooking books stay out all the time. The rest are kept in a cabinet. I do need to take the time and write down all my favorite recipes on recipe cards instead of having loose sheets of paper tucked everywhere.

The basket is a new addition that I adore. I needed a space for all my table linens and went back and forth with the idea of getting a low cupboard. The only problem with that is that one of our current pieces would have to go in order to accommodate one. I then came across this basket at World Market and new it would be perfect.

The barstools are not new, but the slipcovers are. They were a blue that didn't quite blend into my neutral color scheme and I really wanted a natural linen. I decided before hiring out that I would try to make them myself. The first two went well and the third was a whole other story, but I got it done after much frustration. They are NOT perfect by any means, but they are good enough for me.

*To see a full view of my kitchen you can go here.

One of Many

I love the idea of using a screen room divider as a headboard. This one is rather stunning...

I also think it could make a good DIY project. I would love to recreate this one...

Today I am over on Mrs. French sharing another use for screens. Of course a gorgeous antique one would make quite the statement.

{image 1 western interiors magazine via Material Girls, Image 2 via Martha Stewart}

This & That

This is what I wore to a reunion of sorts. Later I changed into my Toms for church. It is comfortable...

That is the room I would like to be if I were one. I think we could be comfortable together...

{image via House Beautiful}

ME
Top: Gap
Pants: J. Crew
Shoes: Nine West

ELLIE
Sweater, Top, and Socks: Crewcuts
Leggings: Gap
Skirt: Right Bank Babies bought from Mini Social.

KJ
Top: Crewcuts
Jeans and Shoes: Gap
Hat: Auburn Tigers

Gilded

A gilded mirror... More over on Mrs. French.

{images via the ever fabulous Lonny Magazine}

SMITTEN

Happy Valentine's Day! I know for some this leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, but I think Valentine's Day is to be shared with those you love and well, I am pretty smitten with all of you.

Happy Valentine's Day!!!!

* I will be a bit MIA this week. If you follow me on twitter then you know why. Posts will resume as usual though. oh happy day!

An Organized Life: The Office

I thought I would share the office space/keeping room first since it was the hardest to clean out. In the beginning I had this space, plus a cabinet in the kitchen and the bottom of the pantry which adjoin this room. My goal was to whittle it all down to this small area and I did it! Oh, and did I mention it was hard?

This space is what keeps Kellen Jacob Photography, our home, and everything else going. It HAS to be organized. Each ikea magazine file holds paper, office supplies, mini albums, etc. I am hoping to buy a label maker to take this all to a whole new organized level. The drawers house my array of stationary. The binders are from Rusell and Hazel and I adore them. I also managed to move the printer off the shelves into a spot where it is less obvious. Did you notice the jar full of ribbon? I so adopted this idea from Emerson Made. Makes the ordinary so much more special and if I can see it then I am more likely to use it.

This is my new/old filing system. Old as in I have had it for awhile and new as in it is now working for me. I have a file for everything. Things to file, KJP, taxes, school, ideas, and even a file for things I have no idea what to do with. This new system will hopefully keep things from piling up on my desk when I am being too lazy to file it in the pretty little binders. We are also planning on getting a fire safe box to keep important documents and things of sentimental value.

I didn't show a full room view just because I am awaiting our new sofa and that will still be a few more weeks. The fabrics on top of the bench are one's that I plan to incorporate into the room. I am going to try to do a bit of color this year. Hope it works out.

You know how I am trying to not shop for too many new clothes this year? Well, a purse isn't technically considered clothing. I am still trying to decide whether to keep it or not. It's Cynthia Rowley and I bought it at TJ Maxx. I think she is really pretty and I did use my own spending money so it didn't come out of our main account which is the whole goal anyway. Do I NEED a new purse, no, but it has been well over year since I got my last one.  SIMPLICITY.

*Scratch the last part. I pre-post. I kept the purse. I LOVE it.

ONE

Something about this image has me head over heels. Okay, maybe more than one thing. Although I am only discussing one over on Mrs. French today. Ha.

{Image via Brooks & Falotico}

Baskets

{via Paul Massey}

I adore this image. Have for quite some time. It seems I am drawn to images that have a lovely basket within. I love the practicality of them and the simple and somewhat raw design. Today I am sharing my passion for baskets in my own home by sharing a few of my favorites on Veranda Interiors. Melissa has become quite the blog friend and I have enjoyed seeing her journey of building a new home, which will be stunning I am sure. Hope to see you there!

Blushing

Over on Mrs. French I put together two rooms inspired by this stunning piece that I saw at the French Market. It looks like she is blushing. Hope to see you there!

7 Things

I have been awarded the Stylish Blogger award, many times over so I thought it was about time that I played along. So sorry that it has taken me this long. I honestly can not remember who all awarded me so please, pretty please, email me and I will be sure to link you. I really do appreciate it. So here are my 7 things. Some fluff and some that have been life changing, if you only have time to read one please skip ahead to #7...

1. I LOVE to cook. If you have been reading for awhile then you will know this is a new thing. I had no idea how to actually cook until last year. I was the one who could mess up mac and cheese out of box, now we don't eat out of boxes. It was a resolution of sorts for me to learn, so I did.

2. My family. Well, what can I say I am passionately in love with them.

3. I was born in Venezuela. My mom was in an exchange program to Colombia in college, loved the country and stayed, met my papa, married, and moved to Venezuela. I was delivered by a man who may have had too many drinks and I was just over 4 pounds. About 3 months later we moved back to the US.

4. Photography was a hobby for the Mr. and I and it has become a full blown business the last couple of years. We are grateful to those who took a chance on us in the beginning. It is most definitely a blessing many times over.

5. I have a cleaning lady that comes every other week. There I said it. I used to be embarrassed by it, but now I embrace it. This past year I had a surgery that kept me from doing much, so the Mr. hired a lady to help around the house. After I got the go ahead to resume my daily routine the Mr. said I could keep her services, so I did graciously. Wow, glad to get that off my chest.

6. Gardening is my form of therapy. Love getting my hands dirty and seeing the miracles that this land can produce. I hope and pray that all my flowers come back this year, it has been quite a rough winter.

7. This one has been a life changer for me lately. My only hope is that I can convey my thoughts properly. Pastor Billy Hornsby, who happens to be our Pastor's wife and Ellie's teachers dad, has fallen ill. He went from sick to critical much too quickly. It is cancer. I have known him for quite sometime since my husband is on staff at this church. He is the President and founder of ARC and has been changing lives for years. He and his family lived over seas sharing the love of Jesus. He is an author. He builds leaders. I can go on and on. The part of his life that I admire most though is that no matter what he has done he has remained humble and that is rare. He truly just loves Jesus, his family, and helping people. He has built his life around it. He is ready to go home if that is what Jesus has for him. We of course are praying for him to stay a bit longer.

{This is Ellie's class and a few middle schooler's praying for Pastor Billy, She is the one holding on tight looking up at him.}

What has changed my life I suppose is just seeing the peace that he has with leaving this earth to go to Heaven. Believers can say they will be ready, but are we ever that ready? He knows he has done good here and will leave this earth without what ifs. A crazy amount of people from all over have flown in to see him. He is leaving a legacy based on loving others. Isn't that what life should be all about? When it is my time I too want to go out knowing that I did my very best for my savior, that I was a great wife, mom, sister, daughter, friend, and helped others that I have yet to know. That I loved others with passion, not with how they fit into my life, but how can I fit into theirs.  That my family know at all times that they are number one. Of course, me and the Mr. will fight, but I want him to forever know that I love him, really love him. That my babies never feel that they come second to what I am doing at that moment, aka blogging, cleaning, sewing, etc. That I will drop everything for a friend in need without hesitation. That I will drop everything for a stranger in need without hesitation.  Since coming to know Christ nine years ago I have said that loving people would be my passion, I have had my ups and downs in this category, and now I have gotten too comfortable in my life and need to go back. Need to go back to the place where I feel for people. Happy and sad people. Not pity that's something different, but love. A simple love.

*Pastor Billy spoke this past week during service for a few. If you would like to listen go here and fast forward to 30:38 although the whole message is good too. He also spoke here before he became critical.

Thank you! Live Love Small, Real Estate Style, Creative Outpour,  Constant in Chaos, Style for Living, Lona De Anna, A Dance with Grace which was actually awarded to Mrs French, Desire Design Delight

An Organized Life: Purging

Ever since announcing last week that I was going to simplify my home, well I have been on a mad dash to get it done. I know myself and know that if I don't do it immediately then it won't get done. Hence last years failure. I cleaned out every closet, laundry room, every drawer, and basket, etc. I quickly became thankful that I have a smaller home. Now on to some embarrassing photos...

Okay remember way back when Domino folded? Well, the week before it folded I decided to purge about half of my pile. Regretted it ever since and have been hoarding magazines ever since. I get an obscene amount every month. It's my favorite way to relax. I didn't get rid of all of them but I did whittle it down to a smallish pile of favorites. Now double the pile above and you will get the idea of what made its way to the recycling center. Now I plan to only keep my absolute favorites and with issues that only have a few features I like then I will scan them into the computer.

This X2 is what I cleaned out of my closet and the kiddos. The Mr. still needs to go through his, but he has been extremely busy so it will have to wait. As for toys the kiddos got to keep their top 3 favorites. Not top 3 toys, but top three activities. Ellie choose her doll houses, dress up clothes, and kitchen gear. KJ choose all his cars and trucks, legos, and a marble maze thing. I also let him keep his dress up clothes. Of course I kept the books they read and art supplies.

Now each room had roughly this much trash. So embarrassed, but it's the truth. It wasn't all wrappers and such, but things that were not in good enough condition to give away.

I must say I feel FREE!!! Everything has a spot and nothing extra. I even have empty drawers, cabinets, and such. I still have the garage to do, but that will only happen when it gets warmer and when the Mr. isn't quite so busy. From here on out I will be sharing my newly organized spaces. So excited!

TWO ELLIE

Changing up the blog a bit since I had a bit of a snafu the other day. Still not done, so please bear with me. Just trying to streamline a bit. Oh, and I do realize this photo of Michelle Williams has nothing to do with, well anything. I think it's pretty though.

Credits:
Angeleno Magazine
Photographer: Tony Duran

None the Less

Today I am sharing my love for green glass over on Mrs. French. This is an image of my entry from this past fall. My bottle is not a true green, but I love it none the less.

OOPS

It seems I shouldn't mess with my html late at night while waiting for the Mr. to come home. I was thinking about doing a little makeover anyway so I guess that just became a go.

Boots + A Room

I have had many request to bring back my 'what I wore' posts. Now that I am dwindling down my wardrobe to only what I LOVE and trying not to shop much for a year, well I am thinking they would get quite boring very fast. Today is different though. I got these fabulous boots and I never want to take them off! They feel like slippers and make the upcoming rainy season a little more exciting. I got them from Monika's new shop Splendid Willow Avenue. Love her and her new shop. She has impeccable taste.  Oh, and yes I am one of those that wears shades when it is dreary and rainy out. Bright natural light hurts my eyes. ha.

and if I were a room I would like to be this one for today. I think we would look smashing together in my little get up...

 

 boots: Ilse Jacobsen

sweater: J.Crew

leggings: J. Crew

gray tee: Target

GREEN

Today I am further discussing Jenny's brilliant post from yesterday on colored matting over on Mrs. French. Love the idea and especially love this image of Kate Spade's home. I think it represents the idea perfectly.

image by Eric Morin