I'm on Sabbatical...

Sorry about the recent absence...I just wanted to do a quick post to let you all know what I'm up to. Everything happened so fast with getting my new job, leaving my old one that I didn't have much time to share with you my plans. I'm on a two week sabbatical from my "daily life". It's all over on May 4th so I will be back to regular blogging then. I have a lot of things on my to do list to accomplish and unfortunately (or maybe not) blogging and being on the computer just isn't one of them. But I promise that I will have a lot of house projects and not one but two vacations to share with you upon my return. I will also get all caught up on reading all of your posts as well! And truth be told I've missed all of you and it's been hard to stay away but as you all know taking a break and recharging your batteries is a necessity. So for now, I'm off to Lowe's to look at paint colors for my entry way, stay tuned!

A Year Ago Today

A year ago today I wore a beautiful dress, a pair of  fabulous purple shoes, and a flower in my hair. A year ago today we went to a beautiful historic home with a grand staircase and lovely garden. We had paisley linens, purple dahlias, and Moroccan lanterns everywhere. A year ago today all of these things and all our friends and family came together to celebrate our love and our lives together.

 Here is a high speed video of our wedding ceremony and the backyard being switched to the reception. Notice the wandering flower girl...I love it!




"Love is the ultimate outlaw. It just won't adhere to any rules. The most any of us can do is to sign on as its accomplice. Instead of vowing to honor and obey, maybe we should swear to aid and abet. That would mean that security is out of the question. The words "make" and "stay" become inappropriate. My love for you has no strings attached. I love you for free."

I hope to have more pictures to share with you as soon as I get them from the photographer (long story, kinda my fault). But to celebrate we are spending the weekend in Vegas! I will give you a full report upon my return!

Drumroll Please......I got a new job!

I had my last day at my current job today and I am on to bigger, better, and more exciting things with an amazing company! I'm going to be working for a small home furnishings brand called Aidan Gray Home. Get a load of this eye candy...

Here I will be wearing many different hats which I am thrilled about. I will be doing brand management, PR, creative lead for advertising, catalog, and web design. I will also be traveling to the showrooms to present the direction of the line each season and represent the company at market. I can't wait to share more with you all as I get to know this company better!

I have some big news

But I can't share it until tomorrow! I can't wait to tell all of you! In the meantime please to enjoy this panda to tide over your feelings of anticipation...

PS Happy Birthday Kirsten!

The Paris Flea Market

My team just got back from inspiration shopping in Europe which included a trip to the Paris Flea Market. What I wouldn't give to go...Here are some of their photos.

Weirdsies

Oh come to me sweet suzani tapestries...

I. Would. Die.

Someday...

What Makes a House a Home

I missed this yesterday due to a virus on my computer but I'm determined to share this with you so here goes.

Last week A Perfect Gray posted an adorable growth chart from her home. It's things like this that make a house into a home. Not the perfectly styled vignettes, beautiful rugs, and spot on wall colors. Although we all love looking at those things we should get real with each other and show what makes our homes truly special. I have to admit this was a bit of a challenge for me for several reasons. I have only lived in my home for a little under 10 months now. I'm making the rough(and expensive!) transition from apartment decor to home decor. But more importantly I'm building a home with my husband. We will be married a year on April 18th. So for now at least, this is what I feel makes our house a home...

This is our back patio. With the beautiful Spring weather this is where I spend my afternoons decompressing after a long day at work. My husband and I like to sit here and watch the dogs play and the cat roll around in the dirt and talk about how our days went. It's truly lovely to have this outside space I desperately craved after bouncing from apartment to apartment for the past 7 years. I didn't style this picture whatsoever. This is what it looks like all the time (depending on the days events). Sometimes the pillows are in the yard due to the wind or certain other four-legged companions treating them like a toy. But for today, it's my sandals, Scott's crazy vibrams shoes and the new Anthropologie catalog. What makes your house a home?

*Edit: I forgot to mention another reason I like this space. My mom made me these pillows from discarded window panels I got at work and I had them along with the loveseat set up as a lounge area at my wedding. So cute!

You Like Me, You Really Like Me!

I got my first ever Blog award from Breaking Down the Big Beige Box, woo hoo! This is also my 100th post, how perfect!

I never thought I'd make so many friends through blogging online. I simply started this blog hoping to get inspired and be inspired and by golly I think I've done it! I'd also like to say thank you to all my wonderful followers and commenters and new followers as well via A Perfect Gray! I can't wait to get to know all of you better!

The award decrees that you must list 10 things that make you happy + nominate 10 other blogs.

Here are 10 things that make me happy...

1. Sleepy dogs

2. Fat cats aka Meowser

3. Funny pictures of animals

4. The love of my life, Scott

5. Traveling with said love of life

6. Shoes

7. Sunshine

 

8. Chilaxin at my parents farm

9. Chilaxin at scott's parent's lakehouse

 

From 4th of July

10. Antiques

 

Now I will award the Happy 101 to 10 other blogs that make me happy!

Beach Vintage

Tea Party Crasher

Love Your Place

Story in a Box

Project Subrosa

Laura Davis/ Design Lab

Domesticated Life

Run Rabbit Run

A Perfect Gray

I know I only have 9 here...Clearly I will be looking for some new awesome blogs ASAP!

P.S. My computer got a nasty virus so if anyone has received any emails from me with a link, don't click it! It should be better soon and I will get back to my regular posting, including What Makes a House a Home with A Perfect Gray!

A Place to Hide

See more of this amazing apartment design here.

What is it about tiny spaces that is so appealing? I feel like with a good book and a hot drink I could curl up in one of these places and stay the whole day. A nook is going on my must-have list for when the hubs and I build our dream home from scratch one day. Along with hidden rooms and spiral staircases...