birthday love

Today is my handsome man's birthday!

I'm so blessed to love & be loved
by such a wonderful, godly man -
and I look forward to many more years
of fun birthdays and adventures together!

Happy Birthday, babe!

maps

I'm such a fan of maps -
especially in houses.

Aren't these lovely?

And don't they make you
want to pack up &
go somewhere fabulous?


*image

balloons

What is it about balloons
that is so cheerful?

I'm loving this beachy,
sunshiney picture!


*image

great post

I'm loving today's post
by Garance.

Elegance is one of those
elusive & kind of mysterious
qualities...don't you think?

compliments

Doesn't it make your day
when someone tells you how
good you look?

I know it does mine!

Happy Monday, peoples :)

joy

A little confession:
This morning I was totally feeling
sorry for myself because
I have to work on Saturday.


But then I talked to my parents
as I drove into work...
and it was a wonderful &
really blessed conversation.

And then the sweetest little girl
came into the gallery...
and we talked about loose teeth
and puppies & kittens
and blisters (new shoes, duh)
and American Girl dolls...
and it was wonderful.


Sometimes I just need reminded that
it's not about having to work on a weekend
(or about whatever is making me grumpy)
but should be about seeking out
the happy things -
no matter what I'm doing.

So happy weekend, my friends -
no matter what you're doing.


*via here

hello, friday

I think dog looks like I feel...
a little bewildered
and a lot relieved that it's
finally Friday.


*via tumblr

on a boat

I don't know about you,
but there's something about
the concept of living on a boat
that has always appealed to me.

Maybe it's the idea that
you could be constantly traveling
and yet still be at home?

When I stumbled on
these fabulous images
I just couldn't get enough...





*via here

reminder

The Lord is my shepherd,
I shall not be in want.
He makes me lie down in green pastures,
he leads me beside quiet waters,
he restores my soul.
He guides me in paths of righteousness
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk through the valley
of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
You prepare a table before me
in the presence of my enemies.
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and love will follow me
all the days of my life,
and I will dwell
in the house of the Lord forever.
(Psalm 23)


*via tumblr

reading.

I have a few books
vying for my attention

(some new, some that I've just
been ignoring for a while)

and this picture makes me
long to go sit under a tree and
start devouring one of them!

What are you reading
these days?


*image via tumblr

sunshine

Running away for the afternoon
was everything I hoped for...

And then some.



I. love. the. ocean.

As dramatic as this sounds,
I feel like my soul comes alive
when I'm by the sea.

(I know, I know,
so corny...)



Plus, we might have had
the best ice cream
of the summer...

and that's no easy feat!

shoe lust

Thanks to sister,
I'm totally drooling
over these beauties...

(I need another pair
of ridiculous shoes like
I need a hole in my head
but dang, do I love them!)


*image via apartment #34

waves

Totally running away from the office
super early today and going to the beach...

My boy is officially on summer vacation
(yay for a teacher's schedule)
and we're going to celebrate with dinner,
some fun shopping & a little ocean time!

Hope your Monday is happy too :)


*via tumblr

summertime

It's Friday.

And all I can think about
is playing outside.



Anyone else want to come?


ps - the parents come tonight!!


*via aubrey road

funny face

Funny faces are
always good for a smile...

And how gorgeous is that
dress that she's wearing?


*via jaeveberry

music makes it better

This makes me smile.

Even on days when I'm tired
and feeling ready for a long nap.

Oh, I'm sorry in advance
for getting this stuck in your head...


*via tumblr

ps.

I'm a little embarrassed to admit
that last night I might have
watched an entire episode of
The Bachelorette.

I feel dumber for watching it.

But I might be curious about
what happens next week.

What ridiculousness.

escape

Super busy day.


I'd rather be here.



*via Everything Fabulous

good grief.

Look at this dog and just
try not to laugh.

I dare you.


*via desire to inspire

closet dwellers

Check out this cool closet abode -
a cozy bedroom space for
2 year old Moses.



Pretty cool, no?


*via Oh Happy Day

hello my pretties

Oh. good. grief.

Could these seriously be
any more lovely?



Also, I don't know what's going on
with that fabulous white dress,
but I like it. A lot.

Aaand I think we already know how
good I feel about pretty red nail polish.

Oh pretty things,
how you are my downfall...


*via a glamorous little side project

yes please

Right now I'm loving this print.

I enjoy the bold colors &
excellent use of white space.

Wouldn't it be fun to frame &
hang in an unexpected spot?
A walk in closet, perhaps?
Or in some little nook?

*via Etsy

small joys

Every once in a great while, I cave
and order something online.
(cheap prices at Amazon are
typically my downfall)

Earlier this week, I ordered
this album, and I'm
oh so happy that I did.

The cheerful and familiar songs
are so fun to sing along with,
and it makes me feel like a little
kid to happily remember all the times
we enjoyed these tunes as a family!

Thanks Momma & Daddy for
instilling such a love for
music in your girls -
life is so much better with a
cheerful soundtrack!

more bragging

It's here!!

Sister's website is up and running
and looking most beautiful!

I'm so proud of my girl -
she's working her tail off to make
her art a career in a very real way.

(In case you don't know,
that takes immense courage,
so kudos are definitely due.)

So go take a peak at
her website...
I think you'll like it!

oh my.

Sooo, I want this suit.

(And those bags.)

Would it be too much
to ask for her shoes too?

Sigh.

Oh to be a glamorous
Milan woman!


*via all the pretty birds

oktapodi

Have you ever seen
octopi look so cute?

baby you can drive my car

As promised,
some fun pictures from
our weekend roadtrip!




On both Friday & Sunday
we drove 600 miles.

(which translates into
10 hours of car time!)




It was a gorgeous drive -
so many trees, fields & farms!

Plus loads of time
for long chats,
bad car singing,
junk-food eating...



and lots of picture taking.

More to come of the
rest of the weekend soon!

eclectic

One of my default blogs for
fun interior shots is
a life's design.

She always posts great images
and makes me dream about
the fabulous things I'll do
with my own house someday.


I love this set of images
(more here)
because I adore an eclectic
mix of styles and looks.

It's so much more interesting
than a perfect cookie-cutter
house full of predictable
and perfectly matched pieces.



What about your house
communicates who you are?

(I think old family furniture
and my growing art
collection say loads about me!)

genius

When browsing through some of
the Pioneer Woman's recent posts,
I found these beauties.

Built in storage for baking supplies...
and with glass fronts so you can
always keep track of your ingredients.



As if that wasn't cool enough,
each one has a sliding cover
to make sure everything inside
stays nice and clean.

Pure genius.

Anyone else desperately want
these now, or is it just me?

bright!

I'm loving these bright poppies.

They're so bold and loud
and yet so delicate and dainty.

Aren't the colors lovely?


*via tumblr

swoon.

I'm with Garance on this one...
black in the summer is gorgeous!

(And how striking is this
windswept picture?! I love it!)

i like this.

I've always loved this quote.

It's so true,
don't you think?


*via tumblr

i'm so proud

Ready for some bragging?

My fabulous sister
has opened her very own
Etsy shop!!

She's quite a talented
designer and is starting off
by selling these sweet
thank you cards!

(Go buy them!!!)

Love you, sister!

road trip!

Just back last night from
an amazing weekend road trip
with the boy.

We had so much fun and
decided that we're really good
at traveling together.
(total bonus!)

Lots more pictures to come
but for now, reality calls.

Happy Monday!

perfection.

This is why summer
is my absolute favorite...



warm sunshine
+
calm river water
+
green, leafy trees
+
an iced coffee
+
my cute boy



...all equals happiness!