lovable libraries

Today I have been in kind of a daze. Perhaps it is because I didn't make my bed this morning which happens only about 3 times a year. Or perhaps it is my body telling me that I need to get my butt in gear and hit the gym tonight. Regardless, it has left me feeling a little dull despite my rather chipper attitude.

Therefore, I am going to leave you with some lovable libraries – places I wish I could curl up, read a book, and fall asleep in an oversized chair. Although I am not much of an avid reader (hence my resolution to read 10 books this year – not doing well so far) I one day aspire to have an at home library. One that is filled with vast ceilings and sliding ladders or perhaps lots of light and modern furniture. Regardless, I am certain (at least I hope) that I will marry an artsy person – one who adores art, architecture, design, food, and travel the way that I do. This way my library can be full of an artistic array of books to one day inspire my children. So without further delay – I give you some of my favorite at home libraries!

foyer fever

Well my friends - since it is Friday evening at 5:15pm you can probably imagine how fast I am trying to jet out of the office. However, since I have been such a terrible blogger over the last few weeks I feel as though I owe you just one more post (quick as it may be).

Since I am in the decorating and organizing mood I thought I would go ahead and post pics of my third favorite part in a house (first being the kitchen - second being the master bath). I absolutely love the foyer of a home. It really sets the mood and without doing much it manages to say ' welcome to my home.' It is the entrance and the exit - the alpha and omega (beginning and the end)! Therefore, I welcome you to enjoy some of my favorite homes and endulge in my foyer fever!

ramblings of the day

You know those seconds, moments, or perhaps days when you are completely overwhelmed by inspiration?!?! The days where you want to leave work or stop whatever it is you are doing so you can go home and organize or decorate?!?! I've been feeling like this almost all week. Thus – I am super excited that the weekend is almost here!

On the agenda for the weekend:
• Return some oversized floor pillows to target
• Buy a desk (the one I originally wanted is still on back order)…and since I still haven't used my PayBack Award money from work I won't have to spend a penny – loves it!
• Purchase some solid pillows for the den and drop them off to get monogrammed. I just adore anything monogrammed!

As a side note, I gave in to what will hopefully be one of my last big purchases for my home. I purchased these sea life prints (starfish and shells) with white-washed reclaimed wood frames from Etsy this week, and as you can imagine I am just dying for them to arrive. Hmm….let's see what else can I add to these Thursday ramblings….

Overall, I'm just inspired! Inspired by the weather, the beach, friends, working out, food, and of course fashion and the women who make it seem so effortless. Therefore, I will leave you with these shots that have me drooling and inspire me to put a little pep in my step when picking out my outfits for next week (yes – I pick out my outfits for each week on Sunday)!

flea market style

Well my friends this blog post is long overdue – and for that I am sorry. It is not until about 5pm each day that I realize just how quickly the day has slipped away from me. Perhaps it is our gigantic new office space that keeps me so dang busy, but regardless I have been a terrible blogger.

I have so much to say and oh so many things to post. I should start with a recap of Tahoe photos, but I might have to push that off a little longer and write about my fabulous trip to the flea market last weekend (Jess and Rachel in tow). This flea market was unlike any other – huge, spectacular, and full of treasures for each individual. It really reminded me just how much there is a market/audience for just about everything in life.

Although the event opened at 5am (holy cow), we left home around 6:30am which put us at the Long Beach Veterans Stadium around 7am. It was a very overwhelming experience at first due to the fact that it seemed like everyone there was on a mission to find their very specific knack. We were also the only ones who did not come prepared with a cart for lugging our purchases around – nonetheless we made multiple trips out to the car.

The morning resulted in a few purchases – vintage blue mason jars, seltzer water crates, and a vintage Louis Vuitton speedy (along with a gift for my mom which I cannot disclose).



As of now, my mission for the next flea market trip is vintage luggage. The photo below shows exactly the look I am going for!

inspired by others

These days I have become quite the blog stalker. Sometimes it is a total means of procrastination while others I find myself completely inspired by total strangers. I love that something as simple as a blog post connects people regardless of distance and the mere fact that we have actually never met.

So today's inspiration comes from Brunch at Saks (adore her ideas). It's the idea of paying it forward - something we should all focus on at the beginning of this new year. Whether you spend $5 on someone else, or you simply smile to lift the spirit of others- committing a random act of kindness is truly a way to serve from the depth of your heart. I've always appreciated the smallest of actions from others and try to pass on that feeling of gratitude to someone else when possible. It is the little things in life that can make a friend, co-worker, neighbor, or strangers day. God has blessed me with so much, so I only hope that (through the little things) I can pass on the joy of the Lord at least once a week!

My 'Pay It Forward' List:

•Hand write a note to a friend or relative and put in the mail
•Bring a meal to a neighbor or friend when they are sick
•Pay for the person behind you at the toll booth, fast food line or drive-thru Starbucks line
•Bring a pile of old magazines to a doctors office or hospital for their waiting room
•Take unwanted clothing items to a shelter or goodwill
•Tape the exact change for a soda or snack to a vending machine
•Leave a couple pieces of candy on a coworkers desk with a note
•Leave a note on a strangers car wishing them a wonderful day
•Pray for the person who bags your groceries
•Offer to babysit for friends or family so they can enjoy a night out
•Make an extra sandwich and snack bag for a homeless person
•Start off by telling a customer service agent "I know this problem is not your fault." We so often blame them, which is unfair and must be very stressful
•Return a shopping cart to the front of the store
•Write a note with an encouraging thought to someone special and put it in their suitcase, briefcase, backpack, purse, etc
•And finally, when all else fails, simply open the door for someone behind you and leave them with a smile

With this - I encourage you to pay it forward too! We are so blessed and have so much to give whether in love, material goods, or encouragement!

headboard heaven

Well my friends – today I really wanted to blog about mantels. You see, I am going through crazy Christmas decoration withdrawals. My house looks so naked I can hardly bare it (no pun intended)….especially my mantel. I just adore a good holiday mantel and now mine feels cold and empty. Therefore, I have been looking for some great mantel decoration inspiration but alas – NOTHING.

I have a feeling that my mantel project is going to take some time but stay tuned because I'm certain that I will one day conquer what currently seems impossible! So, in the meantime I thought I would share one of my favorite accessories. Okay okay, I know that headboards are considered furniture but I personally consider them to be statement pieces. You know – like accent furniture!

I have always dreamed of having an elaborate or unique headboard – like, something that catches your eye when you walk in the room. It would be the piece of furniture that everyone asks about, but for me does not exist yet. Therefore, I thought I would post a few that inspire me – whether for their lushness, uniqueness, or simple elegance!

slice of heaven

As a follow up to my previous post I want to add that I have 2 more New Year's Resolutions (I hope I can keep up with all of these)! One of them should be relatively simple for me – that being…..blog at least 3 times a week. I wish I were that person who could routinely blog each and every morning. I wish it was as much of a habit as checking my email. However, as my mornings progress (whether at home or work) I always get distracted with things that take my attention away from blogging! Therefore, 3 times a week is certainly doable!

My next resolution is slightly silly but definitely cheery! It is going to propose a bit of trickiness with my Lilly Bug but HOPEFULLY I will be able to figure it out. This my dear friends is flowers (yes, Lilly eats them)! Nothing lights up a room and makes smile quite like a fresh floral arrangement! Call me crazy but I've always thought that a home with fresh flowers each week is a happy home. It's a little slice of heaven that brings nature and creativity into a home. So, not only do I want to have fresh flowers each week (most affordable at the farmers market) but I so dearly desire to become a much better arranger. My skills are okay but nothing close to my fond friend Lisa on the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. Now there is a woman with killer skills….and taste might I add!

Like most people, I'm inspired by colors of the season. But…..even more so I am inspired by textures. Therefore, I just adore arrangements with a little extra spice – that being willow, succulents, shells, or even feathers!