belief

Without belief we have nothing.

Belief in an unfathomable heavenly father. Belief in each breath we take – and is not promised to us. Belief in a child-like understanding of Santa. Belief in the power of painting. Belief in love. Belief in fate. Belief in the understanding that everything happens for a reason. Belief that nothing goes un-noticed. Belief that God is good and people are nutty. Belief that laughter can heal. Belief that the snow will fall. Belief in a cure. Belief in world peace. Belief in the gift of imagination. Belief in the circle of life. Belief in the miracle of birth. Belief in our inability to understand everything. Belief in the faithfulness of family and friends. Belief in ancient ruins. Belief that people can change. Belief in getting lost in a book. Belief that if it's not okay then it's not the end. Belief that the people who love you the most will hurt you the most. Belief in the purpose of each life. Belief in the passion of our leaders. Belief in the ocean tide. Belief in our ability to let things go. Belief in butterflies. Belief in the motivation of a toddler. Belief that one tear can change everything. Belief in becoming a better person with each passing day. Belief in the people who make you smile. Belief in truth.

the thankful list

I am thankful for my Lilly bug and the joy she brings me each day and the sleep she deprives me of. I am thankful for my daddy's love for our family (he is our glue), his patience, and infinite support in me in all that I do. I am thankful for my mom's love of balboa, family pride, protective heart, and for loving Lilly almost as much as I do (she is a wonderful Nanna). I am thankful I get to see my sissy every day and her passion for the Bank girls, Lilly, and anything medically related. I am thankful for my bubba, that God gave me a brother who brings more joy, passion, and godliness to my life than anyone I know. I am thankful for the safety and health of my family. I am thankful that I have amazing friends to pray with (Kalee), double date with (Kristina), drink with (Cher), talk real with (Haley), love with (Debbee), giggle with (Nikki), gchat with (Courtney), trust my secrets with (Jen), celebrate with (Amanda), party with (Jackie), dance with (Sara), catch up with (Corey). I am thankful for getting to see Debbee and Nikki this year. I am thankful for a job that I love and learn from. I am thankful the republicans have taken over the house. I am thankful for Rose's coffee. I am thankful for Sunday bike rides. I am thankful for afternoons at the tide pools. I am thankful for walks on the beach. I am thankful for sweet Samantha Grace. I am thankful for Jordan's protection and brotherly-like love. I am thankful for Chipotle. I am thankful for my beautiful home where I can relax and be at peace with life. I am thankful for beautiful little Audrey who I sponsor and the heart wrenching letters her mom sends me. I am thankful for falling in love again. I am thankful for Pieter and the man he was for me and the Godly woman he encouraged me to be. I am thankful for the constant work God is doing in my heart – growing me, shaping me, challenging me, breaking me. I am thankful for my faith and that it never weavers. I am thankful for an incredible year of laughs, memories, change, and smiles!

tantalizing stripes

My fall wardrobe has recently begun to reflect a lot of stripes. Therefore it is only appropriate that I would be attracted to stripes in some unique and savvy spaces!

Stripes can be both masculine and feminine. I for one definitely prefer masculine stripes in a feminine space. Okay….let me back up a little. Feminine stripes are skinny, narrow, delicate, and dainty. Perfect for a shabby chic space, baby nursery, or more ornate space. Masculine stripes are thick, bold, abrasive, and often times horizontal.

Now, stripes work the same way in rooms and they do on your body. I love how the rules of fashion carry over into design! So….if you want emphasize the height of a room (or make it seem taller than it is) then be sure to use vertical stripes. If you want your room to feel more robust then horizontal is definitely the way to go – this treatment makes a smaller space seem larger than it actually is since the stripes carry your eyes infinitely. Below are some successful examples of these tantalizing stripes!

dates on a calendar

Sometimes the things that inspire me most are not tangible things at all but instead dates on a calendar. At this particular moment in my life that date for me is tomorrow – the day the original gossip girls reunite!

Tomorrow afternoon I will land in Dallas where I will be greeted by my BFF Nikki! I know this may not seem like a big deal to most people (that's fine I get it), but when you are used to working with a person, drinking margaritas with them every Wednesday, and buying the same clothes as them the 1,300 mile distance becomes unbearable. Therefore we intend to do the very things together that we used to….back in our gossip girl days (of course I am Blair and Nikki is Serena). Although I must add that when we took our gossip girl quizzes I actually ended up with Serena and Nikki with Blair – who would have thought!

So back to dates that make us happy! They seem like simple markings on a paper or perhaps a computer but they are in fact driving forces in our lives. Sometimes they are the light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes they are the drive to finish decorating your home, or in my current case…..the drive to clean your home! My wonderful family is coming in town for the holiday week and I cannot wait!

And then there is my sister! Today is the date that has been on her calendar for what seems like forever. The date that drove her to pass her Pharma exam (she will be mad that I don't know the exact name) so that she could go to the Harry Potter premiere tonight!

audrey inspiration

"I believe in pink, I believe that laughing is the best calorie burner. I believe in kissing, kissing a lot. I believe in being strong when everything seems to be going wrong. I believe that happy girls are the prettiest girls. I believe that tomorrow is another day and I believe in miracles." Audrey Hepburn

kids corner

There are two types of women in this world: women who dream of one day becoming a mom and woman who eventually embrace having children as a means of creating a family. I however am the first woman (by default only). The one who has dreamed about how I would decorate my daughter's room or how I only want boys because I want them to love me forever. Aside from constantly changing my 'reserved baby name list,' I am always looking at clever way to decorate for children.

As a creative child myself I would have loved an art room or play station like the one below. A place to draw, paint, create, and live within my own imagination. Although most families have bonus rooms I feel they are rarely capitalized on to create a full kid zone. I get it though….kids grow up so fast and what was once impressive to a 6 yr old is no longer impressive to a 9 yr old. Still, how can you not look at these creative spaces and fall in love?!?

This is by far my favorite craft corner! Can you say obsessed?!?!

I adore tents in playrooms and especially love this one!

Simply deliighted by the cubbies, chalkboards, play island, and use of storage bins!

This bright latern light cluster is simply luminous! How colorfully clever!

This space is simply sweet and relaxing. Oversized animals are always a plus!

kitchen krazed

I've always had a love for cooking....even as a young child. I believe I was 11 years old when I asked for a crepe pan for Christmas – I mean really?!?! So of course to this day I naturally gravitate towards any kitchen I can get my hands on.

I have a fabulous modern-vintage kitchen at home, so that combined with the amazing fall weather has given me an itch to cook more than ever. I constantly find myself on the Food Network website searching for the latest beef stew, chicken chili, or pumpkin bread recipe. This need to cook has thus spiraled into a continuous daydream about what my ideal kitchen would look like and function as.

This however brings me to realize something about myself. For the first time in my life I don't really know what I want. I'm in this limbo stage in just about every aspect of my life which is both exciting and eye-opening all at once. It's almost like I have no expectations for anything so I am therefore open to everything. I've always been so stubborn in my ways that I haven't left much room for interpretation or opinions, and for the first time I am realizing that I truly do find happiness in just about everything.

Of course this was all brought about on my quest for the perfect kitchen. Turns out when you are in limbo (as I'm choosing to call it) there is no perfect kitchen. This of course makes my search that much more interesting as I am drawn to so many different materials, looks, moods, and everything else that a kitchen encompasses. Therefore, I have selected a few (okay maybe a few more than a few) kitchens that make my heart smile!

love: lighting. banquet. chic bar stools. curtains. antiqued cabinets. beige subway tile.
love: robins egg cabinets. secret door to office space. butcher block island.

love: stone arch. accented back splash. dark floors. ceiling beams.

love: exposed brick, blue tile, lustrous cabinets. round table. contemorary lighting.
love: white subway tile (duh). sleek lines. stainless hardware. contrasting counters.

love: contemporary red stools. traditional chandelier. stainless appliances. rustic farmhouse table.

love: mustard/white tiling. marble countertop. teal cabinet interior.