1.14.14

January 14, 2014February 7, 20172 Comments

Wearing this scarf always reminds me of my sister. It was a great birthday gift and every time I put it on, it adds a punch of color to my (almost always) neutral outfit, and it makes me think of my little sis. If you surround yourself with the things you love, things that hold meaning, they aren’t just things anymore. I had a nice chat with my sister last night, and although we don’t live under the same roof anymore, or in the same state for that matter, she is always close to my heart. This scarf isn’t just a scarf, it’s a reminder of someone very special to me.

Have a great Tuesday!
xo

January Challenge: Floors & Flowers

January 13, 2014February 7, 20174 Comments

It’s January Challenge check in time! I’m loving this project because it started with creating a list –y’all know how much I love making lists– and then I got to buy myself/my home flowers. I have to admit that I totally cheated on the floors. You see, we had friends over on Saturday for some football viewing and while I cleaned the kitchen, finally packed up the Christmas décor, and tidied the living room, my hubby was a super hero (as per usual) and did the floors. We will call the Floors & Flowers Assignment a team effort. It feels so good to walk into the house and see clean floors and cheery flowers. Unfortunately, the market didn’t have the best selection, so I made these mini carnations in soft green and pale pink work. They look so fresh, aaaaand I had enough stems to create a little arrangement for our master as well.

Tonight I am spending a few minutes in a rarely used space in our home, and then rethinking the layout and feel. I feel another list coming on! Check out the assignment for yourself here.
Is anyone doing the January Challenge, perhaps even in a small way?

Happy Monday!
xo

Today’s BGD // 1.9.14

January 9, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

Today’s BGD is all about words that inspire. I hope this speaks to you the way it did to me.

Image from La Dolce Vita

Have a great Thursday!
xo

January Challenge: Apartment Therapy January Cure

January 8, 2014February 7, 20172 Comments

I do enjoy a challenge, so when one of my favorite people mentioned the Apartment Therapy January Cure, I checked it out and was sold immediately. This is a little different from 4 Simple Goals, which I did for the last couple months of 2013 — learn more here. The idea behind January Cure is to improve your home in a few weeks, by taking it one day at a time and in the end your home will be cleaner and more organized…sounds great, right? It gets better. I just signed up and will receive an email a day, instructing me what the task of the day is. Although I consider my life to be a fairly busy one, this sounds workable, and I am so excited to get started. I will post about my progress, and I hope you’ll do this with me. I’d love to see how this changes your home too.

Day 1: Make a list of projects

Have fun making your list!
xo

Life in Photos: Sunny Winter Weekend

January 4, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

It was a beautiful weekend here in the PNW, and it made me so grateful to be in a region of the US not being pummeled by snow and crazy cold temps. My weekend went like this: relaxing, crafty Friday evening, followed by a busy Saturday, and topped off with a “friends and football” themed Sunday.

Tray table progress

Reading in the bed

Housewarming gift

Celebrating a bestie’s birthday with beer and bowling

Sunday relaxation

Also very exciting, NFL playoffs games this weekend…crazy, craaaazy games, but the highlight for my hubby was the 49ers win. I’m not a 49ers fan, but I do love seeing a happy hubby.

Have a great Tuesday!
xo

Kitchen Fun: Take and Bake App

January 4, 2014February 7, 2017Leave a comment

I do enjoy being in the kitchen, whether it’s MacGyver’ing a dinner, making a huge breakfast, or preparing an app to bring to a party, it’s always good times. Here is my latest in easy and delicious, thanks to this recipe. These were prepared ahead of time and then popped them in the oven upon arrival, so they were served at the perfect temperature. I did alter the recipe just a smidge but sautéing the mushroom stems and onions with thyme and cracked black pepper and then added some panko breadcrumbs for some crunch.

I hope you’ll give these a try. What have you been making in the kitchen?

Happy Monday!
xo

Today’s BGD // 1.3.14

January 3, 2014February 7, 20171 Comment

Let me first explain a bit about “Today’s BGD”. Since the whole idea of this blog is to remember to find the beauty in the greyest of days and to make the most with what you have, I’m going to devote a post category to my own personal BGD’s. For my very first “Today’s BGD”, I’m embracing the fun in being an organized & creative person. I enjoy all kinds of crafts and art, and we have a guest room that doubles as a work room for me…that I never use. I have been thinking of ways to revamp the room to make it more a more welcoming work space. Although today just another day at work, the thought of having a creative space to work in is my beauty, in an otherwise grey day.

Image from http://www.hearthandmade.co.uk

Happy Friday!
xo

2014: Not Bad Day 1, Not Bad

January 2, 2014February 7, 2017Leave a comment

Happy 2014 everyone! I hope that you had a fun and safe NYE, and that you spent the first day of 2014 doing something that makes you happy. I opted for an at home spa day and couldn’t be happier with my choice. I started with a face scrub made of coffee grounds, yogurt and coconut oil, and I got the recipe from this pin. Then I made a mask of gelatin and milk, which is essentially a giant pore strip, and that came from this pin. I finished off my at home spa day with a detox bath. There are a ton of different detox baths out there, but I kept it simple –with this one— and used lavender Epsom salts and baking soda, and the result…glorious relaxation. The day also included breakfast with our next door neighbors and a Dutch Baby demonstration, serious lounging, the start of a new book and Chinese takeout.

Gelatin & Milk Mask // 2014 Mantra from Pinterest // Chinese Take-Out // New Book // Dutch Baby

How was your day 1 of 2014?

Happy NYE!

December 31, 2013February 7, 20171 Comment

2013, you threw us some curve balls, but all in all we cannot complain because with every difficulty presented, we landed on our feet, happier, stronger and a little wiser. For me, this was the year of “letting it go.” I have been working really hard on not having to be right all the time, on realizing that some things are simply out of your hands, and on learning from your mistakes but always moving forward. It takes so much energy to dwell on negativity and the bad things that have happened to you, but guess what…it changes nothing. Harboring bad energy isn’t good for your mental or physical health, and it can affect the well being of those closest to you. So, thank you 2013, for being my year to learn to let it go. I’m not a resolutions kind of person, but I am a big believer in goals. In 2014, I have lots of hopes and goals, but knowing that a theme like “letting it go” will emerge, makes me happier than you could possibly know.

Enjoy ringing in the new year tonight, whether you plan on being home in your jammies with a bottle of champagne, or if your going to be at a party with friends and family. Above all, be safe out there!

Goodbye 2013!

Life in Photos: Pike Place Market

December 30, 2013February 7, 2017Leave a comment

We always have to visit Pike Place Market when we have visitors because it is such a colorful, lively stop on the Seattle tourist circuit. It never disappoints and always inspires.

We had such a fun day at the market, but we regretted going there on full tummies. Rookie mistake! The food options are endless and so delicious, so we may, or may not have gone back before taking our family to the airport, just so we could eat. No more sightseeing. No more photos. JUST.EATING. My favorite food stops include Pike Place Chowder (the Seafood Bisque is heavenly), Le Panier (the pastries are divine), Beecher’s Handmade Cheese (life changing mac and cheese), and of course, the original Starbucks is a must see.

Do you have a favorite spot in Pike Place Market?

Happy Monday!
xo