The Hunt Is On...

Good morning.

It's a yucky rainy Wednesday morning and it's the first time I don't feel like going to my work out. When it rains, I just want to stay inside all day. It doesn't help that the weather guy just said we are expecting rain for days and days on end. Better get out my pretty Hunter rain boots {definitely one way to cheer up in the rain!}

Anyway, Mother's Day is fast approaching and I don't have any gift ideas for my mom. She lives out of state so it makes it a tiny bit harder. I was just reading something that said 26 Great Ideas For Mother's Day... my mom wouldn't have liked any of them! She's not picky {well, not really. Maybe a little. But she doesn't think she is so shhhhhh....} So this weekend is going to be my hunt for a mother's day gift for my mom. I am lucky and blessed because I have the best mom on earth. Truly. She is amazing and such a gift to us all.

Wish me luck in finding something for her!

xo

pic via: pinterest

Yin And Yang...

So the saying goes... opposites attract. Nothing could be truer for one of my best friends and me.

She is glamour. I am more natural.

She loves Louis Vuitton. I love J. Crew.

She is loud and makes friends with everyone. I am more reserved and have a handful of close friends.

She wears lip gloss to get the mail. I run out in my pajamas to get the mail.

We are like yin and yang. And it just works.

We both own our own businesses.

We are work out buddies.

We laugh with each other.

We support each other.

We have been friends since 6th grade. We know everything about each other.

So yes, we are total and complete opposites, but we just work. She makes my life happier when I am with her.


See? Just like yin and yang.

 

 

xo

Happy Tuesday.

Pics via: pinterest

Indulge...

Good morning and Happy Monday!

I had a great weekend. How about you? I caught up on a lot of those little and not so little things that can hang over your head. But I feel organized and productive now that it's finished and behind me. Phew. Sometimes I just have to bite the bullet and get it done... then remember how good it feels once it's actually done!

Today is a beautiful sunny day in Connecticut. Everything is turning green and blooming. It finally feels just right outside... I have a chalk board in my kitchen that I write little inspirational things on... Today is reads: Make sure to get outside and have some fun today!

Chalk boards are the best, right? Like this old school one with a little note:

 

 

 

Have a happy Monday!

 

 

xo

 

 

pic via: Country Living

A Dose Of Much Needed Inspiration For A Loved One...

So we were talking yesterday. I said a lot. You asked me to tell you more... I did. I hope it got you thinking.

Happiness does not just fall into our laps. We have to find it. We have to first search for what makes us happy, because sometimes we don't even know.

You have to try many new things until you find that one thing that lightens your heart, makes you proud of yourself, makes you happy, fills you to the brim and then some. Then you will know.

Don't let fear hold you back... or excuses. There are a million reasons why you can't do this or that. But you know what? I believe in you. I know you can. It just takes some courage.

It takes not waiting 5 more years... 10 more years. In 5 or 10 more years, you will be right where you are now if no changes are made. Stop waiting, stop making excuses and start doing. I know, it takes courage, but in that big heart of yours, there is a lot of courage waiting to roar!

 

 

You have beauty at your fingertips. It's yours for the taking. Go out and enjoy it. Let it inspire you. Let it awaken your soul that has been sleeping for a bit too long now. Find out when and where you are the happiest. You got this. Yes, you got this!

 



There is a whole, beautiful world out there for you. Heed the words of this quote:

Happiness is in the eyes of the beholder. Your happiness comes from within you, it's not anyone else's version of happiness. Look at yourself in the mirror today. Look into your eyes. Ask those eyes what makes them happy. And listen.

 

 

Grab on, take hold, and start the life that is waiting for you to live. Much love.

 

xo

 

 

Pics via: pinterest

Window Love...

Morning!

Lordy, Lordy I am tired this morning... I had to crawl out of bed when the alarm went off {at least it was birds chirping at me rather than a buzzer.}

I'm rushing, trying to type and gulp my coffee down simultaneously because I have to work out this morning with my trainer. But the good news is that one of my best friend's is signing on today with me. That is motivation to get my butt there for sure. But I am tired. Wah.

Enough about that!

I wanted to talk window boxes today. You know, those lovely little additions that make your home explode with color. I think window boxes are so beautiful.

 

 

This one is delicious with the different color flowers, blue window and stone wall. My favorite by far. Just perfect.

 



I love that each window has a window box; I would have put different flowers in each box but that's just because I like to mix it up a bit. Overall, such a pretty look, right? It reminds me so much of a New England charmer.

I think the simplicity of these are great. Almost any window can have these along it. Gorgeous little potted plants. Great idea. Window love...

Trust me, if when I get my chickens, they will have a window box all their own. How darling is this? Pretty lucky chickens too.

xo

Pics via: pinterest

The World Is Our Oyster...

Treat her kindly... for there is but one.

Do one thing to make the earth a better place today. Just one tiny thing... It will make you feel good in your heart.


pic via: unknown source

xo

The Land Of Hanging Planters...

Good morning and Happy Monday!

First off, there are now 4 eggs! Hopefully she's done or she'll need to swing by a hotel because her nest is full...

This weekend we did some planting. We're not even close to finished... this is actually just the beginning.

I found these incredible hanging planters {really organic looking} and they reminded me a little bit of bird's nests, so I had to have them. We bought 4 different styles so it looks really eclectic and fun. Here are a few pictures of them!


Aren't they great?!

Each planter is different.

Lots of pretty flowers planted.

I love getting my hands caked with dirt. It's fun and a great stress reliever. Hope you have a great Monday.


P.S. We have yet to power wash the house after the winter so don't judge...

xo

Breaking Birdie News Update...

And then there were three...

She had each egg one day apart! Who knew... I thought birds were like dogs or cats where they had them all at once. I learned something new. I will keep you posted since I peek in on them at least 4 times a day!!

It's The Little Things In Life...



Morning y'all!

 

Look what I found in my yard!! A tiny little nest with one pinkish egg in it!! I thought there were more like 3 eggs at a time in a nest, but I guess this birdie just had one little egg. I'm so excited to keep an eye on it! It's the little things in life that truly make me happy. I don't need fancy cars or mansions, but give me a nest with a little egg in it and I am the happiest girl on the block! I'll keep you posted on the egg.

 

 

AHHH... Breaking News... {lol} I just looked again and there are now two eggs! The second one definitely was not there when I took the picture yesterday!!

 

 

 

 

Happy Friday and have a nice weekend! I have lots of plans this weekend with friends and family. We're going out for my friend's birthday Saturday night and then to brunch with my family for Easter Sunday at a beautiful inn on the shore. Yes, I am blessed.

 

xo

I'll Pass On The Fruit...

Good morning.

I am being a bit of a wild woman this morning... I am going to a spin class {I've NEVER done one} and then to my workout. Yikes! I'm not going to lie, I'm nervous. Can I do it? Can I keep up? Am I going to die right there on the bike? Will the EMTs need to be called? Oh, so many questions!

As I was scrolling through facebook yesterday, there was one of those quizzes that people take to find out if they are this or that. {You know those quizzes...} This particular quiz infuriated me. It was: what kind of fruit is your body! What??

Ladies, we are NOT apples, pears, bananas, or butternut squash. Most of us know this, but with obnoxious quizzes like that out there, it might be left buzzing in someone's head.

We are beautiful women who should not be bullied to feel badly about ourselves by dumb quizzes or magazine pictures. We are lovely no matter what our shape and we are more than just our shape!

When I find something I love, I shout it from the rooftops. I love to encourage women to find their bliss {whatever that is.} I have been singing the praises of my trainer to my friends because I have transformed from these workouts both in my mind and in my body. Two of my best girlfriends are now signing up too. My friend said "I was resigned to the fact that I have two kids and will always have a little bit of a belly. But I don't think that's true anymore." She was up at 4:45 a.m. and at class by 5:15. I am so proud of her!! If she was comfortable with her body, then by all means skip the workout classes. But if she's not comfortable in her skin and she wants to do something about, I'm so happy for her. It's honestly not about weight... It's about how you feel in your mind about yourself. Mind-Body Connection.

 

 

 

My motto has become strong body, strong mind. For me, it's so true. It is so empowering to feel physically strong {remember I have NEVER been a workout or gym person.} This mindset has come from the HIIT {high intensity interval training} that I've been doing. I feel better than ever and I'm going to keep going with it. So... I am shouting it from the rooftops because it has made me feel strong both mentally and physically. It has made me feel powerful. Empowered.

This is just my journey that I'm sharing with you. Remember, you are not and will never be a fruit. You are a strong, empowered, beautiful woman.

xo

pics via: pinterest

Spring = Al Fresco Dining Minus Sleet And Hail...

Good morning. Rise and Shine Loves!

Ah, Spring is here! I went out and bought lots of potted flowers for my front steps. {Lets just pretend that the little sleet/hail issue didn't happen last night.}

One of my favorite things to do in the warmer weather is dine al fresco. I'm not really a traditional patio table type of girl. I like eclectic mix and match way more. I will wake up and enjoy my coffee {or lately tea} outside. I will eat a salad for lunch outside. We will grill our dinner outside. We even sometimes sit outside with a glass of wine in the evening, relaxing. Spring brings so many joys after a long, cold winter. I deeply feel the excitement of the warmth and sunshine. It makes me appreciate it so much more.

In my quest to find the perfect table and vintage chairs for my back patio, here are a few pictures that caught my eye.


I am kinda in love with that old wooden table and those pretty wrought iron chairs. Nothing you would ever find in a chain store; perfect! Most definitely my favorite.

 

 

 

I love the vintage feel, but it might be a little too matched for me. I don't want a "set." But love those chairs again!

How fun with that tree stump table base. Great idea. Love this!

I'm a serious sucker for an old bistro table and chairs. If I end up buying a "set," this is the way I'll go. But definitely old and vintage. Reminds me of having breakfast in France.

Except for little problem of sleet/hail last night, I would have otherwise had my morning coffee outside today. Tomorrow is another day!

xo

Pics via: pinterest

Clap Along...

Happy, happy, happy Tuesday!!! The Pharrell Williams song Happy is buzzing through my head right now:

Don't pretend like you don't know how it goes...

"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say
Sunshine she's here, you can take away
I'm a hot air balloon, I could go to space
With the air, like I don't care baby by the way

Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you know what happiness is to you
Because I'm happy
Clap along if you feel like that's what you wanna do."

Happy Lyrics by Pharrell Williams.

Anyway, my work stress is over and I'm clicking my heels ready to get back into the swing of things! Ready to get back to biz!

My new piece is finished and she might actually be my favorite piece of all time. She is so beautiful in so many ways, with a little twist. It's raining today so I can't take pictures, but as soon as she goes up for sale, you'll be the first to know. If I can put her up for sale... I'm a bit attached!

I save all of my favorite decorating magazines {does that make me a hoarder?} for inspiration. I spend tons of money a year on them, so why not? Other than the very large tower-like piles they create... One of my favorites is Country Living. This particular cover gave me lots of ideas for future projects! And yes, I still have the actual magazine... See, hording saving magazines does have a purpose... {P.S. I do thin out the piles about once or twice a year...)

 

So let Pharrell bounce around in your head all day too; it's like an instant dance party for one.

 

Clap along if you know what happiness is to you...

 

xo

 

 

Pic via: Country Living Magazine

Song Lyrics: Happy by Pharrell Williams

 



Your Buffet Or Mine...

Blogging and painting furniture makes me happy. Putting my energy into that is the best medicine!

I doubt you know this about me, but I have a slight obsession with buffets. I don't have one though. Nope, my dining room is on the tiny side so it would look too crowded. But I think they add such charm to a room. I definitely want to find a small one that would fit in my dining room. I'm envisioning fun dinner parties or even brunch with mimosas. Then game night would be sure to follow. I love games. We get a little rowdy and competitive in this family when we play games though, but that's part of the fun of it, right?

Back to buffets... I was out thrifting the other day and almost died when I saw the most beautiful vintage buffet ever. The problem? It had a "sold but not paid" sign on it. What?? I wanted sooo badly to buy it right then and there. So I'll go back later today to make sure the person who bought it but didn't pay for it actually bought it. Grrr...

I am picky about the buffets that I like though. I don't like ones that rest on the ground. I like legs. That's just me...


I adore this one and it just might fit in my petite dining room. I don't even think I would paint this pretty girl. She is darling as is...

This one would require some elbow grease and paint for me to fall in love. The bones of it are good, but it's too plain. No wow factor in its as is state.

I love the white and the shape of this one, but it needs to be roughed up a little for my liking. I like aged and distressed, not perfect or pristine.

This is similar to the one above that needed a little elbow grease. She looks much prettier with this minty shade of paint. And who doesn't love white string lights?

 

 

I adore the color of this one and like how it feels substantial for a room. Definitely a piece that I'll be keeping an eye out for during my antiquing, flea marketing or thrifting days! Just yummy!

I love all the curves on this piece. Nothing boring about it. A real beauty.

xo

P.S. I am almost finished with a fantastic new dresser! Stay tuned.


Pics via: pinterest

Where Is My Zen Hiding?

Good morning.

Sorry for my absence. This week has been super hectic for me so I haven't been able to blog. I'm hoping next week things will be back on track. But until then, I need to remember to just breathe and relax, breathe and relax. This yoga room looks perfect for doing just that. Wish I had one in my home... maybe someday I will.

Take a deep breath and let it go... All is well.

xo

pic via: pinterest

Want It, Need It, Have To Have It...

Hello Monday!

This weekend went by way too quickly. But I have to admit, I did a lot of resting because I'm so sore lately {workouts have been increasing in intensity. Hard, but really awesome.}

Also, I sold my most recently finished dresser this weekend, and I'm only telling you this because I really do have the nicest customers in the world. I've said it before and I'll say it again... I love that they all seem just as excited about the little details of a piece as I do. I love that they love vintage too! It just makes me happy. I especially love when a customer sends me a picture of their new piece in its new home. That just makes me extra happy.

Anyway, today I wanted to show you a picture of a bedroom that I crave... It is so perfect in every way {to me.}


I really love pure, crisp white bedding but honestly, white doesn't really work in my home. Muddy paws and white do not go hand in hand {even though muddy paws are not supposed to be on the bed.} So I usually go with prints for our bedding. I am starting to veer toward the beautiful neutral hue of grey. It's soothing. Mixed with my favorite shade of blue is perfection.

I'm obsessed with that headboard as well. Want it. Need it. Have to have it. And those chandeliers, ugh... to die for. Everything about this bedroom screams: rest, relax, rejuvenate... It looks so soft and cozy. It makes me want to hop into that bed with a good book and a yummy mug of tea.

This room is my inspiration for my bedroom that I'm hoping to redo as I go room to room...

xo


pic via: softsurroundings.com

Bold Ideas...

Morning my loves.

Someone emailed me yesterday about painting her kitchen cabinets with chalk paint. I think it's a fantastic idea, especially if you hate your cabinets. Kitchen cabinets are something you have to look at and use every day. So if you hate them, then why not try to make them pretty? I'm sure it will be a lot of work, but the end result will be an aesthetic that matches more with your heart {and wallet.}

Luckily, I happen to love my kitchen cabinets, but only because we gutted our kitchen a few years ago and I got to pick the cabinets myself that I wanted. If I still had the cabinets that were here when we first moved in, I absolutely would have painted them by now.

You have to make your own pretty. Elbow grease doesn't cost a thing... It's much cheaper than paying contractors to do it for you. Yes, paint, brushes, etc. all cost money. But I am a firm believer that if you do your research, you can achieve anything.

After all, we are a bunch of supermen and superwomen on this blog, right? We are not afraid to take chances and be creative. We are fearless and bold. We are a little community of people {yes, both men and women!!} who show support {even though no one ever comments, I know plenty of you read the blog and support me and what I'm going for here... I know it because I get emails, I talk to some of you personally, I get facebook comments, and I can see how many hits I have to my blog each day. And there are plenty of you out there... and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for that! And don't be shy about writing your comments here. I love hearing from readers!}

So to my reader who wants to paint her kitchen cabinets, I say run with it, make them shine and turn them into the kitchen cabinets of your dreams.


Here are a few examples of kitchens transformed! Beautiful, huh. You can either keep it unified in color, or distress it up {which is my way. I don't like perfect or pristine. I like old world, well worn and well loved. But that's just me...}


I adore this island! Perfection.

I like how these look a bit weathered and worn.

Distressed blue is one of my favorites.

 

 

 

Hope you have a fun weekend! Fingers crossed that it's sunny and nice in Connecticut so I can get some more pieces finished!!

 

xo

 

Pics via: pinterest {sorry that I couldn't find exact sources on these pictures! I am pretty sure the first picture is from Blue Egg Brown Nest though. If it's not, sorry, my bad!!}

The Little Farmhouse That Could...

Good morning!

Like the rest of my world, my house was in the same winter slumber as me. I neglected her all winter long. But now that Spring is here, I am back on my mission to turn my colonial into a little farmhouse. Remember that mission? Well it was postponed for January, February and March {brrr too cold to do anything but wrap up in big, puffy blankets...} But it's April now so I need to get moving.

I have so much to do that I don't even know where to start. I want to do it simply and on a budget. I want it all to make sense {in my head anyway.}

I guess the best thing to do is go from room to room. And not to start with the next room until I finish with the first room. I will keep chugging along until I get it just right... adding and taking away as I go. Cleaning and purging. Simplifying. Making it feel like us.

I even can't wait to make my front porch, patio and backyard come alive with flowers. I love pansies, peonies, lilacs, even the little wild purple violets in the grass {I'll gather a tiny bouquet of them and put them in a little glass on my window sill.} I love cosmos, ranaculous, gerbera daisies and violas. I love them all. I'm not going to pretend I'm a good gardener... not by a long shot. I don't even know the proper names for most flowers {or how to spell a lot of them!} But that doesn't mean that I can't love surrounding myself with these beauties!

My favorite thing is gathering huge armfuls of lilacs and putting them in each room of my home. Mmmmmmmm. Smells heavenly. I am so happy we don't have allergies that would prevent me from bringing them in. I have 4 huge lilac trees that never disappoint. I just wish they lasted longer. They are gone in about a month! So when they are here, I savor every drop {and heavenly scent.}


I want a big basket like this to collect them in too. So farm girl chic, right?

I hope you have a Happy Thursday!

{I'll tell Isabel you said hello. Trust me, if you ever met her, you would be just as in love with her as I am. She needs to get a new shoe put on this morning. She was playing a little too rambunctiously and it's half on-half off now. The farrier is coming this morning so my fingers are crossed that I can ride her later this afternoon!}

Cheers to lilacs and Isabel...

xo


pic via: pinterest

Mind... Body... And Soul

Hi Loves!

I do NOT want to be a preachy type of girl; I just want to share with you and hope to inspire you from my own personal journey. I know a lot of what I post has nothing to do with furniture, but that's how I roll...

I just got home from my workout.

And let me tell you... I was one of those people who actually hated working out. Yes, I hated it.

But here I am today to tell you something very different.

I feel better than I've ever felt before! It has stirred something deep within my soul that wants me to keep going. I truly believe that the mind, body and soul are all interconnected. If they are all in sync, all is well. If one is out of balance, no bueno!

But you have to find a way that works for YOU. My way does not include a gym at this point in time. Maybe in the future it will, but for right now, no gym. Along with working out comes eating so much healthier. I am trying so hard to eat organic and healthy foods only. Not a diet... Just much healthier eating. The healthier I eat, the less hungry I am too. It all works together like clockwork.

Since I'm feeling a bit sore after my workout, I will go to yoga to stretch and soothe my muscles and then we all meditate to ease our scattered minds.

What I love is that there is not a certain method or schedule that I have to follow. It's doing what works and fits into my busy life. But I have made a conscious effort to fit these things into my life. No more excuses of "oh, I don't have time." Yes I do! I will make time! What can be more important than one's health? It doesn't sound very fun to have to take lots of medications to lower this and that.

Soon enough this beautiful and amazing ripple effect started happening for me... and it all feels so very in sync. All is flowing. All is harmonious. All is balanced. All is well.

xo

pic via: pinterest

Clever Girl...

Good morning!

I unexpectedly got some free time this morning, so I decided to blog for a few minutes.

Do you have a dog? How about a clever dog? How about a dog that is smarter than most humans? How about a dog who can outwit you in two seconds flat? Yeah, pretty annoying, huh. We have one of those too.

She is so clever that it gets on my nerves sometimes. We gate things off, block things, lock things, get new knobs so she can't open things, all to no avail. This girl wins every time. She is fiercely determined {which I gotta say, I kind of admire about her. She's definitely not a quitter.}

We have a pretty big property in the back, grass and lots of woods. Lots of fun places to run and dig if you're a dog. Originally we had the whole back of the property fenced in. But... that didn't work. Over and under it she went. So then we had to pay more money to get an electric fence plus the other fence. That did the trick.

Until... her collar stopped working. She figured it out pretty quickly. No longer did she hear a beep alerting her she was getting too close to the electric fence. So she kept testing it out... and figuring it out.

Then she saw a tree that was down from a storm way in the back of the woods that sort of went over the fence to the neighbor's yard. The other day I watched this scene:

She hopped up on the downed tree, used it as a bridge, walked half way over it to wait for a beep, heard nothing, looked back to see if I was watching, and took off over that "bridge" into my neighbor's yard. When I say yard, I really mean woods. So off and running she went through the woods. I was still in my pajamas... chasing her.

She was laughing at me... really, I heard her. Every time I got close, off she went, tail wagging, like she was having the time of her life.

The first time was funny. By the sixth time, not so much. We were finally able to get the guys out here from the electric fence company to get her a new collar.

Fun spoiled. But not really because as I sit here typing in front of my kitchen window, I can see her running around playing in the back yard like the crazy girl she is. More like dog spoiled...

Oh, the things we do for our dogs... to keep them safe, to love them, to make them happy.

We have one happy, clever, sassy girl on our hands. But I adore her with all my heart.


For the record, this is not a picture of her, but it made me laugh because that's probably what her face looked like as she was running from me!

 

 

 

xo

 

pic via: pinterest