Love for Etsy

After getting up at 5:30 to work-out the past two days, I'm looking for a pillow upon which to lay my head.  The pillows below, however, are just for dreaming about.  Enjoy!

{Little Modern Birds by Chakra Penny Whistle, Bar Organic by Raw Edges Studio, 

Grand Garden by Olive, Natural Linen by Pony & Poppy}

Have a lovely weekend!

Nutella

Am I the last person on earth to hear about this wonderful treat? 

The lady at Publix told me she ate it on toast for breakfast in Germany.  I am currently eating it on wheat square crackers and cannot contain my love any longer. 

Nutella is a hazelnut spread with skim milk and cocoa.  I am already concocting a plan to use it in place of Dulce de Leche for these fabulous sandwich cookies.

Oh happy day!

The Perfect Evening

Tonight marks the first Tuesday in over three months that we are free of plans. We thoroughly enjoyed our Financial Peace University class - we learned so much, revamped our spending and made new friends.  But tonight, ah tonight, I look forward to: 

Hitting up Publix to stock our sad pantry shelves

Cracking open my newest library book

Snuggling up to my honey and going to bed early

What are you up to tonight?

What Will Heaven Be Like?

Listen to an inspiring message and read an encouraging verse.

Love for Etsy

Today's Etsy post is inspired by luggage essentials (and one suitcase that just plain cracks me up). Enjoy!

{Janey's Got a Gun Suitcase, American Tourister Bag, Upcycled Gym Bag,

Upcycled Vanity Case, Retro Luggage Tag, Bill Cosby Suitcase}

Would you carry your luggage, gym clothes or make-up in a vintage bag?

I would!

Must-See Movie

Food, Inc is a must-see documentary. Eric and I "rented" it last week at our local library and watched it with my sister and her husband. Wow.

I'll admit: I am picky. I don't eat all my veggies and I don't like too many fruits. I don't always buy organic or local. But I want to. And like most documentaries, I don't agree with everything in the movie.

However, I appreciate the valuable information on how our food industry has changed over the past 50 years. I'm shocked by the power money and government have to altar the natural production of food with little regard to the lives affected. Sickness and death in animals due to rapid growth. Indebted farmers forced to continue in a business they are ashamed of. Obesity. Poor families struggling to eat healthy due to cost. Unnecessary disease and death of children and adults.

It's easy to feel inadequate, accept the current situation and go about your day. Instead, consider this concept, my favorite quote from the movie:

Have you seen Food, Inc? What are your thoughts?

If you haven't seen it, check out the trailer here.

Free Printables

Do-It-Yourself is the new black. And free printables from Nonpareil Magazine is a closet full of little black dresses. Some feminine and classy, others quirky and cute, all comfortable and reliable. Ready to be downloaded and printed for your next fun occasion. Enjoy!

{Save the Date, Invitations, RSVP Cards, Table Numbers,

Cookie Envelopes, Recipe Cards, Menu, Thank You Cards}

Would you use these free printables for your wedding or a festive party?

Local Favorites: Photography

Becky, of Abernathy Photographics, is a contemporary children's photographer here in Birmingham. We go to church and small group together. She is a lot of fun to be around, very chill and as you can see below, incredibly talented. Here are a few of my favorites from her blog. Enjoy!

Today only, Becky is offering 3 exciting giveaways. I didn't want to tell you because I am hoping I will win, but... I couldn't help myself. Read the details and enter to win here.

*If you live outside AL, don't be sad! Becky travels to TN and GA as well.
**The third little girl, in the plaid dress, is Becky's daughter and she is even cuter in person. I know, hard to believe, right?
***The last little girl belongs to another sweet couple at our church and she just became a big sister. Her smile is absolutely contagious.

Genuine Hope

Listen to an inspiring message and read an encouraging verse.

Love for Etsy

Today's post inspired by the shop Laura Amiss, out of the Netherlands. Her original artwork is heartwarming in it's simplicity. Enjoy!

{City Living, Home is Where You Take It, When Will It Stop}

Have a wonderful weekend!

Urban Outfitter Finds

Ooh, I am digging these finds at Urban Outfitters. Enjoy!

{Rug, Media Stand}

This rug makes me smile. There's something about being married to your best friend that makes an apartment feel like home.

We recently learned that laying our records flat and stacking them on top of each other in a drawer is a big mistake. I'm searching for a creative way to store and display our musical gems. Any ideas?

You Can Change

Listen to an inspiring message and read an encouraging verse.

Bedroom: The Plan

After yesterday's decorating disappointment, I created a (somewhat) final picture of our bedroom plan. Would you like to see it?

White bedding from Ikea:

Blue/green pillow on sale at Pier 1, Gray pillow on Etsy (that I can no longer find!) and Gray throw from Bed, Bath and Beyond:

Table and chair I already own - paint table gray and paint chair mustard yellow (totally wish I had a beautiful chair to reupholster):

Jars and vase I already own - use jars to line window sill with flowers and use yellow vase to decorate side table:

What about this yellow throw from Urban Outfitters? It's on sale for $20! Where could I use it? Or is it just yellow overkill?

Please tell me, what do you think?

The Great Depression

In my ongoing battle for a new bedroom, I finally settled on the most perfect blend of colors. White bedding, gray accents (throw, lamp and pillow), mustard yellow accents (a painted chair and vintage vase) and most importantly: a retro blue round pintuck pillow. On sale yesterday for $9.99 at Urban Outfitters. It's beautiful, isn't it?

This morning I went online to order the pillow but the link didn't work. Ugh! I called our local store and felt my heart beating again as I was told they had four left. I rushed over on my lunch break to find that my savior was colorblind as the pillows were teal, not blue. I called the website. Sold out. Nationwide.

And this, my friends, is all I can think about. I know, I know - MLIA.

Grace Notes

My good friend, Mary Elizabeth, creates sweet, whimsical stationary available on Etsy. Her designs are hand drawn and customizable. My two favorites are below. Enjoy!

{Partridge in a Pear Tree, Swallows}

Be sure to check out her growing shop!

July Calendar

The July calendar was just made available by designer and blogger Silhouette Jess. You may download and print the calender for free here.

Aren't the lightning bugs perfectly summer?

*Be sure to visit her blog to brag on the calendar and read inspirational, stylish posts.

Love for Etsy

Happy 4th of July weekend! Picnic, anyone? Enjoy!

{Wear a pretty dress or a patriotic headband; Relax on a blanket with your favorite foods; Stick pinwheels in the grass and watch 'em go; Eat a yummy cupcake and wipe your mouth with a tea towel; Cozy up to a sock monkey for a nap in the sun}

See you Tuesday!

I've Been Tagged

I've been tagged by Mo Pie, Please, a blog about art, travel, weddings, food, fashion, music, the outdoors and funny life experiences. I love how I never know what I'll read there from one day to the next. Be sure to check it out!

The tag game goes as follows:

Go to the 8th folder in which you store your photos

Select the 8th photo

Post it to your blog and tell the story behind it.

After following the instructions you are 'supposed' to tag 8 other bloggers.

This photo was taken on Halloween night 2009. This is my sister, Alex and her husband, Ben. They are dressed up as Dwight and Angela from The Office. (See her cat? Ha!). My brother's girlfriend, Hope, had never been trick-or-treating before. We decided that her freshmen year of college was a perfect time to introduce her to the childhood adventure. We (6 adults and no children) all chose characters from The Office and hit the streets for some candy. As you can imagine, we got the dreaded "mom stare" from behind many an opened front door. A few people recognized our costumes (were the rest of them hiding in a hole for the past 5 seasons?) and gave us hearty laughs and extra treats. It was so much fun!

This isn't part of the game, but I couldn't help myself. Below is my brother, Ben and his girlfriend, Hope, dressed as Michael and Jan; and Eric and I dressed as Jim and Pam.

Here are the 8 bloggers I'm tagging. Of course, there is no pressure to participate - it's just for fun!

Little Girl, Big World

delightfully. cliche.

in Staley's atmosphere

Shelley's Weblog

two ellie

Work Brake

Silhouette

Mariel's Window

A Morning Hike

Saturday morning at 7:00 AM, I fell out of bed into a tank top and shorts, brushed my teeth and tied my tennies. I met my dad at Home Depot and we drove a few short minutes minutes to Oak Mountain State Park.

{Oak Mountain Bike Trail taken by Mountain Bike 198}

For 2 hours, we traversed a beautiful bike trail and chatted - the whole time. How rare that I can spend such time goofing off and having deep conversation with one of my family members? We wrapped up the morning with Chic-fil-a biscuits and a visit to my mom at Donut Joe's.

Great outdoors, you just keep bringing people closer together!

*Next time I visit Oak Mtn, I want to actually ride my bike. Fun!

*I'm thinking that an Ikea trip could do for me and my mom what a hiking trip did for me and my dad. That place is a retail jungle!