Pick One

This bedding (via I still love you)

(or) this print?

Which one should I pick for my southwestern fix?

(Yes, it's been a while. I'm wanting to establish a plan shortly and write about things that make me think, laugh or smile in hopes that you'll do the same. Until then, please enjoy this simple post and have a lovely day!)

Butterfly Specimen Poster

I am not particularly drawn to butterflies and certainly avoid any clothing or accessories they find themselves fluttering on.

I am, however, attracted to this beautiful print from UO.

The paper appears vintage, as though recently ripped from an old textbook. My mom (who dislikes all butterfly decor) will probably be pained to read that I would love to frame and hang this print in my home. 

What do you think?

*I stand corrected. This bride happens to be wearing a lovely butterfly dress. 

A Flea Mall Find

Hooray for lampshades that update your living room lighting from this:

to this: 

for only $0.50! 

Thanks goes to the Bama Flea Mall with their rad finds and great prices.  The dent that made this price possible is hidden against the wall. 

Come across any great finds lately?  Do tell. 

Our "New" TV Stand

As you may recall, Eric and I were on the hunt for a new TV stand back in February.  Being avid craigslist-ers, we were determined to find a well-priced beauty we could adopt from another family.

I am here to encourage you, friends.  Patience pays off.

Below is our original setup.

And here is our new setup in all it's glory. 

The details...

People actually paid us for our old TV and stand - $75 total. 

We were lucky to find an antique, refinished buffet table - $200 total.  

Do you revel in the benefits of craigslist?  You can reduce the amount of material items in your home, increase your savings and/or find pre-loved, quality-made items that won't break the bank.  Those are my excuses, anyway.

Gallery Walls

When we first moved into our apartment, I spent an unreasonable amount of time selecting my favorite pictures from our wedding and engagement as well as collecting the perfect assortment of rustic frames.

My mom helped transform it all into a collage for our living room.

Lately, I am drawn to another type of collage - gallery walls.

I especially appreciate gallery walls that are an eclectic mix of DIY pieces, hand-me-down paintings and artwork from garage sales and local thrift stores (like the ones pictured below).

{Design Sponge and Little Green Notebook}

Our quilt-covered couch is old and we hope to replace it soon.  But you know what?  I love our apartment, because it feels like home.  Also, I must say that Eric is handsome and seeing him in a vest and tie makes me all schmoopy.

Two questions for your Tuesday:
What makes you schmoopy?
Do you have a gallery wall in your home?  If so, share a link - I'd love to see it!

This Just In

at Urban Outfitters: a painter's postcard, a grandma's pillow, a fireman's coffee, a historian's map and a (just barely) girly-girl's blanket.

Am I too old to love this store like I do?

I adore

this print, via Oh Happy Day

these jars, via kootut murut

this map, via These Are Things

Today warrants soothing grandma tones and happy colors.

Ahh, I feel better.  Don't you?

Have a lovely Tuesday.

In-store Inspiration

When Eric and I last visited Chattanooga, we stopped at a local shop to kill time before meeting up with our friends.  The jars hanging right inside the front door were so enchanting. Upon breaking my gaze, I raced out to the truck for our camera and snapped a quick picture.  

I so appreciate in-store inspiration, don't you?  It doesn't always lead to an in-store purchase, but it certainly gets my creativity flowing.  

I can't wait to try out my own version of this simple beauty.

What in-store decor inspires you?

Retro Recover

Quite a while back, I was perusing the thrift store with my mother-in-law in Nashville. We were headed out when  I spotted a footstool against the front wall. With beautiful retro legs and a price tag of $5, I couldn't pass it up!

Once home, I deemed the cushion wide enough to pass for extra seating in our living room and placed it right in front of the fireplace.

And there it sat. And sat. 

Until my mom and I found the perfect velvet fabric on clearance and went to work.  I will admit, she completed most of this project and where you see a flaw, it was likely done by me.  

I love how it turned out.  

That almost ugly pink with those brass-foot legs. Swoon! 

Side note: we picked up the side table at a dumpster in Chattanooga.  Eric was at first mortified, but later sawed off the tabs on the middle shelf to make room for temporary record storage.  I'd love to paint it but can't decide on a color.  Any suggestions?  

Have a lovely weekend!

All the Pretty Rooms

a bedroom, via under the sycamore

a sewing room, via Going Home to Roost

a baby's room, via Alice Lane

Our schedule has calmed down greatly over the past two weeks.  It's been so nice to be at home with my hubby, enjoying our rooms.  

Aren't the rooms above pretty and inspiring?

Quilts

Yesterday, I came across this picture on Nesting Place.

I have no room for a bench or an actual entryway, but I would make good use of that colorful quilt (and those pillows, that green paint and that plant, too). I'm now planning a thrift store quilt-hunting trip as I simply cannot afford one otherwise.  

How do you add punches of color to your home?

In Print

Today, I am excited to share my first article, published in the May issue of Birmingham Magazine.

{Photo by Kellen Jacob Photography}

You might recognize the couple above as Paula and Kellen Coldiron 

(of Two Ellie and Kellen Jacob Photography, respectively).

We had the pleasure of hiring them as our wedding photographers and I have since been inspired by pictures of their precious home on Paula's blog.  When given the opportunity to write, I knew the Coldiron family would make a perfect first story.

Without further ado: you may view the article here.  

**You can purchase a copy of the magazine at Books-A-Million or Barnes & Noble locations in the Birmingham area. For a full tour of Paula's home, visit her upload on Houzz. 

**May I also encourage you to check out Birmingham Box Set?  Way cool music reviews and interviews coming soon! You can read my first interview here.

I adore

this kitchen, via Urban Grace Interiors

this outfit, via For the Love

this dip-legged table, via Design Sponge

Colorful, casual and crafty.
That's how I roll.  (Okay, in my dreams maybe).

What do you adore today?

Kitchen Walls

Kitchen walls in an apartment are scarce.  Ours boasts only a large framed chalkboard holding pictures, invitations and goals for the year.  There's not much room for anything else.

One day, I'd love to decorate the kitchen walls in a creative way, like below. Enjoy!

With colorful, quirky art via catalogued life

With an herb garden, via tatertots and jello

And my favorite - with thrifted and painted bundt pans via hownowdesign

In what ways have you adorned your kitchen walls?  I'd love to hear!  

Craigslist Chairs

Saturday morning we are headed to Memphis for BBQ and good music.

We'll pass through Jasper, where I'd love to beverly hillbilly a few of these porch chairs into the back of our pickup.

Twenty bucks each, patience and effort would transform them beautifully, like this redo seen on Design Sponge.

Have I mentioned my craigslist addiction?  It is out of control, people. Not so much the purchasing as the looking, looking and more looking.  Today I'm making a ten dollar purchase that I'll be sure to share with you soon! 

Have any good recs for Memphis?  I'd love to hear! 

The Art of Brick Laying

Through an inspiring book and our newlywed small group, we stumbled upon the simple, yet revolutionary concept of brick laying.

I am so challenged by this! 

Life is not formed by great catastrophe or triumph, but by the small choices we make each day. How easy it is to overlook our daily actions and interactions with others!  

I am now in the painstaking process of forming daily bricks for the foundation of my life: attentiveness to my husband, quiet time with God, pursuing passions and interests and even menial tasks like straightening up our apartment before bed. These desires encompass many of my goals for the year, with one small difference.  I now know that they can not be accomplished overnight.  

Goals are realized only by a daily investment of laying bricks.  

{Amy Butler Brick Quilt}

What better visual inspiration for brick laying that the picture above? Through hard work and daily dedication, Caryn, created a lovely quilt for warmth, snuggling and cheery thoughts whenever needed.  

I would love to recreate this, however, my sewing skills are extremely limited. Instead, I'll start on an apron using the fabric I bought nearly 6 months ago. 

What bricks are you laying today?

Card Catalog

I love the idea of storing odds and ends in a card catalog. By adding paint, wheels or decor, it becomes a unique focal point in the home.  Enjoy!

{Images via 1, 2, 3 and 4}

Unfortunately, I've searched high and low and these lovelies are hard to find. Hobby Lobby has a tabletop version that may serve as my temporary fix when it goes on sale.

Happy Thursday!

What's Old is New

Eric and I hung out with a fun couple this past weekend, playing games and watching a rather silly British comedy.

Among other inspiring and just plain cool pieces in their home, I was drawn to the dresser they used as a TV stand.  We happen to be in need of a new TV stand and I'm now scouring craigslist for the perfect fixer-upper.

My online inspiration is below.  Enjoy!

{Joi removed the middle drawers and used the space as shelves 

for the electronic players.  The side drawers function as storage.}

{Laura added hair pin legs to an old cabinet to 

house her husband's growing record collection}

Have you re-purposed something in your home?  I'd love to hear about it!