Minimalism: a Follow-up

This weekend was refreshing. 

Friday night, my sister announced her forthcoming peanut (due in March!) and we slept in to a near-embarrassing time Saturday morning. 

Only I'm not embarrassed. It was lovely.

Last month, I shared my desire to move towards a balanced, practical minimalism in my life. We dedicated a little of our weekend towards this goal, which made it all the more refreshing. 

Our progress:

1. We scoured our closets and drawers for clothes that are out of style, no longer fit or never see the light of day. They are now piled in a bag awaiting their delivery to the thrift store. 

2. We spent yesterday evening at the park with friends. Eric and Shaun ran while Bethany and I walked and chatted. It was already dark and a little spooky walking on the trail through the woods. The best part? There were hundreds of twinkling lighting bugs and it was all free!

3. I planned this week's meals around similar ingredients to make sure we utilize what's in our pantry and refrigerator before it goes bad. Because it's just the two of us, this can be a huge source of waste!

4. We (finally) organized our recycling. The three full garbage bags are ready to be dropped off and a pantry in our kitchen is now empty again. 

Are you moving towards a simpler life? 

I'd love to hear about your progress: tips, setbacks and successes!

*Image via Like the Dew. 

Appreciating beauty, instead of taking it for granted, is a wonderful way to embrace a simpler life. 

Homemade Popsicles

Our family of ten (folks, siblings, hubby, brother-in-law and brother's girl) recently returned from the beach.  We stayed in a condo decorated outside of the sand-and-sea theme, complete with rooftop pools and a lake.

The lake provided its own entertainment with snapping turtles, birds that swam underwater and an 8-foot gator.  Before long we were quoting Troy and filling to-go boxes with our very own gator bait.  We also rented scooters and had a few successful runs on the boogie board. It was too fun! 

To ease the heat and encourage a little vacation indulgence, we made our own popsicles: creamsicle, root beer float and chocolate cream soda.  

They are surprisingly more tasty than you might think and simple to make! 

All you need: 

3 oz. Dixie cups

Ice cream

Soda

Popsicle sticks

Cut a small slit in each cup for easy tearing.  

Fill the bottom third of the cup with ice cream.  Slowly pour in the soda, allowing time for the fizz to go down, until it reaches two-thirds full.  Freeze for roughly 2 hours.  Fill with ice cream.  Freeze for 30 minutes.  Add popsicle stick and freeze until solid.  Remove cup and enjoy! 

*Recipe from Evil Chef Mom

**Picture (by my sister, De) includes the creamsicle and root beer float popsicles. 

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!

DIY Florals

It's summer: a time to enjoy beautiful blooms planted in spring.

Unfortunately, nothing grows in our shady apartment (my poor terrariums died long ago).  I am desperate for a weekend project that brings permanent florals to our decor.  Enjoy!

Floral pots - to camouflage the fact that only dirt and a few leaves grace the top

Floral lampshade - to bring pattern to our otherwise solid-color bedroom

Floral window - to complete the steal-of-a-deal pane I found last week

Have a lovely weekend!  

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!

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?

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! 

A Pumpkin Patch

of fall decor choices.

{velvet pumpkins, fabric pumpkins, 

book pumpkins, glitter pumpkins}

I am feeling a weeknight craft project coming along!  

Don't you love it when kids say "punkin"?  Too cute.