Gift Guide for Living Simply

Next week I'll start a gift guide (a la A Cup of Jo) for the upcoming Christmas season .

In the meantime, check out this gifting motto from Remodeling This Life. When buying for friends, family or loved ones, consider items that fit the following:

Isn't that wonderful?

In a recent effort to live simply, I've put a great deal of thought into a recipients personality when giving birthday presents.  By focusing on finding something special, I often end up spending less!

Have a simple day!

Old Fashioned

There's something about black and whites and men with pipes.

See more on this new blog.

Fabric Flags

This weekend marked the 2 year anniversary of our church.  We celebrated with a fall festival including fire pits, a chili cook-off and delicious desserts.  

That morning, our pastor began a two-part sermon from the book of Esther on seizing your destiny.  Listen here.  If you're local to Birmingham, come visit. You're sure to meet new, cool people and walk away challenged to grow closer to our great God.

{photo by David Jacks}

A few months back, my mom, sisters and I made the fabric flags above for my sister's graduation party.  I will not lie.  We looked like an assembly line factory abusing all kinds of labor laws.  They turned out cute-as-pie and I was so excited to see them used again!

The guitarist and friend above, Carlos, played one of my favorite songs ever: Bron-yr-Aur (not to be confused with Bron-y-Aur Stomp, which also happens to be amazing).

Have a lovely day!

Love for Etsy

Doilies are the perfect winter accessory.  Shaped like a snowflake, the dainty items below adorn the floor, paper, wall, clutch, stationary, earrings and a pillow.  Enjoy! 

Which one is your favorite?

Uber Sweetness

I am in love with this new blog.  Discovered via A Cup of Jo.

A Fake Foyer

Apartment living is wonderful.  Our place suits our life and style and we love it. Unfortunately, lack of space often leads to lack of organization.  With the help of my mom, and year-round spring cleaning, we've done a pretty good job of assigning items their place and keeping them there. 

The problem is that we are missing a foyer.  No place to put our keys or mail when we walk through the door, which drives me crazy.  

The bird hook and magazine rack below may be a step in the right direction.

Do you have a fake foyer?  Tell me, how did you create it?

I adore

this living room, via Design Sponge

this free 2011 printable calendar, via Finding My Aloha

this junior librarian party, via on hand + modern

All I need is blue paint, card stock and a cute kid.  

Inspiration to reality is a work in progress.  

What do you adore?