Don't you love getting inspired?

You know when you have those seasons where you are doing your best to just keep up and then all of a sudden something changes and you're motivated/inspired again.  Sometimes it's the weather, sometimes it's people, a piece of fabric you love, a magazine, someone's home...you get the idea.

Well, I've returned to the season of inspiration.  My cousin Janet, who is my most dedicated blog viewer, is looking at plans for a new kitchen and she's been kind enough to let me in on the project.  Sure, it's a remote kind of involvement but I'll take it.  Next are my fabulous girls at work!  Kathy took me to her home this week and we just had the best time talking about wishes, plans, paint, rugs, wallpaper...all the things that make my heart sing.  Sarah and Anne have even been so kind to discuss the occasional design dilemma with me.  Are you thinking what I'm thinking?  HELLO, clients! (even if it's only in my mind)

Since visiting Kathy's house, I've been a little obsessed with all the ideas rolling around in my head. Let me tell you a little about her and then I'll show you what I'm thinking. She's a smart,  beautiful Southern woman who loves her family and loves her home.  She has a sharp sense of humor and never takes her self so seriously that she won't laugh at her own expense from time to time.  She wants a County Living look with an element of drama here and there.  She's not afraid of color but appreciates a home that flows easily from room to room. She's a lover of toile, birds, the hand made not the mass produced and fabric that tells a story.

So, when I left her house we decided we'd start with the bedroom and go from there. Since then, I've thought of nothing but her DINING ROOM!  What is the deal?  Anyway, take a look.

Below is a dining room that accomplishes drama but maintains enough rustic charm with the chandelier and antique (?) buffet that I think it would marry nicely with a more casual home.  Also, I love these gold accents with the white and grey incorporated in the framed collection.  As for the shot of lime on the table...gorge(ous)!

Another dark dining room with gold accents and a super glamorous light fixture.  The gray zebra print table cloth is awesome even though I'm not really a table cloth kind of girl.  Take that fabric and cover the cushions from the first picture and I'm listening. Even if you just used it as an accent on the back and did something solid on the front and bottom cushion...I'm flexible.

I saw these mirrors at Ballard's Backroom this afternoon and thought they would look great on a dark charcoal grey wall with the gold accent I'm loving so.  Also the mirror would keep the light reflecting and prevent the room from getting too dark.  Kathy also has a couple of fabric swatches that are ivory and quince (cross between lime and yellow) silk that would soften the room and add a fun pop of color just like the lime did in the first pic!

Just some ideas and with this dark charcoal already an element in her house (did I not mention that?) I think this has potential.

Anyway, just some good, clean decorating fun!  Welcome back, inspiration!

Sucker for a "before and after"

It's been a while since I've lost myself in the "blogosphere" but it's so nice to go back when I have a chance.  I checked into Holly Mathis Interiors and she's just so good with giving before and after photos, paint colors and where to get them, little tricks of the trade and presenting it all in such an obtainable way.

I think we would get along well.

Just wanted to give you her link and encourage you to take a second and see some of the stuff she's done.  TBW is out of town this weekend and I might just have to paint something......

image via Holly Mathis Interiors

Back to reality.....

Why does there have to be a post vacation time of mourning?  Okay, that's extreme but we have just gotten back from the beach and it has taken a good 48 hours to snap out of the "I wish I was still at the beach" mode.

It was beautiful weather and time with family is always good.  My brother-in-law, Adam, deserves a do over because of back issues that had him bed ridden most of the week but he's a trooper and felt well enough the last couple of days that he actually made it to the beach a couple of times.

As you are aware, Rosemary Beach is my decorating everything. Gas burning lanterns, natural materials, light colors,  all put together to create sophisticated and comfortable.

I took pics of the house we had this year and it was wonderful! I'd rent again in a heartbeat!  Have a look and escape to the beach for a second or two.

Entrance from the street

Walk to the back entrance of the house

Private pool

10 foot doors with gas lanterns....LOVE!

one of two master bedrooms-muted palette

Upstairs living area with adjoining dinning room

Day at the beach

Dusk at the beach....ahhhhhhh.

We rented through VRBO.com and the owner is Terri Johnson. She couldn't have been any easier to work with and her staff made sure we had everything we needed during our stay.  Even a recommendation for urgent care!  Thanks, Carson.

For the record, it is for sale.  Anybody want to guess the price?  

Have a great night, all!

Not your typical Sunday morning sermon....

The New Rules for Sex, Love and Dating is the new series starting Sunday (11am and 6pm eastern). In trying to find an image to put on the blog I found out that Andy went on a very popular radio show, The Bert Show, in Atlanta to do some field research. This is big. I'm actually listening to it now and you can listen here if you're so inclined.  I was nervous for Andy, I'm not gonna lie but turns out that Bert, the show's lead, goes to Andy's church in Buckhead.  So I put my guard down, slightly.  No doubt it's going to be relevant and insightful!

"No appetite is ever fully satisfied." "You grow an appetite by feeding it."-Andy Stanley (listen to the second interview and you'll see what this is about.)

On a side note, I know since Wednesday,  there are so many that are living a reality that is so unfamiliar to them.  The tornadoes that ripped through the South this week were no doubt life changing.  However, no one perseveres through a nightmare the way a Southerner does with a great sense of gratitude in a time when thankfulness would seem the hardest to muster and with a heart felt respect and reliance on our Heavenly Father to lead them through the unfathomable. There's something to be said for the humility and quiet peace that's exhibited by some of those who have lost the most.  It provides a certain level of awareness that keeps the rest of us grounded and appreciative of even the smallest things.

google images

Here's hoping you all spend some time this weekend with the people you love and appreciating the most mundane and routine aspects of your life.  It's often the everyday that is most precious.

Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." [Proverbs 22:6]

If you have asked me at any point over the last couple of months, "How's school going for Jane?", you know that we could not be happier.  Her teachers, Ms. Annie and Ms. Beckah, have been outstanding.  They are the ying and the yang of any effective pairing with one handling the structure and routine that every 4 year old needs while the other contributes the flexibility that allows the day to keep moving, even with the unexpected.  All while providing loving discipline and the enforcement of manners that you pray will last a lifetime.

Aside from this are the Biblical truths they pour into Jane everyday.  They learn a Bible verse every month and to hear our 4 year old reciting scripture is a blessing to my heart. Some of the other truths are more subtle but their classroom functions with each child knowing the "rules" which include things like manners, exhibiting self control and in general, practicing how to treat others they way they want to be treated.  Ms. Annie and Ms. Beckah do a beautiful job and it's clear that God had this room with these kids and these teachers specifically in mind for our growing, absorbing, challenging, smart, spirited little girl.

Below is a video that was made at school of Jane reciting her latest Bible verse, Matthew 28:1-6.  In case you don't get it all, the verse says this:

"After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look for the tomb.  There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.  The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.  He is not here; He has risen!"

Jane's does her own substitutions here and there but the best is ".....three I know that you are looking for Jesus...."  For/three, it's all numbers anyway, right? God love!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ooe7euAjmTA

This happens to my heart every time I hear her!

http://youtu.be/i4F6b_199dQ

Happy Easter, everyone and thanks for the week of parental indulgences.

Save yourself!

This is a post only a mother, father, grandmother, grandfather or aunt would find interesting.

This post is dedicated to our 4 year old, Jane!  Today was our girl's birthday and cue Eddie Murphy because we "Partied all the Time".....ALL DAY LONG!

There were gifts littering this place.  Inside, outside, upstairs, downstairs, places she was sure to look, places you'd think she'd never look!  All were found and all were relished!  We've never done that before but it was really fun.  Several hours after they had all been discovered, she casually mentioned we should look for more gifts.  Nice try.

She was showered with attention today from family and friends through gifts and calls and emails and texts.  It was a beautiful day and no doubt she enjoyed it.   Thank you, everyone, for so generously making this day so magical for Jane.

I've got more pictures to organize but these will give you a good taste of the day!

Cinderella DVD that got this party started!

A reversible Cinderella dress from Paw Paw and Gran

The "other" side of the dress and the new soccer net.

Dress from Aunt Lindsey, Uncle Adam and Maddy

New Jammies!

Talking to Nettie and Big Daddy

Plastic princess shoes-she couldn't have been happier!

She wanted pink cupcakes with her face on them.  Here you go.
Thanks, Bailey, Sarah and Ryan.  They were a hit!

She was shocked.

Remember that 4 hour Sunday afternoon drive?

No?  Well, I do and I just had to post the houses that made my heart sing. I'm like a mother when it comes to these houses. I love them all so picking my favorite would be impossible.  Okay, it's the last one but I'd happily take any of them as I think they are great in so many ways! 

House #1

What you can't really tell is that they have an arbor/trellis/an outdoor thingy connecting the side of the main house to the side of their garage that extends beyond their smaller, secondary porch.  Have I mentioned I could do that?  Just saying.

The drive into dream home #2 and #3.

The next two houses are in an area of Milton called North Valley.  One word: wow.  

House #2

And the winner is....House #3!

I told Patti as we were driving around, "we're not moving, just improving."  I came up with that all by myself.  Anyway, the take away is replace the roof with cedar shakes, paint the exterior white, go with classic black shutters and find just the right place for the American flag.  Done!

Here's to dreaming!