Let's Go Outside!

So the house that we're looking at (and I say that because I don't want to jinx anything and assume that everything will work out-can't risk it with the luck we've had with this house hunt) has a huge yard, 2 porches and a deck. The weather is finally warming up and needless to say, I cannot wait to get into that house just so we can start spending time outside! I've been looking at landscaping, which is a design element of a home I didn't think I'd be able to play with until later on. And I love it! There's so much you can do with an outdoor space. Here are some of my inspirations.

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I love the vibrant reds! This can look good in any season. I love the cushion fabric too. So darling.

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This is kind of unrealistic, but it's so whimsical and a great representation of making an indoor space outdoors.

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This is something that would've been perfect in New Mexico, but I wanted to share the barrel tables! What an inexpensive but bold and useful element!

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This looks juuuust right. :)

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These lanterns are from IKEA- my parents actually have some and I'm always trying to steal a few for myself.

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While elaborate, there are tons of elements in this space that I adore- the white, the table, the chandelier, the flowers, the curtains, the fence, the landscaping... pretty much the whole thing. But scaled down a bit.

Daydream

So the boyfriend went to the house we finally found to sign some papers, and while he was doing grown up things, I quietly wandered to the living room, where I daydreamed up this space. (Love this site- they were nice enough to link all of the items I found, too!) I won't be able to afford any of these things, but you get what I'm going for, if and when we get to move in. I'm too excited not to dream up some design plans for this amazing place.

ikea KIVIK, $748
Traditional TV Stand - Cherry : Target, $170
Willow Chair and a Half, $1,299
Hand-tufted Black/ White Stripe Wool Rug (8' x 11') | Overstock.com, $436
Dupioni Silk Tie-Top Drape | Pottery Barn, $109
Natural Tree-Stump Side Table | west elm
Distressed European Wall Clock | Wall Decor | Wisteria, $59
terrain: Wharf Table Lamp, $398
Wall Art - Decor: - At Home, $7.95
Pacific Coast Table Lamp, Royal Grace, $100
Walter Wooden Wall Keys - Set of 3 - Wall Sculptures - Wall Decor -..., $79
Send Fresh-cut Daffodil - Order Fresh Daffodils Online - Flowerbud.com, $59

This has got to be the good life...

In between writing three papers this evening, I wanted to share with y'all the song that I've had on repeat for the past hour. It instantly puts me in a good mood- one of those songs you can close your eyes and smile to.
Love those. Love this one too. Enjoy.

Mondays

This is the last week of regular classes before finals week, of my last semester of my college career. So this is a particularly important Monday for me. And I'm having mixed emotions. In an attempt to motivate myself, I thought I'd share what I found. Happy Monday. :)

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Happy Easter!

Hope y'all have a lovely day, keeping in mind the real reason that we celebrate this glorious day.

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Original wooden beams

Our house hunting adventures took us to a barn-looking house today that had exposed beams in the top floor. Which reminded me how much I love exposed beams! I've always had an appreciation and love for architectural features in older homes. Whether they're original or refurbished, I just love them. Here are a few examples.

Love the stone wall too. This looks original.

 This is a great example of modern meeting traditional and working together beautifully.

 Even in a bathroom, it's gorgeous.

 Again, the original brick and beams are a darling backdrop for a more modern design.

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Keep your chin up, kid.

Today was a trying day. School and people are really getting on my nerves. To the point where my eye twitches almost every day now. Mix that with trying to graduate and find a place to live in the next three weeks, and you've got yourself one hot mess.
But while I'm exhausted with quite the headache and what could have been a relaxing and indulgent hot shower turned into a five minute rinse because being on my feet for 13 hours has turned my legs into jello, I'm trying to keep my chin up.
I've found in life that the hardest things to do are almost the most worth it. Whether it be work, school, or relationships with family, friends and my boyfriend. My parents have said for as long as I can remember, "If it was easy, everyone would do it." Which is so true, isn't it? Not everyone goes to college. Or gets a job, and a chance to move up. Nor does everyone have the opportunity to choose where they live. Every time I'm on the phone with my mom complaining/whining about this, that and the other thing, her response is, "These are all good things." And she's right. (Parents pretty much always are. And the sooner we learn this, the better off we'll be.)
So! I wanted to enlighten y'all before I go away for a work and family and house-hunting filled weekend. Just keep walking, running, and even crawling down your own road. We'll get there. And it'll be amazing.

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Living Room

In keeping with the house hunting theme, here are some living room inspirations.
PS- I'm keepin it simple this week so at least y'all have something to look at.

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 Love the accent on the stairs. The majority of the places we're looking at are two story so being able to dress up the stairs would be so fun.

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The colors stood out to me the most in this space. So light and refreshing and tied in throughout; the pillows, the curtains (floor to ceiling which I adore) and the fresh white furniture. What a beautiful contrast to the unique dark hardwood floors.

dillon kyle architecture

The chandelier anchors this whole room- and the rug is a great way to lengthen/increase the feel of space in a room. Uh, not to mention the amazing barn doors on tracks. Want Need.

I love the vintage, classic and simplicity of this whole space. Even though it looks a bit on the small side, the color scheme really opens it up. I'm really getting into white furniture (not to mention, it's usually an inexpensive alternative to colors- go figure.)

I want to know where this rug is from and when it can be delivered. I love it. And the simple colors means it goes with just about anything. Such a darling space.

Dining Rooms

This endless house hunting is making me day-dream about all sorts of probably unattainable things. Like dining rooms. Like these.

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I'm really digging the fabric on the head chairs. Such a subtle distinction.

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Not sure how I feel about the circular table, but one of this size seems to work well. Darling chandelier, too.

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Note the height of the chair rails- it really adds depth and makes the table feel more intimate.

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Love the chandelier, the simple chairs, the plants throughout the room on the larger window sills. It's so alive in this room.

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I really want a bench for a dining room or kitchen table. Maybe not anytime soon since we don't really have a need for one, but definitely for family visits or entertaining. Makes me even more excited to get into a new place!

Happy Monday!

Beddy Bye

We spent the day with my parents today, which included a delicious chicken fried chicken lunch, and a much needed relaxing afternoon filled with fun conversations, sharing of many memories and laughter. Among many other things, we talked about the house we've been looking at renting. While we haven't seen the inside yet, I've had numerous daydreams about what it will look like, the colors, the furniture we'll fill it up with. I have a million ideas, but upon getting a bed frame from the parents today, I'll share some bed inspirations.

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I love, love, love the height of this bed, and the headboard. Doesn't that comforter just scream "come get comfy with me!"?

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I like this space because of the vaulted ceilings (which our potential place is going to have) and the matching bed spread and curtains. Love the wall color too. We're hoping that this landlord, being that he's family, will let us paint/spruce the place up a bit. Fingers crossed!

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I can see this headboard being a contender for a diy project this summer. I'm looking into getting curtains and rods for our windows, too- great example here.

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This is more our style- clean, simple and bright. I particularly love this room because of it's small but beautiful characteristics. Plus the ceiling.

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Just another great look at the curtains and the heightening effect they have on windows/walls. Cute fabric for the  bed too. SO many ideas. SO much to do.

I can't wait. :)

Biking

This morning felt just like spring, and even if it was followed by an afternoon full of thunderstorms, it was a nice preview of the weather soon to come. And it got the boyfriend and I talking about getting outside more often. Working at a lake resort offers tons of outdoor activities that I cannot wait for. And we're literally five minutes from a state park that has amazingly beautifully hiking trails. The boyfriend wants to go biking, which to him means intense, manly mountain biking. And to me it means this-

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 Classic bicycles. They may not offer much in the way of exercise, but they're so darling! I would definitely ride around on one of these for a few hours.

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Love, love, love the yellow color and the basket.

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I would upgrade to a basket for sure. My mom had one- they're perfect for holding water bottles, snacks, flowers, treasures you find along the way, and puppies.

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Happy Monday.

PS- sorry for the complete lack of posts lack week. Blame my lack of inspiration. Don't worry, though. I've been re-inspired! :)