Bedtime

I feel like I've gotten away from the interior design aspect of this blog. And with all this free time, I've been able to peruse through even more inspirations for our home. My latest focus has been the bedroom. As most of the downstairs is done (or as done as it's gonna get), I'm moving my attention to the upstairs. I often find myself craving my new favorite part of the day- climbing into bed and pulling the covers up to my chin, letting a deep breath out, and finally feeling relaxed. Maybe this is why my body has been deciding lately to get tired two hours earlier than my normal bedtime. Especially with this chillier weather, I just love getting into a nice, warm bed at the end of the day. The boyfriend, his dad and brother are planning to build closets this winter which means I can finally get some paint on the walls and some furniture up there. So excited! Here are some of my recent inspirations.

via

I'm really into canopy beds, but with sheers like this. Still provides a retreat like feel, without breaking up the room too much.

via

Love the crispness of the simple white. And the his and hers robes.

via

This is from an IKEA catalog. 'Nuff said.

via

Again, I'm finding myself drawn the white bedding. I like the sconces above the bed as opposed to bedside tables with lamps.

via

I like the luxury and glamor of this space. It looks small, but the lighting and colors make it seem much larger, while still keeping it inviting.

via

White down comforter and earthy reading chair. Aaaand fireplace. And! A balcony. And vaulted ceiling. This room has it all.

via

In the spirit of Christmas, here's a much cozier room, complete with a live tree and puppy.

:)

More than Enough

Today, we are supposed to take a step back (from the mounds of food) and look at everything in our lives and what we are grateful for. Even though my attitude is less than desirable most days, I truly do have a lot to be thankful for.
 
My Family. Without whom I would not be where I am today, or anywhere close. I don't even like to think about where I would be. They are my ever constant support system and I cannot imagine my life without them in it. I am so lucky to have such a close-knit family that I can talk to anytime of day, everyday. (Can't wait to see them tomorrow- so glad I moved up here!)

 

My friends. Most have come and gone. And even though the best are thousands of miles away, I love them even more than when we were minutes from each other. Danielle has been and will be my best friend, forever. She is family (my parents favorite daughter) and I am ever thankful for our ridiculously committed, silly and beautiful friendship.

My boyfriend. Another part of my support system and someone who changed my life forever. I can't imagine my life without him, and also don't like to think about where I may have ended up had he not saved me. I truly don't know how he puts up with me on a daily basis and has intentions of doing so for a while. Like for the rest of our lives. I love everything about him and cannot wait to spend my forever, and ever with him.

My boyfriends family. It may have taken a while, but I love them too. They are one of kind but good people. I am ever grateful for what they have done for the boyfriend and I and love that we can spend so much time with them. Like the majority of the time, we had a blast with them today.

My job. Going on my fourth year at the resort at the lake, I have gone from an intern without a clue to a supervisor. While some days are better (waaaay better) than others, I am incredibly thankful for what they have done for me. I have grown and matured as well as found a career with this organization and look forward to the seasons to come.
PS- my job (and parents) allowed me buy my first car this week. Which I am also really, really grateful for and excited about. And the boyfriend is too. ;)

So, really, when I look at it, I've got it pretty good. Instead of only looking at things in this light one day a year, we should make an effort to see things this way everyday. Then we will be happier, healthier, and see that we truly have more than enough.

{All images via Pinterest}

Healthy

I've created a new board on my Pinterest in the spirit of "dressing the part". I'm also (still finally) attempting to lose some of the 30+ pounds I gained last summer after my unexpected surgery left my tummy scarred and sore... and a bit pudgy. Yesterday, upon getting in the Jeep, my jeans gave up on my thunder thighs and ripped. A lot. In several places. If that's not a wake-up call to get in shape, I don't (wanna) know what is.
However, I do not plan to just lose the weight. I want to be healthy. I'm sick of being sick and tired, with daily headaches, back aches, muscles cramps and crabby moods. It's exhausting. And not a walk in the park for my ever-patient boyfriend, friends and family.
While I am aware that I'll probably never look the way I did in high school ever again, I'd like to get rid of the not-so-cute muffin top and previously mentioned thunder thighs. I don't think losing 30 or more pounds would help my "healthy" cause. So I'm not going to go by the numbers. I'm going by how I feel. When I feel more energized, lighter, happier, and proud, I'll know I'm on the right track.
So wish me luck! I'm sure you'll hear about how it's going (or not going- great week to start this, with TWO Thanksgiving dinners in the next 6 days).
Here are some of my inspirations/guidance to get started.

via

via

Not only do I get SELF magazine, but I signed up for their weekly emails with new workout and advice for a healthier, fitter lifestyle. Their fitness section is my new favorite.

Log cabin

I wouldn't mind taking a drive to wherever this is, and spending about a ...forever there. Or a couple nights.

via

NEW obsession

Through my obsession with Pinterest, I stumbled upon another, possibly stronger one (at least when I'm in a shopping mood, which is a LOT lately). Her name is Sydney and she is just darling. Her blog is called The Daybook and her posts are always so uplifting, and silly. And boy, does she know how to dress. She has become my wardrobe overhaul inspiration. I can't seem to get enough ideas from her. She also makes me want to have my boyfriend constantly photograph me (and us, but mostly me) in adorable outfits, daily. I have to muster up a bit of self-discipline to move. away. from. the laptop. But I managed to let myself gather these photos to illustrate why I adore her so very much.

{All images are via}

Shabby Chic

So my mom reminded me of my love for Rachel Ashwell and her amazing brand, Shabby Chic today. I purchased a few of her books at our one-of-kind bookstore in New Mexico, but sadly, had to leave them behind when I moved to PA. But I can still indulge! Not only can we purchase her products to bring her simply unique style into your home, but she now has a blog, chalk full of inspirations that can help you discover your inner shabby chic. These are a few of my favorite of her inspirations (truly, I could spend hours looking at her work).

via

via

via

via

She is a darling woman and such a design inspiration.

Love her!

Season of relaxation

I love fall. And this is the first fall in a looooong time that hasn't been ruined by having to go back to school. Not that those days weren't a blast. But I'm loving having this time to spend with the boyfriend, our families, and our friends. And I can't even tell you how much progress we've made on the house. (Well, I could, I will; I actually have taken a few pictures to share with y'all soon.)
Our days have been spent getting up, well-rested, around 8am (which was a struggle when I had to get up for work), making chocolate chip waffles, toast with Nutella (thanks parents!), etc. Then we watch the news, drink our coffee and decide what to do that day.

via

via

Today, our day consisted of sleeping in, then helping his aunt move into her new house. I wasn't much help as most of the furniture was way too heavy, but it was nice to see his family; they're always a good time. I also noticed a picture of the boyfriend and I taken at his brothers football game hanging on the wall of family photos in his grandparents house. Such a simple thing. But it made me feel so...welcome, and accepted. I'm very aware of how I am perceived by his family. And even though it's been over a year now, I'm finally feeling comfortable and like I belong. It's a good feeling.
Anyways, I'm getting off track. When we were driving back today, after watching the end of the Steelers game at his parents house (ps- most of his family lives in the same town, within roads of each other, making all of these visits very easy), we drove home. Usually, I'm in such a hurry to get home or on to the next thing. But nowadays, I'm so relaxed. It was beyond nice to not have to hurry off anywhere and spend money or clean or paint or move something. All we had to do was come home, and eat at some point. We ordered out tonight but lately, we've been making dinners together. I even made a coca-cola cake from scratch the other night!

Recipe here

So needless to say, I love the fall season. It's become my season of relaxation.

via

Enjoy it! 

(And those crunchy leaves, before the snow comes!)

Grownup Treehouse

So my mom sent me a link to this amazing article and slideshow about an aspiring interior designer. Like many recent graduates, she was having a hard time finding a job. Instead of letting all that creative energy and talent go to waste, she decided to make her own job, to the tune of a darling tree house in her own Brooklyn backyard. With a budget of only $400 (!) she was able to make a grown-up tree house, that she's currently insulating in order to be able to use it year round. Such an inspiration.

(And thanks, mom, for sending me stuff inspiration like this. <3)

Choose to be...

So the other morning, I woke up in one of those moods; when you're grumpy about anything and everything and have no idea why (or you have a good idea why, but don't know how to fix it, or you can't, you just have to wait it out). Then I checked my phone and had a message from my best friend asking for some ideas to brighten her days before she makes the move to Chicago. (It's weird how we have the same problems/moods/feelings around the same time. Or maybe it's not so weird.)
I suggested focusing on the small things that we are able to have in our lives on a daily basis. Like the people we love, the animals, the music, the food, etc.We have a choice- we can choose to be happy and thankful, or we can choose to stay in a grumpy mood and take everything for granted.

via

Decide to be happy! No matter what is going on around you, choose to let yourself be happy and enjoy the moment(s). Don't wait for the bigger and better to come along- enjoy the now and be thankful for the bigger and better you have to look forward to. And if you need a little push, the best friend sent this to me to help me in my search for things that make me happy too.

Sixteen Ways to Treat Yourself

Happy Weekend!

Aaaand- Happy 20th Birthday to my brother!

via

via

via

 Love you!

Faith

I am not a patient person. I'm aware of this- it's nothing new. But I'm currently waiting to hear about an opportunity and it. is. slowly. killing. me. Over the years, I've gotten much better at not sweating the small stuff, going with the flow and not worrying so much about anything and everything. But I haven't slept well, had several, almost daily border-line migraines, nausea and now, a weird rash on my tummy. This is a big deal; a potentially life changing decision that someone else is making for me. I've done all I can, now all I can do is sit back... and wait... It doesn't help that my season at the resort already ended but the boyfriend's hasn't. So instead of going to work together, or spending our days off together, I'm home alone, without a vehicle to get out and go anywhere. Instead, I slept in, ate like a hog, got sick, and a splitting, tear-jerking headache, and didn't get anything accomplished.

At the end of the day, I spoke to my parents (like I do every day) and my mom could tell that I was feeling it. She whipped it into mom-mode and gave me instructions to just calm down. Sweats (which I was already in), a cool washcloth on the forehead, mindless football and laying on the couch was prescribed. My dad recommended downing a fifth of scotch as well. (Love that guy.) But they both said that I had already done all that I could and whatever was supposed to happen would. Now it was time to let it go, hand it over to God and let Him handle it, like He always does.

 And that's what I did. And minutes after I did, my mom sent me a few precious and hilarious videos to cheer me up (which made me cry because I just love my parents so dang much) and my boyfriend, who took care of and put up with me all evening opened my eyes to the many directions that our life can go. It was like God sent these people to show me the way and remind me that everything is going to be fine.

While I'll still be checking my phone every hour (okay, half hour) today, I'll be doing it in between catching up on things I want to get done. I won't let it hold me back anymore. God has a plan for all of us, and I'm going to sit back now, and get excited about where it will take me next.

{All images via Pinterest}