New Bag!

I've never been one of those girls with a million shoes or purses or jewelery. I don't know what it is lately, but I'm becoming one! Not to a disgusting extent, but I'm really getting into shoes, purses and a few necklaces and bracelets. Maybe I'm discovering my style, or figuring out ways to dress up my work outfits, but I'm really enjoying it. I would looooove it with a bigger budget but I'll take what I can get.
Nowadays, I'm in the market for a new bag. Several seasons- okay years- have gone by since I've had my bag. I've used it for school, traveling and as a purse. Well, now that I'm graduated and really don't have a need for such a huge bag, I think it's time for a new one. Here are some looks I've been collecting and am looking for when I get to go shopping (soon, hopefully).

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 This is by far my favorite. I'd prefer a leather bag, as opposed to the fabric bags I've had in the past. Sort of more sophisticated, and grown-up.

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 Now this is something to get for the summer! So cute to take out on the boat.

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 Is it terrible that this outfit makes me want to be a realtor? Ha, at any rate, I love the style of the bag- I'm pretty much done with over-the-shoulder bags.

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 Love this whole outfit!

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 I actually have a pink and white polka dot bag from J.Crew. But it was more for trips and school. Still love it.

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How cute is this for winter?!

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Love the scarf accent! I have a darling gray one just begging for something new to be tied to.

 

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 Now where was this darling little thing during my college years?! Would make a great laptop bag these days!

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 Love these bags for summer. The wicker is so classic.

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My plan is to establish a classic, and timeless foundation with at least two or three bags to switch out throughout the year, and changing with the seasons. I think it's time to add that element to my wardrobe!

Creative Boost = New and Improved everything.

So even though earlier Monday morning after being bombarded with phone calls I felt my body giving in to the head cold/sinus problems that's going around, I managed to muster up the strength to creep on admire and browse several blogs and pictures. And suddenly, I felt my blog needed a(nother) facelift. And feeling very black and white with an accent of yellow, here it is. My new and improved blog! And you might notice the new links at the top- took me about an hour to figure out how in the world to add those nifty little guys. But I did it! More to come, when I have more going on.

My "creative boost" included the following revalations:

1. I want to take more pictures. Like a lot. Of me (zip it, dad), of the boyfriend, of Duke, our house, outside, inside, etc. My birthday's coming up (which I keep forgetting, cause let's be honest, who the heck cares how old you are after 21 and until the big 3-0?) and I might use it to score a new camera. A legit one. We'll see.

2. Along with these new pictures of me and my silly little life, I want to take this blog in a new direction. A more personal one. I have absolutely no pictures of myself, and hardly any of my family, friends, etc. on this thing. Why is that? It's my blog, and my family and friends are truly the only people who read it anyways (don't worry, I don't kid myself). So that's gonna change. Plan to see more pictures of dumb, everday stuff that I love.

3. I want to have a routine; something to look forward to as well as do on a regular basis. Hence the newfound dedication to this blog/ photography.

4. I also realized upon making the links that I wish I had something sell or offer other than my Pinterest, which has a ton of other peoples stuff. I want to have/make stuff of my own and quit copycating and just dreaming. (This goes for pics too- I love sharing other peoples pictures, but I'd rather take and share my own now.)

5. I want to start going to church. I know- waaaay out of left field, but I was inspired but this devout girl and her hubby, and I really want to. Whether it's here or in the next place we end up, we're gonna start going. I feel like we need to.

6. Like I mentioned yesterday, I want to start going places. Don't get me wrong, we get out. Just not as often as we'd like and I rarely document anything. I want to take neat pictures that will help me remember and appreciate the good times and places while we were here.

7. Food! Ima foodie and a pretty dang good cook. This needs to be shown (and proven?) a bit more. Including pics (yes, more pictures-see? I really need that camera...) and recipes.

Hopefully, all of these things take off and I don't forget about this boost later today when I get in my jammies and all I want to do is watch mindless tv, cuddle with my boys and fall asleep.

I'm sure it won't! I want to do this stuff. I think it will help me keep my mind off of trivial crap that doesn't really matter. I've been looking for something to occupy my creative energy and time. I think this photography thing oughtta do it.

I'm pretty pleased, and excited. :)

While waiting and pursuing...

My parents came over this weekend for a long overdue visit. We had a blast and although it was way too short for our liking, we had a few wonderful discussions about all of our future plans.
Now, while talking about and planning for the future and things we want to do and see and have, it's important to not forget about what we have now. I know I've talked about this before but I almost always find myself missing a certain aspect of a place or thing I've left behind. I realize that I didn't take complete advantage of things while I was there. I can't tell you how much a miss certain restaurants in NM that I didn't get enough of. Or state parks in Indiana that we didn't go running at enough times. I told the boyfriend the other day that we need to get out more, see more places around here before we leave, because we are leaving someday. But until then, we need to love what we have, where we are and what we do. Or least try a little harder to do so.

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 And remember to be patient while working towards these things.

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So this week, even though it's being cut a bit short by having to work a couple of extra days (which is fine-just means more mula), we're going to try to take advantage of what this area has to offer, as well as this unseasonably warm weatehr. We're planning picnics and walks (and maybe some running) at the state parks and a trip to the darling Walmart in a neighboring town I've mentioned before and spending as much time together as we can with baby Duke before the summer season picks up and we have to refrain from murderous meltdowns. :) Wish us luck!

And Happy Monday!

Cake Plate!

Since baking so much lately, I've found a need for a cake plate. Preferably one with a lid, but just something nicer than a dinner plate to set our delicious treats on. I'm on a mission to find or make a super cute one! And soon!

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 Painted cake plate- with safe and super dry paint, the possibilities are endless!

 

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 Rustic/country cake plates for cornbread and biscuits! haha

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 These openwork ribbon cake stands are probably my favorite. Imagine changing out the ribbons to match the icing on cakes, cupcakes, etc?! Love, love, love.

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 Love the girly ruffles. And the simple white.

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Love the milk glass look, with a touch of pink. So darling.

Looking forward to a busy weekend with the family!

Happy weekend to you!

Lake House Decor

Living so close to a lake (one of the largest on the east coast) we have learned to love nautical themed things, not only in our clothes and accessories (uh, hey boat shoes and navy blue stripes) but in our home decor as well. I've collected some inspirations over time, being that this is not a new love. Living in Florida, even at a young age, I very quickly adapted to the area and learned to love anything that had to do with the water, accompanied by sandy beaches or not.
Now that we've finished painting upstairs and it's time to decorate, we've decided to do more of a lake/nautical/water theme in the loft/middle room. It already has cute pictures advising people to not miss out on the fun and get in the water and an antique oar the boyfriend had laying around the farm. It's coming together, slowly but surely and I have plenty of ideas to lead the way.

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 Love sail boats. We had a larger one in Florida in the house- gorgeous and always a reminder of the water.

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 How cute is this boat shelf?!

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 I know this wouldn't go in the middle room, but I couldn't resist.

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 Love the use of rope, for big or small things around the house.

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 These can be made with rope, glue and balloons!

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  Rope lights are amazingly beautiful, functional and can be not only a lighting source, but a statement piece in just about any room.

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I would love to make this into a framed picture.

Sassy Pants

So I've really been getting into this new style of pants- I'm not even sure what they're called (as you can see, I've dubbed them "sassy pants", which they are) but they're sort of skinny and only come to right above or right to the ankle. Super cute, right? They're slimming, and really accent a taller gals legs, such as myself; and you don't have to worry about them being long enough- they're supposed to be short!
Maybe not so great for winter (unless you tucked em into cute boots, which would be super easy), but for the rest of the seasons, I'd love to get some of these. Especially for work, as an alternative to basic (and sometimes boring) khaki pants.

 So cute with heels!

Could be worn with wedges too, or even flats!

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 Can be causal, or dressy for so many occasions.

 And they come in so many colors!

How freaking cute are these yellow pants?!

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Beams

One of my (many) requirements for our next house, or at least one of our houses in the future (because I can't see us staying in one place for too long) is to have exposed beams on the ceiling. These pictures easily explain why.

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Did you gasp a little when you saw these? I did. Ugh. To find a barn with bones like this and renovate = dream project.

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 Classy and glamorous beams, with equally dramatic windows. Amazing.

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 The beams don't have to be everywhere, but are a must-have in at least one room. The bedroom would be a great place, as seen here.

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 When I say "beams", I prefer existing, and ancient ones. But newly built like these aren't too shabby either.

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 I came across this picture during my "country" phase (which is still going strong, by the way). That wood with that stone fireplace- heaven!

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 Again with a fireplace in the bedroom- sheesh! Now I want it all!

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 Such a statement in a dining room!

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Love them paired with a wall of windows, and simple wood finishes and white fabrics. So clean, yet cozy and inviting.

Something to think about while searching for the next place, whenever and wherever that may be!