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Tags: how to live a happy life, illustration, inspiration, inspirational quotes, life, life advice, life motto, positive thoughts, psychology, quotes, quotes about life, random thoughts, think positive, thursday thoughts
Archive | August, 2012
3 fabulous bar carts + last minute entertaining essentials (that won’t break the bank!)
29 AugI cannot believe that this weekend is already Labor Day! Where has the time went?? Many peeps (including myself) will be having people over to celebrate the end of the summer. And of course with company comes lots of food and drink. And with that comes all the prep and presentation. What’s a girl to do?
One item that is great for entertaining is a bar cart. These 3 are good-looking AND functional.
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Libations Bar Cart, Crate & Barrel, $ 599
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Raskog Kitchen Cart, IKEA, $49.99
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Beckett Bar Cart, Williams-Sonoma, $999
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Also, if you’re anything like me, you probably realize the day of the event there’s something you wish you would have thought of ahead of time. It never fails: there’s always something you need at the last sec, whether it’s a new oven mitt or a serving platter. Here are some items that are pretty to look at and helpful for serving guests. And best of all – they are budget friendly!
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1) Carved Wood Serving Platter, Target, $19.99
2) Home Angled Beverage Tub, Target, $18.71 (sale price)
3) Square Lacquer Trays, West Elm, $24.00 final sale
4) Fiammetta Pot Holder & Oven Mitt, Anthropologie, $14.00 each
5) Slate Coaster Set, West Elm, $16.00 for 4
6) Rippled Dream Bowl in Turquoise, Anthropologie, $14.00
7) Red Salt & Pepper Shakers, Target, $10.49
8) Polycarbonate Beverage Dispenser, Target, $29.99
thursday thoughts: the gift of life
23 AugLast Friday, I received the heart-breaking news that my cousin Ana and her boyfriend died in a car accident. She was only 24. Please keep her and her family in your prayers as this is a very hard time for them. Ana will always be remembered as one of the most caring, happy, free-spirited people to all the lives she touched.
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hot off the mill: new, eye-catching fabrics
15 AugI love getting mail. At home. At work. Wherever. I think I just like having something to open! Well, the other day we got in some new Duralee fabric books in, so of course it was like Christmas morning for me at the design studio. Here’s a few new fabrics I’ve been drooling over.
From the Gatwick collection, I can visualize these lovelies together.
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I love the colors in these! (Can you tell how much I enjoy blue!?)
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But, just so you know, I can’t talk about Duralee and new fabrics without bringing up the John Robshaw Collection!! Globally chic. Classically contemporary. These gems are also relatively new (they came out back in the Spring).
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Here’s some of my faves.
(Duralee fabrics are available to the trade only, contact me for more information.)
Texas bunkhouse
10 AugAs featured in Dwell Magazine, this 1400 square foot Bastrop bunkhouse is used as a recreation home for a film writer and director. Built into the natural environment, the house expands vertically to give the illusion of more space.
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The home was designed by Austin architect Henry Panton.
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Cedar and steel make up most of the structure of the home.
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Love this door design!
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Outdoor shower. *sigh*
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The director wanted his home to be a place to entertain family and friends, so as you can see it sleeps about a dozen people! The best part is that the bunks are on casters and can be wheeled out through the french doors onto the porch so guests can sleep out there if they prefer!
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This 90ft foot bridge leads to an outdoor bathhouse and swimming pool.
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All photos courtesy of Dwell Magazine. You can see the article and all the photos here.
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Happy Friday!
thursday thoughts: hope
9 AugEver feel like you are about 3 steps behind in life? That you rush around and still can’t get caught up with everything there is to do? Well that is my life in a nutshell right about now.
Since returning home from the trip, it’s been hard to find the motivation to tackle my never ending to-do list. Literally getting out of bed takes 2-3 tries (damn you snooze button!). And Olympics, you have not been helping either. This girl has been molded to the sofa every night.
I can look at all the things I haven’t done lately (running, studying for NCIDQ, cleaning, – okay I’ll stop now). OR I can be hopeful.
I think you know which one I will choose.
Hope is a funny thing. It’s all or nothing. You either have it or you don’t. So when I read Sarah’s blog this morning, I realized that my inner drive was just what I’ve been missing. She posted about a blog relay called Hope 2012, where she tagged all of her readers to share what they are hopeful for. Thanks Sarah for helping me find the inspiration that has been missing from daily life! Here’s my list…. what are you hopeful for? (Tag your it – it’s your turn!)
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Image via Pinterest
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I’m hopeful…:
-that life will fall into place.
-I will start posting more blog entries
-I will pass the first 1/2 of the NCIDQ test next month!
-to have a freakin blast this weekend in Dallas 
-that many people around the world are making a difference each day, and that I can be one of them.
Chicago
4 AugWe had the pleasure of going to one of my favorite places last week, and although we were only there for about 24 hours it was a total blast!
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Such a beautiful city! Love the architecture
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Buckingham Fountain.
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Brotherly love.
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First time to Wicker Park. Loved it.
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<3
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Pure Michigan
2 AugI’m backkkkkkk! We returned from our trip to Michigan on Sunday and have been trying to play catch up ever since! As you probably know, Nate & I are from neighboring small towns in southern Michigan. It was nice to go to the place that we’ll always call home. I know a lot of people that have never been to Michigan assume that it sucks, but I’m determined to change your mind. Summer in Michigan is absolutely gorgeous, and there is a lot of great things to see. Our vaycay went by fast, and we didn’t get to experience all that our hearts’ coveted, but here’s some of my favorite pictures from the trip:
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Our 1st stop: East Lansing!
There’s me in front of my old dorm at Michigan State.
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Oh Sparty, I’ve missed you more than you know.
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Congrats to Colleen & Jesse – there’s me with the beautiful bride!
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Stop #2: Detroit
We don’t take no bull! (Kel & I in Wyandotte)
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Take me out to the ballpark! A summer trip home is not complete until we go to a Tiger’s game.
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Now you know where I get my eyes from! (Aunt Ann & I)
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Stop #3: Kalamazoo
Maci Muggles enjoying life
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Uncle Warren & Aunt Janet!
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Stop #4: Grand Haven
Reunited! Finally!!
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Love me some Lake Michigan
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Nate & Biff
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Stop #5: Irish Hills/Brooklyn/Napoleon
St. Joseph’s Shrine in Irish Hills. Such a special place - not only because we got married at the Shrine 2 years ago, but also because my family’s history is rooted so deeply here. My grandparents and other relatives are buried here too.
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Check back tomorrow because I’ll be putting up the pictures from Chicago!
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Until then…. xoxo!
