About Me

to market we go

A couple of weeks ago, we took a company trip up to Dallas for one of the best perks of being a designer: Market. Yes, I get paid to shop. But after conquering a 15 floor building and also a chunk of the Dallas Design District in 2 short days, it can get a just a little bit tiring and overwhelming. I’ve since recovered and am excited to share the experience with you. 🙂

My boss surprised us and upgraded our hotel reservations to none other than the hottest boutique hotel, Hotel ZaZa. Word is that Drake was staying there at the same time as us, and after some brief Instagram-stalking, we are 95% sure we saw his dad in the lobby. Dinner at Dragonfly was seriously one of the best meals of my life and it will definitely be on my hit list next time I’m in the D.

Here’s a few (blurry phone) pictures of some of the great things we saw in Dallas:

And of course, a summary of my fave items:

1. This new Currey & Co chandelier is sure to make as statement. Modern & classic at the same time.

2. Gorgeous black metal vases!

3. It’s all about the brass baby. How adorable are these tables?

4. Do a group of these wood deer heads on one accent wall for a fun effect.

5. Loving this awesome art line – lots of great prints to choose from!

6. Palecek’s new modern bar stool!

I’ve also pinned all these items to Pinterest – click here to follow along!

Ciao! xo

thursday thoughts: do what you can

Last night I had a meltdown. And then an epiphany when I saw this quote on Pinterest. Lately I’m feeling like there are not enough hours in the day, too many miles away from loved ones, and an overwhelming amount of to-dos and decisions that need to be made. Really, none of us can do it all. We can only do our best. And your best will always be enough. It has to be.

Always know that you are fabulous. xo

sweet summertime.

Hola!!

Random fact: This is actually the longest I’ve ever went without blogging since I started it back in October of 2011! I took off most of May and all of June, but the good news is that I’m backkkkk! I’ve realized my neglected blog needs some love too. 🙂

It seems entirely insane to me that already half the year is over. I need to continually remind myself to just take some deep breaths, look around, and take in my favorite time of the year. Temps in Texas have been a refreshing 95 degrees (ha!), but hey we’ll take anything under 100 this time of the year.

PS. There’s not too much news to report around here. We traveled back to the Mitten in June to celebrate 2 awesome weddings (my friend Kaytee and Nate’s brother Matt), and also have had some visitors in Texas recently, too. I haven’t taken many pics lately, but here are some from the trip to Michigan:

(Yes that is a Lite Brite, and yes I took at least 3 pictures of it during the night because I was so freakin excited.)

It seems like more and more lately, I’m reminded of how extremely lucky and blessed we are. We have a home with tons of potential, a loving pup, good jobs, and been on some great trips this year already. Reflecting on it all, life is good!

I’d like to thank the Academy…

I’ve won an award! No it’s not an Oscar, but it’s pretty cool. I’ve been awarded the Liebster Award by Jess @ Eclectic Medicine and Sara @ Sara Davies. In acceptance, I must answer a fun little 11 question survey and nominate 11 other up-and-coming blogs.

liebster-award

1> Who or what is your inspiration?

When it comes to design, I find inspiration in nature, art, and architecture, but others reading others stories of others good deeds and strength through hardship is what gets me motivated.

2> What is your absolute favorite movie and why?

Can’t pick just one! DodgeBall, Legally Blonde, or the Notebook

3> What book has changed the way you think?

I recently read Unlimited by Jillian Michaels. It was very uplifting, and helps you to work toward your goals!

4> What is the best advice you’ve received/found?

Always be yourself. Follow your heart. Don’t eat 3 hours before you go to bed. And don’t ever go to bed mad.

5> What are your main goals in life? For the Blog?

My main goal would be to live a life I’m proud of, and make a difference in others lives. We’re given one chance at life, and everyday is a new opportunity. I want to use interior design as a tool to make other people’s lives easier and more beautiful. For the blog, I would like to collaborate with others to make it more interactive. I would like it to become a place where people can share their ideas and opinions too.

6> If you could change one thing about the world today, what would it be?

Our reliance on technology. The key to life is balance. When we abuse technology, I feel it can create laziness and social isolation. Don’t get me wrong, technology is great. I mean I am typing this to you because of it, and there are many great relationships and ideas that blossom from it. We need to know when (and teach our kids when) to draw the line – to put down our phones and computers, go outside, engage in something that is physically or mentally active, and enjoy person to person contact.

7> Do you have any pets?

Yes. One pup. Her name is Maci Marie Muggles. She is a Blue Heeler mix and my bff.

8> Favorite cocktail recipe?

Probably either my go to Margarita recipe ,or my wedding cocktail: Strawberry Watermelon Mojito

9> What is the best and worst thing about being a blogger?

The best: meeting cool people, sharing ideas, gaining insight, being inspired

The worst: trying to find the time to post

10> If you could travel anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you go?

Europe (Italy, Greece, France, Turkey), Morocco, or the Maldives

11> What is your favorite season?

Summer! Hands down.

Check out some of my favorite blogs below that I’m nominating:

Tiffany Lane Handmade

Designed Equilibrium

If you’ve been nominated, answer the 11 questions below about yourself. Don’t forget to tag me in the post so I can read your answers :). Then nominate 11 of your favorite new/emerging blogs by leaving a comment on their blog, and come up with a set of questions for them to answer. (If you don’t want to nominate others, then at least do the survey and post it because I’m sure others think you are just as fabulous as I do and would love to see the answers 🙂 )

1> Why did you start blogging?

2> Name 3 words to describe you.

3> How do you keep your creativity alive?

4> Who is your favorite band/artist?

5> When did you realize what you wanted to do with your life? Is it still evolving?

6> Who is your hero?

7> Vanilla or Chocolate?

8> Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

9> If you could be anywhere right now, where would you be?

10> Ever met any celebrities? Who would you love to meet?

11> What is the best piece of advice you could give to someone who wants to follow in your career path?

Thanks again to Jess & Sara for reaching out to me and recognizing my blog!! xo. Happy Monday!!

lately.

Let me sum up life for you in the last few months in one simple word….. Work.

Lots of it. Yes there are other things I do from time to time. Like eating, sleeping, and keep up with the NCAA tournament (my bracket may be busted, but GO SPARTY!!!).

(credit: Michigan State Spartan’s Pinterest Page)

My new job is not so “new” anymore. I’ve been there almost 6 months already!! I can’t believe just how fast time goes by. And as I’ve gotten familiar with all of our active jobs, my involvement level has risen. We have so much going, we are extremely blessed. I wake up thinking about it at 6am, and before bed I’m typing up a quick to-do list in my phone of items I can’t forget to do in the morning. I’ve been dreaming about it too. Sounds scary? It is. It’s insanity, but a good insanity. The kind that challenges me, tests my patience, and pushes me out of my comfort zone. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. And I’m not dead yet.

We’ve got some cool projects in the works. And here’s a preview of a very modern one we are doing with Foursquare Builders:

(rendering is property of Foursquare Builders)

What else is new? Hmmm….. I got a new car – a little charcoal gray Ford Focus. This is pretty big news for me because I’ve never had a car payment. I’m kinda (extremely) cheap, so of course I got a good deal on it. (Having a dad in the car business is quite a nice perk I might add.) The only inconvenience was I had to go pick it up in St. Pete, Florida from my dad’s house. I KNOW, IT’S A ROUGH LIFE. So my friend Brooke came with for a long weekend and we turned it into a little trip. I got to see my Dad and the ocean, so I was a happy girl.

No visit to the Tampa area is complete without hitting up Busch Gardens. I love that place! It just makes me so happy and reminds me of my childhood spring break visits. We splurged and did the safari and got to feed the giraffes, which I totally recommend.

On the long drive back we stopped by my old home, Destin. It was my first time back since we moved to Texas almost 3 years ago. I felt so good to be back, even though it was just for one night. It’s just so beautiful and laid back. I will always have a special place in my heart for this area. And, like Michigan, it will always be my home away from home.

We definitely felt the effects of the polar vortex in Texas this winter. I even woke up to snow on the ground one morning. Actually it looked more like Dippin Dots ice cream, but whatever.

In the last few weeks Spring has sprung. The weather has been much warmer, so it’s time for me to come out of hibernation. We have a lot of home projects we want to accomplish before the summer heat strikes again. We’re running a 5k next weekend, and as you may remember, it is my first. And I’m totally not a runner, so this is a pretty big deal to me. I hope I can do the whole 3.1 miles without stopping – I’ve never been able to before!

Life is good.

Oh and Nate and Maci are both doing great!

(all images belong to me unless noted otherwise)

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this:

Share this: