Shopping: Pretty things

Ahh! [Hi everyone] My mind is going crazzzzy over here. I have so much to do and not enough time to get it done. You know that treasure trove of junk I bought in Mt. Dora? Well I haven't been able to hardly TOUCH it, let alone take pictures of it since I got home. And to make matters worse, I have to go back to Orlando for one last (2 week) visit before the Summer is over. I can't wait to get back here and be here for GOOD! Anywho, I've been racking my brains all morning trying to figure out what in the heck to post about. I'm still working on that mood board I was talking about in the last post, but I don't see it being done until either tomorrow or Friday. So I decided I'd show you guys all the pretty things that have been catching my eye lately. I've been doing a lot of research (read: online window-shopping) for the RV Project, and I've seen soooo many pretty things I love but just plain don't need, but hey, maybe you do! So come along for a little shopping trip with me :) Enjoy and have a great day!!

1. Teal Rug 2. Whale Chalkboard 3. Trash Pail 4. Floral Sugar Bowl 5. Book/Magazine Holder 6. Floral Datebook 7. Birdie Picture Frame 8. Doily Coaster 9. Dish Rack 10. Pink Cakestand 11. Floral Dress 12. Lace Catchall 13. Cuckoo Clock 14. Drawer Liner 15. Bamboo Clock 16. Tea Towel 

Inspiring makeovers

Hello everyone!!! I have missed you all :) Sorry for last week's absence. I quickly realized I wouldn't be getting anything done with and adorable set of kids running around - and I really didn't want to lose any time with them either. But I'm back now! And...now I must let you in on the surprise project :) My dad bought an RV and it's as old as me (20). Soooo, I convinced him (yes, convinced!) that he should let me take care of the decorating and the more cosmetic DIY projects. I'm so darn excited! It's like being able to decorate a whole house by myself. So, for today's inspiration - and yes, I know, not all of you have caravans or RV's or campers - let's take some cues from a handful of beautiful mobile spaces that show that it's not the size that matters, but the style!

annnnnd some more....

1. My Vintage Party 2. Happy Loves Rosie 3. FINN Travel 4. Rose Vine Cottage Two 5. Bodrifty

In my research, I found that it's common for people to buy old trailers and basically refurbish them into sheds, backyard hangouts and creative work areas. Cool huh? What do you think of these spaces? Do you have a favorite? 

Anyway, I've been working on a moodboard for our camper (side-story: it's been dubbed the "bucko van" because my dad always called my nephew bucko, and he therefore became papa bucko, and thus the van, according to a two year old, is called the bucko van haha) and I want your help! I will post it sometime this week and I hope to get lots of input and maybe some cool ideas. Get your brains working on organization and storage ideas too! Oh and one last thing: 

happy 2nd birthday to my beautiful little girl cheyenne!!! the [little] love of my life :)

A passion for packaging

Hello everyone :) Hope you all had a good weekend. I'm sort of at a loss for words today - I have so much I'd like to talk about but have not been able to fully devote time to one topic or another - which is a bummer because I have lots of cool stuff to talk about! Right now I'm back home from Orlando and my sister-in-law and nephew are here so I've been a little preoccupied with that. Butttt, I will tell you that I have a new project! And hopefully you all will get to enjoy the transformation with me :D More about that coming soon (I know, I know, I always leave you hanging :P)..Anyway, onto today's inspiration. I've been on a little graphic design kick (but can you blame me?? it's kind of in my blood :P) Enjoy!

1. Cath Kidston 2. Mor Cosmetics 3. Victoria's Secret 4. Beekman 1802 5. Urban Rituelle 6. J.R. Watkins  7. Lollia 8. The Art of Shaving 9. Nostalgia Organics 10. Laduree 11. All the Better to Kiss You With 12. Prada

Inspiration: Feminine & French

I know it sounds so cliche, but I really do want to go to Paris. The only thing I think I'm afraid of is that if I go, it might not live up to my expectations. To me, Paris is like this dreamy, magical place where every woman feels like a little girl again - yet a sophisticated woman at the same time. It's like....do you remember when you were little? And you wanted so much to be like women in the movies or the magazines? You played dress-up and had tea parties and even if you weren't always graceful and sophisticated, if you believed you were, you really were. I guess that's how I think of Paris. A place of fanciful dreams, where a woman can be both sensual and yet maintain a sense of youth and innocence at the same time. But you wanna know what I think is the most beautiful thing about French women? Their confidence.

I think that is something we could all use. I know lately I've been poking and prodding at myself, but as I observed a young woman today (who was a little more than curvy) I thought, "She's prettier than me." Number one: I shouldn't be comparing myself to others - why do I need to do that? And number two: I realized why I thought she was pretty - because I could tell she thought she was pretty. Lesson of the day: embrace yourself for who you are - yes, "imperfections" and all - because when you do, you will glow - I promise you. So ladies, take a look at yourself in the mirror today, and tell yourself, "I am beautiful!" Heck, write it ON your mirror - I did ^_^

via .neha.

via gabriela rousseau

via flowerfawn

via Inspire Once More

via MaD Gi®L•™

via andrea singerella

via knight cat

via caesar sebastian

via nikole herriott

via jasminee

via La Vie en Rose

By the way, I apologize for the late post! Crazy weather today and the internet here sucks! But I hope you enjoyed those photos :) Have a pleasant evening!

PS: Have to claim my blog via bloglovin' >>> Follow my blog with bloglovin

For the love of print!

So on my quest for gorgeous stationery and paper goods for the last post, I came across many a lovely poster & print. Inside I was like, "Arrgh, typography? Posters? Stationery? PICK ONE!" So, to make everybody happy (okay okay, mostly myself - but you'll be happy too I think) I bookmarked all my favorite posters and prints I came across and decided to share their deliciousness with you - and yes, I do believe a poster can be delicious ^_^ So on that note, bon appetit! 

Sources:

1. Fancy a cup of tea? 2. Tasty Pig 3. Sip of Creativitea 4. Please and Thank You 5. Pink Ice Cream 6. Make Do & Mend 7. Handmade Happiness 8. Bedtime Busroll 9. happy happy 10. Thrifting 11. Slice of Pie 12. Go with the Flow 13. Goodnight John Boy 14. Not all who wander... 15. GIVE 16. Cozy Love 17. So very happy

In other news...what an amaaaazing day I had yesterday. Andy, Cheyenne and I went downtown to the historical district for some antique shopping and boy oh boy did we hit the jackpot! We were driving down one of those parallel parking only type streets trying to find a good place to park next to a good store - anything we could find - when I saw two of my favorite words: CLOSING SALE, to which my immediate reaction was "Oh! Oh! Let's go there! Over there!" So two u-turns and one whoops-we-made-a-wrong-turn detour later, we were inside the shop asking prices and piling stuff in a box. I spent 40 dollars and got a TON of treasures. I got a whole set of beautiful vintage dishes for three bucks. Let me say that again, THREE BUCKS! A lot of things were 5 and under and I think the most expensive thing I bought was a really pretty and interesting yellow floral bread box for $15. It was like Christmas (almost in July) :) 

What about you? Do you have a favorite find that you got for a steal of a deal? If so, tell me about it! There's something that feels so great about sharing the thrill of your bargain treasure, isn't there? Anyway, I hope you all are having a fantastic day :) And thank you for all the love you have been sending! It's really great to get some positive reenforcement :D 

Oh Happy Day :) and some Pretty Paper Good[ie]s

Ok, so first things first, gotta give a humongous THANK YOU to Heather of Gathering Spriggs. She featured my blog here along with a beautiful, completely flattering and sweet little post. I'm just as happy as a clam :) Heather has a lovely blog herself, full of gorgeousness and if you haven't checked it out yet (what are you waiting for?!) then now is as perfect a time as ever :)

Now about my weekend. I went to Renninger's antique flea market in Mount Dora, FL - my first legit flea market (sorry I don't count dollar store items as a flea market - for real, when did that happen??) - and I found a lot of cool stuff :D I talked to a lot of really nice people (and some a little bit crazy [read: drunk] haha!) and spread some Etsy love while I was at it. I was especially touched by one vendor's generosity. When I told her I just started selling things on Etsy, she started just giving me little odds and ends, telling me they were gifts from her to me - so sweet :) I told her I would come back and visit becaaaausssee (and here's the exciting part!) when I come back to Orlando in a week and a half, Renninger's is having their big monthly flea market fair. YAY! Maybe I'll remember to bring along my camera this time and take some pictures of the fabulous junk (anyone else reading this go nuts over rows and rows of junk treasure??) And for those of you wondering what I bought...I'm gonna hafta go ahead and pull a Ryan Seacrest on you - you're gonna hafta wait 'til I get back home down South and can take some pretty pictures in my "studio" err, room :)

Now for today's delicious eye candy (yummy!). For no real particular reason, except my love of typography and hand-drawn illustration, I decided today would be about some pretty paper goods.

Sources:
1. Eiffel Tower 2. Anniversary Birdies 3. Birthday Skywriting Card 4. Happy Bee-day 5. Tree with Deer and Birds 
6. Beauty Rush 7. Happy Birday 8. Mason Jar of Flowers Thank You Notecard 
9. Illustrated Birthday Cards 10. Blue and Grey Congratulations Card 11. Happy Birthday Owl 
12. Green Vine Birthday Card 13. G'day Mate 14. Cake Congratulations Card 15. Blackbird Card Set 16. Superior Mom Card 17. Airplane - Change of Address

Ok, so I'm bragging...

Hi there! I know I said I was off 'til Monday, but as I was taking my leisurely "stroll" through all my favorite blogs, I suddenly remembered - I have pictures from Cheyenne's Birthday party from last year! Yes, almost a year later (her birthday is July 12th) I am posting the pictures from her first birthday party (shame on me). So I just wanted to share them because I SLAVED over this party. Nothing went untouched. I was very meticulous about every little detail. Seriously. I even made a 12 layer cake in honor of each month. And a ruffle cake....and some cupcakes. It was fun and I loved it! But this year...let's just say we're going to have a nice, quiet, relaxing time with the family. Not 50 people! Here are the photos :) enjoy!

I know the picture quality isn't necessarily wonderful, but it is what it is :P I had a lot of fun doing it and (I won't say I "can't wait" because Lord knows I can :)) I look forward to throwing many more girly parties for her when she's older and hopefully can appreciate it more :) Oh, and if anyone is interested in the recipe for the twelve-layer cake, you can find it here :) HAPPY WEEKEND!