Holiday Spirit

I'm so ready for the holidays.  Most people gripe that it's too early to be seeing holiday decor out in stores already, music tunes playing on the radio, and commercials full of jingle bells.  I can't get enough, I love it!  It doesn't stress me out, it actually brings on the complete opposite.  I get super stoked to unload the cozy decor, fill out the Christmas cards, and enjoy hot chocolate or chai.  December holds several celebrations, Christmas, Hubby D's birthday (which is on Christmas day) and our dating anniversary on the 23rd, which also happens to be our "engagement anniversary".  So much excitement.  November is really the kick off to it all- so why not spend 2 months enjoying the season?

Photo via Imali on Etsy

Photo via Set Design Thinking

Photo via Little Pumpkin Papers

Photo via Better Homes and Gardens

Photo via Pottery Barn

Munchkin Cuteness

Our nephews are the cutest.  I know everyone has this feeling toward their own family members, but really, we love our little nephews.  They both have so much personality and spunk- these boys are the best.  I love to tell my sister how darn cute they are- I mean really!!!  We miss them all terribly since they moved to Colorado for her husband's job relocation, although we just booked a holiday trip out to see them.  We are beyond thrilled to get to chase the boys around, tickle them, splash pirate ships in the bath and read them bedtime stories.  I used to wrap up Zach (our oldest nephew) in his blanket and sing him a little song about wrapping him up like a burrito- weird, I know, but he laughed every time.  I wonder if he's outgrown this now?  My sister called me the other day during work and left me a message about Zach telling her that I was chasing him around the house and he was hiding under the table while I was tickling him (a dream he had)- too cute.  It made me smile and happy to know we are still in his mind- a worry we had that they will forget us now that we don't live close by.  We enjoy doing ichat with them on the computer, just another way to keep in touch.

They just had their family photos taken for holiday cards, and I adore each and every one.  I'll have to check with my sister about posting one of her (by the way- she's a rad mama)- if she's cool with it, I'll add one later on!

All photos taken by JLM Creations

The High Road

Have you ever started out your day knowing it was going to be rough?  It's one of those for me.  Yapping neighbor's chihuahua dogs barking from 6:30 PM last night to 3:30 AM was brutal.  I don't know what else to do.  Called the sheriff at 1:30 AM and he said an officer was going to call my cell back to discuss "the issue"- never received a call. I've reported this issue in the past, to the sheriff, to the city, to animal control.  What other options do I have but to move?  I wish someone in law enforcement could take this matter seriously, because Hubs and I are losing some serious sleep.  The barkers were at it again by 5:00 AM and are still going at it as I type this.  LAME!!!  Anyone have some awesome advice?

p.s.- I love dogs, but am slowly resenting a certain breed.  Trying to take the high road, it's quite difficult.

Randomness IX

Photo via Olive Manna

1.  I cannot swallow pills with ease.  I'm lucky if I can get down a small aspirin without gagging.  I'd like to feel as if I'm improving, yet once I verbally expressed my confidence to Hubs that I feel like I'm getting better at it- gag again!

2.  Driving anywhere in CA is a daily struggle- sometimes I wonder if I should strap on a helmet and ugly jumpsuit.

3.  I can't wait to design our Christmas cards this year- we have a "theme" and I'm totally digging it!  I will blog them for sure!

4.  The weather forecast today is nearly 100 degrees, are we sure it's November?

5.  I'm so backed up with my hand-wash garments.  It's too embarrassing to announce how long they've been sitting in the wash tub waiting to be cleaned, I better get to it before D calls me out (which he may have already done a few times).

6.  Fave meal lately- oatmeal parfaits.  You can add some amazing things to oatmeal to turn it into a yum treat, but still feel like you're being healthy.  My fave- peanut butter chips, bananas, and caramel- don't tell me it's unhealthy because I'll keep convincing myself it is.

7.  Are we really into November?

8.  I'm super excited to share some amazing weddings I've made some decor for- super duper can't wait!

Awesome SGC Giveaway and Tuesday Tunes

Good evening lovely readers- a bit of a late post today, as a change in schedule today threw me for a loop.  However, I did stumble across an amazing blog with fabulous content and just happened to also notice a recent giveaway in the works.  Jo over at The Secret Garden has got an awesome little giveaway lined up and there's still time to enter- just head on over to her blog here and leave a comment to get yourself in the running.  I don't know about you, but I'm a sucker for lavender satchel bags and poppy seed soap- loving!!!

photo via SGC

Also, It's been a bit since we got in some Tuesday Tunes:

Taking Deep Breathes

Isn't this photo lovely?  I found it while browsing over at Out of the Notebook and I'm kind of in love with it.

It reminds me of taking some time out to de-stress, to relax, to take deep breathes.  I'm thinking that I'm in need of this- especially with the week I have ahead.

Thank you for the lovely comments all you special readers left for me last week!  How was your weekend? 

Feeling Honored- Style Me Pretty Shout Out!!!!

So I've been thinking about how to begin writing this post and the excitement I've been feeling just really can't be explained through words.  I feel so honored to have been included (in a small way), in yesterday's featured wedding on the one and only Ultimate Wedding Blog- Style Me Pretty!  Wow!  I'm floored.  SMP was such an inspiration blog that I referred to when planning in own wedding, and to see my very own company's name under the credits for this wedding, beyond amazing!

I was given the opportunity to design a "Love" banner for the very talented Amber of Sweet Life Designs.  This woman works magic, her talent exceeds most I've seen and the attention to detail in her planned events far surpasses many events I've seen published in the most credible of publications.  I was so excited to work on this particular banner because it involved custom work (my fave), of matching an exact font and color used throughout the wedding decor- so fun!  I loved this sweet banner so much, that it was given it's own name and title, appropriately named, Love Naturally No. 4, Southern Belle, and is available in the S&S shop here.

Please check out the featured wedding here if you have a few extra minutes to browse.  The photo of the sign is shown on the site if you click on "click here to see even more".  And if you feel like leaving a comment or throwing out props on SMP, I'll give you cyber hugs forever!

Here's a peak:

All photos via Style me Pretty via Sweet Life Designs

So when I told hubby D of the news, I threw my hands up in the air, he high-fived me and pretty much told me that I rock.   He may have also said that I was bad a$$.  Couldn't do a single thing without the support of this man.  xoxoxo

Have a fabulous Halloween weekend everyone!

Falling into the Season, Coastal Style

The holidays are always kickin off with festive decor in our home.  We enjoy surrounding ourselves with warm colors and cozy decor, while keeping our beach inspired look throughout the year.  Usually I leave out some shells (and rotate where they are placed), keep our picture frames out year-round and change out the matting colors, and work in the holiday accessories right along with them. 

Here are some photos (including some of our new pillows cover purchases)!  :

Our entry (darn sign makes the loudest noises when you open/close the door, but it's so dang awesome):

Living Area:

Loving this candle that's lasted us forever:

Our coffee table contents remain the same year-round.  Who doesn't love them some surfing books with holiday decor embellishing the table top?

My photo of our black side table didn't turn out too well for my "pumpkin story," however, I can assure you that we decorated with real pumpkins a few years back, and those suckers got moldy underneath and took the paint right off of our table top.  Grrrrrrrrr.  California holidays, too warm I guess.  So nothing but faux now, at least in the living area.  We did score some awesome faux black and white pumpkins this year and I'm hoping to come up with a black and white theme for next year!

We typically bring out more comfy pillows and throw blankets in abundance just in time for Thanksgiving- can't wait!

From our home to yours- Happy Spooky weekend...................hope you have something awesome planned?

Pending Project............Still Pending

Project:

I have to start out by saying this project has been lagging to say the least.  And, it's still a work in progress.  Who knew that working on a chair was so time involving?

It all started when our cheapy office chair broke (um, cheap is an understatement).  I insisted to D that we invest in something more than just "decent" for the office.  I spend a lot of my time in the office working on Etsy orders and had something a little more designerly in mind for our next seat!   We went to our local antique stretch to scope out chairs one early weekend morning, after a few glances- no such luck.  Then we stepped into one of the larger shops;  I tend to get overwhelmed in this particular space as it's just piled with so many treasures and lets face it, antique stores never have the best of scents lingering around.  Our first turn into a little corner had this perfect little chair- the frame was just right, finish was awful, fabric awful, and price not so great.  It was "on sale" for way too much, but we talked the saleswoman into taking it as is, sale price marked, no tax- boom, done.

Now we have a chair.  It sat in the garage, sat, and sat.  It's actually still sitting in there, but now with some progress to speak of:

Chair in the state is was purchased:

Where we're at now- de-upholstered, frame sanded:

Next step will be giving the frame a shiny coast of white glossy paint (yes, let's update this beauty)!  I haven't decided yet if I'm going to re-upholster it myself.  I am totally capable, yet I'm really digging silver nail heads to trim the base of the seat and back, and I may dig in the pockets to have this done.  Here's my inspiration (minus the fabric, um, no):

I have a gorgeous ballerina pink fabric with a subtle, contemporary floral print in mind for our chair.  We shall see what will come of our studio chair!

Surrounded by Goodies

I've got some fab recent purchases for the home to share with you all- loving!  I'll be posting a few photos of how these items have been used in our home later this week!

My obsession with pillows continues.  Ask hubby D, we can't have enough.  Most are stored for different times of year, but that's what's nice about removable covers- change 'em out and re-use the inserts.  I'm thinking of making some flannel plaid covers for this winter (um..........asking myself- when do you have time woman), but I'm digging the look and feel inspired.  Either that or an awesome deer silhouette pillow- also digging!  We picked up a few burlap covers at good 'ol PB and we couldn't be more pleased.  Perfect for fall, transitioning to winter, and we really do use them for months on out!

photo via Google

Festive pumpkins- these buds are faux pumpkins this year.  Proof later this week of what happens when I accessorize with real pumpkins:

I also scored an awesome basket for my S&S studio office and I'm anxiously waiting on it's arrival!  It's has a perforated front and back, with open wire sides, 13" long by 9" wide.  Adore!  I can't wait to add it to my office shelf to help me keep organized.  Purchased from my newly found fave shop, White Flower Farmhouse (my basket is the one pictured on the top in the photo):

photo via White Flower Farmhouse

And, the classic muffin.  We all know the flavor by now, and it will be eaten soon, so no follow up photos on this beast:

photo via google, pumpkin cream cheese muffin

Cozy Threads

This weekend was full of getting things accomplished, but there always seems to be more on "the list."  One day at a time is what I need to remind myself.

D and I actually snuck in an evening for a date night on Saturday and braved the crowds at Cheesecake Factory for a nice little dinner.  We sat outside on the patio with dimmed lights and a heat lamps.  I have to admit, it was perfect.  Anytime you know you're going out to eat at a place with a menu comparable to a book, you'll find something you love and leave with a happy-full feeling.  Yes!

Here's how happy we were to be going out on date night:

I realized I haven't posted my little shopping purchases, which are being worn in this photo:
Target long sweater- $24.99!!!!  Target leggings $6.  Target tank $9.  Nine West flats.  Some oldies but goodies already in the wardrobe closet- Banana Republic necklace.  Blustarfruit necklace.  Vera Wang tote.  Hubs Vonzipper aviators (love).

By the way, how adorable is Hubby D?!!!  And how pastey are my legs?  And how drab is my hair?  Sometimes you don't realize these things until you look back in photos.  Haha.

As promised, some fun posts this week, so stay tuned, I'm excited to share!  xoxoxo

New Look, Fresh Approach

S&S is getting a mini-makeover, slowly but surely.  Ive been working on re-branding some of the shop's logos and it's all starting with my business cards.  As my supply of cards dwindled, I contacted Alexandra again over at the Aerialist Press, and she never ceases to amaze me!  She and Craig are dedicated to the products they design and I absolutely adore my new cards, ADORE!  The quality of the paper used and gorgeous ink color have me way too excited.  Is it cheeseball to be so excited about your own business cards?  If it is, then tape up some glasses and get me a dork-o-meter because I can't get over how beautiful these new cards are and I'm finding the need to shout it out! 

Thank you Alex, for continuing to work with my annoying details and always providing me with such lovely cards, I heart TAP!

Have a happy Friday everyone!  Next week will be a week of project posts- dedicated to the lovely Faith, who's been patiently waiting for the outcome of some much delayed projects.  Stay tuned!