A VERY SPECIAL DAY.

8 May 2013

Today is just one of those days in which the world seems to have come together and everything has fallen into its perfect place…

Two years ago today, I married my best friend.

And in these two years we’ve traveled together…

…laughed together, cried together, and had many a drink together…

…snuggled together, played together, and worked out together…

…made a house into a home together and found a new addition to our family together…

…and now, at exactly 4 months today, we are expecting another addition to the family…

A little baby bump!

It’s amazing and thrilling and exciting to have shared in these moments together and to look forward to the many wondrous moments we have ahead.

Of course, the last two years haven’t always been easy – there’s been some heartache, a lot of screaming and yelling (at least on my part…), slamming of doors, and the occasional silent treatment, but it’s been worth every minute of it.

I love you honey – happy anniversary!

IT’S OFFICIAL!

19 April 2013

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I’ve been waiting with bated breath to share the happy news that yes, we’re expecting – 13w, 5d and counting!! I’ve been cautiously optimistic, but with sonogram now in hand, baby bean is definitely in there and thriving.

Needless to say, I now have baby on the brain and am impatient to get started on the nursery! Unfortunately, what is now becoming the nursery was once my office so I am also in the process of reorganizing my desk into a corner of the guest room (a miniscule sacrifice for a lifetime of hugs and kisses!). It did give me an excuse to order a new desk though! More to come on that later…

…back to the nursery! Since we won’t know the gender of the baby bean for a couple more months now (which seems a bit like an eternity!), I hope to keep the room gender neutral with greys and, well, neutrals. Of course, Pinterest has been my go-to source and I’ve managed to zero in on a few favorites:

Love the grey striped wall!

Love, love, LOVE this changing station filled with vintage goodies!

Glamping theme is genius!

Makes my heart melt.

Oh, how my brain is buzzing with ideas…

If you have any ideas or advice of your own, please feel free to share!!

SHARING SOME ARIZONA LOVE (& WARMTH)!

29 March 2013

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Happy Friday ya’ll! I’m actually enjoying the dry warmth of the Arizona sun as we speak and I have no doubt that I‘m loving every minute of it.

Yep, I decided to escape the so-called “Spring” on the East Coast to thaw out these frozen bones of mine. So here I am, thawing away and getting a little R&R in the process!

My husband and I are both lovers of the outdoors so we decided on a resort with nature in abundance: hiking trails, waterfalls, mountain views, desert landscape, and more than enough creepy crawlies (I just pray that I don’t run into a tarantula…)!

I’ll be posting pictures of my desert adventure via Instagram so feel free to check in. In the meantime, I hope you have a wonderful weekend!

Cheers.

GREENWOOD ANTIQUES, BUSINESS CARDS, AND A SHAMELESS PLUG.

25 February 2013

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Aye yi yi! I fell off the blogging bandwagon for a bit, but have actually been a busy bee in my silence and have much to share with you!

First, I’ve been in the process of updating my very own space at Greenwood Antiques and have been quite the painting machine! Walls, furniture…..nothing is safe from my paintbrush these days. Here is a quick evolution of my space since Feb. 1 (forgive the quality of the photos – most were taken with my phone!):

This is the space before I moved in. There are definitely some cute pieces, but I was ready to shake things up a bit and add a little pizzazz….

The space was a bit of a mess at this point, but I was in the process of moving in! I started by painting the wall, which somehow took far longer than intended. Painting straight lines is not an easy feat! And while I still need to paint one more stripe on the wall, I think it adds a fun pop of color, yes? The drum table, turquoise mirror, and cola cooler that you see in the pic quickly sold so I immediately had to reorganize…

I think the hardest part about this job is having to sell pieces that I absolutely LOVE. Frankly, everything that I have in my space I have either had or would have in my own home – and they are not easy to part with! That perfectly rusted industrial arrow, for example, was love at first sight and when it sold, I cried a little on the inside. And that obelisk topiary that you see behind the pink chair, oh my! This was a piece that I immediately brought to the store because I knew if I brought it to my home, it would never leave. I cringed the moment it sold. *sigh* But in the end, I suppose this is not a bad problem to have!

This is what my space looks like now (that fan is another piece that I had a hard time parting with!). And I’ve got a few more pieces in the works that I’ll be sharing with you later in the week!

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Next, thanks to Natasha from My Cute Lobster, I’m excited to finally have business cards!

I know, a long time coming. And for just a little shameless self promotion, if you are within the Charlottesville area and want to add that extra oomph to a piece of furniture or require some added inspiration for your party planning, feel free to contact me!

(HAPPY HUMP DAY!) DECEMBER: A TIME FOR REFLECTION…

12 December 2012

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For me, December is a time not only for good cheer, but also a time to reflect on the year behind you and look forward to the year ahead…

I am incredibly grateful for all the amazing opportunities in my life, for a husband that has allowed me to freely pursue my passions, and for friends and family that have offered shoulders and ears and helping hands. In a single year, I have learned such a tremendous amount about myself, about business, about sacrifice and heartache, about joy and wonder, about friendship, about failure, and about all the wonderful and terrible things that come with life and living.

I readily admit, however, that this was not an easy year for me. My marriage hit a few bumps in the road, my pregnancy didn’t quite come to fruition, my business venture was failing me, and depression was consistently on the periphery of my vision. I had fallen into a rut and my demons were getting the better of me.

I had fallen apart indeed, and now have the labor of picking up the good pieces, tossing out the bad, and rebuilding a better version of myself. And you know what? I’m already feeling happier and healthier and ooh-so hopeful…

That’s one of the of the many wonders of December and the ensuing New Year: the strength it provides and the multitude of possibilities it brings.

I do feel as though I’m on a better path and while I’m sure there will be more bumps in the road ahead, I am without a doubt that 2013 is going to be a great year!

My new philosophy for the New Year: “be present and be happy.” What’s yours?

A SPECIAL THANKS FOR THE LIEBSTER AWARD!

27 November 2012

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I’ve seen numerous awards floating around in the Blogosphere, but never really expected this little blog o’ mine to get much notice. Well, over a week ago, Patricia Krank over at Old Things New did take notice and nominated me for the Liebster Award. Thank you for thinking of me Patricia – I’m so incredibly flattered!

Now, this lovely little award is given by more seasoned bloggers to blogs with 200 followers or less to show them a little bit of love. Of course, I have to giggle at this a bit because I don’t quite consider myself a “seasoned” blogger by any means – I can still use A LOT of love! With that said, I plan on passing on the torch to smaller blogs that I love, but are no less “seasoned” than me (and many are actually far more seasoned! Sorry to break the rules here…but that’s what I do best!).

Speaking of rules, here are more rules attached to the nomination:

Post 11 random things about yourself
Answer the questions that the nominator sets for you
Create 11 questions for the poeple that you nominate
Choose 11 blogs that you love (also with 200 or less followers). Link them to your post and let them know they’ve been nominated.
No tag backs!

So, in an attempt not to break any more rules, let’s get started…

11 Random Things About Me:

I’m a little bit addicted to Rock Band. I don’t play often, but when I do…I’m hooked for no less than three hours (I’m pretty sure I was a rockstar in my previous life).
I love fresh pineapple but hate pineapple juice. I love raw broccoli but I hate cooked broccoli – unless it’s in cream of broccoli soup. I like ice cream with my pie, but only on the side. Ever seen When Harry Met Sally? Yeah, I’m Sally.
I’m pretty sure I could eat Rolos for breakfast, lunch, and dinner for a week.
I was the events planner for two previous companies I worked for – I LOVE planning events, but I only realize just how much until AFTER the event. During the planning, I’m a bit of a nightmare.
I’m the second worst procrastinator I know. My husband is the first!
I hate wearing socks and only wear them when the forces of nature force me to. Even in the winter – as long as there isn’t snow on the ground – I’m sockless in my cute little ballet flats. Style over comfort, I suppose!
I have naturally curly hair but have NO IDEA how to wear it naturally curly. I either wear it up or I straighten it with a flat iron (which happens maybe three times a year).
I’m not very mathematically inclined, I hate instructions, am terrible with directions, and am pretty sure the left side of my brain is the size of a pea. Maybe a walnut, just to give myself a little extra credit.
I’ve lived in two countries, approximately nine different states and too many cities to count!
I’ve had dreams that I should turn into books. Most of them are science fiction based. I have no idea how my mind conjures these things.
I’m pretty certain my animals (a dog and a cat) are furry little people. And I treat them as such. They are my little loves that I couldn’t do without.

Questions From Patricia:

Do you hit the ground running when you first wake up or are you slow to warm up? Is this a joke? There are people in this world that AREN’T slow to wake up? If only I was one of them… I’m a slug in the morning. Coffee is a must.
What is your favorite movie of all time? Such hard questions! Princess Bride, When Harry Met Sally, Bridget Jones, Zoolander. I like the clever and romantic comedies, not the stupid comedies. Except Zoolander – it’s stupid funny, but so fun to quote!
What is the best vacation you’ve ever taken, and why? Napa, because it was the first vacation I ever took with my now husband, and Croatia, because who doesn’t enjoy their honeymoon?!
Do you have a hero in your life? Who and why? Well, to get a little serious here, I come from a long line of military men. They and all the soldiers out there, separated from their families, risking their lives for our country…they are all my heroes.
Cat person, dog person, or other? Both are hard to resist. And I have both. Remember…furry little people!
Favorite subject in elementary school? Definitely science. I was obsessed with chimpanzees. Still am!
What is your favorite kind of food? Thai is delicious!
If you could ask God for ANYTHING what would it be? Health and happiness for myself and all my loved ones.
What do you like to do in your spare time? Don’t have any? Pretend A glass of red wine, a good book, and a comfy blanket = PERFECTION.
What helps you get your creative juices flowing? Magazines are my muse. I’ve got two “mood boards” full of pages ripped out from magazines. A quick browse through Country Living, Real Simple, Martha Stewart, or Southern Living and I’m golden.
What genre of book do you tend to read the most?Historical novels. Right now I’m reading one about Henry VIII’s first wife, Katherine of Aragon. Yet another one of my obsessions – anything about Henry the VIII!

11 Blogs That Are Far More Fabulous Than Mine. (Some with more than 200 followers…) Please go check them out and give them some blog love!

My Questions to These Wonderful Bloggers:

What enticed you to start blogging?
How would you describe the style of your home?
If you could have any career in the world, what would it be?
Red wine, white wine, or no wine?
What is your greatest guilty pleasure?
If you had your own reality show, what would it be called?
Chocolate or vanilla?
What is your biggest pet peeve?
Introvert or extrovert?
Where is your favorite place to go to relax? (Could be as simple as a room in your home, or a travel destination)
If you could only watch one show on television for the next month, what would it be?

Thanks a bunch and thanks again to Patricia!

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU…AND THE CHICKENS

22 October 2012

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First, I want to say THANK YOU to all my wonderful readers out there! It amazes and delights me that my words don’t fall on deaf ears. You are all my inspiration and I feel honored and incredibly lucky that my blog can inspire you in return. And please, never hesitate to get in touch! Questions, comments, thoughts, opinions…I want to hear them all and I promise to reply in turn. Thank you again and I look forward to hearing from each and every one of you.

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I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy this beautiful weekend! I, myself, spent the majority of it outdoors….repainting a side of my house that was beginning to look a bit weathered. Oh, the joys of home ownership!

While painting, my mind was able to wander a bit, and I began thinking about all the other home improvement projects I wanted to do over the next year to really make my mark on this house. I want to redo a huge chunk of the kitchen – repaint and add bead board to the walls, build a butcher block counter/cabinet space, and purchase a bigger, better fridge, amongst a few other things. I want to plant French lavender along the entirety of the exterior side of the fence. I want to build a studio shed in my backyard for me to escape to, work in, and feel inspired by…

But there is one thing that I wanted to do from the very moment we moved into this house, and that is build a chicken coop! If you happen to read my About Me page, you’ll quickly realize that I’m a city girl at heart. But I’ve taken to the country quite well and nothing says country like a bunch of clucking chickens. As soon as I realized that the county allowed these adorable creatures, I was sold.

And this Spring, I will have my chicken coop (take note Mr. Carpenter!). So in preparation, I thought I’d do a little research and find some inspiration…

I absolutely love Heather Bullard’s chicken coop, which she and her husband designed and built themselves, but I have a slightly different (albeit very vague) idea in mind and this doesn’t quite fit it. If this is a design that works for you, however, you can purchase plans here!

Now this is more like it! I have a small shed that could possibly be converted into a miniature version of this. I love how she took care to hang a chandelier and insert vintage pieces to really personalize the space. It’s a rare thing that someone would put in so much effort into making the interior of a coop look so inviting. It’s a space that even I wouldn’t mind nesting in!

Do you have chickens of your own? What do you think the pros and cons of owning chickens are? I’d love to hear your stories and see photos – feel free to send them my way!

THE THINGS THAT MATTER: NATE BERKUS STYLE

16 October 2012

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After much anticipation, Nate Berkus’ The Things that Matter is available today (you can grab your copy here!) and after reading an excerpt via Reader’s Digest, now with heart a little more constricted, I have every intention of picking up a copy for myself.

It’s amazing, the story our home can tell. I’ve been arranging and rearranging furniture and nick knacks for years – actually, since I was just old enough to walk and barely strong enough to drag my doll houses and stuffed animals across the room. I would create my child-size story by arranging and rearranging my dolls, by heaving my little kitchenette around until I found the perfect corner to set it in, and when I was finished with my room, I’d move on to my little sister’s room and start all over again.

Regardless of your age, or the size of your home, or the money you have (or don’t have) to fill it, your home becomes a fragment of you: who you were, who you are now, who you love and have loved, and the places you’ve been along the way. Your home is your own little corner of the world for you to make your mark on and your safe-haven in which you can surround yourself with all the little things that matter. When I was a wee one, the things that mattered were my two favorite Popples, my Strawberry Shortcake collection (particularly Strawberry Shortcake, Raspberry Tart, and Lemon Meringue), and my brother’s He-Man collection, which I would consistently steal for my own and arrange quite nicely around my room.

Now that I’m a little older and wiser….I’d like to think the things that matter have become a little more thoughtful. Here are just a few things that matter to me:

A vintage poetry book collection given to me by a dear friend many years ago.

Perhaps a little silly, but my collection of wine corks from bottles of wine that I drank with family and friends.

The first drawing my nephew ever made for me (love the photo next to it as well, taken in Croatia).

This little Boston Terrier statue, purchased at a flea market for my husband, because he desperately wants a Boston T as our second dog. I surprised him with this guy instead – it makes me giggle.

This trunk was first owned by my grandfather to hold his military uniforms, then passed on to my own father to hold his own military uniforms – it has travelled throughout the US, to Japan, to Germany, and back again. It was painted this orange color by my dad when he was much younger, to give it a bit of personality, which makes me laugh because it’s hideous! For some reason, I’ve wanted this trunk since I was little, and it was finally given to me a couple of years ago. My husband and I have converted it into a filing cabinet, we now just need to find or build a base for it!

This chalkboard was the first thing my husband and I built together, built out of old, weathered wood found behind the shed of our very first home. (Ha- and you can see paint samples on the back wall of our kitchen. Obviously we will be repainting soon.)

These – and a dozen more pieces that I don’t want to bore you with – hold so much meaning and so many memories and these are exactly the things I choose to build my story with. It isn’t the things that count, but the memories behind them. They are a reflection of who I am, who I love, and where I come from; they impart a feeling of love, laughter, and happiness. They are me and this is my story.

So tell me, what’s your story?

30 THINGS TO DO BEFORE I TURN 31: AN UPDATE

3 October 2012

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Well, I’ve been avoiding it for the last week, but I think now is the time to give you an update on my 30 Things to do Before I Turn 31 post:

Take an introductory photography class. – well, I haven’t yet taken it, but I’ve signed up for one, does that count…??
Take a basic Photoshop class. – just finishing up!

Recruit 15 more followers to my blog… – I love you, I love you, I love you!
Transform my hideous entertainment unit into something I can stand a little more! – The knobs have been ordered at least! Hope to start next week after husband disconnects and moves the TV for me (hint, hint honey…).
(Finally) Make a stagecoach curtain for the guest room window (which I will definitely blog about later). – yeah, epic fail. For some reason, I’m scared to death of sewing! But I’ll get there….one day.
Start a daily journal. – Woo hoo!
Establish a consistent gym routine – and stick to it! – another epic fail, no excuses.
Regularly wake up earlier in order to make and enjoy a healthy breakfast with my husband. – well, it doesn’t help that the husband seems to have stopped eating breakfast (tsk, tsk Man!).
Sell 2 more furniture pieces. – now that my shop is up and running…SOON (I hope – any takers?)!.

Reopen my Etsy shop. – can I get a woo woo?!! I still have dozens of items to add though. Coming soon!
Find and purchase a new rug for my office! – Done! But not the one I originally had in mind. Instead, I purchased this one from West Elm. My office is currently a horrific mess, but once I have things cleaned up and organized, pictures will ensue!
Find an unwavering confidence in myself… hmm, perhaps a resolution for the New Year?
Refinished the recent flea market bread boards I recently purchased. – such a simple thing to do and I haven’t finished! I have sanded them down, I just have to stain them appropriately. Coming soon!
Host an end of summer soiree. – how about a Welcome to Fall soiree? I managed to book myself every single weekend in September, but October will be the month!
Go golfing with my new golf clubs! – I can’t say I golfed well, but I did it!
Finish the wall galleries in my living and dining rooms. – 3 more frames to fill…(and I know, I also need to straighten all the frames!)

Clean out my closet. – perhaps my soiree should also consist of a clothing swap??
Host a book club. – I haven’t hosted yet, but it’s booked for October 16th! We are reading The Forgotten Garden, by Kate Morton:

Read at least one of the dozen books I have on raising chickens (next Spring, fingers crossed!). – yep, and I still want them. Four of them. Badly.
Tell my husband that I love him at least once a day. – ok, he may disagree, and perhaps I forgot a day or two, but it’s the thought that counts! I managed pretty darn well, thankyouverymuch.
Begin drafting a business plan for my non-profit idea… epic fail. I very badly want to start a non-profit, and I think I have a pretty darn good idea, but I may have bitten off a little more than I can chew with this one. Frankly, I need to get the rest of my shit straight before delving into extracurricular activities!
Register for a race (running). – as of today, actually. Running a 5k. Not a long or hard run, but for an excellent cause: Shelter for Help in Emergency (www.shelterforhelpinemergency.org). And honey, if you’re reading this…I registered you as well

Get a haircut – and learn how to wear my hair more naturally. – ummm, epic fail. For both. Last time I got my haircut at a well-loved Charlottesville salon, my poor hair was mutilated. I’m scared.
Clean my car. – yep. still dirty.
Recruit 1 guest blogger for blog… – it will be posted soon, my friends, soon!
(With help of husband) Build a console table for behind sofa. – we’re actually not quite sure how we want to build it just yet…it’s all about compromise, right?
Call dentist to schedule removal of wisdom teeth. – Definitely a fail. I mean, all I have to do is pick up the phone! But the thought is terrifying. I’m fine getting my teeth cleaned, but when they are removed…hell to the no!
Learn how to cook 2 more go-to, quick and delicious meals. – All I can say is….YUM!
Find and paint 3 sample paint colors in kitchen (orange!). – samples have been painted, but not a single one is orange (all samples are Benjamin Moore: Silver Sage, Soft Fern, and Nimbus). Which one do you like? It’s really quite amazing how different each one looks depending on the lighting and time of day.

Take pictures of my home (after my photography & Photoshop classes…) and (finally…) upload them onto “My Home” blog page. – to procrastinate just a little more….I do need to finish my photography class first!

Of course, I’m well aware and quite self-conscience of the fact that I did not complete my list, but it did offer me the motivation to DO and to move closer toward a creativity that I feel swimming just beneath my skin…and sometimes, that’s all you really need. I am still determined to complete every single item on this list, of course. What’s leftover is all the simple stuff anyhow (other than that darn stagecoach curtain. Argh!) – update #2 coming soon!

HAPPY HUMP DAY! THOUGHTS ON MARRIAGE…

19 September 2012

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Let me start by saying, I love my husband completely, I really do, and I couldn’t imagine my life without him in it. We have an amazing story, one that I will happily tell our children all about one day, but it’s also a story that is developing and changing and growing each and every day.

We met in the summer of 2004, he became one of my dearest friends, and we finally took that flying leap out of the Friend Zone in the fall of 2009. We married in the spring of 2011 (where Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds recently married, I must add!) and I haven’t regretted a single moment since (although I’m sure my husband often thinks otherwise!):

My husband is my greatest love, my biggest supporter, and my best friend. But, with all this said, marriage still isn’t easy. In fact, sometimes it’s downright HARD.

When you’re faced with the daily grind, when life feels monotonous and miniscule, when little facets of your relationship become overwhelmed with bickering….sometimes it’s hard to remember why you fell in love in the first place.

You forget that his solidity and modesty are what drew you to him.

You forget that his smile lights up his face and ignites a fire inside your heart.

You forget that his hand, no matter what – in the best of times, in the worst of times – is always reaching out for yours.

You forget that he’s wicked smart.

You forget that he’s been there for you for the better part of your life, and will remain – loyal and honest and loving – there until the end.

You forget that he completes you in the best of ways.

Yes, when the going gets rough, when you feel misunderstood or unheard, when you’re filled with anger and misgivings, you simply forget that your husband isn’t perfect, but he’s amazing just as he is.

I must admit, the first year of marriage hasn’t been an easy one. There’s been some God-awful arguments, tears, a multitude of doubts and insecurities, frustrations, and, of course, the ensuing nagging. But this isn’t necessarily a bad thing! We are learning how to fit together – in the best of ways and in the worst of ways. We are learning how to fight for ourselves while fighting for this marriage. We are learning how to pick our battles. We are learning that no matter how bumpy Life gets, we can’t, we won’t, let our relationship fall between the cracks.

I think that’s the hardest part of it all – accepting that this person you love so dearly isn’t going to judge or mislead you; that you needn’t keep your guard up or your pride down. That this person by your side is going to continue to stand by it, even when you’re tired and grumpy, or over-dramatic, or over-zealous, or entirely lazy, and utterly frumpy. Yep, that person is going to look you in the face and still love you.

This is something I need to remember, and remember often: there’s always going to be bad times, but there will be many, many, MANY more good times, and I need to learn to appreciate them all.

Like this…(in Croatia)