It’s a Friday Night Lights kind of night. We are headed to the UW v. Stanford football game this evening. Well, actually the fun starts this afternoon. Looking forward to catching up with college friends and being back on campus. What are you up to this weekend? Fall is here! Have a good one. xo
Here are few things that inspire and interest me this week:
1. A misty view at Machu Picchu. Seriously on the bucket list.
2. Have you ever heard of magic cakes? Looks delicious, right?
3. Calm living at its finest. This takes “dwell well” to a whole new level.
Tonight is the first presidential debate leading up to the election. Recently I started listening to The Run-Up podcast, produced by the New York Times. It is an extremely informative podcast airing twice a week focused on all things Clinton and Trump. The New York Times did just endorse Hilary Clinton, but I find the podcast to be fairly well-balanced in the way they approach each topic. Many contributors and authors are interviewed with differing points of view. No matter your politics, I 100% believe it is worth a listen. The episode airing tomorrow will be breaking down the debate. I can’t wait!
Giddy up- it’s Friday! I’m looking forward to this first fall weekend. Little Man is playing in his first flag football game of the season on Saturday. We are hoping he will pull a flag this year. Man, I love that kid! Hope you have great things planned for yourself and your family.
Here a few things that inspired and interested me this week:
3. Call me old fashioned, but I like my earphones. Obviously I didn’t just by the iPhone 7. Instead, picked up these gold ear buds and they are AMAZING!
4. Clogs with socks? Totally PNW right there, but I kind of love it. Totally out side my comfort zone-so I think I’m going to try it.
5. This side shelf lamp would be perfect in a guest room. Wish we had one in our house.
Oh. my. goodness! I had to share this hilarious podcast. It is this week’s Modern Love podcast, “Revenge of the Friend”. Kristen Chenoweth reads the essay and it is laugh out loud funny. It is a story of revenge that a spin instructor seeks for her dear friend! Spin bikes, a well crafted play list, an ex-husband, and the other woman.
While killing time last week, I stumbled upon an image and the most amazing pair of shoes. Now I’d love to say that I could justify a lace up pair of suede heels, but reality sets in and I realize I would probably get to wear them twice a year-at most. They are to-die-for, but don’t fit into my very casual existence. However, I couldn’t stop thinking about them and wanted to find something similar that I could wear on a regular basis. Thankfully Steve Madden had me in mind and also designed a more casual sandal with the same amazing leather wrap lacing. {He is the affordable shoe whisperer!}
So “my style” with the my new gorgeous sandals include, a simple black tank, denim shorts, a woven fedora and my very favorite glasses. I can’t wait to throw all of these in my bag next month! We are heading to Hawaii for break and I am counting the days!
I am super excited about The 52 Lists Project. The buzz surrounding this book is BIG. It has been featured on many websites and a several magazines. Pretty sure once it was featured in O Magazine its best selling fate was sealed! Written by Morrea Seal , it is a journal of lists to be completed throughout the year. The photographs and illustrations are beautiful, plus lists are easy to write. The list topics range from the wildest things you want to try to things that always cheer you up. Fun, right? My perfect spot to write my lists would be a cozy cafe during a mid-week morning. While that won’t always be possible, carving out time each week just for this purpose seems completely doable.
During the holidays this book was literally impossible to get. {Amazon was even on back order!} My local book seller ordered me multiple copies but they didn’t arrive in time for gift giving. SO, I have an extra copy and have decided to give it away to one of my readers! If you are inspired to be part of The 52 Lists Project, please enter! I would love to send you a copy.
How to enter:
The first list in the book asks you to list your goals and dreams for the year. Leave a comment below that includes a goal you have for the year or something you would like more of in 2016. Please leave your comment by NOON on Wednesday, January 13, 2016. One winner will be chosen by random drawing.
Good luck!
**{UPDATE} Congratulations, Becky!
This giveaway is hosted by me because I love my readers! xoxo
I have been working over the last few months on the finishing touches in my newly remodeled family room. It surely doesn’t happen over night. One item we needed was shelving to house our cable modem. While completely unsightly and not the least bit aesthetically pleasing, it is a necessity of modern-day life. I chose a very simple unit from IKEA. The white frame and glass shelves makes it an unobtrusive piece of furniture in the room.
After finding a home for all of our hardware on the bottom shelf, I was left with the task of styling the rest of the shelves. My hope is that as time goes by it will be home to items I love and collect. I see a family of vintage globes living on the top shelf. For now, I needed to start with a few things that I had on hand. Taking tips from Emily Henderson, I focused on a few key elements. Trays, larger scaled pieces, books, small collections, and cherished items. Please remember, I am not a designer or a stylist. I use a little inspiration from the experts and do my best.
With the center bar in the middle of the shelves, it creates eight small compartments. I tried to blur these lines a bit with a row of books running all along the first glass shelf. I needed to use book ends {or get creative with books} to hold books upright on the shelves. The Shel Silverstein books from my childhood, with white book jackets, were perfect for this. I continued by adding my favorite books, a lucite tray, candles, vases, a portrait, and pieces created by my boys. The bottom shelf has a market basket to house miscellaneous toys. It is still a room for the whole family and those LEGOS need a place at the end of the night. Keeping with the room’s color palette I stuck with white, black, natural wood, and metallic. Pops of color come from the book spines and artwork.
My hope was to include unique items as well. I adore this acrylic block I created to sit on the shelves. The phrase “Awesome takes practice.” was on a card I received for my 4oth birthday and I thought it was an outstanding mantra. Using Tiny Prints and my favorite font, I created the text and uploaded it as an image. It is the perfect size and looks great with the books. Plus, it is a great reminder to be awesome everyday!
I know these shelves will be ever changing. As we travel and collect new treasures, the objects will change. I can also add items from other rooms in my home to give the shelves new life!
For the next few Fridays, this series will be holiday gift editions. I will try to share gifts for all the gals, guys and kids in your lives. I love browsing in shops and stores, but let’s be honest, the majority of my shopping happens with a click of a mouse.
Here is the first of my finds:
1. Peppermint Cocoa for your neighbors. Easy to make and all the ingredients can be found at the grocery store.
2. These might be the cutest long johns ever! They are like running tights with the most darling pattern.
3. Road tape for the little car lover in your life. My boys would have LOVED this!
4. Bloody Mary kit from Mouth, the new and hip Hickory Farms.
5. Trials Fusion, an Xbox One game without violence. They are hard to find!
6. I am in love with this backpack by Will Leather Goods. Perfect for me, but I think the guys would love it too.
Tomorrow we feast! I don’t particularly love all foods associated with Thanksgiving, but give me an entire bowl of stuffing and I am a happy girl! My little family is taking a day trip tomorrow, cheering on our U of W Huskies on Friday at Husky Stadium, and ramping up the holiday spirit! Maybe a little ice skating or a tree lighting, or skiing? Or perhaps I put my husband on the roof to put our lights up while it is predicted to be sunny and dry?
I will be staying away from Black Friday madness {although Little Man is totally enthralled with Black Friday and the sales} and instead cuddling up the with boys and drinking a cup of cheer! Whatever your holiday weekend holds…. I hope it is safe, fun, and exactly what you want!
I’m into it. Coloring, that is! Call it cheap therapy and a great way to pass the time in the dead of winter. There is something about coloring that is very zen and relaxing. Of course you can use any coloring book, but I wanted something that didn’t involve superheros or Transformers. Instead, I found books made for adults that want to color again. And since I am a grown up, I bought myself a pack of really nice pencils. Want to come over and color?
