big changes

This week, I started a new job! It's been a little crazy adjusting to the new workplace environment, but I am really loving it so far.

Last week before I left my old job, my co-workers surprised me by taking me out to lunch and giving me a fun gift to remember them by:


It was such a thoughtful gift, I was really touched that they thought of something like that. Also, to me it's kind of symbolic of starting a new phase of life.


Sometimes, we need a change! Did you know that bonsai trees have to be re-potted every 4-5 years? They start growing stagnant around that point and need a little more space to grow and thrive.


I think we as humans need that too- we need to examine our surroundings and when we feel "stagnant" in life, then it might just be time to make a change, even if it's just a little one. For me, this specific change was one that I waited for a long time. It was the result of a LOT of prayer and conversations with God, and it's still hard to believe that it actually (finally) happened!



So that's what I've been up to this week, how about you?

I cheated...

So- I've had this lampshade lying around for a while. I love the shape, but it used to be this yucky shade of light blue. After a crafting project gone horribly wrong, I was left with an ugly blue lampshade with little pieces of fabric still glued on. It was not pretty.

However, some craft paper and mod podge came to the rescue and gave me this:

Want to know a secret? It doesn't really matter that this lamp is a slight fire hazard (although I did use a low-wattage bulb), because it's not even plugged in.

So there you have it. It's my dirty little decorating secret. =)

Do you have any little decorating "cheats" that you've used in the past? I would love to know, please share the deets!

simple change = big difference

Sometimes, just a little change can make a huge difference! I was browsing through a store a while ago and found a shower curtain for $14.99. Seriously, that's a good deal for a shower curtain. (Our first one from our wedding registry was $50. I'm actually almost ashamed to admit that. But it was a gift). So, I bought it because the fabric was gorgeous, and I figured if I didn't use it for the bathroom, I could definitely find another use for it!

Well, the other day I was bored so I decided to play around with a new look for our bathroom. In case you don't remember what it used to look like, here's a little reminder:

Gray walls, bright shower curtain, little punches of pink and yellow (more pictures can be found here). It was fun, but somehow I always felt like it looked like a college-age bathroom.

So, with a new shower curtain and some accessories that I already had on hand, it became this:








Much more grown up, don't you think? I seriously love the new look. And for $14.99, I think it was a pretty darn good deal! What do you think?

Summer Memories

I was browsing through some of our old photos and came across a few from our first Summer together, way back on the ol' days of 2008. You'll have to forgive me for the random nature of this post, but I wanted to share a few memories of those days!

I met his parents that June, and a couple months later we helped them make cherry jam! They have miniature cherry bushes in their backyard, and they make the best cherry jam ever.

We also went to his Grandpa's cabin up North. We spent the weekend huddling inside because it was so windy and rainy! Yet, it was one of the funnest weekends I have ever had. I just loved Josh's family from the very beginning- they welcomed me with open arms and made me feel so at home!

The night we got back to the cities, Josh dropped me off at my apartment and we watched the movie "Juno." After the movie, we sat and talked for a while. At one point, he chuckled a little to himself. "What?" I questioned him, expecting to hear some funny anecdote or something. Instead, he just looked at so seriously me and said "I love you." For the first time.

We had so much fun spending that Summer together! It was so emotional and yet wonderful at the same time! I knew I was falling in love with him, and that my life was going to drastically change.. for the better.

Josh met (almost) my entire family that Summer- including a graduation open house with 40 of my cousins. Talk about overwhelming!

We drove his motorcycle to the fireworks at Taste of Minnesota, and sat and sipped coffee as we watched the lights dance above our heads. You didn't think I would fall in love with someone who doesn't like coffee, did you?

I love having those memories. Now that life is more steady, more sure and settled, I love looking back and remembering those times. I'm so thankful for the way God directed our lives that Summer!

What are some of your fondest Summer memories?

If you don't like it, Re-Work it! (or just clean it)

I had high hopes of really enjoying our little porch this summer. Unfortunately, in the past couple of months it had become little more than a place to store our plants and other miscellaneous gardening materials. It became clear to me that some cleaning needed to happen.



I thought about cleaning it for a few weeks. I would wake up in the middle of the night and think "Gee, I really should actually move that bag of dirt that's been sitting there since May. The neighbors must think I'm crazy."

Finally, I just found that little bit of energy I needed to accomplish the task on Tuesday. All in all, I think it took me 20 minutes! I moved the gardening supplies down to the garage, wiped down the chairs with some Pine Sol (not just for floors!), rearranged the furniture a little, and added another small table and a pretty votive holder I had laying around.



Ah yes. That looks more like a place where I want to sit and read a book, or eat some Pioneer Woman's Fancy Macaroni with my Hubby.


See that little tree on the left? I rescued it from my Grandma's garbage. She threw it away because apparently there was one branch that was dead. I had been admiring the plant for a while, so I saw my chance and I saved it from an untimely demise. Isn't it cute?

I think my new motto for decorating is "If you don't like it, Re-Work it!" As in, don't run out to the nearest store and try to buy a bunch of things to make your house better. You will end up with less money, and more stuff that you don't know what to do with! Instead, do some "shopping" around your house, and play around with an arrangement to find what suits you best! When in doubt, it never hurts to clean. A clean ugly house is way better than a dirty ugly house, ya know?







(I’m linking up to JAG’s Show and Share day- hop on over and check it out!)

Featured House #1, A Cottage by the Lake

Something I've been thinking about for quite some time is doing little features on the homes of some of my friends! I love seeing other people's decorating styles, and I know so many women who just have fabulous homes!

First up, the home of my Mom's friend Chris! I grew up with her daughters and have spent a lot of time in their home. I have always admired her effortlessly elegant style! Their home is on a lake, so it has a cottage/beachy/elegant vibe.

The first room you see when you walk in is their breakfast/informal dining room.


Here, the table is set for our 4th of July feast! Chris' husband Jay actually MADE this table. I have always loved it, it is so gorgeous!


In another corner they have an antique icebox. Love!


Their formal dining room is also amazing:


I love the green walls with the dark wood- it looks elegant and yet not fussy! I also really wanted to steal this vase.


And the dining room from another angle:


There's a beautiful front porch as well, separated by some french doors.



And here's a view of the brick fireplace and living room. I love how they use a lot of antiques and antique replicas to stay true to the vintage style of the home.


And finally, a view of the entire living/dining area.


Don't you just love their home? I am so impressed by the way they designed it. Their house feels so homey and yet elegant at the same time! I can definitely say that Chris is one of the people who inspired me to love home design. Thanks for letting me share some of your beautiful home, Chris!

I Sailed

Hope you all had a wonderful 4th of July weekend!