Commence to Start.

This got me thinking about a LOT!

1) I will stop panicking about what is out of my control.
2) I will not let others take control from me to the detriment of my own happiness.
3) My happiness may influence others, but it is not decided by others.
4) Life is too precious to spend it worrying.
5) Resting is extremely underrated.
6) I won't wear uncomfortable pants.
7) Rat races are pointless.

I often find myself motivated by the simplest things. Gardening, listening to music, dancing, Mad Men. These things can't be explained or defined or justified. They just are. I like these things. My joy is found in different ways than others'. This is how it is and how it should be. So then, it's strange to think that though these simple things bring me profound joy, I look elsewhere for it. Like, money, popularity (even out of teenage years, popularity crisis can still occur), fame. We humans are odd. We look everywhere but in the place where we actually find peace, for security and happiness. There is nothing worse than ruining a perfectly beautiful day than by worrying and "trying" it away. Of course, personal awareness and growth is good, necessary even. But it's not everything. In fact it's nothing without inner peace.

Kurt often will call me out and tell me to stop being like the "Runaway Bride" character when in the movie Julia Roberts is caught saying her favorite way to eat an egg is the same way her current beau's is. This is classic me. Unfortunately. However, I can say with pride that I have gotten much better in this type of circumstance. Just to prove it, here is a list of thing I know I like.

Tater Tots
Ginger Ale
Dancing
Scrabbled eggs
Bread
Sleeping
Sunny days
Basil
A clean kitchen
A clean refrigerator
A spotless bathroom
A cozy bed
Holding hands
Shoes
The color black
The color green
The color pink
My hair long
Bangs
The country
Country music
Dogs
Horses
Whales
The smell of laundry
Reading non fiction
Cooking shows
"Real Housewives" of anywhere
Camping
The idea of swimming in a lake or the ocean
Bikes
Organizing
Decorating

I don't like stress, anxiety, or heart ache. These things I hate. I will avoid them at all costs.

Peaceful Beauty

These images bring peace to my heart. Breathe them in. 

All Images Via An Apple a Day

The Dragonfly Inn/ Frost B&B

Gilmore Girls- quintessential quaintness of the purest form through wit and rhetoric. And never-you-mind that ridiculously amazing B&B, The Dragonfly Inn. Of which, is what my dreams are made of. Breakfast, no doubt is the first thing I think of when I wake up and for sure the best meal of the day. I am queen of breakfasts in our house and by queen, I mean, I make it and eat it by myself because the hubbs isn't interested.

 What the what? Any who...

 Owning a B&B would be stressful and so very rewarding. It would combine my love of all things Martha Stewart (organizing, gardening, decorating, planning, etc.) with Kurt's expertise in all things restaurant. I love the idea and hope to one day make it reality.

Do you have something you dream of one day accomplishing?

Holy Pottery Barn!

Horrible pictures taken with my phone's camera, but great inspiration! :)

Love the chairs!

Paisley candles? What?

Vintage vase and greens.

Striped chair and old school bar.

Me.

Love the pattern combos!

Cages and vases, oh my!

I love me some great table-scapes!

Thinking of Spring!

This bedroom's colors are fab!

I love all the Spring flowers and their scent!

Great Spring table-scape idea.

Perfect salad for a light Spring meal!

Adding Spring-colored pieces around the house is a must!

Spring Cleaning, of course. 

Beautiful sunny days that fill the house with lots of light!

Pink cake. Pink everything!

Today I went to the mall and bought my signature scent: So Pink from the Gap. (Apparently, I haven't been to the Gap or the mall enough because I literally walked into the store thinking 'Oh, they have cute stuff...what store is this?' What the what?) I haven't had So Pink in a very very long time. Hence, the previous 'what store is this' comment! I LOVE SO PINK! It immediately gave me spring fever and good feelings and great memories! Isn't weird how scents can do that? I'm loving it and am so glad to be reunited with my long lost signature scent! Do you have a signature scent? Are you thinking Spring yet? Happy Tuesday!

Wallpapering a Do or Don't?

I am SO loving the new, hip, and current trend of wallpaper. From covering just one wall, to covering an entire room in a loud, vibrant, patterned cover, the trend is alluring! We are in an apartment right now, so wallpaper isn't an option. However, when we buy a house...who knows! Is it a do or a don't in you'r book? Which styles and patterns do you like? Are you a one wall kinda girl or do you enjoy the decadent look of wallpapering a whole room? 

Here's a pattern I could see making a statement in a room...subtle but interesting.

You Give Me Fever

Cabin Fever...not in need of spring, but instead, for an actual cabin...

My heart swoons, check out these cabins~ Cabin Love
A cabin near here would be good.

(image via: Lyla & Blu)

The perfect spot for an afternoon nap and/or book!
(image via: Houzz)

I love the light and airy, almost earthy feel of this room. Check out that map on the wall too!
(image via: Houzz)

Ultra-luxe cabin, no doubt!
(image via: Houzz)

Want To Sponsor?

Hello! I am now (for the first time EVER) ready and able for sponsorship! Please email me for additional information. I'd love to showcase you!

Black and White/ Weekend Exploring!

A non-decorating Friday post...life, in Black and White. 

*On a side note, Kurt and I have been talking about what we will do when our kids get old enough to go on little dates. Kurt, "I'll drive them to the movies and make sure there is no touching at any point in time and the whole way there I'll play the song Sam Hall..." Wow, he's gonna be a no joke scary awesome dad! Love him so much more!

Gin and Tonic, anyone?

Sweet.

A little graphic I know-but how awesome!

I go on dates with this guy all the time! :)

Rustic.

How my bike looks now.

The best moments in the world!

Here are the lyrics to "Sam Hall"...'nuff said: After the jump!

Interior Beauty, Exterior Strength

I LOVE when homes mix soft and tough, warm and cold, beauty and strength. It's a metaphor for life! I love these pics for those reasons...mixing the best of both worlds.

*Photos courtesy of Desire to Inspire 

P.S. Jewel's ranch style home featured in Instyle magazine is to.dye.for! I love her so much more after seeing her home! Her ranch/country/cowboy/feminine home style something to aspire to!  

A Simple Plea for Help!

So, I, the one with endless ideas about how to make my own apartment into one that deserves to be in BHandG (Better Homes and Gardens) has now completely blanked on how to make the most of my couch. Let me just say, it's old, falling apart, and has no true form anymore. I actually fear one day we will come home to find a black hole in the middle of it-obviously a little far stretched if you haven't seen it yourself. For those who have, you understand, don't you?

Help!!

I need to recover, reupholster, re-something this thing! Couch covers can look so "cover-y" to me and pretty much anything would be better than what it is, however I don't want to spend money or effort on something that I will continue to dislike. Do you know of any good websites for couch ideas? Any really good couch covers out there?

I would truly appreciate all you ideas, thanks! :)

Let it Snow! Happy Holidays!

Kurt has to do this for me often during the winter months...love it! :)

Christmas lights make me so happy, can't wait to drive around and see them tomorrow.

First of all, couldn't you see yourself sitting out there all cozied up with a cup of hot chocolate and marshmallows? And then second of all, that post is make of a tree trunk-what a great idea!

I'm so very grateful that Kurt and I are going to have two whole days off together, which happen to be Christmas Eve and Christmas!!! So grateful. Today, I woke up without any desire for caffeine simply because I'm super excited about our weekend (Holiday) plans! :) Tomorrow, we intend to do all things fun and relaxing...this usually includes, good food, chocolate, Cabela's, movies, and snuggling. We are also going to a midnight mass with his family (which I have never done before and am very excited to get all gussied up and go to)! Christmas day will start with singing in the choir that my mom directs at my family's church and then splitting the day between both sides of our families. 

Christmas with my dad is very enjoyable because he still acts so much like a kid that it's hard not to get all excited yourself! :) Love you dad! I'm still holding out for our weather to turn cold and snowy, but the forecast doesn't say anything about being below 40 degrees the whole weekend so I don't think that's going to happen. One can only hope it does though...

Happy Holidays to you all! Hope it is one of peace, joy, laughter, friendship, and love.

Swiss Miss

I love hot chocolate but I'm really talking about Switzerland, where there is fresh foods, fresh air, and fresh design elements EVERYWHERE to be found! I'm liking the darker, clean lines of some of these pics that are Swi-nspirational! :) Enjoy...