Awkward but...

Disclaimer: The following post is not because I'm a closet narcissist. In fact, it's taken me a month or so to work up the nerve to do this. I don't like having my picture taken. Like most women, I've struggled with my self-image/esteem for my entire life.  I tend to be a quiet, comfortable-in-the-background kinda girl...so this is realllllly hard for me.  {be gentle}

I mentioned my bff Ania (pronounced like "Tanya" but w/out the 't') some weeks ago. She is a brilliant artist and truly one of the most creative and inspired people I know.  I'm so grateful to have called her my sister/friend since 3rd grade. 

Her photography {just one of her many medias} is beautiful. In fact, when I looked at the photos she took of me {she wouldn't allow me to look at myself in the mirror during the shoot...this girl knows me...I'd have been too self-conscious and freaked-out} I actually thought "wow...those are nice." She's good folks, real good.  And isn't that what art, beauty; inspiration is supposed to do to us?  Take us beyond ourselves to something more? Amen and amen.

I can't wait to show you more of what this chick can do.  But hopefully this might wet your appetite...or at least get you thinking about what stirs you. 
Life is too short not to be stirred. 
 

 

(this one is my fav)

Guernsey, Muscles, and a Garage Sale Update

1.  Guernsey - I heard about a book with a long and strange title.  It arrived Thursday at 4pm. It was finished Friday at 2pm.  Please read it.  It's a book for people who enjoy books. I hurt, laughed, and felt immediate dissatisfaction when I turned that final page.  (Why did it have to end?)  This book is a pleasure and the ideal summer read.  {Oh, and it's written all in letters.}

2.  Muscles - Today was arm day at the gym. I can scarcely type I'm so wobbly and weak. {It feels so good.} Here's what I did:

~ Abs (I do abs almost every day so I don't count them as a "day") -

100 Exercise Ball Situps (50 cross/50 regular)

Oblique Dumbell Sidebends (google if you don't know what this is.) - 3 sets of 15...per side

~ Arms -

Dumbell Curls - 3 sets of 10-15 (all of these w/ heavy-but-not-impossible weight)

Lying Dumbell Hammer Extension - 3 sets of 12

One Arm Row - 3 sets of 10

Rear Delt Flys - 3 sets of 12

Hammer Curls - 3 sets of 15

Tricep Dips - 3 sets of 15

~ Cardio -

Short on time so I did a quick 10 min HIIT workout (or high intensity interval training...for more info on that and other great fitness tips check out Katy's blog...she's the fitness woman...fo real...yes, I just got gangsta. A fact made all the more hysterical if you actually know me.)

3. Garage Sale Update -

Can we say heatstroke? Wow. It was HOT y'all.  But all in all the garage sale went off without a hitch.  I made $185.  Not exactly what I'd hoped but I can't complain.  Plus, the company was fantastic.  Still no decision on the new couch though.  We'll see how it goes. I'm a careful shopper...sometimes too careful.  The living room hasn't changed much since my last update.  I hope to make some decisions in the next week or two and will share them with you when I have something worthwhile to divulge. :)

Pinterest

Many of you are probably way ahead of the curve but this week I finally joined Pinterest.  I'd heard of it for a few months but hadn't given it much notice until last week (shout out Natalie T!!!). 
O.M.G.
Steel yourselves for the onslaught of awesomeness.  It's like I stumbled into the perimeter of wisdom.  (too far?)
Anwyay, go check it out. It may take a little tinkering around but, whoa, you won't be disappointed. 

go.

now.

New Girl

I'm not a big tv person but when I saw the preview for the New Girl I almost fell over laughing. 

I cannot wait for this show.  If it's half as good as the previews look then mama may have just found herself a running Tuesday night date. 

What do you think?

Dancing Queen

A little visual snack for you. 

 This was on SYTYCD a few weeks ago.  Probably my all-time favorite.

Enjoy!

outrageous. 

 I want to float, I mean dance, like her. 

Thank you sytycd...thank you.

Daydreaming of Fall Fashion

I went to Hobby Lobby yesterday.  There are scarcely words for the befuddlement (I just made up a word) I felt when I walked in to see aisles upon aisles of Christmas items. We're talking the whole arsenal people: trees, ornaments, ribbon, wreaths, and even nutcrackers.
I ran out screaming. 
{Have I mentioned it's 101 in Texas, my Texas...heat index is like 109.}
Sister isn't ready for Santa and snow globes.

Truth be told I am longing for fall though.  It's my favorite season.  But it seems many other stores are taking part in the same torturous activities.  Join me as I sit  in the AC and daydream about crisp breezes, scarfs, and hot tea. 



This shirt dress is perfect.



Fall party/shower/special event? {Not that I have any of those to go to...but we're dreaming here}



Coral. Shut the front door.



Every lady needs a trench.  I love the subtle but classic navy trim detail.  Takes it from ordinary to special. 




booots!!!!







*all photos from Anthropologie.com*

Out with the Old

I hate garage sales. Or at least I did.  Last year some friends and their parents hosted a multi-family garage sale that was hot (it's summertime in Texas) but quite possibly the easiest, most hassle-free garage sale experience of my life.  So we're doing it again!!  DOA - this Saturday. 

I started prepping and pricing things almost 2 weeks ago but with the impromptu hiatus last week I've got lots to finish before Friday.  I'm probably most excited this year because 1) we're getting rid of our old, tired IKEA couch and 2) all my profit will be put towards a new sofa.  Um, yes!! 

This is the current favorite.  It's subject to change but I wanted to give you a sneak-peek anyway.

Aren't you just mad about those tufts?!  I have been a crazy about tufts since I bought my tufted headboard 5 years ago and this couch makes me swoon. 

Some other ideas I'm toying with for the living room.

chevron rug

clear acrylic table

(I really want a round wooden table but there's just something about this Lucite coffee table that I can't get over)

Well, It's Painted...

But that's about it. 

We got a phone call late Sunday night that my father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, and two nieces were heading up for a visit on Tuesday or Wednesday.  Yippee...but wait...(dramatic pause as I look around my completely trashed house in horror).  Project week had to come to an abrupt end and clean-up had to begin.  We made it though but I. am. exhausted.

At least you get to see the grey though.  I'm here for you. No really. You.

The transformation will continue next week though...I hope. :) 

Oh! I did get navy curtains and put up a new light fixture. :)

Sam still has a smear of grey paint on his ear. Oops. 

Next up...furniture changes, rug, curtains, art; accessories.

See y'all next week.  I've got a household of guests to enjoy!

Progress

It isn't much but here's what the dining room looks like right now (living room will be tackled next week). 

The chair molding and panels have yet to go in but you get the general idea.

I'm almost set on the new light fixture (surprise it will be) but the window treatments and rug are still giving me shopping migraines.

I took like 6 of the same picture...just wanted to be thorough.





That's all she wrote folks.  For now at least.

I'm taking off tomorrow for the woods of east Texas so I won't be around for a few days.

Have a wonderful weekend!!



Art

Yesterday I mentioned working on a new painting for our living/dining room redo.  After a good nights sleep and and approval from my bff (who is the most incredible artist I know...seriously, this girl is out.of.control *new blog idea*).  Here it is:

Now I realize art is intensely personal and subjective so I hold no offense if you don't like my painting.  But I have to tell you, I dig it so much.  It gets better everytime I look at it and is almost exactly what I wanted to create (a bold, striking, original focal piece that's both modern and fun to help break up some of the traditional/neutral heaviness of the room). 

You may remember the drip paintings I did for our master bedroom...this piece uses the same technique in the final step. I think it's going to look ammmmmazing over the white limestone/ish fireplace with the pale gray walls.

The color is much brighter in the photo than in person.  Another effect of the poor camera/photographer but I still love it. 

Goodbye Yellow

Hellllllooooooo GRAY!!!!

This week I'm tackling a h.u.g.e. project.  Our living/dining/foyer has been in need of some sprucing.  We bought the home 4 years ago and while my tastes have evolved and changed, this sweet little yellow room has stayed the same (and yes, I painted it yellow...it was mauve/pink/brown when we moved in). 

Here is a picture of the room right before I slapped the first coat of paint on her walls...

{Sampson and Nigel say hi.}

This yellow looks super bright...but in person it was lovely.  It had great dimension and changed subtly throughout the day...

but time for a change. 

It's no secret that gray (grey? any thoughts?) is my favorite color and now I am apparently dead-set on transforming my entire house into a cloudy day...

but oh, how perfect that day is.

My plans for our dining room (nook...it's not really big enough to be called a room)?

- Crisp white molding/chair rail.  

- New light fixture.

- Rug

- New curtains

- Art

Excuse the table-top mess...this is real-life people. :) 

I can't wait to show you the finished product...although if we're honest (judging by the office debacle a few months back) this may not be until October 2013. 

Just sayin'.

I'm all about honesty.

Martha comes through for me again. 

The perfect almost-but-not-quite-white gray...

Cumulus Cloud

Please note:

*I think it looks sorta blue-ish in pics...it is NOT blue.  It is light gray and I have a crappy camera.*

I also painted a piece that might hang above our mantel. 

Pics will be posted if and when I decide it's a keeper.