Friday, May 3, 2019

get the look




drapes | table | dining chairs | chandelier | bowl | moss decor

THESE GORGEOUS DRAPES! Y'ALL. I can hardly contain my love for these beauties. I love the bold statement they make, demanding attention and adding so much to this simple room. The natural tones (wood, stone, slate colored walls) all provide the perfect canvas for a lovely, bold punch, and these curtains are the icing on the cake. Now, I say all that, but there's definitely another statement maker in the room. That lovely chandelier is also a stunning piece of art, but the natural finish (honestly, I can't tell if it's wood or metal, but whatever it is) really calls attention back to the center of the table after they've had all that eye candy on the color. It draws the eye back to the purpose of the room, time around the table with loved ones.

Tuesday, April 23, 2019

pack my lunch


My go-to lunch for the past several weeks. Fresh arugula because I love the taste - just a bit peppery and not chewy or bitter like kale. Sweet, sweet strawberries make it feel like a treat and compliment the vinaigrette so nicely. Pine nuts and a boiled egg for protein. I also love this with grilled chicken, but unless I've already got some made up as a leftover, I wouldn't take the time during the week. Feta cheese gives it a nice salty and tangy taste. Top with that dressing and a sprinkling of Everything But The Bagel for a nice onion and garlic flavor. This salad comes together so quickly when you're running late in the morning!

EBTB seasoning | vinaigrette

Friday, April 19, 2019

The Kind of Life


During my devotion this week, the Holy Week leading up to Resurrection Sunday, I came across a scripture I had never read before. By no means am I affluent in theology, but I do feel as though I've read quite a bit of the New Testament. I was so moved and humbled by this text, I found it only fitting to share it today, Good Friday. Let us rejoice that we have an incredibly loving Father who set the perfect example.

The Kind of Life He Lived

18-20 You who are servants, be good servants to your masters—not just to good masters, but also to bad ones. What counts is that you put up with it for God’s sake when you’re treated badly for no good reason. There’s no particular virtue in accepting punishment that you well deserve. But if you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God.

 21-25 This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. He suffered everything that came his way so you would know that it could be done, and also know how to do it, step-by-step.

 He never did one thing wrong, 
Not once said anything amiss. 

 They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right. He used his servant body to carry our sins to the Cross so we could be rid of sin, free to live the right way. His wounds became your healing. You were lost sheep with no idea who you were or where you were going. Now you’re named and kept for good by the Shepherd of your souls.

1Peter 2:18-25 MSG

Tuesday, April 16, 2019

Hair Accessories


scarf  | 2 pearl barrettes | 3 scrunchies | 4 metal clips and metal clips | 5 headband

For those who are ready for a bold and feminine look, this hair scarf will make a statement! Offered in a variety of color and pattern, I love how a scarf can completely change your look! A look just as feminine, but slightly less bold, these pearl clips are slightly oversized and feel like such a throwback to my middle school days - but prettier! The scrunchie trend has been back for a minute, but I finally hopped on board when Lilee's Bowtique offered up these with a cute little tails (which can be tucked under if you're not so keen). They have a huge variety of them and I find them to be a great price point. Also at a great price point is this variety pack of metal clips! A gold and silver of each design and I love how simplified they are. Lastly, if you're not quite ready to go bold with a hair accessory, I think a headband or a wrap is a comfortable way to start. Since they are much more common, you could easily opt for one very simple and understated - then when you're ready, go for a bright color or pattern.

Have you tried out a hair accessory? Which is more your style? If you decide to try out one of these, I would love for you to send me a pic on Insta so I can see how you style it!

Friday, April 12, 2019

CURRENTLY

Every few months I like to do an update on the things currently going on in my life. Here's an update since my last CURRENTLY, in November.


Reading...

That Kind of Mother by Rumaan Alam was a great story about a mother's journey through discovering who she is as a mother, what it's like to be a white mother with a black son, and how your life sometimes turns out much differently than what you think. The beginning of the book was difficult to get through, because I struggled to connect with the story, but I'm really glad I stuck it out because the meat of the book was worth it.

The Immortalists by Chloe Benjamin is probably my favorite read of the year. We follow the story of siblings who discover a psychic who prophecies their death dates, which they are prohibited to share. The novel dives into each character, what they do with the information, how they choose to live leading up to their dates, and how the winding bond of family is often stretched and pulled in various ways and times through the mountains and valleys of life.

A Piece of the World by Christina Baker Kline is an interesting story following the life of a small town farm girl. She becomes a sort of muse or inspiration for a well-known artist and we learn about her childhood.

Traveling...
In January, KJB and I drove to Tennessee to spend some time with family. They are currently converting a Sprinter van into a home, so we helped them paint cabinets, ate some delicious Mexican food, and had some quality time. It was SO nice to get away for just the weekend, put our responsibilities on hold and do something selfish.



In case you catch me mid-daydream, know it's because I'm dreaming of fluffy sand beaches. A couple of weeks back, we vacationed to the Emerald Coast of Flordia and I pampered myself with beach reading, enormous amounts of iced coffee, and allowed the sun to tint my skin just the tiniest bit. (Not much, just a bit. My favorite sunscreen saves the day yet again.)



I'm currently planning a work trip to Chicago this summer (there WILL be time for fun and cinnamon rolls at Ann Sathers) and in a surprise turn of events, I'll be headed back to NYC in December. In November I shared all about our weekend trip to the city, and how I likely wouldn't go back again. *shrugs* but you just never know what exciting thing is on the horizon!

Doing...
The past six months I've loved becoming involved in group fitness classes like yoga and pilates. I tend to go on my lunch break for a short, 30-minute class, but those 30 minutes really rejuvenate me. Getting out of the office and giving my brain a break has been really nice.

If you don't follow me on Insta, you may be wondering about the organ donation I announced in November. Unfortunately I found out in January, after 5 months of testing, fasting, dieting, collecting, and a million other verbs, I had been denied the donation. There were several factors that went into the committee's decision (yes, there's an entire committee that decides if you are accepted or denied!) and if you want to know more about that, I have everything saved under my Insta Story highlights. So that's something I haven't been doing - but what I have been doing is REFOCUS. Ironically, just four days after settling on this word for my work of the year, I found out I couldn't donate. I thought the word would force me to concentrate on my health, recovery, and the very emotional and spiritual aspect of this surgery. Instead, I was forced to refocus; the #52weekchallenge helped me with that. I've been slowly, week-by-week actually decluttering, purging, and reorganizing.

Wearing...
As I mentioned, I've recently been doing a lot of yoga and pilates, which means I've added some new workout clothes to my wardrobe. These leggings are now my go-to (literally, I almost panicked one morning while packing my gym bag because I couldn't find my favorite pair). Also, these tennis shoes are the loveliest color called icey pink and they are super lightweight. Great for a walk or a HIIT workout.

Friday, April 5, 2019

Polish and Pom Poms


Spring has officially occurred on the calendar and my spring vacation may have come and gone, but at home it still feels like winter. In fact, three days ago we had snow on the ground, which I pretended to ignore. But with spring comes sandals and with sandals come pedicures. To pair with your polishes, I would say it's time to start thinking about your handbag choice for the season. Pom poms aren't going anywhere fast, especially as we consider beach vacations and the summer season.

Save: pair this new Sally Hansen x Jelly Belly polish with this charm to add to your favorite bag. This is the least expensive and most versatile way to go, since you can move the charm to any bag for a touch of playfulness. I love the confetti look of this Tutti Fruitti polish because it's like a party for your nails.

Spend: Essie's newest spring color, Reign Check, is the perfect blue gray with a gorgeous gold metallic sheen that would look amazing darker skin tones. I love it paired with this pom pom tote by Shiraleah because the peach would compliment the cool tones so nicely. Plus, the tote isn't massive making it a great option for an everyday carry to remind you of the beach.

Splurge: Chanel Le Vernis is a stunning peachy color with warm undertones and a metallic sheen. I love it paired with coral for a sunset vibe. This Eric Javits crossbody is the perfect color and has stunning pink, purple, and gold tassels and poms. I'm already envisioning this style with a lemon shakeup in one hand and a cotton candy swirl in the other.

Friday, March 29, 2019

Gallery Wall: Seaside Cottage

For this style, the idea of all white frames really called out to me. They can be a variety of profiles, with and without mats, to add textural interest. The theme speaks volumes in these prints and really pulls in nature, to mimic the view from the windows. My color palette includes a lot of pink and blue, but the theme would also work well with orange, green, and gray in muted hues.


sofa from Perigold | birdspeony | sunset | boatwaves |

About this series:

Gallery wall can be a scary combination of words. There's stress around selecting the right pieces: coordinating the themes, colors, sizes. There's stress around framing: all the same frame or a variety and to mat or not to mat. And of course, the worst part, putting those nails in the wall to actually hang. If your layout isn't pre-planned you could end up with holes you didn't want. Have I thoroughly stressed you out? 

Finding great art online is a fun hobby for me; I could browse instagram accounts and shops for hours looking at all styles, mediums, and collections. While some designers have very specific taste in art, I think every piece of art could be used somewhere, it just needs the right setting. What I love about gallery walls is how it gives the home owner a chance to show their personality and style. This series, which I'll share throughout the year, will hone in on a decor style and find images that would look great in a room together. My hope is to inspire you to seek new sources and curate a style that uniquely reflects your personality. Have a style you want me to focus on next? Be sure to drop it in the comments below. Also, check out my insta-stories where I'll occasionally use a poll to curate my next post.

Tuesday, March 26, 2019

Lunar Love

Celestial and lunar styles and patterns are the hottest trend right now, and you can find it across all mediums. Today I've rounded up a few of my favorite styles to get you in that out-of-this-world vibe. The dreamy pattern on this phone case, the moon phases print, and the stunning globe light will have you seeing stars and connecting to your moon sign. How do you feel about all this lunar love? Are the planets aligning perfectly in your world? Be sure to check out the links below!

watchshirt | phone case | wall hanging | printable | lamp | tote | throw

Friday, March 22, 2019

Spring Daily Style

While preparing for an upcoming trip to warmer weather, I started the way I always start a trip: with a packing list a mile long. I have these grandiose ideas of these super stylish outfits but over several trips to the beach I've learned these plans don't transition to reality well. After a day in the sun, whether at the beach, the pool, or off on an exploration adventure, I like to wind down with a shower and dress comfortably for a dinner out. This outfit is definitely too "cooler climate" for a beach vacation, but this is definitely my idea of the perfect travel outfit, whether flying or roadtripping. The layering allows for temperature flux, the shoes are perfect for easy on/off, and of course the leggings are a no-brainer choice. I also love the stack of bracelets because they give a little personality but are pretty low maintenance. If an arm party isn't your thing, even one of these beauties would add a little *ahem necessary sparkle.

A traveling adventure isn't the only occasion for a look like this though; I think this is the perfect casual ensemble for a daily spring aesthetic! I must admit, I just ready for sandals, but we have awhile before I can bare my tootsies. Do you have a spring uniform? What is your must have for the pending warmer temperatures?!


Cardi | top | Leggings | Scarf | bracelets | shoes

Friday, March 15, 2019

Spring Beauty Newbies

Some new things in the makeup aisle I wouldn't mind giving a try. In spring and summer I have a tendency to switch over to waterproof makeup where I can because I have oily skin and it seems to make a difference. I also swim a lot, so when it comes to things like brows and lashes, I usually try to keep them intact. It's not uncommon for me to take a dip in the pool after work before going out for dinner or running evening errands. Anyway, several of these newbies are waterproof, so I'd like to give them a go for the upcoming season.

it Cosmetics makes my favorite CC+ cream which I wear on a daily basis in place of foundation. While I'm completely happy with my current concealer, this one is waterproof and since I love the brand already, I figure it's a decent product.

Urban Decay is another favorite brand and I've never tired their brow products. Again, this is waterproof and they seem to have a wide color selection. I also like the dual end, to tailor look I'm going for.

This Marc Jacobs eye palette isn't waterproof, but the colors are so stunning it may or may not have me drooling a bit. I've never tried Marc Jacobs cosmetics so I can't speak to the quality for the price. If you have, please let me know your thoughts - I want to do more research before I make a decision on this beauty.

Bronze liners are. my. jam. in the summer. They seem to make my skin a little glowier and I feel like my tan looks deeper. I know. It's ridiculous and probably all fabricated in my mind, but I just really enjoy a bronze liner on my lower lash line in the summer. And, again, this L'oreal Infallible is waterproof, so it feels like a product I would love.

Pretty Vulgar is a brand I know nothing about, but constantly having issues with mascara (smudging, flaking, staying on in general) causes quite the turnover. I have this one on my list because it has super pretty packaging. #iknow #shrug

I'm always up for a good mask and Origins is a brand I've used in the past. Their clean stamp makes me feel good about incorporating it into my skincare routine and I love the idea of this super hydrating one. It comes in a travel size which seems like a great way to try out a new product without committing fully.

concealer | brow pencil | eye palette | liner | mascara | mask

Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Let's Shop


In a world obsessed with Amazon, I find it can often be difficult to sort through the good and bad items simply because there are so many options. Because of that, and because I love to help people and shop, I thought it might be nice to occasionally highlight items I've recently purchased on Amazon. If you're looking for something specific, let me know and I'll see if I can make a recommendation! For now, here are the items I've recently purchased or am planning to purchase in the near future.

Phone case: I don't have this exact design, but I've purchased from this company before and loved the quality. I'll be picking up a new one soon because I have a new phone and my Popsocket broke, so it's time for a phone makeover!

String lights: These I bought for a DIY marquee light and was super impressed with the quality for the price, which can sometimes be outrageous for string lights. One warning though, these are glass bulbs and I promptly shattered one on my ceramic tile after opening, so be super careful.

Cutting tool: If you know me, you know paper crafting is my jam. I love this tool for it's easy grip and teeny tiny blade.

Sweater: This is currently in my cart waiting for check out. One of my fav fashion gals on Insta raved about it so I immediately saved it for a future purchase.

Humidifier: There's nothing pretty about this mac daddy humidifier, but I've had it for about 6 weeks and it's super easy to fill, has an auto-off, and allows you to set the humidity to your desired level. Our typically dry house is much more comfortable.

Leggings: If you follow my Insta Stories, I asked my friends about these and was surprised at the response level. Many people have these or are wanting to try them. Some consider them a LuluLemon dupe, although a few that have both have said they are close. If Lulu is a 10, these are an 8. Which, for the price, is a great deal. If you don't want to order them, I've heard they are also at TJ Maxx!

Friday, March 8, 2019

Springham Gingham


A few years back I bought a darling pair of pointy-toe, gingham flats with a cute little bow  and I wear them like crazy in the spring and summer. There's something about that picnic-y print that, no matter what color it is, it gives off the warm weather vibes so hard. After becoming obsessed with the pattern I picked up two different gingham tops and my co-workers probably thought I'd lost my mind with often I was wearing the preppy pattern. And according to ManRepellar, Kule is bringing preppy back in a big way. Now, personally, I don't see enough gingham in their shop, so let's hope they see this post and reevaluate their pattern selections. Nevertheless, friends, I'm here for it!

pink blouse | cropped wrap top | a-line dress | red blouse | skirt | headbandsheath dress

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

Gallery Wall: Eclectic

An eclectic style is the easiest when it comes to curating your gallery wall. There's really not much you could mess up on. Your colors, frames, content, and layout can all vary. The only way you can go wrong with this style is if the rest of your home leans dramatically to another style. Eclectic gallery walls work best in eclectic style homes. But that doesn't mean your gallery wall can't be a little bit curated like this one. If you want to incorporate variety, chose one thing to keep consistent, like image colors or theme.


sofa by Perigold | owl | moonrise | rain | donut | vogue | cacuts |

About this series:

Gallery wall can be a scary combination of words. There's stress around selecting the right pieces: coordinating the themes, colors, sizes. There's stress around framing: all the same frame or a variety and to mat or not to mat. And of course, the worst part, putting those nails in the wall to actually hang. If your layout isn't pre-planned you could end up with holes you didn't want. Have I thoroughly stressed you out? 

Finding great art online is a fun hobby for me; I could browse instagram accounts and shops for hours looking at all styles, mediums, and collections. While some designers have very specific taste in art, I think every piece of art could be used somewhere, it just needs the right setting. What I love about gallery walls is how it gives the home owner a chance to show their personality and style. This series, which I'll share throughout the year, will hone in on a decor style and find images that would look great in a room together. My hope is to inspire you to seek new sources and curate a style that uniquely reflects your personality. Have a style you want me to focus on next? Be sure to drop it in the comments below. Also, check out my insta-stories where I'll occasionally use a poll to curate my next post.

Friday, March 1, 2019

I'm Back! And Life Lately

HEY-YO!!!! My hibernation is complete and I feel refreshed and rejuvenated. As you can see the blog also received it's deserved refresh, with a new header and button design. Let's talk about those little changes, shall we?



New logo | It's been several years since Kerrie created my former logo and I absolutely loved it, which is why it graced my page for so long. I felt like it was time to update it a bit with a style shift. It challenges my typical design process to think about a new way to put together images and boards, which has surprisingly inspired me. You'll still see the often quirky things and content will mostly remain the same, it will just have a a new look.

New tabs | While I've been working hard on my #52weekchallenge, the concept of purging and simplifying has been top priority. I removed tabs I found to be unnecessary and you now just have a convenient few to choose from depending on what you're looking for.

New way to search | This one I'm super excited about. I've condensed my tabs and sorted through years of posts and condensed my content to these main topics. Now, if you want to see my posts about fashion, you can click the link and it filter all the posts for you.

+++

In other news, our 8-week basketball league wraps up tomorrow with a few weather make-up games and our big award celebration. It's been a hectic season but super rewarding and I'm going to really miss seeing some of the kids (ahem, notice I said "some"). We have a weekend getaway planned to help us transition out of this busy season and a long vacation coming so soon I can almost feel the sand between my toes now. 

While KJB (that's the huz if you're new here) has recently become obsessed with reruns of In The Heat Of The Night, I started over on Friends for the third time. (However, in case you care, I'm really ready to get back into Big Bang Theory so a friend is loaning me his DVD's since it's not on the CBS app.)  I've also read quite a few books that I'll update you on soon. Be sure to follow me on Goodreads if you want to see what I'm reading.

If you're not already following my on Insta, make sure you go and give me a follow. I know this is a shameless plug, but there's good stuff over there, like the strangely large collection of toothbrushes in my linen closet, the #AntInvasion, and other topics equally as entertaining. Actually, today I may even share my exciting meeting with my insurance agent! Ok, maybe I'll spare you from that thrilling adventure.

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Time Out


Splendid Actually is happy to announce a season of hibernation. Before I get into the what/why/when of this season, let's first talk about hibernation in the general sense of the word. According to LiveScience, mammals are recognized as hibernators, an adaptation that allows for energy consumption because of a natural drop in body temperature and metabolism, developed by lack of food sources. Obviously humans do not need to hibernate in the literal sense of the term because we have access to food and, well, life just continues and as active members of society, we are obligated to participate.

So what does hibernation look like for me? The month of February will be silent, no blog posts, Twitter activity, and very little Instagram activity. My time and energy will be focused on a few things, which I'll share later. When I return in March, I'll pick up my normal publishing schedule of Tuesdays and Fridays. Also at this time, a mini re-brand is coming to the site: a new logo and a new way to search for content. My Spring art collection will launch in March as well, which I'm super excited about.

Why February? This time of year is always super busy for me. If you're not aware, my husband and I host a basketball and cheerleading league for over 100 young athletes. This means 3 hours every weekday and 9 hours on Saturdays of practices and games. I help to coordinate volunteers like coaches, clean-up crews, and concession stand workers. Social media postings, announcements and all communication with parents is also my responsibility, as well as implementing an end-of-season celebration. All of this is done on top of my full time job, creating content for the blog, volunteering on the Praise Team at church, and teaching a Bible Study. Needless to say, I'm worn out by the end of the season.

Please don't read into this as a pitty post - we are super blessed to have lots of help, both with the league and at home. We have someone to clean the house, groceries get delivered, and occasionally we are treated to dinner out by family members trying to lighten the load. This year, I want to conserve a little energy by taking the pressure off of creating two posts a week. This will allow me to adjust my normal schedule, to fit in my workouts and time to play with my art releases. I also hope it allows me to sleep a little later in the mornings (when I normally do SA work) and catch up on my reading list.

The month will fly by, and I can't wait to be back, sharing new content. x's and o's, courtney

eye mask | pillows | blanket

Friday, January 25, 2019

About Face

Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil & Gimme Brow: This power couple is changing the brow game for me. In the past I've shared my love for the NYX Control Freak, which is still a product I use and love, but when I'm puttin on the ritz, this product is my go-to. The tiny pencil gives me the perfect hair-like lines and the gel adds a little color to really pack a punch and control those wild hairs.

Bare Minerals Clear Radiance: Bare Minerals does no wrong when it comes to blushes, powders, and eye shadows IMO. I find their products to be long lasting and so complimentary to my skin. The Clear Radiance product is not really a blush, not really a bronzer, and not really a highlight, but kind of all three in one. It has a lovely sun-kissed look to it with a natural shimmer. I apply it like a blush, on my cheekbones, but then I carry it up my temples and blend into my hairline. The look it gives really works well year-round.

Too Face Born This Way Concealer: For years I used another product and I'm not sure if my skin changed or if the formulation changed, but over time I found it didn't give me the coverage I needed. I have hyper-pigmentation around my mouth and very dark circles around my eyes, and I find that this does the job perfectly.

it Cosmetics CC Cream + SPF: My go-to foundation for over a year, this CC cream gives me a super natural look, additional SPF coverage and comes in a decent range of colors for those of us with light skin. I prefer this applied with a beauty blender, but I find that it doesn't look streaky when applied with a typical foundation brush either.

concealer | brow pencil  + brow gel | cc cream | blush |

Tuesday, January 22, 2019

Rabbit Life

Juicing has become my new thing. I'm obsessed with trying out flavor combos and determining what they can do for my overall health and immune system. Since me and veggies tend to not be super acquainted with one another - it's an off and on, love/hate relationship. I'll have moments of motivation to try new, experiment, and actually enjoy the taste. Then those taste buds hibernate and I can't stand them anymore. But for some reason in the juice variety, I'm 100% on board with the flavors.

Juicing for me is also a love/hate but because I know I need the vitamins from the veggies, I handle a little mess. Right now I'm using a blender and straining through a nut bag - both of which are products I love and work wonderfully for me. It's just the mess! My dream world consists of a gadget that would make my life easier: the Omega Nutrition Center. This is the mother of all juicers IMO and I would LOVE to have one on my counter top.

One juice I've been making is the easiest recipe ever: celery! If you're using a blender, chop your stalks into four pieces, dump them in, and puree. Then dump your puree into the nut bag and squeeze out the liquid into your glass. One bunch of celery will make one large glass.

Another juice to try, which has a completely different taste, is a carrot/apple/celery juice. For multiple veggies/fruits, I recommend blending and straining each item individually. In reality, that takes longer than just adding all the items in at once and if you're not a morning person, you probably aren't going to take the time to do it like that. However, I still find I need to do two batches because of the quantity my blender holds. For this drink, you need 2 large carrots, 1 green apple (cored), 3 celery stalks with leaves, 2 handfuls of parsley, and 2 handfuls of spinach. You will always get a different amount of juice from each fruit/veggie so this is an estimation. Pre-chop your carrots, apples, and celery because these are hard veggies and your blender will need the extra help.

A couple more tips I've learned while giving this experiment a try that I thought I would pass along to you:

-Your juice tastes better and holds more nutrients when you drink it right after juicing.
-Drink your juice on an empty stomach. It allows the nutrients to go straight to your bloodstream. Supposedly juice can upset your digestive system if you drink it after eating.
-Green juicing is a science: do some research prior to starting your journey. There's a smart way to rotate your greens and give your body a balance of nutrients. I'm actually not a fan of green juice, so I tend to stick to juices that mix veggies and fruit.

blender | nut bagjuicer

Friday, January 18, 2019

52 Week Organization Challenge

Good morning friends! I must have woke up on the right side of the bed today because there's a pep in my step and my mood can be seen in my hot pink lipstick. If that's not bold for January, I don't know what is. But from the moment my eyes fluttered open, it was a good day full of smiles and productivity. Not everyone would see productivity as a good day, but nothing feels better to me than checking off a list.

Which, conveniently transitions perfectly to the point of today's post. Let me start with a disclaimer: I have no idea if this idea has been presented before. In fact I'm sure if you took to Pinterest, there would be a dozen or so versions of this floating around. I came up with this idea while laying in bed last night trying to go to sleep but couldn't shake all the things floating through my mind, so I pulled out my phone and made a list. Before I knew it my list contained organizing half of our house in a 36 bullet-point list. Organically, this list became a 52 week organization challenge for me and my husband, who may or may not realize he's involved in this project at this time. Ahem.


If you decide to tackle this challenge yourself, the first step is creating your list. My notes app on my phone is one of my most used tools, and one I find most people tend to underestimate. I love how the app allows you to jot your thoughts, create a grid/chart, add check boxes, or draw with pen. For this list, I added the check boxes and numbered one through 52. I added every closet, cabinet, drawer, etc to the list. If the area is large or will just be a more time consuming task, I divided it. For example, my nine-drawer Alex drawers is too much to tackle, so I split it into two categories.

Being 100 percent honest with myself in how much I can tackle at a time, is going to be key to making sure this works for me. My chest of drawers has 6 drawers, so I'm going to work on it one drawer at a time. Other projects, like the shed clean out, is going to have to be something KJB and I both work on, so it's one project. It may take half a day, but it's totally do-able with two people.

Another thing I considered on my list was if something would need done multiple times. Our seasonal clothing is going to need purged twice to make sure excessive apparel from one season doesn't accumulate more than another. I added a box for summer and a box for winter. Same concept for our freezers, which I am ashamed to admit often gets overlooked.

Hopefully this post auspicates a slurry of organization; I know I'm super excited to undertake these spaces, little by little, over the next year.

Tuesday, January 15, 2019

Fierce Female


She's not afraid to go big with her sunnies, hoops, and decisions. She's not afraid of color on her body or in her house. She's not afraid to make a statement in her wardrobe or when sticking up for someone.

My vision of a fierce female has changed a little over the years though. In addition to all these things, she loves hard, will drop anything to help someone she cares about, gives generously, speaks out on the topics she's passionate about, and has a killer smile. She recognizes that peaks come with valleys and that looking out for one another is a path to happiness and fulfillment. She is the fierce female.

hoops | sunniescoat | boots | bag

Friday, January 11, 2019

Favorites


Quite a random combination this time in my favorites, but that's the most genuine kind of favorites there could be! Each of these gems are currently winning a spot in my heart.

Our Passerelle chairs have always been some of my favs but recently I've spent a lot of time in the lounge reading next to the fire and I really enjoy the wide seat so I can curl up.
These hair ties are like magic. I'm probably late to the party when it comes to these but if you haven't tried them, go, run fast.
 My Return to Tiffany bracelet and ball earrings have been on basically nonstop. They are pretty much classics and go with everything, which is why I made them my go-to the past month or so.
The K-Cafe was a Christmas gift that I'm obsessed with. Starbucks who? No excuses to go out for coffee when this puppy is in my kitchen.
Young Living Cool Azul has been in my diffuser constantly since I stopped using the Christmas Spirit scent. I also use it after a workout because it has a nice cooling sensation.
Lastly, my go-to brow product has been the Benefit Precisely My Brow Pencil. It has a super fine tip that makes it easy to fill in sparse areas without being too bold.

chair | hair tie | bracelet | studs (similar) | coffee maker | cool azurl oilbrow pencil

*affiliate links used in this post, but as always, rest assured that I only share my favorites.

Tuesday, January 8, 2019

Gallery Wall: Hollywood Glam

About this series:

Gallery wall can be a scary combination of words. There's stress around selecting the right pieces: coordinating the themes, colors, sizes. There's stress around framing: all the same frame or a variety and to mat or not to mat. And of course, the worst part, putting those nails in the wall to actually hang. If your layout isn't pre-planned you could end up with holes you didn't want. Have I thoroughly stressed you out? 

Finding great art online is a fun hobby for me; I could browse instagram accounts and shops for hours looking at all styles, mediums, and collections. While some designers have very specific taste in art, I think every piece of art could be used somewhere, it just needs the right setting. What I love about gallery walls is how it gives the home owner a chance to show their personality and style. This series, which I'll share throughout the year, will hone in on a decor style and find images that would look great in a room together. My hope is to inspire you to seek new sources and curate a style that uniquely reflects your personality. Have a style you want me to focus on next? Be sure to drop it in the comments below. Also, check out my insta-stories where I'll occasionally use a poll to curate my next post.


This Hollywood Glam vibe features a stunning, tufted sofa in a lovely dusty blue shade with thin gold legs. Not quite mid-century, not quite a chesterfield, this sofa is the perfect choice for a Hollywood Glam room. The gold legs encouraged a warmth in the art work and a art deco flare. For this room, go for brass and black frames - simple in profile to let the artwork shine. bring in shades of white to keep it light, and shades of blue to compliment the sofa. This large marble piece sets the tones and anchors the collection. Balance the other pieces by considering the main color in the image and dispersing them around the center piece.

sofamarble | capiz art crystals | palladium theater | crawling lights | katrina portrait

Friday, January 4, 2019

Starting New




Recap of 2018 Resolutions


Drink More Water | I'm really proud to say I've worked hard on this. 2018 started out with just a generic goal of upping my water intake and I did pretty well at the beginning of the year, but then, as typical, fell off somewhere around March or April. Then during my kidney donation testing, it was determined I really needed to focus on drinking 67 ounces of fluid a day with a concentration on water. Considering I'm making a huge decision to donate an organ, I also need to be serious about keeping the rest of myself healthy. Now, I use the app My Water Balance to track my intake of all fluid. My notifications are set to remind me each hour to take a drink, because frankly, I still need the reminder. It's not quite yet a habit.

Tackle Debt | Another proud moment came when I was able to pay off two credits I had. You will see a repeat of this resolution for this year, and I will be setting some monthly goals to do even better than last year.

Paint the Ceilings | This seemingly random resolution was much more specific than the other two, but again, I'm happy that I did paint the ceiling in our dining room and the main hallway. Guys, I'm telling you this made such a huge difference in our home. Our dining room no longer feels like a cave which is pretty spectacular. We still have other ceilings to paint (all the bedrooms) but we are planning to repaint the walls in those rooms as well, so we will make a point to do the ceilings during those projects.



 2019 Resolutions

Time Off | This year I hope to be much more intentional with my time off work. My day job is a rewarding and fulfilling part of my life that I'm grateful for, and I have a tendency to not use up my PTO until the last second, before they expire. This year, I'm going to make sure to set aside my time and plan out how to use it. Those days off don't have to be full of spectacular plans or goals, but spacing them out and giving myself breathing room throughout the year would be a great mental vacation.

Expand my Comfort Zone | Last year when traveling to Ecuador, I put myself in a position of unfamiliar territory. In a new country, spending my time talking to complete and random strangers, I found that I was a little more bold. One of the things I loved about Pelilo and the other Ecuadorian towns was how receptive the people were of others. This openness was comforting and not one bit intimidating. While intimidation isn't something I thought I feared before the trip, I realized afterward that I often times feel intimidated.

Tackle Debt | I told you this resolution would be repeated this year. While I consider 2018 to be successful, I've set stricter budgets for 2019 and have specifically put some things on my no list to help myself save money here and there.

What is this no list I speak of? Wanting to be more intentional with my goals during my planning, I came across Lara Casey's 2019 Goal Setting Series, which includes a deep evaluation of your life, your dreams, and what your goals have done for you in the past. The entire process was really therapeutic for me and allowed me to dive into the daily decisions that are making up my life and determine if each one is good or bad for me in the grand scheme of my life. I'm not going to share the entire process with you, but I do encourage you to head to Lara's website and check it out yourself, and I'm going to share my yes and no list for 2019 with you. Please help hold me accountable!


Tuesday, January 1, 2019

Celebrate


May this year be the best year yet! Cheers to choosing love and kindness in 2019.