happy leap day!

a whole extra 24 hours for the year -- I believe this day should always be considered a holiday - no school, no work. It shall be called "here's-an-extra-day-catch-up-do-whatever day." Disregard that it won't fit in your calendar... perhaps HAEDCUDW day would work better? Hmm..name needs a little work, perhaps.

I can see it now. Stores would have ridiculous sales. Banana Republic, Nordstroms, Pottery Barn.. everything $29? Yes. Yes. I think so! We'd all be home catching up on our to-do lists or spending the day giving our loved one some extra love. WOW, can't you just see how productive we would all be in this magical, dreampt up world with our extra 24 hours!? Whew - I'm worn out just thinking about all the productivity!

I'd love to be home sewing that skirt I bought material for 4 months ago, planning the months meals or spending much-needed {uninterrupted} time with my hubs. But, I know if I had the day off for HAEDCUDW day... I'd be doing what I do best.. wasting time or filling it with the regular ol' day-to-day crap. Happy leap year!

How will you spend your extra 24 hours this year?

the land of a bajillion things

I love stuff. Not that I necessarily want it all {don't mind me.. I do want it all} but I love seeing what other people are creating out of random items. My favorite stores are full of eclectic items. Flea markets, yard sales and antique stores are my friends. I love dreaming up what things could become but I am at a loss for placement. Reason in point why I need to make besties with an interior designer.

Anyway, Saturday Mike and I happened upon this huge but random store at the back of the farmer's market. Thinking it was strictly garden stuff, we were both pleasantly surprised to see that this building was filled to the brim with the most random pieces: machine parts, canisters of all types, wheels, jugs, crates, bathtubs on stands, you name it.. they had it.. somewhere. 

I felt like a kid in a candy shop. The pricing wasn't bad. No yard sale price but less than you'd find in your typical Pottery Barn. And, even better EVERYTHING had a sale tag.. 15% off, 25% off, 40% off.

Quickly Mike pointed out.. we could make that... and that... and that. So, what started as a 'maybe we could find something fun to add dream about adding to the house' quickly turned into 'maybe we can make that for the house.'

Either way, lots of great ideas and inspiration for your home. 

perfect for your kitty lover friends - mine's Amanda {at Eloquent English}

I just loved all the different distressed looks on the furniture pieces -
a great way to spruce up a piece of furniture you have

 couldn't resist these cute little pickles! Check out their flops.

 i love old doors. and the colors. awesome.

cute idea for a nautical room

love this 

how perfect would these be for a coffee table on the patio

wall art

storage bins?

and the cutest thing I found.... I took this one home with me :)

urban farming

I'm a veggie junkie. I crave veggies and lots of them. 

Thanks to my wonderful husband's green thumb and Raleigh's great farmer's market, I crave the fresh goods. Fresh veggies' color and taste trump those destitute grocery selections every time. And, there's something so rewarding about eating what you've grown {or in my case, someone you know}.

Mike in the past has grown veggies in containers. It works but it's not ideal. The fruits are little, and you're limited on what you can grow. We have big dreams of lots of land and lots of veggies {maybe some chickens too, one day}. I've always wanted to live on a small farm. I love animals. I love the idea of time slowing down. I love the idea of knowing what is going in our bodies {for the most part}. I don't know the first thing about gardening but Mike does, so I think we'll do just fine. BUT...

 Living in the 'city' means no land. No land means no big garden.

Oh, well you better believe that idea don'y fly in this family. So, we're bringing farming inside the beltline.

first stop... pick up veggies: we're starting with romaine lettuce, red leaf, spinach, bok choy and cauliflower.

step 2: build a garden bed - we chose to do a 4x4ft about 16-18 in deep

step three: buy soil -  LOTS of soil. We bought two more gigantic bags after all this.

Step four: Lay down a rock layer for drainage and hopefully a little protection for the concrete {1-2in deep}

step five: Fill with soil, soil and more soil. We're letting it settle a few days before planting some veggies. In the meantime, the veggies are happily planted in containers.

So, there's our garden. I'm hoping we don't get in trouble {we rent}. But, I figured do now and ask for forgiveness later. Right? Come spring/summer that sucker will be filled with greens, tomatoes, peppers, jalepenos, and any other little veggie guys that spark our fancy.

I'm no farmer - so I'm sure we did plenty of things wrong in this process. However, Mike has this magic halo or something because whatever he does, everything seems to always work out great. Boy got skillz!

Mmm... I can already taste the deliciousness!

blueberry yum yum

Good morning sunshines!
{by the time this gets posted... it will be the afternoon. woopsie}

Here's to a Sunday morning, steaming coffee and homemade scones!

here's your recipe {made by mike himself in bachelor days.. too cute}

to make these yummy beauties, you need:
3/4 cup buttermilk (we used almond milk and it worked great)
1/2 cup blueberries
2 1/2 cup flour - unbleached
1/4 cup sugar
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup butter (chop butter into tiny pieces)
1 egg
and for the icing:
1 tbsp lemon zest
2/3 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp lemon juice

to make:
1. preheat oven to 350F
2. in bowl, mix flour, sugar, baking powder and salt together; add butter. mix well!
3. in separate bowl, mix egg and milk. combine with flour mixture. add blueberries and mix
4. flour surface and hands. flatten dough into circle about 3/4 in high
5. take really sharp knife and cut into triangles {like a yummy pie}
6. place on greased baking sheet {we used grapeseed oil but you can use cooking spray}
7. bake for 25 minutes at 350F
8. mix zest, lemon juice and powdered sugar together and drizzle over hot scones {after they've finished cooking}
ENJOY!

I've decided it's time I give my blog a little TLC. Poor thing never gets any love. I've enlisted hubs to make magic happen. We shall see what the next hour or so brings us.

save my seat

Mike and I are in a supper club with some of our favorite {and incredibly hilarious} friends. Next month we will be hosting the affair at our house. I'm picturing place cards, menus, chef hats and oh yeah, delicious tidbits. We've decided to go with a fine{ish}-dining-wine-pairing-many-course-meal style. Mike loves to cook, and I love to craft so we are using this event as an opportunity to go all out. {Now we just have to stick to it.. and not back out and be lazy}

First step, place cards {DIY, of course}....

Source: celebrations.com via Celeste on Pinterest

cute upgrade to the classic cork place card holder

Source: google.com via Celeste on Pinterest

I do love this. However, not sure I have the talent or patience to make this. Beautiful, nonetheless

Source: google.com via Celeste on Pinterest

sweet bird's nest. Better for a brunch or shower than a dinner, in my opinion

Source: google.com via Celeste on Pinterest

How do people think of these things? I love that it's fun. free. functional.

Source: dolciodille.blogspot.com via Celeste on Pinterest

I adore this. What a great use for cake icing tips.

Source: stylemepretty.com via Celeste on Pinterest

Place card doubles as charger - great idea. and, I loooove the menu.

Source: camillestyles.com via Celeste on Pinterest

If only I had gold flatware. Seriously thinking about it.

Source: hatchcreativestudio.com via Celeste on Pinterest

How cute it is!? Dollar store plastic animals spray painted white.

Source: homestilo.com via Celeste on Pinterest

Possibly my favorite for our affair. However, would the guests actually eat it? {I'm hoping yes}

Which one is your favorite? How do you 'save your seat'?


On a side note, Mike and I found an awesome store today full of vintage-ish pieces, furniture and garden gear. Be on the lookout for some awesome pieces {none of which we took home.. boo hoo}. I'm feeling plenty of DIY projects ideas though!

sand, stripes and pastries

Don't mind me.....I am just hanging out on Cloud 9 today.

It's warm here, my toes are in the sand and I'm devouring soft, stinky cheese and crusty bread.

Mike and I are venturing in and out of markets and sipping delicious wines.
I wear the cutest high-waisted shorts
as I ride on my adorable little bicycle full of flowers, wine and fresh fruits.

Two of the cutest toddlers I know are laughing, singing and dancing with me.
I am in paradise.

Ugh summer of 2013.. are you here yet?

We've just booked a trip to Normandy in this cute little abode

and hopefully we'll get to see this cute little family

I am seriously dying with excitement.. and I have over a year to wait? UGH!

for those of you that don't know.. this is my sister and her family
they live in germany

I am {slightly} obsessed with them

they are beyond inspiring, fun and loving

their love of Christ and obedience is amazing

they inspire me to be better, stronger, more passionate

they laugh as a family

they play as a family
they pray as a family

they know how to live life to the fullest

while always glorifying God

Now about my niece and nephew.. I'll have to do a whole separate post
{of incredible cute-ness.. you seriously have no idea}

Sofia is the coolest girl on the planet.

One day, she is going to make an AMAZING woman of God.

She is hilarious, smart, sweet.

I could squeeze her to pieces if she would let me.

Levi is the cuddliest, cutest baby boy.

I want to eat him up every time I hear him or see him.
He is so snuggly, warm and precious!

I can't wait to watch him grow up into a strong, loving father like his own.

I am already starting the countdown until summer 2013. That is just way too long to wait.
Especially for the girl that always opened Christmas presents and rewrapped them.
Patience is not a gift of mine..
at... all

Perhaps, picking out {dream} outfits will ease the waiting period:

vive la france by charrigo featuring strappy heels

Have you been to Normandy? Fav spots? Foods?

I love recommendations :)

Jigsaw crew neck top
£45 - jigsaw-online.com

Flat front shorts
$70 - topshop.com

Seychelles strappy heels
$70 - dsw.com

Givenchy summer handbag
€630 - lindestore.com

Kate Spade chain jewelry
$99 - katespade.com

Michael Kors face jewelry
£200 - harveynichols.com

Kate spade sunglasses
$128 - piperlime.gap.com

Forever 21 brim straw hat
$15 - forever21.com

eat, drink & be engaged

This past weekend was spent celebrating one of my great friends and the engagement to her beau. Her parental units and a few of us bridesmaids have been planning this get together for the past month.

 It was a night filled with laughter, delicious foods and overflowing glasses. 

 The parents' of the bride provided the spread. Her dad used to own a meditteranean restaurant so you better believe we were all fat, full and happy. 

 blushing bride punch recipe

dress up water with blood oranges

 free printable

 sweet touches

handmade signs add the perfect touch to any special event

{I may be a bit biased since these were used in my wedding and made my by mommy.. 

she's pretty good like that}

 the bride's parents

the happy little couple - bride looks stunning in Fedora dress and necklace 

 boys will be boys..

 beautiful hostesses and BMs (bridesmaids not bowel movements) Kim and Ashley

 love.

a wonderful welcome to her new family

Congrats to the happy couple!