Lake House Love

Thought I'd share a little taste of our summer lake house to pass these cold winter days.  

At the lake our days are full but lazy.  Lots of fresh cool air hikes in the woods, slow cooking on the grill, coffee talk on the porch, and so many laughs all in the home that my mom decorated with love.

The porch cushions are made from the former owners 1950's pink and green floral window treatments.  The bedrooms are simple - white bedspreads with needlepoint pillow cases and fresh flowers from the garden.  You get the picture - enjoy!

A Stylish Work Space

I'm just sitting here at my desk paying bills and writing letters dreaming of a more beautiful work space.

Here are a couple of desks on my radar that can double as console tables and a stunning photograph of Jackie looking studios in her work space.  Don't you think her little office is beyond elegant?  

Which desk is your favorite?  I love them both!

 1 / 2

Happy Monday!

xo,

Kelly

Southern Doors Dripping with Charm

While vacationing in Charleston, South Carolina I took a stroll down the famous Rainbow Row and found the most charming front doors.  Take a look at this stunning door knocker and ornate door handle I found...

Don't you just want to knock on these doors and ask to take a peek inside?  

More to come on Charleston in my next blog post.  I'm in love with this city!

xo

Kelly

The Perfect Easter

This Easter I nearly forgot to put out my kids' Easter baskets, and I think it's pretty great.

Easter preparations for years up until now meant perfect planning of Easter basket goodies, coordinating sweet Sunday outfits for my kids and endless time spent on my brunch menu.

A few weeks ago at church our pastor talked about how the week before Jesus died he washed his disciples' feet.  His message to them was that we need to take care of one another.  I've heard this message a hundred times but somehow this time it made an impression.

Now I have a billion kids, a dog and a husband, so I'm kind of stretched thin on doing for others.  But I made a big effort this week in little ways. 

Tonight I hosted a dinner for my siblings and parents.  I picked up a few toys, made meatballs and spaghetti from ingredients I thought would taste good together and called them to come over early.  I wanted to spend more time with my family and less time making things just so before they walked in the door.  Remember I'm totally Type A so I've never asked someone to come over early in my life.  I'm normally fluffing pillows and rearranging flowers up until the last minute.

We had so much fun together that I completely forgot about my kids' Easter baskets!  For the first time in ages the famous Easter basket was not the highlight of the holiday.

These past few weeks I've focused on taking care of the people in my life instead of wowing them with perfection, and it has made me heart feel full.  Finally, I think I found the secret to the perfect Easter.  Hope you can find it too!

xo,

Kelly

New Spring Herschel Supply Totes

Last weekend I went away for an overnight trip and threw all I needed for a night's stay in my Herschel Supply book bag.  When I travel alone, I keep my packing simple. It felt great to throw my bag on my back and go!

Check out Hershel Supply's fresh collection of spring totes and their new lookbook here.  They'll have you booking your spring break trip in no time!  

Happy 1st day of spring!

xo

Kelly

Matchbook Magazine

My current magazine obsession is the very charming Matchbook Magazine. It's full of fun fashion and decor ideas, worthy book recommendations, and up close and personal interviews with amazing people.  The best news is it's online AND it's free!

Check it out here.  Let me know if you love it as much as I do!

xo

Kelly

Come Waste Your Time with Me

For Valentine's Day I sent my husband the link to Dave Matthews and Trey Anastasio from Phish singing the song Waste.  The song's famous chorus...Come waste your time with me is one of my favorites.

If you're married with kids - you know the days of just kickin' it and hanging out are little to non-existent without a 5 page paper of family schedules and routines for the grandparents that is.

So my message to my husband is that if there was ever time in the day to waste, I'd want to spend it with him.

Happy Valentine's Day to you all! 

xo

Kelly

Words of Wisdom

Please share this with someone who could use some encouragement today!

xo

Kelly

Valentine's Day Guide

I like my Valentine's Day gifts to be thoughtful, fun and even witty.  Check out my favorite picks for all the sweethearts in your life!

Links: 1/2/3/4/5/6/7

For the pretzel lover...

For your best friend that needs a laugh...

Take a pic of your baby in this onesie for your favorite auntie...

For your marriage - open some wine and listen to your favorite records...

For your kids and their buddies - a heart pencil with a handwritten love poem...

A special Valentine's breakfast for the fam...

For a romantic Valentine's dinner for two - forget cooking and get gourmet delivery...

And finally an e-card for everyone and anyone you want to feel loved...

The Coziest Wrap Sweater

It has been a LONG winter for me, and I recently splurged on this sweater for two reasons...

1.  I am cold.  A heavy wrap sweater is kind of like an acceptable robe to be worn around the house and on the town.

2.  Cabin Fever.  This winter we have lost power and been trapped inside more times than I can count.  I needed some retail therapy, big time.

Love it too?  It's on sale right now at Zappos.com.  

Stay warm!

xo

Kelly

Anita Harley's Art

I'm a huge fan of Anita Harley's art.

My favorite paintings are of people, and I love how Anita is able to capture so much personality in her work.

Plus the watercolor with the little old lady hula hooping looks like my sweet great grandmother, Little Mum Mum!

Love these paintings?  Check out more here.

Happy Friday!

xo

Kelly

Heartwarming Olympics Video

The Sochi 2014 Olympic Winter Games are around the corner, and I can't wait!

To get pumped up, check out P&G's heartwarming video Pick Them Back Up about moms teaching their kids to be resilient athletes.  Watch it here and with a box of tissues!

xo

Kelly

Bring the Slopes to Your Powder Room

My powder room totally needs a makeover.  In my search for the perfect wallpaper, I found this super adorable paper of the Aspen mountain tops shot by Gray Malin.  

Although the paper wouldn't work in my house (and I couldn't afford it), if I had a cabin in the mountains I'd be all over it!  What do you think?

For more info on Gray Malin's wallpaper go to Black Crow Studios.

My Favorite Winter Boots

This year I finally broke down and bought my first pair of real winter boots.  My toes were literally freezing just loading the kids in and out of the car.  

I was searching for waterproof, fully lined and somewhat fashionable boots.  The Winter Fancy short boot by Sorel met all of my requirements.  And they're as stylish as they are warm and comfy!  Check them out on Zappos. 

I've had so many compliments on them - I hope you like them too!

Stay warm!

Kelly

A Beautiful Christmas Tradition

One of my dearest friends, Jenna, had me over for the most delicious pumpkin pancakes and bacon near Christmas time a few years ago.  The house smelled of yummy pumpkin and cinnamon and the kids were running around playing while we reminisced about our crazy days of teaching 5th grade together.

In the midst of all the happy chaos, Jenna quietly gave her son some hay to place in a little cradle after he was helpful to his sister.  Curious about this gesture, I asked her to explain.

In an effort to focus on the true meaning of Christmas, Jenna explained they started this little activity of collecting a cradle full of hay or love for Jesus as their family's Christmas gift.

Each kind deed is recognized with a strand of hay with the hopes that by Christmas the cradle would be full of love.

I was truly moved by this tradition and have since started it with my family.  I am so grateful that Jenna introduced it to me.

Note: A shoe or tissue box will do as a cradle.  Let your kids decorate it to make it all the more special.  If you don't have hay, cut strips of yellow construction paper.  If your kids are older, they can even write their good deeds on the paper hay.

If you try this, let me know how it goes!  My kids love it so far.  And it has helped me to focus on their positive behavior instead of the negative.  Isn't that what we should be doing?

Merry Christmas!

Kelly

Provisions by Food 52

Need a little inspiration for your holiday baking or dinner party?  Or maybe some unique kitchen tools for the foodie in the fam or yourself?  Check out Food 52 and Provisions by Food 52 - you'll love their modern recipes as well as their twists on the classics.  All beautifully photographed for you to browse while planning your next culinary adventure.

I've been eyeing up these Mosser glass bowls ever since I accidentally dropped and cracked our heirloom ones - yikes!

Which recipes are you excited to try?  Their cookie recipes are to die for!

Happy Holidays!

Kelly

Sturdy and Stylish Dog Collars

My dad bought our Beagle, George, a collar from Stockmen's Supply years ago and it is still in great condition.  I was browsing their website the other day and found these super stylish collars and fell in love with them.  The price is right too!  

Don't you think George needs one for Christmas this year?  

I'll leave you with a few words from Margaret Wise Brown on dogs...

I like dogs

Big dogs

Little dogs

Doggy dogs

Old dogs

Puppy dogs

I like dogs

A dog that is barking over the

hill

A dog that is dreaming very

still

A dog that is running wherever 

he will

I like dogs.

Pom-Pom Hats

There is something adorable about a pom-pom hat, even on grown ups.  Last year I bought a soft creme knit one, and my sister, Molly, was asking me to find her something similar.  

Well I did a little research, and here is what I found.  Which one is your favorite?  I'm in love with the hot pink one from Zady!

Find them... 1 2 3

The Best Kid's Party Favor for $3!

What do you want in a kid's party favor?  Probably something that is personalized, educational, affordable and fun!  Or maybe you just want to cross party favors off your "to do" list - like me!  If so, check out these cool coloring books for only $3.  We gave them out as party favors at my son's birthday, and they were a hit!  Go to Birthday in a Box to browse the selection.

Which ones are your favorite?  Any other great finds in the party favor department?  Please share!

And how fun are these winter themed coloring books?  We're giving these out instead of cookies to cousins and classmates this Christmas.

Rainy Day Print

It's a rainy Friday here, so I thought it would be fun to share Laura Trevey's watercolor of Hunter boots.  How cute would this print be in your mudroom?  Only $12 on Etsy - love it!

Have a great weekend!

xo

Kelly