Moody Mondays... {spring fling}

G'mornin!

Happy Monday to you all!  (all two of you  ;)

And a very happy Monday it is for this girl- Mister Hott Husband is in town this week!  Can I get a 'WOOT WOOT'?!  Party ovah here!!

I can't believe another week has begun already... last week flew by.  It's already time for another Moody Monday post!

I get to spend the week with this hunk

We spent yesterday afternoon walking through a couple of houses with my aunt, who is our superstar Realtor, Karla Huitsing of Towne Square Real Estate.   We found one that we are pretty excited about... and we have hit the ground running/ praying and are eager to see if this ends up being the 'one'.... EEK!    I'm trying to stay calm about it, but failing pitifully.  I just can't stinkin' wait to decorate sumthin' for goodness sake!  

The funny thing about this house is that it is by far the most outdated house we have walked through, but the one we are most excited about in all our time of house hunting.  We love the layout, the neighborhood, the location, the fireplaces, porch, backyard... the psychedelic carpet in the basement ...etc. etc.  ;)  From what we gather, the previous owners were actually the original owners.  They lived there for 50+ years and they were incredibly meticulous in the maintenance of the home.    It gives me such a good feeling to think of that- that this was some sweet couples dream house that they built and loved and cared for so well all those years....

Anyways- I created the mood board below a couple of weeks ago, but I think it fits the feel that I would want to do in the master bedroom of the house we are looking at.  Romantic, light, airy, comfortable, restful.... and, as always, very eclectic.

  

The chandelier is a little quirky in the room, but I have always been intrigued by this style.... and what a better place to put love letters!  I tend to shy away from symmetry for some weird reason, but in this instance I really feel that it grounds the space and gives it such a restful quality.   I have been loving a palette soft pinks and grays and creamy-whites lately... it just feels fresh and springtimey to me, and I feel that the leather chair and the clean lines of the bed help to balance the feminine aspects of the room.  Pink does not have to mean 'baby girl'.  It can look so sophisticated and soft when used in small doses in grown up spaces.  AND- did you know that pink is considered to be one of the most relaxing colors?  It is sometimes even used in prison cells to calm inmates.  Not that I want to think of prison cells while decorating our room, but it is an interesting fact nonetheless!

To my surprise, hubster said that this was his fave of all the boards I have done.   (I didnt know what he would think of the pink, but he totally approved!)    

What do you think of pink?  Would you decorate with it?

xoxo,

Shaina

Moody Mondays....{frock style}

Time for another edition of 'Moody Monday'!

(Thanks to these I am actually starting to look forward to Mondays now... never thought I would see the day...  =)

Today's board is brought to us by my ultra- talented mother.  

Take it away, Frock!

***

Thank you Lily!  Today's board is all about COMFY.  I envision curling up on the sofa in my worn out sweat pants, my hubby's oversized jean shirt and my fluffy slippers, watching another episode of Downton Abby... for the third time (admittedly a recent addiction of mine... thank you very much Lily for introducing me to Downton).

Of course this scene is completed with the sipping of wine of some wonderful English Tea.  Aaahhhh yes.... Serenity at it's best. 

Future Great Room by tami-simplelivingdesign on Polyvore


Many times my clients have asked me what my personal style is.  I'd have to say that this room, at least today, is my style.  Tomorrow may be a whole different story as I enjoy a wide variety of styles and find myself too easily bored with my surroundings. However, what I love about this room is it's timeworn brick wall, the inconsistencies and natural distressing on the hardwood floors, and a mixture of furniture that is as cozy and comfy as my slippers.  And lets not forget about the color palette.  It is a calm, quiet color scheme (at least in my opinion).  Who doesn't long for more calm and quiet?  I know I do!

So there you have it... my mood for Monday.  Quite honestly... even to my surprise...this room/ color scheme may last as a favorite for at least another week or two. :)

***
Thank you Frock!!  This is SO, so, so beautiful!  Can I come over and watch Downton  and drink tea with you in there?  
My momma has got some serious talent, folks.

What about you?  Do you have certain colors and/ or fabrics that seem to calm you?  I would love to hear from you!

~valentines day~

Happy Valentines day everyone!!!  

~me and my super hott valentine~

I love valentines day.  

There.  I said it.

I know that some people cant stand the holiday and claim it is  just a way for hallmark to make more money, but I really enjoy the chance to celebrate love, and frankly I will take any excuse to eat more chocolate.  

I also think its a great time to reflect on and praise the One who is Love, and to remember what love really means... and what Love did.  It's SO much more than warm-fuzzies and hand holding,  red and pink,  chocolate and love songs, frills and froofyness.   (yup. froofyness.  that's my word and I'm stickin' to it.)

 Speaking of what love means, this song is amazing:

..."For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38 - 39

..."In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.  This is Love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another."  1 John 4:9-11

Have a really wonderful day, friends.  Know that you are loved SO BIG today and each day.

XOXOXOXOXO,

Lily

PS.  this is totally random, but my valentine sent me this link and I almost peed my pants laughing.... he travels a LOT this time of the year, and this pretty much sums up how weird and awkward I feel when he is gone.

Moody Mondays... {romance}

Good Morning sunshines!  

It's Monday, and you know what that means...time for another mood board!

With Valentines being only three days away, I have been dreaming of romance....  and of course a cozy, romantic hideaway. ;)

via Polyvore

Frock and I had fun playing around with this one.  We wanted to create a sophisticated, cozy, and sensual atmosphere, and tried to balance the masculine and feminine elements. 
Of course we had to include candles, a fireplace, some fur, a champagne bucket, and some volumes of poetry. ;)   

What is your idea of a romantic hideaway?

~Pizza Pizza~

Oh, pizza.

How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways...

On second thought,  how about if I just share my fave pizza recipe?

SO tasty


I really don't have a proper name for this recipe.  Maybe I will just be really abstract and creative and mysterious and call it bacon-asparagus-mushroom-pesto- feta pizza... 

You will need:

-Jiffy or Betty Crocker Pizza crust mix (I used 3 packages Betty's and it made two pizzas)
-1/4 cup Pesto
-1 medium yellow onion, diced
-2 cloves garlic, minced
-Asparagus (I used 1/2 bunch), cut into 1" pieces
-6 or 7 Baby Bella Mushrooms, sliced
-1/2 package of Bacon
-Feta cheese (honestly not sure how much I used... maybe 3/4 cup?  Just eyeball it. )
-Mozzarella (optional)

Prepare crust according to package.  (preheat oven according to package directions as well)  Fry bacon and set aside, reserving 2 tablespoons of grease.  Saute Asparagus in bacon grease.  When the asparagus is cooked, add garlic and saute one minute longer, then remove pan from heat and set aside to cool.
Press crust onto a lightly greased baking sheet and top with a healthy smearing of pesto.  Top with mozzarella if you so desire, along with the feta, asparagus, onions, mushrooms, and bacon.  If you are a seasonings-nut like me, go ahead and crack a little black pepper over the whole shebang.

Bake and enjoy!!

Pizza.  The food of champions.

~ my mister in his youth ~

Have a super great Thursday!
xoxoxo


PS.  All of the elements of this pizza, obviously excluding the crust, would make a terrific pasta dish - just saute all the veggies in pesto, add feta and 1/3 cup reserved pasta water to create a slightly creamy sauce.  Toss with pasta of your choosing, top with crumbled bacon and feta... and voila! :)

daddy long-legs

Today is a very special day.
This is the day that our family gets to celebrate the life of a truly incredible man.  He is the irreplaceable 'daddy long-legs' to us kids ...  handsome husband to our mother... and a talented woodworker named John to the rest of the world. 

Birthday boy!!

I am so fortunate to have this man for my father.  

He has been, and continues to be, an amazing Christ-like example to each of us.   He treats everyone with respect and integrity, regardless of their 'status'.   He truly lays down his life for his family, working his hind-end off to provide while always making time for morning Biblestudy, ping-pong with my little brother, cigars with my mister, coffee with me and my sister, date nights with my mom... etc.  He is probably the most patient, strong, gracious, faithful, and genuine person I have ever encountered, not even exaggerating.  


Happy Birthday Daddy long-legs!!!
 I love you SO very much.

Thank you for being the man that you are.

I pray that you have a wonderful, blessed year!
...and may you have many many MANY more... :)

Moody Mondays...{fresh}

Good Morning everyone!  

Welcome to the second installment of "Moody Mondays". 

Whether it's because spring is around the corner or because I have finally taken a much needed shower, this week I am all about FRESH.  I am craving clean, cheerful, and fun.  I am also craving lime flavored jello, but I won't bore you with that.

My sweet mother, aka. Frock, has been longing to redo her lower level for quite a while.  Like me, however, she loves SO MANY different styles and color palettes that it has been difficult to zero in on a direction for the space.   We decided one dreary day last week to play around with colors and styles and find a look that is fresh, spunky, comfortable, etc.  

This is what we came up with:

 

Via: Polyvore


(The green polka-dot would be wallpaper in the dining/ game nook)
It's not 'basement-y' in the least, but I think it would be a fun space to hang out regardless!  
I am loving those shades of green lately... with hits of lemon... grounded by warm brown, charcoal, and blue-grey... *sigh*

By the way, Frock introduced me to this cool website for color inspiration called Design- Seeds, and I will most surely be visiting it regularly.  Check it out next time you are in an uninspired design-slump!

Though we are not sure that this is the look that will end up in the space, we sure had fun playing.

xoxo