decorating

I love to decorate. I know I've said it once, twice, 578,893,798 times. But I do. It's my hobby. My passion (beyond my marriage, my family and my cocker spaniel.) I am constantly thinking of new decor ideas, saving inspiration photos and dreaming of what i will do...some day.

See, we rent. This cute little house we live in is not really ours and since I know it's not forever, I am constantly preventing myself from really doing what I want. (Even though I know we will be here a couple more years.)

But it has occurred to me...why exactly am I constantly dreaming and never doing? Our house is just a house until I make it a home. The time has come. I'm tired of wishing. It's time to do.

I have been trying to pinpoint my decor style. What is it that I love?

Well, I bought an e-book written by Layla over at The Lettered Cottage, and it has really helped me hone in on my decor style. She has you make a list of things you love whether it's pizza and movies or green grass and sunshine, and then shows you how you can pull that into your home. 

Between my list and going through my decor inspiration, I've decided my style is beachy cottage. White. Blue. Bright. Clean. Which, oddly, isn't much of anything I currently have going on...but that makes it a little more fun, right? Fun slash more expensive. Ha!

So, I have given myself three "to do's" to get this show on the road.

1. Move my entry console table to a big blank wall in my living room and surround it with a photo collage, like the one John and Sherry at Young House Love posted earlier this week. I love pictures, so what a perfect way to bring more in! Oh, and I'd love to paint stripes on that wall, like these over at The Lettered Cottage.

2. With the entry table gone, I need a new entry way! I just love the look of this! And it's not only cute, but functional!

3. Rearrange my living room furniture, and move the TV to a table on a different wall. Mr. H. - if you are reading this...I'm gonna need your help with the whole moving the TV thing :)

And as a bonus # 4...I need window treatments. We've lived here almost a year, and the windows are still bare! I want something with shades and some flowing white curtains.

Not sure how long these things will take me, but I'm up for the challenge (and searching for the patience.) I've already talked my man into taking me to the flea market soon. Isn't he the best?

xoxo!

By Brit with 1 lovely note

I'm baaaack

Wow, did I drop off the face of the blogging planet, or what?

Here's what I've bee up to:

1. In an effort to fill my free time (not that I have tons of it anymore) I have been spending 40 minutes a day with Shaun T. No, he's not my neighbor or friend or therapist...he's the inventor of a seriously tormenting workout program. See...

I can testify that Insanity lives up to the name. And despite the fact I can't see huge changes yet, Mr. H seems to think he does, so that's good enough for me!

2. My sisters, mom and I had a fun "at home" spa night last night. My mom did facials, Katie massages, Liz painted nails and I did pedicures, complete with the foot bath we got as a wedding gift! It was really fun to spend time with the girls. I would post a picture, but they are all a little silly/embarrassing. Lolz.

3. I've been working. A lot. And I l.o.v.e. it. I couldn't imagine a more perfect job for me. Plus it helps the days just fly by while Mr. H is flying around the U.S.

4. I turn the big two-five in about a week and a half. Eek! How did I get here? I'm excited for 25...I think it's going to be a great year. My Mr. is planning some sort of birthday dinner. I don't know what he has up his sleeve, but I must say I'm pretty excited! I love love love fun dinners with him. I'm just praying for sunshine and weather in the 80's for my day :)

xoxo.

By Brit with 1 lovely note

spring wishes

Snow! Snow! Snow!

We had yet another snow day today. Pure craziness!

The good news is that I was not stuck inside for the entire day. After snuggling with my sweet Nellie until about one o'clock, I managed to brave the cold (and let me tell you, it was freezing!) to meet my best friend and her hubs for a 2.5 hour lunch. It was so nice to get out, and walking the 5 blocks there and back was sadly more exercise than I've had in a while. It felt good to get some fresh air!

Mr. H and I want to take a little trip in late spring. Somewhere warm. Any suggestions? I'm ready for some sun. I'm also kind of in love with this dress from Victoria's Secret and hoping I can get it for spring/summer. I just can't decide which pattern I love more. Maybe I'll get lucky and be able to get both :)

 

xoxo!

By Brit with 4 lovely notes

love letters

Dear Mr. H,

Last night when I laid down to dream, I found a love letter from you under my pillow. It was a perfect surprise. You said such wonderful things that filled my heart with joy, made me smile and made me cry. And then it made me miss you all over again.

The two days you are home go by so fast, and the five in between seem like eternity. I'm glad we make the most of the time we have...every minute is so precious.

I can't wait for our Luby's date next week...you know I love a good LuAnn with a side of strawberry cheesecake. And a cafeteria date with my favorite person makes it even better. 

Until Saturday night, I'll be missing you!

Love Always,

Brit

By Brit with 2 lovely notes

Anyone want to give me $537,283,962,395,869?

I am buried by over 12 inches of snow, and am going stir craaaaaaazy!

So, what have I done with the last 3 days stuck inside? Daydreamed about my future interior decor. I went through all the inspiration photos I have saved over the last couple years, and weeded out my favorites. What did I discover when I put it all together?

Apparently my love of pink and all things feminine has never changed. Pink...flowers...feminine touches...it makes me happy! I sent my collage to my mr., and you know what he said? "I don't care as long as I get a man room." Wow. I love that man!

I also discovered that my dream decor is only going to cost $537,283,962,395,869! I guess I better start saving!

Here's some girly inspiration in case you love white, pink, flowers and light as much as I do!

via Digs Digs

via House of Turquoise and Designed by The Cross Decor & Design

via House of Turquoise

via Digs Digs

via House of Turquoise and Designed by The Cross Decor & Design

Photo from Elle Decor, July/August 2007 / Image via Flickr

Designed by Palmer Weiss Interior Design

via House of Turquoise and Designed by The Cross Decor & Design

xoxo!

By Brit with 1 lovely note

Seth Cohen & Snow Storms

With my hubs being gone five out of the seven days of the week, I find myself with a lot of free time.

Lately I have been filling this time by spending hours reading my favorite blogs, discovering new ones and watching old tv favorites online (oh, Seth Cohen, how I miss The O.C.) Being that this is sorta how my life is going to be for quite some time...aka 40 years unless we decide to make the move to his base (more on that later) I have decided I have to find a hobby.

I came across a post on The Pilot Wives Club that had advice on being alone without being lonely. It said:

1. The gym is your friend (oops, we just cancelled our membership)

2. Read (do blogs count?)

3. Get plugged in at church (we love our church!)

4. Shop (Being that I spend the most time on our budget, I'm not sure I could allow myself to do this!)

5. Train for a 5k (I don't love to run, but have been thinking about trying it out once the weather gets nicer)

6. Volunteer (Could probably do more of this)

7. Find a hobby (Decorating is my hobby, I just need to find a new project. Maybe curtains?)

Some good tips for sure. I think running or some form of exercise is the #1 way I should start filling my extra time, but it's so dang cold. I guess Jillian Michaels and I better become bff again for now.

P.S. The news is predicting up to 10 inches of snow this week with temperatures below freezing until Friday (today is SUNDAY, peeps.) Say whaaa? The most snow I have ever seen was in Washington state a little over two years ago. It was a beautiful trip, but my kitchen is not near stocked enough for a giant snow storm here in good ol O-K-L-A-H-O-M-A.

Say a little prayer it's not as bad as Mr. Weatherman says (unless by some miracle the hubs gets to be here with me.) xoxo!

By Brit with 3 lovely notes

Things I love: Decorating

A friend on facebook shared this link the other day, and it was exactly what I needed to hear, err...read.

I love to decorate. I mean l.o.v.e. it. I sometimes spend hours just perusing the internet looking for inspiration, and I have files upon files of photo inspiration. But at the same time, I find myself in this dilemma...do I spend the money (and time) to decorate a place when we don't own it? (We rent a cute lil house I love, but know we won't be here forever.)

Well, this post from Nesting Place was exactly what I needed. My house is my home whether I own it or not. I have to love it, regardless.

And someday, I will live somewhere as charming as this

this sweet cottage belongs to photographer Stacey Haines

(click the photo for more photos via House of Turquoise)

or this

this whimisical victorian cottage was featured by The New York Times and belongs to Sandra Foster (click the photo for more photos via The New York Times)

xoxo!

By Brit with 1 lovely note