[kreyv of the day]

image source unknown

Outdoor Living

Hey there! I hope you all had a good weekend! Ours was crazy! We had friends over for games (and stayed up way too late); Stella decided it was "her dream" to be on TV (more on that later); we went to a BBQ (and stayed up way too late); and then went to church on Sunday. I could seriously take a four hour nap and not even feel bad about it.

Anyway…the BBQ we went to was so much fun--so much fun, in fact, that Stella peed her pants three times. Yes. Three. Times. (Rompers with buttons all the way down the front are all fun and games until your four-year-old waits until the very last minute to go potty and then has to undo five buttons.) Apparently, it wasn't her fault, though, because she was "having too much fun and was distracted by all the kids". On another note, the home that we were at had an amazing outdoor living space complete with a table and chairs, a couch, and a gas fire pit. (What's better than making s'mores without smelling like fire, am I right?) Anyway, this got me dreaming about having my own outdoor space, which I really, really want.  I know that is very shocking to you all, but I do. And don't worry, I already have the entire thing designed. The plans are safe and sound in my brain waiting to come to fruition. There are all sorts of plans in there, as you can imagine. And now, I just wait for a generous passerby looking unload a ton of cash. Know anyone?

image from BHG Real Estate

image from Architectural Digest

image source unknown

Let's Take This Outside, Shall We?

I am such a weather wimp, there's no question about that. But never, have I ever experienced anything as bad as St. Louis in July. If there were one of those funny cards about St. Louis, it would read, "'I love getting ready, walking out the door, and then sweating profusely when I am fully dressed,' said no one ever." (I know. I'm so clever. Feel free to pin that.) There are a lot of things I will miss about this place. Humidity is not on that list of things. Anywhere. The good news is, July is over, and the cooler weather has arrived--and by cooler, I mean temperatures in the nineties. I'll take it. And hopefully, someday, I can enjoy it all day long in an outdoor living room. Don't you just love these?

image from House Beautiful

image from House Beautiful

image from House Beautiful

Back to Life

...Back to re-al-i-ty. What? Don't pretend that you never listened to En Vogue. And now, you can't get that song out of your head. (I am truly sorry about that. Really.) I must say, coming back from our mini vacay was a little bit rough. I mean, Chicago and Milwaukee weren't exactly blue skies and ocean views, but it was just what we needed. We had so much fun visiting with old work and medical school friends. It was so hard to come home to real life.

I'm not sure what we were thinking when we left. Apparently, we thought we were going to be gone for an entire month as opposed to the five days we were actually gone. Our fridge is so empty. We threw food away, dumped out milk, and didn't go grocery shopping before we left. Seriously, when I start eating Stella's gummy vitamins, because there is not a sweet thing in the house, I know I've hit rock bottom.  Don't worry. I only ate two. It could have been worse.  I guess instead of dreaming about reading books and sleeping on porch swings, I could wipe down the fridge and then go grocery shopping.  OR, I could just continue to open the fridge and every cupboard over and over again hoping that something delicious is going to magically appear.  You would've thought I had grown out of that game. Nope. I just keep playing even though I always lose.

image from Coastal Living

image from Pottery Barn

image source unknown

[kreyv of the day]

image from House Beautiful

[so cheap, so easy]: Monogram Wreath

I am a list maker and a list checker off-er. Today, I had two very important things on my list located in my handy, dandy notebook (stolen material, I know). Number one was to work on some adoption paperwork, and number two was to work on a bulletin board for church. Instead, I made this wreath. I then decided that I would write "complete wreath" in my notebook and check it off. I felt good about it. And, for those of you who are worried that we will never complete our adoption paperwork, don't. It will be finished soon, plus, when the case worker sees this wreath on our front door, he will totally give us extra points on our home study. Ok. Not really.

All you need for this wreath is a letter, glue, a sheet of moss, a wreath, and ribbon or fabric of your choice. Then, you just need to attach everything. I attached the "J" to the wreath with a small ribbon, and then just tied the bow directly onto the wreath. I actually think it would be super cute without the wreath, but since our monogram is a "J," I felt like it needed a little something extra to balance it out. Perhaps it's a little bit country (again, stolen material), but I like it for now, and plus, I got to check something off of my list.

I'm linking up at the following linky parties.  Check them out!

Somewhat Simple

The Shabby Chic Cottage
The Shabby Nest
Finding Fabulous
The Girl Creative
Sumo's Sweet Stuff
Skip to My Lou
Today's Creative Blog
The Thrifty Home
Savvy Southern Style

[kreyv of the day]

image from Style Files

Swing Life Away

Mmmkay, how awesome would it be to have a swinging couch IN your house--or outside if you don't live in St. Louis where it is one million point five degrees outside?? Seriously, today (or yesterday by the time you read this) was 96 degrees. In St. Louis, the actual temperature doesn't mean anything, though, you have to look at the "feels like" number, which was 113 degrees. It's a crazy thing called heat index. It basically means your sweat doesn't evaporate, so you walk outside for two seconds and you already need a shower--total disgust. It does crazy things to people. Sorry, I digress.

Anyway, I am in love with these swings. Couldn't you just get a good book and lay in the swing all day long, reading and swinging and swinging and reading? Indeed, I think I could. In fact, I know I could.

image from Gwyneth Paltrow's Home via Apartment Therapy

image from Shelter Interior Design

image from Land and Wood

I [heart] Sarah Richardson

I hope you all had a great weekend. We did. We had some family pool time, had sushi with friends, went to church, and had a great BBQ (courtesy of the hubs). The best part was that Jeremy never got paged into the hospital, so we got him all to ourselves!

I think I just need one more thing to make my future summers the best ever: a cottage. Not too much to ask for, right? Sarah Richardson (who is my favorite designer EVVV-ERRR), had a series called "Sarah's Cottage" where she completely remodels her family cottage. This isn't just any cottage. It is on a private island that can only be reached by boat or plane. AND it has a guest cabin. How awesome would that be? I know. I need one. You do, too. I know it.

Memorial Day Traditions

In my dreams, I'd LOVE to have a space like one of these for a nice Memorial Day BBQ and some great conversation. Oh, and can I also get the view in the House Beautiful image?

Memorial Days of the past weren't always about BBQs and friends. They were a lot different. When my maternal grandparents were living, my mom, sister, little brother, and I would wake up early and pick up my grandparents, Lionel and LaVon--if that doesn't give you a clue to just how cute they were, I don't know what will! They were such amazing people. Amazing.

Anyway, we would go to about three different cemeteries and place fake flowers on different family members' headstones. Then, we would drive way out to where my Grandpa grew up. Then, we would drive even further to where my grandma grew up, and she would show us where her house was. They always had such good stories to share.

To end the day, my grandparents would treat us all to lunch at Bennett's (which was the best drive-in in town--remember the crunch cones and piccadillies, peeps from Delta?). They would always tip the carhop a quarter, which was so nice, because the carhops didn't usually get tips! Oh, how sweet!

Regardless of your Memorial Day traditions, we should all make a point to remember all of our fallen soldiers who have done so much for each and everyone of us in this great country. Have a wonderful Memorial Day, and enjoy spending time with family and friends.

image from House Beautiful

image from Armonia Decors

image from House Beautiful

Outdoor Living Spaces

My husband is in his second year of an anesthesia residency. So, in my dreams, not only is he finished with his residency, but we also have a house--not a rental, not a house far away from all our family, but a real house, a house we'll be in for more than a few years. In the meantime, I'll dream about my house!

In my dreams, I would have an outdoor living space. Aren't they just lovely? Now, since I'm dreaming, I can make my space exactly how I want it! I like the idea of a seating area and an eating area. While I'm not sure if I want a TV outside, I definitely want a fireplace and a built in grill, so that my husband can cook for me every night. Hey, it's my dream!

image from HGTV.com

image from HGTV.com

image from Brooke Giannetti