Why I tolerate Tyra

America's Next Top Model

Tyra Banks.

Recoil. Eye roll. Embarrassed laugh.

I've heard it all over the years and I can imitate her voice at "panel" to perfection "5 beautiful girls stand before me...but I only have 4 photos in my hands..."

But cycle after cycle, week after week, drama after starving girl drama, I TUNE IN.

And here is why.....

I love the whole creativity process, from hair and makeup, fashion and costuming, and to the photographer and sets.

I am so thrilled while I see the magic behind the pictures.

Week after week I will watch, dream, be inspired, and imagine

and probably roll my eyes at Tyra.

Easter Inspiration for the Creative

To all the women I follow who create lovely rooms, yards, tags, collages, clothing, jewelry and beautiful lives around me : this gift of truly sacred words I pass along to you

Sit for 2 minutes and celebrate with me our ability to create

I am overwhelmed by the beautiful things I see

that speak to me and revive me.

And for the power to create

I am ever grateful

Happy Easter

(photos: room by Weheartthis.com and Fearless by Papaya Art)

Silly Things

by Curly Girl Designs

"It just seems silly to me, that's all "

This is my husbands response to a girl's over night book club.

I have the best book club, with the best ladies, and we have the best talks. We hit Park City for mexican food (my favorite), lots of chocolate, lots of shopping, and endless talking. I am not kidding, we stayed up until 2am. We discussed our books, we discussed our lives, we discussed religion. I am inspired by the determined and caring women I know.

Even though a man may not have the need for a night away to feel recharged, every single one of us women relished it. On the way home my mom and I stopped into a local little shop called Cherry Lane that we both had been dying to see. (We were probably always with our husbands so we figured we would go later).

It was eye candy and feminine dreaminess of the highest degree.

Wall to wall filled with frills, sparkles, handbags, scents, and more to fill your silly girl dreams up to the brim. My mom bought a gorgeous pink handbag.

Fans of vintage inspired, shabby chic sweet, beauty supplies and stationary will not be disappointed by this little shop. I grabbed a tote (to replace my grubby one that tends to be my favorite) and a few cards, including the Curly Girl one above that hit ironically close to home for me.

If you are in the area for Conference, graduation, skiing- whatever- and you are near Provo this is a little shop you might not want to miss.

As much as I love to escape for a day or two, all it takes is stepping into the house to be reminded my duties await. I have to just get back to work and be grateful for the time I had with the girls.

Before bed I snuck in a little more girliness.

Me and my mermaid soak in bubbles to soothe our sleepless night woes away. Did I mention I love my new giant tub?

Anyway..... I am glad I can believe in what may be silly to another

if you don't want to see me be silly

close your eyes

If you love it, keep it

I have heard several times that you don't need to worry about everything matching, you just need to love what you have. I am not sure if all decorators would agree with that, but I am finally learning as a grown up to quit buying things just to 'fill the space' and wait for something I love.

Before hanging up my WELCOME sign ( that I have adored for a couple of years dangling on my old porch) I realized it was a very stark white, and the letters I touched up last summer were almost too perfect. It looked out of place on my new porch, so I decided to mess it up a little.....

This is one of those times when the result looks better than I had pictured it.

I just wanted it to look darker, but the smudgy stain started to look like natural wood, with the painted finish looking like old vintage chipped paint. I can not wait to get it up on my porch now!



And since I am still gathering (hoarding) things I love to look at and to group and display everywhere possible, I had no room to make my husband put away his eye candy either, so we kept the best of his collection in the antique crates for display in the "man room"

constant dusting aside (isn't that what kids are for?) I am happy with the way everything came together

This fun gas tank reminds me of one that is in my great-grandparent's past, so I am especially happy to see it on these shelves.

I am going to find a way to bring this photo into the space.

A reminder of a simpler time....

but no less enjoyment for the day we live in today

especially when we surround ourselves with things we love

this blog is linked up- click here to see more fun transformations

I hope you dance

I don't have a little girl to dress up and dance with....but today I got to sneak backstage and share a few moments with my sister and my darling niece at a local dance competition.

My neice is a natural cutie on stage

and equally gorgeous off

Having a camera to play with kept me plenty busy-

I couldn't resist this competing group and their dramatic make-up and eye popping colors.

Wade Robison would have been proud

There is something seriously dreamy about little limbs climbing into fluffy tulle and

sparkles

I really enjoyed my morning with my beautiful niece and her mom who works so hard to let her daughter live out her dream with moments on stage....

I think we all should dance a little every day

When you don't feel glamourous

You can at least look at someone else who is.

I loved these pics in Glamour mag.

Natalie Portman looks gorgeous, glamourous, sweet but sexy in these new adverts.

She kind of makes me want to highlight my hair and stick a bow in it.

(Don't worry, I won't. It would never look like this)

And this fabulous shot was one of many

Astrid (like Jan's baby on the office?) Berges-Frisbey

( the new Pirates of The Carribean movie) had a beautiful layout

in this month's issue. I love this layered sheer and sparkly dress-

wish I could see the whole thing.

And while I may be actually schlubbing around the house in my baggy capris and faded t-shirt I do have to admit to one thing. My kitchen makes me feel slightly glamourous.

It is much more fun to cook in a kitchen with space.

The island is so great for setting out food when my kids have friends over, or for working on when I am making dinner. I did not have anything like this before, so it really feels like a luxury to me. I am still getting used to where to put things and how to get around.

When you live in one place for 16 years you can do anything with your eyes closed.

Now I feel clumsy and awkward, but I am not complaining one bit!

I am logging in and blogging from this corner. Strangely, I don't get quite as distracted (for hours and hours) because when I am in my kitchen I kind of get reminded of what is around me and needing to be done. I think that is a good thing. I think.

We are still back and forth trying to empty out the old house and start the home improvements. We leave early and fall into bed exhausted late.....

I am counting down the days to spring break and not because I am going on a great vacation......I think I may stay in bed for the whole week. Maybe read in my tub or sleep on my couch.

I just want to enjoy my new place...at my own pace.

Hope you are looking forward to spring too.

enjoy your space today

Lovely Teen Sanctuary

I am so impressed with the latest project my little sister and her husband took on recently and I had to share it. They took what was once a dreary, large, unpurposed basement room, and completely made it over to a gorgeous young teen get away.

As you can see the space is already cousin approved, where they can catch the vintage classic HR Puff-en Stuff on DVD. Fabulous.

Here are a few more details along with lessons I learned after visiting the new room.

A pretty place to get pretty. I can't believe how much the canister lighting added to the feel of this space. It isn't quite done yet (a little birdie told me someone is hoping for a cute chandelier in this corner) but it really looks fabulous just as it is. I would have loved this gorgeous spot to get ready every morning. Still would! I think the extra effort it took to add the lighting this way really paid off.

I love this little corner. The decor was mostly picked up at Hobby Lobby. This store is quickly becoming a weekly visit spot for me and my sisters and friends. It is great, and these little touches add so much to the room. You don't have to go expensive on everything you bring into a room, you just have to love it.

Fill the little spaces with little touches.

This windowsill may have gone unnoticed, but is now displaying a positive and inpsiring sentiment. You know I love that! I also love the color of the walls and the drapy, slouchingly romantic curtains.

Another tip here- get the color right. My sister originally painted it a blue she thought she loved, but then once the room was completely painted she realized it wasn't quite what she wanted. She re-painted the whole room to get this finished product. Wow.

I hope I am that ambitious with future projects! But if you don't love the pieces, you won't love the final product.

Finally, this room is also a turning point for my cute niece. Her older sister just moved out with room mates leaving her to be the only one left at home with mom and dad. On my way out I spotted these itty bitty ballet shoes, only a few inches long.

These belonged to my niece that is now all grown up moved out on her own. Too cute too miss. And a bittersweet reminder....the days move fast...so make yours the best

savor your day

.... and on that note I am enjoying a homemade, thickly frosted brownie after my workout. hey...I'm only human

Right Place, Right Time

I am actually almost in tears of joy that I have a moment, just a moment to sit down and blog. We are getting closer and closer to being completely out of the old house and into the new one. There are still closets and storage areas to empty, but for the most part we are out. I am happy to be back.

Once in a while you receive the happy gift of just walking in to a store and suddenly finding the thing....the one thing that you would have dies without but didn't know it. The one thing that makes the whole day of trudging around worth it. You know what I am talking about. For me, it was this funky fun sign.

I am slightly obsessed with positive words and sayings on signage, and I am wondering...how many is too many for one room?

Next I spotted this amazing clock- slightly out of my budget, but hey, it's easier to ask forgiveness than permission, right?

Okay decor experts- don't fret at the height of the clock's placement. I am in search of a beautiful shelf, like one my sister picked up last year at Tai Pan, to go under this clock which I can stack with favorite photo prints. It may be a long journey.

I am in so IN LOVE with this scrunchy comfy couch and the fact that it is always cleared and clean and waiting for a guest. (A luxury I have never had before)

A close up of the decorative pillow that came with the couch.

Is it reasonable to buy an entire couch for one pillow?

Finally a moment to brag......

I bet my dishes are shinier than yours.

(again, same sister as the one with the awesome shelf ~ If you want to absorb her everyday knowledge and greatness follow this LINK to her blog) She sent me to a website that sells dish detergent that has been able to remain effective in spite of the ever looming EPA and it's ridiculous ideas. They sell commercial grade detergent that still contains phophates, so it is actually effective at removing spots and food from your dishes. I actually thought the milk in the bottom of my glasses wasn't getting rinsed well enough after my dishes started all turning white. That is a problem no more.

'Boo' on ridiculous regulations from the ridiculous EPA. How is excessively rinsing my dishes, even rewashing them, or using extra detergent helping the environment? Please. 'Nuff said on that.

We are settling in. I am taking more photos and will share more soon, but getting situated has been a long and grueling process ( please remind me to never move again!). I am still very nervous about putting holes in my walls and trying to figure out where I want to place things. Some of the rooms are slightly empty, which is no fun to see in pictures, so you will just be on this journey with me as we slowly fill the home. Help me be patient!

Until next time

Feather your nest beautifully

Out of Touch

I am a bit disconnected and out of sorts with the move. No internet at the new house has forced us to empty our home around our computer desk- so when we are here packing we can sit down and check our e-mails (I had almost 500 this morning).

I miss my blog connections and friends as they constantly inspire me and keep me connected with people I know and care about. I hope I get internet at the new place soon. Even my iPad is complaining about how neglected it has become.

I am still in a tiny bit of boxed up chaos but wanted to share just a couple more pictures from the new house.

This is our breakfast nook that is just off the kitchen, separate from "my table", which is out the other direction. I am surprised by how much I love this large tile and warm colors. As you can see walls are bare and blinds are not in yet.

Soon...... real soon.....

Below is the main entry way, with the chairs and table you saw in my last post (chairs from RC Willey, at the amazement of everyone I tell- but I know you can get similar ones at Ballard Designs if the furniture store doesn't carry them any longer) sitting to the right of you as you stand inside the door. If nothing else, this room is pulled together so guests can come sit and fall into the illusion that I am already organized (which I am not).

I am in love with the staircase and I am already planning my entire Christmas decor around it. (Hope I have the energy to make it happen this year!) We were definitely drawn to the staircase when we stepped into this house for the first time. At the top of the stairway to the left side is all the boys bedrooms and bath, and the right french doors open the master suite.

Still lots of work to be done.....

Can I take a break and share a fashion show tidbit?

Is it just me or do these slightly remind you of my bargain shoe love that I endured for Valentine's? I was happy to see these in the Antonio Marras fashion show. Maybe it is time to get yourself a pair! I will say, I wore mine to church with my lace red blouse (header photo) and they got noticed and admired. Even my hubby said they looked great.

Rare. That is rare.

In my weeks of packing, driving, unpacking, stacking, tossing and living I have learned one thing that rings true to me as a woman and as a mother.

A great home can not be bought.

It must be made.

Make your home lovely today