ETHEREDGE ADOPTION BENEFIT

I wanted to take a moment to direct your attention to the Etheredge Adoption Benefit. My good friend (and co-worker), Brandi, and her husband are in the process of adopting two beautiful girls and I just constantly stand in awe of their passion. I truly admire their leap in faith to pursue this calling from God. I can't wait to meet the girls!

DESCRIPTION FROM FB PAGE/BLOG:

God calls us to love the widows and orphans, and as members of the Body of Christ, it is our privilege to honor and support those who take up this banner.

The Etheredge Adoption Benefit is our attempt to do just that. Brandi and Shane Etheredge have felt God calling them to adopt internationally for years, and now, the timing is right. The process to adopt S & M has begun.

We would love for you to join us on March 28th at the Cates House in Birmingham for a silent auction and sit-down dinner as we honor the Etheredges and help them make God's calling in their life a reality.

Tickets are going fast and space is limited. So, hurry and purchase today. Visit adoptionbenefit.blogspot.com for more info, to purchase tickets, or to donate!

The benefit dinner is having a live and silent auction and I am donating a few things. I have two paintings I am putting in the auction + 2 gift certificates for customized invitations and customized thank you cards. Here is a sneak peek of one of my paintings:

(sorry for the bad resolution - the picture is from my phone)

P.S. I also volunteered to design this email (pictured above) and the blog header.

B&A: MASTER BATHROOM

This is the first before and after post and the only room completely done. I can't decide if that is because it is a smaller square footage than the other rooms, or because it needed the most work? Either way, I think it turned out great and I love it. I can tell Melrose is happier too.

The previous owners updated the bathroom by installing a new granite counter top vanity and new tile flooring, but left the red paisley wall paper and boxy medicine cabinet. At first the yellow tile really scared me, but all she needed was a face lift.

before

goodbye red paisley

I all ready had all the hardware picked out + the color scheme. I knew I wanted to play off of the bedroom colors so I expanded from there. I chose Benjamin Moore's Horizon for the paint color. Against the yellow tile and bright lighting it appears baby blue, but in other lighting it appears more gray.

[BM virtual fan deck]

thanks mom and dad for your help!

finished

I love mixing gold (glass jars) and silver (hardware) together. Something about the richness and contrast of both metals...throw in rose gold and you would really have a fabulous trio.

Since the bathroom leads into the bedroom, this is a small hint of the scheme for the master. Now, the yellow tile is not so bad - I actually really like it. All she needed was a new accent color.

[mirror. glass shelf. towel train rack. jars. rug. shower curtain.]

THE NAME

It started as “the simple things” but after careful thought and consideration (+ a lot of Kenny Chesney research) I settled on “the good stuff”. Anyone that knows me knows I am OBSESSED with Kenny Chesney. His music makes me feel so calm and relaxed as if I am laying on the beach with a margarita in hand watching the sunset. Or maybe at Crab Island floating next to good friends while watching boats exit the Destin Pass hoping to catch that "big one." Or maybe it is me on "Black Gold" with a rod in hand banking on reeling in dinner for the fish fry that night. Or maybe...oh...enough day dreaming, but besides that, I love his lyrics in his song “The Good Stuff”:

"'Cause it's the first long kiss on a second date.

Your Momma's all worried when you get home late

And droppin' the ring in the spaghetti plate,

'Cause your hands are shakin' so much.

And it's the way she looks with the rice in her hair.

Eating burnt suppers the whole first year,

And askin' for seconds to keep her from tearin' up.

Yeah, man, that's The Good Stuff."

…

"Was the sight of her holdin my baby girl.

The way she adored that string of pearls,

I gave her the day that our youngest boy, Earl,

Married his high school love.

And it's a new t-shirt saying, "I'm a Grandpa!"

Being right there as our time got small,

And holding her hand when the good Lord called her up.

Yeah, man, that's the good stuff."

He said, "When you get home, she'll start to cry.

When she says 'I'm sorry' say 'So am I'

And look into those eyes so deep in love,

And drink it up.

'Cause that's the good stuff.

That's the good stuff."

[Read full lyrics here]

To me, life is all about living in the present, learning from your mistakes, and enjoying everyday to the fullest. I love little surprises and special acts of kindness – I think that is what makes the world go round. I am very blessed and have so much to be thankful for…especially “the good stuff.” 


KB's good stuff: family, friends, growing in my relationship with the Lord, painting, crafts, traveling, socializing, antiques, fashion, invitations, photography, blogs, and the list goes on and on. Those things inspire and influence me everyday. Please enjoy a few pictures of Brandon and I's "last" (yes, we have been to a few!) Kenny Chesney concert in Pelham at the Oak Mountain Amphitheatre. 

BATHROOM INSPIRATION

My first B&A is going to be the master bathroom, but first I wanted to share some of my collected bathroom inspiration images. I like bathrooms real simple, clean lines, nothing on the counters, clutter free! I really LOVE gray subway tile, but that will be in my future house. ;) Enjoy!

[cote de texas]

I really like the hardware in this bathroom - the towel train rack, mirror, and glass shelf + the subway tile. This looks very similar to the accessories I picked out for the master. [katy elliot]

Love the beadboard and the all white looks so fresh and clean. [this is glamorous]

Chic idea of mounting a shelf along the chair rail. [brabourne farm]

[unknown] 

I like this idea of having two different vintage mirrors hanging to create separate his and hers areas. Again, love the subway tile. [unknown] 

INSPIRATION BOARD

I created an inspiration board for Melrose to determine my style and refine my taste. A few of the paint swatches along the bottom have changed, but are still within the same family. I have decided that I am a "glammed" up version of french farmhouse. I love saturated colors, lots of neutrals (especially white, grays, and cream), industrial products, simplicity, and anything natural.

Along my journey of decorating Melrose and posting B&As (before and afters), I will share more inspiration images and their place of belonging. I have developed a recent addiction to blogs. Not only for house inspiration, but for design projects, fashion advice, recipes, and laughter. I will try to update the blog soon with a list of my favorites and who I follow along the right side.

(click on the image to enlarge)

[tags: 1. urban grace 2. this is glamorous 3. this is glamorous 4. this is glamorous 5. alkemie 6. pink wallpaper 7. unknown 8. unknown 9. unknown 10. habitually chic 11. beautiful things to share 12. unknown 13. unknown 14. unknown]

I apologize for the untagged images, I just started noting where I saved the picture from so I should be better in the future.