DREAMING OF SUMMER

Now that the sun is starting to prevail over the overcast clouds and rainy days, I am really getting anxious for summertime. I feel a little guilty all ready pleading for hot, sunny days considering we haven't even experienced a true winter, but I'm a summer girl! I am really working hard on Brandon to get permission to do a little work on our backyard this Spring. I posted last year about how I really want an arbor above our stone patio - and that is still on the list, but I am hoping to also include some landscaping and possibly a stone fireplace! I would love to be able to entertain outside and enjoy a fire on a chilly night.


I have been pinning a lot of outdoor inspiration lately and I am loving the creative ways people are using outdoor pavers and tile. We currently have an area full of pebbles (used to be for parking) that we would love to remove and lay down sod, but I am thinking this would be an awesome alternative. What do you think?

 this whole set up is beautiful ... take me there ... now

 chevron pattern using pavers? I like this idea ... 

 checkerboard style alternating tiles and grass

I really like the idea of having a patterned stone area similar to these and an open area of grass. Maybe I can work this out and convince Brandon how amazing it will be, and worth the investment! So beyond removing all the stone and laying sod + tile, I would love a stone fireplace. Here are some beautiful inspiration photos from my pinterest board. 

this is a cute, quaint area to relax and entertain

 or do you prefer modern and abstract?

 check out the fireplace in the background ... I think this is my favorite photo even though it isn't in full focus. I like the firewood storage on either side and the darker brick.

 now this outdoor kitchen is amazing, a food lovers dream, but not reasonable for us! I am totally digging the arbor with furniture and the fireplace at the foot ... very similar to the layout I want. 

 white washed brick!? ya'll know I love white ...

Do any of ya'll know of a reasonable landscape architect (in the Birmingham area) who does similar projects to these that I can contact? I am hoping to call and get some prices to see what we can do. Wish me luck! (especially in persuading Brandon ...)

all sources via my pinterest board

BIRTH ANNOUNCEMENT: anne lewis botsford

Here is a baby announcement I did for some close friends last year. I have really enjoyed watching Anne Lewis grow and it is amazing how much she has changed since this picture. She is such a joy!

I wrote her name and monogram in calligraphy and printed them on Neenah's Classic Crest in brilliant white and layered the back with Neenah's Sundance Linen in natural white. I love the contrast of the two papers and the soft pink really helps "girly" up the simple design. I paired the announcements with Paper-Source's blossom envelope.

If you are interested in any design work, please feel free to contact me!

STATIONARY: brodie alan brock

I tried to photograph a lot of my recent (and by that I mean, in the past year) projects yesterday so I am hoping to share a lot of my design work in the next few posts. I know I am super behind, but it is hard to stay on top of things! I am also hoping to revamp the blog and add tabs along the top to show examples of my work for new/potential clients.

These were some flat thank you cards I created for a high school friend's new arrival. She sent me a few images of the fabric used in his nursery for inspiration. I wrote his name in calligraphy along the top - simple, but sweet. I printed them on Neenah's Sundance Felt paper in natural white and paired the cards with Paper Source envelopes in pool. 

If you are interested in any type of design work, please feel free to contact me!

COMING UP: our one year!

Well, this weekend (officially Sunday, the 26th) marks our one year anniversary and it just seems so surreal. I don't even know where the time has gone! Looking back at today a year ago, I was so anxious - nervous and excited - for the weekend events. Knowing my personality, I thought I would be wound up making sure everything was perfect, but surprisingly I was cool, calm, and collected (in my opinion!). I think I just had a peace about the wedding and knew it was all a part of the Lord's plan.


Here is the card I got Brandon that pretty much sums up my feelings for our weekend celebration.

Our plan is to go out to a fancy dinner tonight and then cook in Sunday and attempt to eat our frozen cake! I hope it is just as good as a year ago! Our cooking for Valentine's was quite successful - everything was delicious and I really enjoyed Brandon's help in the kitchen. Here is our night captured through pics.

 enjoying some bubbly!

And the best part of our anniversary is our trip that we have saved up for - we are going to skiing in Park City, Utah for three days! I am very excited because I have not been out West skiing before, but Brandon has been several times. Our trip isn't for two weeks, but in the meantime I will be day dreaming about being here:

 photos courtesy of Jessica Sanford @ Stage Fright Jitters

photos via Hyatt Escala Lodge

WEST ELM'S GONE MOROCCAN!

NEWS FLASH - I, along with the rest of the blog world (and pinterest!), have jumped on the moroccan bandwagon. I am obsessed with the beautiful, bold colors and vintage wear each item possesses. I love how a moroccan rug can really add so much interest and color to a room. I have searched ebay, etsy, and the random oriental rug websites to find a genuine moroccan kilim rug, but all are super expensive for a statement piece. If you are like me, then get excited because West Elm has just released their new moroccan collection and it is amazing! I want it all.


I just told LD the other day that I want a moroccan wedding blanket -- and what does West Elm have for sale? A fabulous moroccan wedding blanket adorned with sequins and all, for $399! I know the perfect spot for displaying this beauty - just need to measure and make sure it would work.

We have been making lots of fires lately and I have been brainstorming about something comfy and cozy to prop up against while enjoying the fire on the floor. So when I saw these battani poufs I knew they were the answer to my question. Two of these would be perfect stacked together. Maybe one day! At $299 a pop, I may have to settle for one, or wait until they have a sale!

striped and patterned battani poufs

Now for my real wish list item, these beautiful moroccan rugs! West Elm really hit the spot by offering these great options. I would be much happier if they were more affordable, but these prices are better than most I have seen! I am obsessed with these two berber rugs:

large morocaan berber rug

medium morrocan berber rug

And if you want color, they have some fabulous brighter color palette options. Here are my favorites:

pink pastel moroccan rug

pink patterned moroccan rug

purple patterned morrocan rug

platinum turkish rug

striped battani rug

What do you think? Are you sold on West Elm's morrocan collection? Which is your favorite?