Memorial Day

Our Memorial weekend was low key and relaxing just what the doctored ordered to get rid of my cough.

Hung the flag.

Husband found a snake in the backyard and they couldn't stop playing with him, I ran for cover!

Went to church and almost hit a state of panic when the nursery was closed meaning Gideon sitting with us during the service. Enter preschool apps on my iphone, awesome.

The freckles are coming out in full force, I love them.

Hit the pool to cool down, total madness but worth it.

Then hubs and I squeezed in a Italian dinner date, lovely.

All in all a fun relaxing weekend, hope yours was too.

Friday Favorites: Summer kickoff

So relieved to see this week come to a close... treaded in some deep waters-sickness, troubled patient {more on that later}, husband gone, and Gideon falling off 2 story rock wall-he's okay. So you can imagine how appropriately "everything falls" ministered to me.

Now with great relief onto Memorial day weekend festivities and images from this week to kickoff Summer!

I saw this and thought "summer" via flickr

This room has summertime sorbet written all over it via serenandlily

Fantastic deck inspiration board via pinktogreen

Since I live at the pool during the summer had to include this image, lovely hat too I might add via jcrew

Favorite gideon pic of the week {bubbles are our best friend}

Check out this divine strawberry shortcake recipe and equally drool worthy blog

Broken-hearted once again by India, but jumped at the chance to pitch in through this project

Big hugs to all of you for your sweet encouraging comments, they truly lifted me out of my miry pit! And to my lil big sister who entertains me while I'm sick, chases away the bogey-man (yes that happened, I'm the biggest chicken ever) and supports me in every way, love u.

Have a lovely sun-drenched Memorial weekend and God bless those who served and still serve.

Summer Wardrobe

My favorites for Summer time!

{Top-jcrew, shorts-asos, shoes-gojane, shades-F21}

{Romper-asos, shoes-gojane, jewerly-F21}

{suit-asos, romper, shades, and sandals-F21}

{dress and shoes-asos, shoes-gojane}

{dress-asos, shoes-gojane, necklace-banana republic}

Pick me up

Thank you for your generous outpouring of solutions, tidbits, and truths regarding raising children. I treasured every response and read them all very slowly so as to sink into my thick head!

Feeling under the weather today after a very memorable {in a bad way} patient yesterday and the aftermath of travel. So some pick me up images were in order, happy Wednesday!

images via, last image unknown

Mothers of strong-willed children unite

{such a perfect picture for this post!}

So what I forgot to mention yesterday during our texas trip recap was how challenging our 3 year old is lately and especially during our time there, truly a pistol. I don't think I've shared too much about Gideon's temperament but it definantly falls into the strong-willed category and tests my patience on a daily basis, God bless him! While I can think of a million things I am thankful for that come with his personality like natural-born leader, matchless energy, and determination my parenting skills are a weak match to his big personality. We've tried many different disciplining styles to accomodate his willful spirit and some have worked others have not, so I'm curious can anybody out there relate? Any secrets to share or nuggets of wisdom for my weary soul?! Granted I tend to drag him to the ends of the earth on these trips and don't hold to the strictest of schedules so he's certainly not fully to blame

(part of my personality temperament!)

{Please don't misread I love this child with all that is within, just praying to be more effective in his life and love to hear any tidbits of experience out there!}

Did I say Dallas? I meant Fort Worth!

I got my cities mixed up, but boy was I glad because Fort Worth Texas was a gem! It was a whirlwind of time with Nana and Papa, splashing in the pool, seeing the sights, sampling bbq and fish tacos, and catching up with dear friends. We wore ourselves out quite literally and all brought home a cough; all in the name of fun.

Gideon and Papa throwing rocks in the stream, an absolute favorite pastime.

Fort Worth Zoo complete with Texas famed "blue bell" ice cream.

A Texas sized flower, so gorgeous.

Touring the water gardens in the city wearing my London shirt, probably a faux pas!

Handsome stud.

Grandparents are the best.

Historic Stockyards with a real cattle drive, our rowdy cowboy looked like an old pro on his horse, giddy-up Gideon!

Good times had by all, thanks Nana and Papa wished we lived closer!

Black and blue

Member those readers I was admiring? Got a pair and tried them out, very fun and perfect for covering tired eyes.

{and for those of you horrified by the glasses!}

Off to Texas today, miss you guys! Back with a full report soon.

{Cheating} Roman shades

Here's the finished product, I really love how it came out! Skilled sewers avert your eyes, I sprayed and hot glued my way to roman shade bliss. Yep, its true! The fabric is from Ballard and the bamboo roman shade Home Depot. I simply cut out the fabric, spray glued the shade and stuck it on. Then took edging fabric and hot glued the ends to cover up frays. Since Im so short on time and energy lately, this project really fit the bill literally and figuratively. I would have taken pictures during the process, but I really didn't know if it would work!! One shade down, four to go I'll snap how-to pictures next round if you'd like some.

Favorites Friday: Gone Country

In light of our upcoming trip to Texas, I'm dreaming of the slower pace that comes with country living. I was born in the North, but I swear I'm southern at heart.

How cute are these chicks? via audreyhepburncomplex

Country table via country living

I love square-dancing via country living

Loose and lovely hair via audreyhepburncomplex

Check out her hand-made blooms and swoon worthy country life via emersonmade

Emersonmade's pantry, isnt it amazing?!

We've got company this weekend, then its off to Texas for the week, so excited!

Have a lovely slowing- things down weekend!

To paint or not to paint, that is the question

While I love our dining room chandelier, the notion of painting it white has crept into my mind and won't let go! So I need your help to decide!

Here it is, now imagine it white, popping off of the gray walls also keep in mind the ikat roman shades going up on all 5 windows and our dining room and chairs is dark teak wood.

Now, let me try and convince you with the white beauties below.

images via domino and real living

So what do you think paint it white or leave it beige?