Happy birthday babe

Happy Birthday dear husband, so thankful for you.

 {forgot to mention what a celebration week this is for us, anniversary plus birthday!}

Perfect setup

Our philippians study started off with a bang, chalk full of rich encourgament, bravery, and inspiration. I decided to read ahead and stopped in my tracks with this:

  "Whatever happens conduct yourself in a manner worthy of Christ." Phil 1:27

Wow whatever happens? That phrase is HUGE....so in the good times, big things, little details, during the storm, rainbow, valleys and mountains. 

Here's my setup: Read the verse at night, went to bed. Got a call from work at 1:27am to come in but already scheduled on the day shift for a 12 hour that morning. GRRRRR. While I stew mumble and grumble trying to go back to sleep the bible verse pops in my head. 

Instant relief; the bible in action, good stuff.

7 years

Happy 7 years babe, here's to many more!

"They are led in joy and gladness..."Psalm 45:15

{our wedding day here}

Fall checklist:leopard and ruffles

Everyone knows I can appreciate a little animal print (member my zebra table?!) So when leopard prints made their appearance for fall everywhere I was on board! Just remember a little goes a long way when its on you. Throw a jacket/blazer over top for real fall weather, unlike our current high of 90's still!

dress, headband- H&M

Friday Favorites: Charlottesville simplicity

I've successfully stretched my charlottesville high all week long, but can ya blame me? The moment we hit the country roads with acreage of farms, horses, and bed &breakfasts, I died and went to heaven.The stress dripped off and relaxation set it, oh so lovely. The simple country life drew us in begging us to slow down, we obliged. So here are some last inspirations from our simply beautiful time in Charlottesville.

My favorite picture of the wedding we attended; joy definantly sums it up via jaxphotography

Lavender lemonade was served during the reception cocktail hour and was so refreshing via countryhome

This lovely room reminds me of the room we stayed in, so white and bright via decorista

Other simple tidbits:

Five thank you's before the lunch

Finally signed up for a photography class, check out her work

Skinny cargo pants

A modern meets oldfashioned wedding dress, LOVE.

Starting a Philippians study this weekend, looking forward to the "encouragement" book of the Bible.

Speaking of encouragement, loved meeting so many new people this week, so encouraged by you guys. Happy weekend!

Charlottesville: ask a nurse

So all this back to school business inspires me to go back myself. The medical building at University of Virginia was drop dead gorgeous and historical of course. I'd love a masters in nursing but simply desiring more medical knowledge at this point so instead I'm taking a photography class! Thought I'd use this post to share some of my experience I've gained through my nursing years; simple tidbits I see everyday in the hospital.

Nursing according to me:

Please please don't make granny/grandpa take a thousand pills odds are they don't need them all and have been prescribed by different physicians! By the way, they are hands down my favorite people group and give me nuggets of wisdom daily, priceless.

When you come to the hospital we ask you to get well, but deprive you of sleep and food which equals sick grumpy and pained people. I don't completely understand it myself.

If the doctor doesn't explain something, please ask him to do so in simple terms; its your body you deserve to know every detail. Remember they are scientists and function at the scientific level not so much normal people level. (I know my Dad was one of those geniuses)

Not every test that is ordered is necessary or will even be covered by insurance. Please ask why and if its necessary.

You as the patient have the right to refuse anything including every pill and test thrown your way. I try and hint at this daily when passing out a zillion pills I don't feel are necessary.

If you want to know who the good doctors are ask the nurse!

Healthcare is quite the mine field these days, tread carefully!

By the way, I'm a cardiac nurse so when people approach me with baby questions, I'm clueless! In fact, I took all the classes I could before having gideon! Oh and I didn't become a nurse because I'm good at science in fact I repeated both chemistry and microbiology, but I LOVE helping people. However, please don't think I'm great, I'm addicted to the instant gratification of helping people! (work in progress here)

image here

Charlottesville: Back to school

Excitement was in the air during "move-in" weekend at University of Virginia as we toured the campus. It certainly brought back memories for husband and I, revisiting college experiences in our minds! I distinctly remember hitting up goodwill for a couch and other items to decorate my dorm room, so fun. Here's some inspiration for any college students going back to school.

Charlottesville: the wedding

The groom and my husband are long time friends from flight school. While the wedding was tiny in size it was bright in color and tradition, so lovely. I couldn't get over the hydrangeas and historic church, breathtaking.

Charlottesville: Clifton Inn & Monticello

The small intimate wedding, picturesque farms, rolling hills, american history, and downtown strolls made our Charlottesville weekend pefectly dreamy. I might need the whole week to unload all of the inspiration!

We stayed at the Clifton Inn a historic retreat complete (circa 1800's) with modern conveniences featuring Thomas Jefferson's favorite wine along an infinity pool and tennis courts.

Shortly after our arrival we made our way to Thomas Jefferson's home, Monticello. The tour was full of interesting stories and anecdotes of his life and legacy. It took all my strength to honor the "no pictures allowed" rule while touring the interiors of his home, especially his hot pink curtains (no lie!)

His gardens were immaculate as was the home all of which he designed.

Adam couldn't resist picking a fig; check back tomorrow for the wedding!

Friday Favorites: Getaway

Packing our bags for a weekend getaway to Charlottesville, Virginia! Our first husband/wife getaway without our kiddo. You'll find us cutting a rug at a wedding, touring Monticello, and strolling through historic old town. Happy weekend!

images here

But couldn't leave ya without some link love from this week:

Sneak peek of new online decorating magazine Rue

Pretty in pink

Dressing down sequins

We are His temple

Rocking out to the "Father's heart"

Love to hear any Charlotteville recommendations, have a great one!

Little Miss Independent

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Full dependence on God is a challenge for my independent self. You see, despite my world travels I am American through and through, having a "I can do it" attitude and "nothing that hard work can't fix" notions. Nothing wrong with those philosophies, but God desires our full surrender which unlocks our freedom and blessing. Problem is my stubborness, I blame it on my Italian blood from Dad's side of the family!! Due to my thickheaded-ness, God places me in situations forcing dependence on Him, sometimes painful but always effective!

Example #1, being a nurse having 6 patients all with chest pain. Larger example #2 my child, Gideon. He literally undoes me, like beyond my comprehension. When it comes to parenting, I have no answers just both arms up in the air waving the white flag! I don't know what I'm doing. Sharing this tidbit for anyone else who doesn't know what they are doing, your in good company!

Yes Lord, my independence is shrinking; more of you and less of me please.

"For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord."

Isaiah 55:8

Art over tv diy

There's been quite a few emails lately regarding the art over tv trick. So I snapped some pictures to show and tell! Basically find an art piece that will lay over top your tv to conceal, measuring is key. Ikea has great large ones for super cheap, then simply screw one L bracket into top of art and hang off tv!

A very hungry catepillar party

So the party didn't exactly go as planned since husband was gone, I had to cancel. No worries I brought the party to preschool! My very hungry caterpillar was a happy bug! It was lovely and low-key. Happy Birthday Gideon!

The "Very Hungry Caterpillar" supplies from Eric Carle Museum.

Fall checklist: Sequins & oxfords

Welcome to my Fall checklist series cataloging fall fashion things. Just a quick note: I view fashion as frivolous and a weakness of mine I try and approach in moderation. Please do not feel led to go out and buy anything. I was highly motivated by the 30/30 series where some great gals (here and here) reworked their existing wardrobe into thirty outfits without buying a thing.

So here we go, first up, sequins and oxfords. Sequins and I go way back, like as in dance recitals since I was 5, it was love then and love now! The top is a pale/pink sweater with clear sequins and on bottown my potato sack pants, really they feel exactly like burlap but lined. {From Okinawa and pefectly hemmed, love Japan!) And the glasses, well that's just me trying to look smart! The oxford shoes I got for Christmas this past year, still going strong!

{trend tidbit: I typically try out a trend because I'm a sucker, but real workhorses of wardrobe like my wide leg pants are 4 years old and perfect every season.}

By the way, I'm really bad at ironing, that crease is not a result of my hardwork, just ask husband.

1, 2-charlotterusse, 3-urbanoutfitters, 4, 5-gojane

Our photo gallery & Happy Friday

This project was hands down the most difficult due to the height of the stairway. Painting the walls and hanging pictures almost literally killed me, but looking at family memories every time I go up and down is worth it!

A little unconvential to do rug on rug, but I like breaking rules sometimes.

This was incredibly hard to photograph even with a wide angle lens and there's no light going down to our basement. I'm still adding pictures which is the beauty of a photo wall and can change them out from time to time too! I wanted a neutral scheme, making it soothing and complementary to the rooms the stairway is connecting. So I stuck with black, cream, and brown, my favorite part is the runner. You should have heard the conversation I had with the guy at Lowes.... "You want to put rug on rug"? he asked more than one time!

Resources: Paint-Behr Ultra in Creamy Mushroom, Greek key rug runner-Lowes {husband nailguned it down}, Light fixture-Ballard designs.

Happy to greet the weekend, it's been a challenging one with a sick kiddo and missing husband!! Hope ya'll have a great one, its been so fun meeting new faces!!

Audience of One

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Ever read something that stops you in your tracks? This week it was this scripture: "For they loved praise from men more than from God." {John 12:43} My people-pleasing self was dumfounded, convicted, and refocused. For a girl hoping everyone likes me what a relief to know there's truly an audience of One I need to please.

Update: Camila of High Heeled Foot in the Door fame featured my home today. Be sure to pop over and say hello, I have followed her blog for a while now. Love her diy's and designer eye.