So Much Pretty

I love interior design - not in the traditional sense, but in the endlessly creative ways people express their interests and personalities.  If I had the time and resources I would be changing my decor every year - there is too much to love!  I also wish I could raise my ceilings a few feet but that is neither here nor there! :)  In any case, I need a dose of pretty and these random rooms are the answer. 

We are in the market to buy more (I know, more) bookshelves and I cannot decide what color wood would look best in the room - these white shelves are calling my name at the moment!  The room they're going in has dark wood floors and a painted, white, floor-to-ceiling, brick fireplace.  Too much white?  The only other 'must' for the room is a black and white, round, chevron printed rug (love) and a loveseat in an undecided color/fabric.  What do you think?  I can't decide!

[Sorry, I cannot remember where I found these images - it was quite some time ago!]

Happy Friday!

PS - J and I saw Kevin James and Ray Romano last night and I am still laughing!

Tuesday Tune & Happy Spring

Happy Spring!  Even though it may still feel like Winter... which only makes me dream of Summer!  In six short weeks J and I will be laying on the beaches of Hawaii - a decadent post tax season escape for some much needed rejuvenation!  My family was lucky enough to take vacations there when I was younger and this year marks seven years since I studied at the University of Hawaii (at Manoa) for the summer.  It was the best experience (on the beach every day!) and I even met friends from around the world.  I can't wait to return!

And so today I'd like to share a song that brings me back to the islands, and some snapshots (albeit blurry ones) from my summer away.  And check out my short hair - if you can believe it, that's after it had grown out!

My sister came to visit me while I was away, not a bad place to visit family, eh?

Birthday Girls

Happy 6th birthday to my girl, Piper (on the right)!  And her sister (my mom's girl), Bella (on the left)!  This is one of my favorite pictures of them when they were pups.  Sweet, loving dogs!

Cheers!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!  I love this photo of the Irish countryside and I can't wait to travel there someday.

We are hitting the town with some friends to celebrate! Cheers!

Hello there!

"It was a high counsel that I once heard given to a young person, 'always do what you are afraid to do.'". 
 [Ralph Waldo Emerson]


Besides working this weekend (boo) I'm looking forward to bikram yoga, St. Patrick's Day (corned beef), and our monthly book club meeting.  Happy Friday! 

PS - One more month of tax season and these long, long hours!

Tuesday Tune

A nice, calming cover of a song you've all heard before.  Enjoy!

Cherry Blossoms

"Upon waking, many people consider the coming day with trepidation.  Because of the natural human tendency to focus on what we fear or dislike, it is easy to unwittingly send a message of unrest into the future that negatively impacts the quality of our day.  However, while our lives are busy and frequently replete with challenges, they are also rich with joy and experiences worth savoring.  We can attract this natural bliss by starting each day with a message of love.

When you send love ahead to your day, that feeling will manifest itself in your interpersonal interactions, your professional endeavors, and your domestic duties.  Tasks and circumstances once made trying by your own anxiety are transformed by your caring, and you will find yourself approaching life's subtle nuances with great affection."

"If you are commuting to work, transmit love to the roads upon which you will drive, your fellow commuters, and your parking space.  If you have colleagues who arrive at your workplace before you, send them good wishes... Sending love ahead to everyone you will meet and everything you will do can ensure that your day is suffused with grace.

If you have difficulty directing love to those situations and individuals you deem particularly frustrating, consider that the warmth and tenderness you project can change your life for the better.  Each morning in sending this love, you will exercise your power to control the ambience of your existence and color your day with a positive force."

The passage above is from one of my companion books, DailyOM.  A source of inspiration and comfort for me.  And I think we all need a small dose of positivity for this day in particular as we are awake an hour earlier than usual! :)

And I hope these photos of the always lovely cherry blossoms can remind us of the beauty that surrounds us.  I might be stuck in an office during the day but when I venture outdoors this time of year I can't help but love the beautiful blooms I see all around me.  These trees are at my parents' home and they're close to 20 years old.  See the knobby tree trunk?

Happy Monday!  

Tuesday Tune

Tuesday tune is back with two unrelated but equally fun songs that simply make me happy.  'Lights' makes me want to get up and dance around the house and I know it's not exactly new but it's been on repeat.  Oh, and Coldplay.  Chris Martin can do no wrong in my book!


"...and so I tell myself that I'll be strong, and dreaming when they're gone... 'cause they're calling, calling, calling me home..."



"...don't believe a word, it's just us against the world, and we just gotta turn up to be heard..."

Beautiful Rooms & Birthday

It's rare to find a seemingly random set of photos that so perfectly describe my personal style and therefore I had to repost and share with you all, my friends!  I can (and will) take direct inspiration from these images and update the rooms in my home - not joking, there are several pieces from these rooms that I own in variations.  Who is the designer?  And can we be best friends?

All images via An Indian Summer via The Design Files.

I keep returning to these rooms time and time again.  LOVE!

PS - And a very happy Birthday to my Dad!  We had a family dinner last night to celebrate and it felt great to relax - especially since it was sunny and in the 70's - beautiful!