"Birthday Weekend"

So "going off the grid" for the weekend was more challenging than I imagined it would be, but it was so worth it!

Hubby and I had an amazing weekend together. We did gifts Fri morning, went to pick out a sleek new pair of basketball shoes {that was one of his big gifts}, caught a matinee showing of Brave {so cute! I loved it!}, had burgers at a great local burger spot {it's like a build your own burger place - they serve you the meat and bun (or lettuce in my case) and you head to the toppings bar to stuff it with whatever your heart desires...delish!} and then finished off the evening with cake, ice cream and games with a great couple of friends. Whew! What a day!

Sat was a little less packed - we did a few fun things together and then had a bonfire and s'mores on the beach with a handful of friends. What a stunning night it was - the sunset was gorgeous, the fire was perfect and the s'mores were ooey, gooey! I told you...it was a great weekend indeed!

Here's a peek...

Delightful Design

Hi Friends!

I have some beautiful spaces to share with you today.  I'm working on a design project that has several rustic elements in it and in my search for inspiration, I stumbled upon these beautiful rooms.

{I love the rustic, beach feel to this room.  The clean lines of the coffee table mixed with the rustic wood end tables is so simple, yet so natural.  I would love to crawl up on that couch with a good book.}

{I absolutely love the moroccan feel of this room.  The rustic chandelier and the character of the rounded door mixed with the white and straight edged coffee table is just lovely.}

{This room is much more eclectic.  I LOVE the bold pillows, the tear drop lamp base and the gold accent table.  This space is bright and cheery.}

{I love the french feel to this room.  The gorgeous gold and white sofa mixed with the rustic coffee table is just stunning.  I also love the big wicker chairs at the dining table.  Not your typical furniture arrangement.}

1 | 2 | 3 | 4

Which room do you love and why?  I would love to hear your thoughts. Happy Tuesday!  

-d

Turquoise Bilss

Spring is so close, I can almost feel it! In Florida, spring comes and goes all too quickly {usually, only lasting a few weeks}.  It's the most glorious time of year.  The breeze drifts over the ocean and into the small beach town, the flowers are in full bloom, the trees are greener than green, the white sands are glistening and the ocean is a sparkling turquoise - more inviting than bath water.  But here in Monterey, I have a feeling spring is going to be very different.  The weather seems to vary from day to day.  One day it's cold and foggy, the next its warm and sunny and then the following it's sunny with a biting wind blowing off the Monterey Bay.  I like the variety.  Its more variety than I ever had at home, but it's a bit confusing.  The Florida girl in me just wants to pull out my beach bag and a good book and head to the beach, but that probably won't be happening till my trip home in May.

Anyhow, today was on the warmer side {I was actually able to run with a mere tank top and forgo the sweatshirt}, my skin was overjoyed to feel the sun kissing it, to say the least.  It brought back sweet memories of days relaxing on the white sands of the Gulf of Mexico.  Just thinking of all that turquoise water made me anxious to see blue of any shade!  So what do I do in a moment like that?  Shop!  {Well, I haven't committed to any purchases just yet cause hubby has us on a budget, but hey! My birthday is in two weeks??}

I found the most lovely turquoise heels and a fabulous clutch to go with.  All you need is a white tank, a great pair of denim, and wavy locks - you're golden!

{Sorry it's blurry...it came from Pinterest and it served as my inspiration for my turquoise hunt}

{Shoes from Michael Antonio}

{Clutch from Marketa New York Shop on Etsy}

{Oh!  And this beautiful Gold Leaf Cuff would polish the look nicely}

{Catherine Weitzman Plumeria Leaf Golf Cuff}

Fire In The Sky

So we stopped by the beach on the way home tonight and this is what we saw....{had to share!}

*all photos by Danya Collyer

From Coast to Coast....

We made it!  Today marks one week of being California residents and it's also hubby's first day at his new job.  It's a bit surreal we're here. I don't know that the magnitude of what we've done will hit me for a few more weeks.  Oh. My. Goodness.

I did manage to pick up some sort of flu bug while in transit and was feeling pretty cruddy for the first few days.  (Flu + living out of a suitcase + emotions at an all time high = one hot mess of a girl)  Hubby took great care of me though, and Blakely was one sweet snuggly pup; I'm happy to say I've recovered.

The past few days have been filled with house hunting.  I knew shopping for a place to rent would be stressful and even a little depressing, considering housing is sooooo much more expensive on this coast, but nothing could have prepared me for just HOW expensive and tiny housing is here.  Our first few days of this were just sad - we found that most landlords don't allow pets, and if they do, you pay a pretty penny to keep that furry friend under your roof.  (Which is a little confusing, cause this is one dog friendly area.  Most shops have dog bowls and treats outside their front door, and some allow pets inside their businesses.)  Saturday our spirits were lifted - we found a great little apartment complex just 5 minutes away from downtown Monterey and just off the interstate for easy access to hubby's work.  And guess what??  They take pets!  We applied for the apartment yesterday and are hoping to hear back from them today or tomorrow.

While I'm thrilled we finally found something clean, close to budget and pet friendly, I have to say I'm still a bit shocked.  We came from a beautiful 1,666 sq ft home in FL and (if all goes well) we're headed to a 600 sq ft apartment.  Talk about an adjustment!  My wheels are turning - I've been scouring the internet for tips on decorating and making the most of small living spaces.  Any tips, hints or suggestions from seasoned small space dwellers, or interior designers are welcomed & appreciated.

Blakely's dying to be walked, but here are a few pics from our last few days home in Florida.  Monterey pics coming soon, I promise.

Monday Musings & Weekend Recap

After running errands and spending some time with my mom this afternoon, I was happy to come home to a package with my name on it.  (Don't you love mail? Well, fun mail?  Usually it's just bills and credit card companies after my business, but every once in a while I get fun mail. :)  It was my much anticipated order of tree branch buttons!  Aren't they fun??

I started crocheting these gorgeous cowls last winter for friends as Christmas gifts and totally meant to make myself one, but I was crocheting till March for other people before I even had an opportunity to think of myself.  Needless to say, I wasn't ready to face a needle and yarn till September.  A few weeks ago I finally decided to break out the yarn and make myself one, but it didn't come easily.  I was half way done with MY very own beautiful cowl, when my Blakely (yr old Yorkie) got a hold of it and chewed a nice large hole through the middle of it, washing it down with half of my needle (no worries, he didn't actually swallow it...just chewed it to pieces).  Nothing motivates me more than frustration - I headed straight to JoAnn's the next day, bought a new needle and several spools of yarn and made my little fingers busy.  I was finally able to make the project complete once my buttons arrived today.  A little larger than I anticipated (see below), but I think I like the oversized buttons made from a maple tree branch.  Now I need the weather to accompany it.

{Button on right was the size I was anticipating.}

{Finished Product!}

Here's the pattern if you wish to make yourself one.  I won't lie - it's time consuming.  Oruaka Cowl

Changing the subject - we had a fabulous weekend!  Made a big gfree brunch on Friday, did some painting, had a double date night Saturday with my parents at one of our favorite restaurants on the beach followed by gfree brownies and card games, and enjoyed a beach baptism and picnic with friends and family from our church.  It couldn't have been better!  Here are a few photos from my phone...

{Painting & watching chick-flicks}

{Date Night!}

{G-Free Brunch}

{Candid pic of me and my nephew Sawyer...most precious kid ever!}