Honey, I'm home

Last week was just plain hectic but I’m catching up. I had to take a week off from my House Beautiful posts. I like to take time and sift through the gorgeous images room by room. I then narrow it down to my favorite inspirational pictures for my ideal-at-the-moment space. Today’s tour will be in the foyer. When a guest walks into your home the foyer/entryway is the very first thing they see. Their entrance; this moment should give them a grasp on what’s to come throughout your house.

This entrance had me at hello.

I don't know. I've always had a magnetic pull towards black and white tile. I love the tile paired with this wallpaper.

Show stopper. I'm a sucker for chandeliers and this one is unique in a very good way.

Chanel

Growing up I paid more attention to my extracurricular activities than I did on my makeup. I was a powder, mascara and lip-gloss girl. My junior year of college my perception of makeup as I knew it changed in a big way. I had just completed a theatrical makeup class at the University when I accepted a job at the Chanel cosmetic counter. It was the perfect job for me to have during college. I was a full time student and easily working over 40 hours a week. Twice a year we would be sent to “Beauty School.” We would discover the new colors for the upcoming season and receive a gift bag full of products. These schools were absolutely fantastic and gave us the opportunity to work with a Chanel Makeup Artist. We were also given a $500 allowance twice a year to spend on makeup! We were encouraged to wear a full face of makeup and promote the season’s new color palette. I blame this incredible ride I was on for my obsession with Chanel cosmetics. From the packaging to the application; it truly is a quality product. Old picture! I had volunteered to work Valentine’s Day and take makeup application appointments for the big date night. Lee took me to lunch before my shift and gave me the necklace I’m wearing in the picture. Note: In addition to pulling my hair back, I had to take the necklace off after the picture because it wasn’t part of the uniform. We had a strict dress code.

In the Water

This past week I was traveling for work and didn't get much blogging done. Oops. The day I returned home one of my childhood friends had her sweet baby girl, Rian(pronounced Ryan). I rushed to the hospital as soon as my plane landed to see the bouncing bundle of joy. Allyson and Josh are bound to have twins but that didn't happen this time. Allyson is a twin, Josh has twin brothers AND his mom is a twin! With all my friend's having kids, I was excited to learn the "baby burrito wrap"; wrapping the blanket in such a way that the baby resembles a baby burrito. Be jealous.

Mommy and Rian (6lbs 9oz 18 3/4 in)

Honorary Crazy Aunt, Me

Tar-jay Find

When I troll through Tar-jay aka Target for groceries, I always take a detour. Not sure what I'm going to do with this little phone booth but something! This red thing reminds me of when Lee and I had our engagement pictures taken; such a sweet memory. I'm sure I'll find a home for it!

Easter Up Your Sugar Mold

My sugar mold is a bit traditional for our modern-eclectic home but I brought it into the dining room anyway. It's Easter time and with Easter comes Spring. I snagged some greenery at Hobby Lobby 50% off and located Easter decor. I desperately wanted to use my chocolate-y eggs I purchased at Pier 1 last year. They look good enough to eat so the dining room only seemed fitting...Bon Appétit!

Let's Study

Today we continue building my House Beautiful ideal-at-the-moment dream home. We are turning the corner to enter the study. I want this room to be a cozy, eclectic, creative space that provides a relaxing vibe to anyone that enters. You can pen a story, pay the bills, read a book or cruise the Internet in this room. I skimmed the images from House Beautiful of potential favorites for this room and came up short. Many images were too formal. I found a few but they lack the bit of glamour that I want to peek into the room. See below for the somewhat ideal images I did find.

This says, "let's get creative" to me. It's interesting. I would prefer a pair of these from Restoration Hardware or find something similar with a better price tag.

I could easily curl up with a good book in here but I would find it hard to mustard enough enthusiasm to do anything other than that.

This room has the fresh white look that I like BUT it has too many little accessories. Bigger is better and less is more for me.

O’ Savannah

Today kicks off the 186th Annual St. Patrick’s Day celebration in Savannah, Georgia. This famous city is recognized as the second largest St. Patrick’s celebration in the world. Thousands of people come from all over the world to witness the event. Not only will Savannah host as parade, but locals pride themselves in turning the river green by pouring food coloring into the Savannah River. This gigantic event occurs on Savannah’s famous “River Street.” Savannah, GA is near and dear to my heart. My dad was raised in this historically famous and quirky city. Learning history has always been easy for me because my dad tells the best stories. I admire his intelligence and of course, his stories.When the timing is right, I would sincerely love to find my own nest to settle into in Savannah. Every couple of years my family and I find our way back to Savannah to rejuvenate our happy hearts with all Savannah has to offer. I have enclosed a few pictures from our most recent trip, dad included:)

Clockwise: Dad and me at Forsyth Park, Pier on Tybee Island, One of the many beautiful trees in Savannah, view from River Street one evening

One Down

A couple more accessories will be needed to complete the TV setup in our bedroom. I know having a television in the bedroom is debatable but I don't care. It's a keeper in our household! Last night we bought a new television at Best Buy to hang in our bedroom above the dresser. Lee would like to order the mounting hardware from Amazon and I am on the prowl for an ornate frame like http://www.brooklynlimestone.com/search/label/bedroom. This is one of my absolute favorite blogs. Her ideas are fabulous. Mrs. Limestone offers a unique spin to each room design as she and her husband renovate their home. I'm hoping she doesn't mind that I'm using her television framing as inspiration for my own room. See below for her framed television that I am referencing and follow her blog for more pictures!

Keep It In Your Drawers

Until yesterday, I was still using my hand-me-down drawer organizer I received prior to college. I simply got tired of my unorganized flatware drawer in the kitchen. With my 10% Military Discount, I found a quick remedy at Lowe's. I love the wooden tray and how much cleaner my drawer appears. After seeing this improvement, I now have to get one for the drawer in our master bath that houses our toothbrushes, etc.

Before

After

Milk It

Our adorable bestie Taylor, had her wisdom teeth removed. Lee and I felt it our priority to encourage her to milk it for all it's worth! Our supplies for this mission included a Better Batter Milkshake from Maggie Moo's and a giant cow balloon bouquet.

Point & Purchase

Each month I open my mailbox anticipating the arrival of my new House Beautiful magazine. If I had a bottomless pocketbook I would love to point and purchase at the gorgeous images in this magazine. Living vicariously though these inspiring images; I have decided to sculpt a house to my desire with the pictures from House Beautiful. Have fun breezing through my ideal kitchen…ideal at the moment. When we have completed the tour through each room I will post pictures of the “work in progress” we call our home. Each of these pictures offer a little something-something that helps mold my kitchen vision. If you haven’t noticed, I like to mix the old with the new.

I love the pops of color in this room and it helps that I'm a sucker for this shade of green.

This layout is nice and the industrial/masculine vibe this room is giving me is fantastic. AND...Did you notice that stove?!

I obviously like white cabinetry but I also like crown moulding. Clean white lines make me a happy person.

The exposed beams in this kitchen are great.

The chandelier lanterns are beautiful. I'm sure I could find the perfect space to hang not two but 3 of these bad boys.

How To Make Your Own Mossy Green Balls

I have been scouring the stores for little mossy green balls that I had seen everywhere months ago. I thought they would add a new texture while adding a splash of green to my living room. Having no success in finding some…I decided to make them! Be sure to buy plenty of glue sticks. I ALWAYS would rather have too much than not enough to finish a project! The moss came as a giant folded sheet of moss attached to mesh. It was extremely easy to cut and glue to the styrofoam balls.

I Second That!

In case you missed it, Patrick Kennedy made an awesome speech last night. I adore him now.

Shaven

My celebrity man crush is David Beckham. I like his close shaven head-scruffy face look. I got a little carried away giving Lee a haircut...but it's REALLY growing on me. He looks completely burr'd in this picture but his hair is naturally blond. Ha!

Take 1Take 2

Bedside Manners

Not what you are thinking! Do you have a particular side of the bed to which you like to sleep? Most people do. However, Lee and I tend to sleep on whatever side our head hits the pillow. Some people find it odd to learn that we don't favor one side over the other. Lamps on and ceiling lights off picture, I'll have to take more pictures of this room.

Presenting...Kaden Dean

Nick and Krisite had there sweet baby boy. Kaden Dean was born 7 lbs 15oz 19 in.

Make a Wish

A couple of fellow Army wives have recently received gifts from their deployed husbands. Genie Lamps! How cool is that!?!?! I do wish my husband to never be deployed BUT if he were to be deployed...I wish him to send me a genie lamp! I would then wish for him to come home safe and soon! I think these would make the cutest unique sweet accessory to any home.

Baby Shower R' Us

We've had two baby showers at our house within a month. I helped finance both but wasn't able to attend both of them. Kristie's shower was the same weekend as my father-in-law's family viewing. Having sent invitations addressing the shower to be in our home a month in advance; I literally gave Taylor a key to the house and welcomed her to make it her own while we were gone. It was an incredibly hard time and this gesture spoke measures to our friendship. She rocks out everything she does and did an incredible job hosting alone. AND! Kristie's C-Section is tomorrow!!!! We are all super excited. I'm only working a half day tomorrow so I can ewe and awe at Baby Kaden tomorrow.

My sweet friend Allyson is due soon also. We had her shower this past Sunday afternoon. I didn't get an accurate account but I would estimate 25-30 people attended. I've attached some pictures below:

"Coming Soon Rian Paxton"

Party Favors

Host Picture

I was really proud of my cheese ball girl!

Food!