I want a yellow, grey, and blue living room...

And I want it like now.  I am so tired of our current blah, non inspiring, just using what we got for the moment living room.  It is a mish mash of nothing I really love or stuff that needs to be worked on.   I guess there are a few inspiring items in the room...

I am thinking casual, beachy,  and eclectic.  I want to have this beautiful wing back chair re-upholstered in some kind of strip or poppy floral print.  Are you following me here or am I getting a little crazy?  Here are some pictures to show you where I am going with this...

Source: lariatsandlavender.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: smileandwave.typepad.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: apartmenttherapy.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: brabournefarm.blogspot.com via Ashley on Pinterest

Source: houzz.com via Ashley on Pinterest

I am going to start making this happen.  Starting with a little road trip to IKEA!!!

Things I am lovin' right now...

Hall Pass

{who knew it would actually be funny?!}

Getting all my craft supplies organized!

{who knew one girl could have so much stuff?}

A husband who is doing my dishes

{after a couple of months of late nights Ryan finally gets home before 8!}

Rainy mornings

{cause it's nice to wake up and have coffee before work and the day gets hectic}

Vacation time 

{starting Friday at noon, meeting Albert Pujols in the middle, and ending in 9 glorious days!}

Dreaming about upcoming craft projects

{I have a seriously cute DIY idea for wall art and I hope, I hope it works!}

New video camera

{for the biz...my brother is going to do our videography!}

Red Dead Redemption

{yeah did I mention that I am closet xbox gamer? it's how I relieve stress}

Searching for wedding venues

{for a good friend}

What are you lovin' right now???

Spare bedroom inspiration...

images my cakies

Am thinking about making something like this for over our spare room bed.  We only have a frame so it would be nice to have something to act as the "headboard"  but I still haven't thought of the phrase I wanna use.  Any suggestions?  It seems simple enough to make since it is made out of felt and string.  I think I can handle it.  Learn more on how to make your own here.

Don'tcha love links???

This is what is inspiring me lately...

     Wanna make my own fabric design here...


     I wanna make these tissue pom-poms for the shower Sunday...


     I really need to restock on the beauty supplies...


     Wanna learn how to use this baby and maybe grow a little business...


     Am loving poke a dots in soft shades of white on white...I have no link for this but I am making   
     curtains for my kitchen that may or may not resemble that description...


     Love this book, Ryan got it for me as a present and I read through it CONSTANTLY- it gave me the 
     courage to hit the flea markets in Paris...

Sorry if there are spacing issues...blogger is going crazy on me right now and well...lets face it, it's Friday and I don't care to spend time fixing it!   Have a happy weekend and wish me luck on throwing a Truly Scrumptious bridal shower.  Fingers crossed it will go off without a hitch!

PS the picture above was taken in New York City in Washington Park.  There is an artist who makes these completely by hand with sand and it rained right after I snapped this pic.

A birthday of sorts...

Seems like kind of a big number huh?  At least if does to me.  For the last two years I have been working away on this little blog and today I am writing my 150th post!  When I first started blogging I had just become engaged and I was just looking for a way to share all my DIY projects {like these cute nests} with friends and family.  Now blogging is a one of my favorite hobbies.  I honestly don't know what I would do with out it.

After living so many different places it can be hard for me at times to realize that I am here in Illinois to stay.  No more big cities and crazy adventures meeting new and inspiring people all the time.  I am not a typical girl around here and sometimes it can get a little lonely and I could get restless.  But blogging gives me a way to explore the world and meet new people everyday.  People who inspire me with their honest words, pictures, homes, and relationships.  It is a connection unlike any other community I have known.  And you know what?  I LOVE it!

I work every day on making 906 a better space to explore.  Thanks for tuning in!  I hope you enjoy this little corner of the world that means so much to me.  To celebrate this day and our wonderful friendship here are some links of what I am loving right now...

This new line of bridal gowns {I know I am married but I can't stop looking- plus I watch this line being built from the ground up on the designers blog- AMAZING!!!}If I hadn't already bought my dress when I found her blog I would have had her make my wedding dress.  They are so dreamy and romantic!

This Easter feast!  This foodie blogger makes my mouth water with her pictures.  Her touches with vintage utensils inspired me to start collecting my own.  I have already had some compliments on my budding collection.

I want to make one of these bowties!  Such a cute idea but this little tie also stole my heart.  First I need to actually have a little man to put them on but we will get there!  But I know some of you readers do!

I love to travel vicariously through this blogger!  She is a pro trip planner and has a ton more insight then I could ever hope to give you on being an ex-pat and traveling the world...

And finally here are two mama bloggers that I look up too and love their ideas and thoughts on raising a child.  Maybe if you can't tell I have babies on the brain!  Maybe it is because my maternity insurance went into effect as of the beginning of the month...no baby on board yet but you can never be too prepared.

Maybe these links will make your Thursday go by a little faster.  I am looking forward to my half day at work, getting some stuff done around the house, and maybe getting to a couple new projects {like the chandelier I just bought for the kitchen...}

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What a busy weekend around here!  I had a long weekend here and as always that seems to mean more work not less.  With a little help from my brother and fiance Lainey, I finally have the kitchen almost done!

The third time seems to be a charm when it came to the color of the kitchen.  Last time I painted it the palest blue {almost a white}  but it was too cool for the warm color of the kitchen counter {whoops- remind me next time to paint AFTER the counter tops are in!}

The cabinets {which have been without doors for over a month} are finally painted in an easy to clean semi-gloss and ready for the doors to be hung again {hurray! am tired of everyone being able to see into my not to organized cabinets}

I also finished a little crafting project over the weekend.  I found a big old 1970's frame with dated, torn print for six dollars are Restore.  I am sure people thought I was crazy at the check out lane but they didn't know my little plan.  I took it home, sanded down the old frame, popped out the picture and painted it antique white to match the kitchen cabinets {it took five days and seven layers of paint!}.  Then I painted directly over the print with 2 coats of chalkboard paint.  And voila, a cafe inspired chalkboard menu!  Can't wait to share pictures.

So what's with the picture of the bed, you may be asking yourself!  It is too dreary here today to take any good pictures of the kitchen and I am SO tired that bed is all I can think about! This bed had me from hello- not because it looks so comfy but because it is gorgeous!  Does anyone else feel like Anthropology needs to do a line that is a little more affordable for us everyday, ordinary girls???

Primary colors and stars for a birthday boy...

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My cousin's little boy is turning one and she asked me for a few ideas for his birthday celebration.  She had already decided the theme of the party was stars and primary colors.  So I hit the search engines.  I love a good google search and this is what I have come up with! I love these cute origami stars accented with buttons.  And I am loving these sweet sugar cookies with happy faces.

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More origami stars.  Am also filing these away for inspiration for Christmas next year...

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Who doesn't love a rice krispie treat?!? Cute with or with out frosting I think.

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These star crayons are made from old, broken crayons!  All you need is a star muffin pan...where you find those I am not sure.

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What kid doesn't love candy and finger painting?  You could even let your kids paint the long sheets of paper ahead of time and use them to decorate the table.  And I love the handmade playdough with smilie faces.  Easily could be little party favors.

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I hope this gives my cousin plenty of inspiration!  Birthday parties are so fun to plan.  I can't wait to see how it turns out.  Please feel free to email me if you need inspiration for any of your projects.  I love to help.

In love with Mad Love...

Mad Love is making my Monday nights!  What started out as romantic fluff has some how turned into a show that really makes me laugh.  It's just the right amount of sweet and funny. I also love that one of the characters is a nanny.  For more about the show go here!

Glass containers for storage...

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I am completely obsessed with glass containers right now.  I cannot get enough.  If I have a container that fits the job you can guarantee that is the direction I am going to go.  I got this insanely clever idea from an issue of The Nest {which I adore and will miss so much once my subscription runs out...it is a magazine only available after you first get married and you can't subscribe- so once you done, your done}

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What have I been filling them up with lately?  Light bulbs, detergent, rice, twine, anything really.  It turns an ordinary object into something a little more interesting.  The Container Store has everything you would ever need if you too feel like you need some containers in your life.  I get mine from Goodwill, Restore, and sometimes Pier One.  But you can find them anywhere from Walmart to Target.

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There are all kinds of containers out there!  Find some that fit your taste and style, use them for everyday items, and you will be so happy you won't be able to contain yourself! {sorry I couldn't help that last pun!}

There is still time to join the giveaway!!!

Kitchens I love...

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vintage outfits for ring bearers

I found a gem! Check out Dapperlads If you are looking for a vintage inspired outfit for your little gentleman - and for mere pennies! I didn't see an outfit over $50.00! Not sure if it is going to work for our wedding because of our colors but it could be just the thing you were looking for.

DIY embroidery hoop decorations

This is an easy no sew project. I literally made 10 in about 2o minutes. To be fair, the fabric flowers had been previously made. But still so easy and such a great pay off! I want to use them after the wedding too, either for a nursery, or for Valentines Day decorations. Either way I think they are super cute and fun.

I got the idea from this blogger!

my bridesmaid dresses

I just wanted to give you guys a sneak peak into my bridal party style! I am so happy and excited about these bridesmaid dresses! I was so sure that Champaign-Urbana was not going to have any bridesmaid dresses that I would love but I have to admit I was pleasantly surprised. It just goes to show that you don't have to go top dollar to have a fab look.

Now these are not the colors I ordered. I will save that surprise for after the wedding. I don't want to give away too much! My bridal party consists of my brother-who is my best friend, as my man of honor (and dispite constant teasing -no he will not be wearing a dress! but a tux instead) Then it is the my 16 year old sister Abbey and Ryan's 16 year old sister Dani who will be wearing the longer dresses. My sister Molly who is 13 and Ryan's sister Allie who is the same age as well (Ryan's mom and my mom were pregnant 3 times at the same time!) will be wearing the shorter dresses.

I can wait to see it all together on the big day! Fingers crossed it will be a cohesive and stylish party! I hope that you like and enjoy and check out the new Dessy Group Collection!

astrostyle.com

I read about this site in Instyle Weddings. I don't take astrology seriously but I think it's fun to see what they say. When I lived in Germany the first thing a guy would ask you is "what's your sign" lol cheesy I know but they were really into it over there! So my boss- who was also American- bought some books on it so we could see what all the fuss was about. It can actually be very interesting if you don't invest too much time over thinking it.

Twins Tali and Ophira, authors of The Astro Twin's Love Zodiac, have all kinds of things for a bride to be. Everything from your how you and your groom's signs match up, which days are best for you to get married, and your love horoscope. Just fun things to pass some time at work right?

So hope you enjoy! I know I am going to check it out!





Image from www.astrostyle.com

DIY rose bouquet for $12...

I love the look of garden fresh roses. There is somethings so old fashion and romantic about them. They definatley give off that old school vibe and are not stuffy. This is a super easy DIY project for you even if you aren't a bride. So go to the nearest Walmart, pick up your favorite color, and check out this blog to see how!

strands of lights

I feel like I could make these. I found them here on Etsy. I think what they do is they soak the string in something that stiffens it. I am not sure what though- I need to research it a little more but I would love to make some out of a chocolate brown string with some pink and champagne mixed in. Do I feel another DIY project coming on?

Image from narayabags.

wedding day perfume

I love this wedding day idea!!! I read about it here. She suggested that when you get engaged to go shopping for a new perfume...something that you absolutely love...and then hide it from yourself until your wedding day. Isn't that such a sweet idea? That way when ever you or your husband smell that scent you are reminded of your special day! I am definitely going to do this!

Any recommendations for a romantic scent?

link love

This blog is a great reference for brides. I especially loved the new post about resolutions for the newly engaged. I am contemplating my resolutions today. It has been so busy I haven't even had a chance to think about what I want from the next year...and it's a pretty big year ahead of me. So I am thinking a post of resolutions will be good for me too. More to come later.

Art above is mixed media by Nigel Conway.