Statement Walls

I've been scouring the internet to find the best "statement" wall to recreate for my office here at home. I'm having such a hard time trying to pick a favorite. Which one do you like? 

PHOTO CREDITS: 1/2/3/4/5

Vegetable Garden

The thermometer over the weekend hit over 75 and I couldn't have been more excited. Once the snow melted, we got right into cleaning up the yard, it's honestly the worst one in the neighborhood. It also didn't help that the previous owners neglected to pick up the leaves in the fall (it's been a pain.) But, it's starting to "get there" and we imagine after a lot of seeding and fertilizing, our yard will look fabulous (if we're lucky.) 

One thing I wanted to tackle a little bit this year, is a small vegetable garden. Since we're still in clean up mode, it's not as big as i'd like it, but I did get a chance to put in a few tomato and pepper plants.   I plan to add some herbs like cilantro and basil, but needed a few more of the tin planters from Ikea to continue on.  What are some things you are planting this year in your backyard? 

Bedroom Updates

In a series of update posts this week on our house, I thought i'd finally share our master bedroom. While for the most part is completed, there are still a few things we'd like to update like changing out the awful ceiling fan, but we are happy with the results. What do you think? 

Incase you forgot what the original owners had it look like here's the before:

And this is what it looks like now: 

For the paint color, we choose a medium gray called Nightingale by Benjamin Moore.  Our headboard is from here, bedding here, dresser & side tables are Ikea, and the damask throw pillows were a Homegoods score.  

Living Room Updates

It's hard to believe we've been in this house for almost four months now. It seems like yesterday we were just moving in, up to our knees in snow. While our living room is the room with the least amount of updates so far, I thought I'd show you what it looks like today. 

Incase you forgot what we moved into - it looked like this: 

It now looks like this: 

All the furniture is from our previous apartments. The couches are actually from college which I'm so looking forward to update shortly.  The 50' tv is new. The rug is from our last apartment that we got from here. The fireplace is in need of some love, and I can't wait to paint the brick (if Andy let's me) it's one of the many things we are on the fence about changing.  Also, Lincoln felt the need to photo bomb this entire update. I think he thinks this blog is about him (not the house.) So that's all thats new and exciting in our living room. Be sure to check back for more updates. 

Sweet Treats

Kimberly's Bakeshoppe

The last few times I've been out grocery shopping, I've been picking up items that I normally wouldn't buy, but do because I know people are coming over and don't really feel like baking.  These cupcakes have been one of those items. While they can be found at most grocery stores but I find them locally at Kroger. They have the look and feel of a speciality bakery, but don't cost as much. 

These ones in particular are Strawberry & Creme' flavored with Strawberry filling. Absolutely D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S. 

What are some of your favorite "pre-made" treats that you buy prior to guests coming over? 

What I'm Reading....

1 / 2 / 3

I recently finished the book Lessons from a Lipstick Queen. When I purchased it from my iPad I didn't even look at what it was about, I just assumed it would be good and purchased it.  Turns out it was exactly what I needed. The book is about Poppy King who at the age of eighteen started her own lipstick company, it speaks of her journey, and the trials and tribulations of starting and running your own business. 

While I've always wanted to start my own business, it really hit home in how I was feeling about my current position. Constantly defeated. While things one day will run extremely smooth, the next day it's as though you made every mistake possible, and being the perfectionist I am never feels good. I've been trying to stay positive and thought some additional reading could bring some clarity to how i've been feeling. 

Through some digging I found Overwhelmed, which is about time management and creating a life you can love without feeling like a crazy person. While I stick to a strict to-do list, and try to manage my time effectively, I'm finding it's not my work schedule but my at home schedule that has gotten a bit lazy. Instead of hitting the gym, and making time for grocery shopping, I tend to just sit on my ass and order out. With the snow finally melting, it's time to get back into my old groove. 

Lean In by Sheryl Sandberg (COO of Facebook) is about balancing it all, and why women make fabulous leaders. The last book which is always a classic, I read once in college but thought now would be a great time to re-read How to Win Friends & Influence People.  

What are you currently reading? Anything you'd recommend? 

In Progress - Spare Refresh

One of our spare bedrooms (now my office) was originally painted a light tan. Due to the nonexistent lighting it made the room feel even smaller though it's relatively spacious, and is going to make a fabulous office/extension of my closet. 

While only one coat in, the new paint color (Polar Star By Valspar) has already made a big difference. We hope to finish it next weekend, as well as add a accent wall with a bit of pattern. 

I personally like this, this and this one, but really am struggling on picking just one.