happy second

Yesterday was our second wedding anniversary and this fall will mark NINE years together. Marriage is beautiful. I love doing life with this man who is truly my best friend. The challenges we face only make us stronger, as a couple and as individuals.

circa 2007

windoors

Though I'm perfectly content with my home, the designer in me is always thinking about renovations. I've mentioned a few projects and wallpaper ideas, but right now my focus is downstairs in our living/dining area.

living room – two sets of sliding glass doors on the left that don't open

living room – another view (dining room to the left)

dining room

Our downstairs has seven sets of sliding glass doors, but strangely only three are functional. The other four are braced shut (plus, there are no steps down to the deck anyway). Why the previous owners didn't put in windows is beyond me. To increase the outdoor view, I was thinking about putting in some expanding doors or picture windows in place of the braced sliding glass doors. And adding a few skylights for more natural light.

I've been putting off getting quotes on this project because it's not a necessity. So, when we visited the Pungo Strawberry Festival over Memorial Day weekend and found a local window company with a sales tent setup, I considered that a sign ;)  Here's a little bit of my inspiration for picture and clerestory windows or nanawall-type folding glass doors.

perfect picture window with seamless corner. this is probably our favorite option.

modern, large sliding glass doors. 

nanawall in action with a corner

expansive windows with very little interference – beautiful. but a seamless corner would be even better.

clerestory windows above and huge sliding doors.

I think we're leaning towards an expansive picture windows for both the living and dining rooms. Our big wish is that we can include a seamless corner in the living room. To be realistic, we don't need to open the whole space. I just imagine how cool it would be for a dinner party. Either way, it's exciting to think about. I'll be sure to blog about the project if we pull the trigger.

Inspiration images via Pinterest

30 before 30

Though I'm well into my 29th year, I was inspired by this post to think about some things I'd like to do before I turn 30. It's one of those birthdays that's easy to joke about and be sad for the end of my twenties, but I'm looking forward to what lies ahead. So, here are few things I'd like to work on/accomplish in the remaining months...

____________________________________________________________________

1. Jump out of a hot air balloon.
2. Go on a girls trip with my mom and sister.
3. Surf in Virginia Beach. 
4. Complete an Olympic distance triathlon.
5. Finally finish reading Atlas Shrugged.
6. Floss regularly.
7. Run a half marathon in under 2 hours. I missed that mark by 9 minutes last year!
8. Be a better plant mom and garden more.
9. Go fly fishing and spear fishing with my little brother.
10. Hike (parts of) the Appalachian Trail. 
11. Volunteer locally.
12. Take better care of my skin.
13. Make a habit of consuming less sugar.
14. Finally take off the ugly wallpaper in the bathrooms.
15. Be comfortable in my body.
16. Be more present for friends and family. 
17. Write more– letters, blog posts, journaling...
18. Work on being a better communicator for my husband.
19. Call my siblings and closest friends more often.
20. Complain less.
21. Cook more meals at home, preferably with my husband.
22. Stop biting my nails.
23. Be a (better) morning person. 
24. Spend more time with my nieces and nephew.
25. Save more money.
26. Be content with saying "no."
27. Get to my goal weight of 135lbs.
28. Start those front end development courses I've been wanting to take.
29. Take Jay to see the trees in the water of the Great Dismal Swamp.
30. Be able to hold a handstand and do 3 pull-ups. I've always been more of a legs girl.

a capsule wardrobe & style muses

Like most (though I'm reluctant to admit), I'm constantly battling my closet in the morning. Rummaging through so. much. clothing. but not a thing to wear. When I finally choose something it's a similar story to the day before. 

Last week I came across Unfancy. Caroline's capsule wardrobe makes so much sense! I'd heard this term thrown around, but never dug into it for clarification. Since I'm usually grabbing the same pieces, this concept would work really well for me. 

So last weekend I grabbed a couple bags and started pulling clothes off hangers, shoes off shelves and accessories outta boxes. A good ol' closet purge. It always feels good. The nicer items I'll be shipping off to my sister, but the rest of it gets donated. I'd like to add items this this to take their place...

As I search for my 'capsule pieces' I'm looking to a few of my style muses. Anna Bond, Emerson Fry, Hannah Henderson, Sophia Amoruso (I could never pull off much of what she wears, she's just a total badass), and others. I gravitate towards basics, in black or white, and I can always dress something up with the right pair of shoes. 

photos via Pinterest

a little lace number

In watercolor...

If I could find the real life version of this lace set I'd buy it. Of course, a watercolor print isn't bad either. A beautiful piece by UK-based illustrator, Abigail Mckenzie.

adventure awaits, let's camp

Now that it's finally warm enough to enjoy the great outdoors, we're taking our first camping trip of the year this weekend. I'm pretty excited to use my new NapSack, too. We'll be outside Richmond with a couple great friends exploring a new campsite, new hiking trails and kayaking. Plus, my husband found a bonsai and estate sale in Richmond, so it's like the stars are aligning. Hoping to score some cool stuff to take home.

Happy weekend, friends.

images via my adventures board

i promise

I've always been a fan of typography, especially handwritten type. I love this one by Dan Cassaro, but his whole portfolio is pretty awesome.