These spaces make me smile.

I just love the corner of our bedroom that I have carved out for my creative space.
That said; it would be nice to have my own room or shed to do it all in.
Looking through many images this morning has made me very happy.
Would you just look at some of these?!

I LOVE the giant linen pin board above this desk.

Source: flickr.com via Andrea on Pinterest

This space is elegant and organized.
May be a little to elegant and organized for me personally but beautiful nonetheless. 

Source: houzz.com via Judy on Pinterest

The color and cozy chair in this space are amazing.
Would you look at all of the fun jars holding crafty goodness on the shelves!

Source: google.com via Algodón on Pinterest

I am loving the vintage prints in this one.
The mint brick wall is awesome. The perfect backdrop.

Source: google.com via malu on Pinterest

With all of this light, high ceilings and views from this ginormous window one is sure to be inspired!

Source: konfetti.tumblr.com via Jo on Pinterest

This is looking a lot like the corner of my room.
I just love the artsy nuggets you see in every nook of this image! 

Source: flickr.com via Lisa on Pinterest

A.MAZING!
This is one of my favs.
Vintage floors, bright white and swatches everywhere.
Love!

Source: 24.media.tumblr.com via Celia on Pinterest

Now we are talking.
An art shed??? YES, PLEASE!
I can smell the fresh air and hear the birds chirping as I type this.
What heaven this would be to create in...

Source: google.co.uk via Haley on Pinterest

This looks like a nook I would like to carve out in Lilly's room.
My little does like to color and paint just like her Mommy & this space is colorful, bright and whimsical.

Source: rosehip.typepad.com via Caro on Pinterest

Lets face it...I am going to need to continue this segment because I am finding way too many inspiring places!
Happy Monday everyone!
ox

Oh yes, more pics!

As promised and a day late...here are a few more pictures from our trip out to Santa Cruz.

This was a really heavy trip.

We lost our Grandfather.

A few short weeks later we lost our Grandmother.

There are soooo very many memories here.

As you can see our children have picked up where we left off in the love of sunset hours on the beach at Rio Del Mar.

Dinner in Monterey. Great restaurant at the Clement Hotel (The C Bar). 

We were a little chilly but boy was it worth it with the waves crashing just a few feet away.

There is nothing like fresh sea air and loved ones to make everything just a little better.

Me, my sister Cassie, my Mom & Dad.

Love.

Lilly and I fell a bit behind from the pack thanks her her needing to check out every shell piece there was along the waters edge.

Love her.

Isn't it amazing that we have a God that created such beautiful places for us to enjoy...because He loves us so dang much.

It makes me cry...

Lilly & Papa.

Once again Lilly is not afraid of a little frostbite on her toes.

This water literally makes your feet hurt, but man is it beautiful!

On that note. What are you all up to this weekend?

We have a sitter tonight and are heading out to dinner. New restaurant in Red Bank is getting some good reviews. :) 

Late CA pics! Part 1

These are WAY PAST DUE!

I apologize to my family for the delay. Getting time to sit at my computer without interruption is a challenge with a girl that doesn't sit freaking still for 2 seconds.

Loading pictures can be super frustrating.

As I sit here trying this she is throwing balloons at my face insisting that I play catch with them.

Awesome.

There will be more. I promise.

Lilly loves being at the beach.

Honestly, she does not seem to care if it is 100 degrees or 50 degrees.

Like mama, like daughter.

Looks like she is working on her mamas cheesy smile too. ;)

Yes, Macie learned to dig in the sand this day. No joke.

Lilly was in heaven with her favorite friend in the whole world.

My beautiful mom & aunt enjoying some fresh beach air after a hellacious week.

Love these women so much...

Lilly was not bothered by the freezing water of the northern Pacific ocean.

Good thing you can not see my grimacing face from my feet going numb.

My Dad taking in the beautiful sunset.

I love this picture.

Love Cayman!

As promised I am posting a few pictures from our trip.

I will also be adding pictures of our trip to California in a few minutes. Yay!!!!!

This is my happy Cayman face.

I would like for you all to take notice of my awesome new old lady beach hat. I love it for its coverage and the fact that it lays flat in my suitcase. Travel friendly I tell ya!

Don't you just love my cheesy-holding-the-camera-myself pics?

They are lovely.

This is a picture of the mojito that I had every single day with my lunch.

No judging. I was on vacation. :)

Most of my pictures of the water are taken around sunset. This is due to the fact that after all of my book reading and swimming I finally remembered to snap shots at the end of the day.

Ops!

Would you just look at this view from my beach chair.

Beyond peaceful.

There is a new area that they are building up on the island that is similar to Pier Village in Long Branch here in NJ.

It has a lot of shopping and restaurants.

There is an amazing observation tower thats inside is covered in amazing mosaics.

Camana Bay from the top of the tower.

Forgive the water shots.

There are a few.

I wanted to make sure to have lots of images to print out for myself as reminders of where my soul finds rest.

I am beyond thankful that I have a God that created such a beautiful place.

I love to smile.

Oh, boy is it true that peace begins with a smile.

We just got back from a much needed vacation (pictures to follow, I promise).
I was in that place where it just took too much energy to smile. I was in my dark place.
I needed peace.
It was not until I was blessed enough to get away, get quiet, get warm, get some sand in between my toes, & swim in the salt water that I was able to smile.
I am not talking about the every day smile. I am talking about the smile where you feel it all over your body, you feel your soul smiling again.
Where you can breathe again.
Anyone else know what I am talking about?

Peace sure does follow & boy am I am thankful girl right now.

Happy Monday everyone. Love you!!

Source: theteacherwife.blogspot.com via Hope on Pinterest

Inspired.

Its been a rough week.

I thought I would post a few happy things. It is Friday after all. :) 

Here is to praying that we can actually get out of this nor eastern blizzard that is on its way tonight & enjoy some sand and sun. I need to reboot after the last 13-months of life.

I am inspired to:

Take one step at a time.

Source: backonpointe.tumblr.com via Karlee on Pinterest

I am inspired to take the bridge where ever it may lead.

Doesn't this bridge make you want to breathe in the spring air and disappear for a long walk?

Source: bonexpose.com via Regina on Pinterest

I am inspired by the shear cheer of this lil house.

This looks to be about the cheeriest Valentines Day house ever!
Mommys new get-away house? Yes, please!

Source: creativeinfluences.blogspot.com via Nora on Pinterest

Often times I am inspired over breakfast and my morning coffee.

Since it is breakfast time this little nook of a dining area is speaking to me. How cheery is this corner!
Its bright, yellow and sunny. Happiness!

Source: elementsofstyleblog.com via Tiger on Pinterest

Inspired to try this recipe. I have had it saved to my favorites for a while now!

Blueberry cream french toast. Boy, am I hungry!!

Source: bluewillowblog.com via Stephanie on Pinterest

What are all of your plans this weekend? Are you feeling any specific inspiration?
I am praying that during my week off I am inspired to be inspired. I feel like this will mean that I am simply still and simply in touch and listening to what God may be trying to tell me.
Ever get the feeling like you may be missing a serious life lesson because you can not calm yourself the freak down!?
I sure do.

Love thyself.

I was reading this post yesterday.

I have honestly been trying to write this post for 4-hours now and just can not get the right words out.
Bottom line is that the above post spoke to me. I have put Mere Christianity on my Kindle & I am so glad that I am a work in progress. :)
Happy Tuesday everyone.

Source: Uploaded by user via Alida on Pinterest

I entertain.

Since I caught a bit of a spring fever this week these images spoke to me.

The windows were open all day, the flip flops were on and I wanted to plant a flower bed...*sigh*

Tonight I will dream of the perfect brunch on the perfect deck...

What do you think?

Has this nations crazy weather have you dreaming of warmer spring days?

The setting:

Source: 4inspireddesign.com via Eefje on Pinterest

The dress:

Source: Uploaded by user via Wendi on Pinterest

The cocktail:

Source: marthastewart.com via Nell on Pinterest

The grub:

Source: veggienumnum.com via theBlackMartha on Pinterest

I create.

I am starting yet another art/ therapy class and am in the midst of creating an art journal.

This little snap shot really spoke to me since I have hit a bit of a wall in putting mine together.

This one here is a travel journal found over at Living Life Creatively.

I will try to post some of my latest stuff soon. :) 

Source: bouncingbonbon.blogspot.ca via Vanessa on Pinterest

Learning to love thyself...

Yes!

Yes!

Yes.

Listen to the quiet voice telling you exactly what you love & do it!

Learn about it.

Take time for it.

Cultivate it in your heart.

What are some of the things that you are passionate about?

Source: lisacongdon.com via Michael on Pinterest

I smile.

The sun is finally out over here! 

Happy Tuesday everyone. 

Here are a few shots that make me a bit happy today.

What a great idea! This is a refurbished antique mirror with teal chalkboard paint as a message board.
Love.

Source: bhg.com via DIY Magazine on Pinterest

What a great print this is.
Aint this quote the dang truth!

Source: lottashome.com via GEORGE GINA & LUCY on Pinterest

I am always looking for inspirational creating spaces.
This one is just beautiful! I just love the giant pin board!

Source: flickr.com via Andrea on Pinterest

I process.

When I feel down I turn my favorite music up real loud, pour myself a glass of wine and look for beautiful things.

I make myself, even when I do not feel like it.

Lately, I find those beautiful things and something else makes my heart sink.

Oh, what a season this is.

This year:

My beautiful Moms heart failed.

Our hearts broke.

My strong Mom had surgery to repair her hurt heart.

My amazingly strong Mom recovers...

A storm came & destroyed.

People that I loved passed.

A woman that I love is trapped in a disease that I pray a cure is found...soon.

I continue to deal with infertility and pray that I find peace in whatever God has in store for our family.

My home is on the market & I pray that the perfect buyers heart is being prepared to take over the care of our first house. To love it. To build a family in it. Once these buyers have bought this home that we would find the perfect place to settle for a long, long time.

For those of you who read this blog on a regular basis I apologize. I have been quite depressing lately & I feel bad that you have to read about it. That said, I find this blog a place for me to process my stuff and this is my stuff lately. Lets all pray that a new season is a-comen!

God is good. All the time. Period.

On that note, you are amazing and loved and I thank you SO MUCH for stopping by and for being patient with me!

Have an amazing weekend. oxox

Source: emilys-little-world.blogspot.com via kathy on Pinterest

I cook.

Because I am sad.

Because I am feeling drained.

Because I am tried.

I want someone to come over and make me this & to sit and eat it in peace while catching up on my overloaded DVR.

Isn't it nice to dream. ;)

It has been a hell of a month & I want chocolate.

Source: willowbirdbaking.com via Mackenzie on Pinterest

Oh Wednesday!?

Rather than trying to put my upcoming rant into words at this moment...
This picture depicts exactly how I am feeling at this moment:

You know the feeling?

Source: Uploaded by user via Dorothy on Pinterest

I create.

I know I have always loved to create art. Whether it was by putting an outfit and jewelry together, redecorating, writing or painting.

When I found the online courses that I have been taking over the last 6-months or so I found out why.

I love to create art because it is therapy for me. I work through my junk and my joys through art.

It makes me happy, it makes me feel better and I have some serious breakthroughs while doing it.

How amazing is that?!

I am not saying I am good! I am saying that it is more of a "for me" thing. 

Source: couragehopestrength.tumblr.com via Melissa on Pinterest

This is me. I am learning to love her.

What fun it is.

Learning to love ones self.

This can be complicated.

Today, I am asking that you accept the beautiful you that was created by an amazing artist. An artist that knew you long before you took your first breath. An artist that loves you more than you will ever know. An artist that looked at you, your life, your gifts and said: "That is good."

I do not know about you but the combination of a challenging year, the holidays and some heavy family stuff have me struggling with accepting what this stress is doing to my body. (aka weight gain)
Is anyone else having the same problem?

Todays mission: Love you for you & do something nice for yourself. This can be as simple as a cup of tea or as luxurious as taking a bath after dinner.
You are loved. You are amazing.

Source: bravegirlsclub.com via Maria on Pinterest

I love to smile.

Hello Monday!

I thought this quote was appropriate as come Monday morning my list of a million things to do is running through my head...*sigh*

Sometimes its just best that you quiet the voices, brew some good coffee and sit down with a book.

This thought although not possible at the moment makes me smile. 

For those of you in the trenches at the moment; what activity helps you to clear your head and put things back into perspective?

Source: gnihciew.tumblr.com via Christy on Pinterest

I am inspired.

I read THIS article a few months back.
*Click and read!!*

I did post it on my Facebook page, so a few of you may have already read it.
It is still on my mind...
I have tried to write a little something here a few times and give up. Read the article; let it speak to you and go get some pictures with your loved ones this weekend!!!


This is a pathetic collection of me with my daughter. It is time for me to get over it and get in some pictures with my little love...

I cook.

Source: simply-delicious.co.za via Kayla on Pinterest

I admit I have NO idea where I found this recipe.
It is one of those recipes that I had scribbled on an old electric bill envelope. I finally did a little cleaning up in my recipe binder and rewrote it on a pretty piece of new paper. ahhh
Now, to get to the recipe; it is a household fav!

Peanut Chicken

3 Tbs olive oil
1-2 lbs chicken breasts, cubed
1 red bell pepper
1/2 tbs ginger (I like to use a microplane)
1-2 heads of garlic (also use a microplane for garlic)
1/4 c peanut butter
1/2 c soy sauce (I use Braggs liquid aminos) 
1/2 c stock (low sodium, since you get plenty from the soy sauce veggie or chicken stock)
2 Tbs sesame oil
1 small can sliced water chestnuts
Green onions (as garnish)
Peanuts (as garnish)

1. Heat 2 Tbs. oil in large stove top pan (I personally use my cast iron for every...thing!). Add chicken and chopped red pepper. Sate (about 5 min). Remove and set aside.
2. Add 1 Tbs olive oil, ginger and garlic. Sate lightly. Add peanut butter, soy, sesame oil & stock. Stir into a sauce. 
3. Add water chestnuts, chicken and peppers.
4. Serve once chicken is cooked through. Garnish with green onions, peanuts and grated carrots if you wish.
This can be served over steamed broccoli, pasta or rice. : )
Enjoy!