media cabinet makeover

Back in February we scored this sweet dresser/cabinet at the salvation army for $30. I have been looking for one this size for so long and finally got lucky! With our fireplace being in the corner of the room (the focal point), I wanted something just big enough for the tv to allow room for a stack of blankets between the tv and fireplace.

Of course I forgot to take before pictures, but the dresser was in need of some love. It was light brown with plenty of defects, and it also had a glossy veneer top and sides. We weren't sure if it would paint okay, but after sanding it and putting on two coats of primer, we only needed one coat of paint. I used a $3 sampler of Martha's Sultana green and we even had some leftover.

The dresser originally had knobs on the drawers and doors, but it was missing one so I just took the rest off and replaced the door knobs with clear ones from here. At first I bought these from anthropologie, but they ended up being too large. We filled in the holes on the drawers with wood putty before painting.

I love having the concealed storage now for all of our "accessories". Q's xbox stuff stays nicely hidden and he even has his own drawer now to keep his controllers (I'm more excited than he is). I use my side for storing extra candles. Now I have the urge to line those drawers!

spring closet

Getting really excited for spring to arrive someday in Michigan. Last night I was looking at my messy closet and it needs a spring cleaning as soon as possible. I'm in the mood to go through old stuff, make donation piles, and build a better, simpler wardrobe with more classic pieces (okay I always say that, but this time I will). Here's some inspiration for what I'd like to find.

1. square neck blouse - a.p.c.
2. cape-stripe suit - j.crew.
3. boatneck top - boden.
4. bensimon sneakers - madewell.

his+hers: picture taking

Q bought our Nikon d50 back when we were dating and he likes taking pictures outdoors - animals, foliage, sunsets, etc. When we go camping, he'll go exploring and take awesome pictures of deer and other creatures. I still try to remind him to take pictures of actual people, too.

Here are a few photos we've each taken recently: his is of Lucy, his sister's goose that lives at his parents' house. He took some funny pictures of their farm animals this weekend while we were visiting. And mine is of my brother's new church in Illinois, it was built in 1910 and is absolutely beautiful.

(His + Hers is a weekly series that Brooke (from Pure & Noble) and I started as a way of sharing random peeks into our daily lives. Feel free to join in on your own blog if you'd like!)

birthday gift

We just returned from a fun weekend back in our hometown, celebrating some birthdays and hanging out. I wrapped up this sailboat tote bag and a cd (Joshua Radin) for my friend Allie's birthday. The tote is the first bag I've ever sewn (yay, I'm moving up from pillows!), using this tutorial from Purl Bee. It's a great project for beginning sewers and I'm already hoarding fabric and handles for more bags.

dining inspiration: mid-century

(1: orestudios via rue; 2: laure joliet via emily henderson)

How inspiring are these two dining rooms. I'm hoping to sell our dining set and have been searching for something like these - medium wood tone with a vintage/mid-century look. Our current set has a shiny dark finish and it always attracts our cat's white hair (gross!) and I'm just not a fan of the style.

The top image is from an adorable home in rue mag (pg 184) and I think I would move right in if they let me. Love that big oversized lantern.

handmade faves: bits of yellow

It's been overcast, with freezing rain here this week, so I thought I'd share these pops of cheery yellow from some talented artists. A few fun details: the polka dot stationery is actually a sweet little sun pattern, and the painting is by an artist from Hawaii found through my friend Tiffany.

Also, those macarons (those macarons!) from this week's featured Etsy seller not only look great, but the shop owner's interview is just as sweet. Loved this quote, describing what handmade means to her: "There is a soul for every single handmade item; it has the crafter’s love, care and good wishes, yet you will never find two handmade items that are the same exactly."

1. weathered letters - studio of hearts.
2. garland painting - aisle to aloha.
3. french macarons - sparkles kitchen.
4. mustard bag - tippy thai.

our house: design sponge peek

(images: andrea dozier for design sponge)

Design*Sponge was one of the first sites I discovered when I started reading blogs, and I've long admired their sneak peek column. So, I was honored and thrilled when they asked to include our home on their site (what?). You can see the full sneak peek of our place over on Design Sponge right here. Thank you, Grace and Anne!

Also, Andrea Dozier was so kind to travel up to Michigan to photograph our house and I wanted to thank her again for lending her awesome talents. She always makes things look more beautiful through her camera. And in case anyone is wondering, she is very friendly to work with :)

help for japan

I hope you had a good weekend! We had a restful one and while spending some time looking into relief efforts for Japan, I noticed my friend Wakako has put together a Japan SOS blog. It is a collection of SOS messages she has gathered - it is heartbreaking and serves as an eye opening reminder of all the help that is still needed there. You can read more about it here.

(PS. Did you see that For Japan with Love has raised over $50,000 already!)

pause

The people in Japan have filled our thoughts and prayers lately. I'm taking off early this week to focus on ways to help, to take extra time to pray for them as well as a few other people in our life that are in need of support right now.

Last week I started planning ways to improve my time and energy used between my blog, work, and life. I think it has to do with spring being right around the corner, but I'm getting in that organizational mood again! After my medical scare last month, I'm focusing more on my health and have started evening walks and plan to begin yoga. It feels really good. After all of the tests, we haven't found any answers but I feel ready to move on, to take better care of myself, and just trust in God for the rest of it.

Thanks as always for reading and visiting here, your support (and friendship) means so much. Wishing you a restful weekend, and hope to be back Monday to share one of the projects Andrea and I worked on recently (see a peek here!).

(photo above: tulips we've been enjoying - is spring here yet?)

handmade favorites

Some recent handmade favorites...so many pretty bows out there lately (like the sherbet one, found via little white whale), as well as florals for spring, like the rose bud bracelet from Katheyl. Katheyl is based in Germany and she shared her collection with me recently - see more here!

1 felt bow clip - sandy a la mode.
2 rose bud bracelet - katheyl.
3 wallet pouch - rennes.
4 sherbet bow clip - hunter gatherer.

selfridges sweets

I find it irresistible to pass up food packaged in something cute like a reusable jar or bottle. Last week it was Starbucks frappuccinos at the grocery store. I don't even drink that stuff but it was on sale and they came in little milk bottles so I was sold (I got mocha flavor and it wasn't too bad, plus all the labels came off really easy).

These sweets above are from Selfridges&Co and come packaged in retro glass bottles. I think they would be great for gifts or parties, they are so nostalgic and sweet. Would love to try one of the pineapple cubes right now!

(images: selfridges, found via tcktyboo)

homemade apple butter

Aimee and Drew, a very sweet couple, gave us a jar of their homemade apple butter yesterday and it is oh so good. We ate it on bread, but I'd consider spooning it right from the jar.

(We immediately added this to the list of "things we hope to can" at the end of this summer. If you're into canning, any other suggestions?)

thoughts & in the kitchen

(images: recipes from elephantine)

We had a quiet weekend here at home spending time together, and thinking about the people affected by the tragedy in Japan (it is devastating. and we're continuing to pray). I also spent some time in the kitchen, and maybe it's because spring is so close, but I've been more in the mood to cook and bake new things lately.

I've really been enjoying food posts like Rachel's from Elephantine. Her photography is simply beautiful, and I love having a visual step-by-step, even if it's for something as basic as mac and cheese.

heather ross prints

Last weekend on our trip I started reading Weekend Sewing by Heather Ross, and later was looking at her blog where I saw this new line of illustrated prints. She is so creative! I love her little woodland creatures. Everything is limited edition and part of her online pop-up shop, so check it out soon.

PS. Sorry for the sporadic posting lately, I've been trying to spend more time offline, and have also been working on a few extra projects that I hope to share soon!

(images/layout: heather ross)

glittery cookies

(image: purl bee)

I had this glittering cookie recipe bookmarked from Christmas, but thought they would make the perfect treat for Easter gatherings coming up too. They are so bright and sparkly! I'm sure they taste just as good.

road trip + weekend

My brother moved to Illinois this week, and we've been planning a quick trip out to visit him and see him get installed at his new church for a year-long vicarage. Q is staying here for training exercises on base, so I'll be riding along with my parents and already have my bag stocked with new books from the library (very excited about this! ha).

My brother is a grad student living on his own for the first time (no more cafeteria food), so I've been helping him get started and figure out grocery shopping, etc. It's really fun because I finally have someone willing to listen to me ramble on about coupons, bargain shopping, and weekly meal planning.

I've started putting together a care package box for him with basic goods like paper towels and cereal, to save him from buying it at the pricey grocery store there (the only one within 30 miles of his small farm town). Cannot wait to give it to him and see his tiny apartment! Hope you have a great weekend.

party straws

(images: emerald+ella, via stephmodo)

Paper straws are one of my favorite party details. I like to drink from a straw even at home (using reusable ones), so I am loving these striped and spotted straws from emerald+ella. Don't you want to plan a party around them?