Monday Blues // 34

The New York Times

Major yesses.

How was everyone's weekend? Ours was quieter than we'd been planning, which was pretty amazing. I was due a weekend off. We slept late, watched movies, got some things done around the house and in the yard, and even snuck in a bit of antique shopping.

After giving it a good week, I've decided that this isn't doing it for me:

Fashionista // Dressing up that LBD

Being the frugal woman that I am when it comes to my closet, I'm really trying to make my wardrobe go as far as possible during this pregnancy. I have a couple of pre-pregs pants that I can still swing the rubber band trick on (not sure why I resisted that for so long), and I've had to invest in a few additional pairs. But I'm otherwise still wearing quite a few of my existing tops and dresses. (At 25 weeks/6 months, it looks like that will be coming to an end soon.) I've been lucky enough to have a few very generous friends donate their pregnancy clothes, which is going to go a looooong way.

One thing that has posed somewhat of a challenge is dressing up. With two weddings under our belt this year, we still have a couple of summer weddings approaching. Like I said, I've gotten away with my existing wardrobe so far. I'm hoping to get into one of my favorite LBDs for this next wedding, but that means giving it some kind of summer flair. Lucky for moi, that's easily done with shoes or jewels! I'm looking to a few of the options below if going the jewel route.

1 // 2 // 3 // 4 // 5 // 6 // 7 // 8 // 9 // 10 // 11 // 12 // 13 // 14 // 15

Of course, a new pair of shoes or a statement necklace never hurt anyone either....

Artist // Starla Michelle

Super beautiful pieces by oil painter Starla Michelle. Love her use of color and form.

Because It's Awesome + Home Depot Patio Style Challenge

Today's the day that I can finally share my patio, party people! I say finally, but in reality things actually came together pretty recently. When Home Depot contacted me about participating in their patio challenge, I had no idea Mother Nature was going to make things such a challenge. It came down to the 11th hour and we had to push through record low temperatures (which we may be getting yet again this week..grrrrrr), but we got er done!

HUGE HUGE HUGE thanks to Eric and my mama for all of their help getting this together! Eric did so much work due to my preggers condition preventing me from heavy lifting, painting and staining. (Truth: I don't think he trusts me to do as well on the DIY experiments projects anyway.)

And I've not given her enough credit to date for all that my mom has contributed. She was definitely my sounding board when making decisions for this challenge under the clock. Not only that, but she is often my partner in crime when antiquing, consignment and Craigers shopping. It's kind of become our thing, and I've scored so many great pieces thanks to her! She was pretty instrumental in that One Kings Lane sale success. The lady makes a pretty great business partner, I gotta say :)

Enough of the sentiments. Go check out the final product! But be sure to come back and tell me what you think....We'll recap everything in depth later this week.