Loft Shopping {+ I Painted}

The image of treading water comes to mind when I think about my days lately.... getting ready for Christmas and visitors, and extra activities on top of all the usual for children, home and office... It's fun and happy, but it feels a little overwhelming at times. I did recently make time for some quick sale shopping at Loft, and spent an afternoon finally getting the study painted:

Benjamin Moore Weimaraner

(Makes me think exactly of a Weimaraner, really.)

Here's what I bought at the Loft during one of their recent promotions:

Loft Ruffled Boiled Wool 3/4 Sleeve Jacket in Olive

Loft Button Shoulder Sweater with Tipped Detail in Fresh Navy, Loft Bow V-Neck Shell in Tango Red, Loft Lurex Fair Isle V-Neck Sweater

Lucky Magazine likes the red bow blouse, too. I just noticed it in the January issue this morning:

I have been snapping some OOTDs here and there which I'll post before too long. Today I look like I'm going to the gym, but I'm not. I hope nobody asks.

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo

New Art for My Bathroom {Finally!}

I know this phrase is everywhere (even a rug at Anthropologie) but I just love it and have been thinking about ordering a print off of etsy for awhile now. Today I was at a little boutique though and saw this beauty - painted on wood, antiqued, and already framed and in colors that blend perfectly with my (quite-undecorated-for-having- lived-here-nearly-3-years) master bathroom. I just now hammered a nail into the wall and put it up in an empty spot above the towel rack and am so happy with it! Now if I could come up with some ideas for the rest of the bathroom...

xoxo

Switching Out Scents for the Season {Home Edition}

New nail polish, new Starbucks drinks, new sweaters... with all this going on I thought I'd run out and get some new candles since the last ones I bought were beachy. Specifically, I was looking for Pumpkin Spice which had been recommended by a few people. Not quite ready to go all-out-pumpkin yet, I also picked up some Citrus Sage as a transition from Beach to Fall.

When I have a little more shopping time, I'll also pick out some new Rendezvous in Paris candles - I absolutely love their Travelesque and Gathering Places collections.

some new Yankee Candles

YK Citrus Sage in the guest bath

a little YK Pumpkin Spice in some sparkly votives from Z Gallerie

Happy Friday!

xoxo

Sharing A Show Home {& Hello From Minnesota!}

First off, we made it in late last night, slept great, had a nice breakfast, and now the kids are splashing around happily in the hotel pool with my Hubby while I catch up on my blogs and twitter pals poolside! A great start to the day.

Browsing through my pics, I found several of a "green" show house that we toured while in Georgia recently. We've been sprucing up our nearly-3-year-old home recently and I am gathering ideas for fixing up our bedroom & master bath. I love getting ideas from decorated models so thought I'd share some of my snaps. Happy Friday everyone!

xoxo

Sun & Sand

No, I'm not lounging at the beach, but today I've been reminded of gorgeous days spent in the surf.

I'd never bought Yankee Candles before, but I was in Hallmark and saw a wall of them, and just couldn't resist Sun & Sand and Beach Walk. Yankee describes S&S as "sweet orange flower, lemony citrus, fresh lavender, and powdery musk"... to me it just smells like Florida! And suntan lotion. Beach Walk is salt water and citrus. A perfect combo.

a little Ballard around the house...

Ballard Designs has been running tons of promotions over the last several months... the latest ends tonight - 15% off sitewide (discount applied at checkout). I've been trying and trying to find something to take advantage of this offer but maybe I have enough Ballard for now... Here's a peek at some of it - a few pieces are no longer available as they get in new things all the time - but their general style tends to remain the same.

Grand Palais Mirror (3 piece), Levanto 3-seat Bench, Cushion in Toffee Check, Set of 4 Vintage Shell Prints, Maison Hooks

Warmth Print, Small Bell Shelves (glass candleholders from Target - I misplaced the candles over the holidays... where are those???)

Berkshire Counter Stool

Scrolled Shelf in White

Badalona Mirror, Chartres Buffet Lamps, Seagrass Buffet Shades

Mavelot Candle Sconce