Hi friend,
I heard recently that if you’re tired…make sure the reasons you are tired are good reasons.
I think that’s good information to have & hold right now.
Especially if you’re like me and you’re finding yourself in a season where tired and teary have become friendly neighbors in your heart…
Yes, I will admit I am tired lately…but I am tired with a thankful heart, because this current flavor of tired –
is all for good reasons.
It’s been two weeks since I last popped into your inbox, and life has been full in the very best (and busiest!) ways.
We’ve celebrated Eve and Maci’s Homecoming, hosted a sweet brunch & bouquets for all the girls, traveled to Florida for Eve’s official college visit, cheered on our girls in pouring rain and sunshine, breathed in the special air of a high school soccer Senior Night and squeezed a whole lot of life into just a few days.
So today, I’m catching my breath and catching you up on a few things I’ve been loving lately — from a new paint color in our entryway to an easy Target outfit, what I’m hunting for at thrift shops for Christmas, and a little living room refresh that has me especially happy.
And yes, I may have already put up our Christmas tree.
Don’t worry, it’s undressed and still waiting to be decorated!🌲
Follow me friend for a little life, a little home inspiration and a reminder to enjoy the season unfolding at our feet.
Life & Loving Lately
Yes, our family life heartbeat has been beating with an uptick in pace lately – all for good reasons baked into meaningful milestones – all causing me to embrace the need to catch my breath.
This kind of busy but good busy….makes me all the more grateful for a slow morning, a little breathing room, and a chance to catch up with myself.
So today, instead of one big topic, I thought I’d share a few scenes from life lately and a handful of things I’m loving right now.
Consider this a little catch-up from me to you.
homecoming!
The last two weeks have been filled with some pretty special milestones for our girls.
Last Friday was homecoming for Eve and Maci — Eve’s last homecoming as a senior and Maci’s sophomore-year dance.
How are we already here?
What made it super special was that the photo location allowed us to capture this quick pic with two of our “adopted sons” who are like family and “cousins” to our girls.
These kiddos have grown up together, because I grew up with their parents and they are my best friends!
Yes, this is my best friend since 4th grade’s son who is also a senior and another of my best friends son, who is a junior. We are so blessed that these kids are best friends, just like their parents. 🙂
st. augustine – flager college
The next morning, we caught an early flight from Baltimore to Jacksonville for Eve’s official college visit to Flagler.
Last October, Eve made her verbal commitment to Flager to play Division II lacrosse and last weekend, a full year later, we soaked in the joy of watching her meet and bond with the rest of the other committed 2027 players.
She spent the night in the dorms with Freshman lacrosse players, while Shawn, Maci, and I enjoyed a beautiful evening exploring St. Augustine and going out to dinner.
On Sunday, Eve spent the day playing with the other 2027 commits, while Maci participated in the prospect camp.
I have to say it was fun watching our girls play together on a college field!
We were in Florida for less than 36 hours before we jumped back on a plane and headed back to Baltimore with these two twinkies. 🙂
senior night – soccer
We landed late Sunday night and changed gears back to high school, celebrating all things senior year!
It’s tradition in Bel Air to walk out of a big tunnel with your family as the announcer shares a brief bio about each senior player.
It was a super special night, the game was close and exciting and you could just feel a special feeling that lingered over the stadium as families all soaked in what would be one of the very last games we would watch our daughters play…
In the end, it wasn’t the ending we hoped for…but that’s not what my heart will remember 10 years from now…
What it will remember is watching them on the field…like this –
Homecoming, college visits, new experiences, and senior night — all crammed into four days!
It was a lot, but also the kind of busy that reminds you how quickly these seasons pass.
I’m trying to soak it all in…
It – meaning ALL OF IT.
The travel, the bigger milestones, the memories…including the middle school days with my Livvy love bug who had a pink out at school in the midst of it all, and a LONG day of very wet lacrosse that left Maci and I running to a local laundramat in between games to dry our clothes – all before getting soaked all over again!
These are the days my friend…my heart is growing, the tears are flowing…and I am grateful for the tired that comes with the blessed territory.
Loving Lately
new paint color to love
With the holiday & entertaining season quickly approaching, I have been wanting to freshen up some of the high traffic areas in our home.
And so?
Our entryway and hallways recently got a fresh coat of new paint!
The color is Taupe of the Morning by Sherwin-Williams, and it’s bringing a soft, warm feel to our entry and hallways.
Taupe of the Morning is a newer soft gray beige paint color, or greige, as these warm neutrals are often referred to as.
I am loving the warmer tone that feels both cozy and elevated at the same time.
Target & amazon fashion for the win
Every year I treat myself to a fresh Fall staple that is…the coatigan from Amazon.
This year, my new ruffle mock neck cardigan sweater arrived and I immediately threw it on over my hoodie as I was headed out the door to another soccer game…
Ruffle Sweater Mock Neck Long Cardigan Sweater
In the past, I have ordered this mid-length sweater jacket which I still love and wear. I also have loved this longer open sweater cardigan.
I love that you can dress my new ruffle mock neck sweater up for work or down for a chilly sports night!
target simple outfit
Wide Leg Pull On Pants Cream (small) // Oversized Pullover Sweater (small)
Loved this easy outfit from Target to stroll around St Augustine in. It felt cute and put together without trying too hard! 😉
thrifting with christmas eyes
You already know I have a thrifter’s heart.
I love taking a twirl through a thrift shop store!
Right now, my eyes are lasered in on petite china dishes that have whimsy and character.
I am hoping to collect a bunch and then purchase seasonal hand soaps to place on top and tie together with a beautiful ribbon in a bow to make simple but thoughtful gifts to have on hand for Christmas gifting.
Stay tuned and I will be sure to share the final look of these sweet dishes re-invented!
They are perfect for placing candles in or for holding jewelry for the gift recipient!
living room layout – holiday edition
Recently, I shared in this post the evolution of our living room.
Our living room has taken quite the ride in terms of furniture rearranging!
You can see the full journey in this post: “How to decorate a living room.”
But this year, now that we have our sectional back in the living room, during the holiday season…I knew it would need a little changearoo – in order to accommodate our 9′ elegant grand fir Christmas tree.
So?
I recently moved and re-oriented the sofa placement in our living room and we love how cozy this room already feels!
Elegant Grand Fir Home Depot – WE LOVE THIS TREE – WORTH IT!
There is nothing else that says Christmas yet in this room.
But? Just moving the sofa around to make room for the Christmas tree – already has my heart so excited to start decorating!
And yes, because I decorate homes for a living and I decorate client homes for Christmas…
If I don’t start decorating early…our house would never get done!
I simply have to seize the moments when I have spare time to throw up a Christmas tree!
And…I’m so glad I did!
Because yes, our new living room layout and undressed Christmas tree that welcomes me home is indeed on the list of what I’m loving right now!
I hope this little life update and list of things I’m loving lately brought a smile and helpful tip to your interior world and I hope you’re finding a few things to love in your own everyday moments, too.
Thanks for being here friend!
Living on a prayer,
Heather
