everyday normal

greeted with overcast skies and the urge to stay in bed is high...

warm flannel pjs when the a/c is working are oh so snuggly

and leftover dishes from yesterday are oh so easy to ignore...

especially when this pitifulness is in front of the sink.

and the menu offers no guidance at all.

wonder when the sunshine is going to wake up and start the day?

looks like a cup of coffee is in order this morning.  

hello monday.  

♥ ♥ ♥

light and bright

Welcome to the Cupcake Cottage.

Summer 2010 style.

Do you ever change your decor out for the seasons?

Or get the urge just to move stuff around for a change?

Well it hit me when I looked at my living room and just thought... 

b l a h

So I switched out the chocolate brown curtains for white ones.

and...

 like a breath of fresh air,

everything felt better.

BUT, of course I couldn't stop there...

Threw a simple white slipcover over our wingback chair (which needs to be reupholstered).

For a touch of whimsy, I added a vintage feed sack to the back of the wingback chair.

Found it from a cute little etsy shop, Myra Melinda.

Just tucked the little darling in real snug and tight.

Added a bunch of light neutral pillows.

Because I looove pillows.

*clearance sales at Pottery Barn are wonderful*

Finally got around to framing some of my photos.

I arranged them with a cupcake photo I found at a lovely photography shop, Under A Blue Sky

and quote notes purchased from The Lettered Cottage.

One quote simply says "smile" 

because it never hurts to remind yourself to smile everyday.

and the other just makes me feel warm and cozy all over...

" A good laugh is like sunshine in the house. "

~ Thackeray

A white cotton table cloth drapes over the sofa so I don't have to worry about dirty paws and such.

Plus I like how it just adds to a more casual feel.

Found this little locker bin at my mom's favorite antique store and just had to get it for Noah's toys.

I always have fresh flowers in every room

 (which isn't hard to accomplish considering I have a 600 sq ft home).

My dad painted that little fish on a rock he found several years ago.

And I enjoy keeping pretty books displayed around the house for quick inspiration.

I purchased this burlap pillow from Pottery Barn (on sale of course)

and then hand painted one of my favorite words on it.

Oh soft, cushy pillows.

In case you were wondering.

The number three is my birthday number and part of Josh's.

Whenever you visit, you have a fresh pair of cozy slippers if your feet get cold.

♥ ♥ ♥

I hope you enjoyed your visit.

Definitely a pleasure showing you around.

I hope to paint my entry table as soon as the weather drys out.

Until then...

Enjoy some more pretty at Joyce's 

I Love Pretty Little Things

and have a fabulous weekend!

berry sweet

I love playing with my food.

It's also fun because you get to eat some of your props afterwards....

♥ ♥ ♥

Please forgive my absence.

I should have updated progress on my living room photos soon!  

I haven't had the chance to paint since the weather has been so humid and rainy.

BUT I did get my wing back chair slipcovered and some new pillows!

I hope to share the partial reveal on Friday, so stay tuned!

Daze

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend.

Taking me a while to get back into the routine.

We had family over, and I'm always so exhausted when guests leave.

So I'll be back tomorrow, just need to catch up on my sleep, and get rid of this pesky headache!

♥ ♥ ♥

Also, tomorrow is the last day to enter the giveaway for $50 worth of prints in my shop.

Please head over to Modish for a chance to win.

Best of luck and hope you all have a wonderful Tuesday!

I dream in film

All of the pictures above were shot with my new Diana F+ camera.

All film.

I had to wait to get it developed.

For four days I waited...

Then held my breath with anticipation...

hoping at least one of the TWELVE shots would come out.

Actually seven came out, so not too shabby I guess for my first attempt.

I really love the dreaminess this little "toy" camera evokes.

The beautiful imperfections.

Simply perfect to me.

Wishing you all a dreamy weekend.

♥ ♥ ♥

Don't forget to visit the ever so lovely Joyce with Friday Pretties here:

I Love Pretty Little Things

4313 Ave C

Meet the newest member of my obsession club.

A 1923 Craftsman Bungalow.

Enter the Living Room.

Notice the light fixture and unpainted wood trim (not always easy to find these days)

Dine in style with another original light fixture.

I wonder if there used to be a built in hutch in here at one point?

They seem to have a bit too much furniture in here.

Personally, I like the less is more approach.

Especially in a small space.

Now the kitchen has a decent enough layout, but the cabinets and tile...

Just really not doing much for me.

I love the ceiling though.

I'd just have to fix this up to my taste.

Extra bonus space.

In a small two bed/ one bath home, I'll take any extra space I can get.  

The total sq. ft. is 1,137.

Both bedrooms are plenty big enough for us.

*Love* that paneled door and natural light.

I'd spruce up the bathroom a bit, 

but it has a nice, fresh feeling to it.

Josh hates mowing, so this yard would be perfect for him.

And a little extra storage space never hurt anybody.

{all images courtesy of Austin Home Search}

Hope you enjoyed the tour!

This little charmer is a little closer to our price range...

BUT the Mr. isn't quite ready to commit.

Even with our A/C out...

Thankfully, our nice landlord is having someone over today to hopefully fix it.

Feels like a sauna over here.

Stay cool and I'll see you all tomorrow for Friday Pretties!

creative nature

{open}

Miss Kitty's curious nature never lets me down.  

While thinking of different ways to portray this weeks theme, I opened the window.

I love playing with natural light and Miss Kitty peeking out is such a fun little bonus to me.

♥ ♥ ♥

I'm always looking for new ways to challenge and inspire myself.

So I've joined up with the Sunday Creative (you can find the link to the left side of my blog), 

created by the truly inspiring,

Madeline Bea and her blog, Life Set to Words.

She chooses a weekly prompt and you can interpret it however you wish.

You then link up and see everyone's vision.

I'll be participating once a week and I'll post my interpretation here.

"To think creatively, we must be able to look afresh at what we normally take for granted."  

~George Kneller