Under Contract

Well, it's official. We made an offer on the house and they accepted. We couldn't be more excited. Their timeline worked perfectly with ours. We are planning to close in May- so it will be around the time that Michael finishes here and Birmingham.
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One fun note--- I have many childhood memories from playing at this house. They have a daughter that's my age and we were friends growing up. The house has been in their family for two generations and they are excited that it's now going to be a part of my family.
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My wheels are turning with the things that I want to do {over time}. I am looking forward to sharing this process with you.
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Everyday Life

Sorry for my lack of posts lately. We've been busy with just the things of everyday life :: grocery shopping, Church, lunch with friends, laundry, trips to Mississippi, changing diapers, morning strolls, etc. I promise to be back to blogging soon.
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Love this beautiful breakfast nook. Wish I was sitting there now while catching up on blogs over my morning coffee.
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*via It's Mary Ruffle

House Hunting

We moved to Birmingham a little over four years ago when Michael finished medical school so that he could do his residency at UAB. It's hard to believe that the long road of residency is coming to an end. We've loved our time here and it was such a hard decision once it came down to do we stay in Birmingham or do we move back home to Mississippi? After much thought and prayer.... we will be moving back home to Mississippi. We'll probably move next June, so we've started our search for a new home there.
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One of my dear designed obsessed friend sent me this house yesterday. It {somewhat} resembles the one that we've been looking at and I loved to see the changes that this house went through. It's a lot of photos--- but you need to see the before and afters. My wheels are turning....
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*via Traditional Home

Comfortable Glamour

I just can't quit looking at this beautiful kitchen designed by {and belonging to} Melanie Turner in the newest issue of Veranda. It has already made its way into my 'one day file'.
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*via Limestone & Boxwoods via Veranda

Collins' Friends & Announcement

Two of my dear friends here in Birmingham had babies just a few weeks after me. Emily Joy (Martha Ann's mama) is a photographer- so we decided to get together for a little photo session a few weeks ago.
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Hall (2 weeks), Martha Ann (4 weeks), and Collins (8 weeks)

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Such sweet friends!

And here is the photo by Emily Joy that I used for Collins' birth announcement.

* I decided to go with a loose 3.5 x 5 photo that I tucked in with the card.

Tracery in Food & Wine

Love the vintage feel of this new Alabama lake house kitchen designed by Tracery Interiors.
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The combo of the stained walnut legs and white Carrera tops is just beautiful. So are the plank walls, reclaimed wood floors, and open shelves. I could go on and on...
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*via Food & Wine

**photos by Jean Allsopp

3 Things

I've been catching up on my magazine reading this week. Three things that I've seen that I have loved:
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1. Seeing Rachel on the cover of G&G. As well as her two page spread inside. Congrats, Rachel!
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2. This wall covering by Weitzner Limited. It has a linen surface with a backing that attracts magnets. I think I would like to use this somewhere in my next house--- maybe in a playroom or somewhere in the kitchen.

3. Another item on my kitchen list--- one of this vintage mason jars. I always see them at flea markets and wonder what I could do with one or two or a few. Now I will pick up one and use it as a soap dispenser for my kitchen sink. Love the vintage zinc lid. Just add a soap dispenser pump ($3.75; onedreamdesign.com).

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1. Garden & Gun :: 2. Elle Decor :: 3. Country Living

Lil' Hoot

I came across this precious stuffed owl on Etsy while searching local Birmingham Etsy shop owners (I like that you can search by location).
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I think I may have to make one for Collins' nursery using some leftover Amy Butler fabric that I have in my stash.

And speaking of sewing projects--- look at these precious monogrammed seersucker swim trunks that my mom made for Collins yesterday.

We found out that his girlfriend Olivia has been hanging poolside back in Mississippi--- so we had to get him prepared for his next visit home!

Vaughan Designs

I recently received an email from Alicia with Vaughan Designs--- introducing me to their company. I thought that I would share a few of my favorites with you from their site.
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Bathroom Rectangular Wall Light

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Girona Hanging Shade

. Portofino Mirror

Glass Etagere

And I saved my favorite for last. Their hand embroidered linen fabrics. Oh so pretty. Would love to use one of these in my home.
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*via Vaughan Designs

Collins, Hiatus, & Pillow Help

I haven't blogged in a few days and am wanting to. I just don't know what to blog about. So I thought I would share a few things that are going on in my life.
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1. My sister is coming to visit today and is going to stay a few days. We are so excited. We love having her here (and the extra set of hands sure is nice)!
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Abby with Collins the day he was born.

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2. We've spent a good bit of time away from home lately. Collins rides so well in the car (he sleeps) that it is easy to pack up and go to my parent's house for a few days when Michael is on call or has to work a lot. Well, Michael was off of work this past weekend so we loaded up and went to Michael's parents house. His mom snapped this cute photo of the two of them playing on the living room floor.
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3. And since some of you have asked for more photos--- here is one of my favorites from a couple of weeks ago.
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I can't believe Collins is already 2 months old (tomorrow). He had his 8 week appointment last week where he received 4 shots. Not fun. He weighed in a 12 lbs. 6 oz. Growing boy!

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4. Shopping Hiatus. Remember when Paula posted about hers last year? I'm on one for the month of August. My mom and I are doing it together. I've been spending too much money and buying things that I/we don't need. So I'm committing to not shopping for the month. I have a few exceptions that I will list below. Not that you want/need to know... I am just trying to hold myself accountable and what better way than to publish it on the WWW? I am only allowing myself to buy groceries as well as the needed baby items. Besides that--- nothing. We'll see how it goes.

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a. large circular punch from Hobby Lobby (to help with sticker/gift tag orders)

b. fabric and t-shirt to make birthday gift for my nephew who turns 2 this month

c. photos and photo book from shutterfly. I need to stay caught up on printing photos of Collins- plus I have 50% codes for both of these.

d. fabric or covers to protect pillows in living room (see below- I need help)

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*I have pillows on my wing backs that I made with Dwell napkins and used a 20" feather insert for the pillow. The feathers poke through and drive me crazy. Not only are they uncomfortable to rest your back on with the feathers poking you--- but they get everywhere. Same goes for my rectangular pillows on my sofa. Have any of y'all had this problem? What have you done about it?

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I was thinking about undoing the dwell napkins and covering the pillow insert in some type of thicker fabric and then putting the pillow back together. I have some new fabric (zigzag from post below- already purchased!) for my sofa pillows... but I need to protect the inserts before sewing up the fabric so I don't run into this same problem. Maybe I should look for some type of protective cover that will help with the feather problem? Any thoughts/ideas/help would be much appreciated!

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*Thanks to Kristen's comment--- I found this.