a bad case of "the wants".

Ugh, "the wants".
"The wants" are a problem.

I blame "the wants" partially on the internet  (yes, that means all of YOU! I blame it on you!)

Here's the thing. My little home is decorated. Or at least, to me, it is decorated. We have lived here for several years now and during that time I have painted, arranged, re-arranged, collected, thrifted, changed, changed and changed again in order to make it a place that feels like home.

And it does. It feels like home. I love the letters and photo collages on the walls and the trinkets and odds and ends. I am utterly OBSESSED with the windows and natural lighting (we have discussed this, yes?). I like our bedroom, I like that I have hundreds of pillows everywhere (and more in storage, mind you). I like my collection of cookbooks stacked up on the shelf. I like my cake stand on the kitchen table. I like the Costco flowers in coke bottles. I like it here. I feel content here.

UNTIL I GET ON THE INTERNET.

I like this little home until I see your little homes and then I'm like, "Why didn't I think of that?!" and suddenly my wheels are turning and my fingers are itching to re-arrange and G is like, "I swear if you buy one more throw pillow I am making you SLEEP IN THE GARAGE!"

Not really.
But, soft of.

We could build a small castle with my collection of throw pillows.
We could turn a swimming pool into a lounge area with my collection of throw pillows.
I do not need anymore throw pillows!

Except, I really need these throw pillows.

And also, a headboard.
Because we don't even have a headboard and isn't that gross?!

I don't know what's wrong with me. Can the rest of you just decorate until it's furnished and then STOP? Why do I feel like I will never be done decorating? Why do I feel like my taste will forever be evolving? Why do I feel the need to sell everything I own and start over every 45 days?

I seriously think I have a problem.

ev & her bows.

a lot of you have been asking about where miss evie gets her hair accessories, so i thought i would just post all the links here for those of you who have little ladies or one on the way (which is lots of my friends and family members!)

i had lots of time to scour etsy while i was in the hospital, which is where i found everything you've seen. i love that they aren't too overwhelming for a teensy little head and add just a little bit of whimsy.

the little flowers you've seen, such as this yellow one are from lou&lee. we have the itty bitty newborn felt flower collection as well as the itty bitty newborn bow collection.

the headband evie is wearing in the previous post is also handmade from etsy. it is from just josie, and comes in a variety of cute colors.

we are also lovers of chelsea's shop, tatertot. evie has these rosettes as well as a few clips that are being attached to a thin headband until her hair gets a bit longer. chels also just added these darling newborn knots and is offering free shipping until sunday on any of the newborn sets, so now is the perfect time to order.

besides that everything else she has been sporting lately has been handmade by sweet friends or gifted to us. having a girl is so much fun. happy shopping!

patriotic.

i spent far too much time on this site tonight dreaming up my ideal 4th of july weekend wardrobe.
how i wish i could make all of these clothes instantly appear!

hope you have a fabulous weekend celebrating. we have a few more things to wrap up and then we're off to play for the weekend with family. can't wait for fireworks, sunshine & hot dogs (so what if i've already eaten 2 this week?!)

oops.

bought hunger games the other day (which was a splurge, i'm an avid library user & rarely shell out the cash for my own copy) only to return 3 days later (when i couldn't secure a copy of book 2 within 5 minutes of finishing book 1) to shell out another $20.00 for the sequel. so, i now rightfully own both of these:

and then i went to payless to check out their bo-go sale (which is usually horribly disappointing, in my opinion) and accidentally fell in love with & bought these sandals. and then, as i was walking out of the store, the black version caught my eye & i accidentally bought those too.

my bad.

we could be a snuggie family!

how sad is it that i am honestly considering getting one of these for toby?
but, the little man wont go outside from september through march without a sweatshirt.
i think he needs it.

someone please help me.

{i had the hilarious video up, until i realized it re-started after every page load. way too annoying. video here.}

dear summer.

i really really miss you.

i know i always say that autumn is my favorite season. and i'm sure it hurts your feelings to hear that (i apologize), but right now you are my favorite season. and i want you back.

remember our hot, sunny, football games?
they were so lovely.
thank you for always burning my face.

i miss our midnight shake runs with gjo.
(why is it that midnight shake runs only happen in the summer?)

i miss days on the beach with you.

and i miss the way you leave my face tan
or burned
either way is cool with me.

i miss my braid (which permanently died when i cut "the bangs")
and is more of a summer time look anyways.

(this is the kill-me-now face. not sure why i wanted to die)

i miss your berries and cream....

our roses from the backyard (rip beautiful rose garden)

and i miss wearing flip flops. so very very much.

please forgive me for the few times that i complained about your limited clothing options (post-temple marriage, of course) and pleaded with you to morph into fall. i don't know what i was thinking.

come back soon, summer.
you are dearly missed.

broaches for sale.

My oh-so-creative Mother has been making darling handmade broaches for herself, her friends & her daughters for quite a while now. After receiving tons of compliments & requests, she decided to put together a bog to showcase what she has available.

If anyone is interested in purchasing a broach, go to
www.lee-b-designs.blogspot.com
to see some of the styles available.
(some of you might even discover that a broach has been named after you!)

They really are darling & make the best gifts. My favorite ways to wear them are attached to coats, headbands & scarves. And keep in mind, you can always arrange to see them in person. The pictures really don't do them justice, in my opinion. Oh, and please don't laugh at my pathetic attempt at modeling them. That's what happens when you are the ONLY GIRL IN THE FAMILY. Might be the most embarrassing thing of my life.

twinners.

70 bucks. 30 bucks.
100 bucks.
29 bucks.

i heart you target. let's be lovers.

xo.

j.

Sale! Sale! Sale!

Some of you may already know this, but I just have to share the news that Shade is having a $6 sale! I always get excited for their $10 sales, but I haven't seen a $6 one yet! Woohoo! I use opportunities like these to stock up on basic tees & cami's (since we all have to wear one under pretty much everything!), but they have some really cute shirts as well...

My sister in law bought the turtleneck with buttons a while ago, and it looks so great on. I have a bunch of the Jersey Tees and they go great with everything & I really love the Slub V-neck tee.

The best part is, I just ordered 5 pieces & I payed $30.00! These sales last a while, but common sizes & popular colors go fast, so hurry and stock up.

Yay for Sales!

Click here to shop!

Wishful thinking...

My birthday is coming up and what I really want is a fabulous robe to lounge around the house in. I'm not talking a fuzzy, white, i-just-took-a-shower robe, I'm talking a cute, stylish, i-could-wear-this-all-day-and-not-feel-ugly robe, like the one Mandy Moore wore in "License to wed" (okay movie, amazing robe).

In the hunt for the robe of my dreams, I was delighted to stumble upon this beauty by Derek Rose. Love the length, love the kimono style, love the toile, HATE the price! $275.00 for a robe? Thanks, but no thanks! So...that brings me to you, dear blogger friend. I am hoping one of my buddies has a fabulous robe hanging in her closet & can tell me where she found it. I have looked everywhere & the only store that comes close to perfecting my vision is Anthro. They have some darling ones, but they are a little too short. I want one I can wear over my g's (too much info?) Anyways, let me know if you can steer me in the right direction...I am sure all of you fashionistas can!

Love, J.