home sweet home

It happened.

My dream home.

It's ours!

After failed attempts of selling our condo and going through a terrible move (everything that could have gone wrong DID), we made it. Back in my hometown, where "Friendliness is a Way of Life." Not even kidding -- that's our motto. Who WOULDN'T want to live here?

I love our colonial...spacious and echo-y right now, just waiting to be filled with furniture, children, and memories. It's strange...we have only been here for 3 weeks, but yet it already feels like home.

My mind is bursting with ideas, wondering how I'm going to make this place feel like us. It's a wonderful feeling, knowing that we have this blank canvas before us...just waiting. We bought our first Christmas tree last week. Even though that will be the only item in our living room, I'm going to make sure it is DECKED out. I will sit before it in all it's glory, sipping my hot chocolate, and wondering how we got so lucky.

So much to be thankful for!

xo,

J.

Hello, Bead Board

Pinterest is very unhealthy for me. It's creating all of these crazy obsessions, and I really don't have time in my life for yet another obsession. One girl can only handle so much. Real Housewives episodes, Caribou coffee and knitting are about all I can take right now.

My current obsession is bead board. Specifically, bead board on a kitchen ceiling. Swoon! I love the idea of having texture on the ceiling...I imagine that it makes the room feel cozier, and who doesn't want a cozy kitchen. Here's some inspiration!

Source: houzz.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: kendallboggsfineart.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

Source: justovertheriver.blogspot.com via Jenny on Pinterest

the stool

Picked this up in Door County. The question is...how should it be styled?

Should it hold old linens? A vintage bowl filled with goodies? A watering can? God forbid someone should actually sit on it!

door county

Last week, we spent a couple of days relaxing in Door County with my parents. Aside from the lighthouse tour, eating ice cream at Wilson's, and scenic drives, the most memorable part of the trip for me was visiting La Viva Cottage - an adorable store mixing the old and the new in a lovely way.

I had to take these inspiration photos. It has always been my dream to run my own shop. This dream store has evolved in my mind over the years. It's gone from a rubber stamp store (clearly my obsession when I was 10), to a paper goods store, a yarn shop, a cupcake shop, and now a home goods store with refurbished antiques and new lovelies to decorate your home. I think that half of the fun in these stores is not only seeing what you can find, but admiring how it is all displayed.

Hopefully, one day, maybe...

j.crew love

Lately, J.Crew has been a store for me that can do no wrong. I am in love with this Tippi Sweater! What a great transition piece to have in the coming months. I decided to pair it with nudes and golds so that the heart really pops. A girl can dream!

Snail Mail

I'm convinced I was born in the wrong decade. In my continued effort to be old-timey and pretend that I'm living in the 1950's (it's fun, you should join me), I love sending and receiving snail mail. Don't get me wrong, I'm a texting fiend, but, there is a bit of a thrill sending a love note to a dear friend. As I place my mail in the post, I get all excited knowing that in a day or two, the recipient will be surprised by fun mail.

Full disclosure -- it's not just the fun of sending the mail, but also finding the oh-so-perfect card to send! I've linked a few of my current favorites below. So, go ahead! Pull out that dusty address book and send some mail!

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Mildly obsessed.

In an effort to reorganize my yarn basket last week, I took out all of my yarn and separated the scrap yarn from the project yarn. It was a bit sad that the scrap yarn took up much of the basket -- it feels like such a waste! But, what to do with all of that extra yarn?...

Not once, but twice! last week, I came across the Beekeeper's Quilt. Not one to overlook the possibility that everything. is. a. sign., I just knew I had to purchase the pattern. What was most charming about this quilt was that at first glance, it appeared to be carefully sewn with the most precious old-timey fabrics. It is, however, knit using individual hexi-puffs (could that possibly be my favorite new word? Must bring it up in casual conversation...), and it's the perfect way to use up that scrap yarn.

I don't think this is a pattern that I could work on exclusively, but, it is the kind of project that is perfect for car rides. I just love that it has the old-fashioned feel that I'm going for in my home.