Join Me At The Bright Side Project

A couple weeks ago in an act of wonderful internet serendipity I got to chatting with Miss K. of The Bright Side Project. Having loved their site idea from the get go and even being so lucky to have won a prize myself I expressed my desire to help out if she and Miss B ever needed. Just a few days later I received an invitation to be the Weekend Editor at the BSP. I'm so excited to get to help out a project that truly embodies the same mission I have on my own blog...to spread happiness and celebrate life!



As an "Honorary Ambassador of Sunshine" I get to learn about and write lovely posts on generous sponsors who've donated prizes. Last weekend was my first week and I think it went pretty well. Tomorrow and Sunday my weekend posts will appear again and I hope you'll drop by. Not only can you visit me there but of course you can answer a couple fun questions for your chance at awesome prizes. And believe me this weekend the prizes are super cute.

Hope you have a bright + sunshiney weekend and will visit me at The Bright Side Project each weekend!

Breakfast at Tiffany's

Audrey Hepburn has always been an inspiration for me. Her classic style, natural beauty, giving heart and acting talents made her the icon she still is today. Breakfast at Tiffany's being one of my favorite movies goes without saying.



Never have I seen anything inspired by Audrey that is quite as beautiful as these photos by Axioo photographers. The bride-to-be named Tiffany and her fiancee had a Breakfast at Tiffany's inspired engagement shoot. I am totally loving everything about the shoot. From the movie inspired black and white images to the exclusive color of Tiffany's itself to the pop of Louboutin red this session has me swooning!

via The Little Things We Do via Green Wedding Shoes

Day 12: L

I'm grateful for love today. For being loved by family and friends. For having family and friends to love. For feeling the blog love. And for having a loving God.




Photos from Pen and Paper, Max Wanger, The Love Shop, Simple Effulgence

Help Lift Up Ellie

Through a friend was I introduced to little Ellie on twitter. Sweet Ellie is battling Stage 4 cancer and really needs some prayers. I'm personally hoping for her own special miracle. You can read Ellie story here and follow Team Potvin on Twitter too. This little fighter is a twin and the family is asking for prayers for the two girls, Ellie and Grace. As a sister myself I can't imagine seeing your sibling hurt. And for Ellie's parents my heart aches.



Friends of the family are requesting anything that may brighten their days, especially the girls, be donated right away. Check their twitter if you want to help. A few very generous ladies and myself have combined funds to send a couple of these to Ellie and Grace. A BIG thanks to Melisa for helping out and to Quinn for her generous donation.

Let's Lift Up Ellie! I'm praying for Team Potvin and hope you will too.

Thanksgiving Tablescapes

I'm hosting my very first Thanksgiving this year and I'm quite worried that it won't be as good as my mom's. She is the Thanksgiving hostess extraordinaire! So I'm using some of her recipes, and maybe trying a few of my own too. One thing I am pretty sure I can pull of is a nice tablescape. Here are some of my inspirations:

{ Martha Stewart }

{ Pottery Barn }

{ HGTV }

{ HGTV }

{ Martha Stewart }

{ Martha Stewart }

{ Country Living }

For the kiddos, wouldn't this be adorable? I just love it--so simple and easy!

{ Country Living }

Have you ever hosting Thanksgiving? Any tips for me?

Day 11: K

Today I'm grateful for kitchen, especially my kitchen. There's a reason people say the kitchen is the heart of a home. When we moved into our first house last year the kitchen helped sell us on the home and since then I've been baking and cooking up treats there. I'm so grateful to have a place to prepare meals and to have good foods to eat each day. So many around the world aren't so lucky...



Instead of featuring beautiful kitchen photos today (I figured I do that enough) I thought I'd post a couple facts about Heifer International who is trying to help those who hunger.

Heifer International:

• focuses on building sustainable communities across the globe.
• teaches impoverished groups around the world how to protect and rejuvenate their land, water and other natural resources.
• gives hungry communities animals and tools to feed their members and keep them from going hungry again.
• teaches recipients animal welfare guidelines.
  
• hopes to end world hunger.
• accepts donations to further their mission.
• offers gift cards so you can donate in someone's name (a perfect gift this upcoming holiday season)
• can be found here if you want more info.
  

I really support this charity and hope that spreading the word will help them grow and flourish. One day I hope that I'll get to contribute to them and help those who hunger across the globe.

photos from Hiefer International

To Be Brave

Love this painting from Mae Chevrette. I can always use another reminder to be brave and cease the day. Hope you are taking advantage of each minute today and every freedom we are afforded.

In honor of Veteran's Day I'd also like to say "thank you" to all of the men and women who have dedicated their lives, given up time with their families and made great sacrifices to ensure this country's freedoms. They truly know what it is to be brave. My prayers go out to those of you who continue to do so. I'm grateful for all you have provided to us through your service.

Help!

I have a request for you guys, my lovely readers.
I found this photo and added it to my inspiration files but somehow didn't notate the source. It is quite the amazing kitchen! So one question is: Have you seen this room and know where it is from? But my really big question is: Where can I get a light fixture like that? One that won't break the bank of course!
Can you help me out dear friends?

ETA: Found out a few things so far...

1. My buddy Kate let me know this photo comes from interior designer: Emily Griffin.

2. Tracie found a very similar pendant from Restoration Hardware.

Still looking at options so feel free to send you finds along!

Day 10: J

If you read my (very much a work in progress) "about me" page you know that I am a Christian. So for every gratitude list I ever make, Jesus will always be my first pick for "J." Every day and each grace is a gift from Him. My blog and the inspiration behind it comes from my goal to live my life for Him.

Stunning Bride

On my short list of photographers who inspire me is Susan Stripling. Today she posted the image below and my jaw dropped. Perfect, dramatic lighting and a beautiful bride make for a stunning photograph. I had to share!

Marvels and Wonders

As do most people I know, I love Anthropologie's creativity as a company. Their new Marvels and Wonders collection has impressed me. The way they've combined photography + illustration makes me happy.

The Beekman 1802 A Year In The Country Soaps have really caught my eye. The set of twelve soaps all feature fragrances of the season, a perfect scent evolution as the months go by. May (thousands of spring greens) and October (fallen leaves and crackling apple wood) have my curiosity peeked. Wouldn't this box make a perfect gift? Each little soap is wrapped up so sweetly making it a gift to enjoy all year long.

Shirt Sale

One of my lovely sponsors, Kayce Hughes contacted me this weekend to let me know about a super sale in her shop. Through the 11th of this month, by entering the coupon code: "onlyten" and you'll receive any of the adorable shirts in the sale section for only $10! Ten bucks for a shirt of any kind is a deal these days...for a cute, well-made shirt it is practically a steal. Head over soon before the sale ends.

Art From The Every Day

It constantly amazes me how creative artists these days are! Taking inspiration from the every day, an art director at Shopping Losts takes found grocery lists and turns them into art. I always find it interesting to see what is on other people's lists and who hasn't found a forgotten one in their cart at some point!? What a creative way to turn these notes into something fun.

Day 9: I

I didn't forget about my new family the other day...they get their own special post too! When I married my husband I luckily inherited another great family. I feel grateful and lucky to have in-laws that I not only get along with but love! In so many cases this is not the norm...who hasn't heard horror stories of in-laws that seem just terrible. I'm grateful that the man I love comes from such a great family!



These are my beautiful nieces and nephews.

Perfect Timing: Cooking Light

In perfect timing for healthy holiday eating and New Year's resolutions, Cooking Light subscriptions are on sale for only $5! If you order now your first issue should arrive in time to help out with access holiday pounds and new goals. Getting healthier for only $5 a year? That's a deal to jump on- hurry offer expires November 14th.

Day 8: H

I've lived in the same town my entire life and until I was 21 lived in the same home with my parents. Luckily, I love where I live and aside from the college days of wanting to try something different and go far away, I've never wished to be anywhere else. The hubby and I bought our first home last year and it is so wonderful be making our house a home. I'm grateful to have grown up in a community that I love. I'm even more grateful that my parents created such a perfect home for me and my sister. And I am every so grateful to be doing the same with my hubby. There's no place like home!


{ Erin Jane Shop }



{ Sunny Champagne }



{ Dazey Chic }



{ Tutti Studio }



{ vol. 25 }

Day 7: G

The hubby and I love to work in our yard and garden. For several years as apartment dwellers we dreamed of the day we could plant as we pleased. Some of the first improvements/changes we made to our home were with flowers + plants. We even did a mini veggie garden this summer. Next year we'll do even more--bigger and better. We are both grateful to have our own green area...it is so calming to dig in the dirt and watch things grow and bloom. To view a peak at some of our gardening click here and enjoy some of Martha Stewart's inspiring gardens below.



{ Herb Garden }


{ Vegetable Garden }



{ Turkey Hill Garden }



{ Skyland Garden & Pergola }