The Fair!

Kane and I made a little visit to the Tennessee State Fair yesterday. I haven't been to any type of fair in years, but not much had changed! There was SO much to see. We were entertained for a few hours. Let's just say that we're people watchers :)

Some of the highlights were the giant rabbit that won "Best of Show" and the 956 lb pumpkin. Enjoy.

Making a Fresh Start

Image found via MBF.

After a lot of soul searching and weighing all of my options, I've decided to take a job as a designer in the Nashville office of McAlpine Booth and Ferrier. Their work is classic and beautiful, and I think that their firm will be a great place for me to learn and grow and thrive as a designer.

I've had a month off from work, which has given me time to recharge my batteries and settle into our new home. Now I'm ready to get started! Wish me luck :)

They're Here!

My bookcases arrived on my doorstep today, and I am more than pleased with them! (Check out this post to see them.) They took about an hour to assemble, and they're super sturdy. We had three people jumping around doing a P90X workout in our living room tonight and they didn't move at all.

I won't hesitate next time I go to order a piece of furniture from Urban Outfitters. For the low price, the quality is great.

Here's my first round of styling. They still need some work, and the wall needs artwork. But it's a start. And it's way better than the empty wall that I had before!

Corn and Tomato Salad

I made a new easy recipe today and I love the way it turned out. It started when I stopped at a farmstand on my way home today and bought a container of perfect little grape tomatoes. I found a recipe for corn and tomato salad online, and then altered it to fit my taste.

The great thing about this recipe is that you don't really have to measure anything. You just add as much of each ingredient as you like.

1 bag of frozen corn (you could also use fresh or canned corn) 

1 container of grape tomatoes, sliced in half

1/2 of a sweet onion, diced

4 green onions, thinly sliced

Fresh cilantro, chopped

Juice of 2 limes

1/4 cup rice vinegar

Salt and pepper to taste

All you do is thaw the corn, and then toss all of the ingredients in a large bowl and chill. It's so good!

Congrats Marybeth!

I made a quick trip to Chattanooga yesterday for Marybeth's baby shower! There was a great crowd and Marybeth got so many sweet things for baby girl Lainey! It's shocking to see how much stuff you have to have to take care of one little baby!

Art Placement

Image found via Style at Home.

This photo sparked my interest today. I like the art placement that wraps around the pieces of furniture. It's giving me an idea for my bookcases...which shipped today! I can't wait to get them set up next week!

Craft Corner

I got a wild hair today and decided to do a little paper project on a baby shower gift I had to wrap. I got the inspiration from a gift that someone brought to another shower I was at recently.

I made two cute little pinwheels and attached them to the front of my gift with double-sided tape. They were really easy, and only took about 15 minutes to make.

You start out by cutting out a square template, in whatever size you like. Then draw 2 lines diagonally from corner to corner making an X. Draw a small circle around the center X. Cut along the diagonal lines but do not cut into the center circle. Fold in one corner of each triangle and attach with a pin or fastener. That's it!

I used regular wrapping paper on the first one, so you can see the white back side in the center. On the second one I glued two different types of paper back to back so that there would be a second pattern showing through.

I think I'm going to have to remember these come Christmas!

The finished product!

Inspiration

As you all know, I love books and I really love walls of books. Here are some more of my recent inspirations.

All images found via Tumblr.

Great Accessories

I'm starting to accumulate some accessories for our apartment. I've started visiting some of the long-lost stores that I didn't have in NYC. For starters I've been to HomeGoods and Big Lots. I know. Big Lots is not the most chic store in the world. But I stopped in this morning to check it out and was surprised to see that they're trying to step it up a notch with their home accessories.

I bought all of these goodies between the two stores and only spent about $100 total for all nine things. You can't beat that. I'd have to say that my favorite item is the pair of bookends from HomeGoods. $12.99 each!

Oh My Goodness, I Can Hardly Move

Kane and I and the two Logans started P90X this week. For those of you who don't know what it is, it's the craziest fitness program ever. I have barely been able to walk for four days now! It's a different workout every day of the week. Today was 90 minutes of yoga, which you would think would be a nice break. But it's not because it's the hardest yoga ever! We'll see how I'm feeling this time next week, but it's looking rough right now. I'll keep you posted :)

Furniture Deals at Urban Outfitters

I've never bought furniture from Urban Outfitters online. But, after seeing some of their online prices today, I'm considering a few pieces.

Two of these bookcases are perfect for the back wall of my living room. And for only $228 a pieces, it wouldn't be too bad!

This little accordion table comes in red, black and turquoise and at 14" diameter it's a perfect drink stand. And guess what? It's $60.

I don't have a home for the last two pieces, but they are really great all the same. The mid-century inspired coffee table is perfect for any small scale seating area, and it's only $178. The ikat slipper chair is a bit trendy, but still cool, and only $328.

All images from Urban Outfitters.

If I Ever Go To Africa...

I need to stay at this place. Wow. I mean Holy Crap it is unbelievable. These images are from Brooklyn Limestone, and Mrs. Limestone's recent trip to Kenya. Be sure to check out her whole post and the rest of her pictures here.

All images from Brooklyn Limestone.

Studio Bon Textiles

Have you seen Studio Bon Textiles? They're a great collection that's represented at Schumacher. I pulled a few fabrics to possibly use in a client's nursery before I left New York. They didn't end up working but I held on to the samples because I really loved the graphic patterns. You can check out all of the patterns and color ways here.

Images from Studio Bon.

Doug Wilson Polaroids

I came across these polaroids by Doug Wilson online. This is a tiny sampling of the 128 he's taken all over the country over the course of the past several years. The vintage typography and the washed out colors are pretty great. I'd love to see them on the fronts of cards, too.

Images found here.

Exciting Times

Good luck to my husband Kane, who's starting his new job in Nashville tomorrow morning! We're really excited about it.