Featured Artist: Cat Coquillette

It's been a while since I've looked into buying art. To be honest, I have so many great pieces that I've yet to hang in my house so first things first, right? However, I just got moved into an office at work (complete with awful florescent lighting) so I've been trying to make it feel more cozy and lively.

With that being said, Cat Coquillette's bright artwork is seemingly perfect to fit the bill. 

Here are some of my favorite pieces... 

Maybe it's just me, but I've been really into gold print lately!

To check out more of Cat's work, go here. 

♥

Wise Words Wednesday

I am a strong believer that your daily outlook on life directly affects your daily experiences.

With the stress and craziness of life, it can be hard to appreciate the beauty and good fortune that surrounds us. As things get busier this holiday season, I highly suggest that you try to find ways to appreciate the coziness, smell of fresh balsam, drink lots of hot chocolate, and enjoy the vibrant poinsettias!

This quote from Matisse is especially wonderful since I've been to the Matisse museum and gravestone in Nice, France. There was even a beautiful rose garden right by the museum. 

xo

Friday Favorites

How awesome are these flashback photos of Decatur, GA? 

This is the old train depot where Kimball House is today!

I may be a bit biased since I live in Decatur and some of these buildings are right by my house, but I always love any insight to the past. It's always incredible to close your eyes in a spot and try to picture it during different times throughout history!

Woah. This article is an interesting read on being able to determine people in your life who want you vs. need you. A good read for anyone in a relationship.

I want to go to there. Anyone up to meet in Portofino, Italy? Ideally via sailboat!

Loving these 12 quotes that share the secret to happiness...so many truths!

This print should be in all households. Especially those with children, I imagine! :)

My love of spinach, eggs, and polenta are perfectly combined in this recipe. Would be perfect with some sourdough bread!

I can't wait to see this movie! It could be fun to take my brother along...

Happy weekend! 

Make the most of the first Fall weekend - fire pits, crackling leaves, and cozy light sweaters!

♥

Friday Favorites

Truth. Music ignites the soul...and heart.

After traveling in Europe alone, this list of reasons regarding why one should travel alone in their lifetime really hits home. Ahh, that wanderlust!

Have you ever heard of nutritional yeast? It's a vegetarian's best friend! Perfect for cooking - check out the link for some recipes.

These marble print surfboards are incredible. Designed by Haydenshapes.

Twenty-one magical burritos across America? Yes, please!

This quote sums up how I try to live my life and treat others. Some days I'm better at this than others...

Lastly, my mom did the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge and this video makes me laugh every time (as you can hear in the video...oops)!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend.
J + I are going to a winery in North Georgia tomorrow with his parents and I'm really looking forward to the drive in the mountains. Townes will even be along for the ride!

I totally forgot it was Labor Day weekend so no work on Monday. 

It also means that it's almost September...crazy!

xo

Friday Favorites

Happy Friday!

 I think this print/ quote is a pretty spot on daily mantra, don't you think? 

 Although I didn't need any more proof that hikers are healthier and happier, it still made my day to read this article. I also didn't need more reasons to hike, but I'll take any reason to get outside!

If all else fails, strike a pose. This is my truth.

I know this video has been making the rounds on the internet, but it's too cute not to share. I'm also partial to Beagles, naturally. 

These cute God's eye craft would be so much fun to do with my niece, Natalie!

These 10 reasons to go to Athens, GA are definitely making me homesick for my college town...and hungry! :)

One of my favorite girlfriends sent me a link to this new show, Amazing Spaces, that shows unique, lovely tiny getaway homes. Can't wait to check it out!

I know I post a lot of animal stories, but this dog melted my heart. Now if only humanity could be as compassionate!

This weekend should be pretty peaceful...which should be nice.

Kelly leaves Sunday so I'm sure we'll go out Saturday night so I'm excited about that! J is going to Denver so I'll be spending a lot of time in the hammock or by the pool (weather-permitting)!

Hope your weekend is magical.

xo

Positive Life

I wanted to share this powerful quote with you all (this is me hoping that more than 1 person reads this, of course). Red poppies are also some of my favorite flowers so I really love this print overall.

I think it's important to remember that we are all about as happy as we make up our minds to be, because life isn't perfect. I've had people assume that my life is all peaches + peonies (although it sounds pretty wonderful, doesn't it?), but that's far from the truth. Just like everyone, I have my hard days and boring, routine days, but naturally those aren't the things I usually share. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I'll talk about yard work or going to the gym - those things aren't very luxurious, but that's real life. However, there is beauty in the things that we see and do every day. It's important to remember that we all have up's and down's, but that how we decide to view each moment will really make a difference.

The most vital thing is trying to look at things with a positive mind frame: remembering not to judge others, believing in karma, and trying to smile (proof that smiling is good for you). I've noticed lately that the more good energy I put into the world, others, and myself really does tend to produce more positivity in return. 

And for those days that are more challenging, there's always wine...

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xo

Friday Favorites

Despite being terrified of ferris wheels, there is something so wonderful and nostalgic about them. Feels more like Summer when fairs are involved, doesn't it? Just don't shake the chair or I will freak out and nervously giggle nonstop. True story!

 Do you remember the show Hey Dude? Well they just had a 25th anniversary reunion! Sure does make me feel old...

This print is hilarious...and spot on. I mean, come on, we have to be honest here. Haha!

I love these quotes that Meg posted on her blog. Words to live by, indeed.

My friend, Adam Newman, was on Comedy Central's show Half Hour last week! It's so awesome that he's killing it in the comedy world! You can watch some of the highlights here.

Here are 22 things you didn't know about your dog. I can attest to #20 completely!

My favorite thing from the past week was finishing season 2 of Derek. It's only 6 episodes, but each one was so touching and simple. Kindness is magic. If you have Netflix, make sure to watch both seasons, because you'll be happy you did...trust me!


Happy weekend folks!
xo

Featured Artist: Micah Sager

Today I wanted to feature the awesome work of Micah Sager. I love the colors and the layered look of his art. It's also no secret that I've been daydreaming about the beach and surfing lately. The surf print would be so cute in a beach house or little boy's room!

I love this plantation house print and I'm even more into it since this piece is named "South."

Love this quote...

All of these pieces make me want to take an adventure. A colorful one at that!

♥

[1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Flowers In My Hair

There is something about this quote that really resonates with me. It leaves me feeling inspired and grounded. It reminds me that despite what I do for work or the routine of life, that there's so much more than meets the eye. I get so much joy out of being outside in nature, napping in a hammock, practicing yoga, laughing with friends, and dancing.  I'm trying to really focus on being the best version of myself. I get called a hippie frequently and I've decided that I'm going to embrace it from now on. 

“Let us dance in the sun, wearing wild flowers in our hair and let us huddle together as darkness takes over. We are at home amidst the birds and the trees, for we are children of nature.” - Susan Polis Schutz

♥

[photo]

First Day of Spring

Happy First Day of Spring y'all!

There are so many things to look forward to: birds chirping, sunshine, pretty blooms, and best of all, warmer weather!

Sadly there are also a few negative things: allergies and yard work. 

Oh well! I'll definitely be making the best of the longer days. Time to start running again!

What are your favorite parts of Spring?

xo

[photo]

Not Ok

This past week has been a really rough week. 

I got some really horrible news concerning a friend over a week ago and I still just feel like I'm in shock. I can't shake this heart break. I've been doing a lot of reflecting about life and how we grow up and our paths take us in different directions. We share time with people that we think we will never forget or take for granted, but before we know it, it's been years without much contact.

I guess it's true that you never know what you have until it's gone. 

I'm thankful for all of the love + support that I have in my life and it's been nice to see people come together to celebrate a life that was full of love, laughter, and the biggest smile ever seen. I will cherish the memories every single day.

I don't know that we will all recover from this, but I hope that we can all take more time to laugh, appreciate, + love each other. That's what Andy would have wanted.

♥

[Print by Scott Albrecht]

featured artist: budi satria kwan

i realize that a lot of the art that i like lately all have some element of nature (hippie at ♥) in them and i suppose this art post is no different. the variation of art from artist budi satria kwan is incredible. i love the different styles and colors. the top print is called "go west" which i know j will appreciate and it makes me want to load up the versa and go on an epic road trip...we'll do it one of these days.

as always, the issue is finding room on your walls for all the great art in the world!
xo

"out where the world is in the making, where fewer hearts in despair are aching, that's where the west begins" - arthur chapman

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body over mind

amen.

although i've been feeling very strong and fulfilled lately, there is always that little voice in the back of my mind. there are days where it tries to break me down with doubt, temptation, and fear. 

after 6 months, i've hit a small plateau in my weight loss. despite staying active and continuing to watch what i eat, i can feel my mind urging my body to stop and give in. i feel great in my skin, but my mind wants me to feel otherwise. i'm going to stick it out and i know that this too shall pass!

do you ever feel your mind bullying your body? i'd love to hear how you keep the bullying at bay.

♥

print

featured artist: bianca green

maybe it's the bright summer days, but lately i cannot get enough of color! i love these mixed media prints by bianca green. the different patterns and colors really make these prints so magnificent!

it's always wonderful when art just makes you want to smile.

the diamonds below would make incredible window decals! the colors + the sunshine would be so perfect!

[pic 1, 2, 3, 4]

the crazy ones

this is one of my absolute favorite prints right now. i originally saw it (for lots of $) and then lucked out and found it for cheaper on ebay and got it for j for valentine's day. we've been dragging our feet in getting it hung up in our house (along with a bunch of other prints actually) but this it needs to happen soon. it is so inspiring and i feel like it truly suits my j. in him, i always have seen genius.

i'm so happy that the weekend is here. we had a very busy and slightly off week. i had a really bad day that consisted of me missing a major car accident by 3 seconds due to some jerk running a red light (after last may i mentally cannot handle another accident). then i almost fell face first in a parking lot and ended up pulling a muscle and i'm not even sure how that happens! then to top it off, i made a wrong turn and ended up on a highway on ramp that was a HOV lane and got a ticket. it was a true mistake and i think the cop knew it, but since they had 3 cops and someone else pulled over, they couldn't make an exception for me and i understood completely. then

we lost our power yesterday for 12 hours and lighting must have hit because j's macbook is totally fried (thankfully none of our other electronics are ruined) and then his glasses broke and we won't have time to get new ones before our trip.

moral of these stories, it is time for vacation! thankfully, we are prepared and getting ready for ours. it can't come soon enough! the radiohead show was a nice start to better things. this is our third time seeing them in about 8 years and every time their lights and electronics get better. their set was incredible and so moving (and i'm loving thom yorke with long hair). we had general admission to the floor so we were pretty close, but we were also surrounded by d*bags. it's a give and take i suppose!

i'm about to go pick up natalie and then we'll spend the evening getting japanese and mani/pedi's. girls' night! have a great weekend y'all! xo

you are my sunshine

i know this is a week late but unfortunately i had to be out of town this valentine's day. the good news is that j and i never celebrate on the actual holiday. this is primarily due to the fact that i hate crowds (especially packed parking lots). since i was going to be in miami, j and i decided to celebrate vday the saturday night before and it was perfect!

we ate dinner at soul vegetarian (swoon) and then exchanged presents. i got j some vanilla woodsmoke soap, some new levi skinny khaki's, and this crazy one's quote print. j got me the new storycorps book, an amazing morse code necklace that i'd seen so many times but never realized how much i loved it until i saw it in person (so simple and timeless), some love plant seeds, and he wrote me a beautiful poem/ card that tied into the morse code theme. i am such a lucky lady!

hope your valentine's day was wonderful! ♥

featured artist: david fleck

these prints by david fleck are incredible! it may have something to do with my love of hot air balloons (as seen here) but i love the buildings' details and the geometric shapes at the bottom of the below print (the colors are incredible)! his art is magical and colorful and makes me wish i could be floating away in one of those balloons.

this last print is so wonderful and reminds me of "the kite runner" which is one of my favorite books. i would love any of these prints to grace my home's walls.

"and that's the thing about people who mean everything they say. they think everyone else does too" - khaled hosseini, "the kite runner"

[photo 1, 2, 3, 4]

featured artist: hollie chastain

these prints from hollie chastain make me want to go on an adventure! the colors are so vivid and the images are so simple and i love the mixed media. the sense of adventure must come from these nostalgic scenes of childhood and the days spent running around until dusk every day. these prints would be so fun in a child's room!

considering all of the rain recently, the pop of color in these prints are sure to brighten your day! enjoy!

xo

p.s. happy birthday to my sweet sister-in-law, lauren! hope your auditions went well yesterday and you have even more reason to celebrate! ♥

featured artist: andy kehoe

i am loving these andy kehoe prints from postercabaret. part of what strikes me about these prints are that they remind me of children's books. the one below could be a mix of "where the wild things are" and "the lorax."



"unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. it's not." - dr. seuss, "the lorax"