Zen Wednesday

via decor8

Something about the balance and contrast of this room makes me feel completely at peace. The white walls and dark, dark table. The gorgeous collection of useless, shadeless gold lamps balanced by a perfect stack of books. The traditional artwork and frames arranged in a very untraditional way. This room is calming perfection, don't you think?

Breakfast Nook

via coco+kelley

I don't often take the time to sit down and enjoy my breakfast in the morning. Normally I just throw a yogurt in my bag and run out the door. Occasionally I grab a scone and eat it in the car. Breakfast has just never really been my thing.

But if this beautiful little set-up was in my kitchen, I just might make the effort to get up that much earlier and sit down to that delicious looking tea. I just love this space. I think the key to a well designed space is this: always choose spaces that you really want to spend your time in. If you can't imagine spending any time in a room, its just not the design for you. I'm trying to keep this in mind as I decorate my own house. What do you think?

Monday's Child is Full of...

...fatigue!

Why are week-ends never long enough? I'm sure I'll get my second wind later this afternoon, but I am exhausted this morning. Too many late nights and houseguests, combined with a wakeful night of tossing and turning, I suppose. I am already thinking about Friday.

via apartment #34

On the up-side, I got some much needed girl time this week-end after the testosterone filled past week. I also made a lot of progress sanding down my dresser. Its almost ready to paint!

How was your weekend?

Lucite Love

via pink wallpaper

via gathering spriggs

So I'm back (or should I say "still") on my lucite love kick. Since no one seemed to like my idea of having lucite kitchen chairs, I moved on and bought some great gray chaivari ballroom chairs from Overstock. I really love they way the look in my kitchen, and, as mentioned before, I'm strongly considering upholstering the seats in pretty fabrics. However, another idea that won't leave my head is to buy just one crystal lucite chiavari ballroom chair, like this:

I think it would blend in with the other chairs, because its the same style, but stick out just enough to be a fun and quirky surprise. What do you think? Are there ANY lucite lovers in my readership?? ;)

Black Pattern

via gathering spriggs

via plush palate

via mfamb

I love how a creative black pattern can turn these white, ordinary spaces into something eye-catching and unique. Somebody please paint big black flowers on my bedroom ceiling!

Zen

I'm not a believer in the concept of zen as a religious practice, but occasionally there is a space that, every time I see it, gives me an overwhelming sense of calm. There might be something in the idea of Feng Shui. The arrangement of objects probably really does have an affect on our moods. I have no idea if this room is really Zen or Feng Shui in the traditional sense, but that is the feeling it gives me. This room calms and sooths me. It makes me feel at peace.

via coco+kelley

Maybe its the huge windows? Or the neutral colors? I think every Wednesday should call for a bit of Zen, at least in the sense of calm and peace, to help get me through the week.

What kinds of rooms make you feel peaceful? How do you feel about Zen?

I'm back!

I finally made it back from my lovely three day weekend in Denver last night. We spent so much time hiking and driving through the beautiful mountains. Colorado is so green this time of year!

via sacremento street

via sfgirlbybay

We got to spend Fathers Day with our Grandfather, since our dad is off galavanting in Ireland this summer. What did you do this weekend? I hope it was wonderful!

Guy's Weekend

I am apparently too much of a girly girl, because, as I was searching through all my inspiration pictures for something to epitomize "Guys' Weekend," this was the manliest image I could come up with:

via coco+kelley

Kate Moss looks awfully dangerous, no? Maybe I can channel my inner tomboy this weekend, while I'm off in Denver with my husband, brother, and our friend Tim.

Or maybe I can bring my zune and listen to girly tunes while trying to tune out the engineering/computer/gaming/gun talk I am sure will surround me.

Maybe I can talk my grandmama into getting pedicures or going shopping with me. 

I guess I'll just give it my best shot at being "one of the guys."

What are you doing this weekend?

Whether its girly or manly or a little bit of both, I hope its really grand!

Braided

via beautiful things to share

via sacremento street

via keep calm and carry on

via sweet archivia

I'm still having major hair-cutting regrets, as I wait and wait and wait for my hair to grow back. I want it to be long and pretty again, so I can braid it like this.

Matryoshka

I have been noticing Matryoshka dolls (Russian Nesting Dolls) everywhere lately. They are too cute. Next time you go to Russia, Mom, pick a set up for me, ok?

via plush palate

I am in love with these adorable nesting doll rugs. I can almost see them in my kitchen. But not for $300...

Twig and Thistle blogger posted this adorable Matryoshka themed baby shower. Too cute!

Cushion Crush

via absolutely beautiful things

via dress, design, decor

via mfamb

I really love these gorgeous rooms! They are just full of casual elegance. I love everything, but especially the lucit legs and curtains (I own those!) in the first, the lighting in the second and the gorgeous flowers in the third. But I think what I love most of all is that every chair has its own custom coloured cushion. I wonder if I could pull that off in my kitchen, or if there are just too many colors already. Do you like these rooms or would you prefer matching cushions?

Note to self: Life is not a competition!

via five camels

I definitely need this reminder today, to remember that beauty and perfection do not always come hand in hand, that people are more important than things, and that my happiness cannot depend on the opinions of others.

Wild Thing

via coco+kelley

via bits of beauty

via sacramento street

Something about these images make me feel wild. I want to throw all caution to the wind and run barefoot through a summery field of flowers, my uruly curls tangling as I dance and spin and sing at the top of my lungs. Sounds like I've got my weekend all planned. Who's with me?

Shoe Shopping

Leapord Print Sequin Wedges

Cognac Cowboy Boots

For no apparent reason, I'm craving wintery shoes on a ridiculously hot day. But its payday...and these are both under $30....Hmmmm....

Bathroom Inspiration

This week I got a message from a reader of my blog (ok, my cousin. but I didn't know she even read this!) asking about painting the trim in her bathroom. It was the biggest compliment ever to have someone ask me any kind of design/decorating advice. I answered her question to the best of my ability, and was inspired to make these bathroom inspiration boards on polyvore. I was going to send them to my cousin as inspiration, but I figured I'd just post them up here for you all to see. Since she lives far, far away and I have no idea what her house looks like or what her decorating style is, I put together two different bathrooms that I thought would be pretty with white trim (the only thing I know she wants!).  

This first one is a little like my master bed/bathroom. I really love black and white and green together!

Green/Black/White Bathroom by DaniellaHouk on Polyvore.com

This second one is much girlier. If I had gone with purple in my guest bedroom, I would be all over this for a guest bath.

Purple/Ivory Bathroom by DaniellaHouk on Polyvore.com

So what do you all think? What do your bathrooms look like?

PS Sorry about the odd formatting, Polyvore doesn't seem to like my blog very much!

True Blue

via mfamb

via plush palate

I have a crush on these beautiful blue couches. I love that the blue couch looks so perfect in both the maximalist and the minimalist room. In fact, I'm not sure which room I love more. Would you buy a bright blue couch? Which room do you prefer?

The future's so bright, I gotta wear shades

via dress, design, decor

via la dolce vita

via fashion gone rogue

via coco + kelley

This weekend, I was remided that, even when something happens to completely change how you thought your future would be, God is still there shaping and opening possibilities. He just might be using something that seems terrible and sad to fulfill the desires of our hearts.

Phillip and I had some news a couple of weeks ago that was actually pretty scary. It meant that the whole course of our lives, the path we were on, might have to change dramatically, and soon. (and NO, I'm NOT pregnant!! ;) We were praying fervently for God's will in the situation, but deep down, I just wanted life to go back to "normal."

On Friday, we got more news that I believe really was an answer to our prayers. Life can't exactly go back to just the way we planned, but I am positive that God's plan will eventually bring even bigger and better things to us. His direction in our lives is often gentle and subtle, but sometimes it is like a big shove in a new direction that will eventually take us to where He wants us to be. We just have to be willing to see those shoves for what they are: His loving hand guiding us.

I am nervous but excited for where we are now headed, and would really appreciate your prayers as we seek new opportunities. I'm really sorry this is all so vague. I can't really go into any details, but for now you can know that we aren't moving far away or changing our day to day lives too dramatically. Its just that God is forcing us to explore new and exciting posibilities, and while changes are often scary and a little bit sad, I know that the future is bright and beautiful.

God is showing me every day that He really is there, listening to even my unformed prayers. He knows my deepest heart, my thoughts and desires, and is actively seeking to bring good into my life.

I am so grateful.

Girly Weekend

Tonight, I'm going off on a girls weekend with the 3rd-6th grade girls I teach at AWANA. I am so excited to party and celebrate their accomplishments this year. We're going to be doing all kinds of girly things, like squealing and painting our nails and braiding our hair. And eating lots and lots of chocolate! 

images via pink wallpaper

Oh, and we're staying at a hotel with an awesome pool and water slide! 

Welcome, summer!

Hope you all have a fabulous weekend!

Thank you!

via t.ruffle girls

I can't even begin to say how sweet and wonderful the last week has been. I have been overwhelmed with the thoughtfullness and kindness of my dear friends and family as I celebrated my birthday this week, so this post is just a shout out to the wonderful people that made this week beautiful for me.

Thank you for helping me throw parties and clean up afterwards. 

Thank you for Starbucks!

Thank you for the sweet cards and notes and facebook messages and texts and phone calls.

Thank you for the awesome presents that overwhelemed me with their thoughtfullness. It made me realize how incredible it is to be surrounded by people who really and truly know me, through and through.

Thank you all for being part of my life and making every year better and more worthwhile than the one before.