This weekend my little brother Peter got married. It the most beautiful wedding. Peter looked dashing in his kilt in our family tartan and Lindsay looked stunning in a flowy strapless dress. She wore her family's wedding veil that both her Mother and Grandmother had worn at their weddings.

These two make me smile.

Below is the DIY sandwich board that I made and it was a success!

The wedding was truly Lindsay and Peter's vision but I was super excited to be able to help out in certain areas when asked - like the invitations and doing some DIY things for the decor. I got to design their seating chart so I carried the theme of their invitations (which I haven't shown on the blog yet) The invitations had a birch background so I designed the seating to be the same. I printed it on a foam core board and it was propped up for when guests entered the dining hall. As much as I love creative ways for seating charts, part of me thinks that simplicity is the best for this - so that every guest (like Grandmas and Grandpas) can find out where they are sitting.

Linds was amazing with her vision and chose to do simple mason jars wrapped in a lace propped up on wood slices that I had cut out in cottage country and sanded (which I will show how I did that later in another post)

Smore kits for the bonfire after the wedding.

Aubrey and I took a lot of selfies. The weekend was so much fun that I kept wanting to take pictures of ourselves to document each moment. Not sure why I'm doing the face in the right but I think I was trying to do a sexy pose and it obviously failed which is likely why Aubrey is cracking up. I threw in the selfie in on the left that I took in the ladies room at the resort because it shows me ensemble - I wore my favourite Banana Republic wrap dress, pearl earrings and this bracelet from Etsy. I'm a fan of simplicity and although I originally intended to wear this necklace, I didn't want to stand out too much in family photos. So I chose to be more discrete.

My Mom did an amazing speech that would have made my Dad so proud. It made me proud. She looked stunning, as did all of Lindsay's family. (Who, by the way, are ridiculously awesome) My sister looked beautiful and Aubrey was an amazing partner, watching Oscar all weekend so I could visit with family. My little brother is married and I'm so lucky to have another sister in my life.

Tomorrow is the year anniversary of losing my Dad. I told my sister that I'll likely be stuffing my face with chocolate all day. Which is totally the mature way of handling grief.  Because Oscar still points out Dad in pictures around the house, I reluctantly asked him the other day where Grandpapa was - curious as to the answer. He paused and replied that he was at Grandmas house....working. Which is likely how Oscar remembers him, sitting in his library, at his computer.The thought made me giggle and  feel sad at the same time.  Just a post today to remind us to celebrate life. xo Linds

Well, at least ONE of them! For those of you waiting, I am still working on the dresser and a few other furniture projects around the house. 

I've also decided that I am done with our dining area and how absolutely boring it is so I want to start the process of putting the "RHI stamp" on it.

With so many things on my to do list, I have GOT to start prioritizing things around here so that I can actually get some projects around our own home completed. 

I want to keep my word with you all so I'm working hard to get the faux finish tutorial up for you. I promise it'll be worth the wait! But, in the meantime, I kinda need your help.

Most of you know after reading this, that we are in a rental home. It took almost an entire year for me to settle with that and decide to begin making this house of ours, no matter how temporary, a home.

The next couple of months or so I would like to focus my energy on this space...

That would be our cute little sweet pea doing her homework as I snapped away!

It's our dining area. And, well, it's a little sad. I want it to be "happy" and to really express who we are as a family. The challenge, of course, is that it's technically not our home. I've thought of so many amazing ideas to make this a better place for all of us none of which exclude moving a wall or knocking something out of the way.

I also have issues when it comes to decorating my own home. Seems I can never commit. Ask me to help someone else design or decorate a space, I'm on it. Ideas flow freely. My space? Cricket, cricket.

So, as you can see, it's pretty much a blank canvas and the wall colors are neutral which I feel is a good thing but I'd love to make that wall (that one right there) a focal wall and perhaps even do a decorative paint technique, stencil or just paint it a different color altogether.

Our living space, which is directly behind this area is quite neutral with brown, tans, hues of blues and grays. (I know, exciting) Honestly, I love that space. You can see it here. But, in our dining area I want it to be cohesive with the living space but I'd love to pull in a different color.

I love this print from fabric.com. I thought I could use this for new panels on the windows and start there. 

But, I also love this one...

But I know that this one blends in with the wall color way too much. 

Then, there's this one...

I kinda actually REALLY love this one. It's ALMOST perfect. 

Can you see my problem now? Commitment. I just can't seem to commit to any one idea for this space. Ultimately, within the next couple of weeks I will decide on a fabric for the panels, choose to paint or not and decide on what will go on that focal wall. 

All of those decisions would be easier if you could help me! Pretty, please? With a cherry on top? 

Which fabric choice do you think would look best in the space and what are your ideas for THAT wall? That big, blank wall. 

Looking forward to hearing your thoughts! 

"I know how to be abased and how to abound: everywhere and in all things. I am instructed both to be full land to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need."
Phillipians 4:12


This is just one of my life scriptures and the one that God laid on my heart as I begin to write this post.

I am learning to be content and managing life hasn't been easy as we are transitioning from a family of FIVE to a family of SIX. 

It's actually been a little crazy. 

I remember those days before kids. Go back there with me, if you will...

Before soccer AND football AND karate and birthday parties and playdates.

Before the $90.00 fill ups at the gas station because my hubby vows we will never be a "mini-van family". We are too cool for that. (His words, not mine.I have absolutely nothing against them but I love our truck. Don't tell him though. Hee,hee!)

And this is our closet in the laundry room meant for bags, tablecloths and gift wrap/party items. Haven't gotten around to organizing it just yet. 

When there was time to organize the spice rack and pantry by height and color (yup, I did that.) When I was WAY more organized than I am now. WAY. MORE. ORGANIZED.

Yup, this is our pantry. For now. I can't believe I am sharing this with you but hopefully it will bless someone out there. We don't have a dedicated pantry in our rental. This is it. Baskets will come soon. Hopefully. 

Before...when life was a little bit slower. 

Stepping out of that fantasy...into reality. 

Here's the not so UGLY truth. 

In place of those awkwardly quiet moments, we now have laughing, yelling and screaming throughout the house. 

Instead of coffee and shopping dates with friends who are either single or don't have kids we spend our time coordinating play dates, organizing snacks for the next football practice and rushing to the store because we forgot that special gift for THE best friend's birthday party that just happens to be in an hour. 

That super organized, clean house is filled with forts made of bed sheets and small towns made out of cereal boxes and Matchbox cars. 

And that tank that holds $90.00 worth of fuel is spent caravaning those best friends, soccer, football and karate gear, books, and four wonderful kids who make the rides, well...fun.

We moved into a rental almost a year ago and because I felt the home was a temporary place for us until we found our dream home, I had NO inspiration to decorate. On top of that, it's an older home. Without much character. I now realize that we bring the character...all six of us! So, a few months ago, I decided to start organizing and decorating. Or, at least making a list for organizing priorities and the parts of the house I felt it important to decorate.

I do love some corners of our home...like this one. 

And this one...


So, there it is...my soul. Life is not perfect and neither is my home {yet}. Hee, hee.

But for now, I am content.

Thank you, Lord.

Learning right along with you,