valentine's day cards...

I'm not really the Valentine's Day card giving type, but if I were, these cards would be perfect!

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oh how i adore...

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...the lovely look of bunting, whether it be in a laundry room, on a cake, or in the hands of a couple in love.

xo

leah

keep calm and carry on...

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so this poster on etsy has been an inspiration today.
i have been reading a little bit by bit in my book Organized Simplicity that i was given for Christmas, and have been trying to take it to heart.

tonight, after supper and finishing the movie Never Let Me Go, (in which i cried very hard,) Landon and I commenced with a de-cluttering party throughout half of our apartment.  we moved from room to room and removed items that we don't use, don't need, or don't want.  we now have a huge box overflowing with unwanted items by our front door...some of which will be sold at a garage sale this summer.  it has already been a huge relief!  i'm tired of non-useful stuff...even if it was given to us.

in the book, there are some great quotes that i have been mulling over:

"Too many people spend money they haven't earned, to buy things they don't want, to impress people they don't like." - Will Rogers

"We value life experiences. Things are just things." - Tsh Oxenreider

"When you own less, you take better care of the things you keep in your home because you've adhered to the mantra coined by the nineteenth century artist and designer William Morris: 'Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.' You value your possessions.  They don't own you, and you're free to enjoy them." - Tsh Oxenreider

we are ready and have made a commitment to a simple and clutter-free life, and i am SO excited!!

here's to breathing easier with less stuff to stress me out...

xo

zombies

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This print from YeeHaw's shop is so neat.  I'm sure I know of a few fellows who would like it on their wall.

This made me pretty curious about the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies book.  I wonder if I'd like it?
Since I just finished the book I was reading, I'm on the hunt for a new one....I was thinking maybe The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, but maybe zombies could be just as entertaining.

xo

ten speed love

Oh how I wish we could live in a place where I could literally ride a bike everywhere....to work, to the coffeehouse, to the grocery.  How amazing would that be?  I could get an old ten speed on sale and refurbish it, then fit it with this amazing bicycle pannier from Etsy.

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I once took a quiz to see what European city I belonged in, and my result said Amsterdam.  Now I'm not one for believing online quizzes, but my bike plan would work out perfectly in that city.  I've never been to Amsterdam, but I'd love to go someday.

This weekend has been full of fun and friends...so nice.  My dear friend Ballard stayed with us from Thursday to Saturday and we took in a comedy club, the Flying Cupcake, Monon Coffee Co., and relaxing movie and needlework time.  Then we met up with my sister and her husband and two other college friends and spent yesterday having gourmet pizza, half-priced Starbucks, and shopping at the great malls around here.  I bought a bikini for our trip that was tagged at $6.99 for each piece, but rang up for $0.99 each at the register!!  I got it for $2.  I'm extremely pleased. Can't wait to go swimming in the warm ocean with it!

Hope you all have a lovely Sunday afternoon and spend it seeing or talking to someone you love.

Leah

coaster love

these coasters are so unique and would be perfect on any coffee table (ideally it would be a vintage scratched up wooden table or a trunk).
i found these italian stone coasters on Meadow Tea's etsy shop.

it's so neat to go to a home that has practical pieces (like coasters), but they're artistic and little works of art in themselves....it's so refreshing.

well we're celebrating Landon's birthday tomorrow!!  we're going to see Due Date, then out for some good food somewhere (we haven't decided where yet).  i'm buying him a harmonica for his birthday and i'm so excited!  now he'll play that with me when i play guitar and we sing together.

also, today we are 1 month away from leaving on a much needed vacation with my sister and her husband...it's going to be epic.

have a wonderful evening my friends.
love,
leah

it's a good day...

Things that made me happy today...

*Knowing I have such an awesome husband.

*Meeting a friend to work on creating a logo for her new photography business.  Here's her blog.  I am so excited to be working with Autumn and put together a brand that really represents where she wants to take her photography style.  It feels so good to be doing graphics work...I love it!

*Discovering a new band,  Headlights,  on Pandora today.


*Finding some gorgeous photography on Irene Suchocki's Etsy shop.

*Wanting to try out these amazing looking Plum, Almond and Chocolate Cakes from Cannelle et Vanille.
(Scroll to the bottom of her page to get the recipe.)

It is such a good day to be alive!  I am constantly amazed at all of the blessings I have in my life and how I can get so easily frustrated or discontent.  I have no reason to be!  Everything I could ask for is at my fingertips and I need to just stop, take a moment, and recognize all the good things in my life.

Love,

Leah

ps. I can't wait to find out who the winner of the weekend giveaway will be!  I'll randomly choose a winner tomorrow morning, so if you haven't left a comment and still want to enter, go for it!  Don't be bashful.  Here's the post link.

pretty things

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These pretty things from Etsy caught my eye today.

Isn't the blue ocean dress amazing?  

I love soft neutrals and organic shapes.

etsy love

I absolutely love the work from artist Kyla Leslie of Kove.  She was recently interviewed as a featured seller on Etsy.  I can't stop looking at her work...so beautiful, neutral, and inviting.  My neck would be right at home in one of those cozy pieces.
I need to make a yarn trip...this is so inspiring.
Love,
Leah

Fall Headbands

Aren't these headbands so lovely and fall-ish?  Such pretty work from BeSomethingNew on Etsy.  The top one is my fav.  And if I could only be daring enough to have some sweet bangs like the model.
*if only*
Have a splendid Monday evening!

Love,
Leah

knit a bit

I am loving these prints from pspress on Etsy.  This is gets me in the mood to knit soon!  I have a few projects in mind for the coming cold weather.

Cheers,
Leah