Friday, October 17, 2008

Getting to know you: have a lovely

hello soon to be dear friends! I am so thankful to Chelle for the invite to be a part of such a special group of gals and look forward to getting to know each of you!!


a little about me...
I am a Texas girl living in PA and I'm married to the one my soul fell in love with. We are a real life "love at first sight" Mr. & Mrs. We have been married over 4 years and moved 19 hours from home to Cleveland, OH after one month of marriage for my husband to attend medical school. Might just sound far...but it was more than just the hours...my heart was still in Texas and that move {my first ever} in many ways came to define how I lived my life. God took me completely out of my comfort zone and away from our families {I am one of 4} and planted me where he wanted me to grow...even in the coldest of winters! I grew in ways only He could have fathomed and although I miss home and pray that we end up back there one day...I wouldn't have traded this journey for anything.

We just moved to PA in June for the next leg of our journey {at least 3 years}...for his podiatry residency. I am so blessed to finally be working from home for myself! I own a unique little children's boutique, Teacups and Tadpoles, and am working on my 2nd business venture now and hoping to launch in just a few weeks. My background is in children's interior design, retail, and well...Christmas trees! I used to design Christmas trees and homes during the holidays...and I loved it!

favorite decorating elements...
I heart all things vintage, must have: chandeliers, like the smell and feel of old books, find scouring flea markets relaxing, think peeling paint is beautiful, have an obsession with crepe paper ruffles, think glass glitter is divine, will never have too many dishes, can't stop taking pictures, collect silver serving pieces, adore my collection of transferware, and have a weakness for fabrics...but can't yet sew a lick! My home is my tangible scrapbook...it is a mix of everywhere we had lived and lived through. I love mixing the unexpected with the typical. For example...rice {and even black beans} are a fabulous medium {just keep up from the littles}...and plants don't have to just live in planters...

favorite color...
tough one...it seems to be different with different things...
-for decorating my accent color seems to be red
-for clothes...I wear a lot of basic colors {blacks, whites, creams, etc.} because I like to accessorize!
-and for just all around...I really like turquoise

creative outlets...
I spend most of my creative time on my businesses, enjoy making things with paper, blogging, could design on the computer until my eyes are stuck, and love, love, love "taking pictures" {I am not a professional or trained so I feel I can't call it "photography"}.

around our home... {in pictures... sorry...some of them are most current and we are all decked out for halloween}

definition of home...
my home is truly where my family is... When hubby and I moved to Cleveland I missed "home", but the first time I went home without him...I realized I had it all along. Home really was were he was and we were together. I can't explain the feeling, but going home to Texas doesn't feel the same anymore if he's not there.

favorite domestic tip...
make your bed. I got so tired of hearing it growing up. But...I do it every day. Even if its 7:00 at night sometimes...I have to make my bed before I get into it for the night. There is something about making your bed that makes you feel ready and put together...even if there are 4 loads of laundry waiting to be folded!

book recommendation...
The Purpose Driven Life...I picked it up years ago to read after a slew of recommendations and only read the first few chapters. I picked it up again at the first of this summer...and I can't recommend a more favorite book right now...if you too have picked it up and didn't get far...keep reading. You will soon move through the chapters of things you may have always heard and then you'll move into chapters that truly will speak to your heart.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

SUCH great spaces! It was nice to get to know a part of you a little better ;)

Chelle said...

I adored this post. What a sweet and lovely life you live, my dear...your house all decked out for autumn is so magazine worthy. Your gracious words and pictures are such an inspiriation. I am so, tickled that you have joined us over here at Domestic Bliss.

Thank you for sharing all this loveliness with us.

Wendi@EveryDayMiracles said...

So beautiful! You, your home, your perspectives!! I'm excited to get to know you better!

Jacy said...

Oh I love your home It is gorgeous! And getting to know you was fun and hoping for you that someday you get to be back in TX where your heart is :)

Thanks for sharing this
hugs

have a lovely said...

ladies...thank you so much for the sweetest and warmest of welcomes...and blushing compliments.

prettywithribbons said...

Great home, esp. the piece with all of the fun cubbies. Thanks for sharing!

kt said...

Hi Ashley nice to 'meet you' too and have a little sneak into your life.

ooh and I am loving your shop too, so many great items:)Lovely design!

I also have the purpose driven life book as you didn't get far, I must pick it up and continue reading.

KT :D