summer

13

Wednesday, June 20, 2012






                              Source: pinterest



                                   
I'm....

Taking a deep breath
closing my eyes
making a wish
saying a prayer
savoring this time
  of summer time goodness that is upon us
I have  filed away the school keepsakes of their year completed in safe keepsake bins...
I marveled  at their growth, the milestones they've accomplished
as new milestones  approach I wonder if I'm enough....

but for now
with summertime here
 in full swing....

I"m welcoming each day
with an open heart 
and a glass jar waiting to be filled with firefly catching, kickball dashing,  bike rides, teenage driving {oh my heart} long days of swimming, picnic dinners often,
movie night watching and many more amazing memories this


 summertime will bring up!

xoxo,
Lulu


  

pick a color

6

Wednesday, April 25, 2012








                                                                                     WISHING YOU A RAINBOW DAY
                                                                                                          xoxo,
                                                                                                          Lulu


                                                              Source: flickr.com via luluco on Pinterest

                                                                

Sweet April....

11

Monday, April 2, 2012





Source: via luluco on Pinterest




It is so nice to see you!
I am always so excited when you arrive...
this is going to be a great month
so many wonderful celebrations
to keep me hopping!
kicking off a month of memories with...

a Sweet Sixteen Birthday today!
oh my
my little girl is a Sweet young lady and this momma couldn't be prouder!!!

xoxox


little update:

Sixteen Candles

love story

21

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Some love stories involve blue Tiffany boxes...
some love stories involve exotic trips
everyone has their own gems, memories that showcase their love story.
When I walk into my home I see my story in the treasure that make up my love story...
they evoke a memory, a smile, whisper "love you" to me from my hubby!
This was the gem I received from my husband for Valentine's Day.
My heart skips a beat every time I look at my chandelier and know it was given with love.

We never had a chandelier in this room.
It remained bare for many years...
I never felt rushed to fill it...
waiting for the right time
the right find
was worth the wait
because receiving this as a love gift from my hubby was tens times sweeter!


here's a shot...
up close and personal
the wood beads are amazing
the finish is weathered and aged to perfection!
The size fills the room, makes a statement with maintaining an openness to the space.
Here's to the gems, treasures, memories, moments that are all part of a love story!
Do you have a favorite gift?
If so, I'd love to hear it!
xoxo,

Celebrate

12

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Source: via luluco on Pinterest




Celebrate the little things
the BiG things
&
everything in between!
I'm celebrating today!!!
Care to join me!!!
xoxo,



heLLo, hEllO, HELLO!!!

16

Thursday, March 1, 2012

hi!!!!!
It's been absolutely way too long.
Let me begin by introducing myself in case you forgot!
I'm Lulu and it's so nice to see you again!
February whisked me away from my normal computer time...
February was bountiful.
Love month was just that...

a month loaded with unexpected delights, frowns,
love, chocolate, love, lattes, prayer, friendship, love, lattes, Indian food, strawberries dipped in chocolate goodness, delightful surprises, paper plates, love, lattes, hugs,
a fabulous hardware find {can't wait to show you}, more paper plates,
plastic utensils, a Valentine gift that had me squealing {it involves a chandelier...I will share more on that as well}, doctor appointment, a case of strep throat, ortho appointments, date night in a red dress, gold heels, love, dinner with friends, long talks, more prayer,
began a new search for the right kitchen faucet, mommy moments that made the crazy times so much easier, a fabulous new bag that had me squealing in Marshals,
a chair find...resulting in another burst of squealing, a happy dance, soccer registration, barn dates with my girls,
a good book, Downton Abbey, mad dashes here and there, a non functioning kitchen, coffee dates, LOVE, Lattes, arrival of lent, Prayer, and still more paper plates!

Phew!
That was my February in a nut shell!
My quick recap of what has been going on behind the scenes at the co.
February filled me up, showered me with blessing and has left me hopeful...
March will be the month I can say my mini kitchen redo will be completed!
I feel confident
I feel strong
Now, I'm off to put the finishing touches on treat bags for a birthday celebration...
9 birthday candles will be glowing this weekend!

Here's to thanking February for being so sweet and greeting March with a new dress!
xoxo,

my friendship with January....

17

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Sourc: via luluco on Pinterest




It's time I have a talk with January!
January you are tricky
complicated
a bit misunderstood!
I begin this month with so much excitement...
a brand, spanking new calendar just waiting for doodle marks...
to~ do lists, schedules, celebrations...
all the happenings of the Co to be scribbled down!*!#@!
I spend the first few weeks focusing on the goals I want to achieve in 2012
I fine tune the details on my bucket list...
I'm bubbling over with excitement for what's to come
I toss in my wishes, hopes and prayers for the adventure ahead!
I embrace the freshness, the challenge to make it a great one
I feel ready to tackle it all...
I start each day with joy, energy, enthusiasm...
I'm doing the work
I'm doing my part...
but, I have a tiny complaint about our friendship.
You are making it very tough to keep my energy level H I G H
this friendship is turning very one sided...
I am giving
you are only taking
you are down right draining me
zapping me
crushing the enthusiasm I showered upon you on the 1ST
There I said it!
I got it off my chest
it's out in the open now
Phew
This by no means means I'm giving up!
Quite the opposite...
i'm taking this as an opportunity to dig deeper
fight harder
I will bring the color and warmth that is missing outside my window into my life myself!
I will continue to Choose Joy
so, you just better get on board!!!
Here's to working on our friendship, tweaking January and fighting for JOY!
xoxo,


P.S. If your friendship with January is complicated too feel free to stop on by...
the lattes are brewing!!!




kitchen baubles & jewels...oh my!

11

Monday, January 16, 2012




I am consumed with thoughts of faucets!
Faucet style
so many to choices
Faucet function
so many preferences
Faucet price range
gulp, gulp, triple gulp ....
But, sometimes it's the details that capture my heart
&
once captured I'm hopelessly in love!
Faucets are the jewelry to a kitchen...
the bauble that sparkles
that shine







The question is how is a girl to pick between so many gorgeous gems?!!!!















xoxo,

Winner and faucets....

10

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Source: Pinterest






I have the lucky number that won my giveaway!!!
I had it yesterday, but I've been a bit preoccupied over finding the perfect kitchen faucet...
I have been overly researching, driving myself nutty...
trying to find the one faucet that has everything I am looking for!
Now, I am obsessed about them!
I really didn't need another thing to obsess over!!
But, lets set that topic aside for a today and get to the winner of my giveaway!
Congratulation

Amy ~ Number 8

You WON!!!


Send me your email address and I will pass it on to Jenn.
I'm off to finalize my faucet pick...
I'm down to 2
or
better yet, maybe I should have you all help me pick!
I'll be back with faucets in hand!
xoxo,

latest morning favorites and a giveaway...

14

Thursday, January 5, 2012




Starting this New Year has me energized...






so I thought what a better way to begin the year by sharing my latest morning favorites






and celebrate January with a giveaway!




Having a great mug filled to the brim with piping hot goodness starts my morning with a satisfied smile


gives me a calming bliss amongst the hectic, chaos swirling around me


it's the perfect pampering I need that gets me focused for the day ahead!


My holiday morning splurge has been the...


Fruit Cake I ordered from williams-sonoma.






I know what you may be thinking...






Shocking!






gross






Oh my goodness, I thought the same thing until I tried a piece and now I can say proudly that I eat fruit cake!!!






The fruity, rum, nutty, spice flavor, plus moistness has my taste buds dancing!






Especially with your favorite hot cup of goodness... is bliss!!!






It's a new year, give it a try...you just may like it!!!



Next up...






I love paper goods!






This year I want to be better at taking the time to write notes...






&






I want to step up my gift wrapping!






Taking the time to wrap a gift, accessorizing it with the perfect tag shows the recipient how much you care!






So, when Jenn from the covered porch designs contacted me about showcasing her designs and offering one of my readers a giveaway I was thrilled!
She sent me my own note cards and gift tags.
I love them! Thank you Jenn, they are absolutely wonderful.
Jenn is offering you your pick!

To enter:






Take a look at her designs






let me know what you would pick






you can tweet/facebook about the giveaway for another chance to win






just let me






I will randomly pick a winner on Monday!











Here's to starting the day off with an extra pinch of sweetness!
xoxo,

Merry, Happy, Joyful, Hopeful, Colorful Hello

8

Wednesday, January 4, 2012



&
Happy New Year!!!
Our holidays were fast, hectic, funny, wonderful and memorable.
But my highlight was Christmas Eve mass.
I watched my children participate in mass at our church
each had a special roll
I looked over to my husband
our eyes met
we smiled at each other
and passed unspoken words of
"can you actually believe this"
our children are usually smashed in between us... this year it really hit home...
all our children are changing in their own way
getting bigger, showing their independence
practicing their faith in bold, bright glory
showing us that they are strengthening their self-esteem, finding their wings
without a nudge from us...
That was the ultimate Christmas gift tied up in a big red velvet bow!


I sat their and wanted to weep big fat tears of joy
for my blessings
for the year...
all the events that took place
for the memories we made
the lasting imprints they will have on our hearts, lives
for our faith
for the role it has in making us a stronger family.
I continue to pray it will guide them on their journey
where ever it may take them
to watch over them
to protect
to love!
It was the perfect ending to 2011!
And had me more than ready to welcome 2012
with excitement!
with hopes!
with dreams!
with joy!
ideas! projects! paint chips!
with a colorful bucket list
So, buckle up because here we go!!!
Wishing you a very Happy New Year and I can't wait to share it with all of Y O U!!!
xoxo,

good morning & a winner...

9

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Rise and shine!!!
I am so excited to announce the winner of my giveaway...
I love surprises
but what I love even more...
is surprising other people!!!
Would you like to know who won the 30" Colorado Mountain Spruce wreath that I randomly generated by using random.org
So put down your coffee mugs, tea cups or wine glasses
{depending on your time zone or what kind of day you had yesterday}
&
jump up and down
dance around the breakfast dishes
clap loudly
for
Number 4
Laura

Laura, contact me with your address ASAP so Balsam Hill can deliver a bit of Christmas joy to your home!!!

And in the spirit of giving
I will be announcing another giveaway right after I have my much needed latte!!!
until then,
xoxo,

feels like a giveaway day....

19

Tuesday, December 13, 2011

In the spirit of my unfortunate delayed start to decorating for the holidays this year

I decided that it's never too late to spread Holiday joy to everyone!!!

So without further ado lets have a wreath giveaway today

brought to you by the wonderful company



who so kindly is offering one of my readers a





This will be a one day giveaway due to the time crunch...

but no worries friends

it's simple

leave a comment

and as I stay up late tonight for an evening of wine and wrapping I will randomly pick a generated number at midnight

so the winners info can be sent to Balsam Hill for a speedy delivery!!!

Wishing you a joyful day and good luck!!!

xoxo,

Christmas goodness....

9

Thursday, December 8, 2011




Today I'm enjoying all the little things...
the extra kiss from my little boy...
as he very excitedly hopped into his daddy's car to be driven to school
it pulled at my heart strings to see his reaction over this...
this is a very rare occurrence in our home because of his daddy's job
the extra long squeeze from my 8 year old as she whispered in my ear...
"i will miss you on my field trip...hopefully the next one you can go with me"
two seconds latter off she went with a bounce in her step as she climbed into the car wearing her mustard yellow rain boots, hat and scarf
for an all day field trip outdoors without looking back!
Today is a big, messy, loud, messy, big, loud, messy kind of day
and it's not going to end today....
but it's all okay because the Christmas spirit is alive and running through my veins
it's in the hearts of my chickadees
it's focus is on the reason of the season
it's just not visible by my decorations....
yet!!!!!
Why on earth not you ask?
A month ago... November 4 to be exact
I discovered a horrible, this really can't be happening discovery...
our dishwasher was leaking
pouring gallons of unseen water out
being happily absorbed into our hardwood floors!
base of our kitchen cabinets
ceiling to our basement
It's been a month of estimates, research, quotes what needs to be done... and so one...
The wood floors were destroyed
when I heard that bit of news I gasped but handled it fairly well
until, they told me my entire custom kitchen island needed to remove
taken completely apart
granite removed
bead board
legs
the entire elephant in the room must be...
removed
in order to rip the floors out!
gasp....
Today, it's in pieces
today I see sub floors where I once saw wood
Today you will see a toilet laying in my grass for the reindeer's to use or for Santa
depending on how fast they can repair the damage!!!
Today, I feel extra blessed!
I am grateful for everyone who touches my life.
For the latte my husband brought me after taking our little ones to school before he dashed off to work
For having a friend who will help me transport my chickadees from school without hesitation.
For the friend who just called me and told me she picked up a box of vintage ornaments she knew I wanted!
For the early morning phone calls from another friend that starts my every day!
It's truly the little little things that warm my heart
and light up my world!
That having me singing Christmas songs amongst the noise
This is the Christmas goodness you can't wrap and put under the tree!
But, don't think for a minute that I'm not decorating
not to worry my friends
there will be a Christmas tree
there will stockings
garland
lights
angels
ornaments
presents wrapped with care and love
there is still time!!!
Santa has not left the North Pole yet!!!!
xoxo,


from me to you...

6

Tuesday, December 6, 2011





Close your eyes...
&
make a Christmas wish!

May all your wishes and dreams this holiday season come true!!!
xoxo,

Let the Christmas cheer begin... I'm ready!!!

11

Tuesday, November 29, 2011


source: pinterest



The great thing about being a mom is that I have learned to adjust, adapt, think on my feet, change things up, throw caution to the wind, try new things, laugh often, sing out loud and call it a great adventure!
The past two weeks things were a bit on the "out of sorts" times that life likes to surprise you with...
but thankfully I was thinking clearly
I refused to surrender to feeling overwhelmed by the holiday
I simply could not see myself cooking an entire Thanksgiving meal with a kitchen out of service!

I knew when to pick up the phone and book reservations at a restaurant for Thanksgiving dinner
then I texted my darling husband, who was in Dubai, and told him my brilliant idea
I ran upstairs to tell the chickadees that we are going to be wild and crazy...
we are go out for dinner
I did get a few puppy dog looks from a certain chickadee
sweet words that melts a mothers heart....
oh I'll miss your sweet potatoes
I rewarded her with a twirl hug and praise that I am raising a brilliant child
I did have a bit of teenage grumbling from another
she was rewarded with a double twirl hug....
teenagers need lots and lots of hugs...
they can't grumble and be hugged at the same time
it's impossible
pinky promise it works every time!!!
and not to be lost in all the twirling that was going on
I received two cheers of joy from my littlest two because I used the word adventure in describing our Thanksgiving meal!
They were properly rewarded with double D...
that's code for double dessert in our house for going above and beyond in having outstanding behavior, acts of kinds, having helping hands...
all that good stuff that makes me sing louder, twirl longer and thank God for my four blessings!
The change was just what we needed....
I'm absolutely ready for Christmas
the decorating has officially begun
shopping is well underway
meal planning is in the works...
I will be cooking for Christmas!
Can I get a triple grande extra hot skinny latte for that!!!
I'm determined to work my magic and make sure my kitchen is back up and running
I'm a believer!!!!!
Here's to spreading good cheer and I look so forward to sharing my holiday's with all of YOU!!
xoxo,



grateful to all who served

7

Friday, November 11, 2011

Source:


Happy Veterans Day


Thank You for your dedication


for your service to our beloved country!!!

xoxo,

Wallpaper, tile, laundry, oh my!

18

Tuesday, November 8, 2011


hi
it's so good to be back...
I did not forget about you!
really, I didn't!
I have been a bit busy with the unexpected discovery of a major water leak...
eeeeks
oh NO
this can't be happening
water damage
wood floor damage
really
now
good grief
the source...
my dishwasher!
Friday night I tossed the lid to the tub of frosting into the trash and dug right into fluffy acceptance that my kitchen will be a bit torn up.

Anyhoo, lets not dwell on that and get to the pictures of my laundry room shall we!!!
I still need to attach the french door back onto the hinges...


I had the best time hunting for the right wallpaper!
I knew what I wanted
I searched and search...
&
when I saw this pattern by the fabulous
Thibaut
~my heart did a cartwheel~
it was love at first sight


my sweet Ibex and Mr. Elephant

Hook happiness from Anthropologie!!!
I love how they blend into the paper.

This room is now my absolutely favorite room in the house!
This morning I escaped the noise coming from my torn up kitchen for a sip of hot goodness...
it's here where my son found me...
he quickly jumped right up to join me!!!

Here's to finding happiness and sweetness and a bit of quiet in small spaces!
xoxo,

a cupcake kind of day

11

Thursday, November 3, 2011


Source: Pinterest





Today was a cupcake kind of day!
It all began at the crack of dawn...
5:30AM to be exact.
I awoke to the sound of what I interpreted as the loch ness monster erupting from our pool!
After a bit of investigation
flash light in one hand
portable phone in the other
I headed out into the dark
to confirm the nose was indeed coming from our pool
{which as of 5:30AM we had not officially closed for the season}
placed a frantic call
fast forward three hours later
my favorite pool guys arrived to rescue my morning!
Have a cupcake!!!
Fast forward to half hour later
in walks my next favorite guy...
my wallpaper man arrived to hang my wallpaper!
{not to worry friends....my darling husband already read my text I sent in....which read...
I'm crying over wallpaper, it's that beautiful and by the way, I almost hugged the wallpaper man after he hung my Anthropologie hooks!
Have a cupcake while drooling over wallpaper!
So the moral of this story is...
when you think you may hear the loc ness monster coming from the depths of your pool...
have a cupcake
&
be sure to say thank you 10,000 million times to all the favorite people who rescued your day!!!
thank you 10,001
xoxo,
P.S. come back tomorrow for a second cupcake and my pictures of the wallpaper will be posted after I lick the frosting off my fingers!!!

small spaces shine

15

Tuesday, November 1, 2011

It's not about square feet...
Of course I love to dream, design, spacious laundry rooms/mudrooms.
It's fun to save, pin inspirational photos for the so called next house and so on...

The reality is I am blessed with a 6 x 7 foot laundry room that also functions as the passageway to our garage...
basically, I live in this room.
Between laundry and comings and goings
me and this space are BFs!!!
The most rewarding part about redoing this space is how it was transformed without knocking down walls.


It's what you do with the space you have that makes a space shine!
The tile project that I have been talking about, dreaming of officially came to completion!
The wait was worth it!
I am absolutely thrilled with the end result.
My laundry days just got a whole lot brighter!

I used white subway tile from Lowes to cover 54 square feet with white grout.
Then I followed my heart and used white octagon dot tiles with gray grout for the floor.
I have adored this tile
I have been madly, deeply in love with octagon dot tile for sometime...
now
I'm obsessed with it.
You will now find me sipping my latte while sitting on the floor just to be near it!
Be still my beating heart!
Some celebration call for flowers
I thought this celebration called for a pumpkin in the most gorgeous shade of gray!
While I was designing this space
thinking about how I wanted it to look, feel...
I decided to go all gangbusters...
Why not design a space using all my latest obsessions, my loves, my passions!
You may be asking what else I could possibly add to this small space?
{besides reinstalling the washer and dryer}
drum roll please....
Wallpaper
yep, I have been wanting to use wallpaper in my house for awhile now...
yes, I heard gasps
my sanity has been questioned
I do know it's not for everyone
I've been told how hard it is to remove
etc etc...
but sometimes you just have to be brave and go for it!!!
And I'm going for it!

The remaining walls are going to be cover in wallpaper and if everything goes according to plan it should happen this week!

Here's to following your heart and working with what you've got!
&
saying a "Big Hello" to November!
xoxo,




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