Flowers and Pinot Grigio

 It has been so beautiful in Denver the past few weeks, and I don't know about you all, but I am ready for summer! Outdoor dinners, early morning runs, a crisp-chilled pinot grigio, flip flops---oh I could go on and on.  I am also really excited for all of the colorful flowers and landscaping everywhere.  Being a new homeowner, I have found that I notice landscaping design so much more than I ever used to. 

This will be our first full summer in our new home, and I am ready to plant my flower pots. I have so many fantastic ideas but I am worried.  To keep it real, I usually end up killing every plant I ever pot, but not this year my friends.  It is my goal to have beautiful, healthy annuals all summer long.

I have been doing a lot of blog reading and research about all the different kinds of plant options out there and honestly, it's a bit overwhelming.  I could go the succulent route, always a good, low maintenance option. A plant, dare I say, I just might be able to keep alive?!

                                                                                                via Kara on Pinterest

I have also been thinking about grasses and ferns.  They seem fairly easy to keep alive, and I think they look classy and simple. 

I like the mix of grasses and flowers in this arrangement.

                                                                                                  

 

                                                                                             via Kara on Pinterest

I love this little vignette and have the perfect spot in our yard to try to re create it.  I also adore the galvanized metal tubs as planters!

I could also go with the tried and true geraniums which I know grow well in Colorado. 

 

 via Kara on Pinterest

As do pansies.

via Kara on Pinterest

I am hoping that I am able to take these inspiration pictures and somehow create beautiful pots that I can keep alive, heck not only alive, but thriving. I have been emailing myself articles on gardening to research the process from beginning to end, but there is ALOT I need to learn.  I can use all the help that I can get friends, so please let me know your thoughts. :-)

However, please don't be surprised if you find me sipping on some chilled pinot grigio.........

via Kara on Pinterest

 ........and skipping the potting all together ;-) 

xo, 

Kara

A Little Motivation

Lately I have been having a hard time finding my way to the treadmill. Does anyone else go through these phases?? The I can't get out of bed to save my life in the morning, let alone get on the treadmill, phase? I am hoping that's not just me!

  I gathered all these motivational gems on Pinterest.....now if I can only find my way back.  The treadmill is getting lonely, a little dusty and my behind is getting a little soft ;-)

                                                                                                via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                      via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                       via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                                  Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                             via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                             via Kara on Pinterest

You know what? I think I will do just that.

xo,

Kara

Office Update

Since moving into our new home last June, our office has been kinda a catch all for pretty much everything.  The room definitely needs a little TLC.  The first thing we want to do is get a new desk, so I have been browsing through Pinterest (of course) for a little inspiration.  My sister Kate is in town for the next few days(yay!), so we are going to go desk shopping tonight after work.

My inspiration:

I like the rustic feel of these wood desks,and love the clean and simple look.  Loving the iron along with the wood desk top.

I adore everything about this next room.  The orange brightens everything up, and the all wood desk is fantastic. This is quickly becoming my vision for our office.

 

                                                                                                                  via Kara on Pinterest

Now on to the glass desk.  My husband Jason really loves the glass top desks, so if I can find one we both love, we may be able to make it work.

                                                                                                                  via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                            via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                             via Kara on Pinterest

I have also been drawn to the look of a beautiful, shiny white desk.  I have been looking at the Expedit shelving from IKEA for the big wall next to the desk, and I think a white desk would compliment that nicely. 

                                                                                                 via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                                                via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                               Kara on Pinterest

Which one is your favorite? I am leaning towards wood, or all white.  Once the room is done, before and after pics shall follow.

Happy Monday!

xo,

Kara

Friday Favorites!

Happy Friday! Hope you all had a great week.  These are just a few of my favorite finds this week :-)

Favorite Flowers: Peonies, yes please! We have 3 peony bushes at my new home and I cannot wait for them to bloom.

                                                                                          via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite DIY: Found these pretty little pots on Pinterest and I am going to try to re-create them this weekend or next.

                                                                                              via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite Spot to Daydream about Visiting: Could this be any more gorgeous?? I don't even know where this is, but I am thinking Greece, Mykonos.....really who cares, right? Just find me that spot.

                                                                                          via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite Fitness Inspiration: Working out always makes me feel better!

                                                                                               via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite Internet Find: Amanda Catherine Designs. She has the most adorable shop on Etsy.  This is one of many purchases I plan to make.

Favorite Inspiring Quote: 

                                                                 Hope you all have a beautiful weekend! 

xo,

Kara

DIY Wreath (and Flowers!)

I got crafty friends! I have been browsing Pinterest for different beginner projects that my non-crafting self could do.  I came across this wreath as my inspiration....

                                                                                                via Kara on Pinterest

So one slightly scary and overwhelming trip to Hobby Lobby later (complete with a panicked phone call to my sister Kate), I was ready to get my DIY on.  I looked for flowers like the one on my inspiration wreath, but couldn't find them.  Instead I made felt flowers, you can find the tutorial on my sister's blog here. 

These flowers are super easy to make, and if I think that, well then they must be easy! Let's get started...

 My very rarely used glue gun......

Coffee and felt cutting......

A couple flowers completed.....

This wreath cost me a total of $10.00 dollars to make and I love it! I know I would have spent a lot more on a wreath from Crate and Barrel.

Supplies Needed:

*1 grapevine wreath

*squares of felt in whatever colors you desire

*Glue gun and glue sticks :-)

*Scissors

*Satin ribbon for bow on top

Instructions

*assemble flowers per tutorial link above

*glue flowers onto wreath in whatever position is your fav

*tie satin bow at length you wish your wreath to hang

*display your fabulous new wreath!

If I can do it.....you can do it!!

Happy Crafting!

xo,

Kara

Easter Weekend Recap

The long Easter weekend was wonderful and I enjoyed every minute of it. The husband and I started our weekend off right with dinner at our favorite neighborhood Mexican restaurant, Los Arcos, and sipped on a tasty bev.... and munched on chips and salsa of course. 

Friday I ran errands and had lunch with one of my best gal pals.  I had the most amazing seared ahi tuna salad , seriously best I have ever had.  If you are in Denver, go to the White Chocolate Grill and order. that. salad.  Delish. After lunch I finished my errands, and then came home to relax with the husband and start some of my DIY projects.  Since taking my leave from Facebook I have decided that I want to do more creative things with my time. So Friday evening I put together Jason's Easter Basket with all of his favorite things.....

And then I started on my wreath! More on that tomorrow :) I got up early Saturday morning to finish the wreath up.  It's such a great feeling to enjoy a hot cup of coffee and get crafty! Who knew?

Can't wait to show you the finished project tomorrow! The rest of Saturday was spent with my husband. We ran errands, had a beer at College Station (a classic dive bar by our old condo), and prepared a wonderful dinner of tenderloin filets.  Such a fun, spring day. 

We were up early for church on Sunday (7:30 am Mass=PACKED!). We thought the early Mass wouldn't be nearly as crowded as the 9:00 am-boy were we wrong.  I think we got the last two seats available.  It was standing room only.  From there we went to my parents to spend the rest of the day.  I had to make a million deviled eggs and get the chicken started......here was our before picture of the chicken. 

Sadly, Jason carved the chicken(do you carve a chicken??) before I could get a pic of our finished product. I can tell you however, that it turned out perfectly. Jason chopped up celery, carrots and onion for the bottom of the roaster.  We filled the chicken with chopped celery and rosemary, and we placed some small pats of butter under the skin to give it the moist, delicious flavor.  We stuffed ourselves with fantastic food and spent the afternoon and early evening with family and friends.  It was a wonderful Easter Sunday.  I hope yours was too.  As we were heading home I took this picture of my parents tree-hard to believe Spring is here.  I love it!

Happy Monday! Hope you all had a blessed Easter weekend. 

xo,

Kara

Friday Favorites

Happy Good Friday! I am off work today, and loving every minute of it.  My standard weekday morning routine is rushed, and I am usually flying out the door, leaving spilled coffee in my wake and yelling "bye, I love you" to the husband from the car. He probably can't ever hear me, but it's the thought that counts, right?  Today is different. This morning is lazy and lovely. I have The Today Show blaring in the background, while I savor my creamy coffee and browse my favorite blogs.  Ahhhhh my kinda bliss.

via Kara on Pinterest 

The only thing that could possibly make this morning better would be if I were enjoying my morning coffee on the Amalfi Coast....

Or on the deck at the lake......

These are two of my most favorite places in this beautiful world.  Where are yours? 

Many of the blogs I read have a Friday Favorites post, so I thought I would join in the fun this friday and share some of my favorites this week. 

Favorite Fashion Find: This GORGEOUS turquoise Coach hangbag.  I covet this bag for every obvious reason.  It's teal, my favorite color of late, it's slouchy relaxed feel, and it's gold and silver hardware. Be still my heart.  

                                                                                               via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite DIY Find: If you know me, you know I leave the DIY to my sister Kate. But I really think I could make this wreath.  It's simple and beautiful, and would look great on our front door.  I am going to make it this weekend. Repeat-I am going to make it this weekend. You heard it here first. 

                                                                                                    via Kara on

Favorite Mantra: I love this for so many reasons. I think mainly because if we all tried to live our lives with this thought in mind, the world-or even just our little spot in this world-would be a kinder, more beautiful place.

                                                                                                  via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite Workout Inspiration: This is so what goes through my head at the end of run.....I CAN'T DO THIS! LIAR!

                                                                                                via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite Music Find: Johnny Cash! Of course he is not a new find, but my sister Kacey is starring in the Johnny Cash Musical "Ring of Fire" at a theater up in Northern California. I must re-introduce Mr. Cash into my life, so I can sing along when I go see her show in May! Kacey is the blond!

                                                                                              via Kara on Pinterest

                                                                                              via Kara on Pinterest

Favorite Inspiring Quote: Lately I have been trying to figure out what my passions in life are, and how I can turn those passions into something more.  I came across this on Pinterest, and it spoke my to soul.

                                                                                                 via Kara on Pinterest

Well those are my favorites this Friday.  Hope you all have a beautiful Easter weekend spent with those you love. I am off to run, shop and spend time with my hubby.

xo,

Kara

Are You Watching?

I have two favorite spring shows this year and I hope y'all are watching too! The first that I must share with you is Escape Routes on NBC, Saturday nights-7:00 or 8:00pm- check your local listings.  I typically shy away from reality TV, but this show is special.  My brother-in-law Rossi Morreale is the host! There are six teams that travel from city to city for six weeks to compete in challenges, and the winners take home $100,000 and each win a new Ford Escape.  Tune in this Saturday. :)

                                                                                             via Kara on Pinterest

After you have spent Saturday night watching Rossi, you can spend Sunday evening with my latest ABC obsession.

                                                                                    

                                                                               Source: google.com via Kara on Pinterest

The ladies on GCB are fabulous.  It's like you have died and gone straight to Texas.  Big hair, big accents, big love for Jesus all up in your face.  FAB-U-LOUS. If you aren't watching Carlene, Amanda, Cricket, Gigi and the rest of the gang, you are missing out.  Kristin Chenowith plays Carlene- the perfect, over the top Texan Christian wife.  Always delivering witty jokes, always scheming, all the while keeping her love for Jesus and being a "good" Christian at the forefront of all she does.  LOVE her.

Favorite Carlene quote so far this season: "There is only one man who does magic and he is from Jerusalem, not Hogwarts".  Any show that references Jesus and Harry Potter in one quote is fantastic in my opinion.

ABC seems to suck me in with all of their new Spring shows.  This Thursday "Scandal" premieres, I guess I will have to watch. What are your new favorite shows?

xo,

Kara