Happy Monday!

(c) Derrick Gomez, with Glasshouse Assignment representatives

le sigh

Work is hard. So here are some pretties, found when searching "Le sigh" on flickr :)

cakeybabes, rebecca *, elladog, jasfitz, elladog

Mountains of work

{Patrick Smith Photography}

But this mountain photography is so breathtaking, I feel like I can handle this crazy work happening.

{Patrick Smith Photography}

{Mr. Ullmi @ flickr}

And Miley's Climb -- hee. I know this is just work stressing me right, but just hearing Climb totally lifts me up :)

I can almost see it
That dream I am dreaming
But there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"

Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking

But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going

And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Somebody's gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby
It's all about, it's all about the climb
Keep the faith, keep your faith, whoa

© Hopeless Rose Music; Vistaville Music; Miley Cyrus

{Xindaan @ flickr}

Oh, giddyness {shabby blogs lovin}

Check these out. Seriously, who knew such a cute thing existed??

Lengthy backstory:
Here, Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere says she's reading New Moon (!!! do I need to say more??), and then the first commenter on her blog wrote that STEPHENIE MEYER IS MOVING DOWN THE ROAD FROM HER! I was all, No effing way -- although really, I don't what I'd do if we were neighbors anyway, b/c I don't even really talk to my own, let alone someone who's imaginary world I want to invade take over pop in, every now and then.

A-hem, then I popped over to the commenters blog (she's only 18! wtf SM is moving down the street from her?) --

BUT. POINT: aren't these backgrounds *amazing*?? For someone who has *no*idea* how to do this kind of design (and really, whose day job (1) takes too much time to learn how to or research what all's available and (2) does not pay enough to pay someone to create a design) -- THESE SHABBY CHIC BACKGROUNDS ARE AWESOME!

Seriously. I can't even tell you how long I've sat at my computer this morning, playing around with backgrounds + updating + trying to figure out what photographs I already have so I don't have to figure out how to credit someone with a gorgeous image for my header (thanks, Bee + Y, btw, for the hand of sea glass, that's sooo my fave image, well, the beach is gorgeous too) + THEN I realized they've got headers too!!!

Now if only I can figure out how to center it maybe? Oooooh, and then post dividers?? AND TAGS ON THE SIDE! Oh jeebus.

If I could figure out how to make *all* of these work and not care about colors:

Holy Cupcake!

{Bakerella}

First Communion cupcakes. I mean, I'm not saying these are the Body of Christ -- but Bakerella made these for her friend's daughter's First Communion celebration. The process she went through to make these delightful treats is, in itself, a delight. Or maybe I just looooove cupcakes. And pretty pink things. Hmm.

beautiful dining room living space!

{domino, via coco + kelley}

So want. but translated for a living space. we've already got the dark floors, so we're almost there, right ;)? i super heart the light blue walls. and totally that flood of light. and duh, the tiny-glam (so doesn't overpower the hubs' masculinity, of course) chandeliers! yes to everything, please.

last post, then WORK!

Maybe b/c I'm in such a fabulous mood, every blog I check is looking fabulous today :D Or maybe the world is all in sync ;)

But *these* photos make me feel great.

decor8, featuring Kelly Rae Roberts

Hmm, somewhat related to my post a bit ago on posting these fabulously out-of-reach shoes and fashion items -- Looking at beautiful home photos (with perfect furniture + color + arrangement) totally inspires me. But also kind of, just a bit, makes me feel a little overwhelmed, b/c how the heck am I going to achieve that?

But these photos are the *home* of an *artist*! And maybe the style isn't exactly me, and yes, it looks soo simple. But what I love most -- other than the airyness + fun punches of color, but really love the most -- is that it looks so real. Like, I could walk right in + sit down. And you know someone works here. Like does real work. I mean, maybe fun crafting, but can get some sh** done, you know?

Now *that's* inspiration.

Another one of those days

Seriously. I wish this funk would disappear. Or that I could make it disappearing* with all of this fantastic yummyness.


Both photos courtesy of The Wedding Cabaret, featuring Marianne Taylor Photography.

*See what I mean? "make it disappearing"? (Sigh) Day, be over already.

Me

(Photographer Tia Borgsmidt feat. on DesiretoInspire)

Yummy food.

Gorgeous fancy glassware that still has a good heft.

Dainty flowers strewn everywhere.

Brilliant color.

This is me!

Home: dining room treatment

Part of me thinks (knows?) I'm nuts, but I really want pattern on my dining room walls. But I'm scared of wallpaper. So why not stencil?


(dixcot locations)

And what led me there was this Apartment Therapy post -- I just love these.

(Apartment Therapy, feat. Alvhem Makleri & Interior)

(Apartment Therapy, feat. Kikette Interiors)

And of course, Kikette Interiors had these gorge spaces...

Sweet dreams

(Nocturne: Sensitive Space, by futureancient on flickr)

ADORABLE

So, I was feeling somewhat guilty after seeing Michael Wolf's photography project -- but who am I kidding, I love pretty things. And I feel like a reality check is definitely a good kind of inspiration -- but seriously, my job means I deal with convictions all day long, so part of me feels like it's just fine that things like beautiful posts and fun blogs make me smile.

Like Bakerella's cakepops:

eeeeeeeeeeeee, these are *adorable* -- you should see the ones of just "the body" on different background colors.
Seriously. Makes you smile. And how is that not okay?

Inspiration for the day

So, I'm still internally debating whether I should forge past my insane obsession with pretty wedding things (it's Wednesday (haha, which I originally abbreviated "Wed" :D)! I'm halfway there! excluding my crafty post, of course).

Or fully embrace my love of all things celebrating the ceremony that's supposed to celebrate love. And really really really pretty but (lots of times) expensive things.

Debate is pretty strong, you can see.

But here's something easy: pretty for the eyes, relaxing but still inspiring energy.

(desiretoinspire, featuring LA interior designer Mae Brunken)

Inspirational dress

Jacqueline Kennedy's wedding dress, from Dailyville's flickr set, with a nice trivia tidbit!

Just, something about the volume and the lines and *all* *that* *fabric* (50 yards of silk taffeta! that's so crazy extravagant, it's dreamy, which makes me almost disgusted with myself for feeling so... almost).

Seriously. Le Sigh.

Tulip love <3!!

I love tulips so much, I had them shipped from Holland for my June wedding in Vegas. Not that I was intentionally being snobby, I just researched + saw tulips weren't really in season domestically then, and they were more affordable from the source :D

That being said, thank you The Finer Things for this beautiful inspiration board/collage!

*Images from The Knot, Martha Stewart & Tulip World.

Can you tell I've got loads of work to do?

Cuuuute cake topper by Miss Avocado over at etsy!! ($45)

Cute, i have no idea what these are ($38), by WeeCuteTreasures.

Cute pair of birds ($40), by feltmeupdesigns.

Beautiful colors!

By 100layercake, each board links to their respective posts; these were on my radar, but it took decor8 to point out their decor-inspiration possibilities!


Seriously, wouldn't these be fab rooms? My fave is definitely the first, but something about that sienna shade, prominently in the rose in the second board, is just so captivating! Especially when paired with the lavender (or more blue-purple, as in the leaves). (le sigh)

Mmm, cozy

There's nothing like waking up to soft-beautiful-cozy homes!



From Celia Domenech via Bloom Studio, via dwellings and decor



via Habitually Chic, via dwellings and decor

And this adorable post from The City Sage, adding a storyline to beautiful rooms -- something about adding that little extra just adds to the "ordinary" visual delight of beautiful rooms :D

Whoa

*Amazing* work.
veils by Kirstin Fox of Castle Bride Couture

Genius! Inspiration Boards!

I've been wondering about these things! Delightful that instructions are out there!!

Thank you, Mrs. Lemon of WeddingBee!
The Super Easy Way
The Photoshop Way

And thank you, Polka Dot Bride, for pointing me that way (and naming polyvore, too, as another method)!