shoe storage

During my time off work I tackled the shoe storage project I've been planning since moving into our little log house. Upstairs in the loft, which is also our master bedroom, there are three built-in cubbies. I'm not sure what the original plan for these were, but seeing how we have only ONE closet in this house, we needed to make use of every square inch. Jake and I each have our fair share of shoes. We were able to fit the majority of them in the cubbies.

Now of course we have more shoes hidden under the bed, in our closet, and near the front door, but I tend to rotate according to the seasons. We try and keep the shoes looking organized, but I know I'd rather not see them everyday- this happens to be the wall on MY side of the bed!

Using a few 84" black curtains and tension rods that I had from the last rental, I figured I could make some custom curtains to hide the shoes--No sewing required!

I cut the curtains to size, ironed the bottom flap back to create a nice, clean, straight line, and used fabric glue to adhere the jagged flap!

Problem solved!

Rest of the room to come....

it was a girls night

The staycation's over and it was relaxing. Not quite as exciting as I would have hoped, but I did do everything I said I wanted to do!

Saturday night was girls' night at the cabin. I spent the next 24 hours with 3 of my favorite women. Mom, Grandma, and Felecia. We had a lot of fun catching up, laughing, singing, and crying over the movie, "When A Man Loves A Woman."

Kitchen & Diningroom

First the guestroom/closet reveal, next- Kitchen and Diningroom. My biggest complaint about this house is lack of storage, but we have really "downsized" and "simplified," especially in the kitchen area. And it feels good.

(I spy Layla)

(rock knobs on the cabinets)

(sneak peek of the loft and entrance to the basement)

(our mini diningroom)

(more wildflowers I scrounged up)

the next one

I've lived..in a townhouse, in Nashville, with 3 female roommates. I've lived in a duplex..completely alone, with no groceries, no one to plow my driveway, and freaky landlords who probably installed cameras. Then there was about a month there where I was basically homeless--traveling between mom and dad's, Jake's and his roommates' and whatever girlfriend suggested a sleepover. Next, I got married, moved to "The Palace" with my husband, had approximately 3 visitors in 4 months--yes, the house was THAT bad. We took the next step and moved into a house nice enough to actually unpack and use our beautiful wedding gifts. This house was somewhat of a "bungalow"? With a lot of character, a swamp for a backyard, a great location, and horrible insulation. Live and learn, right? Now, we are currently living in a little log home, on 5 acres, near Tin-buck-too.

And for our next house I am thinking.....

A LOFT!

I've always fantasized about living in a loft- with ridiculously high ceilings, french doors that open onto a sweet little terrace, and library ladders..everywhere!

We most likely won't be buying our first house for a couple of years--which gives us just enough time to kick our debt in the butt, find a loft ( Are there lofts in Traverse City??) to rent, and have our first child. Which will be a boy. With brown hair and dimples. Oh yeah, there's his room above. I think "Junior's" going to need a library ladder to reach those blocks.

I guess in the meantime I'll just be on the look out for our future loft.

images via Martha Stewart.

Beautiful House Wednesday

I've always dreamed of living on a lake. So, I guess the dream is a lake house/farm house:)

I am totally in love with this lake house designed by Thom Filicia. Mental note: black interior doors and railings are so hot.

via wideopenspaces.squarespace.com

Guest Bedroom/Closet

"Be. Our. Guest. Be our guest, put our service to the test..."

Five bucks to anyone who knows where that song is from!

This is our "guest room." Of course, when living in a house this small a few of the rooms are multi-functional.

It is also our closet! If our guests don't want to wake up to the sight of our clothes, I'll have to suggest the couch. But this room has gotten more action than I anticipated. (And I don't mean THAT kind of action:) Mom and Dad are staying tonight.

That little closet on the left is the ONLY closet in the entire house. It's packed with clothes as well. And a hamper, and a broom, and a swiffer. I tell ya, multi-functional. We've gotten a lot of use out of our Sam's Club industrial clothes rack. See it in our previous house HERE. We try to keep the clothes as organized as possible since it's in plain sight, but let's face it- it's not first priority.

Bought this little framed painting for $3. The orange matte is actually real velvet. Love it.

Gotta love how Layla sneaks into about every picture one way or another.

Figured I would get a full body shot. She's everywhere I am. All the time.

Monday Ramblings

  I'm on "vacation" this week, which is totally absurd seeing I didn't have enough time to plan ahead and do something fun, and our financial planner has put her foot down on the incessant spending. Which means I'm stuck out in Beulah without a whole lot of excitement. But I am going to make the best of it. This week I plan to: work out, complete two home projects, cook a couple of meals (one down, one to go-that's all I can handle at this point.), get a pedicure, go to the beach, spend some quality time with girlfriends, be at the hospital for moral support the day of my little brother's back surgery (please be praying for him.), and have a much needed girls' night out. I'll let you know how it goes.

Now the ramblings-

*I'm ready for Fall. There, I said it. No one stone me, please. I realize winter comes right after, but if I could extend Fall for several months I would. It's my favorite season...until I own a boat someday. Get back to me then.

*My allergies have been SO bad the last several weeks that I will do anything to find relief. Give me a shot in the butt..or 20, I don't care. It's just miserable. At any given time you can find me lying on the floor with a cold washcloth draped over my face. Benedryl's the only thing that helps, and that's because it knocks me right out. So, I am ready to say goodbye to the humidity and the allergens.

(Houghton and I sharing a spaghetti dinner at the Benefit.)

*On July 25th, some friends and local businesses put on a benefit dinner in honor of baby Emmersyn. There was a great turn out. People from near and far came to support the cause.

(Papa and Jazi driving the new tractor)

*Last weekend I was able to spend some quality time with my mom, dad, and Jazi at our family cabin. Always a good time.

*I've had some requests for pictures of our little log house, so I'll start posting some this week.

I warned you this was going to be somewhat of a rambling post!