Page 27

Christmas Home Tour 2017

CHRISTMAS HOME TOUR 2017

Merry Christmas, y’all! I am so excited to share my home with you while it’s all decorated for Christmas. I told you in my post about changes that I was doing something different with my Christmas decor. It’s a little trendy, a little farmhouse-y, and a lot black and white.

I painted the buffalo check ornaments myself. Spray painting Christmas ornaments was no easy task! I finally just hoped for the best because of how much they were rolling around. From far away they look okay, but up close…well, just don’t look up close.

I attempted to make cotton ball ornaments and was going to add brown pieces to it to give it the look of the wreath that gave me the inspiration.

But they turned out looking like snowballs, and I actually think I like them better. I took down my rustic, turquoise sconces to put up some (basically antique) sconces from my grandparents’ house. They may be dated and ugly to some, but I kind of love them and they look festive with some garland I pulled off of another decoration that I didn’t use.

This little decoration was a gift, and I love how it worked perfectly with my color scheme this Christmas. She may be tall and skinny, but our living space is so small that she fits perfectly in our little corner. Okay, enough talking. I hope you enjoy a peek at my holiday decorations. If you have any questions about their sources, just leave a comment. 🙂

Painted this fun thing last year with BrynCo Boutique

I painted this door hanger with Stacey Edwards, but it went so well with my Christmas decor that I stuck it under the tree.

Merry Christmas, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Currently Loving- November 2017

CURRENTLY LOVING- NOVEMBER 2017

Time to put away those pumpkins and bust out the Christmas trees, Santas, and if you live in my house, glitter! Anyone else feel like you blinked and November was over? Holy crap! It flew by and even though December means that a lot is about to be added to our calendars, I’m looking forward to it.

This Blog

My first favorite this month is this blog. I have been learning so much (still have so much to learn), and I have just been having fun playing with the new things I’ve learned.

I really enjoyed writing my Changes post. It was pretty personal, but it’s the truth and something that’s going on in my life. It was fun to write out my thoughts and feelings about this particular topic, and I hope that if anyone else is feeling this way that they found a hint of encouragement from that post. No one is alone in their feelings.

I also enjoyed putting together all of my Holiday Gift Guides. I think I was most proud of the Gifts for Him guide because I’ve always been so bad at picking gifts for Paul. I remember getting him things for Christmas one year, and he took them back. Now, in his defense, he is horribly hard to buy for because he’s like most men and gets what he needs and wants throughout the year, so come Christmas there’s nothing left to get. But he told me after he read the post that he liked everything on the gift guide and thought the orange and blue golf shoes were very cool. 🙂 #wifewin Now, will he actually get any of those things? I can’t say yet!

My New Favorite Lipstick

That picture was a very happy mail day. I knew that I wanted to incorporate these lipsticks into my beauty routine as soon as I saw them. I read that we actually ingest our lip products. Yikes! So if our lip products are made of toxic materials, I think it’s a perfect place to start to make the switch to safer beauty. I received this holiday set from Beautycounter with the understanding that I could share with my clients and anyone interested in learning about the brand, but that they were to be put up for Christmas. Well, I have pretty much worn them everyday. (Sorry, Paul.) I love them so much. They truly are long-wearing, deeply pigmented, and smell and taste of peppermint. Did I mention I love them? I’d love for you to try them. You can check them out on the website here. They are currently out of stock until December 8th, but that’s plenty of time to order, get them in, and wear them to your holiday parties (or gift them). There’s also an option to be notified when they are available. Or I can do all the work for you. Just ask me how! One less thing for you to remember to do. 🙂 And if you’re local, call, text, or message me. I’d love for you to try them for yourselves.

Christmas Decor

If you follow any home decor bloggers on Instagram, then you’ve already been bombarded with picture after picture of Christmas trees, lights, wreaths, Santas, you get the picture. I’ve got to be honest, it’s one of my favorite things about Instagram. I love to see how other people decorate their homes. Do they go traditional or trendy? Do they have one tree or four? What are their family traditions? What outfits do they pick out for Christmas cards? And what about those party outfits? There’s always a lot of sparkles and sequins, and I love me a good sparkle.Look at Fran Bacon of The Fashion Lift in her sparkly jumpsuit! She’s from the UK, and she’s my ultimate in hair goals. Those bangs! I wish mine would look so good. Not that I have them, but if I did, I’d want them to be just like hers. And the woman can rock a bold lip. She’s just so chic! You can find her on Instagram here. Great fashion sense and always fun to listen to because of her accent. 🙂

I’ve also been enjoying my own Christmas decor. I have a Holiday Home Tour coming to the blog soon, so you’ll get a peek into our home and at our decor. I mentioned in my Changes blog post that I decided not to go traditional this year, and it’s been fun. I’m enjoying it this year. I can’t wait to get some presents wrapped and put under the tree. Here’s a sneak peek.

Auburn Won the Iron Bowl

Don’t you just love this Snapchat filter?

It’s great to be an Auburn Tiger! It was such a fun game, and I’m so happy I got to watch it with a bunch of Normans. Loud, bouncy Normans. There was a lot of jumping and high fiving and yelling during that game. At one point I look over and Ian (our nephew) and Paul were doing some kind of handshake, and the next thing I knew they were both lying on their backs with their legs and arms up in the air. I was informed that’s how the handshake ends. So much excitement! Now to get Georgia again this weekend. I heard Coach Malzahn say, “The best is yet to come.” 🙂 I believe Coach, and I believe in Auburn and love it!

9JKL

Have y’all been watching this show? I am so happy that Paul and I gave it a shot. It’s a funny 30 minute sitcom that will have you laughing out loud. Anytime we go to watch our DVR, I always request this show first. The dad is my favorite character, and during the Thanksgiving episode I looked at Paul and proclaimed them (the dad and mom- Harry and Judy) my soul mates.

Brief synopsis: Josh lives in an apartment (9K) in between his parents (9J) and his brother, sister-in-law, and their baby (9L). Hilarity ensues because of the boundaries, or lack thereof, amongst the family. It’s right up there on the “Funny Meter” with The Big Bang Theory. Here’s a clip-the one that made me think we were soul mates.

One More I’m not finished with this one yet, but it is very intriguing. I can tell that if I haven’t read it by Christmas break, I’ll definitely finish it then. My Aunt Sharon came to town and told me she was bringing it to me if I hadn’t read it yet. She’s very well-read and has excellent taste in literature, so I knew I’d better follow her advice and get right to this one. Have you read this one yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts.

So, what are you loving this November? Tell me in the comments! Have a very happy Friday and weekend and be looking out for my Holiday Home Tour in the next few days.

XO,

Elizabeth

Changes

CHANGES

I put my Christmas tree up early this year. Before Thanksgiving. We’re talking November 4th. I’ve never done that. Like, ever.

And I’m always an advocate for decorating with the ornaments you collect over the years and not really having a themed tree but rather having all those memories hanging in one place and providing sweet memories as you decorate and enjoy your tree throughout the season. And this year I didn’t do that.

In our house in Louisiana I had two trees, one big one with colored lights and all the ornaments we’ve collected over our years of marriage. Then I became okay with the idea of a themed tree as long as we still had the traditional one. So we got a second tree that went in our dining room and was completely Auburn themed. It had twinkling orange lights (buy them at Halloween) and blue lights (can be found at Christmas). We used toilet paper as garland (for rolling Toomer’s Corner) and thanks to my Mother-in-Law and after-Christmas sales, we had every Auburn ornament that could be found in and around Greenville.

Then we moved to Alabama and couldn’t fit our big tree into the living room. We used our Auburn tree (tall and skinny), put white lights on it (another thing I’ve never done-I’ve always been a colored lights girl) and combined Auburn and sentimental ornaments.

And this year, as I’ve been embracing my love of all things neutral, I threw tradition out the window, put up my tree at the beginning of November, stayed with the white lights, did a little DIY to make new ornaments, and used only a few of the ornaments we’ve collected over the years. And I only used the ones without any actual color. I have all neutral colored ornaments and gold and silver ones. I even used an old white tree skirt (that I never use) because it completed the look I was going for better than the gorgeous red one I usually use that matches my stockings. (I’m seriously considering getting new stockings too.) Just don’t tell Paul!

More to come on that decor soon.

So Why the Change?

In a short answer- I don’t know.

I can’t really put my finger on it, but I just feel like shaking things up. Changing for the better, I think, but changing nonetheless.

Have you ever gone through a season of change? Where things just seemed turned upside down in your life or like things didn’t fit together the way they used to? Or maybe…just maybe…it’s that things are actually starting to fit together like they were always meant to?

So, naturally, the need for change is starting in my home. I literally took a can of spray paint to a lamp last week. It used to be gold-toned with a champagne colored shade. And then the lamp shade got paint today.

And as much as I love my gallery wall, I want to change that too. What’s going on in my brain?

To quote John Mayer- “It might be a quarter life crisis or just the stirring in my soul.” (Why Georgia) I love that line.

Sure, I might be a year (or 5) past the actual quarter life stage, but mine didn’t start until about 30, and I don’t know the mathematical translation, so quarter life it is.

Anywho, changes are inevitable in life, I know that. I expect them and have even welcomed them when I knew they were right. For example: Our moving back to Alabama was definitely the right thing for us to do. God was all over that. I knew without any doubt that it was all going to be just fine with everything concerning our move. And then we got here and so much changed in our lives. We lost 4 family members within the first 6 months of us being here, I’ve gotten a new job, I started this blog, I joined as a consultant to Beautycounter, Paul has established regular clients that take golf lessons from him, he is able to be a coach to his cousin who is on a professional golf tour, and the list goes on and on.

Thankful for the Change

The point is, I’m not afraid of change. I just wish I knew what all the change meant. The change that’s “stirring in my soul”. Thankfully I have Paul who puts up with all of my soul changes (and my decor changes). And thankfully I have an incredibly supportive family who has gone through the biggest changes of the past year with me. And most of all, I, thankfully, have a Heavenly Father that is guiding me through all of these changes.

So, if anyone has been going through a season of change, I hope you find this encouraging. You are not alone. And as we figure out who we truly are and how to embrace the changes in our lives, let’s not forget to be thankful for what we do have, what we already know, and what’s to come. And to thank God in the process and for the process of change. Because life can’t always stay the same. How boring would that be, anyway?

Happy Monday, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Hostess Gifts

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2017: HOSTESS GIFTS

‘Tis the season for holiday parties! And any good Southern girl knows that she needs to take the hostess a little token of her appreciation for inviting her to such a festive occasion. Here are a few gift ideas for the hostesses of your holiday soirées.

Kate Spade Things We Love Coffee Table Book– I actually have this book and love it. It’s such a fun book to look at, and guests love to flip through it too. It’s delightfully cheery and perfect for the color-loving hostess in your life.
Lux Candle in Fraser Fir– This is hands down my favorite candle ever. And I’m a lover of Leaves from Bath and Body Works and most Tyler Candles, but this one…it’s the best. It is so festive and so fragrant. Bonus for the locals- The Pineapple sells these and in these cute gift boxes too! I took the topper off the box and made an ornament out of it this year.
William Sonoma Peppermint Bark– I remember the first time I ever tried this stuff. And every Christmas I’ve found a way to go in and sample it or get a tin. It’s a great hostess gift because she can stash it away for herself or open it up to serve at the party. Can’t go wrong with this one.
Kate Spade Deco Dot Round Baker– I think this would be a great gift to give if you had to bring a dish for a pot luck dinner. Bring your pie, quiche, or whatever you make in this adorable baker and tell the hostess she gets to keep the dish too! I would be delighted. Kate Spade is one of my favorites and can be found often at TJ Maxx and Home Goods at a bit of a discount.
Plaid Cooking Apron from Hearth and Hand at Target– I couldn’t not add something from Hearth and Hand. I think this apron is so festive and would be perfect to pull out every Christmas. It’s also really cute, and I wouldn’t mind wearing it in front of my guests as I finished cooking.
Laura in the Kitchen Cookbook– Laura Vitale is one of the first YouTubers I watched. She still posts cooking videos on her YouTube channel, and trust me, you want to check her out. I made Croque Madame from following her videos. That’s saying something, y’all. The cookbook is beautiful and has wonderful Italian-American recipes that make you want to have Sunday dinner with your whole family whether you’re Italian or not.
Faux Fur Wine Bag– The wine bag in the picture and in this link is to Restoration Hardware. They have a great selection, but another perk for the locals- Vesta Taylor had them in her store downtown a few weeks ago, and I thought they were luxuriously soft. If you’re going to get one, get one from her! It’s such an on-trend way to gift a bottle of vino to your hostess.
Cer Blue Flower Vase from At Home– You can’t go wrong with a fresh bouquet of flowers for your hostess, and this vase takes it to the next level. And it’s on clearance for $2.49 right now!! Yes! Under $3! This one’s a no-brainer.
Holiday Soap Trio from Beautycounter– With guests in and out of her house and bathrooms, what hostess doesn’t need a nice set of hand soaps? The best thing about this soap is it’s toxin-free and safe for her and all of her guests to use.

Happy Shopping, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Gifts For Him

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2017: GIFTS FOR HIM

Men…aren’t they the hardest ones to buy for?

If they’re anything like my husband or dad or brother, there’s nothing they want (nothing that costs under a lot of money anyway), and chances are, they’ve already bought everything they need throughout the year. Well, I came up with a few things that some of the men in my life might like. Maybe it’ll be helpful for some of the guys in your life too.

Patagonia Better Sweater Fleece Vest– Overall it’s not too cold here in Alabama, so a vest is a great piece to have for the cooler months. These vests look super soft and very chic. **But I found a great deal on Columbia ones at Academy today! Here’s the link.
Adidas Ultimate 365 Regular Fit Pants– Great navy color, lightweight fabric, washes well. Paul has several Adidas pants and shorts and loves them.
Paco Rabanne Invictus Eau de Toilette Spray– Paul has been wearing this for a few years now and still likes it. We got him the large bottle last year, and he still has so much left. A little goes a long way, y’all. But it smells delicious.
Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera with 16-50mm Power Zoom Lens– I’ll be honest, I am the one that really wants this camera. Paul isn’t much of a tech guy or a picture taker, but I know there are a lot of guys that are. I’ve heard so many great reviews on this camera, and it’s at the top of my high-dollar Christmas wish list. Bonus: It is on sale right now!
FootJoy Mens Club Casuals Buckle Loafers– Paul has been through a pair of these already, but his didn’t have the buckle. They look very nice and hold up well. I just love the buckle detail, and they look pretty sharp in black too.
FootJoy Pro/SL Mens Golf Shoe– These navy, orange, and white golf shoes lean a little in the Auburn fan direction, but they looked pretty awesome to me. There are other color combos in this shoe if this isn’t your man’s style.
Columbia Men’s Fast Trek Scarf– I said earlier it doesn’t get very cold here in Alabama, but sometimes it does. Especially during those early morning hunting excursions. This scarf would be a great and very warm addition to the hunting wardrobe.
Brookstone Bed Fan with Wireless Remote– Anyone else sleep next to a hot box every night? This fan has been on Paul’s list for quite some time now. It’s not a bad price and might really be a game changer for a better night’s sleep. I’ll report back if Santa brings this to our house. 🙂

Happy shopping, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Holiday Gift Guide 2017: My Personal Wish List

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2017: MY PERSONAL WISH LIST

I used to make a list of what I wanted for Christmas. I’m talking well into my 20s, I still made a list. I don’t do that anymore…mostly because Paul thought I was being ridiculous. So now, I just send him links of things I want randomly and drop hints here and there. But now that I’m in the blogging world, I get to make my list again. Take that, Paul! 🙂 He knows I’m kidding, and probably knows everything that I’m going to tell you about.

In all seriousness, I share this list not to receive gifts but to share some things that I would like to have, things that I already have, and things that I’m planning to give to others. Hopefully this will give you an idea for a few people that are on your list to buy for this Christmas.

Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless Digital Camera– I cannot stop thinking about this camera. It is on my Gifts for Him gift guide coming soon, and I’m putting it here again. I NEED a camera with my blog. Running on an iPhone with photo editing apps only takes you so far. Amazon says they only have 3 left! They’re on sale right now, and when they come back, who knows what they’ll cost?! SANTA, PLEASE!!
Mophie Charging Case– I run through my cell phone battery so quickly. I use it a lot in the mornings to binge watch Downton Abbey while I’m getting ready, so by the time I get to school I’m down to 50%. I charge it when I get there, but I do a lot of other things on my phone, as we all do, in the evenings, and I would like to not be in the red all the time. I think this would be a great investment for those of us on our phones a lot (for work or play).
Ikea Ribba Frame– I’ve been thinking about making some changes to my gallery wall in my living room (see it here), and I’m liking more of a grid layout. These frames have a thick mat and clean lines for the look I’m hoping to create.
Shark Steam Mop– Truth is, I need a mop. I have had a Shark before, but it finally wore out. They have come down significantly in price since we got married seven years ago which is a major bonus.
Hearth and Hand Salt and Pepper Cellars– Clearly I’m obsessed with Hearth and Hand by Chip and Joanna Gaines, but I’ve long ago been a fan of these little cellars. Giada always had them and now I can get my hands on some really cute ones for an amazing price.
Montmartre Art Print at Minted– I am on the lookout for a large print to go on the other wall of our dining nook, and I think I just found it. Minted has countless options for beautiful artwork and frames it for you too. I love everything about this print (especially that striped awning).
Zoya Nail Polish in Marnie– Fun fact: This nail polish is named for one of my favorite YouTubers, Ms. Goldgirl. I have this color and have been wearing it a lot this fall season. It looks good on my fair skin and some darker colors are kind of harsh for that reason. This would be a great gift for a girlfriend, daughter, sister, mother, mother-in-law, pretty much any woman. I use Zoya nail polish because it has removed toxic ingredients such as toluene, camphor, formaldehyde, formaldehyde resin and DBP (dibutyl phthalate) from its formulation. There are other safe nail polish options out there, but I have only used Zoya. Excellent, long-wearing, and endless color choices to choose from. Also, Zoya has great sales throughout the year. I’ve ordered from them before a lot. I can also find a limited selection of some of their products at Ulta in Montgomery-for you local folks.
L.L. Bean Winter Loft Fleece Jacket– I need an everyday jacket that I can throw on. The one I have now is from college! I’m a little ashamed to admit that. We all know L.L. Bean is excellent quality and super warm. I would love this jacket but in the Cool Silver color.
Steve Madden Mules from Macy’s– I don’t have these exact shoes, but I do have some mules that I found at TJ Maxx. I am obsessed with them and am getting a taupe pair for Christmas. Mine are a velvet material that makes them so warm and cozy looking for the winter months. These are the perfect gift for the fashionista in your life.
Flat Booties– These flat booties are from my favorite boutique in Baton Rouge, Simply Chic Baton Rouge. I linked their Instagram there for you to follow. The absolute nicest girls in the world work there; the owner is just the best, and they will help out your fella when he wants to surprise you with something nice. I miss this store so much! Here’s another picture of how they styled them. And look at those jeans with the pearl detail. Seriously, go check them out.
Howlite Jewelry– I just think this marble-like jewelry is beautiful. I love how it goes with everything and would look great with white for a monochromatic look or really pop against a black outfit. The bracelet here is really cute, but the necklaces can totally be showstoppers.
Ultimate Nudes Palette from Beautycounter– This palette has been on my radar for a while, but I got “the look” from Paul when I mentioned all the things on my Beautycounter wish list. The look that says, “Have you actually seen the credit card bill?” So I have refrained from buying anything else that isn’t a necessity just yet. There are 18 shades to create countless looks. This is the PERFECT gift for the teenage girl on your list. Not only are you giving her something she will love using, but it is the perfect way to introduce her to the world of safer beauty.
Stackable Rings from Everly– I love the look of a stack of sparkly rings. This company produces some of the most gorgeous jewelry. They are mostly simulated stones so the price is excellent. And the Black Friday deal going on right now is Buy 2, Get 4 FREE! What?! You won’t be disappointed looking around this site. Load up your cart and send to your significant other for an extra sparkly present under the tree. I did!
Color Intense Lip Set by Beautycounter– I almost didn’t put this on here because it’s unavailable until December 8th, but these lipsticks are so fantastic, y’all. I was supposed to buy them, share them with my clients, and then put them away for Christmas. But I can’t. They are that good. I highly recommend these for yourself or for the beauty lover in your life.

Happy Shopping, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Cozy Gifts

HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE 2017: COZY GIFTS

There’s just something about this time of year that makes you want to snuggle under a super soft blanket with a mug of hot cocoa in your most comfy pjs and warmest slippers and watch your favorite Christmas movies.

Thus my inspiration for creating a cozy gifts guide.

I’m not going to lie, I want all of these for myself, but they are each great gift ideas for others.

Pajamas

Victoria’s Secret-The Flannel PJ set

Victoria’s Secret-The Thermal PJ set

For many years I’ve gotten Victoria’s Secret pjs, and I have loved them! They are always so cozy and last for a very long time. (Truth time- I’m wearing some right now!) 🙂 But below are my favorite line from Target. They are the softest, most comfy pjs from Target I’ve ever had.

Target-Gilligan & O’Malley

J. Crew-Nightshirt

Robes and Slippers

Victoria’s Secret- Cozy Hooded Short Robe

I love the hood on this robe. And this deep purple color is really beautiful.

Victoria’s Secret-Slipper

These are free with a $50 sleep purchase at Victoria’s Secret. And how cute are they with that little pom pom?

L.L. Bean- Wicked Good Moccasins

I’ve been wearing L. L. bean Moccasins for several years now, and I love them! I love the shearling detail on these.

L.L.. Bean-Wicked Good Shearling-Lined Slides

L.L. Bean Slipper Sock, Cable Knit

These would be so cute with that sleep shirt from J. Crew.

Walmart.com-Chinese Laundry Lacey Slipper

I love that Walmart outsources with other companies on their website. You can’t find cute Chinese Laundry items in store, so when I saw these pop up, I had to click on them. Super cute.

Cozy Throws

Woven Tassel Throw Blanket- Hearth and Hand- Target

Perhaps my favorite thing from the Hearth and Hand line at Target.

Home Goods- Faux Fur Throw

As much as I love the cable knit one from Target, I do love a good faux fur throw. They are so warm and look so chic.

Now excuse me while I go add all of these to my own Christmas list. 🙂

Happy Shopping, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Holiday Gift Guide 2017: Beauty Lover

Happy Holidays! Well, almost…Thanksgiving is just around the corner and Christmas too, so I feel like it’s ok if I say that.

Today I’m sharing with you some incredible gift ideas for the beauty lover in your life.

Because I’ve joined the mission to get safer products into the hands of everyone,the products in my beauty guide are going to come from Beautycounter. And why not give those that you love something that they can feel good about putting on their bodies. Right now Beautycounter has a great Holiday Collection. I’ve mentioned before how easy it is to break these up and give as gifts to different people. Or, hey, maybe you need a gift for yourself. It is holiday party season after all, and who doesn’t need high-performing, long-wearing beauty products to get us through?

I will say that some of these gift sets have sold out, but have no fear! Almost all of them are coming back!! HOORAY! (That’s all listed under each picture on the Beautycounter website.)

I am here to tell you, I wish I had all of them. That Ultimate Nudes Palette is at the top of my list!

And I’ve really been loving liquid eyeliner lately, so I’ve got my eye on the Nude Eye Trio…let’s be honest, I want the Smokey Eye Trio too, but the nude one would get more use. And if we’re being REALLY honest, I want everything.

I’m a makeup girl. I always have been. Blue eyeshadow up to my eyebrows, pink blush, and red lipstick. That was my go-to look when I played in makeup as a kid. I wanted to be like Dolly.

Heck, I still want to be like Dolly. But now it’s more of the look Dolly has here that I’d like to imitate. 🙂 Gorgeous.

Moving on…

Any of these would make great gifts! And again, breaking them up would be so easy. Just a little something for a friend or coworker, babysitter or teacher, mom or mother-in-law, the list can go on. Unfortunately we aren’t able to restock the Holiday Hand Cream Trio. And trust me, you aren’t the only one upset about that. It was favored by everyone.

The Glow & Go Mini Oils is a shop one, share one special. With any purchase of the Glow & Go Mini Oils set Beautycounter will gift a set to a patient at UCLA Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center (JCCC)—a trailblazing destination for research, education, and patient care. What a great thing you’re doing! And not only would this make a great gift for yourself 🙂 but you could also break these up as an indulgent gift for your closest girlfriends without breaking the bank!

There are, of course, so many other options at the Beautycounter website if you don’t see something you like here. You can purchase single lip sheers and lip glosses (which I love), and eye shadow duos and all in a great selection of colors for everyone.

That is the mission after all!

*And here’s some insider info- well just a teaser really- stay tuned for some exciting things to come! You won’t want to miss out!*

If you’re new to the whole Beautycounter thing, please read why I joined this company here.

Then head over to my website and peruse the products. And please contact me if you have any questions. I’d love to help you find a way to get safer products into your hands for you and your family.

Happy Shopping, y’all!

XO,

Elizabeth

Want To Be My Neighbor?

WANT TO BE MY NEIGHBOR?

That’s right! You can be my neighbor! The apartment across this gorgeous hall is available for rent. Trust me, you want to see this charmer!

Come On In

I mean, could you just die?! That exposed brick…gets me every time. The hardwoods are just as beautiful as they are in my apartment, and I love the bead board wainscoting. So charming. You can see that it’s an open floor plan into the kitchen which is equally as charming. I’ll show you in a second. Here’s another view of the living area. This is looking at the front door. There’s enough space on either side of the door for a small dining table, much like our side of the building. A hallway to the two bedrooms and bathrooms is to the right and the kitchen to the left.

Let’s have a closer look at the details, shall we? I just love the bead board. It’s such a simple detail, but isn’t it all in the details anyway? That’s what “they” say. And I agree. Come on…. I fall in love with this apartment even more every time I see this brick wall. Such a beautiful part of the history of this building.

Let’s Look At This Kitchen

Who doesn’t love a white kitchen? It’s bright and get’s the BEST afternoon light. You can watch the sunset right through that window.

Plenty of space and great cabinets. Lots of storage here too. Also, to the right of the fridge is the door to the back porch we share.

Here you can see how open it is to the living space. I love this about my apartment too. I can cook dinner and not miss all those Hallmark movies that are always playing on my television this time of year. 🙂
This wine rack built-in is such a cute feature. I love this so much because I need this! Keeps them off the counter, because that’s prime real estate, people. Just off the kitchen there’s a laundry room. It’s very spacious and has folding doors to close it off.

Guest Room

There’s already a bed for you! And look at those windows! What a way to wake up every morning. So much delightful natural light in this apartment. Closet is a good size too. All of my clothes (and shoes…and purses) fit in a closet this exact size.

Master Bedroom and Bathroom

Four glorious windows, y’all. FOUR. The pictures don’t do it justice on how big the room is either. It’s so beautiful. I love the built-ins in the closet. This is a game changer in closet organization and maximizing space.
Large en suite with the cutest linen closet. (My apartment doesn’t have this, and I am jealous!) The guest bathroom looks identical to this bathroom just flipped around. Shower on the right, toilet and vanity on the left. The guest bathroom has those charming cabinets too.

On second thought, maybe I’ll just move across the hall and you can move into mine.

Kidding!

Kind of.

It is truly a hidden gem in this sweet town we live in. If you know anyone that’s looking for a great apartment, I know just the place.

Details

Rent: $1,100 a month-includes all utilities and Dish Network

PET FRIENDLY

Contact Info: 334-382-8740

Thanks for having a look around with me. What are you waiting for? Be my neighbor!

XO,

Elizabeth

My Newest Obsession- Lighting

MY NEWEST OBSESSION- LIGHTING

Just as the title says, I’ve got a new obsession. I never used to really think about lighting so much. Mostly it was an afterthought. When the rest of the room came together I never really thought about changing it. But let’s be honest, most places I’ve lived had ceiling fans and that was just the way it was. Because the south is hot and we need our ceiling fans.

Boob Light

Most places I’ve lived had the dreaded “boob light”. Who invented these? Why did they feel the need to add a “nipple” to the light fixture? Good grief!

I’ve mostly been thinking about changing the lighting in our living, dining, kitchen and hallway-which isn’t terrible, but I found something I love and of course I want to have it.

The main living areas in our apartment are all open to each other, so I’d like for them all to complement each other.

Living Room

This picture is from shortly after we moved in, and some changes have been made like the rug, the curtains, and the artwork, but do you see that boob light? She’s a big one too! It’s a shiny gold/maybe polished brass that I just don’t love. Luckily I have the best landlords (in-laws) in the world, and if I want to change out a light fixture, they’ll pretty much let me. It comes out of my pocket, which is fine if it fits in my budget, so I’m in a great position here to personalize this home to my liking.

Dining Area

Same polished brass/gold-tone base that the one in the living room has. The glass shade is just dated. There’s nothing wrong with it, just looking for something a little more my style.

The Kitchen

This fixture is apparently still available at some stores. I am not looking to change up any wiring or anything, so this one will probably stay the same, but I’m thinking of painting the wood accents black or antique bronze. I’ve not actually run this idea by my in-laws, so I’ll for sure be asking for permission there. I just think I would like it more, and it would complement the other fixtures I like for these open areas.

New Lighting Options

I didn’t think I’d really ever go for anything like this in my own house, but I’m completely in love with this chandelier for my living room. It’s a show-stopper that would be so lovely.

Savoy House Byanca 5 Light Chandelier- Walmart.com

This one would be a little less dramatic but just as pretty. I love a little sparkle, and why not let it be the part that lights up your room?Crystal World Inc. Cornelius 4 Light Antique Brass Chandelier

This is one of my favorite options for the dining area. I love the clean, white drums and the overall sleek lines of the whole fixture. She’s a beauty. It’s the Sea Gull Driscoll 3140403 Chandelier that I found on walmart.com.

I love this globe pendant. It would take me a long time to get tired of this one. Timeless and chic.

Frosted Glass Globe Hailey Pendant- World Market

This is one that simply wouldn’t work with my decor and the direction I’m going for our home, but I do love this piece! Those bubble globes and edison bulbs are spectacular. Someone scoop this one up asap!

This is the flush mount that I like for my hallway. I think the black would look the best in our home, but that white and gold is speaking my language.

Well, there we have it. My newest obsession. Can’t I ever find an obsession that doesn’t cost so much money? Story of my life…Do any of y’all have lighting that you love in your home? Or lighting that you love that’s on your wish list? I didn’t even touch on sconces or lamps. Oh boy! It’s quickly becoming one my very favorite things about home decor. Share some of your favorites with me in the comments. I’d love to see what you love!

XO,

Elizabeth