after my heart.

Grace of Design*Sponge is a woman after my own heart. Sure she runs an enormous blog and must make thousands of readers smitten daily, but in the past weeks she's solidified to me why she's so awesome. 

First and foremost, I'll be running out, today!, to make this chalkboard globe! Just about the cutest d-i-y I ever did see. 


And if you're looking for travel plans, check out their intense guide to my hometown of Pittsburgh! Sure they left out a few of the greats, but it's full of amazing spots all over town. 

Little things like this just make me smile! I'm going to keep that going with a few projects and more cleaning (ya? boo? I can't even tell you anymore). 

Have an awesome day! xo. 

scatterbrained.

I think if you ask any military wife about deployment they'll all tell you the same thing; it sucks. Having my husband gone has been incredibly hard, but as you settle into them being gone, you start to pick up a routine. Well apparently, my routine is being a total scatterbrain!

Yesterday I spied a teeny little ant on my sink and then all of his little friends lugging bits of food from the pile of dirty dishes in the sink. Then and there it hit me; I'm a complete slob when my husband is gone. Sure, I do my laundry, wash my dishes, and make my bed, but otherwise my house is a disaster!

It would be so much easier to keep clean if my kitchen was this cute.

I've gotten into a routine and there are parts of it I really like, but I feel unmotivated to do the things I was doing daily when he was home; like blogging. I've spent the past few days searching high and low for the inspirational kick in the butt I need, but it just doesn't feel right.

I love having this space to come here and share with you the things I love, so I apologize if over the next few weeks I'm lacking. My house needs to be in order before I can collect my thoughts enough to sit down and write. I really miss it and the days I do log on, I feel great! I don't want to half ass it though; I'm tired of unspired photos and posts; we deserve better don't you think?

all via weheartit

Today was a good day though, my kitchen is now clean and ant free! My laundry is in the dryer and dinner is on the table. Then I'll sit down and make a plan for tomorrow. One day at time, as they say.

Send me some well wishes, kittens, and please leave a comment. I want to know, what's your favorite way to get motivated  and inspired? I love those little pick-me-ups!

everything is ok.

Today I was planning on some super fun inspiration for all of you. I chose to help a friend out instead. From talking with her, I found myself contemplating happiness and this 'perfection' that many people strive for. 


It's hard to realize that nothing is perfect. Sure, in fairytales and movies things always work out in the end, but let's be honest, that just isn't realistic. I wanted to post this, not only for my friend, but maybe there is someone else out there that needs to hear this too:

There is no such thing as a "perfect" life and that's ok. Happiness is relevant and some of life's best moments are those little imperfections. It's ok to be down, or sad, or mad. Sometimes bad things happen, but it's never the end. It's ok to let go, it's ok to cry and it's ok to ask for help. There's no shame in having things in life to work on and I think, if you work it right, you never stop evolving or changing or learning until you die. 

Today, let go of the idea of 'perfect', let go of ideal happiness and just be. Realize that no matter what is happening in your life, someone loves you and it's ok to love yourself and your life, even the imperfect parts. Embrace what is good and run with it, look inside yourself and realize that you are strong and kind and well, awesome. 

I think sometimes we all try so hard; America is full of opportunity and go-getters; looking for that next step that will seemingly make everything fall into place. We try too hard and often forget to let life just come to us. Know that it'll come, whether we like it or not and there will be plenty of happiness and hard times; it's up to you to seek out the best in everything and I know you can. I believe in you. 

I hope when you read this, dear kittens, that you know that you have it inside you. To make life exactly what you want it to be and it doesn't have to be complicated or 'perfect'; it can just be...you. Everything will be ok. 

all via weheartit


See you tomorrow with some lovely things. xo.

super {flea} sunday.

What a lovely Autumn day! How was your weekend? I hope it was filled with football, crunchy leaves and pumpkin beer! I had my hand at some projects around the house and a whole lot of cleaning.

I was able to spend a few minutes at one of my favorite thrifts this weekend. I love Saturdays there because most everything is half off; you can't beat a discount! Although the shop was unbearably crowded, I did snag this weeks {flea}, a sweet little pony paint-by-number.


The worn painted frame and modest colors are so beautiful, but I opted to pop out the canvas and put it in a more modern frame. It looks really great and you'll see this along with some other art I've put together later this week! All I need now is another print for that big old wooden frame. What would you put inside?

Football and cuddles with my Hank are calling my name, but I'll see you tomorrow with some lovely fall inspiration! Cheers to a new week. xo.

happy weekend.

The first weekend of Fall is finally here! What do you plan on doing with all this beautiful weather? I've got a picnic planned with some friends and a couple of projects around the house to finish up. I do know that I'll be enjoying most of the weekend with one of these:




Yum! I hope you're able to enjoy some Pumpkin Ale too or perhaps a some mulled apple cider. Grab yourself a glass and head back here Sunday for The {flea}! 

Have an amazing weekend!

Ps. Check out this amazing shot I snagged of the enormously orange Harvest Moon last night! It's bound to look this cool all weekend long.

dim the lights.

Hooray for a new edition of This {Humble} Home! It certainly has been a while, huh? Well never fear, my house is still being made into a home, just on a more sporadic basis. I can see the end product in my head, so I hope you're ready for more to come! 

Once upon a time, Pottery Barn carried a chandelier that I adored, but not shockingly, it was out of our price range. I literally had dreams about this chandelier and when we moved here (with our weird, 'ufo' lighting) I was inspired to tackle it on my own. 

 Not that I find our current lighting repulsive, it's just not...us? cute?  It's generic and blah, if you'll remember from a previous This {Humble} Home. 


To create depth and whimsy I recreated my beloved Pottery Barn chandelier with one extra-large embroidery hoop, ribbon and clothes pins. By simply tiering the hoops and connecting them with ribbon, I was able to slip the whole she-bang over the existing fixture; no damage, no mess! 

The clothes pins were for what made the PB piece special in the first place; each pin holds an old book page or two to create a soft and subtle glow at nighttime. 


The days ahead will be full of adjusting the hoops and pages, making sure they're level and laying nicely. You can see the top tier poking out a little, but it's necessary to give the pages time to fall on their own.

The entire project cost me $1.25! I'd say for that amount, I can afford to futz with it all day. 

I hope you enjoyed this {Humble} Home edition! I want to know what you think, and what creative things you're doing to cover up what you can't move. Leave a comment below! 

Enjoy the beautiful day and be sure to check out The Pop-Up Shop, everything is 15% off!
See you tomorrow, xo. 

happy autumn!

Happy first day of Autumn, kittens! Today starts my favorite season, and this year in a big way. For starters, my little brother turned 16 today; it seems like only yesterday he was pestering me. To top it off, Josh sent me a lovely bunch of fall hued flowers; what a sweetheart he is! 



The weather here is Fall perfection; cloudy, crisp and breezy. I plan on taking my tush outside to soak in the fresh air and Chelsea has inspired me to grab some of my favorite Pumpkin Ale to celebrate! 

Is Autumn your favorite season? How do you plan on celebrating today? I think artists and crafters enjoy Autumn more than others; there's a sense of urgency and change. The colored leaves and brisk but sunny days are an inspiring reminder that all things must turn, change and die. 


Well, it certainly is that time and I hope you enjoy every second of it! You can find me "Fall cleaning" (as opposed to Spring cleaning), ordering seasoned wood, putting out my pumpkins and collecting beautiful leaves from the ground to admire until they wilt. 



Get out there and breath it all in; the spiced cider, cozy sweaters and Halloween are waiting for you!
 I'll see you tomorrow with a new edition of This {Humble} Home!

PS. Now through the end of the month, all items in the Pop-Up Summer Shop are 15% off! Click here to shop and for more details. 

weekend photos.

This weekend was a round-up of my favorite things and I'm using that as motivation to kick Monday's butt! Somewhere between thrifting, d-i-y projects and hanging with my friends it hit me that I'm starting to get into a little routine. I'm really enjoying every bit of it!

I loved, loved going to Kimball's Peak Theatre for the first time last night! The marquee alone is worth the trip; the lights and movement are so awesome. And the theatre itself is a joyous ride back to the 50's, but complete with a wine bar.


I had dinner with my friends Shannon and Julia at a local pizza joint. Even my honorary boyfriend, Luke, gave me a birthday hug!


And Shannon whipped me up a yummy red velvet cake. I'm trying to restrain myself from finishing all the left overs in the fridge! 



This weekend was too much fun and I'm so lucky to have amazing friends and family! See you tomorrow, furniture rearranging is calling my name!

super {flea} sunday: a wish.

Happy Sunday! Today, I am a quarter of a century old. I couldn't ask for a better day to have my birthday, than on {flea} day! 

As I reminisce over the past twenty five years of my life, I find myself being nostalgic over the people I've met and the places I've been. Growing up is a journey I'm enjoying; I feel far from an 'adult', but I love grasping every new opportunity and absorbing everything I can wrap my brain around. 

The {flea} is always my favorite day here at The 60/40; thrift finds, antiques and {flea} finds are something I grew up with. I may be sentimentalizing them, but to me there's nothing better than a house full of found treasures. Things don't need to be new and shiny to be important or stylish. Sometimes in life, the old things, whether it be an old friend or an old camera, can make everything seem just right. 

I do have a birthday wish and I'm asking you, my lovely kittens, to help me out! I'm trying acquire as many old yardsticks as possible for a super cool This {Humble} Home project. I've hit a dead end and I need you. 



I would love your help in finding these yardsticks! If you've got them and want to send them to me, I'd be forever grateful. If you have a lead, a shop or site where I can buy them, please let me know! 

If you think you can help me fulfill my birthday wish, please say so in the comments and leave me your email address. I'm willing to take any and all old, nasty, paint splattered yardsticks off your hands! 

It would truly be a birthday {flea} wish come true!

I'm off to celebrate; hitting a few thrifts and eating pizza with my friends.
Thanks for being amazing; see you tomorrow! xo. 

happy weekend.

Today was an interesting day; I've never felt more motivated than I have the past few weeks, thus my absence. The weather itself makes each day more spectacular and I find myself being torn between going outside and staying in and doing projects; sitting at my desk with the windows open is my happy medium!

I hope this weekend is filled with laughter for you. I look forward to hopping back on the blog full-time very soon! I have so many adventures to share. For now I'll leave you with some lovelies I'm lusting after.

See you Sunday for a very happy {flea}!


This lovely, new polaroid. Faux bois, oh my!



Some new Ashley G for an upcoming This {Humble} Home project!





I tried on this cloche and I've been daydreaming about it ever since.



This too cute skirt would be perfect with some tights!



Happy weekend! xo.


up and away.

There's nothing like being in awe; and a few weekends ago the Colorado Balloon Classic had me right there. When we arrived I thought the ballooners would be separated from the carnival crowd. Boy, way I wrong! 

This was my favorite balloon by far. I love the color combo. 


Getting up at 6 a.m. to stand next to a crew as they inflated their balloon, held it down and sent it off into the air was a truly inspiring sight. The team work and jokes that floated back and forth amongst the crews made them seem more like families. Some were; with little kids, teenagers and grandparents all lending a hand to get the balloon safely up in the air. 





And then of course there were the floaters themselves; spectacular! The color combos and graphic designs were so inspiring. Watching them float against the blue, cloudless Colorado sky was one of those moments you hit the shutter button on in your memory. 






I can't wait for next years Classic and another round of balloons. Who knows, maybe I'll even hitch a ride! See you tomorrow; xo. 

motivation.

Happy Monday! I hope you had a totally amazing weekend. I spent mine picking berries and doing a little soul searching. Everyone knows what it feels like to be unmotivated, but all it takes is one little spark to send you into a tail spin! For the first time, we bought a washer and dryer and the simply act of their delivery has me itching to start my long-long list of projects.

From the little task of sewing a button onto a bag to completely revamping the downstairs, these things have been long overdo. Do you even have that moment of clarity? I can see everything in it's place in my head, now I just have to work hard to put it all together. Once I get rolling there will be new editions of {This Humble Home} and some awesome d-i-y projects. Get excited!

Here's a loverly before/after project to get your motor turning. xo.



via d*s

happy weekend.

I cannot believe another week has flown by! The days are moving faster and faster and I can't seem to keep up. It's a catch 22 being busy; sometimes I love it and sometimes I just want to sit and take a deep breath. I hope this week was amazing for you; I had a broken phone (shout out to Apple for awesome customer service), dinner with friends and quick bout of Fall allergies. 

I also participated in an outpouring of love for one of our fallen soldiers. I don't want to tout my political or religious beliefs here, but I did want to share with you all the news story and how I feel. We've lost seven soldiers from our base in the last week, one of the men was from my husband's unit. Despite religious or political affiliations, I believe these men died for an honorable cause. Anyone who is willing to sacrifice themselves for me, is a good person. 



A certain church (I prefer not to speak their name here and give the publicity) who frequently protests military funerals (which is their 1st amendment right) announced they would be here yesterday. A group of wives and I, for all different convictions gathered in support of the family. No wife should have to be on her way to her husbands funeral and see signs of hate and disgust. Though the church never showed, we planned on providing a physical shield from their ugliness with signs of support and love for the family. 



It was a truly beautiful moment. To see wives, men and women from all backgrounds come together to tell this family that we loved them and supported them. No one argued, or yelled, or debated. Instead we laughed, cheered and celebrated this soldier's life. 

I had a large part in organizing this little get together and while I know in my heart it was the right thing to do, I still struggled with the decision to go. There's a fine line between supporting one another, a cause you care deeply about, and respecting the families wish of privacy. I hope that if someday, somehow this man's wife finds her way to my little place here on the web, that she knows she has my heartfelt sympathy and that my aim was not to draw attention to our group or our 'cause', but rather to tell her with full hearts that we care about her and that the sacrifice her husband made is not lost on me. I will never forget him. 



It was a heavy week kittens, but I am truly ready for a little fun! I hope you're ready for this weeks {flea} and next week; it's going to be super fun. Have an amazing weekend and take the time this weekend to proudly stand up for something you believe in. xo. 

super {flea} sunday: wedding week edition.

Happy uh, Wednesday? I have a super fun {flea} for you that was supposed to go live Sunday, but alas, did not. To end Wedding Week I wanted to share with you, not really {flea} finds, but two very special items that have made their way into my life. 

When Josh and I started talking about marriage, naturally the subject of a ring came up. New and shiny isn't my style. So I started making a case of my own; to my mom. My Pap spoiled my Bubbie with jewelry and when she passed away her engagement ring from the 40's was left to my mom. As a teenager I would sneak into my mom's room, pluck the ring out of its little dish and admire how pretty it looked on my finger.

My Bubbie's ring. My wedding band was bought from a pawn shop of all places and Josh's ring was custom made by Rob and Lean from Etsy.


When I asked my Mom, it was a big ole "No". My Mom loves that ring as much as I do and while she didn't wear it as her engagement ring, it was still really special to her. Well fate had other plans. The day after Josh proposed to me, my Mom hopped in the car for work. When she turned on the car, the radio blared a song my Mom sang to my Bubbie when she was sick. I got a phone call from her, sobbing of course, that I could wear Bubbie's ring and that it was obvious she would have wanted me to wear it. 

It isn't big, or fancy, or expensive, but it's beautiful and it was my Bubbies. It fits my personality, my style and let me tell you, the thing shines like none other. It's one of my most cherished possessions and I still find myself, on a daily basis, fawning over its beauty. 

I couldn't have been happier when my Mom gave me my Bubbie's ring, so naturally it was on to 'the dress'. The most important piece of clothing on a brides big day, I knew I wanted something vintage and something short. My Dad, loving suggested we look for his mother's dress, my Grammy. On a trip home to finalize wedding plans, we searched the house high and low only to find lots of old baby clothes and that the cat had puked all over the basement. Our search ended there. 

I found another dress, which I then purchased in Florida where we were living. I wanted so badly to shorten it, but my friends convinced me otherwise. I loved that gown, I still do, but deep down, I still wanted a short dress. 

Again, fate came knocking; on the day I purchased my dress nonetheless. My Dad called to say he had found Grammy's dress and that it was in the mail to me. I was instructed to use it in whatever way I wanted, I could even cut it up! After a long day at the pool, I found a package on my doorstep and my friends waited as I excitedly tried it on. I can't even begin to describe what I felt when I tried that dress on; my Grammy and I were the same size, height and weight when we got married, the floor length dress fit me to a T and didn't even need hemmed with heels on! I was estatic. 



Over the next few months, the most amazing project happened. My Dad constantly asked what I was doing with Grammy's dress and my answer was always something along the lines of "I don't know yet Dad, the fabric is pretty old". Secretly my friends and I were transforming my Gram's dress into something even more astounding. My friend Christy and her mom made me a apple green sash. My friend Jenn hemmed the bottom to tea length and sewed the lace from my Mom's veil onto the front and back. It was a true collaboration and my Dad had no clue.

At our rehearsal dinner, I gave my Dad a hemmed square of her dress and told him that sadly, the fabric was so old and brittle that I was only able to make him this small hanky. He totally bought it! The next night, as I hurried upstairs to change out of my gown, I realized how blessed I was; not only to be able to surprise my Dad (he's a super sentimental guy), but to have these amazing family heirlooms. 

Our DJ, a close friend of mine, asked everyone to gather round for the Father/Daughter dance. My dad stood in the middle of the floor as I rounded the corner in his Mother's dress. Upon first look, you couldn't tell, but as I walked closer, a chuckle about a costume change turned into tears. It was an honor to wear her dress and a blast to surprise my Dad!



I feel so lucky to have had these little pieces of my family history make their way into my wedding and I cherish every memory I've made with them. Surprising my Dad, working with my friends and seeing the faces of our family made every day planning and scheming worth it. 



I hope you've enjoyed Wedding Week. And I appreciate everyone's love and wishes for our anniversary. I wish you and yours too, many happy years together! See you tomorrow for a little fun. xo. 

happy {wedding} weekend.


A year ago today, I married my best friend. There's not much more to say about it really. He's my whole heart and an amazing husband. I fall in love with him a little more each day. *le sigh*

"the kiss"


I won't lie that this weekend hasn't been easy. Anniversaries are a joyous time, but here we are half way around the world from one another. But I have amazing friends and this weekend holds a concert, a festival, one of Josh and I's favorite restaurants and the arcade! 



I loved seeing his face as I walked down the aisle :)


I'll leave you with some more photos from our big day and see you tomorrow for a {flea} that's probably one of my all-time favorites! I hope you have a super happy weekend too! 

I've grown up minutes away from this church my whole life. An old soul, like me, it was built in 1765.


And to my husband; I love you Joshua, more than my heart can describe. Be safe and happy and know that I'm always thinking of you. xo. 

Our first dance.


My girls.


His guys.


My favorite photos were from the little cemetery in the church yard, with graves dating back to before the civil war. There's something eerie and beautiful about them. Something that really says "til death do you part".




Quite possibly my favorite photo of him. Terribly handsome, no?





Again, kittens, thanks for celebrating with me! Happy weekend!



*these photos are property of the 60/40. please refrain from using them*