Outdoor Living

Living in Southern California, outdoor living was the way of life. All year long, we entertained outside and it was always perfect weather {sometimes a blanket came in handy when the ocean breeze blew in}. Things are different on the east coast...very different...but outdoor living still can exist.

here's some ideas to inspire...

Check out canadian house and home on how to design an outdoor living space.
http://www.canadianhouseandhome.com/design/designing-outdoor-living-spaces

beach bound

we are off to the good ole south! Two weeks of vacation {with three kids in a car!}...i look forward to it...and getting to see my sister and her family...the best part of all!
I hope to get lots of pictures of beach inspired decorating...if not, you can guarantee lots of photos of my little ones! {which are growing into big ones~ I'm just not ready to accept that...}
we also will be celebrating two birthdays while we are gone...my son and mine! we were born the same week...he is my oldest and that was the best Birthday present ever!

here's a picture i love...how perfect for a beach inspired wedding!

{coastalliving.com}

turquoise and pink {makes a lovely combo}

I'm in love...

Thibaut
Pattern ~Nautilus
Collection ~Toile Resource Vol II

paradise found...

{I love when photographs are the focal point in a room...maybe that's the photographer in me?? fabulous frames...}

will this rain ever go away?

when we lived in California...I missed the thunderstorms {why??}...after yesterday...I could live without them!

we are planning a little vacation down south...our first stop will be Charlotte, NC {one of my very best friends lives here...can't wait to visit and takes lots of pictures of this cute town} and then we head to the Gulf Coast. I think my favorite place to visit is Fairhope, Alabama. I don't know if I like the cute quaint town best or the yummy seafood...I'm dreaming of the fried crab claws...only in the south!

More on Fairhope later...

here's some dreamy beach decorating {enjoy}

{photos from bhg.com}

she sells seashells...

Missing the California weather...it has rained {poured actually} for the last two days here in Northern Virginia. We miss the beach...the sun...the sand...maybe not the sand. We are excited for our trip this summer to the Gulf Coast. The beach awaits us...

{CountryLiving.com}

coastal charm

{coastalliving.com}

no shoes required...

{Lisa Romerein}
{Troy Campbell}

{Jean Allsopp}

{Jean Allsopp}

{Jean Allsopp}
photos from CoastalLiving.com

This next beach inspired room is from Candace Olson...just dreamy!

{Candice Olson from Divine Design}

When you're away from the beach, you miss it dearly. My three year old will say..."I smell the beach"...we are only 4 hours away...much too far for my taste! I spend my alone time in the mornings drinking coffee and looking at my Coastal Living magazines...sometimes the same one over and over.
Makes me feel close to the salt air.

The following houses are designed by Jane Coslick. Just love her designs!!

Check out her website...
Jane Coslick Designs & Restorations; 912/354-8602 or janecoslick.com

http://www.coastalliving.com/