happenstance home

 

Hello again.  I wish I had something else worth sharing last week, but really all I did was put Christmas things away - clean my house - and get rid of things I no longer need or love.  Just that and spending time out with friends and family.

 

 

* please note that this post does contain some affiliate links

I have so many projects to do around the house, and with the nice weather happening I've been thinking a lot about the outside.   For now I'm seeing what they had growing in the yard, and learning how I use the space.  I'm also thinking about what extras I'd like to add to the yard.  Next year will probably bring big changes to the outside, but for now I have 3 decks that need a little (lotsa) love.  I've included some of the things I own, some things I have and love, and some things that I am pondering.  Plus a little fashion because who doesn't like a little something new.  Let's start!

This short puff sleeve sweatshirt - I have it in ivory and a blush pink and love it so-ooo much!  Comes in 7 colors.  It's just super cute and the fit is great.  When I wear them my friends want to know where it is from.  It runs true to size.  I'm 5'6 and probably 128 pounds and I ordered a small.

Umbrella's.  So many choices.  I'd like to keep them fairly simple on the house, but I am so drawn to the blue polka dot design.  Right now it will either be 2 of the navy piped and 2 of the polka dot or all navy piped.  The previous owner had 2 umbrellas mounted to the upper deck railings, and then 2 on the lower deck.  Gives the house personality and some needed shade.  The ones that are there now are kinda a teal blue green.  They function, and are not bad.  I'd just really like to give the house my own spin.  What would you do???  The house is light gray with white railings right now.  Will probably end up being a white house in the future.

This lantern comes in 2 sizes.  I purchased the smaller (12 inch).  The larger lantern (22 inch) can be found here.  The light that comes through it at night is so pretty.  It's being used on my kitchen center island right now.

Just a picture of a pretty garden.

A cute little rattan planter for inside.

This lotion - with all of the excessive hand washing I think this lotion is perfection.  I can't even tell you how much better my  hands look and feel when I use this.  I purchased a few extra too add to gifts!

I wore this black dress on a day trip this past week.  So comfortable - such a great price.  Flattering.  Simple.  I wish they offered it in more colors.  I'll be wearing this all Summer.  Purchased a small.

One piece suits - sometimes hard to pull off.  I really like the shoulder ruffles and neckline on this one.  I bought it last year and it's a favorite.  You can find it here - and it comes in other fabrics as well.  I ordered the seersucker this year.  And wait for the 40% off sales.

I adore these matte white tealight holders.  Once again the light coming through is so pretty - they have a great weight about them - and the bottom kinda grips the surface.  These are really good!!!  There is a larger size too - find that here.

I've bought so many cute planters from Target over the past 2 years.  The styles are so good.  This iron planter with brass stand is one I've been thinking about adding.

The double swing!  Been wanting one for years.  Just ordered during the sale.  This will replace a simple white swing that hangs on my middle deck.  It will make more of an impact from the lake, and it looks comfy!!!

Need a new porch rug?  I don't right now, but if I did this would be in my cart.  I did purchase this one this year, and layered it over this.  It dresses up the lower back deck.

And bar carts - love them - Lyford Bar Table has great style!

That's all for now.  Happy Monday!  Hopefully the swing will be here soon, and it will look great enough to share in a post.   Now, I need to get powerwashing!!!

Here are some good finds for the week.  I spent much of the day yesterday cooking for Noah and his friends so I didn't get to finishing this :)

Ashley has some really cute clothes and looks adorable in all of them - and she is an inspiration - and a survivor.  Check out her clothing and her other project - The Shine Project.  She is one to follow.  I ordered this dress - hopefully it's as cute on me as it is on her.

I love all of the cheerfulness of Kerri Rosenthals work - here are a couple of cute mugs she sells.  She has fabrics and her art :)  If you like happy and pops of color she is your girl!

I like wearing sneakers with dresses and old school Tretorns are perfect for this.  This pair is great with that neon pink.

A go to snack around here - these dark chocolate covered espresso beans.  My jar is almost empty!

Love this beehive sconce - the black and brass.  Just good!

Need some cute servers - this set solves that.

I like to eat cereal for dessert or a late night snack.  Chocolate Lucky Charms are my favorite for this - and I can only find them at Target.  Right now only buy the unicorn box - they are the freshest.

These floral plates with the gilded edges are so pretty.  It's been awhile since I've seen plates I'd be tempted to buy.

Lastly, I love this standing plant box - I think I would use it to hold some herbs and then make a mini bar with it!  It comes in a lot of colors too - these are my favorite 3.  You could also use it to hold books - maybe flowers, books, candles.  Maybe also in the kitchen - it could hold herbs, oils, vinegar, salt and pepper, and pretty cooking utensils in a crock.  It's a useful piece.

Hope everyone has a good week!  Thank you for reading.

Well, this one sure has a lot of pink in it!  It all started with that sweater!

Here are all the details:

This just may be the mirror I've been looking for.   When I redid our powder room a couple of years ago I ordered what I thought was a really raw wood looking mirror.  It didn't arrive with that look so I shipped it back and just hung up a mirror I already had on hand.  This mirror could be the one.  Click here to see the detail up close.  It's really pretty!

Anthropologie had a sale this past weekend - I was at the mall so I ran in quickly and this candle with the peacock print on a pink background and yellow lid was my big purchase.  The scent is described as follows:  Lemon Leaf Sea Salt scent: a bright blend of orange, rosemary and mandarin layered with vanilla and sandalwood (FRESH)  

What an adorable rattan bench.  I love it's low back.  It looks great with pillows layered on - Even though I live in Michigan I'm really liking things with more of a beachy laid back look.

While at the mall I picked up a really cute peplum sweater I ordered from J. Crew - it's so good on.  While there I saw this ribbon cardigan and it took me right back to 8th grade.  I had to grab one.  It comes in 4 colors.  I also love the pale saffron because it's the color of an old Loft cardigan that I love and wear all the time.  Now I'd like Bermuda Bags to come back into style.  I still have one of mine - I think I'm going to start using it again!

Stock up on this lip product from Cover Girl in color 100.  You will love it.  Don't be intimidated by the brown packaging.  I'm addicted!

Dainty little ring love - check all of these out.  You can wear one or layer up.  Aren't they pretty.  I like that a J and N are used to show their alphabet rings.  Perfect for me and my boys.  Ring 1, Ring 2, and Ring 3.  Also, most of the rings are offered in yellow, white, or rose gold :)

Clementine and Basil, yes please.  I really want to take a trip up to Ann Arbor for some World Market shopping.  So many nice new items on their website.  So, any local friends reading - let me know if your interested in going!

Want to add a splash of personality to your computer keyboard?  It so easy with this cover.  They are offered in so many colors, and they also help to protect your computer from dirt and water spill.  I have a couple of them - swap them out with my mood.  They literally just sit right on top of your keyboard.  As easy to put on and remove as if your were covering the keys with a piece of paper.  They would be a great gifts for anyone in your life.  I love the deep teal as an option for the guys.  They are also a really great price - $6.49 each!

Another World Market find.  Pretty bottle stoppers.  Just may need these too add to my collection.

This is another new shirt I've purchased.  I had to go to an XS in this Madewell top as well.  See my last Monday Mix for the other shirt I picked up there.  This top is silk and just really flattering.  I had my eye on it for awhile & am very glad I got it.  It's on sale too!

This 3 taper candleholder is something I picked up on my last Ikea trip.  The quality is really durable & it comes in 4 perfect colors.  One is a super bright pink.  I absolutely love mine!

Thank you for reading - hope the week goes well & that Houston gets a break in the weather.  I have lots of relatives living this nightmare as I type so this disaster is heavy on my mind - praying for relief for them and everyone affected.  I can't even imagine!  I wish there was something I could do to be of help.  I know nightfall is coming & they said that's when it is even scarier :(  

We are in the planning phase of renovating our first floor.  I'm sure I mentioned it - and we are almost ready to start again.  I keep going back and fourth on what range I want - I really wanted white.  I just now am also considering doing a cooktop and then double wall ovens.  I know what sink and fridge I'm going with.  I should probably stop overthinking the range - this is my initial choice - I just worry about the oven space.  By next week I should have all answers back from our structural engineer so I can get going on it all again - and just make decisions.  Check out this kitchen.  I'm really finding the pendants interesting, and am considering using them.  A larger photo of them is on the top right of this board.  The other pendant lights I'm considering are the Darlana.   Also,  I love this beaded chandelier for over my kitchen table :)  Please, let me know what you think.  It's exciting to choose everything, but I know I'm going to be living with it for a long time.

I bought this windowpane print top about a week ago - I love it so much.  It has ruffles on the sleeves and running down the side.  I usually wear a size 6 top - I went with an XS in this one.

And finally, this is the other white range I'm considering.  And look at that tile - I have samples of it - it has a very handmade look - I'm just not sure if I will choose it - I kinda like straight up white subway.

Let me know what your thought are on my kitchen choices.  Also think - white cabinets, quartz counters that mimic Carrera marble, some open shelving.

Happy Wednesday!
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I've mentioned before that I really like to be comfortable.

If my clothes aren't comfortable or if they don't feel like me then I feel edgy.  I've learned over the years it's better to dress the way you want to feel -  for my introverted self dressing to feel relaxed really helps.

Here are some of my favorite combinations I've been enjoying lately.

So, Im no fashionista.  I think simple is better.  I don't think that things have to cost a lot to be good or look nice.  I have a J. Crew outlet necklace that I paid $9 for that is one of my favorite pieces of jewelry I have, and it gets compliments every time I wear it.

Hope you enjoyed seeing into a bit of my closet, and maybe you found a little inspiration here today.

Thank you for reading!