westward ho

The Stud and Mr. F sent me to Utah over the weekend for the best birthday present ever...much needed time with family. My mom and I are now living out of suitcases and a rental car, driving all...

spring

Believe it or not, spring actually happened here in Floria. I think it's about over, but the difference between now and a month ago is astounding. While everything has been green since our arrival...

thankful

It's almost uncanny how often I forget about this little segment and how valuable it becomes to me just when I need it most. This past week has been extremely emotionally trying for Mr. F and me. I...

for the mommas

thrifting

Went in search of furniture, found these instead. $4 for brand new Easy Spirit espadrilles? Don't mind if I do!

DIY calligraphy card

This card was made for my brother, who never reads this blog so I can post this without any fear of him seeing this too soon. He was just awarded an aviation scholarship by a major airline. As if...

eating through the big easy

I should have guessed how important food is to New Orleans after watching several Food Network shows stuffed to capacity with the things dreams are made of. But I didn't. Eating is apparently a...

may day

I will openly admit that I didn't think I would enjoy New Orleans as much as I have. The history, the culture, the antiques! Oh heavens, the antiques... And don't even get me started on the...

for b

My dear, dear friend B is coming home to the States today from Cyprus! Though I won't be able to see her, I wanted to do something to celebrate being on the same continent as her. So, I thought I...

inspiration quest: disney

Remember that time we went to Epcot? I know, it was ages ago, but it has really stuck with me. Disney has a tendency to do things really well and right. As we wandered the park, I was taken in by...

vero

Sometimes, you just need a day away. Just one day. Get in the car, pick a direction and see where you end up. We found ourselves in Vero Beach, a charming community on the Atlantic. We walked...

quiet

In Nicosia, it seemed like no matter where we went, it was never quiet. Small roads turned into busy thru-ways, motorcycles zoomed through neighborhoods, and rabid cats sang their daily dumpster...

what would flipper say?

In this neighborhood, Flipper just likes to come and say, "Hello!" every so often. I went out to the patio the other evening to watch some rowers go by and caught a pair of dolphins making their...

sketching

Remember when I told you changes were coming? Well, I've been sketching and dreaming away and am nearly there. I'm falling desperately in love with color and just can't get enough of flowers. Or...

the kindness of strangers

A few weeks ago, Mr. F and I put together a tentative plan for our future. It's rough, at best, but gave us enough motivation to work even harder. Especially Mr. F. With a rough deadline in place,...

creating creativity

Last night, I was kind of out of it and Mr. F asked me what was up. Some dramatic arm flailing and a deep sigh emitted from me before I looked at him and said, "I'm creatively constipated." He...

welcome to the jungle

{tee: sam's club, belt: stradivarius, skirt: thrifted, shoes: tom's via nordstrom} Do you ever crave putting on something nice and just looking good for a day? I'm not talking an evening gown with...

dabbling

Ever feel like you just need a change? Amazingly, with all of the changes we've been undergoing recently, I have been craving an adjustment to my own art. Since our return, I have been painting...

easter mourn

I keep thinking about Easter and how I should try and tell you how beautiful our table looked thanks to some cheap flowers and vessels from around the house, or how I made the best ham ever, or how...

why having photographers in the family is awesome

The answer to why it's amazingly awesome to have photographers in the family is easy. They take photos like those above of our trip to Epcot while mine come out like this...And we were both using...

going once, going twice!

CAUTION! Do not scroll down if hungry or on a diet...I warned you...I went to a cake auction and spaghetti dinner at church with Dr. Mom and David. It. Was. AWESOME! Holy cow! The event was a...

easter

We're celebrating today with a big meal, some naps, and family. I still can't get over what a treat it is to have family around! Happy Easter!

tips and tricks fo thrifty thrifting

An integral part of moving is getting rid of stuff. Extra books, those pants you think will fit someday but haven't in five years so you might as well finally donate them, random dishes,...

anniversaries are like double birthdays

On New Year's two some-odd years ago, Mr. F took me to this very beach to watch the sunrise. While we were already knee deep in wedding planning, he hadn't officially proposed yet. He walked me...

portrait special

One of the things I was most excited about when we moved back to the States was the idea that I could potentially make it to family weddings. Living on the other side of the world, it was hardly an...

florida

My days are so much fuller now! I say this to myself with a laugh as I compare my present existence to life in Cyprus. I laugh because in Cyprus we had a home to care for, errands, friends, church...

easy peasy easter

Spring is coming! Can you feel it? Here in Florida it's quickly turning into pool weather. I know, no sympathy whatsoever from all of you still buried in snow... With spring coming, so is...

neverland

Living with family has been really good for me if for only one reason; I have a constant audience to show off pieces I working on. The inner five year-old that dwells in my psyche craves constant...

epcot

I have something to admit. I really, really dislike amusement parks. Like, really. I could give you all sorts of reasons for this but in all honesty, I just think they're icky. And crowded. And...

putting it on paper

Last week I had the opportunity to help out my mom. Now, my mom does everything for my brother and me, even when we live on the other side of the world. She always, always, always goes above and...