Coffee with R

The other day I was able to meet up with Rachel (R) for coffee. Okay, we met up for cake, but there was coffee too!


The storefront was adorable- and I wish I had pictures to display.

Check out the website to get a sense of the store's style. The overall branding and set-up is developed very well and just screams "inspiration"- in lady-like way, of course. Just another endeavor to add to our list (which already includes Bed and Breakfast, event planning and design, among others).

The following is a screen shot of the website. It's not the main page, but I liked this link because it describes the overall experience of visiting the store. Rachel and I visited the one on Pacific street in Omaha, and the ladies helping us out were very knowledgeable and friendly.

Something old, something new

Just a few new touches can make all the difference, so I can use some "repeat" items for Spring decorating around the home.


New: Plaid table runner on sale or clearance from Gordman's and Trader Joe's flowers
Repeat: pink tea set from sister-in-law (Valentine's decor)



New: Green egg plate (Christmas gift from in-laws), birdcage and purple wreath on clearance at Michael's
Repeat: Table runner from dining room, spoons, flower-display/vase, spring chick

Sensible for Spring

So as you can see from the last week of posts, I continue to have many encouraging people and many inspirations for what I work on. Since we have moved, my projects definitely have been more home-related, and I frequent several blogs for ideas on saving money. Sometimes it's just outright copying.

Photos from www.thriftydecorchick.blogspot.com

The above left photograph is of items you can purchase from Pottery Barn for a hefty price. The right photo is what Thrifty Decor Chick created for a fraction of the cost. If you want to know more details about this project, check out her blog.

Below is what I put together, using the blogger's suggestions. I even had the same 40% off coupon at Joann's, and have much of the moss left over. (And yes, I made as big of a mess as she did!)

Part of a Walk Through Fremont show with Rachel, Fall 2007-
read the Tribune article!

In college I met so many other people that inspired and/or encouraged me as well, whether through writing, music or photography. I scrapbooked with friends, helped with design for recitals, worked on the school newspaper. My roommates and friends still encourage me. And marrying into Ben's side of the family exposed me to very creative and ambitious people as well.

So it's interesting how one thing- like Cousin Jane giving my aunt a handmade wedding dress- can bring back so many memories and make this girl so nostalgic. Thank you to my 2.5 readers (I'm pretty sure my readership has gone up) and to those who have inspired or encouraged me over the years. Until I sat down and really wrote about it (and yes, I could write more!), I hadn't really realized the extent of my support network up to this point.

My mother-in-law helping with our new place;
she also covered our dining chairs and sewed a matching table runner

The parents

I helped Mom with her crafts for Sunday School class, and led younger students in Sonshine (a kids' time during the church service) in crafts that assisted the lesson. Mom used to take me to Michael's during the summers for kids' events, and I almost always was allowed to bring a friend along. Then of course we needed to purchase more supplies to take home and make an even better project!

I would venture into Dad's office/studio and sit on his futon while he worked at the computer or at his drawing table. Paints, charcoal, ink, lead, watercolors…so many foreign materials became more familiar over the years.

Graduation from Midland, May 2008, in front of some senior art show pieces