overwhelmed.

One of the things I love the most about the blog world is how open it can be. Most of the blogs I follow are written by women and I love it when they share personal stories. Personal triumphs and also when they're struggling... not because I like to hear that others are going through tough times, but because it makes these fabulous women seem more human. More relatable. Their bravery for sharing their fears and failures make the biggest impact on me.

Well, if you couldn't have guessed, I am overwhelmed with the world right now. Overwhelmed with work. Overwhelmed with e-mail. Overwhelmed with side projects. Overwhelmed with my personal constrictions on maintaining my fitness and nutritional goals. Overwhelmed with classwork (and I'm not even taking summer classes!). Just plain overwhelmed.

These are all things that I've taken on myself, mandated of myself. (It also didn't help that my hard drive crashed this past Saturday, putting me out of commission for a day until I got everything re-installed. Thankfully, I had backed up in the morning. For the first time in 6 months or so none the less. Bullet dodged.) Anyway, why do I do this? As I talk with my other girlfriends (not necessarily in the blog world), many of them feel the same way. They take on too much as well and then get overwhelmed. Is this a woman thing or are guys just better at handling stress... or hiding it?

I appreciate the work that Jess is doing at Make Under My Life, because I can relate so much. Recently she's added new totes to her shop in partnership with illustrator Ann Shen.

Kinzie Tote Collection by Jess LC and Ann Shen 

I have several illustrated posters in my head and sketched out to sum up my feelings about being overwhelmed. But, you know, it's filed under "Someday" on the teux-deux list...

Floating

I'm floating on cloud 9 right now... it's only fitting that when we my friend and I pulled into the parking lot after our bike ride tonight that they were blowing up a hot air balloon. It was a beautiful evening for a ride, on the ground or in the air.

Love this floating feeling!

 

Photos by Stephanie Hertel via Instagram

Things I'm loving: unlined corrugated board

We, in the biz, call this unlined corrugated board. We, in the biz, call this awesome.

One of our concepts for this Christmas season at work included some earthy, natural colors and materials. I wanted to use unlined corrugated board, it has such a great texture, warm color and it's cheap(er). What's not to love? We ultimately didn't pursue that direction, but I've been using our leftover material to enhance my office. Check out my new wallpaper of sorts:

Some vendor samples of pedestals made of unlined corrugate:

I visited Anthropologie the other day and found they're using it in lots of the same material in their visual merchandising for accessories and what not... how chic?

I love the beauty found in simple, raw materials.
Image sources: olive manna

Also, check out this use of the unlined corrugate in packaging.
Image source: Lovely Package

Things I'm loving: Craspedia

I know I'm a little late to the craspedia-craze (aka billy buttons), but I think they may be the perfect flower for late summer/fall. They have such a gorgeous color and texture. How could you not love them?

From flores de sol

Faux (and crafty) craspedia from Berry Island

And a simply elegant bout paired with bear grass from InStyle

Things I'm loving: Rugs & Carpet

My sorority from ISU needs to be remodeled, it will be a huge project over several years, but it should be a fun one! My roommate had worked on a mood board and I wanted to join in the fun as well. So, on my lunch break at work, I pulled together a little mood board myself. I was so inspired one Friday night, I stayed up super late ordering fabric, paint, and carpet samples. And good thing because shortly after this flood put a kick-start in our plans to replace the carpet in the basement.

Anyway... I discovered the joys of carpet! I have some absolutely stunning carpet samples from Mannington residing in my home.

I've been checking out FLOR for more inspiration.

And now, I've stumbled upon the most beautiful (and my favorite) rugs from GAN, a company based in Valencia, Spain.

Of course, there's always Amy Butler. It's amazing to see her fabric patterns come to life in rug form.

Since grad school has started, I've stepped away from helping with the sorority remodel (there are already many talented alums and active members working on the project), but I'm still drooling over the carpet!

Things I'm Loving: Herringbone

I've inherited a love for the simple pattern from my mother (that, and any tweed or houndstooth). So, to my delight I found this charming fall sampling when I checked etsy for my hourly inspiration:

Lovely, right?

And the peek-a-boo boxes from The Harbinger Co? Absolutely stunning.

Things I'm loving: Organic + Modern Serving Pieces

I took a couple of days off at the beginning of the week, went shopping and discovered some beautiful serving pieces from Nambé. I'm loving these two:

Nambé Coquille Salad Bowl and Servers

Nambé Trio Condiment Set

I think they would be perfect paired with this unique beverage dispenser from NapaStyle (thanks for the post, Heidi!):

NapaStyle Banchetto Handblown Glass Drink Dispenser

Aren't they the perfect combination of metal/glass + wood and organic + modern. This is how I want to describe my style going forward. Fancy pants, right?

Summer

I fell in love four summers ago. In love with Queen Anne's Lace and Chicory when I was living in Kansas for the first time... or at least this was the first time that I truly appreciated their beauty. Every morning as I drove into work I was greeted by a sea of beautiful blue blooms (the chicory, it usually blooms in the morning). And every evening the delicate white blossoms of Queen Anne's lace were welcoming me on an evening walk. Every morning and every evening it put a smile on my face.

These flowers are the icons of my summer.

btw, as I did a little research I found out that Queen Anne's Lace can benefit other garden vegetables, like boosting tomato production and pest control. You can bet that it will be added to my garden wish list.

Things I'm Loving: Martha Stewart Kitchen Collection at Macy's

I know these items have been around for awhile, but I recently renewed my love for them after visiting a friend's apartment where the recipe box was displayed. I think this particular shade of blue may be my all-time favorite color (orange is my current favorite). I would love to have this beautiful blue KitchenAid and other accessories grace the cabinets and counters in my kitchen! How chic and retro?
It's crazy how big brands who stick to primarily one color can make such an impact on society, think Tiffany blue, Cocoa Cola red, and now we can add Martha Stewart blue. I wonder if this would be my favorite color without companies like MS and Tiffany supporting it?
Hint: These items make excellent birthday gifts!