...because home doesn't happen overnight.
07.14.15 / Liked & Linked

outdoor wedding

wedding barn

outdoor wedding

How was your weekend? Productive or relaxing? Both? In preparation for a photo shoot (more deets to follow in my next post!), we tackled several tedious projects that we’ve been putting off for years. I seriously don’t know what’s taken us so long but it feels good to cross a bunch of little things off the never-ending to-do list.

We squeezed in a break from the projects to attend a friend’s wedding and managed to snap a quick family photo. We’re still working on the whole looking at the camera thing ;) The venue was a small farm with a gazebo and modern barn. It was so simple and beautiful. Luckily, the rain held off. FYI – 30 seconds after that last picture was taken, Layne wiped out in the mud. I spent the next 20 minutes in the ladies’ restroom hand washing his shirt and drying it under the hand dryer. Ah, real life with kids sometimes feels like a series of mini catastrophes, doesn’t it?

A few things…

*With all the rain and humidity, this anti-frizz polishing milk is the only thing that’s working on my hair this summer.

*Floral portraits that are better than the real thing.

*Die ugly toys, die.

*Loving this kitchen – especially the custom island and desk.

studio matsalla condo

*Condo living never looked so good. (Notice the angled fireplace via the link. Angled fireplaces can be tricky but that one totally works.)

*Getting lost in a photographer’s portfolio.

*Having experienced first-hand what life is like with a severely mentally ill parent, I’m looking forward to seeing Infinitely Polar Bear. Send tissues.

Try something new and scary this week.

images: 1-3) Dana Miller for House*Tweaking 4) Vanessa Matsalla for Studio Matsalla

15 Comments

14.July.2015

I’m just sooooo curious how you find these houses that are soooo similar in style to yours? Do you google search certain accessories? It’s gotta be so interesting to see how others style some of the same things. That condo was awesome and it looked like your sister house or something.

14.July.2015

Oh gosh, I don’t have that much time! I stumbled across this gem via instagram which led me to the before-and-after blog post linked to above. Rabbit holes, I tell ya.

15.July.2015

I just want to say that I love your blog and you have such a lovely family. Thanks for posting the link to Infinitely Polar Bear. I had a similar experience growing up so I’ll definitely want to see that. :)

15.July.2015

Beautiful family!
We recently attended my brother’s wedding in a country setting in a barn. My boys just made it through being ring bearers before completely destroying their white shirts. My heels quickly turned into flip flops to enable better “exploring”. I ended up getting a pretty bad case of poison ivy that lasted for 3 weeks. Ugh! Luckily they didn’t get anything!
Btw, love the cabinet color in that kitchen!

15.July.2015

ahhhh this list <3 <3
and the photographers work…my goodness, hours could be spent looking at the details!

15.July.2015

Hello and thank you so much for including my work! Sending you love!

xo
Vanessa

15.July.2015

I love that you shared about having a mentally ill parent. I’m also glad they’re starting to talk about it and portray it in a more real way in the media. Not everyone with mental illness is a delusional schizophrenic but that’s how it’s been portrayed for so many years I’m excited and somewhat scared to see this as I’m sure it’ll bring back memories.

15.July.2015

Wooooow! Look at those tall young men!

15.July.2015

LOVE your work! That condo is AMAZING.

15.July.2015

That condo makeover is stunning! I love LOVE how they turned such a generic condo into something so inviting, trendy, and fun! Thanks for sharing! Sweet find!

15.July.2015

You are so gorgeous, just like that condo. I’m super intrigued that you wore a white dress to a wedding!

15.July.2015

I love the condo especially the kitchen area with the Eiffel chairs. It is so bright and really updates the house having some modern furniture and light coloured walls. Changing the kitchen cabinets for white ones looks so much better!

16.July.2015

I was just wondering the same thing. I was thinking at first you guys went to an all white wedding (where all the guests are asked to wear white) because your boys were wearing white. Your family is beautiful like something out of a magazine ad.

16.July.2015

I will have to see this movie also, I grew up with a bi polar dad.

21.July.2015

I was surprised by that too – I hope the bride wasn’t upset that you wore white!