A Week in the Pacific Northwest

Living in metro Atlanta for so long, you can often forget life outside the bustling city where something is always happening. You have to adapt to a fast-paced lifestyle very quickly and buzz through moments you wish you can savor before it vanishes. So when my family and I decided to vacation in Portland for a week, we were almost culture shocked at how unforgettable the experience was.

View from the plane

This was our first time ever venturing to the Pacific Northwest and seeing the stark contrast compared to our home state could not be put into enough words. Immediately, we were enraptured in a surreal world of greenery and nature we only dreamed of back home. A simple drive down the interstate gave you an overwhelming view of Mount Hood and surrounding rolling hills. The beautiful mixture of city life and scenery was perfection that couldn't be beat.

When we wanted to get away from the city, we were close enough to escape to what nature had to offer. Multnomah Falls, the Columbia Gorge, and Cannon Beach were all impeccable sights that can only truly be captured with the eyes. The air was fresh and the sky was clear, making those moments perfect to savor.

In the city, there were a lot of small shops and restaurants that lined the streets, from bridal shops to ice cream parlors, and we couldn't resist experiencing Salt and Straw. Such delicious ice cream it was! I didn't want to finish my ice cream cone. As we all ate our treats, we sat down and watched the city move around us. Everyone was vibrant and enjoying their day in no rush. It was so fun to people watch!

Haystack Rock

Tillamook Rock Light off in the distance

Since Seattle was not that far away, we decided to get in the car once more and head up north to Washington. Having a stroll through Pike Place Market and such an abundance of fresh seafood and flowers, I was amazed! Watching butchers throw fish into the crowd was a sight and sampling produce and other treats surprised me.

Being back home safely, we still cannot stop thinking about Oregon and Washington. We miss the views of mountains and seeing so many people biking through the city, but it made us appreciate the little things we forget to cherish in our town. Our vacation was a blast and we will definitely see the Pacific Northwest again!

The Look for Less: Pottery Barn Inspired Candle Holders

Grand Standing Taper Candle Holder

A set of black, iron candle holders is something I wanted for awhile now.  I found a pair at Pottery Barn, but they were too tall and more than what I'd pay for candlesticks.

I have a similar pair that I love, mounted on the wall in our entryway.  They were priced a lot cheaper for the pair.

I remembered the set I had collecting dust in the garage and decided to give them a makeover.

To back up a bit, I purchased this set of candle holders for cheap at a flea market.  As the color scheme in my house changed the greenish patina no longer appealed to me.

To get started, I purchased a can of Rust-Oleum black spray paint in a flat finish.  You could change the candle holders out to whatever color you want.  I wanted to create a wrought iron finish.

I really love the new look.  Now, they're more my style!  I love decorating with black accent pieces.  They add a more dramatic feel to the room.

Looking forward to shuffling them around the house.




I am linking this post to:
Thrifty Decor Chick

Looking Back at Summer

Despite months of unexpected house repairs we had a nice summer.  We made the most of it by celebrating holidays and special occasions with family and friends.

Celebrating the 4th of July is the best part about summer.

My husband's best friend and his family visited from Philadelphia.  We skipped the fireworks this year, but had a great time creating lasting memories.

Later that month, my cousin and her family came to visit.  The first thing I did was kiss her baby girl's cheeks!

I forgot what it was like to care for a busy toddler.  At the end of the day I was ready for a nap! LOL!!

Our friends Kenny and Lachelle took a road trip this summer to visit family.  Before they headed back home we got to spend the day with them.  I'm always the one with the camera snapping pictures!!

Lastly, my husband and I celebrated our wedding anniversary.

It's hard to believe it's been this long.  We've lived a lot of life together and I'm enormously thankful for him.

He's such a good father and puts up with my crazy shenanigans.  This picture sums up his personality.  He's super silly and doesn't take things too seriously!

So how was your summer?  Anything new to share?

My Neutral Dining Room

It only took me a few years, but I think I finally captured the dream I had for my dining room!
  

I went through phases of ideas that ranged from honey-mustard colored walls to glossy wooden chairs and an unsightly light fixture.  Having a chandelier hanging at an odd length made decorating a hassle and the lighting was awkward. I wanted something close to the ceiling and subdued, so I opted for something subtle.

Having a less extravagant light fixture opened the room up more and allowed me to introduce beautiful lamps to further lighten the room.

*Light fixture can be found here.  I purchased it off the shelf at Home Depot.  It was originally brushed nickel.  I spray painted it with Rust-Oleum's Champagne Mist.

To be finished with my changes now makes me ecstatic (and relieved) that I didn't settle for what I had before. 

 I always had an idea of what I wanted for my dining room.  Since the living room connects seamlessly, I wanted furniture and accents to flow and complement each other without clashing.  


The thought of keeping things neutral with pops of texture and detail stood out to me.  Simplifying colors and adding natural components could actually work!

 By neutral, I didn't mean all white.  I wanted creams, light browns, and wooden textures to be the base of my dining room and living room.

  

Immediately, I took out the eyesore of a dinner table that was ready for a replacement.  In its place is a sophisticated yet rustic table that reminds me of a picnic table.

  

Its raw design made it easy for me find chairs that didn't necessarily match.  I went with metal chairs from Overstock and wooden chairs from Ross Stores on each end to switch things up.  Having different chairs adds a relaxed touch and more seating for when you anticipate having more than just your family over for dinner.

The walls that used to be a warm, rich yellow soon became tired and I wanted something to ground the entire room. So, I painted the walls Revere Pewter.  The new color accentuates every furniture piece nicely.  

Paired with patterned curtains in the same color scheme, I could now begin working on upgrading my wall art and other pieces.

Wooden textures really came into play to open up the room with style.

Rustic word sign can be found here.

I introduced more plants to liven up the room. Adding greenery brought positive energy and excitement to the space, which it desperately needed.

Having real plants and flowers that I could tend to throughout the week made the room more inviting and open. 

Though it took me a while to get my dining room and living room together, I am more than pleased with what I have now. 

Who knows how long I will have this layout before I think of something else, but I know once that time comes, I can easily switch out components and work from there.

I am linking this post to:
Thrifty Decor Chick