{my little plant}

Look at my little plant! I couldn't be more ecstatic about this little experiment...{like actually giddy}, which makes me think that I must have missed the grade school/sunday school project where you bring home a seed and watch it grow. {I even put my name on the pot...hmm, definitely feeling childish at this second....} But, even if I have watched things grow numerous times - this is still unique. It's a logo bean plant! :) Yes, you read correctly. For our employee appreciation day, little gifts were passed out, including recyclable shopping bags, gift certs and...a little seed kit!

Directions: place large seed in soil provided. Water. Watch grow. See a LOGO on the bean pod! {We had it printed on both sides}. The picture doesn't show much...but if you look closely you can see "brownish" writing...yes - that would be our company's name etched into the bean! The bean stays on for about a month, but the plant continues to grow. How fun!

A creative little experiment to lead us into the {much needed} weekend.

{I have not come up with a name yet, but soon! {Feel free to send me ideas.} The little thing is growing so quickly...! I just planted it last week, and look! *sigh*}

...oh and logo bean plants were ordered from: 4imprints.

{bon week-end}

Lovely weekend to you all! I'm excited to see some old friends from high school tonight...and then spend some time freezing meals {from my recent post}.  bon week-end mes amis!

{new INSPIRES}

I am new. New to this city. New to marriage. New to some likes/dislikes. New to work. New to certain friends. And, yes - new to this blog. I'm just now, finally getting serious about it. I'm devoting a bit more time than before {well, as much as I can give}. In being new...I also feel a bit behind. This is my hesitation. What are people posting? Am I reposting obvious posts from others? I don't know. But, this is my space to jot down my skip-along ventures...and what I find inspiring. Until I truly get my feet on the ground...I'll try to be careful!

I find inspiration in SO many things. I love all things kitchen...which I use my other blog for that avenue. BUT, everything else? Oh, the inspirations are endless. A NEW inspiration you ask? The above photos. {Well, they're new to me at least!}

Happy day - to whatever inspires you!

**********************

{photos courtesy skona hem}

{kathryn ireland}

After putting up the pictures of the beautiful Spanish-style home for {exteriors} post of Kathryn Ireland, Mrs. French from Bliss commented on what the interior must be like.

{While we are on the subject, can we just take a moment and acknowledge that I just said Mrs. FRENCH. I know. *sigh*...could that be MY name? Hmm. Mrs. Murphy-French...Mrs. French-Murphy. No. It doesn't work, but I'm fine with that, cause I love my name. I'll just be a French Mrs. Murphy!! lol. Ok, moving on...}

I realized that perhaps some people may not be familiar with this house tour...so, thought I'd post the interior shots! This home was designed by architect Austen Pierpoint; however {I believe} the inteterior was done by Kathryn herself. Hmm. I may be wrong, and honestly haven't done the appropriate research. However, I'm pretty sure.

Though this isn't my personal style of interior, I think it looks JUST LIKE Kathyrn's work {as she does textiles and design}. Oh, duh - it MUST have been decorated by her. Well, either way here you go!

If you're an advid House Beautiful reader, then you will have recognized these shots from the March issue {and therefore this is a "revisit"}; otherwise, enjoy the unique aspects of this home.

It's already Wednesday? Man, I love short weeks!

{getting personal}

So, since this blog was originally started to update my friends and family...of "our family's" activities and day to day life...I'm getting personal in this post. So - guess what fam? Got my hair cut!! I love it and had to share. {Ignore the phone camera, funny coloring and scary white arm!} It's been ages since I've had anything done, so the extra 2 1/2 inches off is refreshing! {Actually I think this photo makes it look shorter than it is, but you get the idea.}

Hugs to all!! Miss everyone like crazy.

{j'aime EXTERIORS}

{I heart exteriors}

I have been seriously into exteriors lately. I've always enjoyed driving around and looking at homes, but lately...I can't get enough! {sigh} I love many different styles of homes, but in all honesty my favorite {or at least where my eyes find the most delight} is primarily in the Craftsman Style and more specifically Bungalow Style/Arts and Crafts. I don't think these are always the most majestic/angels singing sort of homes, but I love them. Living in Seattle, I am surrounded daily by this style. It was as if, everybody put up homes between 1900 and 1920 {the Craftsman-style era}. I noticed that the styles of homes I love in Seattle are also what I favor in Spokane and other parts of Washington. AND when I moved to Boise years ago, my favorite area hands-down was the North End. The homes are simply adorable. No modern architecture there. But alas, I understand the "pain" evoked by owning and older home. Updating the plumbing, wires and all would be the way to go.

Can I have an older home on the outside//and mixed in to the archways in the interiors, with the space and convenience of the modern on the inside? It’s definitely possible. Plus, give me the old with an amazingly new kitchen.

Why am I talking about Craftsman's-style, when above it's clear that this is a Spanish-Style home? My eyes light up at Craftsman homes, sure; however, I also appreciate so many other styles. In fact, our dream home {referring to Anthony and me, of course} includes a Modern-day Neocolonial home, which is a more romantic version of the historic Colonial-style homes. {Though I do fancy Tudor homes and everything in between.} Well, either way :: it's called {dream home} for a reason.

All of this to say :: I am really into exteriors right now. So, to commence with my first "exterior" post {which will most likely become weekly}, I couldn't resist this lovely Spanish-style home by architect Austen Pierpoint.

This home is truly lovely!! Would it work with my {dream interior}? Which by the way :: my husband likes!!! I know. Yeah.

{Pictures courtesy :: House Beautiful}

{happy big day!}

Hello first day of September!! Hello closet...that I'm needing to expand, since it's not only it's a new month, but it's a new season. {hehe}Hello umbrellas...yes - I know I need you since it's now the "rainy" season. Oh, and yes - hellllooo green chair that I dearly want...{no I didn't forget you.}

Happy Monday, Labor Day and first day of September. {sigh...big day!}