Fall is Here!

Happy Fall Everyone! Fall is our favorite season for so many reasons. The crisp chill in the air, sun filtering through the kaleidoscope of falling leaves, pumpkin spice everything, scarves and sweaters are a few of our favs. Not to mention, the most amazing holidays of Halloween and Thanksgiving!

One Love Travels: Las Vegas

Flashback to Las Vegas in April! We went for our friends wedding and had a blast!

 

John checking out at the HOTEL.

The bachelorette party!

Our awesome bathroom with pebble flooring in the stand up shower.

Heather and I at Aria. Loved this card installation!

John cleans up REAL nice.

Jason and Tiffany – what an awesome couple.

Reception was at the top of Mandalay Bay at the House of Blues Foundation Room.

Eagle Pose in the Foundation Room.

All you can eat brunch with crab legs, yes please.

Adult spring break.

Kitty Glitter, obviously the best game in Vegas.

Sheri and Allison – love these girls!

 

Disposable Camera, No Disposable Memories

This evening I turned on some 90’s music in my office/guest bedroom, sprawled on the floor and started to look through my box of photos dating from my pre-existence to recent times.

My photos are extremely precious to me. My tangible photo collection tapered off around 2006 when I started dating John and he uploaded everything to Kodak Gallery. Once it was there we never print them off much. Then we started posting to Facebook exclusively. No need to print, right? There is something so special about a real, old photograph. I am convinced some of them even smell like my old room. There is an assortment: glossy, Polaroids, matte, panoramics, tiny school photos, speckled “bad film” photos that I did not have the heart to throw out. I am sad for the kids growing up in the digital age who will never get to experience a disposable camera. It was such a thrill to pick up your photos from Wal-Mart or local drug store after receiving the phone call they were developed. The stuffed envelope with negatives attached was a treasure chest waiting to be opened. This reminds me of how excited I would get in 8th grade when I had a disposable camera. My friends and I took ridiculous photos at school, the high school football games, of boys when they were not looking (and of course we would hang them on the wall as if we were dating). What funny little weirdos we were. Those throw away cameras were like gold and each photo had to count because you only got 24 chances before the camera was “done”. What a let down it was when you gathered everyone in for a picture just to have the camera be out of photos!

At times I do wish we had the technology we have now so we could have captured more moments on film, but wouldn’t that desensitize us? Having only a handful of photos from 8th grade or high school really makes me appreciate them more. As I hold them in my hands, I stare at them for several minutes trying to remember what was happening or what we were doing. I inspect our questionable outfit choices, wonder what music was playing and who was dating who at the time. This triggers a stream of consciousness that sends me down memory lane. Sometimes I get sad, sometimes I laugh out loud, but always, I am grateful. Grateful for the good times and good friends/family that were part of my crazy life. Grateful for snapshots into a time when I was not so concerned with the future. Grateful there is proof that my friends and I wore dog collars for a brief moment in time (I told you we were funny little weirdos).

 

Photos are an everyday utility and just because it is so easy doesn’t mean we shouldn’t make them count more. Laugh often, cry just because you can and live every moment as if the camera is almost “done”.

All You Need is Love E-Design Board

Here is a Valentines Day inspired interior design board for your viewing pleasure. Can you believe everything is from Anthro or West Elm? You can have great style and design with product that is a click away!

There Are No More Treadmills!

Please note this is not an interior design post!

I used to be one of those people who would roll my eyes and mutter comments under my breath at the gym newbies the week after New Year’s Day. Every treadmill, elliptical and bike are taken and all I would see is a room full of new, neon workout gear and tennis shoes with the tread still intact. Why could they not make their fitness goal for some other time of year? People I would know would say “give them a few weeks and they will not be back”. I would agree while switching up my routine to accommodate the lack of machines.

Time has passed and these thoughts are sickening! Who was I to pass judgment? If anything, I should have embraced these people who were trying to make a change in their life. They made the decision (whether fleeting or not) to buy the new gym clothes, the shoes and the membership. They made the decision to drive from the comfort of their home and get into the gym for whatever reason (health, fun). If anything, the gym regulars should open their hearts and arms to these people. We should encourage them to stay. Help them with a foreign machine or ask them to join you in a class. After all, we were in their shoes once too. What kept you coming? Certainly not the annoyed stares of “gym regulars”. How wonderful would it have been for someone to introduce themselves to you, ask you about yourself and offer their help?

It is not easy to make a fitness change in life. My goal is to encourage everyone around me to make healthy decisions in the new year. I am very excited because I have a group of friends who have the Passport to Prana card that allows you to try a yoga class at over 30 different studios in the Triangle area. I need my group of friends to hold me accountable!

Side Rant: Yoga really is magical. You will probably hear me harp on it every now and again but it has become a huge part of my life and of my being. It has opened doors to a world of possibility. A world of peace and a world of gratitude. It has been rare to encounter people at a yoga studio who look annoyed you are taking up a spot. I almost always feel welcome and warmth from studios big and small. Why? Because yogi’s are happy people. Side Rant Over.

If you are starting a new health routine, good for you! You go Glen Coco!

Keep it up and keep your chin up. Don’t be intimidated by the rude people at the gym. For those of you feeling slightly annoyed by the newcomers, put yourself in their Nike’s for a moment and remember that was you at one time. And then go do a downward dog because your being an ass. Namaste Jerry.

I’m Dreaming of a White (and Burlap) Christmas! Guest Blogger, Kristin Cowhey Shows Us DIY Holiday Decor!

Happy Holiday’s everyone and thanks to Ashley at OneLoveInteriors for allowing me to hijack her blog for a second time!  Our home got its Christmas makeover almost 2 weeks ago which may sound early but with 6 fewer days between Thanksgiving and Christmas I wanted to make the most out of our holiday décor.

As you may recall from my Last Post, I’m a big fan of re-purposing what I already have.  Since I decided to go with a burlap motif, the plan was to incorporate some festive elements into my fall décor and to build on what was already decorated.  I had a lot of supplies leftover but needed to purchase a few extra items.  So, again I went to JoAnn Fabric with my list and coupons in hand.  Here’s what I purchased:

• 3 more yards of ivory burlap- On sale for $2.99/yd. Total cost: $9.00

• 1 yard of ivory fabric- On sale for 2.99/yd.

• 2 more spools of 5 inch burlap finished-edge ribbon in Natural- $7.00 after 50% coupon

• 1 spool of twine- $2.49

• Styrofoam cones, spheres and floral pins $15.00

• Craft paint, sponges and spray paint – $7.49

• Total Spent: $43.97

Our front porch made an easy transition from Fall to Winter.  I removed the hydrangeas and raffia from our wreath and replaced them with pinecones and floral stems from last year’s materials.  I added a burlap ribbon and then wound white lights around my topiary’s.  The pumpkins were removed and the mums were replaced with potted evergreen trees.

This year’s holiday makeover required a lot of spray paint.  In previous years, I had a more traditional red and burgundy theme so there were a lot of items that that needed to be whitewashed.  In my entryway, I added some greenery and a few of my freshly painted berry picks to the glass canisters that were already there.  Then I wrapped a box with some leftover paper and made a burlap bow to tie everything together.

Over in the living room, the pre-lit tree got its usual silver skirt and feather picks.  I also added some newly painted white berries.  I decided to cover my burgundy ornaments with ivory fabric and added a twine bow.  It was an easy way to re-purpose rather than re-purchase 😉

Here’s a look at the entryway and living room complete with my inside topiary’s & staircase garland. You’ll also notice some festive updates to the coffee table and shelf…and you may see our dog Bo who didn’t want to give up his nesting spot for a photo shoot.

Now, into the dining room!  I spent a lot of time assembling burlap banners for this year’s décor.  It wasn’t difficult but it was time consuming….and messy!  I stenciled each triangle and then strung the flags together using twine.  The picture frames got covered in silver wrapping paper so that the messages could stand out.  Then I added an extra edge to the entire display for a more finished look.

The candlestick is relocated from the fireplace and if you look close you’ll notice 2 trees in the bottom right corner.  Those were created using thin strips of burlap that were wrapped around Styrofoam cones and attached using floral pins.  I think they look festive with a “not too fussy” vibe.

The tablescape is just a mix of candlesticks and mercury glass that was relocated from the mantle with some silver ornaments thrown into the centerpiece.

I hung some silver ornaments from the dining room chandelier.  And here’s another item that got whitewashed with a burlap bow to fit this year’s theme.

And here’s my favorite space, the newly decorated mantle!  The greenery is accented with silver ornaments and white berry picks.  You’ll notice another burlap banner and white branches for some added height.  Instead of stockings, I made puff balls using the ivory burlap fabric and natural burlap ribbon.

So, that’s how I updated my Fall décor for Winter.  I’m really pleased with how everything turned out…there’s a cozy but modern vibe that just makes our home feel so much warmer.

What’s your inspiration for Winter décor….Snowflakes & icicles, traditional with Red & Green, Santa and his elves?   Tell us what your favorite Christmas themes are in the Comments section!

A BIG thank you to Kristin who has such great style! Not only does her house look AMAZING for the holidays, she saved money during the process! Thank you again and please check out Kristin’s bio below and her companies website, Pacgenesis.

Kristin works in the IT industry as the VP of Sales & Marketing for PacGenesis, Inc.  With over 8 years of experience in sales, marketing and project management, design is a fun way to cut loose and keep the right side of her mind from withering away!   Kristin hasn’t had any formal design training but enjoys following creative blogs and gathering ideas on Pinterest.  She gleans inspiration from fashion, traveling and her 2 dogs (Bailey and Bo) who remind her to keep design out of their reach!

DIY Fall Decor Love : (Our First!) Guest Blogger, Kristin Cowhey

Please welcome my sweet friend Kristin to the blog! Kristin and I met about 5 years ago (time sure does fly) when our husbands started a band together. They currently play in a rock/reggae band called Down By Five in Raleigh, NC. Over the years, Kristin and I have shared many laughs, concert dancing and plenty of band wife moments together! During the day, she is being a rock star at her company, Pacgenesis. She has graciously put together some simple, inexpensive Fall decorating tips to help anyone who is short on time and decorating cash! Without further ado, here is Kristin!

“Fall is my favorite time of year and with the cooler temperatures, I was ready to transform my Summer-themed décor into an Autumn Harvest!  This year, I’ve decided to build my design around burlap.  I have big plans to carry it into my Christmas motif but more on that in my next post.  Spoiler alert: this is a 2-part blog series!

Now, before we get started, let me say that design is my creative outlet; however, my patience is short.  I need to accomplish things quick or I get fed up and lose interest.  For this reason, I don’t sew, paint, draw, reupholster or tackle anything that requires measurements or planning.  I prefer to decorate.  It’s quick, painless and offers instant gratification.  My favorite areas to stage are the mantle, dining room table, and front porch.  It’s just so easy to move things from one space to another and immediately you have a new look with little to no cost!  Now, let’s get back to it.

I’m a big fan of re-purposing what I already have.  So I started by retrieving my box of fall decorations from the attic for a quick inventory.  Last year, my design was based on purple and burgundy hues and thankfully a lot of the items were easily transformed to fit this year’s theme.  Once I had some ideas, I went to JoAnn Fabric armed with coupons to purchase my supplies:

• 2 yards of ivory burlap- On sale for $2.99/yd.  Total cost: $6.00

• 1 spools of 5 inch burlap finished-edge ribbon in Natural- $3.50 after 50% coupon

• 1 spool of burlap 2 inch burlap ribbon in Natural- $3.00 after 50% coupon

• 1 bunch of ivory hydrangea’s- On sale for $3.49

• Total Spent: $15.49

Fall First Impressions  

Since this is the only part of my home that most people see, I like for it to stand out.  I used a grapevine wreath from my box of supplies and wrapped it (loosely) with the ivory burlap fabric and the natural burlap ribbon.  Then I stuck some hydrangeas in one side and wedged a handful of raffia that I already had on hand behind the flowers to add some dimension.

Next, I dusted off the topiary’s that have been stashed in the garage since last fall and wrapped burlap fabric around the base.  A quick ribbon to hold it in place and I was done.

I used the left-over supplies from my wreath project to spruce up last year’s witches broom.   Then I secured it to the outdoor lantern that stays on the porch year-round.

A few lumina pumpkins from a local farm stand and mums from Lowes completed the look.

Take It Inside

On the inside, I like to decorate with glass.  It’s easiest to adapt since you can always add fillers, ribbons or flowers to immediately update your look.  I stocked up on glassware at TJ Maxx a few years ago and have a pretty nice collection of vases, bowls, hurricanes and canisters.   For my entryway, I just grabbed 3 pieces, all varying in size and shape, and added a few minor touches.  Burlap wrapped around two, whicker coasters in another and some raffia.  Simple and chic.

A quick pumpkin centerpiece adorns my dining room coffee table.  These items are all repurposed and should easily fit into whatever next years theme ends up being!

Our home has a very modern feel.  Rather than add color to the walls, I incorporate color in my décor. This makes it easier to transition through the seasons.  White walls and neutral or black furniture keeps things consistent while I add and subtract pieces during the holidays.

In the dining room, I chose some glass pieces and pair’d them with three gray clay vases that I picked up at Pottery Barn a few years ago.  A glass cake stand holds 3 charcoal candles.  My favorite items in this display are the Terra Cotta skull and pitcher that we brought back from a recent trip to Mexico.  They’re the perfect addition to this Halloween inspired space and it’s a fun vacation memory.

And, finally, here’s a look at my recently updated mantle.  The mercury glass has been there since the beginning of summer along with the black lantern, wool rug and gray pots.  All I did to bring this look into Fall was add 3 ivory pumpkins and a skull from my box of last years props.

Now that you’ve seen my Fall décor, just wait for Christmas!  I’ve already repurposed most of my holiday decorations to fit the burlap theme and can’t wait to start incorporating some festive accents into the spaces I’ve just shown you.

How are you sprucing things up for Fall?  Are you crazy about apples?  Maybe colored leaves are your thing.  Festive pumpkins?  Or, perhaps you’re more traditional with an Orange/Black color pallet.  Comment with your inspiration for festive Fall décor!”

Kristin works in the IT industry as the VP of Sales & Marketing for PacGenesis, Inc.  With over 8 years of experience in sales, marketing and project management, design is a fun way to cut loose and keep the right side of her mind from withering away!   Kristin hasn’t had any formal design training but enjoys following creative blogs and gathering ideas on Pinterest.  She gleans inspiration from fashion, traveling and her 2 dogs (Bailey and Bo) who remind her to keep design out of their reach!

 

Best Places for Sunday Brunch in Raleigh : One Love Interiors

A friend suggested via text we grab brunch this weekend. Man oh man, do I love brunch. I don’t even think my husband knows how much I love brunch. What is there not to love about bacon, pancakes, omelets, bloody mary’s and mimosas after sleeping in? I was so excited I worked on an e-design board inspired by brunch!

Another friend asked me if I knew of the best places for brunch in the Triangle. Not only does One Love Interiors know Raleigh interior design, we know our brunch. Munch on this brunch list…

Best Blood Mary in Raleigh (notice my priorities?) :

The Raleigh Times Bar has a fantastic Bloody Mary with candied bacon. Not long ago, I had a mouthwatering Bloody Mary at Bad Daddys Burger Bar that was served in a pint glass. That is 16 oz. of awesomeness people.

Best Baked Goods

If you have not been to La Farm Bakery in Cary, you truly are missing out. I cannot say enough good things about this Cary, NC gem! La Farm was started by Lionel Vatinet, a Master Baker who trained in France. Grab a sample of sweet pumpkin bread while you wait in line for a white chocolate baguette. Literally one of the best things I have ever eaten. Get there early before they run out!

Best Grits

The Flying Biscuit Cafe is a Raleigh staple. Don’t miss out on fresh, fluffy biscuits while you wait on your order of creamy grits and BACON! Oh My! After brunch, stroll around Cameron Village and do some shopping at unique shops such as Scout & Mollys or Ten Thousand Villages.

There are many other wonderful brunch options in Raleigh, Cary and Wake Forest. Please share your favorites with me! Now I am off to buy some Zing Zang….

OLI

Heading to the Hills

Today, after work, I am heading to Boone to visit my dear friends and their newborn AND my grandfather! I can smell the fresh, mountain air now!

Todd, NC
Byrd Homestead