Fresh Design and finds...

So....The last few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster to say the least. We are supposed to be on a plane in 2 days on our way to Germany (living overseas has been a dream of both of ours for a VERY long time). Two weeks ago while trying to get over a bad flu, we got word that we were denied for our move. We have spent months and months prepping for this move emotionally, saying good bye to loved ones, selling our things, re-working my business etc. So now, we are waiting for our appeal to go through and are praying we get accepted....btw, the only reason we re-enlisted for four more years was to go over seas. What I can say is that all of the most important things in my life are going well. I am blessed with great family and friends.God is good and I KNOW we will be taken care of no matter where we go :) So, while our life is in limbo, I am going on with my crazy life still making my home homey and "stable" and trying to find ways to get our mind off of where we will be in the next month-ish. I wanted to surround my family with things to feel fresh and cheery. I got two packages in the mail (they came in perfect time to lift my spirits) with some pillowcases that I ordered off of Etsy.

Before Picture:

After: We got some awesome burlap chairs for a very inexpensive price on overstock.com and, I made a trade for this gorgeous marble and mahogany coffee table. The new colors and patterns are much more fun and less "safe"!

I definitely recommend ordering things from Etsy.com... they are way better than many of the shops in town. Since I am renting an apartment for a very short time I can't paint (which I am dying to), so I have been having fun with patterns and color. These playful pillows are so vivid and fresh I couldn't help but cheer up. They are perfect for a gloomy day. Changing up your pillowcases is an easy way to switch things up inexpensively. I wanted to share the shops I ordered them from with you because they were so wonderful! The pillow cases looked even better than I expected and were done with such fantastic craftsmanship. They were very reasonably priced, and look more unique than anything I could find in my design-barren town. The ladies I ordered from were so friendly and quick and an absolute delight. The items were beautifully packaged as well!

The first shop I want to share with you is called La Ferme Cherie Home. I ordered an Ikat patterned pillow, I felt I needed a little Ikat in my life. I have been asked a few times the origination of the Ikat pattern. It is actually a very traditional pattern from Uzbekistan. How cool! Ikat fabrics range from looking tropical to southwestern.  This pillow is charcoal, creme, and a beautiful citron-honey yellow color. The seams are perfect and the back is embellished with a beautiful gold button!

I also received some beautiful hand died and hand stamped muslin ribbon. I just love it all!!! Please visit Kelli and her beautiful creations at La Ferme Cherie Home. You won't be disappointed.

The Ikat actually goes on another chair but I wanted to shoot the pillows next to each other to show how to mix patterns and textures. Kind of a modern-bohemian look.

The shop where I got the fabulous citron chain-link pillowcases is called Sew Gracious. Pam at Sew Gracious has a plethora of fantastic designer fabrics to choose from that range from fresh and modern to vintage looking patterns. Her craftsmanship is also gorgeous. I can't say enough good things about these ladies, their professionalism, friendliness and beautiful work. If you are in the market for fabulous things, head on over and visit them!

I needed to add  a blend of modern and vintage to the rest of the space to match the pillows. I added this white horse chess piece, I adore it! I also added my Japanese antique buoy because it brings out more of the turquoise in the room and, I have been dreaming of life by the sea lately.

For fabulous flower arrangements, check out your local grocery store for fresh (not your run of the mill) flowers that are really inexpensive. The Nugget and Fresh and Easy always have my favorite selections.

These gorgeous yellow branches are from the Nugget and were about $6.

This awesome bouquet above is from my incredible hubby and is from Fresh and Easy. I love the cabbage looking flower.

I  also can't get enough of this fresh, all natural candle that my client and friend Lisa turned me on to. It can be purchased at Target. My favorite flavor is Basil Mint. It is created for "clean" living and is perfect for people with allergies, asthma, and headaches because the scent is all natural. It's AMAZING!

What awesome things have you discovered lately?

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