Random Act of Kindness #34

Today's RAK challenge is very self-indulgent and there's absolutely. nothing. wrong. with that! As the school year winds down and things are getting crazy hectic, I'm reminded that kidless days are about to be few and far between. It's that thought that led me to realize how important it is for us to stop and take a minute to be kind to ourselves.

{via}

RAK challenge #34- Give yourself permission to do something relaxing today.

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I wouldn't mind taking a minute to enjoy these surroundings! 

I'll be sneaking in one last lunch with a friend today before summer shows it face. What do you plan to do?

So, that's it friends...go out and be kind (especially to yourselves) today!

Unique idea to fill an awkward space

I teased you guys on Friday by showing you the supplies for my next project but didn't fill you in on the details. Well, it's done!

It started with a vision in my head and these supplies...

And turned into this...

A close-up of the beads...

One more peek of the overall pattern...

Want to replicate this look? Here's what you'll need:

1. Expandable sash rods from Walmart

2. Jute twine from Michaels

3. Various beads

4. Fishing Line

The variations of this project are endless. Switch up the patterns, add in lots of colors, etc. Use your imagination and make it your own!

I'm really excited to let you in on a little something I've been lining up. Starting this Friday, I'll be sharing guest posts where some fabulous ladies will be dishing out the details on various things they did solely because of their blog. Friday's guest....you'll be so excited!

Have a beautiful day, friends!

Transparent Tuesday

Transparent topic: Second Chances

Do you have the ability to forgive and forget? 

Are you willing to give someone a second chance after being emotionally hurt by them? 

Today's topic is inspired by my 10 year-old daughter and a recent incident that I witnessed her work her way through. For her 9th birthday, we had a slumber party and there was an incident with a 'friend' that nearly ruined the entire party.... major drama and major jealousy. Bryn's feelings were really hurt. 

Fast forward 1 year to the planning of this year's birthday party. We sat down to make the guest list and Bryn decided to add this same 'friend' to the list again. We discussed if this was a wise choice and she decided to go ahead and include this friend.

Honestly, I was a little nervous. My momma bear instincts were coming out and I didn't want this little girl to have the chance to ruin Bryn's birthday party 2 years in a row! Bryn told me, "Momma, it's okay. We've talked about it and she's going to be nice!"

And guess what friends?...This year's party was a complete success and I'm happy to report there was absolutely. no. drama!!

Can you imagine if Bryn wasn't willing to give her friend a second chance? If she had shut this friend out it would have only fostered more hurt feelings. Instead, Bryn's actions taught a lesson of forgiveness and acceptance. 

Okay, here's the best part of Transparent Tuesdays...do you have something going on that needs a little prayer? Maybe it's a relationship that needs mending or a second chance perhaps? Leave me a comment or send me an email: dfrieling1@gmail.com. I'd be honored to pray for you!

Budget friendly Anthropologie Art

As promised on Friday, I don't have my art project complete just yet. darn! But we did have a successful birthday party and wonderful Mother's day. My favorite quote from the weekend..."My mom's 6 ft. tall and weighs 100 lbs," according to Reed as he filled in the blanks of the standard 'My mom is...' sheet. Wow, if that were the case then I should be modeling instead of blogging!

Moving on...

Several months ago, I fell in love with a painting on etsy and decided to try my hand at recreating it. I stalked it studied it and along the way the name of the artist stuck in my head...Yangyang Pan.

 (My attempt. Click here to see Yangyang's original)

Well, yesterday I was on Anthropologie's site and guess what I ran across? That's right, they're selling Yangyang's art. Check it out...

{Anthropologie}

If you know anything at all about Anthropologie, then you already know there's a hefty price tag attached to these beautiful paintings. 

Well, friends, if high-priced art isn't in your budget then you're in luck because Yangyang's etsy shop is full of gorgeous prints that are very affordable!

These are some of my favorites...

 {April Giclee Print}

{Lucky me Fine Art Giclee Print}

{The Far Side Print}

If you're at all like me, with a short attention-span in your decor taste and interests, then framing up a few pretty prints is the way to go. This way there's no guilt attached when your new favorite artist comes on the scene and you're dying for a piece of their art!

If one of you lucky ducks ends up with a piece of Yangyang's art, you must send me a picture of it hanging in its new home.

***Need help with your own decor? Click here to learn more about working together.***

My next work of art

If I get motivated over the weekend, I'll be creating a unique wall piece with this...

 well, more specifically, this...

but the first picture is so much prettier to look at!

I've dreamed something up in my head. I have absolutely no idea if it'll look good or be a flop. I've laid everything out on the floor and it's looking good so far, but it may be one of those pieces where others will scratch their head and think, "Did she do that on purpose?!" Oh well, there will only be 20 holes left in the wall if I decide to take the whole thing down. No pressure there, right?

Who am I kidding? We'll have a handful of 10 year olds running around celebrating a birthday and Mother's Day plans to boot. Don't hold your breath for a Monday reveal!

Happy weekend, friends.

Random Act of Kindness #33

Today's RAK challenge is 100% proof that my husband is a kinder person than me! You see, this idea comes from him and I'm still working up the nerve to complete it.

Have I peaked your curiosity? Well, I'll let the picture do the talking...

This public restroom is clean, but let's face it...they don't usually look like this, right? Which leads me to this week's challenge!

RAK Challenge #32- Wipe off the excess water surrounding the sinks in a public restroom.

There are probably lots of other things you can do in that same restroom to help out the next person who walks in, but...babysteps, friends, babysteps. Do public restrooms gross anyone else out as much as me? I guess if there were more people like my kind husband then I wouldn't have my little hang-up!

Maybe all restrooms need to be designed like this one...

{via}

The wave of the future, perhaps?!

Okay, a show of hands...who's willing to jump on John's bandwagon and make public restrooms a more pleasant place to visit? I'm sure he'll be holding my feet to the fire to ensure I'm practicing what I preach. (Do you think I'll get any strange looks when I bust out plastic gloves before I enter?)

Now it's your turn, friends, go out and be kind!

How to create cohesive spaces

It seems that there are many home builders who are building open floor plans these days. My own home is very open and I'm personally a big fan. Sometimes, though, having an open floor plan makes it difficult to define your spaces and still have a cohesive look.

With that in mind, I put together a handful of tips aimed at making this task a little easier.

Tip #1: Rugs don't have to match.
Tip #2: If you decide on a 'busy' rug for one space, try a neutral rug in the other space.
Tip #3: Paint all open areas the same color. This takes the guess work out of deciding where to start and stop different colors.

Tip #4: Pull one or two colors from the 'busy' rug and choose accessories in these colors.
Tip #4: Partner the above colors with a neutral.
Tip #5: Repeat your accessory colors in both rooms. The colors don't have to be exact, just from the same family.

Like these looks and curious about sources? Don't fret friends, here are the details.
Love rug, Cosmo rug/Taupe, Khaki Chevron, Multi Overdyed Rug
Paint colors are Benjamin Moore:
First image (L to R): Chambourd, Anjou Pear, Weimeraner, Agave, Caliente, Thunder
Second Image (L to R): Smoked Salmon, Almond Bisque, High Park, North Sea, Rumba Orange

If you'd like help creating a space you can't wait to come home to, contact me about design services.

**Hallmark giveaway winner is Deb K. Congratulations and thank you to all who entered!**