Monday, December 31, 2018

2018: A Year of Valleys and Mountaintops

2018 was definitely one for the books. There were so many highs and lows and my faith has never been shaken or strengthened more. It's funny how when I look back on different years, a particular word or words come to mind. This year will always be the year of the baby. Our precious girl.

In January I was featured in the Wall Street Journal because of my very controversial bookshelf. It's humorous to me how something so simple but precious to me in our home has become my most liked photo on social media but has also made some book-lovers show disdain for my decor choices. Apparently displaying your books non other than the very traditional way is the only right way. I still get a kick out of people's very strong but petty opinions.

Sunday, December 23, 2018

Introducing our daughter...


Colette (Coco) Arya Briggs 

We have our little girl. God is so kind to give her to us. Looking back, we clearly see why God had us walk down the path we did, to be scammed out of our adoption savings, to cry more tears than I have ever cried, and to go through more heartbreak than we have ever experienced. It was all for this little bundle.

Sunday, November 25, 2018

A Family Worth Fighting For



As many of you may know by now, we heard the heartbreaking news last week that our adoption match was a scam. I couldn't believe my eyes when I read the email informing us of the FBI investigation, telling us to reach out to some lawyers that we had never spoken with, to receive more information. We had to find the hard facts out for ourselves and determine if this birth mom we had spoken with on the phone was a figment of our imagination.

Wednesday, October 31, 2018

My Top Ten Alfred Hitchcock Films

I grew up on Alfred Hitchcock. I remember there were many Sunday nights as a teenager when my parents, sister, and myself would stop at the local Hollywood Video and find another Hitchcock film to take home and enjoy with our pizza.

Every October, Josh and I will usually watch several classic thriller films in anticipation of Halloween so I thought it would be fitting to share my top ten Hitchcock favorites with you all.

Since the old days, I've collected several from Hitchcock's collection. There are some films of his that I really enjoy but didn't include on this list...and then there are others I didn't enjoy so much (looking at you Rope).

Friday, October 12, 2018

The Little Baby Rocker

On the morning that we were to transfer our two little embabies (our two embryos from our IVF cycle) we received the phone call that broke the news to us that they didn't make it. Over the past week following my egg retrieval, we had grown quite attached to those two little ones. We heard the words that "they are little warriors" and "they look great" and how the Dr. felt confident that at least one would take. We began dreaming of what it would look like to have twins. It's so hard to prepare your hearts and go into every situation with little or zero expectations.

Saturday, September 29, 2018

A Few September Favorites

First of all, I have to apologize for not being the most faithful blogger lately. With the whole adoption thing going on and just life, things have been pretty hectic around here but I want to get back on it and I thought what better way than to write a favorites post!

There have been a few things that I've enjoyed lately, have caught my eye, and just brought a little more magic to ordinary life! I thought I would share those with you. I sometimes discover the best things through others sharing their joy for them so here it goes...

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society 

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

My Vitruvi & Essential Oil Recipes


I was recently gifted a Vitruvi diffuser and a collection of their most popular essential oils and oil blends. I have been an essential oil user for years so diffusing oils wasn't anything new for me but I have to say I was so impressed by their stone diffuser and oils!

Wednesday, July 25, 2018

My (And My Friends') Ikea Must-Haves

I'm so excited to take a trip to Ikea this weekend. It's been awhile and Josh and I need to pick up a few things for the nursery. I can't wait to decorate that sweet little space for our babe!

I decided to ask my friends on Instagram for their top Ikea items that they can't live without and more specifically, things for baby. I received all kinds of great answers and tips and I had several people ask if I would share said answers so I thought I would in case you are planning a trip to Ikea soon.

Monday, July 9, 2018

Adoption Update Pt. 1


Well, we are in the thick of our home study! We met with our social worker last week for coffee and for our first meeting. She is a very nice lady who has been practicing for longer than Josh and I have been alive! We were asked a lot of questions and Kathie took notes as we talked to be able to compile a file on us and all of our information. It was definitely intimidating at times!

Friday, June 15, 2018

Dating your spouse


One thing that Josh and I have always strived to practice in our marriage over the last 6+ years is to never stop dating each other. We try to make it a point to go on a date every week. This does not always look fancy or planned but it is very important to us to reserve some time alone to talk, focus on each other, and laugh together. 

Sunday, May 6, 2018

Some Fun Summer Pieces


Happy Sunday! 

I just wanted to share some favorite pieces I have recently been enjoying with you! They are all from shops that I dearly love and fully support. If you are looking for a little pick me up or a gift for a friend than here are a few of my current favorites...

Thursday, April 26, 2018

Favorite thrift finds

I had to take a mini trip to Huntsville yesterday so my mom decided to go with me and we had the grandest time! One of our favorite things to do together is to go thrifting so we hit up a couple shops and found some goodies.

I love sharing my thrift scores with others and I equally love to see what other people pick up so I thought I would share some of my favorite thrift finds to date! Some of my favorite things to thrift are basic (and sometimes unique) pieces for my wardrobe, baskets, and of course, books!

Sunday, April 15, 2018

Color Crush: Rust

I've had a pretty major color crush for awhile now and lately it seems that I can't get enough of it. I'm completely in love with rust! It brings me back to my childhood days playing in the Georgia red clay. It's such a warm color and compliments many skin tones. From home to dress to art...this is a color that I'm going to be obsessed with for a long time. 

I recently ordered a linen dress in this color that I cannot wait to wear this summer and those rust linen duvets have given me the perfect inspiration for a little bedroom makeover. Stay tuned...

Tuesday, April 3, 2018

Things I've Learned Pt. 1


  • Just because it looks good on the model doesn't mean it's going to look good on you. 
  • Experiences make better gifts than things. 
  • If you want to paint then paint. If you want to write then write. 
  • Never say anything in front of a three-year-old that you don't want repeated. 
  • You can try the same hair or makeup tutorial as your favorite YouTube personality but the finished product will 99% of the time look nothing like it. 
  • Just because it's on sale doesn't mean you have to buy it. 

Wednesday, March 21, 2018

Fabulous Finds for Under $25

One of my favorite things to do is to shop online. My husband teases me because there will often be a package waiting outside our door for me when we arrive home. There is just something about receiving little things in the mail that makes this girl's heart giddy.

I thought I would share a few of my favorite finds with you and guess what? They are all under $25. You can treat yourself and not even feel guilty about it one bit. Click on the title to take you to the link for each item.

Friday, March 16, 2018

Decorating with plants


I have been a proud plant mom for a few years now but am always discovering what works for me and my home and what doesn't. I personally can't care for succulents or any type of temperamental plants like maiden hair ferns. As much as I adore them I have tried my hand at them three different times now and they just don't like me. 

I wanted to share with you some of my newest plant babies and some old faithful ones too. If you are in the market for some fresh greenery to liven up your space than I hope I can help! 

Wednesday, February 28, 2018

TEN


1 Book hunting has truly become one of my greatest passions. Purchasing new books can be nice every now and then but searching through used books and stumbling on a vintage edition or a gently worn read gives me all the feels. 

2 I've been going through Grand Hotel on Netflix and am completely obsessed! I'm trying to find the balance of wanting all the details of this beloved story but not binge-watching too quickly and savoring this treat of a series. 

Wednesday, February 21, 2018

A Chattanooga Photo Diary


Josh and I love to take road trips so as Valentines Day was approaching we decided to choose a location for a little get-away. Chattanooga is a very special city to us because we had been there quite a few times while we were dating and when we were newly engaged. I don't believe we have been back since before we were married so we decided that a trip there was in order. 

Monday, February 5, 2018

Dreaming of Spring


January through March are hard months for me. They are cold and dreary and for someone who struggles with anxiety and depression, they certainly don't help the situation. I have to try and find little snippets of beauty and delight where I can. 

Lately I have been dreaming of spring and how wonderful it will be ~ particularly this year. Today I donned one of my favorite white dresses, dabbed my wrists with perfume, and scribbled down a poem on the subject. 

Thursday, January 25, 2018

Tips to Keeping a Tidy Home


One question I get asked a lot is, "How do you keep your house so clean?". Well, let's be honest....I don't own any pets and I don't have any children at the moment so that makes housekeeping 100x easier. Also, believe me, my house does get cluttered and messy just like everyone else's, I just don't share those pictures with the world. ;)

I've collected some tips over the years that have helped with keeping a clean and organized home and I thought I would share them with you. Take and leave what you want. Everyone's lifestyle is different and to each their own.

Wednesday, January 3, 2018

What I Read in 2017


I began this past year with a book challenge for myself to read a book a week. I actually exceeded that challenge by reading a total of 55 books in 2017.

I grew up surrounded by books and reading was a huge pastime in our family. During road trips through New England, we'd often stop by our favorite bookshops to stock up on books to add to our library.

I ended 2016 a little disappointed in myself because I realized I had hardly read anything that year and I decided to challenge myself by reading more in 2017. At times it has been a struggle to keep up. I doubted myself that I could do it but I am so glad I stuck with it.

I experienced some amazing reads in 2017 and I was so happy to write mini book reviews on each one. Feel free to search for them on my blog! I wanted to share a few of my favorites and a few of my not-so-favorites with you. Maybe I can suggest some new reading material to you for 2018!