New House Kitchen Inspiration

I'm counting down the days until I can get in to the new house and start the reno process. I'm pretty sure there will be a moment a month or so from now (or maybe sooner) that I regret that statement but that is what I am feeling. So much excitement, anticipation mixed with anxiety and a little fear. You know that nagging "what are we going to find when we start tearing things up?" feeling that keeps creeping in to my thoughts as I plan my design.
YOLO right?!
I've been dreaming of owning an old home forever!  I've been dreaming about it for so long that this in between time while we wait has me all antsy and wanting to get busy already. Literally, killing me.
Well, there is only one thing to do.....Pinterest and Photoshop to keep me busy.
I've been thinking about the kitchen design the most because that will be the very first project we tackle. That and tearing out every last piece of carpet and painting the entire house white. Still trying to figure out which white though?? I even have my eye on some of those old wood floors becoming a beautiful shade of white. We shall see how all that plays out.
I have a New House board on Pinterest and I'm adding inspiration daily.
I am thinking of going with a modern rustic approach for the new kitchen and even though I keep tweaking the design in my head and I know things will get changed a bit when the actual work begins this is very similar to what I can see as the final design.
Fridge and stove to the left of the room with a modern hood, large rustic island and open shelving flanking the sink on the opposite side of the room. I want to take down some walls so that the kitchen flows freely in to the back room which will become the dining area and TV nook. I can't wait to start showing you all the before pictures! Until then, here are a few images that are giving me all the inspiration that I need to tackle our soon to be new space.
{You can find all of the links to these images here}

and here is a sneak at what I've been working on. Oh you guys I can't wait! 

MODERN THRIVE WORKSHOP

Hey all!

In case you may have missed my little announcement on Insta I wanted to announce that I will be teaching a LIVE Styling For Instagram Workshop on Modern Thrive next week!
I'm super excited about it because it may be one of my most favorite things to talk about. Instagram has been such a valuable resource for me because I would have never been able to get my business or blog off the ground with out it.

I've been able to meet so many amazing people in this IG community.  So many people I would of never met with out this avenue to reach people all over the world.
Some to collaborate on projects with and some who have become life long friends. I'm so happy to be teaching this workshop because its giving me an opportunity to share everything I've learned about my favorite social media channel with all of you!

If you are interested in signing up for the WORKSHOP just follow this link HERE

Here is just a little bit of what we will be covering 

I hope you will join me!

Staples #makemorehappen

I am so happy to say my business is growing and I am one busy mama these days. That's great but the fact that I need to get organized ASAP is not! I never have the time to go out and get what I need and so that usually means that I pick up whatever I can while grocery shopping. I will say, this method hasn't been working so well....still very disorganized. Well, when Staples approached me and asked me to take part in their #makemorehappen campaign it seriously could not of come at a better time. I was given a small budget to work with and challenged to see just how far I could make it go and still get everything I need to be successful. Please know that even though this is a sponsored post all the opinions are of my own and I am pretty excited about what I found there.
So it was off to school with the older girls and on to Staples to get it done.

I had made a list of everything I really needed and I was pleasantly surprised at how easy the store was to shop.

First thing on my list was notebooks. I go through tons of them because with each client visit I am taking notes, sketching out ideas and making lists. So when I saw these at 17 cents and $2 a pop I was blown away.

I will take them all thank you.

I spend most of my time visiting clients and so I don't need a lot of supplies. It's mostly your basic office needs to keep my business organized. Although, I do have a deep love for all things labels, paperclips, pens, highlighters...the list goes on and Staples not only did not disappoint but I will be completely honest, the prices were much lower than say my "grocery store brands" and even though it's a special trip, it's well worth for the money I will save in the long run. 

So now that I am all stocked up on notebooks, pens, paperclips...you know the essentials, the one thing that I have been needing and I mean like forever is an iPad. I work on site so much and I am constantly pulling up design pictures on my phone to show the client. I've always wanted an iPad to bring to consultations so that I can easily access the design images I need to show the clients. My phone is way too small and lugging around my laptop wasn't the best. It was actually the worst.
Well, imagine my delight when I realized that Staples not only carried Apple products but that they would price match too. I saved $100 dollars on my new iPad with the Staples price match guarantee!

Staples was so organized and easy to shop that I was in and out in a flash. Even with my two year old in tow. The sales staff was so courteous and kind. Real customer service people! Like the kind you are shocked by because you just don't see it much anymore. Every Staples associate that passed me said hello to my daughter and I and asked to be of service. That's worth going back in itself.

Once I retuned home it was time to set up my desk and get organized. 

It's seriously like the first day of school again for me. Like who didn't love school supply shopping back in the day!! 

I am finally feeling so much more organized and ready to get my business to the next level. Organization is so important for what I do. Keeping all the information for each client separate and easy to access is the key to my success which made me realize that this challenge was exactly what I needed to get me in gear and headed in that direction. 

 I am loving all my supplies. It actually made me sit down and completely rethink of my approach to my business and that is amazing!

Apartment Tour

We have been in our apartment for a few months now and while we are eager to get in to the new house, we are also really enjoying this easy way of life. No yard work. No major cleaning. Less bills...should we even move? Kidding but seriously its nice to experience the rest and stillness that apartment living can provide after living in houses for so long.

I know some of you have asked about a possible tour and so here you go...

Let me first say, that I do realize how truly blessed we are to have found such an amazing apartment that fits our family so well.  The color scheme is pretty amazing and I haven't lived in an apartment in years but honestly this isn't how I remember them.
White walls, charcoal grey trim, stainless appliances, granite, pull down faucet...even modern hardware on the cabinets.
Oh and did I mention the cabinets are white. Its like it was designed with me in mind!

Living Area 

Kitchen

Hall Entry 

Our Dining and Office Space 

Oldest's Room 

The Littlest's Room 

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Master 

Porch 

Hope you enjoyed my little tour:)