High Five For Friday!

One. We had a really raining Memorial Day weekend so to get out of the house we decided to run a few errands and ended up having a few drinks.  It was definitely a "Sunday Fun Day!"

Two. I think we can all the drought in Iowa officially over?  We've had 5+ inches of rain in the past week.  This is the ditch by our house, which is very deep and it was nearly filled to road at one point - wow!

Three. The rain brought this guy (or gal?) to our farm place on Monday night who we quickly named "Myrtle the Turtle." Maybe since it got a name it decided to stick around because we saw "Myrtle" again on Wednesday night in our yard.

Four. Wedding invites are printed! Check that one off the list!

Five. Amongst all of the rain I was able to sneak in a walk on Tuesday night.  It was the perfect temperature and the sunset, actually seeing sun in general, was pretty cool!

I hope you all have had a fantastic week and fun weekend plans ahead!

Client Update: Rustic Glam Kitchen

I just recently finished this kitchen design for one of the neatest clients I've worked with so far!  Lisa's vision was a rustic glam kitchen - mixing old farmhouse appeal with a fresh new look and adding some color into her "very brown kitchen" as she referenced it! :)  Here is what I came up with and she's already planning a few vacation days this summer to do some painting and to be available when her new quartz counter tops and back splash are installed! :)

Out of courtesy for my clients, I do not share their source list.  

If you are interested in having a custom mood board designed specifically for you check out my e-design page.  I have currently have openings for June! :)

Wedding Wednesday: Engagement Pictures

Happy Hump Day!  We had our engagement pictures taken at the beginning of May so thought I would share a few of my favorites.

The weather (wind) really wasn't ideal but our pictures turned out great!  We prayed the rain would hold off, which it did, but we forgot to ask for the wind to stay away.  Our photographer was, Andrea, from Adorn Photography she was fantastic to work with!  Check out her Facebook page here.  If you are a Nebraska native, and looking for a photographer, look this girl up - you wont be disappointed.  I can't wait for her to take our wedding pictures!

In case you're curious...

Earrings - Francesca's

Jean Jacket - Express (similar)

Dress - Filly Flair (exact)

I can't wait to turn these pictures into our wedding guest book! :)

Have a great Wednesday!

Mood Board Link Party- Week 16

Hi Everyone! I hope you all had a great Memorial day weekend.  It rained here but created our own shenanigans! We've already gotten around 5" of rain - yikes - and we expect some more tonight.  Anyhow... why not kick off the week by checking out these room designs by interior design bloggers and get inspired to do some summer re-decorating?!  

Super Simple Requests for participation:

1. Follow Your Host and Co-Host via GFC or Bloglovin'

Host: Beth - Design Your Dwelling

Co-Host: Katie - Olios Design

2. Grab A Button!

Grab a button below and include it in your blog post or where you share your link parties on your blog.

3. Share it!

Spread the word about this link party by tagging me (@beth_dydblog) in a tweet with a direct link to your mood board post and using the hashtag #moodboardlinkparty! Feel free to share it on Facebook too!

4. Like it!

Like your favorite mood boards by clicking the 'like' option below your favorite!

Each week I pin all of your mood boards to my Design Boards board on Pinterest!

Most importantly, connect with, be inspired by and follow other design bloggers!

Grab a button, link up, and have fun! :)

<center> <a href="http://designyourdwelling.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l194/krferrall/moodboardlinkpartydyd_zpsb2f7dbf5.jpg" border="0" height="150" width="150"/></a></center> If you are interested in co-hosting the Mood Board Link Party send me an email! designyourdwellingblog(at)gmail.com

High Five For Friday

Happy Friday followed up with a long weekend - yay!  I was originally planning to head up to Minneapolis for a design camp but unfortunately it got cancelled with a date to be re-scheduled.  Bummer.  But - this gives me a chance to get a few wedding-related odds and ends done and I wouldn't doubt if we decided to find some fun somewhere along the way.

One. I think I've finally figured out what I am going to do for wedding reception table decorations.  I found these inexpensive peonies and orb vases.  The trouble is that neither of these things are sold online so I am going to need to enroll my bridesmaids and family in the hunting and gathering.

Two. I survived my first week of being 30.  So far so good. The best part of birthday's is real mail.  It's always a humbling reminder so send more notes instead of email, tweets or Facebook messages.

Three. My birthday brought me another Pioneer Woman cookbook and so far it's been a success! I've got a few appetizer type of things I want to try out this weekend!

Four. Adam wrapped up spring planting but there are still quite a few farmers in the fields.  They are working hard so take time to thank a farmer for all of the work they are doing to feed and clothe you! I don't know of a harder-working group of people.

Five. Recently I've picked up more interior design clients - it's been a lot of fun!  I can't wait to show off some of the spaces I've been designing.  Plus the clients I've worked with have been awesome!

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend! In addition to thanking a farmer, thank our service men and women too.  This weekend is about more than an extra day off and a BBQ.

Wedding Wednesday: Upper Body Workout!

Within the past three years I have really stepped up my physical fitness game which, of course, has shown huge benefits (like the "Elite" rating that I received for my life insurance policy!) in every aspect of my health and well-being.  Now that our wedding is quickly approaching, I've decided to step up my fitness game once again and get this body more shaped and toned - especially my arms and shoulders - so that I can rock my wedding dress.  Seriously what bride doesn't want to look stunning on their big day?! :)

Here is the upper body workout that I've been doing once a week combined with cardio to boost my heart rate!  I have this set up as an 8-week program but will probably extend it and increase the weight to build more muscle.  I've linked these "moves" to videos  for the how-to and added the weight I use as a starting point.  If you are new to working out, it's probably better to start with lighter weight - it's about reps and form, not how much you can lift.

Set 1 - Repeat 3x - 12-15 reps
Bicep curls to shoulder press w/dumbbells  (my weight - 12lbs)
Lateral Raises w/dumbbells (my weight - 10lbs)
Upright row w/ kettle bell (my weight - 20lbs)

Set 2 - Repeat 3x - 15 reps
Pushups
Tricep dips off bench
Lat pull down machine (my weight - 70lbs)

Set 3 - Repeat 3x - 12-15 reps
1 arm bent row (my weight - 20lbs)
Front raises w/dumbbells (my weight - 8lbs)
TRX low row

Good luck - you can do it!  You will look great and feel great! :)

Mood Board Link Party - Week 15

Happy Tuesday and welcome to the weekly mood board link party for interior design bloggers and enthusiasts! I hope you will take the time to link up your design or stick around and see all of the other awesome designs - I know you will be inspired! :)

Starting in June, this mood board link party will be hosted monthly - the first Tuesday of each month! Since design boards are a lot of work to create and everyone's summers fill up quick, I thought this would be a good move!

Super Simple Requests for participation:

1. Follow Your Host and Co-Host via GFC or Bloglovin'

Host: Beth - Design Your Dwelling

Co-Host: Veronica - Passion, Pink & Pearls

2. Grab A Button!

Grab a button below and include it in your blog post or where you share your link parties on your blog.

3. Share it!

Spread the word about this link party by tagging me (@beth_dydblog) in a tweet with a direct link to your mood board post and using the hashtag #moodboardlinkparty! Feel free to share it on Facebook too!

4. Like it!

Like your favorite mood boards by clicking the 'like' option below your favorite!

Each week I pin all of your mood boards to my Design Boards board on Pinterest!

Most importantly, connect with, be inspired by and follow other design bloggers!

Grab a button, link up, and have fun! :)

<center> <a href="http://designyourdwelling.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l194/krferrall/moodboardlinkpartydyd_zpsb2f7dbf5.jpg" border="0" height="150" width="150"/></a></center> If you are interested in co-hosting the Mood Board Link Party send me an email! designyourdwellingblog(at)gmail.com

Client Design - Vintage Nautical Nursery

Hey Everyone! Welcome to a new week!  I don't know about you, but I had a great birthday weekend full of relaxing and enjoying the weather.  We even got a little golfing in but boy am I rusty - I think I will be practicing in the yard. :)

I was so fortunate the work with Megan on her baby boys nursery.  Her goal was a vintage-nautical nursery that wasn't too "nurseryesqe" as she described! :) Megan already had her eye on a few pieces of furniture and had purchased a few vintage and nautical items.  Here is the design we came up with!

To see Megan's blog post about her new nursery design.  Go here!

Out of respect for my clients, I do not share sources.  However, if you are interested in your own custom mood board, I would love to help.  Check out my e-design page to get started!

Reflecting on My First 30 Years

Today I'm celebrating my 30th birthday - ahhh! (Technically I am not "30" until 11:29am CST) To tell you the truth I am a little freaked out about it but I am keeping in mind that so many have turned 30 before me and they have all made it through the day and survived.  I find comfort in that!

I know for most that birthday's are just another day, but I like to celebrate them.  I actually took the day off from work to celebrate my birthday by doing whatever I want - whenever I want! :) Which means catching up on reading the great blog posts you all write, working on a client E-Design, lunch with a friend and whatever else the day may bring of course!

This may get a little lengthy but hopefully, if you read it, you may find inspiration by focusing on the positives and realizing that God has a plan that truly does come to pass.  (Ok, I'm getting a little teary...)

It truly amazes me what all has happened in my first 30 years - both good and bad.  Everything from learning how to walk and talk to graduating high school and college, taking on a first job and working for three different organizations in five different positions.  And now, getting prepared to start my next chapter of life- marriage and family.

One thing I do know and find so much peace in is that I was blessed with an amazing family and wonderful friends.  In my first 30 years I lost my brother as a little boy, who I miss dearly and wonder who he would be as an adult.  But, I was then blessed with two beautiful sisters who I couldn't imagine my life without.

Emillee, Kayle, and I - 2011

I've lost two best friends, one who I wont see until God calls me home someday and one who I hope to see again, my best friend from high school, to rekindle our friendship and again become the friends we once were.  Today, I have some of the best friends in the whole world that I talk to weekly, daily, and some I only talk to once in awhile but we pick up where we left off.

Katie and Niomi

Cynthia

Melissa

At one time, in my mid-twenties, I thought I found love but was mistaken and heart-broken.  God proved to me that he had something better in store and he did. I found Adam who is my blessing and true love.  We can work together, play together and pray together.

Throughout all these years I would consider myself a pretty high achiever and blessed by so many opportunities and the passion to pursue my goals and dreams - even if they didn't come to pass. My long time goal throughout high school was to become a National FFA Officer and have the opportunity inspire young people and spread the knowledge and love for agriculture that I grew up with on my families farm. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to run for this position even though I was never elected.  But I've learned that what you learn from one experience always benefits you in the next, like getting run for University of Minnesota Homecoming Queen and being elected.   Yeah - I was the homecoming queen of a Big 10 university - a gal from a small farming community who didn't stand a chance of being homecoming queen in high school!

For some reason, as a little girl, I always wanted to be Miss USA (seriously, who doesn't, haha!)  So, I ran for Miss Minnesota and felt as though I could do anything since I walked across the stage in a swimming suit.  I didn't even make it past the first round but I still pursued a goal.  And, if you're curious, the stereotypes are somewhat true...

I found my dream job, bought my first house and redecorated it, moved 10 hours away from home to Ohio and came back to Iowa because I had fallen in love and realized that home is where my heart is. Now, I am pursuing a new dream job of owning my very own interior design business.  I am in the best health and physical shape of my life and my faith has strengthened ten-fold.

Honestly, I wouldn't change any part of my life. It has happened as it was supposed to.

Through it all, here is what I know and hope to pass along to you...

One. God has a plan.  Trust Him.  He has amazing things in store.

Two. Be nice. To everyone.

Three. Everything happens for a reason.

Four. In today's world we are so caught up in looks but truth of the matter is that beauty is not confidence but confidence is beautiful.

Five. Make choices for you and don't worry about what everyone else thinks. (This one will always be a work in progress for me!)

I'm looking forward to my next 30 years!!

Thanks for sticking with me through this one! :)  I am thankful for you all!

Cheers!

Rolled Jeans - Old School Style

I have a love-hate relationship with these jeans.  I love them because they fit so well but I hate them because they are too short.  (It was my first experience with a tailor and it was a fail) So to compromise, they are three season jeans - spring/summer/fall - so that I can roll them.

Instead of the typical pants roll, I gave the "old-school-folder-over-and-roll" a try.  The best part of fashion these days is that pretty much anything goes so this works for me!  I did a little research, this is called the Classic Peg Roll. You can thank me later for that bit of useless information... :)

Here's what you do: Fold your jeans sideways so they are tight around your ankle and roll!

Shirt: Target

Jeans: Citizen's of Humanity (old)

Shoes: Shoe Carnival

Jewelry: Lia Sophia

Here are 6 more ways to roll your jeans... if you're curious!

Mood Board Link Party - Week 14

Happy Tuesday and welcome to week 14 of the Mood Board Link Party - thanks for stopping by!! This link party has been so fun and so inspiring week after week!  Feel free to link up your mood board below, share this link party with others and like your favorites!! :)

Congratulations to Design For Renters!  They had the favorite mood board this past week - these girls do a great job!






Time to link up your beautiful designs and vote for your favorites this week!

Super Simple Requests for participation:

1. Follow Your Host and Co-Host via GFC or Bloglovin'

Host: Beth - Design Your Dwelling

Co-Host: Jessica - Home With Baxter

2. Grab A Button!

Grab a button below and include it in your blog post or where you share your link parties on your blog.

3. Share it!

Spread the word about this link party by tagging me (@beth_dydblog) in a tweet with a direct link to your mood board post and using the hashtag #moodboardlinkparty! Feel free to share it on Facebook too!

4. Like it!

Like your favorite mood boards by clicking the 'like' option below your favorite!

Each week I pin all of your mood boards to my Design Boards board on Pinterest!

Most importantly, connect with, be inspired by and follow other design bloggers!

Grab a button, link up, and have fun! :)

<center> <a href="http://designyourdwelling.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l194/krferrall/moodboardlinkpartydyd_zpsb2f7dbf5.jpg" border="0" height="150" width="150"/></a></center> If you are interested in co-hosting the Mood Board Link Party send me an email! designyourdwellingblog(at)gmail.com

Guest Bedroom - Spring Update

It's finally feeling like spring around here! (Which is actually making it a little difficult to be inside writing blog posts - I'll be honest!) 

I would classify the guest bedroom in our house as the experimental room that I can change whenever I feel like it!  Recently, I've gotten into changing this bedroom around for the fall/winter and spring/summer seasons. Check out my fall/winter bedroom here. Silly?  Yeah, kind of.  However, the room update was pretty inexpensive - the only cost was for the pillow shams that I purchased from Bed, Bath, and Beyond and I had coupons and a gift card that purchased those.  All I had to do was change around the bedding - sheets, pillow shams, and the duvet cover and "ta-da" spring has sprung!  

I am loving the look of empty frames right now.  I found this blue vintage frame at a vendor fair I went to recently - the color is fantastic!

Books are a great way to add splashes of color to your room.  Plus it offers my guests a little reading material.

It is amazing what a quick change of bedding can do for a room plus it's fairly inexpensive!

Anyone want to come and stay? We love to host! :)

High Five For Friday

Welcome to Friday!  It is going to be a BEAUTIFUL day here in Iowa! We finally shut off the heat in our house and opened up the patio doors to let in some fresh air - Yay!!

ONE: On Monday night Adam and I hosted my friend, Tammy, for a grill out since she was in Iowa for work.  We had a lot of fun catching up.  She even brought a house-warming gift for us since she had never been to our home before.  So kind.

TWO: Behind our office building there is an awesome walking/biking/running path.  I decided to use it over lunch.  It's probably my new favorite lunchtime activity!

THREE: My new pinwheel curtains from West Elm came.  I love them - the pattern is perfect!

FOUR: Engagement pictures are done - check another wedding to-do off the list!  Last night, Andrea, from Adorn Photography came all the way from Nebraska to do our pictures.  She is so fun!  Go like her Facebook page to get a sneak peek to come soon!!

FIVE: Since we were getting engagement pictures done, I got a manicure.  That's probably one of my guilty pleasures.  I just wish I could justify spending that amount of money weekly. :(

I hope you all had a great week and an even better weekend ahead!! I am officially in the last week of my twenties... I am going to have to make the most of it.  Next Friday might be a tough one when I hit the big 3-0!

Vintage Finds - Where They Ended Up!

A week or so ago I went to a vendor show being held in my local community and came across these awesome vintage finds!   I was especially thrilled to find the suitcase.  I had been looking for one to hold cards at our wedding. Two ladies started this small business called Dumpster Divas.  Their hobby is going to sales and re-purposing items they find - they so many awesome items!

Right after I got home I took a quick picture and uploaded it to Instagram (@beth_dydblog) and told everyone to "stay tuned" to find out where they sweet finds ended up in my home! Here is where they are now...

The spiral bud vase in part of a little vignette on my dining room table.  I replaced the original flower stem with a $2 peony stem from WalMart.  

My original plan for the tin drawer was to fill it with ice and use it as a wine cooler but after trying that out during a ladies night I hosted, I found out it leaks.  Now I need to find a new purpose for it... Oh well - it's still super cute!

I have never really be into the empty frame look but I loved the color of this blue one and now I love the style of empty frames and think I would like to do a little more decorating with them.  A whole collage maybe?! This one ended up on the night stand in the guest bedroom.  This frame will be super easy to re-purpose  (I'll show you my "spring" guest bedroom next week!)

As for the suitcase, it's sitting in my office, waiting for our wedding! 

Mood Board Link Party - Week 13

Hi everyone! Happy Tuesday and thanks for stopping by the weekly mood board link party. These interior design bloggers have amazing designs that I'm sure will inspire you! Make sure to check out the designs or link up your own design board and vote for your favorites! :)

Congratulations to Sarah and Sara from Design For Renters for creating the favorite mood board last week!

Time to link up your beautiful designs and vote for your favorites this week!

The four requests for participation:

1. Follow Your Host and Co-Host via GFC or Bloglovin'

Host: Beth - Design Your Dwelling

Co-Host: Megan - Moxie Design Studio

2. Grab A Button!

Grab a button below and include it in your blog post or where you share your link parties on your blog.

3. Share it!

Spread the word about this link party by tagging me (@beth_dydblog) in a tweet with a direct link to your mood board post and using the hashtag #moodboardlinkparty! Feel free to share it on Facebook too!

4. Like it!

Like your favorite mood boards by clicking the 'like' option below your favorite!  The design board with the most favorites will be featured next week on my blog!

Each week I pin all of your mood boards to my Design Boards board on Pinterest!

Most importantly, connect with, be inspired by and follow other design bloggers!

Grab a button, link up, and have fun! :)

<center> <a href="http://designyourdwelling.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img src="http://i96.photobucket.com/albums/l194/krferrall/moodboardlinkpartydyd_zpsb2f7dbf5.jpg" border="0" height="150" width="150"/></a></center> If you are interested in co-hosting the Mood Board Link Party send me an email! designyourdwellingblog(at)gmail.com
** Make sure to 'like' your favorite design board - they will be featured next week!

Client Design - Rebeka's Living Room

I recently had the opportunity to work with Rebeka, who purchased a design board from me through a Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) silent auction fundraiser that took place at our office! Rebeka was definitely fun to work with since she was so engaged in the process! 

Her design style is a rustic, country style filled with blues and grays mixed with metals and modern accent pieces!  She and her husband also just bought new couches, like the one in the design board, so this was a perfect opportunity to spruce up the rest of the space! :)

I will have another fundraiser design coming up for breast cancer research - stay tuned!

Out of respect for the clients I work with, I keep their source lists private.  If you are interested in a custom mood board, click here for details!

High Five For Friday!

Hey - welcome to Friday!!! I have to admit that I have had a pretty incredible week, even if it did snow in May!  The best part is that there is still fun to come.  Tonight I am hosting some fellow brides-to-be from the area for skin care and color class hosted by my friend, Kenzie.  It will be so fun to get this group of beautiful ladies together to drink wine and have Kenzie help us to get beautiful before our big day!

As for the rest of the week, it went sort of like this....

One. I helped out at the Minnesota State FFA Convention with the selection of the new State FFA Officer team.  For those of you who aren't familiar with FFA, it's the worlds largest youth organization focused on agriculture.  I was able to work with a highly professional group of young people over a course of 5 hours to selection 6 youth leaders to represent Minnesota.  It was such a fun experience!

Two. Since I happened to be up in the twin cities, I met up with some of my dear friends to catch up and do a little shopping.  It was awesome!

Three. I did a little shopping at West Elm in Edina, MN.  I brought home some great finds!  Plus, the sweet sales associate, Rebecca, helped me to order these curtains and waived the shipping.  She was awesome - thanks Rebecca!

Four. I finished registering at Target (finally. Feel free to look me up if your curious.) and upon checkout (yes, I registered for things but there were a few I couldn't wait to get) I got a coupon for a free treat from Starbucks since I was a Red Card holder.  I chose this yummy lemmon cake pop!

Five. I signed up as an interior designer thru Sherwin Williams recently and got all of this great stuff in the mail including all kinds of paint samples for clients!  I can't wait to start taking on more e-design clients!

Six. While I was in Minnesota I was able to meet Jackie from Teal & Lime and visit with her about blogging and starting an interior design business.  She is so kind, talented and I love her creative and business-like mind.  You seriously need to check out her blog and admire her work!

There were some other cool things that took place over the past couple of days that I hope to share with you soon!  In the meantime, have a terrific weekend and find happiness in the small things!

Check my sidebar for all of the Friday link-ups I participate in!

And Then There Was This Day In May...

Hi Everyone - welcome to our farm! No joke, this is what I woke up to this morning - May 2, 2013. I resisted looking out a window as long as possible because I figured I might see this.  Believe it or not, Tuesday was 80 degrees and now, today, there is snow on the ground! Someone tell me what is going on with this weather?!

Ok, enough complaining. Unfortunately we can't control it so we need to make the decision to make the most of it.  For example, I had a few friends in Northern Iowa last night that "checked fields" on snowmobiles. How cool is that to have that memory to share some day?! (I said some day...)

Sometimes, in life, we need a snow day to take it easy, to catch up, to get re-focused and even re-charged the sun will always shine again and we will look back and say, "Remember when..."  I know I will.

Cheers to all and happy May snow day from Iowa!!