LeClaire Countryside ~ From the Farm

One of my favorite times of the year for capturing photos to add to my portfolio is Fall.

LeClaire is absolutely beautiful as the trees have turned & leaves begin to fall.

The picturesque simple scenes remind me daily of why I am smitten with small town living.

A few weeks ago Travis & I were visiting my father-in-law's farm just on the edge of town.

It's not an operating farm any longer,  just a few rolling acres of serene Iowa countryside.

I couldn't ask for a better little escape from the everyday.

I think at times they think I'm crazy, to them it's just home &

 a field that's a bit overgrown without the horses roaming the pastures any longer.

To me it's a place filled with small gifts from nature, that I just simply refuse to take for granted.

A beautiful place to continue to hone my photography skills.

My creative side needs a place that appeals to my photographic style & aesthetic to really thrive.

Do you have a place that inspires you?

 

 

 

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Funky Junk Interiors

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French Country Cottage

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My Mom's Country Cottage Kitchen for Summer

As you know my Mom's charming cottage style home received a few updates recently.

Here are a few of the cheery Summer touches added to the kitchen.

The kitchen table.

I have been helping my Mom plan for a small party for the ladies from her Bunco group.

She wanted to change out some of the decor before her guests arrive.

I'll be sharing some party photos a little later as well.

She has collected old pottery for years.

It is nice to see it freshened up a bit here, making it look new again.

My Mom's cottage look is a bit more "traditional country" cottage.

I think I tend to lean a bit more to a modern updated relaxed cottage style.

But, I can truly appreciate any well dressed space.

If you would like to take a peak at the quaint cottage Living Room click here.

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Savvy Southern Style

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Overflowing With Creativity

Souvenir Magazine Summer 2012

Just downloaded the latest digital issue of Souvenir Magazine!

This is a great publication with many of my favorite talented bloggers as contributors.

The images are absolutely stunning if you love simple elegant photography that captures the season.

See a free preview or get your copy here.

Spend a lazy Sunday afternoon reading outside in your favorite lounge chair curled up in the shade.

Featured ~ Country Cottage Living Room

Just wanted to say thanks so much to everyone for the kind comments

about myMom's Country Cottage Living Room updates.

We are actually being featured today at It's Overflowing!

Thanks Aimee for the feature:)

If you haven't seen the Country Cottage Living Room yet see more here.

We were also featured this week at Savvy Southern Style!

Thanks Kim for the feature too:)

Quaint Country Cottage ~ Living Room Update at my Mom's

My Mother's Living Room got a charming cottage refresh today.

Every few months or so my Mom will get the urge for some small updates.

Well, this one turned out to be a little more than most.

It also turned out to be, what I believe she has been looking for all along in this house.

A  cheery, quaint country cottage look to come home to everyday.

The curtains were made for my Mom by her dear friend Marge.

They really were the inspiration for the entire room.

Michael collected several new decorative items that were sure to be just the touch.

Some new, some old, some thrift store finds.

He spent the day freshening up all around.

Painting...Painting...redoing...decorating.

What a great surprise for her to come home to today.

She actually knew he was changing a few things around, but

 I think she truly enjoyed the finished product.

It seems to be the most like "her" this home has ever been.

I think at times my brother & myself also stear her off course just a bit too.

We are a bit more minimalist than she is, though we like a great cottage look as much as the next.

Always on a budget, this room has never felt completly finished.

It had good bones to start with.

A casual blue striped slipcovered sofa, denim slipcovered chair, a few junk store chests, & tables.

I really think this time it turned out perfect.

The fresh pops of yellow, blue & green are very refreshing.

He  even brought in the two white end tables next to the sofa that my Dad made years ago.

My Mom is planning a small get together for a few friends for next week.

I have been helping with some of the details.

But, like most of us would,

she wanted to freshen up the house a bit before her guests arrived.

I'm so glad she did!

I hope she really enjoys this new space & feels at right at home in this new cozy living room.

I think Lucy approves:)

Hope you love your refreshed living room Mom!

For those of you who don't know we are currently staying at my Mom's,

while our home is under renovation.

To see more of our renovation click here.

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Looks I Love ~ Chic Modern Country

As I head into a new year.

I have done a lot of soul searching.

For me my home decor really has to speak to me, to my soul.

That is why it is ever evolving.....right along with me as I grow.

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This year I really want to make sure that vision comes through in my designs.

You know that feeling when you walk into a space and it

can nearly take your breath away for just a moment? 

You soak in all the scents, all the texture & your senses are nearly on overload.

You nestle into that perfect serene escape and know it is perfectly "YOU".

You just want to stay there and never leave.

I want THAT feeling in my home.

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So, I thought I would do a few posts showcasing some of the

inspirations that really speak to my soul.

There are so many looks I Love.

I have a tendency to get a little lost, or stuck on one look for a while & back to another.

Do you do that too?

At times it can be really challenging for me to achieve that perfect balance.

I'm going to work really hard to try to achieve it from now on.

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I'm not sure what it is exactly....

I will always have to have a touch of country in my home decor.

I didn't grow up on a farm or anything.

I did however, grow up in small town surrounded by the lush corn fields of Iowa.

I just love the natural simplicity of a fresh country look.

My husband grew up on a farm so, it also brings a touch of him into our look.

I think for us Country is Comfort.

The comfort of our roots.

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Tip:

Do you have trouble finding balance in your decor style?

I have started making pin boards on Pinterest by Style Type category.

I encourage you to set up your boards by the styles you love.

Then Pin until your hearts desire.

After you have pinned each of your looks.

Make a combined Pin Board with your favorites from each.

Next, do a post of how to you plan to merry your styles.

Let me know if you try this!

I would love to see your Pins!

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Carrie

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