Long Time No Posting ~ & Dwellings Spring

Hello Friends!

It has been far too long since my last post.

It seems like this year has really not gotten off on the right foot for my blog.

For some reason,

as we are finishing up our basement dwelling stint at my Mom's luck is not on our side.

I have had no internet access for over a month!

ugh...

 

I'm finally back online as of today!

I have so so much to cath you up on of our renovation journey.

We have been moving full speed ahead!

The progress is very exciting!

Each day that goes by & each item checked off the too do list,

get's us one step closer to move in day!

Finally...a light at the end of a very long tunnel.

 

Stay tuned this week I'm thinking of marathoning some of our reno updates!

 

 

I thought I would share a few Dwellings Spring photos today.

I am craving home so much these days.

Nothing makes me feel more at home in the Spring Time

than fresh green hues & natural linen fabrics.

Carrie



My Life ~ An Update

 

 

Hello friends! 

It certainly has been a long long time.

Far too long if you ask me.

 

I thought I would pop in briefly tonight to give you a quick update.

Yes, I'm still blogging!

Yes, our renovation continues onward full speed ahead!

I can't wait to catch you all up to the present day to see how far we have come.

 

It has been a very long winter thus far.

I have been very absent from blogging & I am sorry for that!

 

To be totally honest.

I have no idea how all you bloggers do it!

Does anyone else know what I mean???

 

You all make it look so easy

A little DIY project a day,

a perfect house,

no crazy life to interrupt your blogging frequency.

 

Well, life has caught up with me & I have only been able to juggle so many balls at once.

 

These last two months have been so incredibly hectic!

I started off the new year with technical difficulties with my blog.

Then moved into death flu 2013.

I was completely down & out for an entire week.

3 Weeks later, I am finally starting to feel like myself again!

All while working my full time job, that I was just promoted at 6 months ago.

(I'm still a bit of a newbie in my new role.)

 

We are making so many decisions on our renovation right now,

I can hardly keep them all straight!

Let alone find the time to blog about them! Ha!

 

Seriously!

How do you do it?

 

 

The cherry on top...

I have also made a huge commitment to myself

that I need to improve my over all health and well being.

This is the year!

My Year!

 

I have always struggled with my weight, my whole life.

I have always stayed active and managed it to some degree.

But, two years ago, I under went a major spinal surgery.

I think it was my body's way of saying enough is enough!

In the beginning I was diligent about my recovery regimine.

However, time passes & your body heals...& you go back to the same ol same ol.

 

Well, not any more!

I have finally decided that no matter what, I am making a commitment to take time for me.

This year I have been taking time for me to improve my over all health and well being.

I have been blessed to have a dear friend reach out just when I needed her most.

We have been challenging ourselves at the gym about 5 nights a week.

It is exactly what my body needs, & what I need!

 

Making & Taking the time each day to focus on my health is extremely important to me.

So, for now, at least until our lives resume to some sort of normal

(if there is such a thing, I'm hoping post reno normal will resume)

I am okay, with being a little absent from the blog the last month or so.

I hope my readers will understand.

 

 

 

Carrie

 

 



New Year - New Look

 

As, I have been attempting to share with you all...

It's a New Year & A New Look.

I am in the progress of updating my blog for 2013.

Please be patient with me, as I allow myself the time to spruce up a fresh appearance for my guests.

 

Over the last year I feel as though my lifestyle philosophy has continued to evolve.

Along with that I find it equally important to find just the right way to share that with

my blog readers.  I think that it is extremely important that when entertaining guests they feel right at home, maybe even pampered a bit.  My hope is that you all will feel relaxed and comfortable here.

Returning again, and again for the easy casual relaxed hospitality, inspiration and creativity.

 

Here's to a wonderful 2013!

 

Carrie

 

 

Photography ~ My Favorite Images of the Holiday Season

 

Tis the Season!

A few of my fav snap shots of the Holiday Season!

Dwellings

 

I got a new Canon DSLR just before the holidays rolled in.

I've been busy snapping away ever since.

I thought I would share some of my personal favorites with you all.

 

 

Last year I shared a Holiday Home Tour with you all.

This year, since I'm missing the major component (the Home) at the moment,

I thought I'd share some Holiday Happening pics instead.

Primitive Cottage

Penny Waters Studio

LeClaire

 

I just love falling back in love with my passion...{Photography}

It brings a simple joy to my life, just like the spirit of the Holiday Season!

This is a joy I have the pleasure of cherishing all year long!

 

{HAPPY HOLIDAYS}

 

Carrie

 



Penny Waters Studio - LeClaire

 

I recently was asked to do a photography project for a friend & local shopkeeper.

Penny of Penny Waters Studio in downtown LeClaire asked me to photograph her shop.

Naturally, I was super excited that she would be so gracious to ask me!

She was looking for a little holiday gift to share with her loved ones,

who unfortunately don't get to visit often.

 

 

The string of photos in this post are what I came up with.

I wanted to be sure to capture what a holiday shopping experience

at Penny Waters Studio might be like.

Beginning with telling the story of what the holidays in LeClaire are all about.

 

 

The view of downtown from the front of Penny's shop near dusk.

 

The shop may look familiar.

It is actually right next door to Dwellings.

Come on in to shop the studio!

 

Penny Waters Studio has a casual cottage feminine flare with touch of whimsy!

 

 

I had so much fun stepping out of my comfort zone & taking photos for someone new.

I've taken lots of photos for family & their shops.

But, it was really nice to branch out a little on this project.

It only makes me eager to do more!

 

I really hope Penny's family enjoy their gift of a quaint visit to LeClaire through photos!

 

 

All images by Carrie Corson.

Copyright of Carrie Corson.

 

Carrie

 

participating

Savvy Southern Style

The Shabby Creek Cottage

Dwellings Holiday 2012 ~ Part 2

 

I've been so busy that I almost forgot to share Dwellings Holiday 2012 Part 2 with you!

Missed part 1?  Check it out here.

I have been helping out each weekend at the shop this season.

Don't worry, Travis is holding down the fort on Our Renovation.

The progress continues! 

Can't wait to share our updates this week!

 

The shop is a glow in downtown LeClaire!

Festive & fun holiday decor for your home.

The shop has been a bustle for the holiday season!

 

Adorable whimsical pixies!

What a great alternative elf on the shelf!

What a festive & fun Christmas Season it has been!

Only a few days left!

If you're in the area stop in for unique gifts galore!

 Interested in seeing more of LeClaire, Iowa at the Holidays click here!

Wishing you all a Happy Holiday Season!

 

Carrie

 

participating

Savvy Southern Style

Christmas in LeClaire ~ 2012

 

This weekend we celebrated {Christmas in LeClaire}.

Every year the town has a Christmas walk weekend filled with festive holiday traditions.

Carriage rides through the downtown, holiday shopping, wine tasting & this year

 Mr. & Mrs. Claus even made time in their busy schedule to stop by for a visit!

Such a quaint & charming part of what I love about small town living.

 

Strolling down main street this weekend the sidewalks were a bustle with busy shoppers.

All the lights add such a glowing touch as the sun goes down.

It really gets me in the spirit of the season!

 

Dwellings

 

Michael curated a picturesque holiday storefront filled with fresh greens & lighted pots & orbs.

The lighted candles on tabletops are such a simple holiday addition for the brisk evening.

Inside you will be overwhelmed as your scenses go into overdrive.

The shop is filled with home decor & holiday for any modern family.

 

Primitive Cottage

 

Tammy & Julie created a quaint & cozy primitive country cottage

scene at their shop for the Holidays.

Looking for a great gift for the crafter in your family?

Try PunchNeedle at the Primitive Cottage!

 

Penny Waters Studio

 

Penny's shop has a great collection of whimsical holiday decor.

Penny's shop shows us a softer side of Christmas.

With feminine feather trees or soft color palletes great for a cottage home.

 

Aunt Hatties

 

Looking for the perfect one of a kind gift this season for that hard to buy for person? 

You simply must stop in to visit Donna at Aunt Hatties!

Donna has fun & quirky gifts that are sure to get a chuckle or two.

 

Hope you all enjoyed your stroll down mainstreet with me!

Have a great weekend!

 

Carrie

participating
Savvy Southern Style
The Shabby Creek Cottage

Seasons Greetings

image by Carrie Corson

 

 

Hope you all are having a wonderful holiday season!

I know I have been absent from my blog lately.

Life is so busy with the our renovation & the holiday season upon us.

It makes me sad that I don't have the time to devote to my blog.

In due time life will return to a more normal pace.
Ha!  If there is still such a thing!

I will then return to a more normal pattern of posting updates around here.

 

In the meantime please know that I have not forgotten about my friends in blogland.

This is one of my favorite times of year for blogging.

It's just not quit the same, without having a home to decorate for the holidays this year.

I need to spark that good ol Christmas spirit!

So this morning before heading off to work at Dwellings I thought I would spruce up the blog a bit.
What do you think?
Festive?

 

Good news is we will have a home very soon...each day that goes

by our renovation marks yet another hurdle off the list.

I will get back to updating you on all the latest reno news I promise!

 

Have a great weekend friends!

 

Carrie

 



Dwellings Holiday 2012 Part 1

 

For those of you who follow along, you have seen images from my brother's shop Dwellings.

If any of you are new around here, from time to time I will rattle on about the shop!

I help out on the weekends at the shop & have been updating the shops Facebook page.

 

So...I'm excited to say that.

The shop has been updated for the HOLIDAYS!

I thought I would share the first glance of holiday images with you all.

 

I am dying for the natural simple white holiday decor this season.

Classic. Casual. Elegant. Cottage.

 

ahhhh....

 

 

If you are traveling on Interstate 80 this holiday season stop in downtown LeClaire, Iowa.

I promise, you will not be disappointed you did!

We are located just about 2 hours west of Chicago on the Iowa/Illinois border.

We have a great variety of quaint shops in the downtown area.

And...yes, I am partial:)

Wouldn't you be???

 

 

 

I also love the modern natural lodge look for the winter season.

 

 participating

Savvy Southern Style

The Shabby Creek Cottage

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?

 

 

 

participating

Funky Junk Interiors

Between Naps on the Porch

The Shabby Creek Cottage

French Country Cottage

Savvy Southern Style