Move Over Barbie - Ballard Barn Is Here!

Well, it's been quite a fun weekend + a while since I last posted anything, so here goes:
Highlights Since My Last Post:

• LOML is going to Law School! In FL!
• Baseball season is half-way over, only 30 something more games!
• Spent weekend laughing + enjoying time with the LOML
• Shopped @ H&M :)
• Shopped @ IKEA :)
• Cooked + ate dinner outside <3
• Saw Toy Story 3 + laughed my butt off!

Okay, so the Handsome Man in my life is moving + needing some house stuff ... he has what I like to call the "Man-sentials": big flat screen TV's, couch, desk, bed, iPod dock + laptop.
Needless to say, a bit of female direction was given this weekend, as we had a blast roaming through stores of house stuff ... dreaming mostly, but accomplishing some great stuff @ IKEA. Oh yea + he has a sharper clothing look now that he will be going to law school... he's handsome as anything in whatever he wears, except this Orange&Blue alma mater stuff ...  :-P yuk! Anyway, a trip to Urband Outfitters + H&M may have been for him!

After seeing so many beautiful house accessories, I really am craving a HOME!! Somewhere permanent. Somewhere with someone I love. Okay, so it's not just the pretty house stuff that makes me want that, I've dreamed of that all my life. I almost feel it's within reach now. Thank the Lord, really!!

But back to the decor {{because we know, that is my "thing"}} ... decided to play around on Polyvore + create my dream living room. Just the pieces, until they make a program where I can really make a room + actually dress it up like a real house. I blame all of this on my Barbie Dream House, circa 1990. Thank you, Mattel.

For Your Viewing Pleasure, I Present My  "Ballard Barn"
 {{Ballard Designs+PotteryBarn inspired}}

Same Adventures - Different Cities

This weekend was a long awaited visit for girls-only time with my awesome roommate from college. It's hard to believe that nearly six years ago this fall, we both moved into Reynolds Hall dormitory on Florida State University campus ... took one look at each other ... and thought "Oh Boy!"

(Photo 2004 & Photo 2010) 

We were complete opposites from our clothes (her vintage chic style & my preppy wardrobe) ... the music we listened to (her indie-rock & my pop) ... but then there were our similarities of antique shops & vintage stores, cooking + baking, laying out, beach trips on the weekend + bonding over Sex &  The City dvd's each night of our second semester in the dorm.
Needless to say, after 1 summer apart - we realized how much we really had found a friend in one another and six years later, I can say I'm truly grateful to have C as my awesome and "randomly chosen" college roommate! I don't think God is "random" & he knew what we would both need!

Okay, enough babbling  ~ so C decided to make a trip down south where I live and hang out. We spent all day Saturday catching up on life while I chauffeured us to all my favorite local antique / home decor / and vintage shops. When the 2 of us get together, we can do some AMAZING decor idea brainstorming and spend some serious $$ !! ((not this weekend, though!)) We even stumbled across a "new" store that had been on my little roadmap of shoppes for 6 years!! Check it out ... Morgan @ Belleair ... I scored the most chic + girly headband there & will probably be inspired to make my own version for another option!! Grey satin ribbon and a beautiful cream rose-y flower!


So - we have lunch at a local fish market & then I'm craving to take her to The Cupcake Spot on Central Ave. for a gourmet cuppy!! C scored a red velvet + this Queen B had a Buckeye ... chocolate cuppy with peanut butter frosting with a nice dollop of chocolate in the middle!!

We were quite shopped out at this point, so it was home for a nap, then dinner with Legs at a local bistro! C and I are camping in a few weeks with friends, so we're both already excited for another visit so close together! I'll be sure to snap some fun memories while camping up north of here!!

All for now ~ Hope ya'll have a fabulous week ... I've got some great things going on :)

xxxo - b