Easter Is More Than Eggs

I just wanted to share the reason we remember the walk of Christ down the Via Delorosa, the brutal death of our Savior Jesus among thieves on the Hill at Golgotha, his burial in a tomb covered with a stone, and 3 days later, rejoice in His holy resurrection.

That He has gone to be with His Father... Our Father. The perfect Father. He didn't have to do it, He wanted to, so that we all could have the choice to spend eternity in Heaven with Him.

Below are the powerful lyrics to a song written & performed by Phillips, Craig & Dean "Saved The Day"

The darkest day in history was over

All was lost on the cross Beaten, battered, bruised beyond description You gave it all, what went wrong? This couldn't be the end of Heaven's story 'Cause You came to save, to beat the grave Three days and now they're looking for Your body But You were gone, and now I know You saved the day The day You rolled the stone away The empty grave is there to say You reign You saved the day You tore the holy veil away You opened wide the prison gates You saved the day Rescued from the shackles of my failure In the dead of night, You shined Your light Your gift of love is hope that springs eternal And because of You, all things are new You saved the day The day You rolled the stone away The empty grave is there to say You reign You saved the day You tore the holy veil away You opened wide the prison gates You saved the day Oh God, You rescued me From my iniquities Your gift of love is hope that springs eternal And because of You, all things are new You saved the day The day You rolled the stone away The empty grave is there to say You reign You saved the day You tore the holy veil away You opened wide the prison gates You saved the day You saved the day The day You rolled the stone away The empty grave is there to say You reign You saved the day You tore the holy veil away You opened wide the prison gates You saved the day

Luke 24:6-7 He isn't here! He has risen from the dead! Don't you remember what he told you back in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be betrayed into the hands of sinful men and be crucified, and that he would rise again the third day?"

You Are The Everlasting God

Life Below the Mason Dixon ... Mason Love

Although their name has nothing to do with the famous line that once separated the North from the Great South in the 1770s, Mason (or Ball) jars, have been around since nearly as long. These jars have gone from their primary use of home canning (which, hello! All Southerns love to can their own veggies or pickle some peaches) to decor in weddings, homes, floral shows and even en mass for a visual impact. HARRISCLARKBLOG.COM I personally have been obsessed with collecting Mason Jars (blue ones) since my freshman year in college, when I had a tropical motif to my dorm room. I still have the first jar I bought, filled with shells from every beach I ever have visited. More recently, the Mister drilled a small hole in the bottom of one of my pint sized clear Mason jars so that I would be able to use it as a planter! The adorable wooden divided crate was a steal at a local antique street fair for $5. I have a few terra cotta pots + ball jars mixed in as planters. My dream wedding has always incorporated Mason Jars (j'adore the bleu ones!) either as center pieces or beverage holders. I love this shot from ThriftyFun blogger, using jute to wrap the bottom of the jar + adding some green Depression Glass plates (another fav!) I think it's of utmost importance to personalize your wedding day, and Mason jars are so me! Take a look at the photo-frame jars from Papery+Cakery blog. I would not have ever thought to do this :)

~~~~~~~~~~~> I'm dreaming up ideas of how to re-vamp this GIANT ball jar from Momma. She got it from a craft fair + it was rather primitive country. I love the little night light + have been using it in all it's country-fied glory in my kitchen for nighttime lighting. Any ideas on what to fill it with?? My kitchen is blue & yellow French country style... suggestions needed :)

theweedpatchstore.com

One of the most posh retro stores I know is Anthropologie. If you've not yet had the experience, you must find one near you, or on your next vacation. It's one of those stores I can muse through without a dime in my pocket, go home and put all that inspiration to good use! Although not everything is super pricey, everything IS super chic & adorable!!!! Check out their amazing display of mason jar lighting from a while back ... That's about all I have for now, hope that you find some inspiration from this post + if nothing else, at least some nice photos to look at :) Love + K's ~ B

Luxe Loves on Fabulous Friday

Hello Followers (although few at this point!)I have been blogging now long enough to come up with a theme for my Friday posts ...

FaBuLoUs fRidAyS

There have been a few days where taking the mental process of thinking & researching something to blog about, really is just a far reach for me. Blame it on the random hours I work + gym time I squeeze in 4 days a week + boyfriend + social life.So today is the first "FABULOUS FRIDAY" post + you're in for a treat :) First off: Christian Louboutin: the love of my life since I could pronounce the word "shoe" ! These fabulous Lou's, blue glittery heels in all of their red-sole'd glory are nothing, I mean nothing short of FaBuLoUs. My eyes literally sparkled at first sight!!

Since my move to Tallahassee & falling in love with a monogramming store called M&M Monogramming, I have had to get at least 1 "Two's Company" bag each season. The great thing about their bags is the versatility for the price. They're always stylish, and used as gym bags, beach bags, or throw-all bags (those that I keep handy for when I need to dash out the door) ... Check out the new FaBuLoUs Styles for Spring & Summer!!

For those of you without an expensive shoe or bag fetish like my own, I have a FaBuLoUs Green craft project that involves ball jars (Love!!) & some old pi eces of shelving or scrap wood! Throw a few coats of paint on it & you've got this adorable storage piece which you can use for kitchen utensils, hair brushes + accessories, or scrapbooking/ art utensils (courtesy of Weeping Cherries) That's all I have for now ~ Enjoy your weekends & remember that Spring officially starts on Saturday :) ~B

Just some Blog-Spiration

Have y'all heard of Polyvore?? It is the most FUN site to create inspiration boards & you can make your own "sets" or browse others! I have used it for inspiration for outfits to take on fabulous vacay's, wedding showers, and sometimes just to work! (You know, when I used to have to be very fashion-forward at my old job in the high-end department store!)

So, ramblings aside (it is LATE & my warm bed is calling) ... I just wanted to toss this inspiration board I made at www.Polyvore.com (free accounts!) for one of my *bests* lingerie shower that I am hosting. It's my first big affair for one of my friends in relation to their wedding. How sweet it is to be part of a couple's life in this way. The theme is Upper-East Side -meets Southern beach girl in the springtime! I have already bought black damask-ish print napkins & plates ... All attendants are asked to wear black /white or a combo of both, and I'd love for the Bride-To-Be to wear *PiNk* ... she'll look stunning, no matter what though! It's a brunchery theme, plush flowers, attention to detail in food & drinks, and not to mention, I'm asking our New Orleanian *best* to bring her cocktail expertise to the table, literally & design a drink for our Bride-To-Be. She will be wonderful & love sharing her talents with us :) B-2-B doesn't want "skanky" lingerie. She's a sweet nightgown & practical kinda gal, so we'll be seeing sweet floral prints and things that are romantic versus raunchy :) I look forward to posting REAL photos of this Lingerie Shower Brunch with ya'll in May. For now, I'll keep dreaming it up! B

Ebony & Ivory... but Mostly Ebony!

This post is for my sweet Mother. Also known to me as "Lady" or "Momma". A woman that loves to decorate & whom I believe has been influencing my taste in decor as well. See, my Momma is a pianist. She plays for our church & is a very-patient teacher to over 40 wonderful students that she opens her *faBuLouslY* decorated home to. She is aahhhmazingly talented! Currently, Momma is on another re-do spree, this time the victim is the living room. It's been a work-in-progress as she has decided which colors she'd like to pull together. The winner.... BLACK! Not to fret, Momma would never do anything tacky. With our flair for French inspired design & a basket full of Ballard Design catalogs, we are turning this living room around. So without further ado, I am showing off all inspirational pieces I have found throughout the wonderful world (or, internet!) in hopes that she will find her own way to incorporate them into her home.

Some of my newest favorite trends are moving further from the famed & loved Rachel Ashwell Shabby Chic style, to a more rustic - chic inspired design. Let your mind wander to the farms of the Midwest, wire baskets, chicken wire, crackled & chippy wood, dried leaves & florals, burlap, and Ball jar style lamps that hang solo in old barns. Then add the whimsy that French design has brought us, the Imperial Bee, the Royal Crown, smooth & sexy lines on furniture, moss covered planters sprinkled among monochromatic tablescapes and groupings. It is truly in the smallest details of our home that show who we really are. Momma also loves to display old family photos' and I am hoping to bring new life to the way to show them off! Here goes :)

Upholstery, Pillows & Furniture

Wouldn't you love to cozy up with these unique pillows? Available at Etsy store from blogger "Cute Pink Stuff" here on Blogger! And they would be especially chic in this little chair from BelleEscape.com --->

And they would be especially chic in this little chair from BelleEscape.com I envision the living room with cute fabrics such as ...

I envision the living room with cute fabrics such as ...

Capture the ... bust?!

The "apothecary craze" as I call it, has ranged from Candy Bars at weddings, to moss filled jars emulating green houses, and now, I firmly believe you can use an apothecary jar or bell jar to literally, CAPTURE anything you'd like to be a focal point! Here's an awesome idea, especially for my Musical Momma !

Each room could use a statement piece, imagine this beautiful buffet adorning your foyer...

And maybe an antique collection of Trophy cups ... I like mine with branches!

For an easier replica on a DIY project, I think a re-do on this armoire would be cute: Well my friends, if anyone is reading this ... I am done for now! Check back later for more ideas, and please bear with me on the crazy layouts in these posts, I'm still learning! B

Is It Bikini Weather Yet???

Is It Bikini Weather Yet???

As I shopped my local designer-clad mall in a jacket & scarf, I found myself longing for the days of bikini's, salty tangled hair, and sunscreen (okay, and tanner!!). The bug always hits me around February, when I have been pasty white since November 1 and my legs haven't seen the light of day except for when I head to the gym in shorts (even then, a scary sight!) So, here it is, nearly the end of February & I have begun my rigorous routine for "thigh thinner" and upped the ante on my abdominal workouts, preparing myself for summer... which where I live, begins around mid-March. The cool winds from our 1-week of Spring have subsided and it's on to blazing temperatures until November. BRING IT ON!!! I'm ready to shed my dry skin, mittens, beloved Burberry coat & jeans. I'm going to gleefully pull out the spring colored wardrobe in the next week, as I believe that it will bring good warm weather even sooner :) So, now that the sundresses & espadrille sandals are coming back out, I'm starting to dread trying on bikini's in stores. Why must they equip dressing rooms with fluorescent lighting?? It's a cruel & rotten ploy to selling swimsuits. But alas, I will go in & believe that my skin hasn't a ripple in it & that I will look fabulous once I get a tan :) Which brings me to my next issue regarding beach weather ... Sunscreen -V- Tanning Lotion. I have (with the guidance of my dear friend "Legs") succumbed to putting SPF 30 on my neck, shoulders, chest & face (keeping a hat on too!), and then using an SPF 15 tanner on the rest of our bodies. We're in our mid-twenties & it is time to say goodbye to baby oil. We'll be thanking ourselves when we don't look like the newest Cole Haan leather goods line in 2020. Please wear sunscreen this year! Skin cancer can affect everyone! My favorite products for summer are below: C.O. Bigelow SPF 15 Lip Balm only $7! Great minty taste too! A fabulous & colorful hat to shade your face!

Paraben & Animal by-product free sunscreen by Kiss My Face

Bikini's by L-Space & VIX are a sure hit for any poolside party or beach affair I can't part with mine!

Well, that about sums up my itch for summer... til the warmer weather returns ... B

That's Who I Am

There are just certain things that make me "B".

• Dean Martin, Sammy Davis, & Ol' Blue Eyes Frank Sinatra
• Hydrangeas, Azaleas & Magnolias, especially when they bloomed outside my window!
• Sunsets at my new beach, on the West coast!
• Small antique stores by the side of the road, scream "Come In!" to me.
• The Florida State University
• My love for kitchen gadget stores
• Decorative birds
• Anything Southern

Plain Jane

Well, I have tried in the past to create blogs, based on crafts I am doing, places I travel, and well ... they just didn't stick! So my hopes for this blog, are that I will be able to blog whatever beautiful things I see or feel on the current day. Topics will vary. Tastes will change. And that is part of the fun of being who we are, the ability to change our likes & dislikes, what inspires us, and dreams we have. Here I am, plain Jane blogger. Just me. B