Mason Jar L-O-V-E

I recently acquired dozens of mason jars from a (generous!) friend of ours...

I immediately pulled twelve out to use as drinking glasses, of course... what's better than sipping sweet tea or lemonade out of a mason jar? (or mojitos... yum!)

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I am sort of digging the simplicity of a little Sharpie art on these jars... so cute as storage in a bathroom!

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I love the thought of this over a quaint little breakfast nook...

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I also hope to use a few as kitchen storage... For pretzels and cookies and those last few cups of sugar left in the bag...

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My number ONE project on the list is to use them on our back patio... unfortunately for my plan, the patio is not covered, so I have to worry about the jars filling with rain...  Suggestions are welcome!

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And these are just darling! What a great way to add color to a vignette... paint any color you'd like!

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And of course let's not forget what mason jars do best... house beautiful flowers! I'm thinking we may use some for a bridal shower I've got coming up at my house...

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I can't wait to put these jars to use! Any other mason jar projects that I'm missing out on?


Lauren

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A Pinterest Challenge

I {heart} pinterest.

I have pinned, pinned, pinned to my heart's content, but have majorly slacked on bringing any of these lovely ideas to life. I've made a goal to finish a few projects from my pinboards, and here they are.

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This one is already in the works. I just need a miter saw to cut a cedar plank that will act as the frame. I used a quote that was special to us and was used in our wedding. It will go above our master bed.  I can't wait for it to be finished!

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The curtains in my kitchen have been hounding me for some big, fat stripes.  (Check out that colorful chandelier!)

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Is that not the cutest thing you've ever seen? No, really! It is, right??! I know!! I am dying for this to go in my half bath where everybody will see it. But first I've got to convince my husband that it fits with his "Georgia Bulldog" theme. Hmmm...



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I would love for this to be a success... we have these all over our house! I'm hoping they last a while and save us lots of moolah! 

I'll be sure to update when I get my behind in gear and actually finish one of these projects! 

Lauren

You have my whole heart...

Today is this sweet man's birthday...

I can rarely find the words to say how very much he means to me. He's the most kind, generous, thoughtful, attentive man I've ever known. 


He makes life exceedingly sweet and more fun than I ever imagined. As handsome as he is on the outside ... (look at that smile!) ... his heart his greater still. 


Thank you for doing life with me. Thank you for your love and your spirit and your sense of humor. Thank you for being the best man you can be for me. 

I love you 

Not only for what you are, 

But for what I am when 

I am with you.

I love you, 

Not only for what 

You have made of yourself, 

But for what 

You are making of me.

I love you 

For the part of me 

That you bring out.

-"Love" by Roy Croft

You make me happy.

My heart is full.

xoxo, 

Lauren

Bundle of Joy

My sweet cousin had her first baby on Sunday. She is the very first great-grandchild for my wonderful Mammaw! 

Karlee Ann... Eight pounds, seven ounces of pure loveliness.

I am already  one of little Karlee's favorites. How do I know that, you ask? 

I've been praying for weeks that we could meet her right away. And sure enough, she made her grand entrance on a Sunday while I was in town, just thirty minutes from the hospital, and hours before I had to head back to Nashville. See? What a sweet, obedient child she is...

This was mine and Matt's first time ever taking newborn pictures... it was such a joy to capture all of her precious little expressions just hours after she arrived.

My cousin, Kristin, will be the most wonderful mother. After all, she's been mother hen to me and her sister for years! 

So proud of you and for you, Kristin. She is a beauty!

We are headed back this weekend for a family wedding and to take more photos of this little bundle. I've been getting all kinds of ideas on Pinterest. Stay tuned!

Love!

Lauren

Chicago: the Windy City

Matt and I took a whirlwind trip to the lovely city of Chicago recently. We managed to stop in Louisville on the way and stuff ourselves with quesadillas and margaritas with these two lovelies...

Julia is my sweet real-life-bloggy-friend, and this is her husband, Lance. These two grew up as pals back in Georgia.

We woke up in Chicago the next morning to an impending rain storm (and lovely 75 degree weather)... We headed over to the two-story Home Goods (you read that right) a couple of blocks away and took refuge between aisles of drool-worthy goodness.

After the storm, we took the train to Lincoln Park to explore...

The zoo was spectacular and F-R-E-E...  I highly recommend it! In fact, we noticed so many free attractions in the city, we're already talking about taking a trip with our future munchkins! There's so much to do for little rug rats. 



One of my very favorite pictures...

Did I mention the phenomenal view of the city?!

We also enjoyed an architectural tour of the lake and Chicago River. Did you know they reversed the flow of the river to keep from polluting Lake Michigan? 

After resting up back at the hotel, we headed south to Millennium Park to check out the ever-famous Chicago bean!

My handsome man!

The Hancock Building.

Sweet Leah! She and I spent a summer in Southern California learning about missions back in 2006 and haven't seen each other since! She is such a joy. My heart was full after our visit!

We packed so much into a day! We left with love for a new city... and plans to return time and time again!

Lauren