Wednesday Words

A M E N ! So easy to forget but so important remember.

Wednesday Words

I saw this quote on Instagram, by Whitney English, and I I had to stop and think about it for a second. How true is this? I looked up her blog and she had some wonderful insight here too.

I have so many friends going through so many painful things — painful, painful, painful things — like the death of a child, infertility, home wrecked by a tornado, lost job, depression...the list goes on and on. We're all surrounded by some sort of "struggle" whether it's in our own lives, our friends' lives or just on the news...it's there. But at some point (we have no clue when or how) we will all experience a great struggle, and it will be part of our story. I have to believe God uses those hard times and struggles to get us where he wants us to be at the end of the story.

Some heavy thoughts and words from a thankful heart this morning...

B E L I E V E

Here's our 2012 Christmas Card! I had so much designing this — and it was quite easy when you're working with such a sweet & scrumptious subject :) Chelsea Francis took the photo, and she did a wonderful job capturing our little Calder-bear!

I wanted to incorporate this card for one of my Wednesday Words of Wisdom posts because I love this verse on so many levels.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen,
but on what is unseen.
For what is seen is temporary,
but what is unseen is eternal.

Luke 2:14

Merry Christmas everyone!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

 

So simple but SO life changing when practiced daily.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

This is one of my very favorite quotes, and it just so happened to be my mom's senior quote in her high school yearbook. Wise words like these never go out of style. And here's another one just because it's been that kind of day!

I couldn't agree more this quote. Hope you're having a wonderful week, and yes, enjoy a damn cupcake! I actually did this morning! :)

Wednesday Words of Wisdom by Albert Hadley

I always heard about Interior Designer Albert Hadley growing up—being that my mom is an interior designer and my first name is Hadley. And believe it or not, I was not named after him, but by how my mom talked about this design icon, you would think I had been!

Even though I am many months late on posting this, I felt it would be wrong of me not to acknowledge the passing of the one and only, Albert Hadley. When I was browsing through the May-June 2012 issue of Veranda magazine, I was touched by the editor's tribute to Albert Hadley's life and work. What an interesting and talented man he was! He skillfully mixed classical and daring, modern details with a perfected eye.

And he sure was quotable:

"The essence of interior design will always be about people and how they live. It is about the realities of what makes for an attractive, civilized, meaningful environment, not about fashion or what's in or what's out. This is not an easy job."

"Flair is a primitive kind of style. It is innate and cannot be taught. It can be polished and refined. When a person has flair, a grounding in the principle of design, and self-discipline, that person has the potential of being an outstanding designer."

I love his sketches—so loose and expressive!

Just last year, Architectural Digest asked Hadley, What is your definition of a great room?

“The best rooms have history and MEANING: photographs that remind you of someone, furniture that has a story. Whatever you put in your house should be interesting. I may not like it, but that doesn’t make any difference. And decorating is not about dollars and cents; it’s an emotional thing, it’s passion. Buying a painting or a piece of furniture just because a famous name made it isn’t passion.”

"Decorating is not about making stage sets, it's not about making pretty pictures for the magazines; it's really about creating a quality of life, a beauty that nourishes the soul."

- Albert Hadley, American Interior Designer

Mr. Hadley, thanks for all the inspiration and for sharing your creative genius with us. You and your words of wisdom will truly be missed!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Yesterday marked the beginning of my last year in my 20's! It was without a doubt, my best birthday yet. A relaxing pedicure, laid back sushi dinner date with my two best friends, Bruner and Calder, and this little one got to taste her very first cupcake—it doesn't get any better than that.

Special thanks to my sweet family and friends who made me feel so special and loved yesterday. I am beyond blessed and pray 29 is the best year yet!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

I love this quote. Definitely something we should all aspire to do.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Still making progress on the kitchen. Countertops were installed yesterday! Subway tile is being installed as I type. Hope to be finished with it all tomorrow. Can't wait to show you the final product soon!

And a few recent pics of our little Calder-bear...

Still trying to figure out what these little legs are for. I'm not rushing anything..that's for sure!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

I saw this on Pinterest today and it made me stop and think, and ask the question—what really matters? Am I focusing on those things? Always good to have a reality check.

This quote is from one of my favorite books Crazy Love by Francis Chan. We did a Bible Study on this book last year, and it definitely makes you think about life from a new perspective. Here's the intro from the Crazy Love website:

Does something deep inside your heart long to break free from the status quo? Are you hungry for an authentic faith that addresses the problems of our world with tangible, even radical, solutions? God is calling you to a passionate love relationship with Himself. Because the answer to religious complacency isn't working harder at a list of do's and don'ts — it's falling in love with God. And once you encounter His love, as Francis describes it, you will never be the same.

Because when you're wildly in love with someone, it changes everything.

Kitchen Design - Round 1

Happy Wednesday everyone. To incorporate my "Wednesday Words of Wisdom" posts, I'm featuring  this signed print my mom gave me a few years ago. She had interior designer Suzanne Kasler sign a page from her book Inspired Interiors, and she wrote, "Hadley, Design makes a difference." click here to read more.

I've always loved this and have it hanging next to my desk, along with my favorite John Derian plate and a small abstract painting from the very talented Sarah Otts.

SO...that being said, on to my kitchen! All-things kitchen related have consumed my mind lately. We're in the process of slightly remodeling our kitchen. I've been dreaming about doing this for years, and our changes are minimal but will make a huge impact. Here's what we want to do:

1) Paint cabinets (probably Benjamin Moore Linen White since it's what I used for my desk cabinets in the kitchen, and I love it)

2) New Countertops

3) New sink/fixtures

4) Subway tile backsplash

5) Add a small island/extension with two stools so that people can sit in the kitchen (and so I can sit with Calder and feed her in her high chair)

Here are some kitchens I keep coming back to. I carry pics of these in my little binder and many of these kitchens I've loved for a  l o n g  time.

 

You'll notice a theme here. I love white kitchens and I love carrara marble. It's what I've always been drawn to and have envisioned in our kitchen someday.  However, I'm still open to suggestions because I am a little worried about the maintenance of marble. BUT, I've also heard (and read) many people say the maintenance is not as bad you'd think and they'd buy carrara marble again. 

I've also researched great marble alternatives (such as Cambria quartz counters in torquay). See this post and picture below for more details. But, I have some slabs in my kitchen, and the marble still takes the cake. we shall see...

Any suggestions and comments are welcomed. I'll definitely post pics as we begin and hope to make some progress soon!

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Short and sweet.

I believe this with all my heart and am thankful I love what I do.

Wedensday Words of Wisdom

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

It's so easy to focus more on the things we want, especially in this "perfect pinterest world" we live in. BUT, I pray I always focus more on what I have.

Wednesday Words of Wisdom

Image via {Sarah Jane Studios} ... Check out her work. She is so talented!