Sweet Spring Inspiration

There is some planning going on in my world. I'm up to something. 

And, when I plan, well, I need to make an inspiration board. 

So I share. 

Any guesses what it's for?

Some DIY projects are the works! Get ready!

Come back and see me!

~Kara

I'll Be Back

If you are one of my very few readers, as you know I've kind of disappeared for the past two weeks. I know it's been so very hard on you :)

I've been busy. 

I got sick. 

I have (1000+) unread items in my google reader.

I'm going to hit "mark all as read"

I'll be back next week!!!! I promise!!!!!

Warning: More bridal shower goodness on the way. Party number to is in one week!!!

Love you all. 

Have a safe and happy weekend!

~Kara

Ladies and Gentlemen, Meet my Hair

How do I describe my hair?

Well, My hair is the consistency of a horse tail, literally. coarse, dry, unattractive.

It looks something like this....

My hair is also, how would I put it? 

Bendy. 

Yes. Bendy. This is not wavy, this is not curly, this is not straight. It's just bendy. 

My mom, the former hair dresser, is always looking to help me out. So when I received a call from her that see saw a segment on the Today show about a magic frizz-defying product sold at Sephora, well you know straight where I went. 

Meet my new lover...

It's called no frizz and is made by Living Proof

Run for your life ladies. Go get this stuff. You will thank me later. I can't stop touching my hair today. They make it for smooth straight hair in three types (fine, medium to thick, and thick to coarse) and they also have a version for all you curly-headed ones. 

You can come back and thank me later. 

Happy Friday and first day of Spring!

Come back and see me!

~Kara

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea.

A great high Priest whose Name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,

My name is written on His heart.

I know that while in Heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within,

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free.

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,

My perfect spotless righteousness,

The great unchangeable I AM,

The King of glory and of grace,

One in Himself I cannot die.

My soul is purchased by His blood,

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ my Savior and my God!

No Cost Jewlery Organization

This past weekend I spent a lot of time cleaning out and organizing. I have the spring cleaning bug! 

Most of us don't have a ton of expendable income these days, so we have to get creative wit our home projects!I wanted to get a jewelery armoire to organize all my bling bling, but didn't quite have the cash. 

(yes, I took the following pictures with my phone...they are awful...like not blog-worthy AT ALL, oh well. I was in a rush this morning, don't judge.)

Enter one chippy-painted old nightstand from Caleb's house...

I cut an egg carton in half and set that in the little drawer for earrings, pendants, etc. , bigger earrings set to the side of the crates and bracelets are stacked behind it....

Then I "installed" hooks on the side for all my necklaces. Cleaning everything out is like shopping! I forgot about so many things I already have!! Little bowls on top of the table hold odds and ends...a bobby pin here and there, etc...

Above the table, i decided to hang a clip board where I can quickly stash/grab "action items" party invitations, bills to pay, to do list, etc....

In other words, I won a...... 

WONDERFUL OH SO EXCITING CAN'T WAIT GIVEAWAY!!!

I hope you all know Layla @ The Lettered Cottage, I'm sure you do. 

Well the lovely... (GO LOOK AT HER HOUSE IT'S AMAZING) Erin @ Rare and Beautiful Treasures was giving away one of Layla's design consultations, and well, guess who won?! 

MOI!

Caleb's in the middle of renovating a a Civil-War-era home in a tiny town in Illinois, and his living room will be the perfect one to have Layla tackle. 

Go visit both of these ladies. You won't regret it!

Tackle one organization project this weekend, you can do it! And you will feel so much better!

What will you be working on this weekend?

Come back and see me!

~Kara

Fun Foodie Centerpiece Idea, and a Wild Turkey

My best friend is marrying a chef. 

OBVIOUSLY the food-thing is very important to this wedding. 

And, they want to incorporate their love of all-things-culinary into more than just,well... the food.

So imagine our excitement when this little gem of an image popped up on Style Me Pretty yesterday...

Yes people. That is BREAD AS THE CENTERPIECE. Served with a few Mediterranean dips with a pot of fresh herbs on either side. 

This is beautiful to me, and so much more personal than a floral arrangement. 

And, if any of you are brides-to-be. Go immediately bookmark Style me Pretty. It's the mecca of all wedding blogs. 

And now to the Wild Turkey, and no I'm not going to talk about Whiskey (yuck.).....

I would just like to comment that EVERY SINGLE DAY on my drive home at the SAME EXACT SPOT ON THE HIGHWAY there are the SAME TWO WILD TURKEYS walking up and down the shoulder of the highway, as if they are hitchhiking.  They also like to peck (do turkey's peck?) at the side of the shoulder- and eat rocks. I kid you not.

every.

day.

I may or may not say hi to them everyday when I drive by :)

Is it Friday yet?

Come back and see me!

~Kara

Keep Calm and Carry On

I know most of you all already have one of these "Keep Calm and Carry On" posters. I just got mine here.

I picked this natural color so it would go wherever I end up hanging it!

It's on natural fiber like paper, 16 x 20 and will look wonderful matted and framed......

I'm thinking a chunky white frame.

MAYBE with a robins egg blue matte just to spice things up. 

Can't wait till it gets here!!!

Come back and see me!

~Kara

A Tragedy

Many of you may have heard about the church shooting that happened yesterday morning. Pastor Fred Winters was shot and killed while preaching the gospel yesterday morning. 

This is tragic.

It's also less than a mile from my home. 

My good friend knew the pastor. 

My other good friend is a teacher at the Christian school there. One of her third graders fathers was stabbed. She is devastated. 

My heart is breaking for everyone involved. For the family of Pastor Winters (he had two girls), for the little kid in my friend's class who's daddy was stabbed, for the congregation, for those who will live in fear after witnessing this, even for the gunman and his family. My heart is breaking for them. I can't get them out of my mind. 

Times like this, its hard to understand where God is or how he will be glorified in such a horrific circumstance. This is simply a reminder that our world is broken and each of us need the gospel. Fred Winters died forgiven, preaching truth. A truth that each of us need. 

Please join me today in praying for this family, congregation and community. 

Kara

Be Still My Heart...I NEED (want) Thiss Dress!

So far, I have been invited to EIGHT weddings this year. 

I'm going to need some dresses. 

I'm in two of those weddings.

I'm going to need some (rehearsal) dresses. 

I REALLY WANT THIS ONE!!!!!!

Oh, sweet sweet Anthropologie why do you tease me with such beautiful merchandise, then laugh when I look at my bank account and say, "humph. I just can't AFFORD you." It's a mean mean game you play on me. 

But seriously, this dress....

TAKE A LOOK AT THE NECKLINE PEOPLE......

Little beads of love, how beautiful you are.... 

It's on sale...

I'm thinking about it....

Happy Friday!!!!!

Come back and see me!

~Kara

Sweet Little Deals...

Owls. 

Has anyone else noticed how popular they are these days?

Imagine the little smile that came across my face when I stumbled upon this little gem on a recent thrift shop stop in Nashville.

For a dollar....

I can't wait to find the perfect little place to hang it. 

In other deals....

Do you enjoy vintagey, anthropologie, estate sale looking jewelery?

yeah, I thought so. me too. 

I stumbled upon the best little deal for a cute, inexpensive necklace. At Michael's, they have a whole section of heirloom, Victorian, old-looking charms and pendants. I found this one in a little display, not in the actual charm aisle.  

I got it for....

TWO BUCKS!!!!!

Now, imagine if you had a 40% off coupon. 

All you have to do is add it to a chain that you already have and.....

VOILA!

A cute vintagey "faux-one-of-a-kind" Necklace.....

What deals have you found recently?

Come back and see me!

~Kara

Re-Think the Vase and Tweet Tweet!

I'm craving spring. 

Spring means fresh flowers.

And, no one says you can only use a vase to hold your fresh cut flowers.

What about a mason jar?

Or a sugar/creamer bowl from your tea set?

Or a pitcher?

What are your favorite "unusual" vases?

In other news, I've joined the land of tweeters...

HELP!

1. I have NO idea what I'm doing!

2. Can someone help me figure out how to get one of those little twitter boxes in my sidebar?

3. You can follow me here: http://twitter.com/inspiredkara

4. Let me know how I can follow you!

Come back and see me!

~Kara