Home again

We arrived home this evening after a long day of driving back. It didn't really feel all that bad today while driving. Time went by faster it seemed. And we got home before the sunset, that's always a plus!

We had a great trip. I feel completely at home at my parents house and we always have such fun together.

This is an adorable stitched canvas print I had put on my favorites list on Etsy that relates:

"Home is where you take it"

Lake Guntersville State Park

We went to Lake Guntersville yesterday and ate at the state park lodge. It felt so cozy and lodge-y. The view of the lake and foothills from the lodge is really beautiful. I would love to go back when it's cold and the fireplaces are on while holding a cup of hot cocoa. That would be the ultimate cozy! Makes my heart skip a beat just thinking about that.

Me looking through a scope

Back of lodge view

The lodge

A wonderful aspect of the lodge is that it's part of the state park, not part of exclusive club. You can just go in and walk around. They have a large restaurant area inside as well. And lots of sitting areas to just relax in with cozy leather sofas and chairs. They were setting up a wedding to be held on one of the large back balconies that overlooks the lake. How breathtaking it would be to get married there!

Happy Weekend!

I am getting things ready for our trip to Alabama. No matter how many times we drive there, the drive never feels any better! There are those always boring gaps of travel. There are the usual road marks and exits that we have come to know well up I-75. To me, the drive through north Florida is so boring. It takes us about 2.5-3 hours to reach the Georgia border and until then, there is nothing exciting to see on the highway.

Once in Georgia it's a relief, but then it's really boring for another couple hours until you reach Macon. Then the trip starts to feel a little more exciting on the Macon bypass because only about an hour after that is the big city, Atlanta! Once in Atlanta it's only 2 hours more til we reach my parent's house.

There is lots to look at in Atlanta just because it's the biggest thing you see on the way! Lots of cars usually(bad traffic if it's rush hour), and lots of planes landing and taking off in the air at the airport. Sometimes you can get a glimpse of the downtown buildings while on the Atlanta bypass. After heading north all that way to ATL, it's time for the eastern stretch of travel to Alabama! The last part gets a little boring again, through a dark stretch of road that is mostly rural. Once we are in my parent's town, it feel exciting to know we are finally almost there. The trip takes us 9.5-10 hours usually. Our best time was maybe 9 hours. :\

So yeah that's how it always seems to go!! Road trip, road trip, road trip! :)

I hope everyone out there has a nice Labor Day weekend!

Vintage Thursday: Fall dresses

Even though it's not Fall yet, I couldn't resist finding Fall colored vintage dresses to feature today. Plus, if anyone wants to order a Fall dress online, you should do it soon so you have it in time!

top row: 70's Batik Silk dress; VintageFrocksofFancy; 50's Autumn Belle Dress

bottom row: 60's Striped Dress; 60's Tent dress; 70's printed dress

Sadly the halter dress just expired today but maybe it will be relisted! That's why I had to link to the shop instead of the dress. It was$185 I think, pricey, because it's vintage silk...and beautiful.

I love September!

I have reunited with one of my favorite things! The pumpkin spice latte. It's back in the Starbucks stores! I bought my first one of the season yesterday. It was as good as I remembered.

Yes, I really like them a lot! I will try not to go on too much about it, but I am just happy it's available again. And in case I sound crazy about them(I am!), I should say that I usually only get a specialty coffee once a week, twice a week if I'm lucky! So I don't go get one every day, even though that sounds like it'd be awesome. ;)

It's September!

This is a good month for me and for my family. It's the month of our wedding anniversary, it always has a day off work for hubby for Labor Day, it's the month of both of my parents' birthdays, FALL starts, and this year it's the month of our cruise. And we decided the other day that we are going to drive up to Alabama to visit my family this Labor Day weekend!

Etsy talk-I added two new sets of pillow covers to my shop last night. I love both of the fabrics so much!! I am tempted to keep them, but I won't. I should buy more of these fabrics though!

Happy September!

Decor Inspiration + Cruise countdown

I have talked about it before but it's time again! Have you ever walked through an Anthropologie store? To me, the most fun part about it are the displays. Our Tampa Anthropologie store is my favorite and my mother's. We love the set up of that one. The bedding, oh the bedding! And just how they set up the store overall. I have never bought clothes there because it's either too pricey or it doesn't fit. I know they have clearance too, which is where I always head to! I have gotten mugs, home decor, housewares, etc there for low prices. Maybe one day I will snag a piece of clothing on clearance.

The store inspires me!

1. Anthropologie, 2. Anthropologie, 3. Anthropologie,
4. anthropologie craft room window display 2, 5. anthropologie, 6. Anthropologie

Oh and it's one month until we go on our cruise! I am so excited! I found a picture of the ship we will be on "Carnival Inspiration", docked at Cozumel which is where we are going! Woohoo!

From flickr.

Tips for making bunting/flag banners

I have a guest post up over at Oh, My darling today with tips for making bunting out of fabric or paper. Some of you may remember the flag banner/bunting I made for my mom that I shared here. I have tips for making that over there!