hooray for independence day.

The 4th of July is, hands down, my favorite holiday. For the past 15 years, my family has spent this amazing holiday weekend at our lakehouse on Lake Oconee in the quaint town of Greensboro, Georgia. This is where John and I said our vows to one another three months ago. I didn’t think my heart could grow fonder, but the memories of our wedding day in addition to the memories made during my childhood deepen my love for my family’s lakehouse and time spent there. I cherish every moment, especially those made over the 4th of July weekend. It isn't the Fourth without long boat rides, tubing wars, shrimp boils, hitting waves at full speed on the wave-runner, anchoring at "the sandbar," fireworks by boat at Great Waters, fireworks by foot at The Ritz-Carlton Lodge, spritzers, lots of junk food, late night games of Spades, loud music, cooling off or deep conversations on the screened porch, trips to the LakeClub for an afternoon swim in the pool, walks to the marina, the smell of sunscreen and barbeque, floats and noodles, taking baths and washing hair in the lake, bike rides, sparklers, and my brother Andrew's famous firework show in our cove. The weekend entails lots of sun, lots of laughs, and lots of love. I am so head over heels for this weekend that I put together a special 4th of July playlist on my iPod (I'm not talking songs like Tom Petty's "American Girl." I'm talking patriotic medleys and different variations of our National Anthem. Don't judge), I wear only clothes and bathing suits that consist of red, white, or blue...or a combination of all three, and talk non-stop about how excited I am to celebrate Independence Day for weeks in advance. 

So, to celebrate the day our country gained its independence and the values on which it stands and to express my love for this festive day, I have gathered some red, white, and blue inspiration to share. I hope that these rooms and decorations rouse your patriotic side just as they did mine!  

Via House Beautiful

Via Pottery Barn

Via Southern Living

Via House Beautiful

Via Southern Living

Via Coastal Living

Via House Beautiful

I am in drooling over this room!

Via House Beautiful

God bless America and God bless you and yours this weekend. Safe travels and, of course, HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!

farm charm.

I have a new obsession. An unattainable obsession at the moment. Or, maybe ever. But, I'm thinking that because John and I drove by two on Saturday (I usually make him drive me by when we're cruising around Mountain Brook) AND saw it again in the movie "Marley and Me" last night, it's somewhat of a sign. Meant to be? I think so. Cough. John. Cough. Yeah, in my dreams. BUT, maybe one day?! Okay, so what is this obsession you ask? A house. Not just any ole house, however. My heart yearns for the stone farmhouse, which spans the Pennsylvanian countryside. You may have taken me for more of a "Nantucket" or "Cape Cod" kinda gal, but if my amazing husband, the wonderful builder he is, could build me one style home, it would be this beaut: 

My favorite design aspect of this style home is that it has several different materials all crammed into one exterior. It is so warm and inviting. As John likes to say, "it's easy on the eye." The earthy veneer blends in with the natural beauty of the outdoors. I honestly can't say enough about this house. What is there not to love?! 

cat nap.

I love Sundays. Not only is it the day of the week that we get to worship our King, but it is also a day of Sabbath. John and I tend to take full advantage of this day of rest. After our jam-packed Friday and Saturday, today was no exception. Over the weekend the husband and I sorted out our banking, went on a date to celebrate our first three months of marriage, drove around and took pictures of some beautiful homes in Mountain Brook for Francis A. Bryant & Sons' website, grabbed lunch at Gilchrist, went to Best Buy to purchase some new electronics (Christmas came early for the both of us. I welcomed the Nikon SB-900 to my photography family. YAY!), went to the in-laws, ventured to the Summit to buy a couple of  wedding gifts, drove out to Columbiana to celebrate the recent marriage of our friends Aaron and Angela Fant, stopped by Academy for some feed, and dined at DoDiYo's with my best friend Ashley and her husband Conner. Oh yeah, I also went to a Bridal Tea in honor of our friend Taylor's bride-elect, Katie. And I cleaned...but, that is a given.

Right now, the winds are picking up and the sky is getting dark. I think we're in for a bit of a blow. {Insert nap}.

While we are on the subject of naps, I wanted to share a few photos of my children, Coco (a.k.a "Miss Mo," "Mokie," "Cokio") and Goose (a.k.a "Goosie Man," "Mr. Goose," "Blanco Kitty"). I am almost positive that they sleep 95% of the day. Here are a few things that they like to do the other 5%...

Goose loves to lounge on the cool hardwoods. Hence, why I vacuum twice a day. 

Goose also loves bath time. He actually follows me into the bathroom, hops up onto the edge of the tub and cries (meows) until I turn the water on. 

Coco wants in on the action. 

Coco's turn. 

Goose couldn't stand sitting on the sidelines so joined back in. It's rare to see these two share. This was an "aww" moment for me. Usually they are chasing each other around the condo and hairballs are flying.  

I didn't know cats liked eggs. Goose will eat pretty much anything. Maybe it's the curiousity of the cat? I hope it doesn't kill him. Curiousity, that is. Well, eggs too for that matter. 

Coco loves the windowsill. Unfortunately, she doesn't like to share it so Goose has to resort to using other means. 

Ah, yes. She likes this spot because she can watch the birds walk around outside. 

Gotta hate temptation.  

Goose is our feisty kitty and loves play time with daddy. 

He is also a black belt in karate. 

Wait for it...

Another melt-my-heart moment. It's rare to see these two get cozy.   

Those that lay together, stay together.

I hope that everyone had a great weekend and was able to find time at some point to get a little cat nap in. If you didn't, Coco and Goose did for you...

lauren: "is mom around?" dad: "around what?"

My dad has a wicked sense of humor (I can't believe that I just typed wicked). He is constantly making me smile and laugh—even in the worst of moods during the worst of days. He has always been witty, but this is just one of his many qualities. He is a sweet, sensitive, selfless man with a heart for anyone or anything. He has taught me many a lesson and shared oodles of wisdom throughout the years. I wouldn't be the woman that I am today without the love from my father. Curt is THE MAN.

Dad's favorite pastime: singing. While commanding the boat? Why not?! Anywhere, anytime.

Typical expressions.

Today, I celebrate you, Daddy. Happy Father's Day! I love you.

anthro love.

I'm baaaack! After 4 days of pricking and probing in the hospital, surgery, and a week of recovery I have returned to the real-world (again) sans gallbladder. I just want to thank all of my sweet friends and family for all of the support, thoughts, prayers, texts, suppers, cards, flowers, and calls over the past two weeks. I feel incredibly blessed and LOVED.

During my downtime I spent a lot of time in the Word, doing crosswords, reading magazines, watching the tube, i.e. 'The Casey Anthony Trial', and surfing the web. My current obsession? Everything Anthropologie! I could spend hours on this website AND could spend thousands of dollars buying their clothes, accessories, and home furnishings. Here are some of my recent Anthro cravings:

Some items I will pass along to the husband as a hint, hint, however, most of my wishes and wants will never be attainable. A girl can dream, though, right? I hope that everyone has a great Father's Day weekend!