Life Happens / A Beautifully Styled Home

This little journey of life sometimes takes turns we never saw coming. 

It feels like a season for change, not just for myself but for many others as well. I find myself

longing for things I never imagined wanting. 

Just when you think you know yourself...

These last few weeks have been a whirlwind of family and friends and long awaited reunions. All the while facing numerous crossroads with ups an downs and introspection and revelations and monumental milestones! Whew...thank God for grace!

So while I ponder life some more, I'm leaving you with some photos of our dear friends' home that we just returned from. They are pastors, mentors, artists, and now family and they have such a gift for making a house feel like a home. 

So gorgeously collected and effortlessly styled! Their home is a true representation

 of their warmth, depth, and passionate hearts. 

So lucky to have so many beautiful people in our lives!

Dwell Studio

While in New York, I jumped at the chance to get a personal view of the new Dwell Studio flagship store in Soho. Not only do I love the Dwell Studio brand but Christiane Lemieux has become somewhat of a torchbearer for women entrepreneurs and for my own personal design ambitions. Dwell Studio started out of her own home with $17k and has become a multi-million dollar brand leader in accessible modern design. Recently named to FORTUNE's 2012 list of Most Powerful Women Entrepreneurs, Christiane has trail blazed the design industry in a way that resonates loud and clear for me. 

Here's a peak inside...

 Christiane Lemieux              

                       Thanks Christiane for doing what you do so well! You are such an inspiration!

NYC

As I sit, all cozy in my living room, and watch the destruction that Hurricane Sandy has left behind,

 my heart goes out to those who have been affected by this ravaging act of nature. 

So many lives and the terrain of my favorite city have changed in just moments. 

We were lucky enough to be in the city last weekend for a nice little getaway. 

Thought I would share some of my iPhone pics.  

 Stopped by the new C Wonder store. I have to be honest, I was a bit disappointed,

 it all felt very familiar. 

But, the crowds seemed to love it.

Stumbled upon the Novagratz home. 

Decided not to knock, despite the burning temptation to request a private tour. 

Spent a perfect Sunday in Central Park.

 A picture perfect Autumn day!

 Monday we took a drive to New Jersey and then upstate New York to take in the fall colors. 

They didn't disappoint. So thankful to have seen them while the leaves were still on the trees.  

 Praying you heal soon! 

Birthday Party Highlights

My baby turned 14 in August. She's going to hate that I called her my baby, but facts are facts; she is the love of my life. To celebrate, we threw her a little birthday party with some close friends.

It turned out to be a wonderful weekend that made me appreciate the relationships we have made
 here in Little Rock more than I once had thought possible. 

A few of the highlights...

Virgin Bellini's to kick things off. 

Yes, they were virgin bellini's. 

For dinner we made Pizza Fondue. It was an experiment that turned out surprisingly good, 

so I will be sharing the recipe soon. 

After, the girls camped out in the pool house and watched "Girls Just Want to Have Fun". 

Ironically, I watched this movie for the first time at a sleepover for the lovely Amy of Varnish 

fame when we were only 13. Still the perfect slumber party movie. 

The next morning the girls enjoyed some pool time on the last day of Summer. 

And for brunch we made Biscoff Pancakes, another experiment gone VERY right. (I will share later). 

I feel so blessed to have such an amazing group of fun and inspiring young women in our lives. For the first time since we've lived here, I can honestly say I hope we are here next year to do it all over again!
Now that's progress!

High Styling Turns One (What I've Learned)

A year ago today, I hit publish and High Styling the blog was born. 

I can honestly say I had no idea what I was getting into. 

 What started as a fun project to share the things I love, 

has turned into a mammoth journey of introspection and personal growth. 

Who would have thought?!

What I've learned from Blogging

1. I am my own worst critic and a bit of a perfectionist. I hate that. Putting yourself out there in such a global format makes you take a hard look at everything you say and do. Not a bad thing, but not always fun. I regularly feel misunderstood in life, so I am very conscious about what I post...which leads to....

2. I struggle with writing and sharing personal things with the world wide web. This one kind of shocked me actually, I never anticipated the vulnerability I would feel over little things. Connecting with my audience in a real way is extremely important to me, but it's not always comfortable. I am learning where my personal and professional boundaries are with every post. 

3. I suck at blogging on a schedule. I need to be inspired, and posting for the sake of posting doesn't do it for me. Juggling my work  and home life while trying to stay balanced, yet passionate and engaged...not so easy. Aiming for quality not quantity. Aiming I said! 

4. What works in real life doesn't always translate well into a post, and vice versa; some happy accidents make great posts. It is a constant learning experience.  

5. I am SO right-brained. I already knew this, but in the process of creating material for the blog it is magnified exponentially. Thankfully this is a quality that is celebrated in the creative world. And something I quite like about myself. 

 That being said, the blogging community is the kindest most supportive community
 I have ever encountered.  I feel incredibly blessed to have "met" so many amazing people
in the last year that I never would have met otherwise.
It has been a season of personal growth, new experiences, and amazing connections. 

So cheers to my first year as a blogger, and here's to hoping there are many 

more blogaversarys to come!  

Thanks for sharing the journey with me!