summer with our besties

Lauren has quickly become one of my best friends!  She's the most honest, laid back and also passionate persons I know.  We had met through church and didn't really realize until after she moved that we got along really well.  Rotten luck.  So every few weeks we make an hour trek to each other, switching off to play.  We are very different but because she says exactly what she thinks and happens to be one of those people that makes anything fun including sitting around, I find myself as comfortable with her as I am at home.  It helps that her kids are also awesome and play with Peter so well. 

I need to document our adventures more.  Pictured above is one of the few times we've been swimming.  But no matter what we do, whether its going out to shop, eat and explore or staying in to talk, watch movies, or redecorate ;) It's always a good time. 

living room

Our house has slowly evolved over the year and half we've been here.  Having a home for the first time makes me feel like I'm extending my wings for the first time.  I had no idea the mental blockage afforded me by a rented space.  If I'm honest, I think it was a matter of giving myself permission.  I think if you give yourself permission you can transform any space-- owned or not.  It took owning a home for me and I'm looking forward to expanding that permission.  As I'm only just learning how to fly here.  Though I've always had a passion for design and creating spaces, I'm learning more and more how to trust myself and have fun with it.

If you're interested in what our living room was before, here's my house post from when we first moved in.  It's changed quite a bit.

 

This room is the center of our home and has become an inviting area to talk, listen to music, play instruments, dance, play toys and have company.  This room is probably the best example of mine and Ian's joint taste.  We collaborated on this room completely.  We even made the shelf together!  

Though there are changes or additions we'd like to make, we're happy with the progress of our front room.