20 days of clouds...

alaska is so unpredictable and you never know what our weather has in store for us.  lots of clouds and rain this summer and we haven't seen the sun in over 20 days.  so happy my kids are enjoying the california sunshine right now and i will be there in a week!! 

last night i went to my hubbys 20 year high school reunion.  it was so interesting to see all his classmates and visit with some friends i haven't seen in way too long. 

hoping to have some real alaskan photos photos soon...i am headed out on the ocean tomorrow morning for some halibut fishing!! 

rest...

....there is precious little hope to be got out of whatever keeps

 us industrious, but there is a chance for us whenever we

cease work and become stargazers.

h.m. tomlinson

today was my day off of work so i had some time to sit, create and feel inspired.  i loved reading some amazing new blogs i found (i will share more about those later) wow!!!

i took some photos (the one above are some flowers on my deck) and thought of all sorts of

fun things i could do. 

i miss my kiddos so much, but i feel like a better mom when i take some time for myself- 

life gets a little hectic sometimes and i am so thankful for days like today!

4 fabulous consignment store finds....

things i love tuesday

consignment stores are one of my most favorite places to shop.  here are 4 of my favorite finds that i think are fabulous. 

a jcrew blazer with the tags still on...i love the detail on the inside too!!

a beautiful dooney and bourke shiny red wallet

an adorable little tank

last but not least....a great leather coach purse that i had to have!!!!!

hope you have great consignment stores in your area--i have to travel 3 hours to find my favorite stores, but it is so worth the drive

things i love tuesday....

there are so many inspiring, fun, amazing things i want to share with you......sooooo......every tuesday i am going to share something i think is wonderful.  i have so many fav's from quotes to fashion, decor and recipes and well lots of great stuff.....soooooo tomorrow is tuesday.....yay

. 

cozied up workspace...

i had some time to finish accessorizing my new cozy space

this was so much fun i cant wait to create more fun places in my home

(check out my space on HGTV's website rate my space under the home office section-i usually don't put myself out there, but i got enough courage and did it and now i want to redo my entire house)

cousins....

my family left today and the house is so quiet.  every year my parents take my kiddos down to cali to get some extra sunshine, pool time, and grandma and grandpa time.  here are some special pictures of their time together in the last frontier....the boys caught some great salmon and the girls hung out and shopped!! 

so....for the next two weeks i will have some time to work at my new desk with my new camera--my hubby and i will also enjoy some quality time together=) 

below are some photos of my kids with all of their cousins!!

as you can tell i am having lots of fun with bighugelabs.com!! 

my inspiration place....

wa-la!!!!  my inspirations place is ready!!!! 

my dad built the desk and shelf which he painted black

my mom sewed this adorable damask material i found at joann fabric (its oh so cute and it covers all the yucky computer cords and printer)

all the other accessories came from a local second hand store, target, joann fabric

and a great little boutique in homer alaska called blackberry bog!!!

i almost forgot the most important accessory of all--my daughters artwork--she created this beautiful painting a few years ago and it has been part of my inspiration ever since!!!!! 

my little project update and my fav quote for the week....

so my little home project is almost complete...my family is here visiting from my home state of california...my dad built my new desk while the girls and i have been busy finding fabric and decor!!  I am so excited to have my own space to sit and create....i can hardly wait for the paint to dry!!  i will post some photos very soon!! 

great ideas...come into the world as gently as doves...if we listen attentively, we shall hear, amid the uproar...a faint flutter of wings, the gentle stirring of life and hope.

-albert camus

(this quote came from a great little book i found called soul happy at a beautiful home store called z gallerie, while i was in viva las vegas with the girls)

big huge labs

please check out bighugelabs.com if you are looking for a

fun free new way to share your photos and inspirations. 

a great new find....

i just found this great website bighugelabs.com

you can do so many fun things with your photos--oh my goodness i am so excited!! 

(these pictures are of our favorite little 3 year old and her very special hula/tinkerbell birthday)

a little house project....

we moved into our house 7 years ago and i have had the hardest time decorating our home office/guest room.  i found an adorable little house with a great little home office in this months edition of better homes and gardens.  on the top is my troubled little nook and on the bottom is my inspiration!!  i am so excited to have a place to sit and create. 

this piece i ordered from pottery barn about 4 years ago and it has been the only thing i have liked in the room.  i have a really ugly futon that i would love to replace with a sleepy couch, but for now i will have to find something fun to cover it with. 

my new toy....

my new camera arrived today and i couldnt be more excited!!  here are a few pics i took of my favorite little kiddos!!

as you know i love love love inspirational quotes...here is one that i found today in a new book i bought called believe...

the key is to trust your heart to move where your unique talents can flouish.  this old world will really spin when work becomes a joyous expression of the soul.

al sacharov

happy birthday to my little man....

my little guy turned 8 on the 8th!! 

a little more vegas....

my favorite mojito at the melting pot (the dinner was pretty darn amazing too)

my favorite little place at my favorite hotel .....wynn

hanging out at the cabana by the pool at the mirage (one of the most relaxing things i have done in a long time--i highly recommend it!!!)

my all time favorite tree!!

our last night at my favorite little french restaurant mon ami gabi (its right across from belagio so you can watch the fountains the entire you are eating, and they also have an amazing little drink called the paris romance--what more could you ask for)

oh bella....

so...i am a twilight fan (the books are amazing if you havnt read them) and i finally made it to see eclipse.  it was the best one yet and i cant wait for the next one!! 

stella and dot....

stella and dot has some of the cutest vintage insprired jewelry.  they also have a little girls collection that is absolutely adorable!   check them out online--

peace....

ultimately, we have just one moral duty: to reclaim large areas of peace in ourselves, more and more peace, and to reflect it towards others.  and the more peace there is in us, the more peace there will be in our troubled world.  - etty hillesum

have a safe, happy and peaceful forth of july weekend

we dont have any big plans-just staying home and enjoying our time as a family