Just Passing Through

I had a small surprise yesterday as I sat outside writing. I saw something moving towards me out of the corner of my eye - it was coming close, just a few feet away -  and right as it poked its head out from beneath the patio chair that was next to mine, I looked down and saw that it was a baby raccoon that had strolled onto my patio to say hello. He looked at me and he looked lost and thirsty, but before I could do anything and of course by the time I grabbed my phone to take a photo of him he was already on his way through my backyard to the neighbors, who soon saw him and made a big noisy fuss that included a white plastic laundry basket. I'm guessing they dropped him off at the wildlife sanctuary down the road. He didn't look sick, just lost and hungry, and I'm hoping they did right by him.

I hope you have a great week 

Love, Laura

My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs!

Learn how to solder and make unique jewelry!

article and images ©Laura Beth Love 2016

A View From My Outdoor Office

I know summer doesn't officially begin until June 20th, but as soon as the temperature hits 78° F and I have my backyard patio in order, I move my office outside. When that happens, it's officially summer for me.  Each morning I get up early and brew fresh coffee, grab my laptop and head out to my patio in my backyard. It's nothing super-fancy, but I plant a lot of flowers all around in pots and hanging baskets, and I have a nice sized patio with a canvas awning that gets put up for each warm season, and I do my best to transform this space into my own little peaceful oasis. There's a koi pond directly off of one side of my patio where I have a few giant fantail goldfish and a few koi, and this water lilly that I added a few years ago. It just started blooming last week. Each morning when I go outside the blooms are open, and by the time that it's time to head inside for the evening, they're closed for the night. 

I hope you have a great week 

Love, Laura

My broken china jewelry is always available for purchase at https://www.etsy.com/shop/dishfunctionldesigns

Check out my new jewelry instruction books and DVDs!

Learn how to solder and make unique jewelry!

article and images ©Laura Beth Love 2016

Tuesday Treats #17 {Inspiration from around the web}

Hello Hello! Your comments were very thoughtful yesterday. Thank you all for letting me share a bit of everyday life on this blog as well as decorating and DIY inspiration. I mean...where would life be without our families and those special weekends away? Am I right?

Today I have another round up of fabulous ideas from around the web. I love sharing what I find and I hope you enjoy this series as much as I do.

#1: Frozen Watermelon Popsicles 
How great do these look? I can see these being a hit at a party or something easy for the kids to munch on in the hot summer weather. All you need is watermelon and Popsicle sticks! Recipe Here.

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#2: Summer Entertaining Inspiration (by Ikea)

We all love a good summer cookout with friends and family.. don't we? How about this fabulous outdoor party space with tons of great inspiration-- from Ikea, non the less!! Those umbrellas make me smile and want to sip some sweet tea. Most of the products can be found at Ikea. More pictures and sources Here.

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#3: Bed, Bath & Beyond Coupons

So my friend Dina from the blog Honey & Fitz just wrote about how you can use your 20% off coupons for some fabulous online products from Bed, Bath & Beyond. We all have a bunch hanging around our house, but never have the chance to use them on something great and grand. Well there are SO MANY great items online that they don't carry in the store. Check out Dina's whole post: 20 Things to use your 20% off coupons on! You will be shocked at what Bed Bath & Beyond actually carry online. Below are only a few amazing items!!

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#4: Why Lighting Matters

I recently came across this article written by Centsational Girl. It talks about why lighting is important in your homes. Whether you are ready to splurge on something grand or you find a fun chandelier at Goodwill, lighting can make or break the look of your room. 

Here is what Kate says about lighting: Great lighting is like the jewelry that makes a fabulous outfit. Your lamps, chandeliers, and sconces are an opportunity to set the style of a space, to add a layer of texture (think industrial or woven shades), or to play the role of the unexpected element. Think of crystal chandeliers in a contemporary space, a minimalist modern fixture in a more traditional room, or an industrial cage pendant in a cottage dining room.

Click HERE to read the full article as well as see some lighting sources.




#5: Gorgeous Traditional Living room with a Twist
And since I can't leave you all without some fabulous decor inspiration, I found this lovely living room designed by Shea McGee. It has many traditional elements infused with some industrial and modern touches. It is the perfect combination of classy and comfortable.

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So what about all of you...any great inspiration I should know about?

Have a fabulous Tuesday friends!

Fabulous Feature Friday {Amy Butler Design}

It's Friday my sweet friends! Time for the weekend and what a better way to get this party started than to share Amy Butler's gorgeous home with all of you today. 

I fell in love with Amy Butler years ago when my mother in law introduced me to her sewing patterns and fabric. She designs patterns for the everyday sewer as well as gorgeous fabric with bright bold patterns and colors. I have made many of her patterns in the past few years. Little did I know that she also has an amazing eye for design and making her house a home. I am so excited to share Amy's house tour today!

Her home is what you call a mid-century style. She has kept that feel throughout her home but has added the edge of mixing vintage finds with mid-century furniture. You will also see this popular Ikea light sprayed gold in her living room. So she has quite the mix of new and old as well as a few of her own fabric pieces throughout the house. I hope you enjoy this fabulous home tour!

"Beauty is in the way you live. Enjoy your surroundings. Let them inspire you. Follow your own path, and approach everything you do with love in your heart." ~ Amy Butler




Doesn't her home just seem so restful? I love the airy feel of the home and the mix of textures she adds to each space. She is also quite the gardener and you can see a full tour of her garden HERE. For more pictures of her home click HERE and more pics of her studio click HERE.

Have any of you ever tackled one of her patterns or used her fabric in your own home?

Have a fabulous weekend my friends! xoxo

Tuesday Treats #15 {Inspiration & Ideas from around the web}

Hi All! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend. I was able to spend mother's day at the beach with my niece and nephew. I usually have a hard time with this day knowing that I am just "waiting" to be a mama. But spending the day with my sister-in law and her kids was just what I needed to remind me of how many blessings I truly have in my life. I am a mom in my heart and God has a sweet baby boy or girl in mind for me and hubby. I can't wait to be able to celebrate being a mom next year!

Sorry about no post yesterday. For some reason I can't get on our new wireless while at the beach. I am calling support this morning so I can share some fun posts with all of you this week. The hubs let me borrow his computer for this post!

There has been so many fabulous projects that I have witnessed this past week and I can't wait to share some great ideas and inspiration from around the web today. Hope you enjoy!


1. Backyard Oasis
My friend Kristen never disappoints me and ALWAYS amazes me at the talent she has. She recently revealed her backyard oasis on the Home Depot Blog. Kristen and her husband created this amazing space on their own. Doesn't it make you want to have a backyard party or even better... a date under the stars? For the full reveal and before pictures go HERE. For sources go HERE.

2. A Very Pink Playroom
If you don't follow the blog Dear Lillie, then you are missing out.  Everything Jennifer touches turns to amazing! You have to see the before and after pictures HERE of this darling playroom for her girls.

3. DIY Tassel Drink Stirs
It is almost summer and what better way then to kick the season off with a fun summer soiree. Wouldn't these drink stirs be adorable for your party? They are very simple to make, but create a big impact that guests will be talking about for weeks!
Click here for the full tutorial.

4. DIY Garden Markers
I am sure most of you are getting your gardens ready for spring and summer. I really try every year to create some kid of garden journal or at least use garden markers to help me remember what I have planted. You all know that I am in love with these stoneware garden markers from Arrow & Sage, but if you are trying to save a little money I love these quick and easy ideas too:

Twig plant markers, Cork & Skewer markers, Chalkboard Spoon markers, Stone markers

5. Five Amazing Uses for Coconut Oil
I don't know about you, but I love anything coconut! I drink mostly coconut milk now or at least a combination of coconut and almond milk. Coconut oil is suppose to be great for your body and I love these five uses below written by Lauren Conrad's editors. I have also used coconut oil as an eye makeup remover. Let me tell you how amazing your eyes feel afterwards!

Click here to read article

P.S. Did you enter the Royal Design's giveaway yet? Only Two days left! Go HERE to enter!!

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Fabulous Feature Friday {Lauren Leiss Interiors}

Happy Friday! You made it my friends! I hope you have something exciting going on over the weekend. Like I talked about on Wednesday, I will be sprucing up my front porch for spring. I can't wait to add a little color and texture to my boring porch. Stay tuned....

I am so excited about today's Feature Friday! I have been following Lauren Liess for a few years now. She has recently opened up her own interior design shop in the D.C. area and has a fabulous textile line. She started off as a blogger and grew her business from there. I am so happy to introduce you to her!

She creates livable spaces with history and texture. Lauren's home has been featured in many decor magazines and you will see why. To follow her design journey hop on over to Lauren's Blog. Enjoy the tour!

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One of my absolute favorite spaces in her home is Lauren's secret garden. It is right off her master bedroom. This is where she enjoys her morning coffee or evening shower. How amazing is this?

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Her home has such a great feel to it. It is comfortable, livable and stylish. The second you walk in it feels like home. And...I love the open floor plan.

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The mix of Industrial, modern and antique is the prefect combination. She mixes these styles with ease.

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How great is this study/loft area? The wooden shelves are actually made from Ikea butcher block to cut down on cost. Genius! I love the texture those shelves bring into the room. Lauren's family must love to read and who wouldn't want to spend time in this comfortable space?!

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Could you live here? Yeah...me too! To see more of her amazing home, follow along Here. {Please be sure to pin from her site as well. Source under pictures will take you to exact page.}

Happy Weekend Lovelies!!

Inspiring Outdoor Spaces

I am sure all of you are in that "Spring Fever" mode. I am so excited that our weather here in NC is finally warming up and I am seeing all sorts of flowers popping up in my gardens. This coming weekend is going to be an outside work weekend. I am trying to create a fun outdoor space on our front porch, but find myself wanting to spend more money on flowers and plants than furniture and accent decor. Crazy..I know! So I am going to find a few items to spruce up the porch this weekend on a tiny budget. Wish me luck! I will let you all know how it goes.

So to get me in the mood to create a relaxing space with bright colors for spring I decided I needed some inspiring outdoor spaces to drool at this morning! Enjoy!

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Wow! I'm inspired to stop working right this minute and head outside. How about you? Are you ready to tackle some outdoor projects this spring? What do you have up your sleeve? Please tell!