Jessica Helgerson's Tiny House.

Interior Designer, Jessica Helgerson has been living in this ingenious and sustainable tiny house with her family for the last several years. It sits on a five-acre property on Sauvie Island, an agricultural island on the Columbia River 15 minutes north of Portland, Oregon, USA. The tiny house is an interesting experiment in reduction and reuse not only because it is only 540 square feet or because it was remodeled using nearly exclusively reclaimed materials, but because the building itself is now being recycled for the fourth time. The layout of the project effectively makes use of the available spaces: a great room houses the kitchen, dining room and living room with large, comfortable, built in sofas that double as twin beds for guests.

Tiny house living is being embraced by many  as people seek a lifestyle that is more simple. What are your thoughts? xx

{images here and here}

Ian's Updated Bedroom.

Ian's room update took a back-burner for a while because he actually wasn't using it for sleep.

a throwback pic

In fact, once he figured out how to climb out the crib when he was younger, his sleep pattern deteriorated. He refused to take naps in and would just climb out after being placed to sleep in the evenings at bedtime. That meant no sleep for Mama.

via the Guardian

I moved him into the guest bedroom temporarily, so he could be close by(his room is upstairs), however, even so, he still struggled with falling asleep without being soothed by me and since I was already suffering from sleep deprivation since his birth, I chose the above route that's pictured just so I could get some sleep. It started with me putting him to bed, then after he fell asleep, I would return to my own bed, but that soon took a toll and before you know it, I was falling asleep right there.

So I abandoned my bedroom. No bueno, right? The good thing is the hubby is rarely home(though when he's home, I make sure he gets lots of loving:-)), but still I know Ian needed to return to his room and we would have to undergo some type of sleep training.

a before pic

I sold the crib, recycled the polkadots and the wall behind the bed was wallpapered in a subtle pattern with a blue background. It went with the existing paint color on the wall, therefore no repainting was needed.  The Queen size bed is from Ikea and so is the mattress which is super comfortable. The color scheme ended up being blue and green. It just kind of happened, plus there were already orange touches in the room.

the thrifted rocker and diy bookshelf have held up beautifully

do you remember this tape diy I did for Linda's, Calling it Home blog. They are still like new and the pop of green makes it seems like it was a part of the plan.

art and pictures still need to be hung

I am now back in my bed full time, and although he has woken up a couple nights, i comforted him, returned to my room and he went to sleep. I think we'll be o.k.

Photography: Lea Hartman

Hendricks Architecture.

One of the reasons I love Instagram so much is that I get to "meet" talented people like John Hendricks, the man behind Hendricks Architecture. From the moment I was introduced to his work, I was hooked.  Below, I showcase  some of his spectacular work!

John Hendricks originally went to the University of Southern California to be a screenwriter in 1983, but always had an interest in architecture. After summers helping a contractor build a storybook home in Carmel and a cabin in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, John began architecture school at Texas Tech University. Upon graduation he made a roundabout path through California, Seattle and finally Sandpoint, Idaho, designing arts and crafts style homes, Spanish haciendas, waterfront beach cottages, rustic luxury ski lodges, mountain style office buildings, churches, and restaurants, among others. Though he still designs all of these, his specialty is a “rustic elegance” style of mountain architecture. John has been in the architecture field since 1987, beginning as a summer intern.

Amazing, right? Happy Tuesday everyone. xx

Hendricks Architecture is a full service architectural design firm that has built a reputation for excellence through a balanced commitment of quality design, personal service, on time delivery and exceptional project management. We have designed homes throughout North America, and have been featured in several recent publications, including Mountain Living, Timber Home Living, Cowboys & Indians, and Cabin Life magazines.

Our Tropical Backyard Vow Renewal: 16 years

        A few weeks ago, we renewed our wedding vows right in our backyard accompanied by some of our family members. Next week, on August 23rd, we will officially celebrate our 16th wedding anniversary. Can you believe that?  Our renewal was extremely special to us because when we first got married, we only had a Justice of the Peace and so many of our loved ones were not present, including my Mother who was still living in Jamaica at the time.  
        If you're a long time reader, then you know the hubby is almost always away and has missed numerous anniversaries and milestones because of his work. Now he has been home for a bit and it seemed like the perfect time to celebrate our love to include our two boys, our dog, and our lovely family members by renewing our vows. This is probably going to be the longest post I've posted, so you've been warned, but it's worth it. You can read HERE to learn more about our love story or to refresh your memory. 

i made my first flower crown

symbols of love everywhere

So Zion opted for no shoes and I didn't object and

 Ian wasn't in the mood to do much walking...

My Mama!

she is like a 2nd Mama to me!

me with my brothers and mama and dada

everyone; what a beautiful sight!

Chow time!

Jamaican rum cake

favors(spice jars)

i could just gobble him up. love him so!

I was a sobbing mess and for good reason. Love was undoubtedly in the air and having our family here to celebrate with us made it extra special. Big thank you to Carly of C. Jakubowski Photography for capturing this special occasion. Styling by me. I completed a few diy projects for this event, but will save the details for another post. xx

images: C. Jakubowski Photography

ON Love

Love is a mighty power, a great and complete good.

Love alone lightens every burden, and makes rough places smooth.

It bears every hardship as though it were nothing, and renders all

bitterness sweet and acceptable.

Nothing is sweeter than love,

Nothing stronger,

Nothing higher,

Nothing wider,

Nothing more pleasant,

Nothing fuller or better in heaven or earth; for love is born of God.

Love flies, runs and leaps for joy.

It is free and unrestrained.

Love knows no limits, but ardently transcends all bounds.

Love feels no burden, takes no account of toil,

attempts things beyond its strength.

Love sees nothing as impossible,

for it feels able to achieve all things.

It is strange and effective,

while those who lack love faint and fail.

Love is not fickle and sentimental,

nor is it intent on vanities.

Like a living flame and a burning torch,

it surges upward and surely surmounts every obstacle.

Thomas à Kempis (1379-1471)