Words of wisdom: be of value....

Some of my favorite quotes are from Albert Einstein. I really want to read his biography--super nerd, I know. I'm just so fascinated by the way his brain worked!

Anyway, I still have beach brain, only 2 more days! I'm trying to remained focused and finish up a few projects at work though! 

As I've started my new job, value is what I've tried to bring to the table---to my students, to my colleagues, and to the institution. 

It is a simple reframe, but can make a huge difference!

Happy humpppp daayyyyy!

Rustic coastal style.......

{driftwood ladder}

I have the beach on the brain these days, like all day, every day. We've already made a few trips and have a group trip with friends planned this weekend!

 I can't get the image of a nice cold cocktail in my hand, soaking up the sun, and listening to the waves crash to shore out of my head. Pretty much one of the best things ever, right?

Ahhhhhh, sweet sweet summertime.

In honor of my beach brain, here are a few lovelies of rustic coastal style....

{large shell/recycled glass lamp & jar}

{vintage life preserver/ old map}

{diftwood decor/ framed mirrors}

{sailboat art/ rustic vanity}

{framed bird prints}

Love the combo of rustic, natural, and vintage materials/pieces used!

*All photos from pinterest*

Lamp look-a-likes.....

In the past few weeks, I've found the above lamps on the right from TJ Maxx/Marshalls. I was very excited about each because I lovvvve them! Then, a funny thing happened as I was cleaning up our office area. I came across an image I had clipped {yes, I still do that even with Pinterest} of a Ballard Designs lamp {top left}, which looked just like the lamp I found for a fraction of the price. 

I was even more excited! 

Then, after going on and on to my husband about the other great lamp I found {bottom right} as he rolled his eyes about yet another lamp. I realized that it looked similar to a Pottery Barn lamp, again, for  much cheaper.

Unfortunately, this is it for me and lamps. We cannot fit another one into our home, but if anyone needs help finding one, please let me know!

Paleo breakfast cookies....

{paleo/vegan/low sugar}

Nice lil' treat for the week. Original recipe found here.

Of course I had to improvise because I'd rather use ingredients that we have then run to the store to buy something else, even though we have two grocery stores on both ends of our street that are probably less than a mile away. 

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups gluten-free rolled oats

1 cup unsweetened coconut flakes

1 tablespoon golden flaxmeal

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup dried blueberries

1 very ripe banana

1 cup apple sauce

1/4 cup coconut oil, warm enough to be liquid

1 tablespoon agave nectar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

The original recipe called for pecans, which I excluded all together because we didn't have any left in our pantry. Also, I used one banana instead of three, mixing in some apple sauce instead.

Really didn't know how this experiment would turn out. Sometimes you just have to go with it, right?

Directions: Preheat oven to 350°. Combine oats, coconut, flaxmeal, salt, and blueberries. Stir in banana, apple sauce, oil, agave nectar and vanilla until well combined.

Roll spoonful of mixture onto baking sheet coated with cooking spray. Continue with remaining mixture.

Bake at 350° for 25 minutes or until fragrant and golden. Cool on pan.

DIY dining room art with plates....

This was my weekend project! It took less time than I thought it would. Loovvee it when that happens. 

Originally, I went searching for vintage plates, but after a few different thrift stores I realized I wasn't finding what I wanted. I wanted simple and plain. Ended up finding two plates at TJ Maxx and the others from Target--all for pretty cheap. 

The plate in the middle I found and painted with chalkboard paint a while back. It is also from TJ Maxx. 

Although I typically just eyeball things when I put them up on the wall, I knew I wouldn't be able to do that with this. To make the process easier, I outlined the plates on wax paper, cut out the shapes, and hung them on the wall. 

Sooo glad I did. There was a lot of shifting and repositioning that I had to do, especially once I actually starting hanging plates on the wall.

Here's the finished product!