September 6, 2012

sweet sites to swoon {jane sweet jane}

Hey Sweets!!

My oh my, I have been dying to publish this post. I have a very sweet site that y'all are just going to swoon over from top to bottom and click by click!!

A dear childhood friend of mine that I have been blessed to keep in touch with through random run-ins, my twitter-verse or via email, has something special for y'all today!! I'm chattin' about my sweet friend Jane Randall, and I want y'all to know EVERYTHING about her rustic chic Southern home lovelies company, Jane Sweet Jane. {Hope you like those whimsical words, JR!!}

Where do I start, Sweets?! I have so much to share and know y'all are simply going to swoon!!

I remember running into Jane Randall last Fall. The Hubbs and I were strolling down College Ave in Auburn on our way to our tailgate and there was no way I could miss that striking auburn hair and sweet smile!! That was when Jane Randall introduced me to her new little hobby, hand-made burlap pillows. {Insert my oooh's and aaaw's} Now that new little hobby has evolved into Jane Sweet Jane as y'all see it now!! Goodness me, it simply takes my breath away!!

See what I mean y'all!! How can you miss this beautiful lady, both inside and out?!

Jane Sweet Jane was founded by Southern artist Jane Randall and her sister, Laurel. Being raised on a farm in Opelika {Our Sweet Hometown} which is nestled in East Central Alabama, Jane Randall grew up with an appreciation for nature and The South which grew into a love for natural fibers and repurposed art always giving back homage to her roots. This passion for such Southern Arts shows in each rustic chic, handmade lovely that lives within JSJ.

What makes Jane Sweet Jane not only a wanted piece for your home, but an Oprah's-Favorite-Things kind of home must-have is everything that goes into each pillow before taken home by its owner to sit pretty. Y'all, these aren't your everyday burlap pillows you can order from Ballard Designs...Oh no y'all, these are the sweetest, most lovely pillows your dreamy little eyes will ever set sites on. Each hand-cut stencil that has been hand-painted and each vintage button that has been delicately sewn in its perfect place justs beams the love that was put into this intricate piece of art. What makes JSJ so one-of-a-kind is that no two pillows are the same and every pillow leaves the store making a statement in the lucky owner's humble abode.

Thankfully Jane Sweet Jane now offers lamps, placemats and table runners to add that homespun finishing touch as Jane Randall likes to put it!! To add a little spice to the JSJ line, the Darn It Doll was born. These dolls are made from pillow scraps and used in those not-so-lady-like situations you may find yourself in whether it be at a football game or just plain cleaning your house. You probably know what they are really named, but as Jane Randall likes to note, Ladies don't cuss!! If desired, each piece can be made to order, especially the pillows, which can be personalized to illustrate a picture or state-of-mind that gives meaning to the pillow beyond just a home decor top pick. As of recent, JSJ has been hard at work creating totes for everyday needs.

These Darn It Dolls are TOO CUTE!! Y'all better get one before football season is over!!
Here is the first JSJ tote personalized with Jane Randall's FUTURE last name!! Not only has she fallen in love with her business but she has one lucky guy for her forever!! Congrats, Sweet Jane Randall!!
If you are looking for a fun time with your girlfriends, Jane Sweet Jane will host your very own Soirée!! What sounds sweeter than girlfriends, arts&crafts and your very soirée!! Well at JSJ, you can have your cake and eat it too!! At every soirée, guests get to paint their own pillow with the help of Jane Randall who has hand-drawn and cut each stencil then instructs you how to sew on your own buttons and hand-stitch the pillow opening closed. JSJ makes it an enjoyable, stress-free time where you get to visit with girlfriends and make a piece of beautiful art for your home at the same time!!

The Table is all set for a JSJ Pillow Soirée!!
With all of Jane Sweet Jane's success, the want to give back to the community is a must. From donating pieces of JSJ or particpating in bizarres for charities like Big House Foundation {Also, founded by a childhood friend, Micah Melnick} or sponsoring a little girl involved with Distinguished Young Women, JSJ knows the importance of what you put in is what you get out. They also have participated in Junior League events in the Southeast to help support the local areas needs. With her future hubby fighting for America and our freedom in Afghanistan, JSJ's heart is closely tied to showing support for the local troops near her home.

As y'all have found out Jane Sweet Jane is not only a company that makes pretty for your home, but they do pretty in the world.

I hope y'all have enjoyed this blog because a lot of collaboration, love and excitement has poured into this post for your viewing pleasure. It is always my goal to keep you in the loop with Sweet Home South finds and what-nots. I know Jane Sweet Jane hits the nail on the head!!

Feel free to contact Jane Randall at janerandall@janesweetjane.com to place your order or learn more about her Rustic Chic Southern Home Lovelies!!

Stay sweet y'all and Shop Jane Sweet Jane!!

credit to room eleven media for the beautiful photography

our sweet home south

It's official!! The Hubbs and I have signed the contract, locked in our amazingly low interest rate and BOUGHT OUR FIRST HOME!! Our Sweet Home South will be nestled in the quaint little neighborhood of Hillcrest.

Last week, our offer was accepted, and now we get to play the waiting game. But this waiting game is way too much fun...Y'all want to know why?! Because we get to basically build the inside of our home from scratch. Our amazing contractor, Jett Ricks, bought this home with the intention to flip the house and resale the home after construction was complete. He had his hands full because this home had to be gutted down to the bare bones. The only original pieces of the home are the brick structure, selected beams and yes, the original door knocker. Yes Sweets, the entire house will be totally updated...new plumbing, new electrical, new floors, new ceilings, new doors, new windows, new countertops, new cabinets, new paint, new landscaping...NEW EVERYTHING!!

Our contractor has the pre-gutted before pictures {I will try and get these on the blog by next week..I have to get them from our contractor..}, but here are post-gutted pictures...

Living Room from Front Door

Common Bathroom

2nd Bedroom {Guest Room}
Office {Future Nursery..NOT ANYTIME SOON, Y'ALL!!}
Kitchen {Range, Microwave & Refrigerator}
Kitchen {Sink & Dishwasher}

Dining Room with Door to Backyard

Hallway with Laundry to the Left & Entrance to Master Bedroom

Master Bedroom

Master Bathroom

Backyard View from Back Door

Backyard View from Alley Gate

There you go Sweets!! My iPhone Tour of Our Sweet Home South!!

Be on the lookout for future posts as this house becomes our home!!

August 30, 2012

unleash your inner craft queen

What would we do without crafts, sweets?

Wedding Blogs surely wouldn't be as lovely... home decor surely wouldn't be as chic... Birthday parties surely wouldn't be as fun... Y'all get my drift!!

I came across this sweet little website on My Pinterest, Save on Crafts. Seriously, this website is AAA-mazing!! Everyone that has pinned this website describes it as Oriental Trading Co. for Adults. If y'all grew up in a crafty home like me, Oriental Trading Co. was the bomb-diggitty!! I still can remember receiving our Oriental Trading Co. magazine and wanting every cotton pickin' party favor, decoration and chachki (aka cheap-plastic-toy) in every available color.

Those days are over, and I'm moving onto my new discount craft obsession, Save on Crafts!! From rolls of burlap to wood crates full of glass bottles to entertaining pretties to basically-any-craft-to-keep-you-busy-for-days, Save on Crafts has anything and everything possibly needed to add that rustic chic luxe feeling to any room, gift or everyday what-not.

Unleash your inner Craft Queen and get to craftin' y'all!!

August 29, 2012

birthday sweet birthday

Good morning, Sweets!!

Now, isn't this picture worth waiting for these past couple of days?! It just fills me with a warm, fuzzy feeling and makes me want to smile as big as this sweet baby girl is in this picture!!

Our sweet Birthday Girl turned one last week, and we celebrated her first year this past Saturday.. {Actually, we celebrated her parents, Our Besties from the Windy City, because they survived the first year and need some celebrating too!!}

Friends and Family enjoyed a backyard cookout with all the fixins'. The Birthday Girl was dressed to the nines in a homemade birthday dress made by her talented Nonna, who did all of the embroidery, monogramming and sewing details for the party. You can check her lovelies out on her blog, The Mason Jar, and her Facebook business page.

I just cannot wait for y'all to oooh and awww over these precious details. Sarah {aka Supermom} and her sweet Mother {aka Grammy} setup the table with the help of Aunt Kitty, Aunt Nitni and Nonna. These women sure know how to throw a preciously pink party!!

Perfectly Pink Party table

Too cute of a cake!!

The Birthday Girl's Smash Cake

Of course, we had to get a photo-op with The Sweet Birthday Girl!! She sure loves her Uncle Trey {aka The Hubbs}. This little pict makes my heart melt!!

We love you oh so much Sweet Birthday Girl!! Uncle Trey and I remember the day you were born and the excitement we shared with your amazing mother and father to bring you into this great big world. You are such a blessing to everyone that gets to see you grow into your own little person. You are the center of your sweet Momma and awesome Daddy's world and bring them more joy day by day.
 
Have a lovely day, Sweets!!

August 26, 2012

sweet sites to swoon {Picklee}

As a blogger, I love reading other blog enthusiasts work. I love to read what inspires them, house how-to's, daily life happenings, current DIY projects, wedding what-nots (yes, guilty as charged, weddings anything-and-everything is a love of mine) and the list literally goes on...

Today, I would love to spotlight one of the many blogs that I am currently coveting. This blog is surely gonna make y'all swoon!!

Picklee :: {fresh picked inspirations}

Jordan, the Queen Bee of Picklee, blogs daily on her "fresh picked inspirations". From food to furniture, she opens her front door to everything creative with a luxe touch. Picklee has chic style and fun-filled finds that dazzle the inner DIY darling!!

Keep Calm and Swoon on Sweets!!
I hope Picklee brings you happy thoughts and lovely wants!!
Check back soon with more on my sweet sites to swoon..
 

August 25, 2012

it's {almost} fall, y'all!!

Happy Saturday, Sweets!!

As we all know, a week from today is a major holiday in homes across the southeast..IT'S GAME DAY, Y'ALL!! Which means Fall starts in SEVEN days!!

There are many little what-nots that are reminding me that Fall is right around the corner!!

Southern Living is all about Fall food

My Pinterest now has a new board, "game day, y'all!!"

...which is totally house divided :)...

 

Summer Temps are slowly falling...80 degrees, y'all!!

Yes, sad to say it's time to store the sunscreen and fold the beach towels, BUT time has come to put on your cowboy boots and get out your game day goodies because IT'S FALL Y'ALL!!

Enjoy this last weekend of summer fun, Sweets!!

August 24, 2012

in God we trust

Happy Friday, Sweets!! I have a little special photog for y'all today!!

Our Nana, The Hubbs' grandmother (and my nana too!!), sent us an email which included this picture. One word. Amazing. It gave me chills when I opened this picture. It reassured me that no matter what shape America is in today or tomorrow or 50 years from now, God is always watching over The Land of the Free.

I hope this picture brings you hope for a better day than yesterday and allows you to be the change you want to see in this world!!

Have a happy weekend, y'all!!