It's My Party!

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Hello Blog Besties!

I had my usual Fashion Friday post all ready to go, 

but I came up with this little blog post diversion on my run today.

Perhaps I threw you off a little by the post title, 

but please hold the tissue box out for me 'cause

It's my party, I can cry if I want to!

Yep, today is my birthday!  Woot! Woot!  Yipppeeee!  Wahoo!  

I'd break it down for you with my best MC Hammer if I could.

Or better yet, just be glad I don't have 

Stevie Nicks rockin' 'Stand Back' or Madonna chanting 'Holiday' 

through your monitor, 

because you might actually be reaching for the Kleenex 

out of tears of jealousy laughter.

Just a little tap tap tap for you.

Cindy Lauper meets Punky Brewster meets Madonna Wannabe

plus Footloose and Flash Dance obsessed

(even though my mama yanked me and my innocent eyes 

from the theatre 30 minutes into the former)

means how freaking fantastic were the 80's?

Today I am....

plus

years old.

If you put those two together, and it came out to be...

Image Via

...then you are worse at math then I am, 

which actually works in your favor, because I hate math, so 

now I like you even more than I already did!

You are close.

I'm 18!

How did you know?!

Okay, just kidding.  I'm 28.

Oh goodness.

Most wonderful man in the world, my boys and I 

headed over to Bad Daddy's (formerly Big Daddy's)

for a little pre-birthday fun.

This picture is a favorite of my mom's, 

so I couldn't help a little reenactment.

I felt a little silly, but I am, so it's all good. 

Most wonderful man kept reinforcing how silly I felt,

by saying how silly I looked, 

so then he said to "do that sexy pose you always do".

Really?  This is the most unsexy thing IN THE WORLD.

Whatevs.  All in the name of a little birthday fun!

PS- those of you who know me well...
That is Jon's chicken sandwich being used as a prop.

Anyway, it isn't that hard for me to incorporate great fashion 

into a post any day of the week, but since it IS Friday,

what a opportunistic time for me to share with you

some lovely things I wish for on my birthday.

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Really, I'd giddily take a whole stack of em,

like the ones I recently showed you from summerbird.

It's no secret, I'm all about the head scarf these days.

It's the ultimate accessory.

But I'd likely do this with it...

I love it so, and I would want to see it on display everyday.

Any Hermes scarf will do.  

I chose the one I did, 

since I think it would pair nicely with the new colors of my living room.

I can't wait to share it all with you, 

but here's a glimpse.

Oh yes.  Me likey.

A few other pretty little things I'd enjoy having around the house.

I'd give my right arm for either one of these to adorn me.  

It's so hard with jewelry.  My list is about a zillion miles long.

Rachel Zoe's entire jewelry collection 

would be the quickest way to get my fix.

That dress pretty much kills me too.

I borrowed from a friend a similar pair of Blinde sunglasses 

for the recent mega Trunk Show post, 

and now I am dying for my own.  

So awesome.

How about a space as fabulous as one of these to play home to it all?

This wallpaper for my foyer.

And this for the hall bath.

Bright curtains to go with my new living room.

I'm leaning toward yellow and love these.

A fun rug for the dining room.

Although we pretty much could use rugs throughout the house.  

Here are a few more I love.  

This bad boy is new at Ikea.  Can you believe?!

And perhaps most of all, a lovely bedroom inducing 

nothing but a good night's sleep and sweet dreams.

And, of course, a pair of fabulous night stands to flank.

Oh Pinterest.

The most fun time suck I've ever known.

If you're on Pinterest, please come see me.

On the topic of sleep, it's time for me to say night night.

But before I go, I reflect on so much richness that exists in my life.

I've got most wonderful man in the world.

Precious Peanut #1

Precious Peanut #2

A wonderful family.

The North Carolina Tar Heels.

 

I thank God for these...

...allowing me to do this.

And, even though I feel I've been a bit removed for the last year, 

since the arrival of Precious Peanut #2, I've still got these...

Not really bad shots.  The best girl friends for which a girl could ask.

So grateful for it all.

Welcome 35!

We are going to have fun!

Thank you to each and everyone one of you reading.  

This blog has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, 

and I am grateful for your eyes and the support of every single one of you.

For the love of welcoming a new year in the very best style, Whitley

Breathing Life Into Your Home

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My dear, sweet "friend," Nate Berkus,
regularly includes on his list of decorative accessories
the use of at least one living thing in each room.

Personally, I wouldn't mind so much decorating
with a little bit of him in each room, but since I can't seem to
find him anywhere in the Queen City,
I'll make this article about accessorizing your home with house plants.
Here's one of his designs using a few varieties.

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Starting in the foyer, this dash of bright green is the perfect compliment 

to the subtle hues of pink, metallic and earth tones.

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I cut a little Aucuba from our yard 

and situated a vase next to the console in our foyer.

The great thing about this shrub is that it lasts for weeks, 

even up to months.  A little water is all that is needed!

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I also used Aucuba here to flank both ends of the mantle in our den.

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Orange Trees as a House Plant?  Absolutely!

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I love this little planter.

via Furbish Studio

Here, I cut a sprig of Magnolia from a tree in our yard 

to add a little life and color to our home bar.

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Or, toss a little Magnolia into a basket, and Voila!

I've always admired this powder room.

A fern is perfect for the bathroom 

with its desire for moisture and filtered light.

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Pockets of greenery add character to an already charming kitchen.

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A few sprigs from the yard add a pop of 

green to this colorful and eclectic room.

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One house plant I particularly love is the Split Leaf Philodendron.

It is such a unique and lovely bird.

Another favorite low-maintenance house plant 

is the Zamioculcas Zamifolia.

Did you get that? You can just call it the Zi Zi plant.

This interesting fella requires very little water and attention, 

while effortlessly boasting a high level of interest.

How about this Rhapis Excelsa?

It's size and stature propel this plant to work of art status.

I've perhaps, though, been most love-struck as of late by the fiddle leaf fig.

Don't you just love the quirkiness of this delightful specimen?

I love it so much  that I couldn't resist one for our own home.

Meet Dee Dee, the newest member of our family!

Isn't she a beaut?  So long, lean and lovely at four feet tall.

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What is your favorite In-House Greenery?
Is your home accessorized with any shown here?
I don't know about you, but I'm always looking for two things:
Lovely and Low-Maintenance.
I'd love to hear any of your recommendations!

For the love of the always stylish accessory of life, Whitley