"On the plains of Oklahoma"

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I've been singing that over and over in my head lately!! I hope you know the country song that these lyrics come from... If not, here you go! Why has this been stuck in my head? Because soon enough I'll be seeing the plains of Oklahoma! And more importantly, I'll be seeing Veronica!!

A very special trip has been in the works since last June. I hoped and prayed that I would be able to visit Veronica after she and Kevin came to visit me and Tim last summer. We instantly connected and it had me really wishing we lived closer to one another.

(pic from our staycation last summer)

Veronica has already made a post of things to do in Oklahoma (which you should totally check out) We've also been emailing ideas back and forth. I am so glad that we will have a good mix of sightseeing and down time. We are leaving some spare hours for crafting but also taking a day trip to Tulsa! It's going to be AWESOME!

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I cannot wait to see her sweet home and meet Paisley (her pup) and see where she went to school. I cannot wait to have that moment at the airport except this time it will be friends reuniting instead of two strangers who met through blogging. I cannot wait to have girl time and talk about Tone it Up and design and future trips together!! I cannot wait to take hundreds and hundreds of pictures together and wear our matching monogrammed shirts.

I've never been to Oklahoma or further west than Indiana so this will be an adventure for sure! Find me over on instagram and snapchat to see glimpses of our reunion!

Now if you'll excuse me, I'll be planning my outfits and packing my bags wayyy too far in advance (and deciding on a hashtag to document our trip) October can't get here soon enough!!

THE gallery wall

Y'all...I don't know if its more embarrassing how long I've gone without blogging or how long my pictures and frames sat around before I hung my gallery wall? Lets just say they were both overdue.

I don't think I'll be spending hours writing blog posts anymore trying to make them "pinterest-worthy".  I have more important things to do like spend time with my husband and work on my fitness :) but I do want to give you a glimpse into whats going on around the house. Be warned: these are all phone pictures.

So I'm going to start by showing you the progression of my gallery wall. It all started with this daunting 7' x 11' wall that I had no idea what to do with. I searched high and low for a console table long enough that wouldn't break the bank. And then World Market came to my rescue and created the Everett Foyer Table. It was perfect!! Its no wonder its so popular with other bloggers because there aren't many other offerings in this size and price. AND with their sales (which they have often) + my member discounts I basically got it for nothing!

So then it was time to determine the style for my gallery wall and what I wanted it to include. Uniform or organic? Matching frames or not? Frames only or add wall decor? So many decisions!! I knew I wanted to include our wedding canvas and a mirror I got while at the beach. I also love the look of the ikea ribba frames. Once I collected all of the frames, it was time to fill them. I wanted each piece to have a special meaning so that it becomes a conversation piece when we have people over. I want to tell the stories of how each thing landed in my home.

Here is the console shortly after we got it (this is 2014 fall decor)

This mirror now resides in the guest bedroom. It was temporary until I could find another mirror for the living room.

After Christmas blah...I knew it was time!!

Artie decided to help me with the layout. I wish he could've unwrapped all the ikea frames... (p.s. the pics below that didn't make it on the gallery wall are actually going to go in our master since they are more personal)

 If I'm being honest...I didn't really measure everything out. I mostly eyeballed it. It took about 2 hours to get everything hung. That is not including cutting out templates for each frame.

 Almost finished!!

 All done...just in time for the 3 gatherings that we hosted!!

I've got a few more tweaks to make. I am going to paint that crate. (Those are Tim's records by the way. He bought a record player!) I will also probably relocate the wire basket and books so that I can center the wicker basket. And I actually bought this lamp for the guest BR so I may be switching that out. 

Well it's been a long process but so worth it!! Is there a project you are procrastinating at your house??

High Five for Friday

Guess what?? It's FRIDAY!! YAY :) 

and its time for High Five for Friday!!

1) I got a new planner! I haven't used one since I graduated. I couldn't pass it up since it was TEAL with leopard inside!

2) I got to catch up with some of my besties over the phone!

Denise
(photo by Karla Collegeman Photogpraphy)

Gabby

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Brittany

3) I love my morning cuddle sessions with this guy!

4) I celebrated a year of blogging and a year of working at Courtney Ludeman Interiors!

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5) On our last trip to Target, we saw this! They've got Hokie Spirit! SO ready for college football season :)

Linking up with:

Lauren Elizabeth

My Blog Turns 1

HAPPY BIRTHDAY BLOG!!

I should make a teal cake to celebrate, right??

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Today my blog is officially one year old!!! I have been slacking lately in this department but I have been so overwhelmed and excited about having Artie. I have a lot more good things in store for you if I can stop long enough to write them.

In honor of Designer in Teal turning one, I am going to share my top 5 reasons why I LOVE blogging!

1) The friendships- I have "met" so many amazing women through blogging and some I've even gotten to meet in real life! I even consider one of them one of my best friends. Veronica and I are planning our vacation together for next year. I can't wait to finally meet this amazing girl!

2) The creativity- Blogging makes me push my limits to find new design inspiration. Every time I create a design board, I want a fresh and exciting design that is unique so you will want to keep coming back. And I love when I have a "client" as it gives me some practice for work. Not only that, but learning how to design my own blog has taught me more about graphic design.

3) The motivation- Because I want to have awesome things to share with you, blogging makes me want to go out and DIY something or try a new recipe instead of sitting on my couch all day. (oh and take more pictures...even though I still fail at that one)

4) The journaling- This space allows me to look back to any date and see how my life has changed. It also allows my family and friends to keep up with me.

5) The love- It seriously makes my day every time I get a comment from one of you. I read EVERY single one and it overwhelms me how sweet you are and how much you care so thank you!


I hope that you have decided to stick around my little piece of the internet even though I have been absent. I appreciate each one of you sooo much. Get ready because I will be catching up soon :)

If you are new around here, check out my about me page and my most popular posts!

• Teal Chevron Curtains
• My Country Chic Wedding
• Mood Board Home Office
• Living Room Reveal
• Sara's Mood Board

I also have some bloggers to thank for helping me get to where I am now...love you ladies
{Sara, Kalyn, Veronica, Beth, Marquis, Kaitlyn, Lauren, Jackie, Darby, Logan, Tanika}

Tangerine Hues {Design Collaboration}

I'm back!! It's been a while but I have missed you all! Hope you enjoy this "minty" post and come back later to celebrate my blogiversary!!

Its time for the July Mood board collaboration!!
 Details:
Every month we will rotate choosing a color inspiration photo and all create a board based on it. It can be interior design, graphic design, fashion, etc. We will each post the boards on our blogs on the same day. Hopefully you will enjoy these inspiration filled posts. I know I am interested to see everyone's different styles and interpretations. You can click on the links to their blogs to see a full list of resources!

This month I got to choose our color palette! Mint and Orange look amazing together and I love the added touch of yellow in this inspiration photo. Mint is a VERY popular color right now especially in kitchens. My kitchen has teal and yellow accents and I love how sunny it is. I decided to create a board for a casual dining space with some kitchen accessories. Since so many kitchens are open concept now or have an eat-in area they should feel like one cohesive space.

This has definitely become my favorite design board. It is going to be filed away for my dream home!! 

Resources

Bar Stools: Target

Dining Table: World Market

Mint Canisters: World Market

Rug: Urban Outfitters

Drapes: Target

Pendant: Urban Outfitters

Colander: Target

Drinkware: Etsy

Rolling Pin: Anthropologie

Linen Napkins: Crate and Barrel

{Carissa from Carissa Miss} for me this picture just sang kitchen! {maybe it's because i have mint and yellow in mine} I just had to share some of my latest loves for kitchen accessories. i'm hoping to actually get some art up on the walls in my house, so if it is a little art-heavy that's why! after the kids' rooms are done then i'm planning on finishing the art in our entry-way makeover, and then FINALLY i can get to decorating the rest of the kitchen. come visit carissamiss.com to see sources!

{Amy from The Blissful Bee}

There is no better match than mint and orange! I had so much fun designing my pretend living room that it seriously made me want to add these colors into my own living space.

{Lizzie from Living Pretty}

I totally indulged myself with this challenge and made myself an office space. I don't have room for a real office in my house, but if I did it might look something like this - eclectic, fun and girly. Visit me at livingprettyblog.com for sources.

{Sarah from This Sarah Loves}

These colors inspired me to create a restful guest room mood board. I love the idea of mismatched nightstands - updating an old curvy dresser in fresh mint for one side and a more masculine grey desk for the other side. I would use lots of white to keep things fresh & raw wood to bring nature in. Add in some fun colorful art & a whimsical bronze rhino for a guest room that doesn't take itself too seriously. Stop by my blog http://thissarahloves.wordpress.com/ for sources.

Linking up with:

Coffee Beans and Bobby Pins

Face It Catalog

Tell Us Tuesday

Lauren's Boho Bedroom

I am excited to share today's mood board with you. Veronica asked if I wanted to assist her in designing Lauren's home. Hop on over and see Veronica's awesome design for Lauren's living room and kitchen. I jumped at the offer to work on the Master Bedroom. Its such an important area in your home and it shouldn't be neglected. Although it won't be a public area that your guests will see, you should still make it a sanctuary and a happy place. What is a must have for your master retreat?

So what is Lauren's design style?

Earthy, Boho, neutral colors with green and blue accents. I also like pops of color though I'm not sure how to make that "work." I like burlap and linen. I also like navajo/aztec inspired prints on rugs and pottery. I like indoor plants and pottery or wooden pieces. I'm marring a geologist, so we also like rocks (like the agate coasters at Williams Sonoma). We also like maps. Vintage pieces are great! I'm willing to paint or re-furbish furniture however I like the pieces of furniture I found at Pottery Barn most of all but it's more than I was hoping to spend.

I was inspired by these images on her Pinterest board.

 

I wanted to create a unique space for Lauren but still stick to her budget. She is after all going to design an entire house. The bedding is screen printed by hand and quilted in India. I love the saturated hues...it's like artwork for your bed! The vases will be a great place to add some fresh flowers. The distressed wall cube can serve as a display for some vintage items or maybe even agate. The gold mirror and nightstand are airy and balance all of the wood and jute. The trunk is great for the end of the bed to store extra linens and pillows. And who doesn't love a pouf??

Bedding World Market  Stalagmite Vase Urban Outfitters Wall Cube Urban Outfitters Drapes World Market Trunk World Market Lamps Target Nightstands Target Mirror Target Rug World Market Pouf Wayfair Would you do this style in your home?  Would you like a mood board design for your space?? Completely customized for $25!!!

I'll have my birthday cheesecake and eat it too...

Google reader is going away~ be sure to follow me via bloglovin'

So...yesterday was my birthday...and I turned 23!! It was a very special day but I was still bummed that I didn't get to see my family.

Here's how it all went down....

Kim brought me a salted caramel and chocolate cupcake to work for lunch....it melted in her car but it was still delicious! She even had an awesome candle and the Chipettes sang me happy birthday haha!!

Kim and Ashley came with Tim and I to dinner at the Cheesecake Factory (hence the title of this post). I opened my gifts before we left.

J.Crew Chain Link Pave Bracelet :) from my parents...it's so sparkly!!

from Gabby (she's so crafty!) and sneaky. I mentioned a few months ago that I would love a quilt to match my living room and showed her some on my Pinterest. Little did I know she was actually making me one! 

CHEVRON

Its all my favorite colors :D

Wearing it as a cape..

Cheesecake Factory time...after we got out of the monsoon that came through RVA haha

Yummy meatloaf, taters and corn succotash. (3 meals worth)

Fresh banana cream cheesecake!! It was amazing!

My blurry birthday treat. Mini ice cream sundae.

Me, Kim and Ashley

Me and Tim 

Tim got me another cake with strawberries on top that we have yet to eat....oh and he owes me a puppy :D 

Thanks everyone for the sweet comments and for making my day perfect!

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