Archives For miss&murphy

Thoughts Lately

July 29, 2015 — Leave a comment

Oh boy, where to start?

I have been feeling a little down and defeated the past few days, and couldn’t really place where it was coming from.  I saw a Facebook post today by one of my favorite bloggers, Pretty Fluffy, and it was like, “oh, that’s it.” I feel like she put into words what has been weighing on my heart.

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I am highly emotionally connected to animals.  I truly take to heart every good and bad story, and all the bad, evil stories had been adding up.  I wish these situations never came into existence in the first place, but I am grateful that the stories are shared because then they can inspire change and goodness to come out of it.

Cruelty Free

I know it is hard, it is a challenge that I face everyday, but try not to dwell on the negative.  Take it as a cue to make a difference.  Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing some actions I have taken to make a difference for animals.  I hope that you will join me!

-K

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It’s finally Friday peeps!

I love shopping & dogs.  Here are some dog-related products that have a portion of their proceeds donated to dog and animal charities!  You can rep your support for the pups, and give back at the same time. Get a lil something for yourself, and purchase some gifts for the dog lovers in your life!

1. Save All The Dogs T-shirt: You may recognize this from being shared in a previous post, but it is just too good.  Their net proceeds go to a different shelter or rescue each month.

2. Dog Bone Necklace: Marcie, the owner of the Etsy shop, Beau & Stella, named her shop after her two rescue dogs. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the necklace will go to local animal shelters, including P.A.W.S., the shelter Marcie rescued Beau from after Hurricane Katrina.

3. Dog Trust Mug: Perfect for a coffee lover and dog lover! Fenella Smith, a British homeware designer, created this mug using her brother Gregor’s illustrations.  This product was inspired by Fenella’s two rescue dogs, Bramble and Fox, and a portion of the proceeds go toward Dogs Trust, a UK humane organization.

4. Found My Animal Teal Ombre Dog Collar & Dog Leash: These are available in many different colors and are so chic! Your pups will be struttin! Check out all of the different shelters and rescues that they have donated to linked here.

5. 2013 ONEHOPE California Pinot Noir: I have not tried this wine yet, but it is on my list to bring to my friend’s and my monthly wine club.  Half of proceeds go towards helping fund pet adoptions!

6. I Just Want To Hang With My Dog T-shirt: I really just want to hang with my dog, all day, errry day.  20% of proceeds are donated to animal charities, and the current recipient is the shelter, Felines and Canines, based in Chicago, IL.

7. DreamDoggy Dog Bed: For those of you like me, you want a dog bed that your dog will enjoy, but one that also fits in with your home decor. DreamDoggy has many cute dog bed fabric colors and patterns, and also sells extra bed sheets to help with destructive and/or dirty pups 😉 10% of the proceeds go to the Beagle Freedom Project to help rescue beagles from a life lived in product and cosmetic testing laboratories.

Happy shopping!

-K

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Each year I end up writing down resolutions, but I kind of get carried away…I make like 10 resolutions and each resolution has multiple, specific bullet points.  I make it nearly impossible for myself to accomplish every resolution.  Then, I look back on the year and feel bad because of the resolutions that I couldn’t keep up with.  This year, I am choosing not to look back on my resolutions for 2014, but instead, to reflect on the things that I did accomplish.

1.  Foot surgeries are out of the way!  I am still working to gain flexibility, but the hard part is over.

2.  I got a new job.  I still miss my old co-workers which were the best part about my old job, but it felt like a weight was lifted as I moved on from a draining position. This new job has made me step out of my comfort zone, as well as become more assertive, and I think this has reflected in my personal life too.

3. I moved into a new flat.  I have never lived by myself, which took a bit to get used to.  However, I love not dealing with other roommate’s messes!  This has been a really fun project for me since I love interior design.  I have had to budget and pace myself, but I am looking forward to continuing to build a space that I love.

4.  I have moved on from friendships that felt draining, unfulfilling or one-sided.  I have learned to direct my energy towards people who will make the same effort for me.  Along with this, my friends have created some fun traditions over this year, such as monthly dinners, wine club, and up north trips.  I look forward to more of these in the new year!

5. The bf got a new puppy, Mikey!  Now, I know this isn’t an accomplishment of mine, but Mikey has been a welcome addition to my life.  He has already taught us a lot about love, patience and responsibility, and I’m sure will continue to do so.  He has also helped me gain a personal connection to a cause that I have always felt passionate about…rescuing dogs.

So what would I like to accomplish in 2015? (and in keeping in line with my previous statements, these are overall, blanket goals)…

1.  Make my health a priority.  I started off 2014 feeling pretty, blah, with having a month + of sitting around and elevating my foot.  I took my time with the recovery so not to push it too much.  A year later, I am ready to get back into a routine.  I would like to get to bed at a decent hour, drink more water, eat healthier, start practicing yoga, and build muscle that was lost during my recovery time.

2. Work on this blog.  I keep allowing life to get in the way and push this back, but I think having this little passion project will make me happier.

3.  Save more money.  Dolla dolla bills y’all.

4. Travel.  Whether this be weekend trips or longer vacations, I always feel more adventurous and ready to take on the world after experiencing a new place.

5.  Help rescue dogs.  I am very emotional when it comes to this topic, so I know that I would have a hard time actually volunteering in a shelter.  However, I know that there are things I can do, and I plan to narrow that down.

What have you accomplished in 2014?  What would you like to do in 2015?

-K

Thanksgiving Thoughts

December 2, 2014 — Leave a comment
Haha!

Haha!

So we’re gonna get real for a second here…

This Thanksgiving, I noticed an increase of people sharing on social media what they are thankful for.  I do not discourage this.  However, I wonder how many of these people give thanks every day?!

It was also impossible to avoid the Black Friday and Cyber Monday advertisements.  I received over 150 advertiser emails regarding sales.  I do not understand how a day meant for giving thanks has become associated with some of the busiest shopping days of the year.  Wish there wasn’t such confusion about wants vs. needs and that we could give retailer’s employees a little bit more time with their families…

This is a design/lifestyle blog, so I as I jump back into this, I will be sharing different material items that I’ve purchased, wish I could purchase, am inspired by, etc.  But I do not want to be misunderstood.  I am VERY thankful for everything that I have in my life, and I am thankful         every. single. day.

“Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” Psalm 100:4

-K

Peacock Blue

February 17, 2014 — Leave a comment

Long time, no post. My apologies.  I started the blog during my right foot’s surgery leave in October, and then as I went back to work and the holidays snuck up, I let time slip away from me.  I am just finishing up a second surgery leave which started in January after my left foot’s surgery.  This time I have a cast, and will have it for another month minimum, but wanted to try to get back in the blog swing of things before returning to work and other craziness this time around.

Since it is difficult for me to do much physically, I still have a few projects to complete before I’m ready to share my room re-do updates.  I will have this up as soon as possible!

In the meantime, since I have had to spend lots of time sitting and with my foot elevated, I have also had lots of time to gather some inspiration.  Lately, I have been loving pops of peacock blue in home decor.  I realized one day that I had been pinning a variety of images that use this deep navy/teal color in combination with white or lighter colors.  Whether the peacock blue or the lighter color is the accent, it seems to balance out beautifully.

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Images: Lindsey Meadows, Gilt via Pottery Barn’s Pinterest, Emily Henderson, Elle Decor, Pottery Barn, House & Home.

Hope you’re having a great Monday!

-K

Room Updates

October 21, 2013 — Leave a comment

First post for miss&murphy! Woot Woot!

I moved home in August to prepare for some foot surgeries that I am having.  I figured it would be better to be in a comfortable home with family around to help me during my recovery struggles.  I just finished the first surgery and my leave from work.

This has been my view during the leave…

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Pretty flowers in the back from my man 🙂

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My watchdog nurse

Fun stuff, huh?

So before my surgeries, I knew I wanted to update my bedroom.  It’s the same bedroom I’ve had at my family’s home since we moved there before I started first grade, and it has had the same paint since high school.  I knew if I left it how it was, I might start going crazy.  First step, changing the paint.

I was starting with a bright yellow, and I was ready for a more neutral color.  I have been loving greige, grey, and black walls, and decided to go with “Morning Fog” which is part of the Sherwin Williams and Pottery Barn paint line.

Before (messy!):

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In Progress:

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After the first coat:

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It surprised me how tough it was to paint over the yellow, since the grey was darker than I expected.  Ended up taking me 3 coats to cover the yellow.

I will be posting the After photos soon!  I have a few more projects to complete before the first unveiling.

First, my new dresser!  As great as my armoire was for storage, I am trying to get the most use out of my closet, and I just don’t need that much extra storage. I ordered a Target Threshold Windham Accent Cabinet in Red.  This should give me a little storage, and I plan to style the top with a lamp and my jewelry.

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Making progress!

-K