blogger is frustrating.

(ignore my creepy faces, please ;)) (and I'm pulling out my hair in the middle and right photos. but you can't really see my hand. heh.)

This was me much of yesterday. I was so frustrated at Blogger, y'all. Deleted posts and comments, uninstalling my new blog design, and leaving me unable to access anything. We need tshirts that say "I survived the Blogger crash of May 2011!" on them. Ahem.

But new peacock feather earrings can remedy such frustrations. Me = a happy girl.

ruche lookbook love.

{ruche lookbook: burlington}

Have you seen Ruche's new lookbook yet? I'm dying of prettiness overload. Some more favorites from the collection: Charlotte, Elloree, Greenville, and Monetta. Swoon.

vintage bottles are my favorite.

I found this bottle a few days ago in our house and snatched it up immediately to add to my collection. I don't know what it is about old bottles, but they leave me in dreams of elegance and the whiff of perfume from long ago. Sometimes I wish I could go back to times gone by, even if just for a moment. Looking at old photographs, peering into everyday life from long ago, it's another thing I've added to the list of what I love about photography.

chocolate ice cream + cookie chunks + strawberries = delicious.

My favorite way to use up cookies that have dried up is to chop them up and sprinkle over ice cream. Add some strawberries from from our garden and you have yourself the perfect dessert.

some honesty.
Sometimes, I just need to be honest, especially when it comes to blogging. I can't tell you how many emails and comments I've gotten asking how to build a following or a few wistful lines stating they wish they had more readers. But y'all, numbers aren't everything. Don't get discouraged because you may not have as many readers as you'd like. Don't think, "If only I had as big of a following as she had, everything would be so easy." because it's not true. Just blog because you love it and readers will come. 

oklahoma weather.

It's interesting, that's for sure. Since we're located in the very center of the US, we get everyone else's "leftovers" with the wind. I'm talking seventy five degrees one day and a foot and a half of snow the next. Yes. I'm not complaining though – it's so beautiful.

Happy Saturday!

-carlotta

listening to: viva la vida by coldplay.

I type, then erase. Type some more and erase some more. Words can't seem to form properly  – it's a jerky, stop-and-go pattern and, consequently, a frustrating process.

But then, as if a faucet were turned on, I begin writing furiously, letters flowing like water from my fingers. The frustrating stop-and-go is laid to rest, creativity taking its place.

And so I write.

When the temperature becomes sweltering, the swimsuits get put on, the hose is connected to a sprinkler underneath the trampoline, and the jumping begins. Up and down, out of breath from fits of laughter, silly dances, and sprayed faces.

It's the epitome of summer and the epitome of fun.

I've been attempting to be more creative in my outfits, but when it's ninety degrees outside layering and adding scarves is not exactly an option. So I turned to other accessories, like long dangly necklaces and headbands. It's amazing what something so seemingly little can do for an outfit. Statement pieces are my go to for sprucing up a simple tshirt and shorts combination.

headband: h&m / necklace: germany / shirt: target / shorts: target / shoes (not shown): academy

Change is good. A little thing like switching up artwork in your room or a break from routine can have such a big impact. Hence, my new blog design. Thoughts? I'm loving the blend of warm browns and creamy white, the more subtle, natural tones.

There's a small guest room off our garage, formerly the servant's quarters (oh how I love living in an old house). It's a place that I overlook, never pay much attention to. However, I happened to enter it a few days ago. I parted the curtains, threw open the windows, let the sunlight stream in and fell in love. Full of original fixtures, including a cast iron bathtub from 1934, it's the perfect place for some time away, for a change of scene. I have a feeling this guest room and I will be spending a lot of time together in the future.

I love her. That is all.

But I've been talking so much about my life and my thoughts – I'd love to hear more about yours instead. What has been going on in your life?

-carlotta

Every weekend is made sweeter by the fact we're drawing closer and closer to summer. The temperature warm, the nights deliciously cool, shedding layers of clothing in favor of a simple tank top and shorts.

According to a multitude of studies, time doesn't seem to go by as quickly when days are full. This weekend was no exception.

Itching for some time away, we went on a family Boy Scout campout with Jeremiah's troop. From the bugle announcing meals, lights out, and serving as alarm clock in the morning to food cooked by the boys to fishing at the lake, it was perfect.

The water in a nearby lagoon of sorts was as smooth and still as a mirror, reflecting the green leaves and strong, tenacious trees.
In the morning, following the bugle call, Jeremiah and I took a walk.

Dawn pinked the horizon as I gathered wildflowers along the way and marveled at creation. I'm admittedly not a particularly nature loving person – I'd prefer my comfortable bed and a proper bathroom, thank you – but those precious early morning hours, picking flowers and silently watching animals, were enough to make me want to move out into the country.

Never mind the fact that my feet were only covered with strappy sandals while hiking in the woods by myself, where I discovered the water moccasin slithering over a tree root two feet from me and then slipping in the water, leaving me frozen to the spot, eyes fixated on the water. (Run on sentence much?) Clearly I'm very learned when it comes to attire in the outdoors. Ahem.

Hey there, thanks for scaring me half to death. Shudder.

Sunday was Mother's Day. It was filled with lots...



...and lots...



...of strawberries from our garden,



cinnamon rolls for breakfast,



a trip to the river,



and the start to my summer bracelet collection.  I'm so thankful for everything my beautiful mother does – without her our family would be totally lost. She does so many things that we just take for granted. I love you, Mom.

It was a good weekend. And camping? I think I'll try it again soon.

How about you? Are you more of a outdoors-y person or more of a city girl, like me?

-carlotta

Zoe and Danielle are sisters – and virtually my sisters as well. One is ten years old, the other seven. One has brunette ringlets, the other blonde ringlets. (Can we say I'm dealing with some hair envy over here? Because I am so envious of their gorgeous hair.) One has chocolate brown eyes, one sapphire blue.
They're adorable.

I could eat this light for breakfast.

Okay, maybe not. But it sure is beautiful.

Oh hey there pretty girl.

I like you. You're cute. And your hair is gorgeous.

Group shots are funny. Especially when you take them with silly girls.

Here's some more silliness for you...



Lilly makes me laugh.

Happy Friday!

-carlotta