Much Ado About Nothing

This weekend I was able to watch the new Much Ado About Nothing with a good friend.

I realized how rusty I was on my Shakespeare though! If you haven't seen it I would highly recommend it!  However, I grew up watching the 1993 version, and wished I had watched that recently to brush up on all the characters and who's who since I'm so rusty with my Shakespeare!

I always loved the poetic song "Sigh No More, Ladies" that they read aloud in the version with Kenneth Branagh & Emma Thompson. They incorporated it into this new version as a background song playing at a party.

"Sigh no more, ladies, sigh no more,

Men were deceivers ever,

One foot in sea and one on shore, 

To one thing constant never.

Then sigh not so, 

But let them go,

And be you blithe and bonny,

Converting all your sounds of woe 

Into Hey, nonny nonny.

Sing no more ditties, sing no more

Of dumps so dull and heavy.

The fraud of men was ever so, 

Since summer first was leavy.

Then sigh not so, but let them go

And be you blithe and bonny,

Converting all your sounds of woe

Into Hey, nonny nonny!"

Other great quotes from Much Ado About Nothing:

"I would rather hear my dog bark at a crow, than a man swear he loves me." (Beatrice)

"When I said I would die a bachelor, I did not think I should live till I were married." (Benedict)

Hope you had a 'bonny' weekend!

~ Elle

 

Political Kindness

"Political Kindness"

Does such a thing exist?!?

There has been a lot going on lately in American government. 

While I do not like to get into politics on my blog and keep my views to myself, there is one thing I feel the need to talk about...

Kindness.

No matter what your view or what party you represent PLEASE be respectful and kind when openly discussing your views and opinions on social media outlets. 

Don't get me wrong, I am all for standing up for what you believe in!! I am very vocal about it in other media outlets (Just not my blog). But the bashing, name calling, bullying, hurtful comments that I have heard from BOTH political parties makes me sad. BOTH sides can be quite ignorant and rude in there arguments in the government and in social media. 

When did it become wrong to have an opinion? When did it become a bad thing to disagree and discuss differences of opinions?  Can we not be willing to listen to what others have to say, and then if in disagreement, KINDLY explain your viewpoint and why you have that viewpoint? 

I guess all I am asking is that we show a little kindness, and respect (regardless if we agree with the person), to those who have different ideas. 

Don't give you opinion if you are unwilling to listen to other viewpoints.

Alright, that is all the "politics" I am going to talk about on here! :)

I will end with this lovely quote, that I think is so true! 

Imagine if everyone took this quote to heart...there would be a lot less angry people in the world!! 

(via pinterest)

Happy Weekend Wishes

This is the first weekend in a long time in which I have been home and nothing planned!

I am taking advantage of it and painting my guest bedroom. I love productive Saturday mornings at home! They make me feel energized and content!

I thought I would share some photos I took a few weekends ago when my mom was visiting. My sister and I took her to a state park nearby that has a swampy lake full of alligators!

 We went around sunset so it was really beautiful the way the sun was setting through all the trees.

There were lily pads blooming everywhere!

 Below is my sis, Jenn, with her husband who joined us on the walk.

 The path along the lake was peaceful.

 That is my husband below, keeping an eye out for alligators! He never misses them!

 Check out this one! He wouldn't budge!

 This spotted this one before he popped his head above water, because we saw the lily pads moving as he walked along the bottom of the lake!

 Here is my husband again...looking for more alligators!

 I loved all the spanish moss hanging from the trees. It looked so cool.

 My sis again, catching her breath for a photo opportunity! You should check out her blog, Contemporary Harbor!

 And here I am attempting to get the last bit of rays from the sunset...however, the sun was quickly fading.

I hope your weekend is an enjoyable one, whether you are just relaxing, or keeping busy!

~ Elle

Bohemian Romance

 I came across Free People's bohemian lookbook this afternoon and felt inspired to share it.

While I generally do not dress with this much bohemian influence, I do enjoy touches of bohemian flare here and there.

I really liked a lot of things about the looks in these photographs taken by Guy Aroch.

To start with, I just love Hungarian model, Eniko Mihalik's hair here. I wish I could get my hair to look like that!

 Second, I am loving these hats! I am so glad to see that wide brimmed hats are still in this season.

Oh, and I am in LOVE with that wool looking wrap in the right photograph below.

 This shaw is fabulous! I would love to have this wrap to just lounge around my house in!

 I also love these pheasant dresses with the flat grungy boots. Not to mention I love the blue wrap in the right photograph.

What about you? Are you into these bohemian looks?

 ~ Elle

An Italian Villa Retreat

I've recently had the urge to redo my guest room. It has always been this glam purple and silver theme, which if you know me, it isn't me at all. I only chose it because I wanted something girly I hadn't done before. But lately I am realizing that it doesn't suit me, or the style of my house. 

This urge really came over me when I came across this photo on pinterest...

 I had a hard time explaining the exact makeover style to my friends, as well as finding any other photographs like it. That is, until I realized it reminded me of an Italian villa, and based my search off that!  So I am labeling the room makeover "Villa Retreat".

While researching villa styles I came across this breathtaking villa and absolutely felt inspired to share this amazing place with you.

Col delle Noci

Col delle Noci is a renovated 17th century farmhouse located on the beautiful Umbrian countryside in Italy.

 Noci sits on Castello di Reschio, a very private 2,700 acre estate that borders Tuscany.

Noci consists of two buildings: The main house, and a self-contained guest annex.  The terraces, gardens, and pool allow you to take in the stunning views of the entire Reschio estate and nature reserve.

 I adore the bed frame below and am wondering where I could find something similar!

 I love the exposed wooden beams in these rooms.

 The master bedroom has it's own bathroom, fireplace, study,  and access to the garden.

 I am in love with the light breezy, yet vintage countryside charm of this room.

 Wooden shutters are really a must to complete this Italian countryside look.

 Old worn wood, wrought iron elements, and tile floors seem to be other staples in this look.

 The photograph below of the main living area is just call to me saying, "Come home"!

 I can picture myself standing here chopping fresh herbs from my garden right outside those double doors. Listening to my children's laughter outside the open doors as the breeze floats in. My husband napping on the sofa, or lounging in the pool after a hard day of work...oh that would be the life!

 And then once the children are to bed, lounging out on this beautiful terrace, sipping on wine, enjoying the view with my wonderful husband. *sighs* 

Hey, I can dream right??

So what do you think? Does this sound like a good style/theme to base a guest room off of?

I hope you approve because I am starting the redecorating immediately! Hopefully I will have some photographs to share in the near future!

~ Elle

*All photographs are from http://www.italianvillas.com/villa.aspx?villa=111492. I do not claim ownership to any of them. Please visit Italianvillas.com for more information on this lovely villa.

A "Roaring" Good Time - Deleted Scenes

Finally!!

The long awaited bloopers from my "Roaring 20's" themed party!

Enjoy!!

Oh, real quick...a HUGE special thanks to this Gal, who was my right hand "woman" in putting this all together!! I would never have gotten it all done without her!!

 NOW for the bloopers..

(Prohibition Punch = Non-alcoholic punch)

*Please be aware: There was no alcohol in the making of these photos...

We are just naturally retarded!

Clean up time! The party is OVER!

~ Elle 

A "Roaring" Good Time

A dear friend of mine had a birthday this month, and I felt the need to throw her a themed birthday party..but I needed a theme that suited her personality...

And so I decided upon the "Roaring 20's"!

It started off with a photo shoot to turn her into our very own celebrity flapper!

 Isn't she just the cat's meow?

Then I created a vintage celebrity photo board...

 I also made an art deco sign for the party...

 The drink table...complete with "Prohibition Punch"!

 

 

 I'd say all in all we had a "roaring" good time!

 Bloopers & Deleted scenes coming soon...!

~ Elle