Lace & Pearls Test

A Seattle Life + Style blog

  • Contact
  • About
  • Fashion
  • Lifestyle
  • Beauty
  • Blogging

Farm & Frills

May 12, 2015

Farm & Frills (1 of 14)

This weekend I went to Farm & Frills antique show in Enumclaw, Washington. It was amazing and totally worth the drive.

The show consisted of knickknacks, homemade items, furniture, and unique planters (like聽the old fashion washer machine below). The prices were super affordable. I bought a coffee table, an ottoman, and a few other items.

Farm & Frills (3 of 14)

In the beginning I felt overwhelmed, there were so many treasures to ooh and ahh over. We made one round, then circled back to make our purchases. At this point聽a lot of the items had sold, and vendors were rearranging their booths to fill in the space. Some of the vendors also have a local shop. I made sure to grab flyers/cards for future adventures.

{Fun display outside the venue}

Farm & Frills (13 of 14)

{My favorite booth}

Farm & Frills (12 of 14)-2Farm & Frills (11 of 14) Farm & Frills (10 of 14) Farm & Frills (9 of 14)

{This booth was聽also cute}

Farm & Frills (6 of 14)

{Lot’s of stuff going on here but so much fun!}

Farm & Frills (4 of 14)

{The prettiest garden display}

Farm & Frills (2 of 14)

We are moving at the end of the month, and I’m feeling inspired.聽I can’t wait for next year’s show, maybe I’ll rent a truck! 馃榾

18 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Antiquing, Farm & Frills

Victoria Trip

April 23, 2015

2015-04-17 18.13.47

Last weekend we went to聽Victoria, British Columbia. It was our first time visiting and the weather was perfect.

abbeymoore (2)

We stayed at the amazing Abbeymoore Manor (bed & breakfast), located in the beautiful Rockland Mansion district. From the moment we arrived we were swept away by good service and excellent food. They accommodate dietary restrictions and kept聽me dairy-free for our stay.

Our聽suite聽had a聽private聽entrance,聽patio, full kitchen, bathroom, and sitting room. The bathroom was beautiful with a sea foam glass sink, Tiffany blue walls, and the shower had the prettiest pale green tile.聽We could have stayed a few聽weeks.

On my birthday, they聽surprised me with a delicious dairy/gluten-free cake. It was so sweet.

Abbeymoore bday

Up the street from the Abbeymoore is the聽Government House. We took a stroll through the gardens and were surprised to find black tail deer at one of the lookout points. I was thrilled!

2015-04-18 11.18.152015-04-18 11.04.45

As mentioned in my previous post, we made聽the drive to the聽Butchart Gardens. It was absolutely stunning.

Thebutchartgardens

We did a lot of聽walking聽and eating during the trip. On the聽last night we had dinner on the water at the Blue Crab. Before leaving聽we took聽the harbour tour聽to see the marina, float homes, and Fisherman’s Wharf.

Victoria Water Tour

Afterwards we聽ventured to聽Red Fish Blue Fish聽for fish and chips. We waited in line for about聽30 minutes, but it was totally worth it.

Red Fish Blue Fish 1

34 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Abbeymoore Manor, Government House, Lifestyle, The Butchart Gardens, Vacation, Victoria British Columbia, Victoria Harbour Tour

Current Rotation

March 17, 2015

likes

  1. Serial– This podcast ran from聽October through聽December聽2014. I didn’t catch聽this series while it aired, but last month I聽devoured it within 2 weeks. Any spare moment I had was spent listening; at the gym or聽cleaning house.
    • This nonfiction story takes place in Baltimore, Maryland in 1999. The victim is a young girl named Hae Min Lee. Her 17 year-old ex-boyfriend, Adnan Syed, is later arrested for her murder聽and sentenced to life in prison.聽Sarah Koenig revisits the case while questioning the ruling.
  2. The Lively Show– After finishing Serial I was eager聽to find another podcast. The Golden Girl blog聽recently did a post on inspirational聽websites. She mentioned Jess Lively and The Lively Show podcast.
    • The Lively Show focuses on聽living life with intention. I’ve only listened to four episodes but have enjoyed them all. I would 聽encourage bloggers to listen to episode #3 where Jessica interviews Liz Schneider from Sequin & Stripes. This episode was very inspiring and honed in on being a entrepreneur while聽growing your blog.
  3. Mindy Kaling’s book聽Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (And Other Concerns) – This was recommended to me by Mil and Jules from South by Northwest. At聽half聽way through, I’ve found聽it to be聽an easy read and quite hilarious.
  4. Tazo Refresh Mint Tea – Until recently, I didn’t like mint tea. My mother-in-law left a box of it聽at our house and I decided to make a cup. I’ve found it to be refreshing and have gone聽through several boxes. Other teas in my rotation: chamomile, ginger, and Lady Grey (my mom introduced me to that one).

If you have any other podcast or tea recommendations let me know in the comments.

Photo credits: 聽Image 1 / Image 2/ Image 3 / Image 4

45 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle

6 Debt Reduction Tips

February 26, 2015

11442069295_8e5b8ac486_z[Photo credit: Lendingmemo]

My husband and I are currently in the process of paying off our credit cards (one of my new year resolutions). Getting out of debt is more than just paying things down, it’s changing your聽routine and breaking bad habits. I thought it would be helpful to share my experience and hopefully inspire some others.

  1. Create a Budget: My husband and I have been using the budgeting system YNAB (You Need a Budget) for a few years. It a little complex but once you get the hang of it, it’s totally worth it.
    • Challenges:聽YNAB encourages users to combine their checking and savings into one account and use the YNAB system to do checks and balances. The YNAB interface is your source of truth. This helps users stick to their budgets and not overspend.
    • Benefits: You can create various categories for your budget, plan for the future, and allocate your money down to the dollar in order to save.
  2. Develop a Strategy:聽Start with the card that has the lowest balance, and then proceed to the next. The idea is to create a snowball effect and use the amount that you used on the previous card for the聽next in line.
  3. Change Your Mindset and Lifestyle: This one is tough. My old聽self would come home from work and do a little聽online shopping, my favorite past time. I kid I kid, but not really. To break a bad habit try to stay busy – work out, cook a good meal, etc. Find new interests and hobbies.
  4. Unsubscribe from Retail Emails:聽This tip is not for the faint of聽heart, but for those who are serious about getting out of debt. I have not made this leap yet聽–聽how could I unsubscribe from my favorite retailers聽(J.Crew and Loft)!
  5. Create an Emergency Fund:聽During this time you will also want to save some cash. Pick a dollar amount and put that same amount away every聽month. Soon you’ll find that you have saved a lot of cash, and who doesn’t want that. This way if an emergency comes up, you don’t have to rely on your credit card and fall back into old habits.
  6. Give Yourself an Allowance:聽Nobody said you have to聽go cold turkey.聽It’s not easy聽to stop spending if this is the lifestyle that you have grown聽accustom to. Allow yourself some spending money to use however you like. Just make sure to stick to the amount you have budgeted. You don’t want to jeopardize all your hard work.

I hope you find these tips helpful.聽If you have some of your own advice, please share it in the comments.

39 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Credit Card Debt, Debt, Debt Free, Debt Reduction Tips, Get Out of Debt

The Versatile Blogger Award

January 22, 2015

award

I’ve been nominated for the Versatile Blogger Award by Karen over聽at聽Confetti & Curves and Jamie from Sincerely Miss Design. Thank you ladies for this lovely nomination!

Rules:

  1. Show the award on your blog.
  2. Thank the person who nominated you.
  3. Share seven facts about yourself.
  4. Nominate 15 blogs.
  5. Link your nominee鈥檚 blogs & let them know.

7 Facts About Me:

  1. I work in the healthcare industry (but聽I’m not a nurse)
  2. My track of the moment: Grimes – Genesis
  3. I’m always cold
  4. My favorite board game is rummikub
  5. I’m super competitive
  6. I enjoy reading young adult novels
  7. I’m a huge fan of Boo – the world’s cutest dog. I have a calender of him at work and all of my co-workers聽make fun of me.

My Nominations:聽

  1. West Coast Blog Girl
  2. Nazneen Zainal聽
  3. Cath Claire
  4. Anna Down South
  5. The Sunday Styler
  6. Prudence Petite Style
  7. Jasmine
  8. Stylesyah
  9. The Weekday Table
  10. My Brunette Adventure
  11. Hannah- Love Life
  12. Staffordable
  13. 50 Shades of Rouge
  14. Sincerely Cyndall
  15. Sartorial Sarah

31 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Versatile Blogger Award

Interior Style

January 9, 2015

Rustic Chic

1 / 2 / 3

My husband and I bought these dining room chairs (1) this summer but held off on getting a new table.

I found this table (2) at West Elm. I wasn’t sure about the color, but this inspiration photo聽piqued my interest. The other table (3) is from Ethan Allen. Not sure if we will purchase either but I thought I would share.

Growing up I loved shabby chic decor, but聽now that I’m older I prefer a more rustic look. If I were to decorate our home it would be elegant but rustic.

On a side note, I’ve decided that I am going to change my posting schedule from Monday, Wednesday, Friday to Tuesday and Thursdays. This will hopefully allow me more time to create quality content.

Have a good weekend everyone and see ya Tuesday!

31 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Ethan Allen, West Elm, World Market

Liebster Award

January 7, 2015

liebster-award

I was nominated for the Liebster award by the lovely Nadine of Ladies and Lace聽a while back. If you haven’t visited her blog, do stop by and check it out. Thanks Nadine for the nomination.

The Liebster award was created to recognize new bloggers and welcome them to the blogging community.

The rules聽

  1. Thank your Liebster Blog Award presenter on your blog.
  2. Link back to the blogger who awarded you.
  3. List 11 facts about yourself.
  4. Nominate 5 blogs to receive the award.
  5. Inform them of their nomination by leaving a comment on their blog.

11 facts about me:

  1. I own two guitars
  2. I like to sing
  3. Growing up I wanted to be an actress, singer and songwriter
  4. I took choir in high school
  5. I also did theater in high school
  6. I rarely wear the聽color black with the exception of black pants, coat or shoes
  7. I love Taylor Swift
  8. I love聽staying up late
  9. I worry about everything all the time
  10. I’m a perfectionist
  11. I don’t like taking risks

Nadine’s questions to me:

  1. What is the one song that always makes you feel like dancing? Anything Britney
  2. What鈥檚 your favourite book and why? I don’t think I can pick out one聽book, but I love Sophie Kinsella
  3. What鈥檚 your favourite perfume? Flower bomb by Viktor and Rolf
  4. What is your go-to method for feeling a bit of extra confidence? Organization
  5. Is there a song that reminds you of your childhood? What is it?聽Bad – Michael Jackson (the whole album)
  6. What is your favourite flower? Pansy
  7. What is the make-up product on the top of your wish list at the moment? NeuLash
  8. Would you rather splurge on clothing or shoes and why? Clothes, I find I get more bang for my buck with clothing, 聽more versatile.
  9. What is your favourite place to be? Home, bundled up聽on the聽couch
  10. What is your favourite thing about blogging? Interacting with readers
  11. If you were given the opportunity to have anything you want in the world, at this very moment, what would it be and why? Good health.聽The possibilities are endless if you are not limited by聽your body.

My nominees:

Brown Beauty Beat

Camellda Lynn

South by Northwest

Somebody’s Baby

Very Erin

聽My questions 聽to my nominees:

  1. How long have you been blogging?
  2. Do you work outside of blogging?
  3. Who does your photography?
  4. How do you pick the topics for your posts?
  5. What’s your dream job?
  6. Favorite drink?
  7. One of your fears?
  8. One thing from聽your bucket list?
  9. Favorite local restaurant?
  10. Dream vacation?
  11. Worst habit?

16 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Liebster Award

Pacific Galleries

January 5, 2015

IMG_3219 IMG_3222 IMG_3230 IMG_3231 IMG_3232 IMG_3233 IMG_3235 IMG_3239IMG_3236

The holiday staycation is officially over. It took me a few days to decompress and switch from work to vacation mode. I was concerned that I wouldn’t be able to unwind but I eventually did. 聽I hardly accomplished anything on my to-do list, but I still had a lot of fun and even ended up taking a quick trip to eastern Washington to visit my in-laws.

During my vacation my best friend and I visited the聽Pacific Galleries Antique Mall聽in Sodo. It was our first time checking it out. The space is 30,000 square feet and includes an auction house. Styles range from French provincial, Danish, Mid-Century Modern, Victorian,聽and industrial chic.

My favorite part of the mall was towards the back. In this space there is elaborate furniture and unique chandeliers made out of unusual materials聽– very inspiring for an interior decorator or someone who is furnishing a home.

20 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle Tagged: Antiquing, Pacific Galleries Antique Mall

2015

December 31, 2014

DSC_0170It’s almost聽2015 so I thought I would revisit this post and share my progress. The two goals that I shared were:

  1. Get 7.5-8 hours of sleep per night
  2. Workout 4-5 days a week

The month of November was ok for working out, but in December I really tapered off. Getting to bed early was the most challenging. I will be working on both for 2015.

Here are some more 2014 goals that I didn’t聽share.

  1. Start blogging. 馃檪
  2. Lose 18聽pounds – I’ve already lost 11 pounds through diet and exercise. I still have 7 more to go. I fell off my routine聽over the holidays but plan to get back on track in the new year.
  3. Get out of debt – I am slowly making progress on this one and I am proud of what I have accomplished so far. I’ll go into more detail in a future post.
  4. Worry less – this is an ongoing goal. I hope to keep things at bay through diet, exercise, adequate rest, massage and acupuncture.

Did you cross off any resolutions from last year?

31 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle

Christmas Countdown

December 22, 2014

photo 3photo 1 (1)photo 2photo 4

Hooray! We finally got聽our Christmas tree. I had my doubts for this year. I don’t think we’ve ever waited this long to get a tree. This is our second year with a real tree聽(going on 3聽if you count the聽tree branch).

This year we are in a smaller place. I was hoping to get a tree that was聽on the smaller side聽but what we ended up with was on the larger side. When we arrived at the nursery聽there were about five trees left. My husband did a quick scan of the perimeter聽and decided on a somewhat large聽tree. I would have passed and gone elsewhere聽but my husband didn’t want to make another stop. I mentioned聽that the tree was kind of big,聽but he was ready to check out.

Getting it in the condo聽was the biggest challenge (there were lots of pine needles shed, and we have a new dent in the wall). Once everything was done captain obvious聽made a key observation – “that is a big tree.” We just looked at each other and laughed.

Christmas Checklist (2 days left):

  1. Decorate tree
  2. Send Christmas cards (if I feel like it)
  3. Wrap gifts
  4. Purchase cards for a few more folks
  5. Clean up the house
  6. Relax 馃檪

16 Comments 路 Labels: Lifestyle

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • Previous Entries

Meet Asa

Lace & Pearls is a style diary where you can find weekly outfit, beauty, and lifestyle post.

Search

Recent Posts

  • Flutter Skirt
  • Blogging Resource: Ask Jess (The Golden Girl Blog)
  • Bumble Bee
  • Blogging Resource: I Can Build A Blog
  • Breton Stripes

Archives

Popular Posts

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express

...

Read More 禄 »

<3<3<3

<3<3<3

...

Read More 禄 »

Happy Spring

Happy Spring

...

Read More 禄 »

Blush & Lace

Blush & Lace

...

Read More 禄 »

Seattle
Seattle Bloggers Unite
Follow

Disclaimer

Lace & Pearls is part of an affiliate program. This means that if you click and/or make a purchase through certain links on this site, I may make a commission from the click and/or purchase. All opinions are my own.

Get Social

Categories

  • Beauty
  • Blogging
  • Fashion
  • Health & Fitness
  • Lifestyle

Archives

Popular Posts

Pineapple Express

Pineapple Express

<3<3<3

<3<3<3

Happy Spring

Happy Spring

Blush & Lace

Blush & Lace

Polka Dot Pants

Polka Dot Pants

Carrie Bradshaw Moment

Carrie Bradshaw Moment

Theme by 17th Avenue · Powered by WordPress & Genesis