Beachy Keen

I always look forward to reading blogs. You just never know what someone's going to post - there's so many creative inspirations rolling around out there in cyber space and it's so motivating to read along as people tackle their ideas, organizational challenges and daily life.

And I especially enjoy all the awesome interior design blogs I've found. Enter The Lettered Cottage. I can't talk about it enough, that Layla Palmer is a genius.

I bet if we met, we'd become fast friends.

That's not creepy, is it? Because I totally feel like I know her from keeping up with her incredible blog.

So today, I was nothing short of impressed when I perused her mantel makeover for summer.

Does it get any better than this?

I love, love, love beachy stuff. Sand, seashells, sea glass, starfish. Love it all. Before we moved to Scotland, I had decorated our bathrooms and part of our bedroom with sea-inspired "stuff."

But I wasn't completely happy with it - probably because I didn't like the dark green Palm tree theme I ended up with, as opposed to a light and happy seafoam scape.

So I can't wait to get me a house back in Texas where I can try out some of these ideas. Like jute-wrapped candles, and pickle jars of sand! Who woulda thunk it?

She bought oodles of starfish, too, cheap as pie from eBay.

When I saw the flag she'd made out of weathered wood from discarded shutters and a couple starfish, I almost started drooling. Must. Make. One. For. Me!

Being the ever-gracious designer that she is, Layla's always sure to post instructions on how to get the look yourself. Sweet!

{All photos by The Lettered Cottage}

There's something that always draws me to Texas-inspired decor. Like this house, which I would love to have:

{via Korel}

It's me to a T, a spacious hill country residence with plenty of land around it for the dogs to run and my horse to gallop. (Yes, Mike promises me one day he'll buy me a horse!)

I'm a wierd mix of beachy keen, Americana and those rustic stars made of tin.

{via Eclatate Design}

And I'd want my kitchen to look like this:

{via Texas Real Estate Photography}

Because that's where I spend most of my time, and whenever we have people over we'd congregate in there and drink ice cold Bud Lights while I put the steaks on the grill.

A girl can dream, right?

In the meantime, maybe I'll start browsing eBay for some starfish of my own...