Some Exciting News...

I've been hinting over the last week that I had something special to share with you...well, I'm going to be a mommy! I'm 14 weeks pregnant and due on May 13th! This will be our first child and my husband and I couldn't be more thrilled :). I actually suffered a miscarriage back in June, which was devastating to say the least, but God blessed us with a new little bundle of joy just 8 weeks later. We had an ultrasound last week and found out that we're having a BOY! So naturally, the designer in me is already at work on what color scheme and theme we'll be doing for his little area of our bedroom. We live in a one-bedroom apartment so I don't have the luxury of decorating a nursery just yet, but that day will come in time. I'm feeling good and am finally getting my energy back - there were several weeks there where I experienced a fatigue that was beyond comprehension (with 3 hour naps in the middle of the day, thank God I work from home!). I haven't had any nausea (fingers crossed it stays that way). Needless to say, I'm over-joyed at becoming a mother and can't wait to meet the little guy. Below are a couple of snapshots from our ultrasound last week. It's an absolute miracle to see the little life that God is forming inside me! Thank you for letting me share this exciting news with you and please feel free to leave and pregnancy / parenting tips, advice or otherwise. I'll continue to keep you updated as the months go by and will be sure to share a snapshot of my growing belly once I start showing! xoxo - Julie

{Baby Thigpen @ 14 weeks}

Guest Blogging for The Purple Bow

Today you can catch me over at The Purple Bow. Karlita, the gal behind this adorable blog, has asked me to be a part of a series called Little Book of Inspiration, where I'll be sharing the things inspire me in life. Enjoy! (P.S. - I'll be sharing something super exciting with you tomorrow, so please be sure and stop by :)

Quote of the Week

“I don’t shop. I buy things that inspire me, that give me emotion.”

— Giambattista Valli, Fashion Designer 

 [IMAGES VIA: LONNY; HOUSE TO HOME; DECORPAD; QUOTE FROM ELLE DECOR]

Accessories 101: Decorating the Fireplace Mantel

For those of you fortunate enough to actually have a fireplace and mantel to decorate (which I don't, YET...), there are endless ways to arrange accessories and hang art / mirrors. I've rounded up several snapshots of accessorized mantels that range from minimal to eclectic and everything in between. What's your preference when it comes to accessorizing the mantel? What do you currently have going on with your fireplace decor? ***It's hard to believe that another week has gone by and we're quickly headed toward Thanksgiving - it will be here before we know it! I wish you all a very happy weekend and please be sure to visit next week as I have something super exciting to share with you! xoxo - Julie

[IMAGE CREDITS: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12]

Inspiration Snapshot: Black & Gold

I just received the new book Black & White (and a bit in between) by Celerie Kemble and it's fantastic! If you're a big fan of this timeless color combination, this book is for you. I wanted to share this particular snapshot with you, featured in the Art of Collecting section of the book. The classic combination of black and gold accented with black & white toile is just lovely! A great reminder of what a beautiful color scheme black, gold and a touch of white can make. How do you feel about this color combo?

[IMAGE CREDIT: BLACK & WHITE BY CELERIE KEMBLE; PG. 171]

History of the Wishbone

With Thanksgiving just weeks away, I keep coming across dinnerware and accessories featuring a wishbone. This got me thinking about the tradition of breaking the turkey wishbone on Thanksgiving and where the superstition came from. Here's what I found:

 [Vintage Brass Wishbones]

"The wishbone custom began with the Etruscans. They believed both the hen and the cock to be "soothsayers". The hen because her squawk foretold the laying of an egg; the cock because his crow heralded the dawn of a new day. When a sacred fowl was killed, the bird's collarbone was laid in the sun to dry. An Etruscan wishing to benefit from the powers of the oracle would pick up the bone and stroke (not break) it while making a wish; hence the name "wishbone." It was the Romans who brought the wishbone superstition to England. Breaking the dried clavicle of a chicken was well established as a British tradition by the time the Pilgrims reached the New World. Observing that the wild turkeys which populated the wooded northeastern shores of America have clavicles similar to those of chickens, the Pilgrims adapted the wishbone custom to the turkey, making it part of Thanksgiving festivities. Thus, an ancient Etruscan superstition has became part of an American celebration (by way of Rome and England). Etymologists claim that the expression "get a lucky break" initially applied to the person winning the larger half in a wishbone tug-of-war."(Info copied from here). Interesting how these superstitions make their way through history, isn't it?! What will you wish for on Thanksgiving? (you don't have to answer, because that's considered bad luck, right? ;)

[Thanksgiving Platter]

[Wishbone chair via Decorpad]

[Grand Wishbone]

[Gold Vermeil Wishbone Necklace]

[Wenger Wishbone Chair]

[Wishbone Chair via Decorpad]

[Coral Red Cotton Braid Bracelet]

[Metal Wishbone]

[Wishbone Ornament]