Could we have a more perfect guest for a mid-December EBL than Alice of Painted White? Her style and her pictures are wonderfully soft and suitable for winter. If you don’t know Alice, she has a lovely shop filled with all sorts of beautiful things for your enjoyment. Of course, she also has a blog. Visit both when you are done reading her lovely list.

Love…

Love ignites the soul and can add beauty in even the simplest of ways. Once when I was away on a trip, my husband had packed away several tiny hand written notes and tucked them in the pockets of my suitcase and clothing. Each day I found a new one. I still remember how thrilled I was and how my heart would melt each time I found a bit of folded up paper…

Faith…

My faith in God is what gets me through each day – and especially the darkest of times. Faith is what brings the light shining through and reminds me that there is so much beauty to behold here…if we only stop to notice…

Family…
We would be lost without family – those that know us best and accept and love us just as we are. My life would not be near as beautiful if I didn’t have my family to share it with…

Generosity…

I believe life is about sharing what you have. Not hoarding it away. I love, love, love to give gifts – especially those that are personal or handmade. I love to wrap them up creatively too…just taking a little extra time to show how much you care. And , I am always overwhelmed and blessed by gifts received – a handmade card is surely enough to bring tears to my eyes…

Remnants of the Past

Anything with a history, a past, a story to tell – these things can be found all throughout my home and life. From my vintage sofa to a scrap of paper found in an old book – they are all reminders of the past and give my life beauty and character…

A Neutral Palette

Surrounding myself with a simple palette helps me to notice the textures and details of everyday things. It also creates a peaceful and soothing environment when done right. I love a room filled with whites, creams, beiges and grays with perhaps a bit of darker browns and blacks thrown in…

The ability to Create

Without it, I would be lost. The ability to create has richly blessed my life. I love tapping into different avenues of creativity from painting, to collage art, to sewing, to jewelry making. Whenever I am creating my soul feels fulfilled and satisfied…as if it knows I am doing what I should and following my deepest passions…