One Door Closes

As a six year old, I couldn't imagine ever wanting to move away from my parents' home. Not to go to college. Not even to get married... most especially to get married! So I told my mom exactly that.

Melanie Acevedo

True to her fashion, she assured me I would never have to leave if I still felt the same when I was older. She said I could always attend college while living with them, and her words and promises soothed me.

Paul Viant

Of course, once I was a senior in high school, our conversation was almost long forgotten to me as I began excitedly envisioning life on a college campus; the thought of choosing a school so I could live with my parents never crossed my mind.

Emma Hardy

Then, over the coming months, as I found myself saying goodbye to my childhood home and the city where I'd grown up, I began to feel that old desire to never have to leave. That summer, as the days before I left for school grew fewer, I continually reminded myself, "change is good," as I tried to accept moving forward and letting go.

Nicholas Haggard

I've moved more than a few times since then, and each move, I've been faced with a combination of excitement for what lies ahead and sadness for what I'm leaving behind. Each place I've left has become part of me. Each new place I've come to love.

Matt Albiani

Last month, I found myself once again coming to terms with moving forward and letting go, as E and I finally sold our house in central Texas. While it was a long-anticipated event, it still came laden with conflicting emotions as I said goodbye to a home that played witness to many important moments in our lives.

Asa Tällgård

We opened and closed the doors to multiple chapters in those rooms; there we began dating, became engaged, and then married. In our little brick house we celebrated both our wedding days and became a family of four by welcoming two dogs into our lives.

Chris Craymer

It was where we spent our last hours together before E's two deployments and where we reunited following many long months apart. Then, between those walls, we transitioned from a military life to a civilian one.

David Tsay

The night my parents left me in my freshman dorm room, I was overwhelmed by a mix of sadness, happiness, and hope for the promise of what lie ahead; I strongly felt each of those emotions again in the tear-filled moment when E and I stood in our kitchen and said our final goodbye to a place brimming with more memories than we could count.

Neil Stewart

I've made my peace with letting go of our first home, although I know there will be days when I ache to return to that place and time in our past. And I'm happy to be moving forward as it means we're growing closer to having our "boys" home again.

Chris Craymer

We've begun house-hunting here in Houston and are looking forward to settling into a new set of rooms. Rooms that will provide the backdrop for new memories during this next chapter in our lives. Rooms that will also someday, though hopefully not too soon, be hard to leave behind as I find myself again working on moving forward. And letting go.

Celebrating Summer

I'm having a hard time believing we've already reached the last weekend in June. Every year, I make a mental note to take time to fully enjoy summer and all the things I love about it. To savor the season the way I did when I was little.

Evan Sklar

But, for some reason, time refuses to move as slowly as it did then. As much as I adore Fall and the sweaters, boots, and tights that come with it, I always find myself surprised by its arrival and slightly disappointed another summer has come and gone without feeling I've celebrated it to its fullest.

Randy Harris Photography

While my days don't promise to be leisurely this summer, I am trying to make sure I embrace as many of my favorite things about this time of year as I can; I am hoping this will help me feel I enjoyed the season as much as possible by the time cool air start to blow again.

Union Photography

I've made my most-loved gazpacho recipes and experimented with new additions. I've enjoyed Hawaiian Shaved Ice, gelato, frozen yogurt, and popsicles, foods I enjoy year-round, but are certainly required eating in hotter months. I've even been able to spend a couple hours lakeside.

Katie Baum via 20x200

I intend to keep adding to my list over the coming months, and I am going to do some work towards reaching my goal right now as E and I head out to grab some of our favorite gelato! I hope whatever your plans, your weekend is full of simple delights of the season too. Have a great one!

Authority Always Wins

It may seem commonplace to find a trunk, a bench, chairs or even a loveseat at the foot of a bed, and although it might seem like a trite formula, I believe it is a smart use of space.

Coastal Living

L: Sneak Peek: Linn Gresham- Design*Sponge. R: Elle Decor

House Beautiful


Lonny


Elle Decor

If a room can accommodate their placement, the addition of these pieces is a perfect way to add seating or extra storage. They can give you a place to slip on your shoes, to read, or to watch television.

Elle Decor


Southern Living


Coastal Living

I must admit, however, if you are at all like E or me, there can be a dark side to these pieces too-- they can become a staging point for my mortal enemy, clutter.

L: Stylist- Rachel Roberts R: Elle Decor

I am definitely a maximalist, so keeping clutter contained seems to require a constant effort on my part; all too easily an innocent chair becomes a place where a stack of folded laundry decides to rest after getting lost on the way to the dresser, where discarded clothing takes up temporary residence after being unable to decide between returning to the closet or going to the hamper, or where a bag housing a store return will often overstay its welcome.

Anne Coyle Interiors


Elle Decor


Courtney Giles

While I can't actually say authority always wins in my battle with clutter, I will continue to fight to keeping chairs free of such vagabonds items in the name of design. Tell me, do any of your belongings exhibit such a blatant disregard for the rules or do they always do as they should?

Time Keeps Slipping Away

My time in the Northeast was wonderful; E and I were able to see many people we love, and we had a great time in the city as well. We hit some favorites spots, went to a few new places and were thrilled to experience this in person!

Melanie Acevedo

Getting back into the swing of things following my trip has proved difficult; between work and personal obligations, I've been away from Under A Paper Moon for longer than intended!

Melanie Acevedo

Please accept these flowers as an apology and know I will be back with another post soon. It's hard to believe it is already the weekend again, but whatever your weekend plans, have a great one!

Joyful, Joyful

When I was little, I loved the summer nights when my family would head out to hear the local symphony play at an outdoor theater. We would arrive with a blanket and a picnic basket and settle in to listening to the orchestra play while eating our dinner outside in beautiful weather.

Tec Petaja via Once Wed


Simply Bloom Photography via Green Weddings Shoes via C Star Events


Roland Bello Photography


Lorenzo Agius


Thayer Allyson Gowdy

I still think camping out on a blanket while listening to good music, savoring delicious food, and relishing the company of family and friends is a fantastic way to spend a night, and as the weather is not yet too hot, humid, and muggy here in Houston, I am looking forward to enjoying just such an evening tonight. Whatever your plans, I hope your weekend is full of things you take joy in too!

Daydream Believer

Around this time of year, I find myself dreaming of a getaway to a place drenched in sunshine and warmth. Where days move slower. And the most pressing event on my schedule would be an appointment with a few new-to-me novels and a stack of favorite magazines.

Images of this Croatian compound are feeding my current daydreams. I'd begin decompressing in the bedroom above with its French doors, herringbone tile floors, and neutral yet cheerful color palette.

After a luxurious afternoon nap, I'd happily spend the rest of my day drifting between the other spaces of the house.

I'd explore the garden, enjoy an outdoor meal and alternate between reading and talking with my companions.

After a long and full day, I'd grow sleepy sitting by a warm fire and when I turned in for the night, I'd fall asleep listening to the soft lapping of waves from the water below.

In the morning, I would wake to sunlight streaming through the French doors in the bedroom, and I'd enjoy the slow start to my day as I sipped my morning coffee in the garden. I'd then repeat the previous day's activities, with the remainder of my getaway passing in much the same way.

Rees Roberts + Partners LLC

I'd spent just enough time away that when it came time to leave, I'd find myself feeling rested. With a few more books checked off the continually expanding "to-read" list. And looking forward to getting home.

Promises, Promises...

Another week has flown by leading to another week I've been absent here. Since Wednesday morning, I've been busy enjoying the company of my youngest brother who, sadly, leaves town tomorrow evening.

Michael Woolley

We still have much on our schedule before we head back to the airport, so I'm off to enjoy the rest of our quickly dwindling time together. Have a great weekend, and see you soon!

Make New Friends...

I met my best friend from childhood, Jenni, when we were five; we were in the same class at school and our mom's served as Room Moms together (they helped plan class parties and secure parent volunteers for field trips).

Troy House

Not only did we become friends, but our moms became friends too. With younger siblings the same age, it wasn't long before our dads and siblings were brought into the mix, and our families began socializing on a regular basis.

Mark Lund

Over the years, we created countless memories, the charmed childhood variety that in reflection almost seem surrounded by a golden glow. We shared vacations and dance lessons and found ourselves in the same classes at school more than a handful of times. We fought like sisters and certainly thought we hated each other at times.

Melanie Acevedo

When I was 9, I moved to a new neighborhood and a new school. Even though we didn't see each other as much, we still saw each other on occasion and remained friends. Three years later, Jenni's family moved to the same neighborhood where we lived, and I was excited to once again have her at the same school.

Oberto Gili

We continued to attend the same school for the next six years until our graduation from high school. During those years, we both had other friends and, at times, socialized in slightly different groups, but through it all, we never drifted too far apart.

Thayer Allyson Gowdy

Although we parted ways when we went to college and have not lived in the same place since, I am always proud to say she is my oldest friend; it is special to have someone outside your family with whom your history runs long and deep.

Sarah Rhoads

Last week, I slipped out of town for a number of days to return to the place where I grew up so I could surprise Jenni on her 30th birthday and see my other friends who still live there too. Although such trips inevitably pass too quickly, for the first time in a while, I was able to spend quality time with everyone I wanted to see.

Heather Chantos- stylist

I was reminded, as I always am when with old friends, how much it means to me to have people in my life who've watched me grow. With whom catching up is always easy. And laughter always comes quick.

And then I was reminded how very much I miss them.

Helena Palazzi Photography

While I'm thankful to have made the trip, the price for my long weekend away catching up with friends has been trying to playing catch up here all week! I'm sorry for my unexpected absence and hope to be back with more posts soon. Have a wonderful weekend!