Simple and Timeless - lessons I learned from my engagement ring

Blayne Macauley July 30, 2015

For the majority of my life I've been a "more is more" kind of girl. Two bracelets are better than one, and three are better than two. Yes, I do need a gallery wall instead of one painting. Fringe boots and fringe purses GO TOGETHER!

I spent about 95% of my life dreaming of getting engaged. I wasn't super focused on the ring itself, but at one point I was thinking a green stone would be most suitable for me. (I'm sorry to all if you who are judging me - Ginny.) I was hoping for something different and uniquely me. I had visions of my future husband standing in front of a ring counter and finding the perfect gypsy/boho/hippie ring and thinking "that's Blayne."

Jimmy proposed to me with a family piece thats simple and timeless. Although I immediately recognized the ring's beauty, I'm not sure I though it was "my ring" right away. I put it on and showed it off and basked in the glow of everyone admiring it (duh). For a few months I thought about changing it's configuration into something I chose, but eventually I decided to just wear it for a while and see how I felt.

Honestly, it was one of the smartest decisions I've ever made. The ring is absolutely perfect for me. It's a classic three stone configuration that will never look dated and never look anything less than perfect. I've grown to adore the ring, and it's my single favorite possession. I spend a lot of time every day looking at it and thinking, "how in the world did I get a ring that was this perfect for me?" I always look at other women's rings and admire them, but at the end of the day I am so glad that my ring is mine. Every time I look at it I think, this simple and beautiful ring represents the person I am and person I want to be in 50 years. So even if I still wear fringe on fringe on fringe and throw colorful throw pillows around like mad, I can always look at my hand and remind myself not to go overboard. It's a journey people...

Which leads me into the most PERFECT segue into this house. Yes. I planned it. It came to me in the shower, like all my best ideas.

This is the house version of my ring. It's just enough without being too much. It knows when to stop. There aren't rugs in every room. It's gives spaces a chance to breathe. Sometimes a single piece of art is the only statement the room needs to make. Being in the house made me feel so calm. There was not a bunch of stuff cluttering the spaces, and there was room to think and be. I could have stayed there forever.

The Best Garden in Buckhead!

Blayne Macauley June 9, 2015

As you guys know, I am really into gardening at the moment! Last week I went to photograph Lissy Parker's (author of this blog) personal home and was so impressed with the gardens. I was specifically blown away by the containers in the garden, which the owner credited to Boxwoods here in Atlanta. They were the first things I noticed. Once I was inside I fell instantly in love with the kitchen and master bedroom. At the end I walked out to the stacked stone fireplace and almost made an offer right then! I hope you love the home as much as I do. If so, please contact Jennifer Henley or Glennis Beacham with Beacham & Company, REALTORS, or check out the listing online here.

Come back later this week to hear all about our Disney adventures from last weekend! Happy Tuesday!

If you can't judge a book by its cover, can you judge a house by the floors? I say go for it.

Blayne Macauley March 25, 2015

Norman Askins designed the perfect French home. Located at the end of a lane of Cherry Blossoms, it's the perfect place to spend a Spring day! I shot this home, listed by Linda Finsthwait and Glennis Beacham of Beacham & Company, a few weeks ago. They say don't judge a book by it's cover, but I judged this home by the floors. I didn't have the courage to do light floors in our new house, but I've always LOVED them. The painted wood in the guest room stole my heart. The tile in the entry way is complete perfection. The wide plank floors in the living room really set the mood, and by the time I got to the kitchen with the bricks and wood I was sold.