A LITTLE LIFE LATELY {Gratitude & the Foxy lil Pom}

A couple nights ago we rushed our furry little child to the emergency clinic because we noticed his behavior was very different than his usual happy and excited self. We spell out the word w-a-l-k and  t-r-e-a-t because just the mention and he flies into excitement. We knew when we asked him to go on a walk and he just laid there, something was wrong. The emergency vet gave him a quick dose of pain killer but found nothing wrong with him outside of his normal health issues. (He is epileptic and has testicular cancer.) The next day we took him in to his regular vet and she immediately noticed he has a back injury by the way he was walking. Several liver flavored medications and weeks on bed rest in a kennel was the diagnosis for our foxy lil' pom.

This little ordeal was so unplanned and having to stay home pretty regularly to watch him and administer medication regularly put his age (he's between 15 and 17 guys!!) and just how much longer we have with him into perspective. A sadness overwhelmed us. This little guy brings so much sunshine and warmth and life into our lives. It's funny how grateful was my morning devotion the next day and then stumbling across the quote below from Oprah. It all combined and got me thinking about what it means to truly be grateful - not just kind and thankful for small favors - which I am very much so. (I say please & thank you even to the rudest drive-through peeps') But to truly feel grateful. The amazing Lara Casey always says "gratitude changes everything" I believed her - but I didn't truly feel it until I realized how grateful I truly am for the last couple of years with our furry child. And perhaps this is all just ramblings and nonsense from a crazy pet-parent because we are still working on our own family - but I F-E-E-L different. That realization - turned my sadness into gratitude. I'm grateful for giving that little furry child a really good life - grateful that he has opened our heart's to being pet-parents, grateful for the light and sunshine he brings us. I just feel lucky that we adopted him - lucky that we've spent this time with him - lucky to have him no matter what little time we have left with him.

Of course my gratitude extends far beyond the joy our pet brings to our life. But I think that is another post for another timee. I feel grateful in all aspects of my life these days - especially in the -not-so-perfect ones. In fact - I can't think of an aspect of my life that is perfect, and you know what ? I'm totally and completely G R A T E F U L for that; because how boring would that be?

Here's to us without perfect lives, may we continue to grow, and have adventures; because the broken road is often the most rewarding.

love, C

 

Grateful Print Photo  Design by the gorgeous Anne Robin Calligraphy. Shakti Gawain quote via Oprah.

RUSTIC EMERALD THEMED TABLE {Cassandra + Springfield P.C.}

In celebration of St. Patty's day and the rustic craziness these days I thought I'd tie them together and do an Emerald table with touches of burlap & lace.

I used an iridiscent specialty linen in Emerald, with a lace overlay and matching Emerald linen napkins. Using burlap and lace wrapped mason jars filled with the simple greenery and hydrangeas give this table a relaxed feeling. Let's kick off our boots and throw back a heineken !

Happy St. Patty's Day Friends !

 

with love, Cassie 

SWEET PINK LOVE THEMED TABLE {Cassandra + Springfield P.C.}

While I can't quite go into details, just yet; a local business and I have teamed up and they asked me to set and design tablescapes for their showroom - and how could a girl say no ? I had so much fun designing and creating silk flora for the sweet family behind this Central IL rental company. I'm absolutely honored to do this for them and show case their lovely rentals. I had fun dreaming up a tables cape for February and incorporating just a hint of Valentine's Day. Enjoy the IPhone pics I snapped. 

This table makes me want to sit down and have dinner, how about you ? Happy Friday sweets!

xoxo Cass

HAPPIEST MARCH

Of course I had to share with you a wonderful quote by my talented paper friends over at Wiley Valentine. These ladies truly have a gift. These days this quote uplifts me as well as phone calls with friends and late nights watching silly comedies from high school. 

Happy March !

 

Above quote design & photo via the lovely gals behind Wiley Valentine Paper Goods. Check em' out!

KISS YOUR HONEY ! {Happy Valentines Day !}

    I don't know about you guys, but Valentines day makes me weak in the knees. Every shade & variation of pink takes over the world and seems to fill every retail store. It simply makes me giddy - JD knows it's one of my absolute fave holidays. Not just because of the pink explosion, but because the last 9 years I have had the honor of celebrating with someone who makes me want to do all the things that this lovely design via Wiley Valentine created. Today we are doing our usual - popping a bottle of our favorite Italian red, visiting the greatest Italian restaurant here in Springfield, Palermo's, and then coming home to open our cards and then it's Seinfeld and the Office with our yearly brownie indulgence. From my heart to yours: Happy Valentines Day! 

Be sure to head over to Wiley Valentine and check out all their lovely stationary. They are incredible!! 

xoxo Cassie