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hey there! I'm monica 

I pride myself on making amazing style and design accessible for everyone, regardless of location, budget, or ability! My design philosophy is rooted in authenticity + attainability - If I can do it, you can too! My work has been featured in countless publications, but I take the most pride in homeowners that have been personally inspired by my DIY ideas and have tried something in their own homes!

learn more about ME + MY BIZ

We promised that during our maternity leave from filming (I love getting a maternity leave without having to have a baby btw) that we’d do a whole bunch of things, and one of them was letting you have more little peeks into our real life happenings.  With that in mind, we proudly introduce… Right Now a series that we’ll do monthly… well actually, basically whenever we feel like it.
So, here’s what’s going on in my world right now…
Loving: This amazing fall weather we’re having here on the East Coast.  Mid 70s during the day and cool, crisp nights!! It’s the best sleeping weather ever! September is probably my favorite month of the year and I’m so thrilled to have some time off to enjoy it!
Reading: Last night I finished reading Gone Girl.  Thanks so so many of you for giving me book recommendations on Facebook!  I liked it, but didn’t over the top love it.  I’m not sure what about it is keeping me from giving it an A+.  If you read it, tell me what you liked/didn’t like. I’d love to hear!
Waiting For: This weekend, but not excitedly… you probably know we breed Bernese Mountain Dogs with our dog Pennlyn. Well, this weekend the puppies leave and go to their new homes.  I LOVE the families that we chose to adopt, but it will be super sad to see them go and I will have 4 miserable kiddos for a few days!
Excited About: A few things… Sunday we’re going pumpkin picking and on a hayride with a bunch of our friends!!  Our ABC/Live Well Network Season 1 Wrap party for our show- this Thursday night we’ll all be celebrating the end of a successful first season.  I’m still trying to figure out what to wear…  Ugh!!
Trying To: Eat healthier and work out regularly.  This is not my favorite thing, nor something I’m good at! But I have a goal of Oct 23rd, and hopefully will come away from this “maternity leave” happier and healthier.
Working On: Communicating better with my oldest daughter…my mini-me.  We kinda butt heads a lot.  She’s strong willed and I’m the queen of strong wills and well, let’s just say I’m working on it.  I want to figure out the best, most effective way to parent her.
Enjoying: The 3 hours each day that I have the house to myself, but then I’m also really enjoying the after pre-school, few hours before naptime that it’s just Callen and me. It’s really fun and nice to have 1:1 time!
Using: Tons and tons of Chapstick!! I’m on a medication that makes me have crazy dry lips, so It’s me and chapstick 24-7.
Wearing: I’m totally in mom mode and usually wear sweats and my favorite Northface sweatshirt almost every day.  What’s the point in looking cute, if I’m gonna work out at night?!?
Planning: I’m working on and planning my kids’ playroom makeover.  I totally struggle with designing my own rooms lately!  I’m cool doing rooms for other people, but if I’m spending my own money I want to love it.  GAH! It’s killing me!
Needing: To find a good recipe today that uses a million veggies, bc I have a ton that will go bad soon if I don’t use them!!
Learning: How to think more before I talk (but don’t hold your breath Eric, it’s a slow learning process!)
Struggling With: Church. We’re kind of in this place where we’re wondering where’s a good fit for us.  We’ve been at the same church for 16 years (and it’s a wonderful church! Check it out HERE), but we just want to make sure it’s right for us and we’re not just there bc it’s what we’ve always done.  But, at the same time we’re not sure what will be exactly right- it’s tricky!
Listening To: The “Sister of the Year” CD mix made for me by my little brother (well, he’s 26, not all that little, but little to me).  He has the best taste in music and makes me mixes that have tons of songs that are cool well before they become cool.  It’s a good thing I have him, bc otherwise I’d never have even a sliver of cool within me when it comes to new music.
Product I’m in Love With: My Kreg Jig- hubs used it yesterday to build new benches for our outdoor farmhouse table!
Doing: Working down my to-do list for the day. I’ve committed to today being uber productive! (Up next, responding to emails, then making soup, then putting away all Cal’s fall clothes)
Dreaming Of: Taking another trip to Europe or somewhere amazing with my hubs.  Last year at this time, we were counting down the days for our London and Paris trip.
This concludes this first edition of Right Now.  I hope you enjoyed my ramblings or at least tolerated them!  Want more of our day to day ongoings?  Follow us on Instagram!
Monica-  @Eastcoastcreative
Jess-  @Jess_EC2blog
What are you doing, loving, reading, or dreaming of right now?

The comments +

  1. Jenni says:

    Sounds like fun…and what kind of veggies…I may can help you out with a recipe 😉

  2. Beth Maybee says:

    When I have tons of veggies I make a clear-the-fridge stew. Onions, peppers, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, cabbage, carrots, you name it. All in a pot with chicken broth and a can of tomato soup. You could use ground beef, but we love it with slices of smoked sausage–yum!

  3. Jessica says:

    I liked reading this post, it’s always fun to see the inside life of the blog I check every day!!

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