TWO ELLIE
ABOUT PAULA
LET'S TALK

TWO ELLIE

est. 2008

TWO ELLIE
ABOUT PAULA
LET'S TALK

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April 17, 2011

← A Hollywood Estate Gluten Free Cookies - the recipe →

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I AM A WIFE, MOTHER, WANNABE WRITER, PHOTOGRAPHER AND MOST IMPORTANTLY A LOVER OF CHRIST. THIS IS WHERE YOU WILL FIND MY JOURNEY THROUGH LIFE.

15 years of being my valentine ❤️ Most years we don’t celebrate it like some, but I am always up for showing my love for him any day. Plus he brought me 💐 and I got him a card so we are making major progress. 🥰

Last fall we took a long weekend and adventured in Gatlinburg. Amazing what a few days of dedicated family time without all the everyday distractions can do for our spirits. Today on Two Ellie I am sharing a glimpse into @raka_home Air B&B. It left me feeling inspired to say the least! .
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#SmokyMtnProject #gatlinburg #visitgatlinburg #TN #familymoments
#adventure #outdoors #familyadventure

Today is being spent indoors on this dreary day while the AT&T guy gets our new internet up and running. I can't say I hate it in the least. Gives me ample time to over come this plague of mine all the while editing this past weekends wedding and working on the ole blog. Sometimes forced downtime is exactly what is called for. What are your big plans for today? Hopefully they are more exciting than mine. .
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#simplystyleyourspace #livebeautifully
#bhmweddingphotographer #calledtobecreative #dayofrest #myrowedesign #Babesiosis

Today starts off a month of weddings for @kellenjacobphotography and I could not be any more excited! Tis the season of arranging trains, holding bouquets, and capturing images that will last a life time. Having the privilege to get to know a bride on her wedding day is an honor I do not take lightly. Being able to see the story of marriage from the very start is such a beautiful gift. So grateful we get to capture that story and see it unfold. To all the brides to be, I encourage you to embrace the day. That includes the mishaps and the perfection of it all. It's your day and I pray you enjoy every last once of it. .
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#weddingphotographer
#weddingphotography #weddingdress #weddingday #birminghamal #communityovercompetition #birminghambride #bedeeplyrooted #stylemepretty #gritandvirtue #marriage

I can't believe tomorrow is already February. This month I dedicated to finding my rhythm of life once again after a year of feeling beautifully undone. I am so grateful for a God that can guide me back to a place of thriving and not just striving. This mama was tired in so many ways. Thank you all for joining me on my month of #livingwithintention2019 here on this social platform and those who joined me on Two Ellie. I have a full recap posted today on this journey that I have only just begun on the old blog.
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#thankful #thankyou #blessedevenwhenithurts #family #lifestyleblogger #smokiemountains #gatlinburg #outdoors #lifestyleblog #hiking #ontheblog

In March the Mr and I are heading to the Netherlands and I can not wait! We got a killer deal on airline tickets so we decided to celebrate 15 years of marriage a little early. We are taking time to rejuvenate our marriage in our favorite way by traveling to far away places. Our last BIG trip without the littles was to Australia in 2015. Granted it was technically a work trip, but a mind blowing one at that. Ever been to the Netherlands? We are staying in amsterdam, rotterdam, and a small town in the countryside. We would love all the tips! .
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#livingwithintentions2019 #netherlands
#amsterdam #visitamsterdam #australia #hillsongconference #wetravel #lifestyleblogger #beating50percent

Taking it back to 3 years ago today when we first got to call this house a home. Thankful for this place that has given us so much over the years. It has given us the gift of local community. It has supplied many nights of good meals that always lead to good discussions. It has given us many DIY skills. It has given us patience with a slow renovation process. It has taught us family teamwork every year when the leaves fall and then fall again and again. It has housed tears and given a space for comfort on hard school days. It supplied a place for my boy to rest and learn when his health wasn't quite there. It has been a place where we have grown in so many ways. It is a place of love. Our fabulous realtor and friend, @lawsonhopper, you so rocked it. 🙌🏼
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#documentlife #throwbackthursay #exceptitstuesday #coldironsgomodern #thepursuitofjoy #kellerwilliams #realestate #livingwithintention2019

I wanted a chair for the corner of our room for years now. I first imagined it when the Dr's thought MS could be on the table. I could imagine the kiddos sitting here having daily chats on the hard days. MS ended up not being a part of my story as my body healed, but I never let go of the desire of having a chair here. I am not certain if it's to remember how far I've come in my health journey or I am just eager for the late night chats that I know will come as we get further into the teen years. Either way though this chair gives me joy and a sense of peace on the hard days. #livingwithintention2019
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#healed #faith #myrowedesign #offwhite #nike #midcentrymodern #hometour #homestyling #livingmybestlife

Self care is defined as the practice of taking action to preserve or improve one’s own health. I used to do this poorly and spent quite a few seasons thinking that stopping to care for myself was a selfish act. Oh how wrong I was. How am I to take care of those I love well if I am barely making it myself? I have a few focuses that can be included on this list and I am discussing them on Two Ellie. I would love to know what is your favorite way to practice self care? I want to hear the practical and all the indulgent ways! #livingwithintention2019
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#selfcare #selflove #healing #loveyourself #selfworth #mentalhealth #purpose #lifestyleblogger

Another oldie, but goodie that I came across while looking through old files. This may be one of my favorite photos of all time. It shows little K's humor that he has yet to shed and hopefully never will. It also shows Ellie's tenderness towards him even if now she represents it by making him his favorite snack rather than touching him. I mean touching, eww gross. I pray daily that they will grow to be the best of friends as they were then. I pray that they see what a sweet relationship they have in one another. I pray that they will always be intentional with each other. #livingwithintention2019
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#brother #sister #siblings #tbt #throwbackthursday

Some books I can read over and over. Today on Two Ellie I am discussing a few that have sparked my soul over the years. Have any great books that I should put on my list for this year? I love a good light read and those that speak to my soul. Nothing quite like getting lost in a written story especially when they are written as beautiful as these. #livingwithintention2019
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#booklove #bookaddict #currentlyreading #bookish #ilovereading #instareads #lifestyleblogger

Did you know wearing workout clothes doesn't actually mean that in fact you do actually workout? I recently came to find out the days I wear yoga pants did not leave me any more active than the days I put a little effort into my wardrobe. Today on Two Ellie I am talking about making realistic intentions for a more active lifestyle and no, this mama won't be running a 10k anytime soon. What is your favorite way to stay active? #livingwithintention2019

Photo by @toddhelzer for @morganashleysalon 2017

Talking money and budgets on Two Ellie. Faux pas? Maybe, but I sure do wish someone would have taught me to be wise with a paycheck when I hit adulthood. Being real with ourselves allowed us to set realistic goals and work towards dreams with a few hiccups in between. This post isn't for everyone, but may benefit someone you know. #livingwithintention2019
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#maydesigns #budgeting #dreamingbig #daveramsey #planningahead

For little Kellen's fifth grade finale they requested a photo from kindergarten and this led me down the rabbit hole of images of the past. This one stood out greatly as I can recall a friend lent us their lake house during a season when we could not afford a vacation. The kids laughs were thick and they had yet to learn any of the hardness that comes along with this world. They were pint size and yet I recall feeling like they were so big. During the exhausting battles that having young ones can bring I can can recall not savoring all the moments, but this trip I did. My greatest hope as the kiddos grow is that I don't forget to savor the moments I have left. The sweet ones and the battles. #livingwithintention2019
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#lakemartin #tbt #throwbackthursday #savoringthemoment #countingmyblessings #thankful

Ever have something come along at the perfect time and shift your thinking for the better? In 2014 that happened for me in the most tiny perfect form of Mari Kondo. Her book changed the way I viewed our home and gave me freedom. We have moved twice since then I feel I have a better grasp on her methods each time. After seeing her new netflix show I thought it might be helpful to hear the perspective of someone who has done it for years. That so called fad became our way of life, more on Two Ellie. #livingwithintention2019
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#TUWMK #netflix #mariekondo #tidyingup #konmarimethod #konmari #thelifechangingmagicoftidyingup #lessismore #sparkjoy #lifestyle #organizedlife #homedecor #instahome#homesweethome #howyouhome #interiordesign

This window situation is what sold us on this house a few years ago. I always wanted to live in a treehouse and this makes me feel pretty close to it. This room hosts game days, quiet family movie nights, and all the laughs from our favorite people. Any area in your home that you deem your favorite? #livingwithintention2019
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#midcentrymodern #hometour #sodomino #westelm #myrowedesign #homestyling #homedecor #interiorinspiration

Ordering my steps has been as issue for me since I was in grade school. Queen of procrastination, waiting till the time "feels" right, and dreaming big without follow through. I often wonder where the time went and this year I am putting intentions to paper. I have synced the whole families schedule and am trying to develop a habit of ordering my steps. More practical steps on todays Two Ellie post. I would love to know do you have a favorite way or product that helps keep your own steps ordered? Tag #livingwithintention2019 in your own post. .
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#planner #beingintentional #organize
#ontothepaper #outofthebrain #appointedco #coziapp

This boy may have taught me the most this past year. He taught me I have an inner strength that can knock down a building if need be. He taught me to pray like my, well his, life depended on it. He taught me to live only on faith. He taught me to ask for help and accept an offered hand. He taught me to move forward even when the weight was heavy. He taught me about all the things that really matter on this earth and all the things that don't. He showed me healing is very much real. He taught me that laughter and joy can come in the heartache. He taught me all the things God wanted me to see all along. For him I am thankful. I would be honored to hear about what life change opened your eyes to an inner truth. Tag #livingwithintention2019 in your own post
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#miraclesdoexist #pray #faith #trust #praise #healing

This young lady made me a mother. Motherhood was not what I thought I ever wanted, then I met the Mr and I could see myself as one, then the Dr's told me it would be very difficult and may not happen at all in the way I had hoped. Then a mere few months into marriage and I got pregnant with this one. I was sick everyday, in the hospital many times, and would not change it for the world. She is my miracle and has been since conception. She lives with fierce faith, a smile that can light up a room, and a spirit that brings peace. I am thankful for this girl. Anybody in your life change you in a way you didn't know you needed? Tag #livingwithintention2019 in your own post .
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#motherhood #motherhoodunplugged #documentlife #daughter #feircefaith #raisingkidswithfaith

Today I am talking about dreams on Two Ellie. The ones that seem too big and maybe too late to start. Today I am thankful for a God that let's us know it's never too late and allows us enough grace to stumble and start again. So in my last year of 30's I am dreaming bigger than ever before. I would love to hear what dreams you are thankful for. Tag #livingwithintention2019 in your own post
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#dreambig #mindset #abundance #storyteller #takingaction #buildingabuisness #faith #godisgood #letsgo

ARCHIVE TWO ELLIE

CATEGORIES

A HEALTHY HOME
CASACOLDIRON
CHRISTMAS GUIDE 2014
COLDIRONSGOMODERN
CREATING HOME
CURRENTLY
DIY
FAMILY EDITION
GOING DEEPER SERIES
GOOD READS
HEALTHY BEAUTY
HEALTHY LIVING
HOME DEPOT CHALLENGE
HOME SWEET LEEDS
HOME TOUR
IN THE KITCHEN
INTERIOR PHOTOGRAPHY
LINK LOVE
LIVING WITH INTENTION
MY UNIFORM
OUTDOOR LIVING
PARENTING
PHOTOGRAPHY
PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS
READER QUESTIONS
THREE THINGS
WE TRAVEL
WORDS
WORDS ON FAITH
WORDS ON PARENTING

OUR OLD HOME

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THE ORIGINAL TWO ELLIE FROM 2008-2012

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