Disclosure: Ace Hardware has provided free paint samples. I was also compensated for my time and this blog post. All opinions and positions expressed here are my own and do not necessarily reflect those of Ace Hardware.

I think it's worth mentioning that it's March and we have absolutely no plans to move anywhere. Let's pop some champagne! After several years of packing up every August, this spring feels so different--so rooted and exciting! I'm hanging things on the walls and buying furniture for the patio, and there is nary a cardboard box in sight. It feels so good to not be planning the next move, and instead just be looking forward to spring and summer (and then fall and winter again!) in Charlotte.

So when ACE Hardware asked me to participate in their 31 Days of Color campaign by painting a wall in our bedroom, I was like "Why not? I've got no where to go!" I was assigned Green Citrine, which somehow manages to be super bright and yet still pleasantly neutral, and it's adding quite a necessary burst of freshness to our all-white bedroom that's just perfect for spring.

We're still on the hunt for the perfect headboard (either in grey or white) and some new lamps to replace our old ones, which we got from my parents' basement; but for now I'm rather fond of our bedroom--especially with a statement wall providing a new pop of color. I love that the master is big enough that we were able to create a little office corner for me and my desktop computer, since Rob's lives in the guest room and I like my big white desk a whole lot more than my old one that I gave to him after a couple of years. I thought I wouldn't like working in our bedroom because it would interfere with my work/life boundaries, but instead it forces me to keep our bedroom clean and I get a lot of light because we have a whole wall of windows to the left of my desk. It's a win win.

Take a look around, stay a while, and let me know what you think! I absolutely love the way the green wall makes our white furniture seem even brighter than before. I kind of want to paint the bathroom to match!

Do you have a statement wall anywhere in your home? Stay tuned for my next Home Tour blog post--we're working on our patio and I can't wait to share it with you guys!

Going to The Paint Studio at Ace is like going to your neighbor.

We've had Ender for two months (next week) and I can't even believe how quickly the time has passed! On February 2, I picked up a ten-pound puppy who immediately became part of our family. We've had some growing pains and adjusting to life with a dog definitely takes some time, but it has been so fun and Rob and I can't imagine our home without him.

We just found out from the rescue that his birthday was November 25, so today he's four months old! I thought I'd celebrate by starting a once-monthly recap-style post that I had been meaning to write and then forgot about at the beginning of March.

Without further ado, because I'm sure you care as much as I do (probably not), here are some current stats:

• Weighs 26 pounds.
• Obsessed with peanut butter and one specific football chew toy.
• Has lost five puppy teeth and is growing two adult ones.
• Sleeps all night (hallelujah)!
• Rarely barks but will whine about almost anything.
• Loves his crate but wouldn't say no to sleeping in bed with us. 
• Had his first dog park experience and loved it.
• Knows "sit" and "shake" but not "come."
• Would like to stop and be friends with every dog and human we pass on the street.
• So far people have thought his name was Andre, Earnest, Edgar, and (my personal favorite) Anger.

He is funny and sweet and I'm a little more than obsessed with him. Happy four months of life, Ender! I'm so happy we found each other.

Photos by V.A. Photography--I can't wait to show you more from our family session next week!

It's been forever since the last time I shared a Life Lately According to Instagram post, but I thought this would be perfect because we had such a great weekend but I didn't pick up my camera even once! Here's what we were up to the past few days:

1. Woke up Friday morning at our friends Tina and Michael's in Richmond. I got to have coffee and breakfast with them in their kitchen before they headed to work and out of town themselves for the weekend.
2. Had a blast modeling in my sweet friend (and wedding photographer!) Ashley's workshop at Tuckahoe Plantation. It was cold and a little rainy but I think everyone participating got some good shots! It was fun getting all dolled up and posing with Rob. You can see a sneak peek here.
3. Rob and I met my friend Emily for coffee in Richmond (not pictured) before heading to Charlottesville for lunch at The Whiskey Jar with our friends Patrick, Emma, and Bryan. Then we drank more coffee and I took this windy photo with Patrick on the downtown mall.
4. Took Ender out for his first dog park experience at Chris Green Lake. He had the time of his life.
5. Mas Tapas for dinner, because it's not a trip to Charlottesville without Mas. Even if it takes four hours. My friend Melissa and her husband Kyle met us, which was so fun because we haven't seen them since our wedding last year!
6. We spent the night at Emma and Bryan's, where Ender met their dogs Ghost and Giselle. Ghost (pictured above) is a 120-pound Great Pyrenees who was pretty confused to see a real-life puppy. They were so cute together.

It was such a great few days, but I'm exhausted and I have a busy week ahead! Looking forward to being home and enjoying some nice weather. How was your weekend?

Life Lately According to Instagram is a once(ish)-monthly feature in which I showcase my favorite Instagram shots. You can follow along with me in real time if you'd like--I'm @mflynnpete.