The Pink Project......Dining Room.

image via Pinterest

Remember how we discussed The Pink Project?
Well, I haven't quite delivered the goods.

But being late to the party is far better than being a no-show.
So here we go. (Did not intend on rhyming.)

Not all of the rooms in The Pink Project are intended to be pink for the majority. In this home, most rooms would just have touch or two of pink. The dining room however, I would want to go BIG with the pink.


Some initial inspiration.

imageviaHouseBeautiful

imageviaPinterest

image via TheGlamPad

imageviaPinterest

I will never forget when I first saw this room in Domino. Everything about it is so spot on.


And my inspiration for the actual room. As a really great color is the best foundation of all rooms, I'd paint the walls Farrow & Ball's Middleton Pink. The window would get a fabulous treatment of Schumacher's Mary McDonald Chinois Palais in Blush Conch. Traditional dining table----which are becoming really really difficult to find, by the way. French Louis XVI chairs, covered in Schumacher's Sophia Velvet in coral  on the front and a Pierre Frey chinoiserie (Princesse Palatine) on the back. A gorgeous lacquered 1940's buffet would hold linens, candles, etc, while two Moroccan Pagoda china cabinets from Circa Who would flank the opposite wall. I'd have the exteriors done in ivory lacquer and the insides done in a soft aqua to complement my china. See it here. By the window, I'd add this fabulous Aldo Tura goatskin bar cart, accented with this fabulous retro pink poodle lamp. Above the dining table, this gorgeous pair of Venini Murano chandeliers. On the buffet, I'd add this pair of Famille Rose porcelain vases that have been converted to lamps. Above the buffet, I'd have a simply framed Slim Aarons print. I love the subversive element of this Slim Aarons photograph of Joan Collins in a pink bedroom with a pink poodle.

Here's a closer look at it.


I just love the juxtaposition of having a bedroom picture in the dining room. Such a conversation piece.
Only buy art you love, right?

What are your thoughts on an all pink dining room?

Design Obsession........Bear-Hill Interiors

Everyone suffers from "The Mondays" once in a while.

Even people who love their jobs, like me.

You know what cures my "Mondays"? 

Aesthetics.

Good Aesthetics.

And none better than truly beautiful interiors.

Enter Little Rock based, Bear Hill Interiors.

Oh, you thought Tobi was the only game in town?

Not so fast.


I adore Mrs. Fairley, but Bear-Hill Interiors happens to be another big Arkansas favorite of mine.
They have the most exquisite taste, the perfection of the elusive "mix" and every interior of theirs just screams glamour and elegance.


Feast your eyeballs.


I put this room first, because it's my favorite. It's just so RIGHT.
In every way. The rug, the wallpaper, the dining chairs. The mirrored doors.





 
I love how they can be traditional, modern, even a little whimsical.


Can we talk about this? Where is this and why am I not there right now?
#firstworldproblems

 

I can't EVEN. Love how they capitalized on the view and the natural light.
I'd be willing to bet that some fabulous dinner parties take place here.



all images courtesy of Bear-Hill Interiors

To see more of Bear-Hill Interiors' fabulous work, visit their website here.

Happy Monday! It will be Friday again before we even know it.

Wedding Wednesday---A Smidge


Are you wondering where we're at on the wedding planning front?

Well, other than being pretty close to tearing my hair out on the impending tardiness of our Save the Dates, which I cannot WAIT to share with ya'll, we're doing pretty good.

And today I'm sharing with you a smidge of the inspiration photos from my super top-secret Pinterest board.

To see my non top secret boards, go here.










Are you thinking that these photos make no sense?

Don't worry, they make sense to me, and will to you, at some point.

Can't wait to share more as the planning continues, but of course, I can't give away the farm just yet!

Happy Hump-Day!



The Receiving Room




I suppose since Brian and I have been living together for 3 years, being engaged hasn't made me think much about moving in together, mixing our "stuff" or the normal trials and tribulations that come with merging two completely separate lives into one.

Since we're really past most of that, I've thought a lot more about "nesting" and what really goes into to making your house your home. 

I'm still chomping at the bit to move residences, and I spend a lot of time thinking about the formal living room in our next house. The pieces that I've been building up----our sofa, coffee table, our dainty little chairs----are all things I plan to translate into our formal living room. 

Formal living rooms tend to conjure images of the late 1950's and early 1960's, when people actually used their formal living rooms for receiving and entertaining their guests. 

I love the idea of welcoming guests into a room where no one is glued to the latest sporting event or reality show (The Real Housewives of Honey-Boo-Boo-Ville, as Brian has dubbed all reality tv programs). Simply enjoying a cocktail or two and each other's company. What a concept.

My thoughts usually turn to Don and Betty's formal living in Mad Men----Living room versions 1 and 2, and even though her character was obviously a total witch, Hilly's formal living in The Help.





 I was in the Lee Jofa/Brunschwig & Fils showroom the other day and was DYING over a room that had upholstered walls in the most amazing fabric. I kept thinking, forget papering a teensy room or two in your house, how about breaking out the big guns and going for your formal living room.

Would love to do so with one of these totally breathtaking Brunschwig fabrics.


See fabric images here.

If you've never read, Entertaining is Fun! by the late, great Dorothy Draper, 
please get yourself to ebay/Amazon immediately and order a copy. It's out of print now, but you can find vintage copies on both sites.

 Mrs. Draper talks lots about making your house "Say Welcome" when entertaining and in general. 

It makes me want to coif the perfect formal living room.



Mrs. Draper in one of her beautiful living rooms.



I pinned this living room via Cote de Texas and I'm obsessed with the perfect mix of traditional/modern/French. The perfect formal living room is comfortable, a little dressy and representative of YOU.



After all, isn't it all of our dreams to entertain guests in a beautiful room whilst wearing a vintage caftan a la Catherine Deneuve?


To see all of my favorite rooms & inspirations, follow me on Pinterest. 

Happy Almost Weekend all! I'm headed to the beach with a few girlfriends for a bachelorette party and some R&R. What are you doing?

The First Day of School


image via Pinterest

I always wonder who actually reads my blog. Sure, I have a stat counter set up, and blogger gives you a general idea of what humans found you relevant on any given day, but I always wonder which of my friends, family, acquaintances (read---random Facebook friends) and complete strangers give me 15 minutes of their day to hear what I have to say.

A couple of years ago, just as I was starting to gain followers past my immediate family, I landed a pretty fabulous job in Dallas. For those of you who aren't familiar with the Metroplex, that's a good 45 minutes to an hour from my house in Fort Worth. And thus, blogging started to fall behind on a long list of life tasks (like groceries and laundry) that seemed much less important after commuting over 2 hours each day.

A few weeks ago, I got the opportunity to actually work in Fort Worth (6 minutes from my house, no less) for a local decorator. I couldn't be more excited. And, hopefully, this will afford me a few more minutes to spend with all of you each day. That is, if you're still out there.

The first day of a new job has always seemed like the first day of school. If any of you indulged in the same circa-1998 teeny bopper magazines like I did, you will understand the lists upon lists of things I had leading up to the first day of school. Lists of my new beauty regimen (because obviously at the age of twelve I need to be applying daily masks and eye cream), lists of my "must-have" fall wardrobe pieces, lists of my new workout routine (again, an obvious need at the age of 12). Somehow these lists, promises of a more perfect year this year, helped me to be less nervous and more prepared for the new school year. Let's face it, these lists were September's New Year's Resolutions, and most of them didn't quite pan out, but, a list never hurt anyone.

Here's what I'm doing, or wish I was doing, for my "First Day of School":



I have been using the Aqua Glycolic skincare products on the recommendation of a friend, and I really like it! It makes my face feel super-clean and dewy.
I bought it off of Drugstore.com in the 3-piece set, thinking it would be little sample sizes since it was like $40 for the whole set, but it's for sure full-size bottles.



The Candy Tweed dress from J. Crew. 
Probably a little warm for early August in Texas, but oh so darling and perfect 
for the office.


The Tory Burch Priscilla Pocket Tote Bag in Emerald.
This bag has been on my wish list since I laid eyes on it at Neiman's this past spring.
How BRIDAL is it in that soft blue. I obviously need a bag dedicated to wedding planning.

This cute Mint Stone necklace from J. Crew. Perfect for marrying the pink work dress with the minty work tote.


Loving these work-appropriate wedges from Ann Taylor.
I know their shoes seem a little pricey for a chain-retailer, but they are really worth it.
Great quality and really really comfortable.




And the 2014 Panama Diary from Smythson.
When we get near Fall, anything mustard just SINGS to me.


Happy Monday Everyone.

Wish me luck on my First Day of Work!


The Pink Project


Have ya'll gotten a copy of Ronda Carman's new book Designers at Home?
If you haven't---get thee to your Amazon account immediately---its super fabulous. 
It includes tons of interior designer's personal residences, and it's always fun to see how designers put together their own homes.

Martha Stewart wrote the foreword to the book and I could not stop staring at the shot opposite her words, of a dining room in her guesthouse, shown above. The soft pink walls and dental molding are warm and glamorous.



I was desperate to see more pictures of this house, and I found them on the Martha Stewart website.
The rest of the house is equally fabulous. And as always, when I see something that really inspires me, the wheels start turning.









Would you like to know what this house made me want to do? 

It made me want to have ONE. BIG. PINK. HOUSE.

Not completely and totally pink, like this one.
That's more fun in a guest house, somewhere you don't have to live all the time.

But I'm seriously thinking about integrating pink, whether a big or small dose in almost every room in our next house.

So, over the next few weeks I'll be discussing ideas for what I'm calling, 
The Pink Project.

Perhaps it will inspire you to integrate touches of your favorite color into all your rooms!


And speaking of good ol' Martha, here's a recipe for Shrimp Pad Thai I tried last night and loved!
If you're only cooking for two, it makes tons of leftovers.



Tablescapes and The Registry!


Most of wedding planning is technically design related,
but none more so than putting together your registry.

It really sets the tone for what your dining room, tablescapes and entertaining will 
be like for years to come.

I'm pretty picky and indecisive when it comes to picking out things for myself and I 
thought I'd have a REALLY hard time zeroing in on what china I want.

Not so. It took me all of 30 seconds at Neiman Marcus to find something I loved!

And that, is a mix of this BEAUTY.

Anna Weatherley Anna's Palette in Aqua Green.

SOO Scrumptious!


I'm planning on using it for the charger, soup bowl and salad plate.

Mixed with some pretty gold flatware.




How freakin' cute is the cup & saucer?

I'm planning to mix my Anna Weatherley with this.

Haviland's Syracuse Dinnerware



Dying over the thought of hemstitched napkins, 
held together with rablabs geode rings.



I'm not planning on having the traditional crystal wine glasses,
I just prefer the look of simple Riedel, but I would love some old fashioned coupe glasses.
Love this clear Waterford version.




I LOVE this green Waterford decanter and WISH they made matching glasses in the same green.

Technically they do, but they come with three other colors that I don't totally love.

What are your thoughts on the multi-colored glasses?

image via

I love what similarly colored glasses look like on this tablescape,
designed by Bailey McCarthy of Peppermint Bliss.



The Manly Home




Women definitely dominate the consumer market where home decor and fashion are concerned,
but there are so many fabulous things out there for our manfriend's enjoyment.


A few of my favorites for the manly home.

 
Guess who wants to register for Waterford glasses in our house?
Two hints: Not me, and not the corgis.


 
I bought these Arteriors chairs at an interior design auction for Brian.
They were just perfect for his mid-century inspired manly office.

 Brian is a cigar lover, like many men and there's no end to the array 
of smoking accessories. Love this Waterford tray from Etsy


I was at the Briar Shoppe in Houston over Christmas and laid my
eyes on this amazing lighter from Corona.
It was a tad out of my price range this Christmas, but hopefully it will show up
in Brian's stocking next year.



And I love, LOVE this Hermes Humidor.
Be still my heart. Not sure how "manly" it is, but if I can endure cigar smoke,
he can endure an orange lacquered box.


Can we talk about Woodland Spode?
My mother has it, as does everyone else I know.
Brian wants it for our everyday china. Am I the only one who doesn't like it?
There's something about woodland creatures and neutral florals that don't 
inspire me to eat/decorate.


And a few of my favorite men's fashions.

 

A coworker introduced me to Peter Millar, and I'm obsessed.
They have amazing colors in their line.  


 There is very small pool of good looking, well-priced men's clothing these days.


Everything has just gotten SOOO trendy. Or utterly heinous.
I mean, if your manfriend wants to wear a shirt with rhinestone monkey emblazoned on the back,
that's his business I suppose, but YUCK.

Another men's brand I'm really into right now is Southern Tide.
It sort of seems like Vineyard Vine's deep southern cousin.

They have fabulous colors as well.

Brian needs these turquoise shorts for spring.
NEEDS.


 
Brian generally sticks to Cole Haan loafers, but I'm dying over the beauty of these TODS driving mocs.
Santa, can you hear me?

 

I don't love jewelry on a man----a wedding ring and watch are just about all I can get 
on board with. This vintage Rolex is TO DIE.
Mmmmm 1960s glamour.

 Lastly, but not least-ly.....The navy blue blazer is so BACK in my mind.
My dad gave B a Ralph Lauren blue blazer that he never wore at Christmas
and Brian wore it on Saturday night. You forget how something so classic can be so good-looking.

Come to think of it, they don't look half bad on women either!



Clean and Classic.


Wedding Wednesdays----Picking a Venue



 SO, are ya'll totally ready for wedding planning deets?!

Well, I'm ready to share.

I have to tell you that about 6 months after I started doing Wedding Wednesdays (almost) every
wednesday, a random reader commented "Omg, Congrats on your engagement! So exciting!"

And all I could think is....."Well, this is awkward"

As my mother says, I've been planning this day since before I could walk.
And I'm so excited to get started with the REAL-LIFE plans.

Today I would like to talk about venues.
Specifically, the two at the top of my list.

Hoffman Haus & Becker Vineyards.

Both are special in their own way.

Hoffman Haus is a small property with tons of little cottages and then a main house on the property outside which you can get hitched and inside which you can have your reception.

Cute, quaint, a little bit country and oh so charming.

Take a gander.


 via StyleMePretty



And then there's Becker Vineyards.
One of Brian and my favorite haunts for wine tasting in Fredericksburg.

Big plus? The Lavender Fields on the property.
Where you can take romantic photos like this.



You can also get married outside here, under this pretty tree.
And they have a pretty indoor/outdoor situation at their "Lavender Haus".



So, I have to know, which venue would ya'll vote for?

Cooking Ahead


In an effort to save money and kind of control the amount of crap that goes 
into our bodies, one of my New Year's resolutions this January was to cook more.

I work late a lot, and this resolution was probably doomed to fail from the start.
Nothing inspires a desperate search for bad/expensive take-out like getting home at 9 pm.

I've found that we stick to the "eating at home" thing most when I cook something on Sunday that we can eat for the better part of the week. 

This Sunday I made two recipes from RealSimple.com, which is the best source for 
easy, cheap and SIMPLE meal ideas.

So I made Macaroni and Cheese with Cauliflower and their Easy Meatballs.

Delicious and (somewhat) nutritious.

I love how they sneak in the veggie intake with cauliflower.

Recipe for the delicious Macaroni and Cauliflower
I follow the recipe pretty much exactly, except I double it, and 
add about 1 1/2 cups of asiago or parmesan.

And the recipe for the Easy Meatballs.

We've just been heating up the macaroni and adding a little jarred marinara to the meatballs
and I've been sautéing a veggie each night to go with. So far I've added asparagus and garlic spinach to the mix.


By the way, can we talk about how much I want this pewter flatware?


via Williams-Sonoma

I think it's just timeless, will wear well and go with everything.


They have a similar version at Pottery Barn, 
but I'm not sure I like it as much.


And this pretty set from Neiman Marcus.

If anyone has any other great "cook-ahead" recipes---Send them my way!

A Perfect Proposal

 via Lonny

So, last Friday night (March 1st) I was just sitting around minding my own business.

And who decided to propose marriage to me?


THIS GUY.

 I won't bore you with all the deets, but the short story is that he had a massive nosebleed for about an hour and a half before subsequently popping the question.

A combo of a minor cold/The drying effects of Mucinex/Massive Nerves

He cancelled our (bogus) dinner plans with friends, and off we went to Ellerbe's, my favorite restaurant in Fort Worth, to meet my mom, dad and sister.

It was perfect. I thought we were meeting the afformentioned friends for a post-dinner celebratory drink.

The afformentioned friends consisted of 6 people. Three girlfriends and their three husbands.

What I walked into, was no less than 37 of my closest friends.

SHOCKED.

 Friends, New and Old.



This girl (Lauren of The Semi-Designed Life) floored me.
She sent a bottle of champagne to Ellerbe's as a present because she "couldn't make it".
Oh, really? I about lost it when I saw her.


My high-school girlfriends and college girls all made the journey from Houston.
 (The shot on the top is from our senior year of high school, the bottom shot is the engagement night, 8 years later.)
 
 It was an awesome weekend with family and friends.
Here with my sister, Brian, Brian's brother Justin and his girlfriend Mary.


Our post-engagement celebration was held at The Usual, my favorite bar in Fort Worth.
Home of the delicious French 75, lots of mid-century interior inspiration and the best craft cocktails west of the Mississippi.

And this whole shindig was masterminded by this little lady.

Miss Morgan.
 

We met during our semester abroad in Florence. We both came with our respective best friends. 
And the four of us became inseperable.

 Callie (on the far left) now teaches 4th Grade in Houston and Blythe lives with her husband in DC.
Morgan and I both still live in Funkytown.

And spend almost every waking moment together.

 And she's been rooting for Brian and I to be betrothed for quite a while now.
So she helped him plan a fabulous surprise party.
It was PERFECT.

I'll leave a lot of this for Wedding Wednesday,
 but for those of you who just can't wait......

We're thinking April 2014, we're thinking Fredericksburg, TX, and I'm thinking
Fancy Garden Party.

 I don't have everything worked out yet, but I'm thinking black and white (lots of stripes)
gold and pink/blush/peach.




 When I say gold, I mean sparkles.
I looked at a wedding venue yesterday and one of their rules was
"no glitter".
I almost burst out laughing, and promptly put it at the bottom of the list.


Are you wondering what I wore?

Call it foresight, call it divine intervention, but I had an itch to go shopping earlier that week.

And I bought this stunner from BCBG.


And this H&M mint tweed motorcycle jacket to top it.
 And added this Forever 21 necklace.


Watch out folks.....Wedding Wednesday's are about to get REAL legit.

And I promise this won't turn into a wedding blog.

Shopping Lands' End



 I'm not sure what exactly I thought Lands' End was previously selling, 
but I definitely was not pin-pointing them as a source for attractive home goods.

I was definitely wrong. I'm not sure what kind of design makeover they've recently gone through,
but I'm a' lookin' and I'm a' likin'.

They have really beautiful, monogram ready sheet sets in soft, pretty colors.

And perfectly framed hotel style bedding.

The printed sheets are also fabulous.
Some fun and trendy, like this pink and red medallion version.

And some ultra-classic, like this blue oxford stripe.

I also love these throws. Perfect for the end of your bed or a sofa.

We'll call these his and hers versions---Preppy Chevron and Rustic Masculine.


Also, this is probably silly and trivial, but I love their beach towels!
This coral version is actually reversible.

 
And you can never go wrong with a fun, cheery stripe!

Check out Lands' End!

A look at BHLDN.


Someone reminded me yesterday of the magic that is Anthropologie's Wedding-centric brainchild,
BHLDN.

Obviously we heard about it all over the blogosphere when it first opened, but I revisited it with a whole new appreciation.

They really have everything---with that same vintage-chic flair we've all come to love and expect from Anthropologie products.

I love love love their wedding dresses. Especially the glitzy two below.



And this mint bridesmaid dress is sure to be flying off their shelves soon, given the mint fetish of the last year.


I also love their accessories.



And I've been kind of "over" fascinators, but I absolutely adore this one. It would be perfect for a simple courthouse ceremony and brunch a la Carrie Bradshaw, or even for a fun pre-wedding shower.


BHLDN is also super handy for decor/wedding accessories.

LOVE these straws. $6 for a set of 25 and they come in a ton of fabulous colors.


These white mercury glass votives also caught my eye.

A very Bridal way to do votives.


Happy Wednesday!

Springtime Shopalooza

via Pinterest.com

These days, it can be hard to think of anytime as the "best" time to shop.
Retailers are constantly inundating us with the newest, biggest, trendiest thing yet.

But for better or worse, my favorite time to shop has always been in Late-Winter/Early Spring. Right around Valentine's Day.

All the stores/designers are putting out their spring merchandise and there 
is never a bigger abundance of color, girly details, and just plain fun.

Here are my spring-time shopalooza picks!


This fab coffee table book from Furbish Studio----It would only fuel my obsession with Miami/Palm Beach.
via ShopFurbish.com


This darling Kate Spade Hope Avenue Attie cross-body bag.
I love the neutral color piped in black and the bow detail.

via ToryBurch
These sassy little Tory Burch sandals. They're perfect for late spring pedicures, and they'll carry you 
all the way through summertime.



A hot coral finial from Hillary Thomas to spice up even the dullest lamp


I also love this Malachite version!


Vintage flamingos for styling your shelves or accessorizing your tables.




These fabulous greek key pillows from Woody Liana would brighten any sofa or bed.
And honestly, think of orange as a neutral. It works with so many colors.
Pink/Gold/Aqua/Yellow/Navy/Flax/Ivory/Green/Emerald/Powder Blue, just to name a few.

I love these yellow lamps from PiecesInc in Atlanta
Add them to your living room or bedroom for that instant touch of color!


via Loft

And finally, a fun and festive shell to throw under your blazer or cardigan.

What are your favorite pics for the season?

Rose Inspiration


I went to Miami this past week/weekend for a business trip. During which, I had the brief opportunity to visit the Rose Bar at the Delano Hotel.

It's probably the most beautiful bar I've ever been to, closely rivaling the "other" Rose Bar I visited last year at the Gramercy Park Hotel in NYC.


Anyway, I thought Rose Bar (Miami version) was so inspiring and feminine with it's blush velvet draped walls, shiny lacquered furniture and 1940's style Murano glass chandys.

It made me think of a fabulous woman's salon.
A place to get dressed, to lounge and to indulge in a couple cocktails.






Complete with the Ida Daybed from My Chic Nest, in their Rhubarb velvet color way.
Cozy and Girly, all at the same time.


And these silk velvet Dorothy Draper style slipper chairs via Showplace on 1st Dibs



No salon would be complete without an absolutely over the top, albeit stunning Francois Link style salon table via Burke Antiques on 1st Dibs.


Topped with pretty blush Murano lamps like these.
Already sold, but from Jean Marc Frey in Austin.


via Kirby Antiques on 1st Dibs

And completed by this stunningly glam Murano chandelier.
Over-the-TOP and oh so lovely!


I would obviously sit in my fabulous salon, while wearing a vintage 1960's  caftan.



 The whole scene would be SO Julianne Moore in A Single Man.
Could I be more obsessed with her character in that movie?
Probably not.


What did you do this weekend?

You know, besides watch a football game before and after the Beyonce concert.

Retro Inspiration



I'm inspired by so many things around me.
Fashion, Interiors, Color, Traveling, Movies, etc.

One of the things I've been so inspired by lately are fashion spreads.
I've been loving that a lot of the magazines have been focused on retro interiors and fashion.



Love this Emily Blunt spread from Modern Luxury

And I'm sure you remember Drew Barrymore's spread in Harper's Baazar



Everything about these photos spawns creativity.
For new rooms and new ensembles!

image via here
I love the shoes in the second photo--- it gives a new meaning to "lipstick pumps".

Wedding Wednesday.....Here Comes the Groom


One of the wedding situations I think is SO overlooked is the groom's outfit.

Brian and I have talked about this plenty, and while he seems to think that jeans and boots 
would be a suitable (no pun intended) outfit to get married in, I tend to disagree.

There used to be really only one choice for groomswear----The tux.
But now there are tons of options to choose from.


Theres your tux with the white dinner jacket.

Seen here on old-school James Bond.

And looking modern on Tom Ford.


There's the lighter colored suit.
I prefer a tan at the lightest. Noone wants to see the groom in a completely white suit.
It's your day to wear all white.


There's the snazzy grey suit.
Which looks OH SO AMAZING on my tv boyfriend, Roger Sterling.


There's also the navy suit.
Which I think is pretty dapper.




But you know what?
I'm a 90's girl.

And I grew up in a Father of the Bride world.


And the traditionalist in me thinks,
Whether it's a black Tux-ado or a blue Tux-ado,
It needs to be a Tuxedo.



 I'm all about getting creative with the boutonnieres though.

Like this option with the succulents.
Pure gold.

 images via Pinterest.com

The Isle of Capri


I think I've mentioned before that I studied abroad in Florence in college.
During that time, I saw a lot of Italy, but the one place I didn't make it to is the isle of Capri.
And I've been dying to go ever since.


It looks so darling and picturesque.


I'd like to go there and stay here, please.

Which I believe I first read about in JADLER'S book, Happy Chic.


And if it's good enough for my boys Simon and Jonathan, It's good enough for me!


Dreaming of a little vacay to Capri, complete with a perfect little beach ensemble.


Miu Miu via Net-A-Porter

 Eberjey Gypsy Traveler Farrah Cover Up via Revolve Clothing
 A graphic striped hat, perfect for any euro-beach vacay.
I've been lusting over these fabulous pink Stella McCartney's since Christmas, WHO wants to buy them for me?



And I think I'm going to need these monogrammed Jack Rogers.


Where are you fantasy vacationing these days?

Resolutions for the Home


So, I was planning to bore you with all my New Year's Resolutions about losing weight/finding more balance/generally being a more awesome human being, BUT that would just be boring.

Instead, I thought I'd talk about my resolutions for my home in 2013.
We're planning to be in our little house for at least the rest of 2013, if not a bit into 2014. 
That being said, most of what I'm planning on is still in preparation for a new house and mostly has to do with our furniture and nothing permanent to the actual house.

Resolution # 1: Find a great fabric and recover my vintage tufted sofa.


Love the soft minty color.

I know it sounds counter intuitive to recover a vintage piece in a color very similar to what it is, but I feel like that keeps some of the integrity of the piece, while giving it a fresh look with new fabric.
And I think the linen will look fresh and clean.


Resolution # 2: Find/Make/Have Made a new headboard for our Master Bedroom.

Everything that's now in our master bedroom will become our guest room in our next house.
I'm thinking I want either a headboard in a fun/fresh shape like this one below.


Or a colorful tufted version like this.


Resolution # 3: Pick a fab rug for our living room.

Our current one has several issues.
1. It's an ancient Ikea find and it's seen better days
2. It's WAAAYYY too small for the space. We desperately need an 8 x10



I'm thinking a simple sisal. Which is really going to be the most cost effective option.

Via PotteryBarn.com

The dream options? 

A vintage Turkish Oushak rug.
Amaze. Also, currently totally delusional.



Also LOVE this Beni Ourain rug from Pottery Barn. But the size I need is $799.
In the grand scheme of things that's not bad at all, but my pennies are probably better spent saving for beauties for our next home.


Resolution # 4: FINALLY refinish my faux bamboo etagere, 
install it in my dining room, and style it.

This needs to happen like YESTERDAY.
The last time I blogged about this dumb thing it was APRIL. APRIL PEOPLE!! Don't know where the time has gone.


There is SO much shelf styling inspiration on Pinterest. Cannot wait to dive in.


Resolution # 5: Take our guest room look in ONE direction.

First it was nautical with greys, naves and mustard yellows.
Now the bedding has changed and it's partially French shabby chic, partially nautical and totally NOT cohesive looking.

I'm thinking something in between.
Something super chic and Parisian.

Inspiration below:



What do you want to accomplish in your home this year?

Chicken Tortilla and Happy New Year!


Hello Readers! It's been forever and a day since I last posted----the holidays got the best of me, and last week, a nasty cold got the best of me. I'm still recovering and now Brian has caught it as well, so tonight I'm off to make some yummy tortilla soup. I'm comparing a few different recipes to make my own version, complete with super easy torn up rotisserie chicken, but this Martha Stewart version is awesome for anyone who wants to make something quick and easy!

I'll be back tomorrow talking about my home resolutions for 2013 and on Wedding Wednesday I'll be talking about Fabulous Honeymoons.


Happy Belated New Year to All!!