Friday, March 25, 2011

Happy Friday!


What are your weekend plans?  Mine entail a glass of wine and packing.  We are leaving on our little family vacation on Sunday.  It is the first time our puppy will be on a plane so I'm a bit nervous about that whole process.   Back to the wine, what are your favorites?  I love a good crisp white but there is always the time and place for a smooth red as well.  I would love to hear your thoughts!

Have a great weekend!  Next post will be from me poolside!

Thursday, March 24, 2011

A Few Photos

I've gotten a few requests to post some wedding photos so I thought today would be a good day!  My husband and I were married a little over a year ago in Maui, HI.  I couldn't have asked for a more perfect location and would highly recommend a destination wedding!  We were very fortunate to have 52 of our closest friends and relatives there to share in our special day.  I hope you enjoy the sneak peak.







Don't I have the cutest niece?

All photos take by Christine of Christine Hall Photography located in Savannah, Georgia.

Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Bookcases

I must really be on a book kick!  Today I thought I would show my bookcases after seeing so many pretty pictures around the blogland of bookcases.  Mine are the infamous Billy Bookcase from Ikea.  They have survived 2 moves and still look and funtion great.  I'm not one to organize by color but rather pleasure vs. school, meaning shelves are organized by novels or textbooks.  And let me tell ya, with 13 years of post grad education between the two of us, we have PLENTY of textbooks!  






How do you organize your bookcases?

Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Bye Bye Borders

Today while I was waiting for my puppy to get her first haircut, I wandered into the Borders Bookstore next door.  As you most probably know, they have declared bankruptcy and are closing many of their stores including this one.  I know I just did a post on the iPad but I will be the first to admit that I would rather have paper in my hand than reading a book on a screen.  It saddens me to see these bookstores going out of business.  But alas, I've had my eye on a couple decor books and I hoped to score a good deal!  I walked out a happy shopper with Metropolitan Home's Design 100 The Last Word on Modern Interiors.  This is a collection of 100 images that the magazine has deemed the best of design and architecture.  Being the dork I am, I flipped through the entire book in roughly 10 minutes.  One layout that caught my interest immediately was a home decorated by William Diamond and Anthony Baratta.  They are a design duo from NYC that incorporate designs ranging from modern to traditional with pops of color.  These images are from their website Diamond Baratta Design and are definitely drool worthy!  Hope you enjoy!








Monday, March 21, 2011

Nutella Goodness


After seeing this recipe on Mary's blog Delightful Bitefuls, my baking ban was quickly broken.  The recipe was easy and the results were oh so yummy!  It is the perfect mix of peanut butter and hazelnut.  Hope you enjoy as much as we did!  Check out Mary's blog for more awesome goodness!




What you need:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
3/4 cup smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
Approx. 1/4 cup Nutella

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350° F.

Combine butter, peanut butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Mix until well blended.

Add flour, baking soda and salt. Drizzle Nutella on top of the dough then swirl it through the dough with a butter knife.

Chill dough 15 minutes in the refrigerator. Roll into balls by hand. Place on parchment lined cookie sheet. Using a fork, press down the balls to flatten slightly. Bake until edges are very lightly browned (about 7 to 10 minutes).

Allow to rest 2 minutes on cookie sheet before transferring cookies to a cooling rack.


*I never claimed to be a good photographer so please excuse the poor pics and poor lighting.

Sunday, March 20, 2011

A Few Things...

Happy Sunday!
{fresh bed-side flowers}

{new handbag}

{bright flats for spring}

{sunday afternoon manicure}

Thursday, March 17, 2011

Luck of the Irish

Happy St. Patricks Day!  Will you be drinking any green beer?  Since today is all about the color green, I thought it would be fitting to find examples of how the color is used in decor.  I love the color apple green in my own home and these pictures are inspiring me to add more of it!



                                                                      Jonathan Adler perfection.


 Notice how the ceiling is painted the beautiful baby blue?  Love it!



Just a few hints of green in the throw pillows. Very lovely.


                                                                               This green grasscloth wallpaper is to die for!


                                                                                                       A green velvet sofa! 



                                      Green as a very striking accent color in this room.  Love the mirrored coffee table.



In observance of the Bloggers Day of Silence for those in Japan, I will be taking a day off from posting tomorrow.  My thoughts and prayers are with all those affected by the earthquake. 

All images via here.

Wednesday, March 16, 2011

Join the craze

Unless you've been living under a rock you probably have heard of the iPad2's release.  I have yet to find an extra $800 laying around to buy one but after looking at all these super cute cases, I may be swayed.  If you have an iPad do you like it?


Untitled

From top left to right
  1. Endless.com $160
  2. Nordstrom.com $158
  3. Marc by Marc Jacobs $38
  4. Salvatore Ferragamo via fasionfame.com
  5. Case-mate $34.99
  6. Juicy Couture $68

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

Ladylike

How beautiful is this dress!?  I love when bloggers put together an outfit and showcase rooms that match the color theme.  Blush and black is a great combination for attire and by the looks of these rooms, a great combination for decor as well!  Hope you enjoy.


Untitled
{ring here, dress here, shoes here, bangles here, bag here}

{room images via decorpad}

Monday, March 14, 2011

Doggie Treats

I love to do a lot of baking but since my husband and I are going to be in swimsuits in 3 weeks, we have put a temporary ban on baked goods.  An urge to bake today coincided with my puppy running out of doggy treats so I looked up a recipe and whipped her up some healthy, all natural treats.  The recipe was easy and I had all the ingredients in my pantry.  And the most important factor...she LOVES them!



Ingredients:

2 cups whole wheat flour
1 TBSP baking powder
1 cup peanut butter (smooth)
1 cup milk
1/2 cup oatmeal

Directions:
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.  Lightly grease baking pan.
  2. In a medium mixing bowl, add flour, baking powder and oatmeal.  After thats mixed, add the peanut butter and milk.  Stir until dough forms.
  3. Knead the dough and roll out to approximately 1/4 in. thick.  Use any cookie cutter and cut into desired shapes.
  4. Bake for 20 minutes or until golden brown.
*receipe from dogtreatrecipes.org

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Happy Weekend!

Did you remember to change your clocks forward last night!  My husband and I almost forgot if it weren't for our phones that did it automatically! Phew!  Anyways, I was reminded this morning by a tweet from the lovely Chloe of The Chloe Conspiracy that Target has brought back their Go International Re-Issue.  They have beautiful pieces from Rodarte, AliceTemperley, Tucker, Paul and Joe and the list goes on and on.  Head on over and pick up a designer piece for Target prices!

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Bar Carts

I have bar carts on my mind because I am currently looking for the perfect one for my small kitchen.  They are a great way to display pretty barware as well as a great reason for a spontaneous party!  Here are a few beautiful examples that are currently inspiring me.



{images via here, here, here, here, here}


A few carts I found with a quick search. 


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Images top left to right...
  1. West Elm  $199
  2. Fermobusa  $844
  3. Arclinea.it.  $1975
  4. Ddcnyc.com  $1875
  5. Allmodern.com $194
  6. Ikea  $129