Lovely Little Nest

365 Challenge: 7.6-7.14

2012-01-28T19:05:00.000-05:00

Tilapia Parmesan

my little planter of impatiens

more flowers growing on the balcony

cinnamon streusel muffins

grilling out at our place with the fam

a welcome mat for our door step from my sweet Mom

deer-watching from the deck

ahhh, heaven

new business cards I made myself for my etsy shop

more photos at: www.nataliewagnerphotography.com

Pinterest!

2012-01-14T18:42:00.003-05:00

To quote Liz's husband, "Pinterest is like fantasy football for girls".

It totally is!

Here are a few lovelies I've recently pinned:

anthro mug

quatrefoil pantry

passion

stripes + seafoam + skinny belt = wardrobe perfection

dirty brownies

elegant pom poms

colorful notes

follow me if you'd like :) -----> http://pinterest.com/nataliewagner/

Are you a hopeless pinterest addict as well?

365 Challenge: 7.1-7.5

2012-01-13T17:11:00.000-05:00

our chalkboard decked out for the upcoming festivities

raspberry and mango frozen yogurt with sour patch kids! mmm...

the golfers

Eat At Joe's!

My first bloom!

Only 6 more months of photos to go...

Holly Golightly's apartment

2012-01-08T17:28:00.000-05:00

Did you hear that Holly Golightly's apartment is for sale? As in, the ever-loved character portrayed by Audrey Hepburn in Breakfast at Tiffany's!

If only I lived in New York and had 5.85 million dollars...

Instagram Christmas

2011-12-30T13:33:00.000-05:00

I am having an amazing time in New York with my family! So many Christmas celebrations, game nights, shopping trips, and non-stop quality time. I love it! Oh, and there was even a little snowfall on Christmas night. :)

I left the camera cord for my Canon back in PA, so enjoy a glimpse into my Christmas celebrations through my newest obsession: Instagram!

I hope you're all enjoying this wonderful holiday season! :)

Snow?

2011-12-22T21:39:00.001-05:00

It's just a little over 3 days before Christmas, and we've barely had a single flurry. Correct me if I'm wrong, but don't I live in the North East? Where is my beautiful snow?!

Granted, I don't want a blizzard, especially since we'll be driving up to New York for the Holidays...but there is just nothing like a white Christmas. Hopefully, they will have lots of snow for me up North!

I've been ridiculously busy editing pictures, tutoring, and working on Lesson plans, so I have yet to upload any pictures of our very Christmasy home. I plan on sharing some photos tomorrow, but if not, happy weekend and Merry Christmas to you all! :)

365 Challenge: 6.21-6.30

2011-12-16T21:33:00.002-05:00

angry birds = my newest obsession

progress!

black-eyed susans

so fresh

weekend trip to Atlantic City

water ice at the shore

meh.

the snack box lid I drew for the kiddos

have I mentioned how often I eat fruit salad in the summer?

Editing

2011-12-12T19:40:00.000-05:00

Editing pictures is my second-favorite part of photography {ya know, besides actually taking pictures}. However, it is VERY time-consuming, and with a Full Time job and now a Part Time job as well, it is no small task to get everything done in a timely manner. Oh, and the fact that I've done 5 shoots in the past 3 weeks doesn't make things any easier. So, if you don't hear from me for awhile, it's because I'm lost in the land of ~~photoshop~~ picnik.com {*hint, hint, Santa*}...

I leave you all with this lovely photo that I did not take but cannot find the source for. Apologies!

Christmas is Coming!

2011-12-09T20:53:00.001-05:00

I cannot believe we're almost finished with the second week of December. Where did the time go?

My sister and I went shopping on Black Friday, I did some online the following Saturday, and the husband and I went outlet shopping {major, major deals!} on the following Sunday. Since then...nothing. Sometime this weekend, I need to take inventory on what we have and what we still need to buy because Christmas Eve will be here before I know it!

We have the tree up and it smells amazing. The rooms are all decorated and we just have to add the star on top to complete our Christmas extravaganza! Did I mention that I go a teensy bit crazy when it comes to this wonderful Holiday?

Here are some of my absolute favorite Christmas pics for inspiration:

via

What do you do to prepare for the holidays?

365 Challenge: 6.13-6.21

2011-12-05T17:22:00.002-05:00

Spiedies, a delicious creation from right new my hometown in NY state

homemade strawberry shortcake

a sweet gift from one of my graduating Kindergarteners

thank you flowers from my boss for getting through my first year

delicious crab bisque from McKenzie's

a lovely almost summer day

we are slightly obsessed with spiedies

my students found a toad that was smaller than a dime!

plaid, arms-crossed, brothers-in-law

Check out my photography blog to view a family photo shoot I did over Thanksgiving weekend!

T-giving + Gray Walls

2011-12-01T17:13:00.005-05:00

Apparently, I am never going to remember take "official" photos of our gorgeous new Living and Dining Room walls, so these pics will have to do! Before I begin posting about my all out obsession with Christmas, enjoy a recap of Thanksgiving dinner, which the hubs and I hosted at our casa in PA.

Oh, and I finally had a chance to use my fancy shmancy External Flash that Ben surprised me with for my birthday!

haha, I really love this pic of Mom getting the turkey ready

Can you see the deer? I glanced out our Living Room window and he was looking right at me!

The Dining Room Gallery I made, which currently displays a Fall/Thanksgiving theme.

The bottom pic is a photo I took while living in Annapolis, Maryland.

I made the printable in the oval frame myself and then just added real leaves.

The rest of the printables are from pinterest {i heart that site so much!}

My step dad, pouring the sparkling wine from one of the NY vineyards {sooo yummy!}.

My awesome sister & brother-in-law

The table, all decked out for dinner

Me and the hubs

I love my little sister!

Chocolate Pecan Pie and Pumpkin Pie ~ just a few of the pies my sis & I made.

I was afraid my handmade leaf would be a total flop, but it ended up turning out pretty good!

Can you spy the Target clearance plates? I thought they'd be perfect to use for dessert, since they are adorable and I figured that by the time we made it to dessert, we'd be too tired and full to wash more dishes. :)

This is one of my favorite pictures from the day <3

The whole family

My mom's crazy dog, Lucy, running through the leaves

"No one saved me any pie?!" aww poor Daisy!

I hope you enjoyed that little glimpse into our 4th married Thanksgiving, which was also the 3rd time we played host & hostess!

Oh, and I realized that most of those pics don't really show the true color of the walls {it's a lot less blue and a lot more gray in person}, so I'll still have to upload some true-to-life pics! Maybe by Christmas... ;)

I hope you all had a Happy Thanksgiving!

{P.S. Ben ended up washing ALL of the dishes! My hero!}

Twilight + 365 Challenge: 6.3-6.12

2011-11-21T18:16:00.001-05:00

Ben took me to see Breaking Dawn on Sunday. I had been impatiently waiting to see it for a year and a half and was really nervous that it wouldn't hold up to my expecations. But I loved it! Yes, there was a bit too much of *ahem* "marital bliss". And when they showed that one scene at the end {I don't want to spoil it for anyone}, it was probably a little too gruesome, but it actually didn't bother me. Maybe because I read it in the book and was expecting it? Ben was like "eww what the heck?!" haha! Oh, and the scene with the wolves talking was just plain ridiculous. But come on, people, this is not The Great Gatsby. What did you expect?

{sidenote: I hated The Great Gatsby, so I'm really glad it's not anything like that!}

No, it is not a cinematic masterpiece. And if you haven't read or read but didn't love the books, you will probably hate the movie because, well, it is pretty darn weird. But, unlike many other books-to-movies, the story went right along with the book, which made me so happy. It's exciting when you can literally watch your imagination come alive on the big screen. I'm sure there will be people who can't get over the general cheesiness of the story, but that doesn't really bother me because I already know that vampires and werewolves aren't real, so my entire world isn't grounded upon the foundation of the series being based on facts. Plus, the majority of people who read the books are probably going to love it for the simple fact that it is Twilight and we are just plain obsessed. :) And that's that.

So, I'm really good at taking pictures and really bad at uploading them onto my blog. Get ready to see a plethora of 365 pictures over the next few weeks in hopes of sloooowly catching up.

surprise peonies from Ben that he had delivered to me at work

delicious summer fruit salad

the bonfire we built while camping at French Creek

anniversary dinner after horseback riding

my flowers are actually growing!

crab rangoon from my favorite Chinese place

the perfect morning

no, i did not grow these myself, but aren't they pretty?

a lovely almost summer afternoon

the NY boys' semi-annual tournament weekend

It's Almost Time!

2011-11-17T20:16:00.000-05:00

Woohoo!!! After almost 1 1/2 years of waiting, we finally get to see Breaking Dawn! Although I will not be at the midnight premiere {having to be at work by 7am tomorrow immediately nixed that option}, the husband said he's taking me to see Breaking Dawn this Sunday! Yipee!! Be expecting a review on Monday or Tuesday afternoon. :)

Please tell me I'm not the only 29 year old girl {I still feel too young to refer to myself as a woman} obsessed with a vampire love story...

Seafoam End Table

2011-11-10T16:01:00.000-05:00

No Living/Dining Room paint pictures yet. I'm sorry, I have been a very lazy photographer lately! Well, that's not true. I have been a very lazy personal photographer, but I have been very ambitious when it comes to doing some marketing for my photography business. I made my own business cards and sent them to be printed yesterday {yipee!} and I created some mock-ups for Christmas cards to advertise for upcoming Holiday photo shoots! If you'd live in the Philadelphia or Wilmington area and are interested in doing a shoot or just tto view some of my pictures, check out my website: natalie wagner photography

Anyhoo, I won't leave you with nothing. Here is one fabulous little project I finished a few months ago. It started out as a nightstand of sorts that I discovered at Goodwill under a pile of old frames and covered in dust. After a good scrubbing, it looked like this:

I believe it used to live in the castle on the movie Beauty and the Beast. Seriously, doesn't it look just like the huge wardrobe? That's what Ben said, too! Actually, his exact words were "What the heck is that ugly piece of crap and why is it in our Living Room?" ... "But doesn't it look like that wardrobe from Beauty and the Beast?" ... "Yes...when can I throw it out?"

I can understand his hesitation to keep this piece. There was some definite wear and tear on those beautiful legs.

However, here is after I primed it and painted it a soft aquamarine:

BAM! Our formerly ugly duckling of an end table is now a beautiful swan! Wow, that was pretty lame...

I loooove these intricate details. They really set it apart and remind me why it's so much better to buy used furniture than drop a bunch of $$ on generic stuff from a department store that everyone else has {haha, that reminds me of the episode of Friends when Ross and Rachel bought the same apothecary table from Pottery Barn} and that will probably just fall apart anyway. Used furniture is great because it has already held up to the test of time, so you know it is built to last.

I am obsessed with the top; it's so unique!

I tried it as a nightstand for a bit. Though it looked pretty, it just wasn't right for the space. Plus, I needed the storage provided by my current table {for my Bible, Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows, etc.}.

Ahh yes, this is juuust right. It now serves as an end table in our Living Room and Ben and I both love it! The color is unexpected and, though subdued, it gives just the right amount of oomph to the space.

Of course, since these photos were taken, we painted the Living Room a warm, light gray color...stay tuned for more photos! :)

Have you completed any projects lately {or not so lately, that you have been too lazy to post}?

Beachy Bridal Shower

2011-11-07T20:04:00.002-05:00

New paint pictures coming soon, I promise! We had company on Sunday and the house is still in a bit of disarray. In the meantime...

I may have mentioned wayyy back in 2010 that my mom and I were hosting my sister's Bridal Shower a few months before here Miami Beach Destination Wedding. Well, here I am, almost a year later, FINALLY posting pictures. Oh well, better late than never!

the beautiful bride-to-be and me

Rach, opening her shower gifts

bridal shower games

our adorable little 2nd cousin, Jenna

the cupcake toppers I made {her wedding colors were coral and aqua}

a banner I found online {I believe it was from weddingchicks or ruffledblog} and printed out for the shindig

And here are some post-party outtakes...

Rach & Mom, about to indulge in some pretty and delicious leftovers

ouch! we bumped heads :p

i love her :)

Painting Party

2011-11-05T14:16:00.000-04:00

So, we decided to hold off on buying a house until we have more money saved up because a massive purchase like that is not something we want to settle on. Normally, this is something that would have sent me in a spiral of sadness {all of those great new decorating ideas down the drain!}, but my husband is a genius and lured me into the light with these five little words: "Let's paint the Living Room!" Oh that man is pure genius! Of course, painting the Living Room turned into painting the entry and the Dining Room as well...but it's an open space and we used the same color, so it was a good compromise!

He's been painting before and after work all week while I watched from the couch, sick as a dog. Once I started feeling better, I finished up the trim and today I'm just cleaning, organizing, and re-purposing/re-decorating. I can't wait to share the after pics! We went with Kilz's "Pewter Ring" but color-matched and used Behr Premium Paint. It looks sooo good! Stay tuned for pictures! :)

Decorating Weekend

2011-10-21T18:35:00.001-04:00

It is officially the weekend! Tomorrow morning will be spent completing some DIY projects like finishing up the Dining Room gallery {that I mentioned here}, updating our monogrammed bathroom art {silver paint? seriously, what was I thinking?}, while tomorrow afternoon will be spent at my sister's house, where I'll be helping the newlywed decorate her cute little casa. Tonight, however, will be spent eating pizza and watching movies with this gorgeous man:

I hope you all have a fabulous weekend! :)

365 Challenge: 5.22-6.2

2011-10-17T17:10:00.000-04:00

a pretty stone wall at the park

my seeds are actually growing!

God's Creation is amazing...

my fun new hat for the Summer

a lovely evening stroll through the park

my new cell phone + the cover I made

baby woodchucks!

mom + me :)

Lucy Liu!

Best friends since 2nd Grade

She is seriously sick of me taking her picture

Fresh sweet corn for dinner

Do It

2011-10-13T21:12:00.000-04:00

Fall Weekend

2011-10-06T23:36:00.000-04:00

I hope you all have a weekend full of apple picking, sweater wearing, and all things FALL!

via

That adorable print is now framed and hanging in our Dining Room.

I suggest you go get your own FREE Fall Printable right now!

365 Challenge: 5.12-5.21

2011-10-03T18:18:00.001-04:00

My "make-do" Camera Bag from VS

A cute little bunny at the park

A super fun Maternity shoot with a fabulous couple and their adorable doxen

{more photos here}

Wine festival in Annapolis, Maryland with the husband and some friends

A not so stellar photo of my homemade lasagna

Some business cards I was trying out {still undecided on the design}

Twilight

{speaking of...46 days 'til "Breaking Dawn"!!}

Such happy little flowers

P.J. Friday's!

My husband and I have this little tradition for whenever he doesn't have to work on a Friday night. We change into our P.J.'s and order pizza from Papa John's {abbreviated P.J.}...Hence, "P.J. Friday's" :)

pretty, late-Spring skies

Fabulous Fall!

2011-10-01T18:36:00.001-04:00

What a beautiful Fall day! Ben and I stopped by Starbucks this morning to try out the new Salted Caramel Mocha. It tastes exactly like the Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate with a shot of espresso that I always ordered before, but now it has its own special name. Thanks, Starbucks, for making me my very own drink! ;) After we arrived back at the casa, I decided to snap a pic of our front door, decked out in honor of this lovely season. I hope you all are enjoying Fall so far! I know I am. :)

Eye Candy

2011-09-19T21:04:00.000-04:00

To Do...

2011-09-15T22:42:00.000-04:00

Thanks for all of the helpful suggestions regarding which lens to buy! I'll be back next week with more info on which one I chose.

Until then, this has/is/will apparently always be me:

Oi. Wish me luck!

Lens Help

2011-09-05T17:37:00.003-04:00

I booked my first wedding for 2012!!

...now what?

I have a Canon Rebel XS 10.1mp Digital SLR Camera and the following lenses:

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f 3.5-5.6 IS SLR Lens

Canon EF 50mm f 1.8 II Lens

I just had two more clients contact me regarding their interest in hiring me to shoot their upcoming weddings, so I clearly need to add some new lenses to my photography arsenal. Here are my questions:

Which Wide Angle Zoom Lens?

Dream:

Canon EF 16-35mm f 2.8L II USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens

Canon EF 24-70mm f 2.8L USM Standard Zoom Lens

Reality:

Sigma 10-20mm f 4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens

Sigma 24-70mm f 2.8 IF EX DG HSM AF Standard Zoom Lens

Question: Are Sigmas comparable to Canons?

Which Macro Lens?

Dream:

Canon EF-S 60mm f 2.8 Macro USM Digital Lens

Reality:

Tokina AF 12-24mm f 4 AT-X Pro DX Lens

Question: Are Tokinas comparable to Canons?

Which Telephoto Zoom Lens?

Dream:

Canon EF 70-200mm f 4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Reality:

{Same Lens, but sold for 1/3 the price on ebay}

Canon EF 70-200mm f 4L USM Telephoto Zoom Lens

Question: Is it safe to buy lenses on ebay if it says they are "new and in original packaging"?

I think those are all of my questions...for now ;).
Thank you in advance for your helpful comments and suggestions!

Be sure to check out my photography website: Natalie Wagner Photography.

{A photo I took at a Miami Beach wedding in January 2011}

And here is the Shabby Apple dress giveaway winner!

etsy Love: Black + White Chevron

2011-09-01T20:23:00.002-04:00

Aren't they all fabulous? I am currently on the hunt for a Black & White Chevron Tablecloth, so if you see one, let me know!

P.S. Be sure to enter my Shabby Apple dress giveaway!

365 Challenge: 5.5-5.11

2011-08-30T21:31:00.004-04:00

Pretty flowering trees just outside our apartment

Me? Plant seeds? We'll see how this goes...

I may not have a green thumb, but at least my gardening gloves are cute!

Childhood memories <3

On a lovely evening walk with my husband

Make a wish...

hehe

Be sure to enter my Shabby Apple giveaway!

Shabby Apple Giveaway!

2011-08-29T05:30:00.004-04:00

*** This Giveaway is now closed ***

The wonderful designers at Shabby Apple have offered Lovely Little Nest readers a dress giveaway!! The gorgeous dress up for grabs is the Mariposa Grove:

I chose this lovely dress for its vibrant color and beautiful petal details along the neckline. I just wish I could have it for myself!

To enter this giveaway:

{1} Stop by Shabble Apple and leave a comment on this post with your favorite item

{2} For an extra entry, blog about this giveaway and post a link-back

The giveaway is only available to US residents. All entries must be submitted on or before Sunday, September 4th, 11:59pm EST.

Shabby Apple is also offering a 10% off coupon to all Lovely Little Nest readers that will be good for 30 days! Just enter littlenest10off at checkout. Be sure to peruse all of their lovely merchandise!

Good luck! :)

Dying to Paint

2011-08-27T15:17:00.003-04:00

We live in an apartment. A nicely sized apartment with vaulted ceilings, crown molding, granite countertops...and boring, WHITE walls.

OK, so they're technically off-white. But it KILLS ME that we haven't painted them! We painted almost every room in our old apartment and were so glad we did...until it came time to priming them for future tenants. Needless to say, my husband made me agree that I would not, under any circumstances, ask him to paint our new apartment.

Wahhh! I wish we had painted. I know it would have taken a TON of work, but there is nothing like charcoal walls to make a dining room feel romantic or pale aquamarine walls to make a bathroom feel like a spa. *sigh*

Now, we are slowly beginning the process of house-hunting, which means painting our current apartment is definitely not an option. So, I suppose I'll have to be content with lusting over my fellow bloggers' gorgeous, painted homes:

Yvonne's fun Living Space

Love the painted ceiling

That teal wall is killing me!

We know I am a sucker for anything gray {and I love that B&W striped rug!}

What about you? Do you have any beautifully painted rooms for me to covet?

P.S. So, I live in Eastern Pennsylvania, and in case you haven't heard, we are expecting a Hurricane. Unless I am swept out to sea, be expecting a giveaway from Shabby Apple on Monday!

Delaware

2011-08-23T16:57:00.005-04:00

The husband and I live in Northern Pennsylvania, just 15 minutes from the Delaware border. Here, let me translate that for you into a little Math equation:

Delaware + Minimal/No Taxes = HOUSE HUNTING!!!

We're not seriously shopping yet {AKA we don't have a realtor}, but it's been fun browsing on zillow and trulia! Here's to dreaming of having a home where I can finally paint my front door...

What about you? Loving your apartment? Ready to get a house? Already own your own home?

P.S. Stay tuned for a {fabulous giveaway} Monday morning!

365 Challenge: 4.26-5.4

2011-08-18T17:57:00.001-04:00

pretties just outside our apartment

easy peasy date night in with the husband

homemade birthday cream puffs for ben! they took for-e-ver but were totally worth it!

my Kindergarteners' handiwork

brother-in-law at the Phillies game, representing my favorite beverage

Ben and his dad, just before the following day's 14 inning game...my mother-in-law decided to watch a chick flick and have dinner at Five Guys instead...I'm definitely glad about that now!

some fun sodas I got for ben ~ we are very proud of where we live :)

my new-to-me car!!! Oh frank, how I love you!

a beautiful early moon

Be sure to stop by my photography blog to check out a recent maternity session I shot!

Lovelies

2011-08-16T18:19:00.000-04:00

Just a few home interior pictures I stumbled upon for us all to drool over on this lovely day...

Seriously, how fun is that navy/turquoise combo?!

365 Challenge: 4.14-4.25

2011-08-10T17:58:00.011-04:00

So....I'm a Little behind on my 365 Challenge posts...

Thermos, gifted to Ben by my sister, thefted by me. ;)

Still can't believe my little sis is 24!

Corner of our Master Bedroom

Hot Dog! Lunch with Benj at Jimmy Johns.

Newlyweds at a cute little bar in Media, PA.

My Kindergarteners' little plants are finally growing!

Buds, about to bloom.

Spring lovelies

I heart America

Unfortunately, this sandwich did not taste as good as it looked...

Easter brunch at Mendenhall Inn

A pretty bed of tulips near work

P.S. Check out the new Maternity session pics I just posted at Natalie Wagner Photography...

Yum Yum Sauce

2011-08-10T17:50:00.003-04:00

There is this heavenly dipping sauce that they have at most Japanese restaurants. I've heard it called shrimp sauce, white sauce, seafood sauce, but at our favorite take-out Japanese restaurant in Lynchburg, Virginia {Osaka's}, they call it "yum yum sauce" and it lives up to its name! We drown our rice/chicken/ice cream {not really...though it might be worth a try!} in this delicious sauce. Unfortunately, since moving to the Philadelphia suburbs, we've found a few sauces that have tasted similar, but none that have really compared with the incredible, zingy favor. So, I've scoured the internet in hopes of finding a similar recipe that can fill the void. Here is a recipe that seems like it might actually come close:

Japanese White Sauce

1-1/4 cup	Hellmann's mayonnaise *
1/4 cup	water
1 teaspoon	tomato paste
1 tablespoon	melted butter
1/2 teaspoon	garlic powder
1 teaspoon	sugar
1/4 teaspoon	paprika
dash	cayenne pepper

Using a fork or a whisk, blend all ingredients together thoroughly until well mixed and the sauce is smooth. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to blend. Bring to room temperature before serving.

The sauce will NOT taste right if you don't let it sit overnight. And please don't try to substitute ketchup for the tomato paste! The water is needed to bring this to the right consistency.

I don't know how long this keeps in the refrigerator; I've kept it 7-10 days, but I always wind up eating it all before 10 days so after that - anyone's guess.

* Hellmann's is called "Best Foods" west of the Rockie Mountains. Use other mayos at your peril - many cheap brands make the sauce taste too much like mayo.

http://www.japanese-steakhouse-white-sauce.com/white-sauce-recipe.htm

I love that you HAVE to use Hellmann's mayo. You know I'm a condiments label snob. ;)

This pic was taken on our last trip to Osaka's. Do you like his fake smile? This was probably the 85th picture I'd taken that day, so I can't say that I blame him. ;)

Are there any must-have foods/sauces/drinks that you can only find in one place? Have you ever attempted to make it yourself? If so, how did it turn out?

Addicted to Pinterest

2011-07-25T21:23:00.001-04:00

Seriously. If there was an AA meeting for pinterest, I would definitely join. I went months - months, I tell you! - ignoring friend's invites to pinterest...but I finally caved. And I'm so glad...and so sad...that I did.

Glad because it has opened up a whole new world of decorating and DIY projects, not to mention fashion ideas and hilarious quotes.

Sad because there are 2 loads of laundry just sitting there...judging me. :(

Here is a little snapshot of my "For the Home" board:

Are any of you as obsessed as I am? If you don't have Pinterest, I highly recommend it...although consider yourself warned that your housework will severely suffer! ;)

Chic Kate

2011-07-20T00:23:00.003-04:00

I never cease to be amazed by the outfits Kate Middleton {well, her stylist} puts together. She always manages to look contemporary and chic, while still being conservative and classy:

I didn't think future queens were allowed to wear pants. ;)

365 Challenge: 4.7-4.13

2011-07-14T20:18:00.000-04:00

hmm do you think I will ever catch up??

Road Trip with the Taylors

The newlyweds!

Is there anything better than this?

That alligator was less than 30 yards away from people golfing! I don't know how they could concentrate...

Pretty packaging from oh, hello friend

p h i l a d e l p h i a

Happy Birthday do my wonderful Mom!

Buffalo Chicken & Potato Casserole

2011-07-12T19:27:00.005-04:00

AKA heart attack in a bowl...and oh-so-good!

via

Buffalo Chicken & Potato Casserole

INGREDIENTS

1 1/4 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into 1-inch strips
1/3 c. Franks buffalo sauce
6 c. potatoes, grated w/ box grater
1 c. light ranch dressing
1/2 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
(10 oz) condensed cream of chicken soup
1/2 c. panko

DIRECTIONS

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch baking dish with cooking spray.
In medium bowl, stir together chicken strips and buffalo sauce. Spoon into baking dish in a single layer.
In the same bowl, stir together potatoes, dressing, cheese and soup. Spread over chicken. Sprinkle panko evenly over the top.
Cover with foil. Bake 30 minutes; uncover and bake 20 to 25 minutes longer or until potatoes are tender and juice of chicken is no longer pink when centers of thickest pieces are cut.

P.S. Vote for Emily and her fabulous family blog, Anderson Family Crew! And if you're not already a follower, you should start now because the woman is: 1) An amazing, godly woman, 2) A great mom, 3) Hi-la-ri-ous!

Old Apartment Tour

2011-07-09T22:08:00.004-04:00

I promised a tour of our old apartment, and here it is. Let me warn you, it is NOT pretty. Now I know why it's taken me so long to post these. In my defense, these pictures were taken with my little point-and-shoot. It also appears that I was on crack when I took most of them, because the majority of the pictures are either incredibly blurry or were taken at odd angles.

I had a lot more, better quality pics saved on our laptop. However, it was giving us some issues, so we asked the wonderful people at the apple store to reformat the hard-drive {worked like a charm! I am an apple girl all the way!}. And even though Ben asked me 4 or 5 hundred times if there was anything on there that I needed before it was wiped clean and I said no every time...I realized the next day that all of the good house pics were on there. So, the few I saved on a CD will just have to do.

Oh, and just so I'm not too hard on myself and our humble first abode, I'll post something I like about the room, to go along with the million things I don't like. So here goes:

ENTRY

This was the most flimsy piece of ish we'd ever purchased. I think it was from Walmart for around $15. Surprisingly, it lasted for 2 years. Definitely too many chotchkes, but I do like the black and white contrast.

DINING ROOM

Fall

Winter

Spring/Summer

I loathe that table and chair set. But it was free {thanks, grandma!}. And I still love our table linens.

GUEST ROOM/OFFICE

That is a lot of colors and patterns, especially for a neutral girl like me. This room was a hodge podge of miscellaneous items, leftover from Ben's bachelor days, as well as yard sale/thrift store finds. But I'm still a fan of the lampshade, which was a fun find at IKEA's scratch and dent section. And I actually have a similar gallery in our current guest room/study, just with prints having the same color palette.

GUEST BATH

Not a whole lot to see here. Dullsville all around. The only thing I liked was the under-the-sink storage and that it was in a cool little hallway that made it seem like the guests had their own suite.

KITCHEN

Sadly, this is the only picture I have of our old kitchen. Then again, there wasn't much to see. With all of the nooks and crannies, it was your typical apartment kitchen. Though our stainless steel small appliances and turquoise dish cloths did help to personalize the space. And the tableware! Oh my gosh, our white, square tableware that Ben and I picked out together for our wedding registry was definitely one of our best choices we made as a couple. Not only are they apparently chip-proof, but they can even make boxed macaroni look glamorous.

BALCONY/DECK

Clearly, zero money was spent outdoors. No flowers or anything. What I did like was that our view overlooked a hill that was populated with the cutest family of rabbits!

MASTER BEDROOM

The wall color was supposed to be a lot more subdued {it was much more bright in person} and this picture was taken before I learned the cardinal rule of photography: no house photos at night! But I still love the Thomas O'Brien euro shams, and those gray sheets are 620 threat count and feel absolutely heavenly. Yes, thread count DOES make a difference!

MASTER BATH

This is the only pic I can find of our Master Bath. It was small, but had this great garden tub. However, the one at our current apartment is actually bigger! Sorry, old apartment, you are not faring too well...

LIVING ROOM

We lived at this apartment for a year and a half and NEVER bought drapes! I knew we needed them, I just couldn't find any to fit over the hideous vertical blinds that were jammed against the wall. That being said...I love our massive entertainment stand and the gray and white herringbone ottoman we scored at TJMAXX. Plus, the couch, chair, coffee table, and end tables were free, so how can you beat that? Also, not a single person ever entered our apartment without complimenting the wall color. Oh how I miss my beautiful, gray walls!

Well, that concludes our old apartment tour. After that little jaunt down memory lane, I realized that I don't need to wait until I have everything perfect to share pictures of my home. Anyone who has a passion for home decor knows that no home is ever truly "complete" ~ and that's a good thing! Searching for fun items to personalize your home is what makes it an exciting challenge. And now that I am no longer afraid of posting "unfinished" spaces, you can be sure I'll be posting a tour of our new/current apartment over the next few weeks.

So, what about you? Have you been afraid to post pictures of your home because it's not picture-perfect? In the words of Michael Jordan: Just do it!

I hope you're all enjoying your weekend. My plans for tomorrow include lounging by the pool with my husband and grilling out with friends. Hurray for beautiful summer weather!

Yippy Skippy!

2011-07-06T22:54:00.000-04:00

I won a $60 gift voucher to Be Still Homewares!!

Thanks, Fat Mum Slim, for the fabulous giveaway!

These are my favorites:

So, which one should I choose??

{In case you're wondering, this post is so belated because I have been a terrible blog follower and because I keep forgetting to check my blogger e-mail!}

Hello?

2011-06-30T21:14:00.000-04:00

Anyone still there? My apologies for being to absent from this little blog. Summer is seriously cramping my blogging style. This is because:

#1: Who the heck wants to sit in front of the computer, when it is freakin' gorgeous outside?!

#2: I could blog on my iPhone, but I'm too busy using it to play Words With Friends

Nevertheless, I'll try to be more consistent with my blogging over the next couple of weeks. Of course, I do have several beach trips and other adventures planned with my hottie of a husband...

...so I make no promises! ;)

HAPPY SUMMER!!!!

Sunshine

2011-06-28T19:42:00.001-04:00

Fabulous Frocks

2011-06-20T22:04:00.000-04:00

Here are a few articles of clothing, shoes, & accessories I've been drooling over:

old navy

target

gap

loft

old navy

target

jcrew

Oh, and I ended up buying that periwinkle bikini from Target! The color is unlike anything I currently have, and - miracle of miracles - the bottoms actually cover my ghetto bootie!

Brand Names

2011-06-18T16:52:00.002-04:00

With summer rapidly approaching {and summer weather already here ~ yay!}, I feel like we're spending more and more on groceries. Watermelon, corn on the cob, strawberries for shortcake ~ it all seems to add up! What doesn't help is that I am a notorious over-spender when it comes to groceries. So, my husband and I decided that he would do the grocery shopping from now on. That is fine with me because I despise grocery shopping! Plus, he always manages to spend half as much time and save twice as much money as I do. However, we can't compromise on are certain brand name items. Although there are TONS of things we have no problem buying generic, here are a few of our must-have brand name products:

Coca Cola

French's Mustard

Hellmann's Mayonnaise

A1 Steak Sauce

Heinz Ketchup

Apparently, we are big fans of expensive condiments!

What are some Brand Name items you just can't live without?

365 Challenge: 3.26-4.6

2011-06-12T14:18:00.004-04:00

Looking down on the city from the Philadelphia National Museum of Art

Great song at my brother-in-law's Baptismal Service

Relaxing at Starbucks after a long week

haha, I just love the sayings on A1 bottles

Goodwill finds, just waiting to be transformed

Pretty shipping tape

God's April Fool's joke on West Chester!

Saw this at the King of Prussia Mall

Date with my husband at the Market Street Grille

Lunch at Chubby Balboa's

Dinner at P.F. Chang's

Seeds planted by my Kindergarteners are beginning to grow!

To Do

2011-06-11T11:37:00.001-04:00

Now that the heat has finally let up, I can finally work on a project that's been on my kind for months! Here is my To Do list for today:

:: sand antique table
:: paint antique table
:: run, then empty dishwasher
:: fold & put away laundry
:: bake banana bread
:: unpack camping bag
:: buy groceries for Sunday's bball party
:: clean the master closet
:: bake chocolate chip cookies
:: redbox a new movie

OK, so that last one isn't a chore, but it is still something I want to do!

Do you have any projects up your sleeves for this lovely Saturday?

365 Challenge: 3.18-3.25

2011-06-09T19:08:00.004-04:00

New, curtains in the Living Room {thank you, Target clearance section!}

My newlywed sister, the little housewife

Happy first day of Spring!

Target's Turkey Hill Farms Spinach & Goat Cheese Pizza is my favorite go-to dinner item when the hubby has to work late!

Pretty flowering trees near our apartment

Narnia?

At long last! My vanity...transformation details coming soon, I promise!!

Roses from my College Graduation a few years back, Ball jar from Deb

Anniversary Gifts

2011-05-31T19:01:00.003-04:00

A few months before our 1 year wedding anniversary, the husband and I decided that we would buy each other "traditional" gifts each year. With our 3 year wedding anniversary gift coming up this Monday, I decided to share the official list:

Traditional Anniversary Gifts by Year:

First: Paper
Second: Coton

Third: Leather
Fourth: Fruit or Flowers
Fifth: Wood
Sixth: Candy or Iron
Seventh: Wool or Copper
Eight Bronze or Pottery
Ninth: Pottery
Tenth: Tin
Eleventh: Steel
Twelfth: Silk or Linen
Thirteenth: Lace
Fourteenth: Ivory
Fifteenth: Crystal
Twentieth: China
Twenty-Fifth: Silver
Thirtieth: Pearls
Thirty-Fifth: Coral
Fortieth: Ruby
Forty-Fifth: Sapphire
Fiftieth: Gold
Fifty-Fifth: Emerald
Sixtieth: Diamond

For our 1 year anniversary, I gave him coupons for an amusement park {paper} and a leather-bound journal {paper}. He gave me the entire Twilight Series {paper}.

Last year, I gave him 2 shirts from j.crew {cotton} and he surprised me with this pillow {cotton} I had been drooling over for months:

Gorgeous, huh? He went onto my blog and sneakily found out the exact name/style so he could order it online, but THEN they were out of stock so he somehow managed to find it at some other random site. I think I'll keep him. :)

The traditional gift for this year is supposed to be leather. I was racking my brain for literally months, trying to think of something leather that he'd actually want. So, when it finally came to me, it was such a huge relief because he is really going to love this gift! I'll be sure to post pics next week.

hmm...I wonder what he'll be giving me? Oh well, I guess I'll have to wait and find out on Monday! But that's OK because I LOVE surprises!

Do you and your spouse give each other traditional gifts? If so, what are some gifts you have given and received in the past?

Dreamy Kitchen

2011-05-23T23:08:00.000-04:00

Lately, I've been so busy working on my new photography website that I've neglected this poor little blog! Although this week promises to keep me just as busy, I'll do my best to post more often. Here is one of my faaaavorite kitchens by Candice Olsen. That window seat is my idea of heaven!

365 Challenge: 3.8-3.17

2011-05-18T20:58:00.001-04:00

New additions to the Guest Room

Leftover "Jade Sea" from our old Master transformed this $4 Goodwill find

Spring is coming...

Exploring Nature

I heart Philadelphia

Sleepy Sleeperson

A quick after-work dinner

Philadelphia architecture

A sweet gift from a fellow blogger's etsy shop

teeny tiny tub of goodness

P.S. New wedding pics on the blog and even newer maternity pics on facebook!

Summer Dresses

2011-05-14T10:21:00.002-04:00

Did anyone else have a blog post from earlier this week disappear, never to return? I know blogger was having some problems, but I thought all of the posts that were deleted were supposed to have been updated by now? Hmm curiouser and curiouser...

I am about to go do a Maternity Photo shoot. Please, please pray that the rain holds off, at least until this afternoon!

The hubs and I are going to a Wine Festival in Maryland with some friends, tomorrow. I thought the event required a cute, new dress, and I convinced Ben that I would make sure to buy one that I'd wear throughout the summer. Target was my chosen location because they had the biggest variety and there is one 5 minutes from where I work {so I could try on dresses during my lunch break} and 10 minutes from our house {so I could try one on after work, since instead of buying a dress during my lunch break, I got STUCK in a dress and almost had to ask the sales lady to come help me...}. Here were my options:

#10

Can you guess which one I chose?

Mom...

2011-05-08T15:26:00.003-04:00

I am blessed to have a truly amazing mother. She is godly, sweet, loving, supportive, honest, encouraging...the list goes on and on!

from left: Mom, my little sister Rachel, & me

Happy Mother's Day to my beautiful Mom and to all of you other wonderful mothers!

via

Blog Love: 5.6

2011-05-06T22:04:00.005-04:00

Here's what I've been loving lately...

This office has the perfect combination of color and pattern.

Have you taken the virtual tour of Amy Butler's gorgeous home? Pretty, yet cozy.

I love the idea of making your own soy candles for a wedding, or even any other fun event.

I'm so glad to have Freckles Chick back in the blogosphere! Her witty posts have left a void in my google reader.

This frugal kitchen proves that it just takes creativity & imagination to successfully decorate on a budget.

You know I'll be making my own version of this DIY case for my new iPhone.

Go watch this video of Emily telling her kids that they're having another baby. Hilarious!

Nicole's new laundry room has me re-thinking my usual dislike of powder blue.

So, what have you been loving lately?

iPhone!!!

2011-05-03T23:47:00.002-04:00

During my lunch break, my husband surprised me with an iPhone 3G!!! I had a POS phone that came for free with his iPhone. Now, my phone is so amazing, I can't even handle it! I've literally spent hours downloading apps, browsing everyone and their mother's facebook, checking my e-mail, surfing the web...I feel like bursting into song! "A whole new world...".

So, if I don't post for awhile, it's because I have turned into this:

Sad, yet true. I am officially obsessed.

My Top 5 favorite apps thus far:

facebook
Holy Bible
USA Today
TMZ
Groupon

Now I just have to figure out how I can convince my husband to let me spend $55 on one of these beauties:

Swoon!

Are any of you iPhone lovers like myself?

Turquoise Chevron Kitchen

2011-04-26T20:00:00.000-04:00

We live in an apartment in a quiet little suburb called West Chester, just outside Philadelphia. Although I love our kitchen's open floor plan and granite countertops, the white walls and cupboards make it feel a little on the bland side. We don't want to paint, so I'd like to integrate color {my favorite shade of turquoise} and patterns {chevron, of course} to help spice it up a bit {no pun intended}. Here are some of my ideas:

utensil holder :: anthro

tumbler :: west elm

Could be used as a vase or as a small utensil holder.

tea towels :: etsy

milliken rug :: csn stores

My husband is not a fan of having a rug in the kitchen...but this one might be too fabulous to pass up!

l'epice jar :: anthro

Would be cute individually or as a set.

limmaren bottles :: IKEA

I was thinking I could use 1 for dish soap, 1 for balsamic vinegar, and 1 for olive oil. Thoughts?

mini latte bowls :: anthro

What do you think? Any other recommendations for personalizing an aparment kitchen?

It's not about a bunny...

2011-04-23T19:14:00.003-04:00

Happy Easter!

365 Challenge: 3.1-3.7

2011-04-21T20:37:00.001-04:00

I cannot believe I have a 3-day weekend! I literally skipped all the way from the car to the apartment {I wonder what my neighbors thought?). Oh, and then I ran (again, literally) back outside with my camera because I could not resist taking a zillion photos of the cherry blossoms that practically blossomed overnight! Those pics to come soon, but until then...

Godiva Chocolate Cheesecake from TCF

New drapery rings for the Living Room curtains

Formerly yellow/orange vanity after 2 coats of gray paint {makevoer pics coming soon!}

Rags used for cleaning up great-grandma's antique table

Exploring the Reading Terminal Market in Center City, Philadelphia

My absolute favorite thing from Panera: Tomato & Mozzarella Panini

Love the coffee, but the new logo...eh, not so much

Philadelphia Doors

2011-04-19T21:47:00.002-04:00

I am fortunate to live less than an hour away from the beautiful city of Philadelphia. During a trip into the city with some friends, I stumbled upon some gorgeous doors and entry-ways. Enjoy!

IKEA Snobs

2011-04-16T18:40:00.002-04:00

Why do some people have such disdain for IKEA? They sell chic, contemporary and - the best part - economical products. Yes, some of the furniture can be a bit flimsy. However, there are several items that have proven to be versatile and long-lasting. Plus, with items sold at 1/4 the average cost of its high-end competitors, IKEA seems to be an excellent alternative. Check out these fabulous, affordable IKEA pieces from a few of my favorite bloggers.

butcher block {sanded + painted turquoise = LOVE} :: jennifer johner

karl sofa :: young house love

bjursta table :: love and lace

expedit shelves :: live creating yourself

At long last, here is a picture of our beloved Mongstad mirror from IKEA, now residing in our Master Bedroom.

It is massive and we love it!

What are your thoughts on this admittedly Walmart-esque home decor giant?

Photography Blog

2011-04-14T21:35:00.000-04:00

Check out the new post over at my photography blog:

View full album on facebook.

365 Challenge: 2.21-2.28

2011-04-13T19:48:00.004-04:00

Apparently, I really enjoy taking pictures of food...

homemade banana bread

I am officially addicted to Starbucks coffee

Grandma Codner's recipe for homemade stew, mmm...

Vanilla Chai Latte + J.Crew jammies + an episode of "Friends" = the perfect way to end a day

Date night with the husband at one of our favorite local restaurants

One of the many vendors at the Reading Terminal Market in Philadelphia, PA

French Toast ~ my secret recipe :)

My new obsession: Spinach & Artichoke Dip

365 Challenge: 2.12-2.21

2011-04-02T13:31:00.002-04:00

More 365 Challenge...

mmm homemade Garlic Shrimp

Stuffed French Toast from Market Street Grill in downtown West Chester

Happy Valentine's Day!

{Homemade Belgian Waffles ~ recipe coming soon!}

A day in the life of a Kindergarten Teacher...

There's nothing like a "Get Well Soon" giraffe to make you instantly feel better

Lesson plans, lesson plans, and more lesson plans

{These binders are my favorite. I heart Target's organizational wizardry!}

This belongs to one of my students who just moved here from China.

She barely speaks any English, but she loved having her little keepsake photographed.

Saturday afternoon date with my sister, and her fabulous wallet

I wonder how many times I visit Starbucks each month?

House Guests

2011-03-30T23:12:00.000-04:00

We have been having lots of house guests lately {8 in the past 3 weeks!}, which has kept me very busy {exploring downtown Philadelphia, shopping at IKEA and the King of Prussia Mall, etc.} and far away from the computer.

However, this weekend, we will be visitor-free for the first time in almost a month, so stay tuned for more detailed posts!

Isn't that quote above the bed adorable? I'd love something similar for our guest room!

Pop Culture: Elizabeth Taylor

2011-03-24T19:32:00.002-04:00

I only ever wrote one "Pop Culture" post, but it seemed only fitting to reinstate the feature in light of yesterday's tragedy. I cannot believe Elizabeth Taylor passed away. She was a true Hollywood Icon and she will be dearly missed...

crafting :)

I'll never forget the first time I watched National Velvet...I wanted to be Velvet Brown.

World Water Day :: 3.22

2011-03-22T00:00:00.012-04:00

I never think about how simple it is to turn on the faucet, fill up my Brita filter, and have a cold, refreshing glass of water.

I don't think about the gallon of water I use each time I brush my teeth, the 10 gallons I use for each load of laundry, or the 20 gallons I use each time I run the dishwasher.

Can you imagine having to think about how you are going to get just one small cup of clean drinking water?

One third of all handpumps installed in the last twenty years in developing countries are now broken. And 4,000 children die every day because of lack of clean drinking water. We feel that’s unacceptable. So we’re thinking differently.

Instead of drilling more wells, we’re using our charitable gifts for something revolutionary – to train and employ handpump mechanics. The mechanics earn an income, bringing themselves out of poverty, and they save lives – turning water back on for thousands of people each year.

{via}

I challenge each of my readers to give just $20 to help these people in India.

{ Click here to donate }

100% of every donation is tax-deductable, and will support The Adventure Project’s Keep It Clean Campaign for India.

Go change the world...

original photo {via} edited by me

Anthro Bridal

2011-03-17T19:27:00.001-04:00

I have to be honest...I have mixed feelings about Anthropologie's new Bridal Collection, BHLDN. They just look a little too unrealistic. It seems like they were aiming for "vintage" but achieved "grandma's hand-me-downs". There are a few dresses that may be doable, but the rest have me wondering if brides who do select them are going to look at their wedding pictures a few years down the road and exclaim "OH MY GOSH, why did my bridesmaids let me do this?!?!?"

However, here are a few dresses that I do think are pretty cute:

And although I'm not particularly fond of their wedding dresses, I love love love their accessories! Here are some of their lovely goods:

They even have lingerie!

What are your thoughts on the BHLDN line?

Does anyone else think that B-H-L-D-N is way too long of a name to be catchy? ;)

Fabulous Finds { 3.15 }

2011-03-15T22:32:00.001-04:00

chevron bath towels :: kohls

latus candleholder :: cb2

melamine dinnerware :: target

mimosa drapery panels :: zgallerie

nyc stamps :: west elm

square mosaic chargers :: target

ribbon stationary :: minted

domino book of decorating :: amazon

chevron panels :: west elm

Bedroom Vanity: Hardware

2011-03-12T15:24:00.001-05:00

About a year ago, my mom gave me this mustard-colored, bamboo piece of furniture that she used in her kitchen:

It spent several months masquerading as a desk in our office:

However, I decided that, with its hidden mirror, it would be much better-suited as a vanity in our Master Bedroom.

So, I painted it a soft, dove gray color and it looks MUCH better {pics coming soon!}, but I'd like to update the hardware to something more contemporary. Here are what I'm considering:

1. Arthurian ~ anthro

2. Acrylic ~ target

3. Cocktail Ring ~ anthro

4. Satin Nickel ~ bed bath & beyond

5. Keyhole ~ anthro

6. Bauble ~ anthro

7. Alexandra ~ anthro

8. Liberty Satin Nickel ~ Walmart

9. Bubble ~ anthro

10. Mercury Glass Melon ~ anthro

Please let me know your thoughts/suggestions.

Blog Love: 3.8

2011-03-08T19:44:00.002-05:00

Some fabulous things I've stumbled upon this week in Blogland...

Ooooh I would love to have a craft space like that!

This is one smoothie I'll definitely be trying.

A photographer and an amazing decorator? Color me jealous!

Check out this fabulous basement makeover by Alice Lane. After everything Stephanie{of NieNie Dialogues} and her precious family have gone through, it's so nice that they have this lovely space to enjoy.

I'll admit it: souffles intimidate me. But with these ridiculously specific directions, I think that even I could make a delicious chocolate souffle without totally screwing it up...maybe.

I could easily spend all day in this beautiful office {be sure to check out her gorgeous kitchen as well!}.

Once I get an iPhone, I'll definitely be purchasing one of these fabulous cases {oh chevron, how I love thee!}.

This girl is as full of profanity as she is of witty anecdotes...AND she can decorate!

The London Fog looks delicious & sounds like the perfect companion to a chilly, Winter evening.

Weekly Menu: 3.7-3.13

2011-03-07T20:08:00.001-05:00

I often make weekly menus. They help me plan what groceries to buy, and ensure that I'll use up all of my groceries {avoiding the "hmm...I wonder how long have these carrots been in the 'fridge?" dilemma}. I like to start my menus out on Monday since I feel like that is when the work week begins.

Weekly menus also come in handy when company is coming. My sister-in-law will be staying with us this week, and I've come up with a menu that I hope she enjoys. Here it is:

How do you plan for meals? Do you do weekly or monthly menus?

Sneak Peek

2011-03-06T14:06:00.001-05:00

What a busy Saturday! Painting, painting, and more painting ~ and I'm still not finished! It's been loads of fun, though; I love a good DIY project! Later on this week, I'll be writing a full post on the weekend's events, including pictures of my projects. Until then, here is a sneak peek:

Randomness: Check out this trailer for Water for Elephants.

Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon?? Yes, please!

More of my 365 Challenge photos...

My hot husband, posing in the snow.

A white chocolate mocha from Starbucks is one of my absolute favorite things.

Ben just had to have these boots from J.Crew...now I can see why! They're so fabulous, even guys comment on them.

My Dolce & Gabbana sunglasses, purchased in Miami Beach.

{while in town for my sister, Rachel's, beach wedding}

mmm Wings to Go!

A delicious shake from Cheeburger Cheeburger.

365 Challenge: 1.30-2.5

2011-03-03T21:30:00.000-05:00

I can't believe tomorrow is Friday! Don't you just love it when the weekdays fly right by? My plan for this weekend is to spend all of Saturday working on DIY projects around the house. We have family & friends coming to visit almost every weekend from next weekend until the end of April, so I'd like to have everything done ASAP. We'll see how that goes!

My apologies for being so far behind on the 365 Challenge. Although I've been consistently taking pictures every day, I've been an utter failure at editing and uploading them to my blog. So, bear with me as I try to catch up!

Cozy Pottery Barn pillow-covers & throw at my sister's casa.

Cute little napkins.

The canvas I gave my sister & her husband for Christmas.

{one of their Engagement Pictures I took this past Fall}

Our dream house...only $1.3 million, give or take a few hundred thousand. ;)

My $4 jeans from NY& Company...yes, four dollars.

gray + coach = perfection

{a surprise Christmas gift from the husband}

An antique table that belonged to my great-grandmother.

I can't wait to refinish it!

Academy Awards 2011

2011-02-28T19:56:00.007-05:00

Ummm...am I the only one who liked the Oscars?? I thought Anne Hathaway was surprisingly funny. And what's not to love about James Franco? Sure, he was a tad on the serious side, but that's only because he was ridiculously nervous. And not only was he presenting, but he was also a nominee ~ give the guy a break! I also LOVED the Inception Satire Dream Sequence at the beginning. Also, anything with Alec Baldwin is guaranteed to make me laugh. I don't know, maybe the yummy food I made for our little two-person party {Spinach & Artichoke Dip, Italian Meatballs, etc.} helped me enjoy the ceremony? Oh, and Kirk Douglas' speech was hilarious ~ that little old man is too cute! Moving right along...

I really wanted Inception to take home Best Picture of the Year, but as I have yet to see The King's Speech, I can't be too upset about the win. However, I was thrilled when Christian Bale won for Best Supporting Actor in The Fighter. Not only was the movie incredible, but Bale's portrayal of Dicky was uncanny. If you haven't seen the movie ~ go watch it!

Although I don't think there were any drop-dead gorgeous dresses, there were several that are certainly worth mentioning. I'm a big fan of neutral-colored, ethereal, dresses, as you'll see by my top picks:

Halle Berry, in my favorite dress of the evening.

Melissa Leo

OK, I realize that every hated Melissa Leo's dress...but I loved it! The lace was really unique and the slit made it a little more modern. Side-note: It was refreshing to hear such sincerity in an acceptance speech.

Mila Kunis

I also loved her earrings!

David Siedler

{Won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay ~ The King's Speech}

Hilary Swank

How can you not adore Robert Downey Jr.?

And Jude Law makes the perfect sidekick.

Can't wait for Sherlock Holmes 2!

Helen Miren

Mandy Moore

Kim Kardashian

OK, so she wasn't technically at the Oscars. However, she did attend Elton John's After-Party, looking as fabulous as ever.

Anne Hathaway

And my least favorite looks of the evening:

Kate Blanchet.

From the waist down, the dress is OK. From the waist up...I have no words.

Heidi Klum

Just because you can wear anything you want, doesn't mean you should.

I really have no idea what Christian Bale is wearing...I just can't stop looking at that nasty beard!

Check out these pictures from the Oscar After-parties; the one of Liv & Steve Tyler is my favorite!

{and I wonder if Justin Bieber even knows who Mick Jagger is...}

I'll leave you with a classic Oscar Winner of the past:

So, share your favorite fashion and moments from the Oscars ~ and least favorites, of course!

365 Challenge: 1.22-1.29

2011-02-26T20:32:00.001-05:00

My sister & brother-in-law's wedding cake at their New York reception.

{2 weeks after their wedding on the beach in Miami}

My mom's chihuahua, Lucy. :)

A free sample of Starbucks' Signature Hot Chocolate and Harry Potter ~ an unbeatable combination!

The husband and I are officially obsessed with Backgammon.

Homemade chocolate-chip, banana pancakes, mmm...

I just can't get enough of the pretty snow!

More prettiness...

My sister's adorable foxhound, Daisy, spying on the neighbors.

Blog Love: 2.23

2011-02-23T21:04:00.002-05:00

I already downloaded one of these chic calendars from Red Stamp.

My heart skipped a beat when I saw these gorgeous textiles from Coco Cozy.

I'll definitely be using some of these ideas for our Academy Awards party.

Check out this fun and eclectic home featured over at 6th Street Design School.

This stunning entry had me at hello!

365 Challenge: 1.17-1.21

2011-02-21T21:02:00.002-05:00

"Why the heck is that camera pointed at me?"

A beautiful piece of pottery made by one of our friends & given to us on our 1 year anniversary

It's the little things :)

The beginning of a snow storm...

{view from our deck}

...and the results the following morning

Warmth

2011-02-20T16:21:00.000-05:00

The latter part of this week was unseasonably warm. However, temperatures dropped back down to the thirties today and they promise to stay that way through the upcoming week. Though I'd welcome a snowstorm {there's nothing like a nice, blustery day to view through the window while you're drinking hot cocoa}, that brief glimpse of spring has me wishing we could spend some time outside. That darn groundhog said Spring was coming soon, but I'm not sure I believe him. For now, I'll be daydreaming of warmer climates...

The husband and I, on our honeymoon in Jamaica almost 3 years ago

Valentine's Day

2011-02-12T20:47:00.000-05:00

My dear husband has to work on Valentine's Day, so we will be celebrating a day early. It will actually end up working out perfectly, because instead of just going out to dinner together after work, we will be able to spend an entire day together. :)

I'll be back later on this week with more 365 Challenge photos. In the meantime, enjoy these inspiration pics that remind me of Valentine's Day...

Happy Valentine's Day! :)

Mirror, Mirror

2011-02-07T21:23:00.005-05:00

I've been drooling over the Mongstad mirror from IKEA for literally years...

Ah, sixty inches of contemporary perfection...

For some strange reason, I always thought it was $200, so I never gave it a second glance {I buy all of my mirrors second-hand, usually for $10 or less}. However, I just found out the other day that it's only $99!! And for such a massive mirror, I consider that a steal! Much thanks to my brother-in-law, who gave me a $50 gift card to IKEA for Christmas, I will now be purchasing this little {well, BIG} gem for our Master Bedroom.

It will be great because the mirror we now have is one of those inexpensive ones from Target. It's fine for 5'5" me, but not so great for my 6'2" husband! Plus, the mirror we currently have is much too small for the space, and hanging art above the mirror just didn't feel right...so the Mongstad will be the perfect solution!

I'll be sure to post pics of the new mirror as soon as we pick it up!

Have you made any exciting purchases lately?

FYI I am still trying to catch up on posting pics for the 365 Challenge...

a Christmas gift from a co-worker...LOVE the spoon-holder!

Benj, arriving home from work late one chilly Winter evening

An antique plate that belonged to my great-grandma

{can you spy our current, teeny mirror propped up against the wall?}

More 365 Challenge

2011-02-02T20:34:00.001-05:00

Our flight from Miami Beach to Philadelphia {wow, I'm glad I'm not a pilot}.

Can you guess our favorite TV show?

My new favorite scent from Yankee Candle

This is what happens when you lose your keys and can't check the mail for 2 weeks.

Some sparkly winter decor around our home

A thoughtful gift from my mom

{pictures of our newly organized Guest Room/Office closet coming soon!}