Home Updates.

Holy forever it's been since I've posted to this poor blog.  I love it for so many reasons, so I'm going to try to get back at it!

Life has been absolutely crazy.  Just insane.  In mostly good ways, of course.  I've taken on some really fun & challenging new design projects, started working with an amazing new designer, have had family visits, traveled to see some dear friends, decorated the house, started Winslow in swim class, started exercising again... oh my goodness, the list goes on and on but I will spare you.

With all that is on my plate, we're still settling into our new home and working on projects here and there.  Since the first couple months were spent amongst the contractors painting and repairing and ripping up and installing, I don't think we had 30 seconds to stop and realize how incredibly lucky we are to call this home ours.  After searching for 7 months, we found her and she's absolutely perfect.  So, so blessed.

A couple updates to the house...

Added a mantel.

The living room fireplace before we covered the sweet little cut out with a TV (broke my heart but Hubbs HAD to have it!) and added the gas fireplace (because this icebox was built in 1918 )...

After, with the TV and fireplace...

Oh, Mr. Fireplace installer, we need a mantel to prevent the TV from melting?!  Thanks for the heads up.  Does cardboard work?  And yes, that's The Notebook :)

So thankful to have a friend like Travis at Reclaimed Design Works to help us pick out our mantel.  Such a cool showroom, I could hang out there all day, dreaming of ways to cover our home in this stuff!

We wanted something that wasn't wimpy but would fit in the small space under the TV and not take away from the tile work.  Here she is, off an old barn in Upstate NY :)  In all her glory... love, love love!

Built a walk-in closet.

The master bedroom had a beautiful sitting room off the bathroom, surrounded by windows and bright sunlight...  So beautiful.

BUT it only gave us a 4x4 closet to share.  Obvi that wasn't going to work!  So we closed up the wall to that teeny tiny closet and combined it with Winslow's room to create a bigger walk in for her.  Because every 1 year old needs a walk in closet, ha.  We threw down some carpet and designed a shelving layout that would work in that space while still allowing some sunlight to come through...

I love this space so much it's ridiculous...

Cozied up the breakfast nook.

Our kitchen is white.  Very white.  White walls, white marble counters, open white shelves, white chandelier.  And we love it!  But the breakfast nook, where we surprisingly eat a lot of meals, and its white cafe curtains, white bench and white chairs needed some coziness.

Nothing a thick grey/white striped cushion and bright pillows couldn't handle!

Custom cushions - Denver Upholstery | Pillows - West Elm

Next on the list... landscaping, putting up some artwork and decorating the basement.  Oye!


We already have so many special memories in the short 7 months we've been here, I can't WAIT to see what else goes down in this place!

Upholstery Heaven.

I have died and gone to reupholstery heaven.  Check out the before and after pictures from this beautiful arm chair passed down to us about a year ago.  The chair has the most amazing details, so I knew once we found the right fabric combo it would be such a special piece.  She arrived earlier this week and I'm so in love...

BEFORE

AFTER

We have quite a few patterns going on in our living room, with a saturated oriental rug, chevron ottoman and mediterranean tiled fireplace.  I wanted something simple and classic, so I picked a super soft and scrumptious Robert Allen cream velvet.  (Hubs, thinks I'm nuts with a dog and 15 month old! And I might be.)

Chunky throw and ombre pillow - WestElm

But I still wanted to do something unique with it, so check out her back side.  Surprise!!  I can't get enough of this navy and cream ikat print (found at DenverFabrics.com).

And the details... LOVE...

I just wish we were allowed to sit on this :)

Bring on 2013!

It's always a sad day when the Christmas decorations come down and get packed away till next year.  Although, I plan to talk hubby into leaving them up till Easter :) 

We've had a wonderful, relaxing and very memorable Christmas week here in Harbor Springs, MI.  We skyped with Rochester, Bangkok and Cape Town.  Winslow met  Santa (and screamed in his face), went sledding & ice luging, played in the snow, rode a 2-horse open sleigh, met a dog sled team and slept/ate like a champ while up here.  Fingers crossed for an exhausted babe on our flight home tomorrow!

I'm sad to see this holiday season fly by, but I'm excited for 2013.  This was a HUGE year for us... from watching Winslow grow from a teeny lil peanut to a strong willed, smart little lady to buying our first home to travels to building our businesses. I've loved every minute of it, especially being Winslow's mom. (And, my gosh, have I learned a lot about myself!)  I've started my list of goals and I'm ready to start checking them off.  Bring on 2013 :)

Happy New Year!!  Be safe.

  

Chocolate Chip Meringues

Chocolate Chip Meringues... they're as amazing as they sound.  And SO, so easy.  

Ingredients

4 egg whites, warmed in the shell (submerge whole eggs in shell in warm water)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp cream of tartar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup super fine baking sugar

8 oz semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 225 degrees.  In a medium bowl, beat egg whites, salt, cream of tartar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually add sugar (1 tbsp every 5 seconds) and continue to beat until meringue is stiff and glossy, about 1.5 minutes more.  Gently fold in chocolate chips...

Drop meringue by 1/4 cup dollops onto parchment-lined baking sheets...

Bake until dry and just golden brown, about 1 to 1.5 hours.  Let cool on baking sheets.  (Be careful not to burn, continue to check on them after an hour!)

And that's it.  So simple!

Give a little extra love to the packaging and you've got a really an easy and decadent gift for the holidays!

stella & dot arrived!

I'm completely swooning over this bracelet and ring from stella & dot that just arrived in the mail...

I'm a sucker for great packaging and they do a GREAT job.  I almost don't want to throw these boxes away.  Is that weird?!

Gift Guide: Winter White & Gold

I love all of the gift guides out there this time of year, so I thought I'd put one together.  Gifts should be thoughtful and fun... special things that make them smile and think of you years later!  These are some of my favs, in stunning winter white and gold...

Zara Studded Stretch Belt | $19.90
Free People Crochet Fleece Armwarmer | $38
Lulu Off The Mat Jacket | $178
J.CREW Giant Bow Sweater | 98
Madewell ID Cuff Bracelet | $28
Anthropologie Giltwork Pin-Fringe Clutch | $78

Hope this helps cross someone special off your list!

{ Photo Credit: zara.com, freepeople.com, lululemon.com, jcrew.com, madewell.com, anthropologie.com }

Lemon Ricotta Cookies

After a good friend made these for a pre-Thanksgiving gathering, I couldn't stop thinking about them. So naturally, I decided to make them again for a dinner party just a couple days later.  Light, moist (sorry!), delicious and the perfect amount of lemon and sweetness.  Try them.  Seriously.

Cookie Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp salt

1 stick unsalted butter, softened

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 (15 oz) container whole milk ricotta cheese

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

Glaze Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

3 tbsp lemon juice

1 lemon, zested

Directions:

In a medium bowl combine the flour, baking powder and salt.  Set aside

In the large bowl combine the butter and sugar.  Using an electric mixer, beat the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.  Add the eggs, 1 at a time, beating until incorporated.  Add the ricotta cheese, lemon juice and lemon zest.  Beat to combine.  Stir in the dry ingredients.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.  Spoon the dough (about 2 tbsp each) onto the baking sheets.  Bake for 15 minutes, until slightly golden at the edges.  Remove from the oven and let the cookies rest on the baking sheet for 20 minutes.

For the glaze, combine the powdered sugar, lemon juice and lemon zest in a small bowl and stir until smooth.  Spoon about 1/2 tsp onto each cookie and use the back of the spoon to gently spread, or drizzle on top.  Let the glaze harden for about 2 hours. 

___

They'll be a hit at your upcoming holiday party... I promise.

{ Photo Credit: thepickycook.com }

 

Kaua'i Love.

Although they really should have met years before, I watched two dear friends fall in love the moment they shook hands.  It was at a Lady Antibellum concert a couple summers ago and the rest is history.  Seriously inseparable and so beautifully perfect for each other.  I couldn't be more excited for them to get married along the pristine waters of Kaua'i this Spring.

It meant so much to me, to be asked to create their Save The Dates.  Here they are, and as you can see, the images I had to work with made this project way too easy.  Could they be any hotter?! :)

Love you two so much.  Can't wait to celebrate!!

Sequins & Glitter for the Holidays!

It's officially holiday party season!  Is there anything better than dressing up with a little extra flare than normal to celebrate the holidays?!  My "go to" has been red lipstick, glittery/dark nails and my new favorite heels...

Shoes | Zara (no longer available online)
Nails | OPI Lincoln Park After Dark and Only Gold For Me
Lips | Sephora Rouge #R03

Let's be honest... you can't ever really go wrong with anything shiny and sparkly mixed with other fun textures.  How amazing is this gold sequin peplum top paired with a pair of navy velvet skinnies and an extra fab statement necklace?

Top | Piperlime $79
Bottoms | Anthropologie $98
Necklace | JCrew $165

I can't even begin to talk about these.  Emerald suede and silver glitter?!  Ugh, just love.

Booties | Rachel Roy $297

What are your "go to" pieces for the holidays?!

{ Photo Credit: piperlime.com, anthropologie.com, jcrew.com, neimanmarcus.com }

San Diego Thanksgiving.

I hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving, reflecting on all they're thankful for!!  Sometimes we all need a reminder how ridiculously blessed we are.  I'm thankful for the tradition of meeting family and friends in San Diego, to spend this holiday together.  Unfortunately I left my camera behind, so here are a bunch of pics... Instagram style.

We arrive.  Winslow makes herself at home!

Reunited with her bestie, Kenzie!

Daddy repairing Winslow beloved Bunny.  And a pair of teeny tiny sneaks :)

Hot air balloon ride above and the view from my work spot.  Reading by the patio fire... must be nice :)

Always inspired by the decor at The Grand. Wall of ribbon for Winslow's nursery?!

Boo in mommy's necklace.  Drinks at L'Auberge.  Epic night in Del Mar :)  Beautiful view.

Thanksgiving Day brunch.  Winslow loving her "leg" painting :)

The crew for picture time!  Winslow playing in/eating the sand.

Visit to Bull Taco.

After a rough day for Boo, she's back in action!

Goofball!

Checking out the decor before the big party.

Santa?!  Where you at?

Close look at the tree.  And an attempt at a Christmas card photo.

And that's all folks!