As of Lately....

Here's a view of what I've been up to lately through the eyes of Instagram! 

It seems like I was gone on vacation forever! We left 2 weeks ago and started the adventure in Nashville for my cousin's wedding. My niece went along to help with Ava and we all had fun shopping, sight seeing, hitting local hot spots, hanging with family, and taking in the Nashville vibe! Stopping by The Bluebird Cafe was a must since we are both huge fans of the show "NASHVILLE." 

The only thing I was disappointed by was that we didn't see any country music stars! I really could of used a Luke Bryan sighting! 

After Nashville we jetted off on a brutal 6 am flight to Nevis in the French West Indies. Once there, and after 6 hours of plane sleeping, it was worth it! The island was so lush and tropical! A vacay to a warm climate was much needed.

I have many more pictures I will share with you soon of the beautiful island and some of our crazy adventures! 

And, if you want to follow me on Instagram, here I am! Come along and see what I'm up to!

My Updated Entry

It's been a while since you've seen my home so I thought I'd share my updated entry with you. Technically, the update occurred months ago, but I finally got around to photographing it. I can't not even begin to tell you how many times this space has drastically changed. You can't tell from the pictures, but there is a ton of wall space and the ceilings are extremely tall. My challenge has been finding the right scale of items so it doesn't look bare.

One day I hope to extend my gray paint beyond the kitchen and add warmth to this area too. For now, I'm really enjoying how well this space integrates with the rest of my home and I of course love the color palette since it includes pink, black and gray!

The rug is from Rugs USA and I love how durable it is as well as the pattern and color. I scored this beauty during one of their 75% off sales! The space was definitely able to accommodate a large rug and we needed more coverage by the front door!

Hopefully I can continue to enjoy this space and I won't get an itch to switch things up for a long time!

Get Social Sunday

Welcome to the 22nd edition of Get Social Sunday hosted by A Lived in Home! I'm still away enjoying the surf, sun, and sand! The party must go on though while I'm gone!! 

Thank you to everyone that continues to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! There are so many awesome projects out there! I want to see what you've been up to! 

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy! 

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Frugal Friday Find

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I've seen this Threshold throw from Target all over Instagram and Pinterest and couldn't help purchasing one for my home as well! It had me at herringbone and gray! Plus, you can't beat $39.99!

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Serena and Lily's version of the herringbone throw is $250! I'm sure it's so soft and luxurious, and I love the tassel ends, but for that price, I could get all new bedding! 

Have you seen Target's version? Maybe you've even picked one up. 

The Colors of Winter

Marci from Stone Cottage Adventures was sweet enough to guest post today while I'm away on vacation. Check out her blog if sewing, crafts, and recipes are up your alley. 

The colors of Spring are so vibrant.  Do you think we would appreciate them as much without the greys and taupes of winter?  The cold sky is crimson and the soil is at rest. 

Our guest bedroom was recently revamped on a cold Winter's eve inspired by the colors of these quiet, dark months.  (For other guest room posts, click  here and there.)

The color palette is very subdued with touches of white and just a nod to Valentine's Day. 

Our winter wedding color was evergreen.  The flower arrangements held ivy mixed with roses that were champagne and white.  My groom wore a black tuxedo.  Interpreting our wedding into throw pillows made my heart smile.  ;-)   

This will be the twenty-seventh time I've celebrated Valentine's Day with Handsome Husband.  I so hope we will have at least twenty-seven more!

Sleds have been pulled from their dusty hiding places.  Perhaps they will be tugged along with the laughter of children this winter.

 Wedding photos and love birds have snuggled into a shelf with a bouquet of white roses.



An evergreen shimmers with frost and reflects the sunrise.

What color is winter to you?  Does it make you think of ivy, wedding bells and white roses?

;-)  -Marci

Sweet Treats for Valentines

Hi Everyone! I'm so happy to have the opportunity to guest blog for Megan while she is away! My name is Amanda Kuzak and I am a professional organizer from the San Francisco Bay Area. My blog, Kuzak's Closet, features my adventures in organizing as well as my adventures in life. In my free time I spend my time in my kitchen and today I wanted to share a few sweet recipes for Valentine's Day. Sometimes simple is better, and these chocolate sour cream cupcakes with buttercream frosting are no exception. Let's be honest, who doesn't love a chocolate cupcake with rich chocolate frosting? They are SO delicious, you won't ever want to use a box cake mix again! Chances are you have most of the ingredients in your pantry already so get to work!

Chocolate Sour Cream Cupcakes

Ingredients 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour ½ teaspoon baking soda ½ teaspoon baking powder ¼ teaspoon salt ½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature 1 ¼ cups sugar 2 large eggs 1 teaspoon vanilla extract ½ cup sour cream ½ cup water Directions Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl or the top of a double boiler and place it over, but not touching, a saucepan of barely simmering water (or the bottom of the double boiler). Stir until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Remove from the water and set aside to cool slightly. Sift the flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt into a medium bowl and set aside. In a large bowl, using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the butter and sugar until smoothly blended and creamy, about 2 minutes. Stop the mixer and scrape the sides of the bowl as needed during mixing. On low speed, mix in the melted chocolate. On medium speed, add the eggs one at a time, mixing until each is blended into the batter. Add the vanilla and beat until the mixture looks creamy and the color has lightened slightly, about 1 minute. Mix in the sour cream until no white streaks remain. On low speed, add half of the flour mixture mixing just to incorporate it. Mix in the water. Mix in the remaining flour mixture until it is incorporated and the batter looks smooth. The batter is ready to bake, or for additions such as nuts, fruit, chocolate chips, or other flavorings. Bake cupcakes at 350 for approximately 20 minutes.

Chocolate Butter Cream Frosting

Ingredients 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar 1.5 tablespoons cocoa 3 sticks of butter 1/2 tablespoons heavy cream 1 teaspoon vanilla 3 oz melted unsweetened chocolate Directions In a mixing bowl, cream confectioners' sugar, cocoa, and butter. Beat in heavy cream and vanilla. Add the melted chocolate and frost each cupcake.

Here are some more sweets for your sweeties!

Nutella Cupcakes

Chocolate Caramel Cookie Bars

Simple Chocolate Brownies

I hope you all enjoyed! Too keep up with everything that is going on in my kitchen please stay connected!

Get Social Sunday

Welcome to the 21st edition of Get Social Sunday hosted by A Lived in Home! We just keep trucking along! The party continues this week while I'm away on vacation!  

Thank you to everyone that has continued to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! There are so many awesome projects out there! I want to see what you've been up to! 

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy! 

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Frugal Friday Find

 

I spotted this wooden European console table at Wisteria, but could not take the $909 plunge. I knew I could probably find a similar version somewhere else if I kept my eye out.

Sure enough when strolling through World Market a few weeks ago I spotted a very similar version with a much more affordable price tag of only $249.99!

 

 

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This Everett table is almost as long at 71''. It works well for a long foyer, but is still narrow enough to be placed in an entry. There are also 2 drawers which is hard to depict from the picture.

 

I sourced this table out to a client and loved it so much that we purchased one for our office because we were having a hard time finding a piece long enough. I can attest that it's very easy to assemble as well. I carried the box in from the car myself which wasn't the easiest task, but I managed with hubby out of town! Then, putting it together was painless. It's well worth every penny in my opinion!

 

 

We're Headed Here...

To Nevis in the French West Indies that is! It looks rough, I know!

 

 

 

First though, we're off to Nashville for my cousin's wedding! 3 days in the cold, historic, country music capital, then off to sunnyville! Both legs of our trip will be a blast and I'm so excited! I've actually never been to either place and am looking forward to new adventures!

Come Sunday it's time to relax on the beach, kick up my feet, and enjoy lots of cold fruity drinks for 7 days with friends!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2 New Faves

This black beauty...

and this teal beauty....

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Love both of these rugs and not sure how I've missed them before on Rugs USA! Of course they were running a fabulous sale last week and both were out of stock! Guess that meant I didn't need them!

Pantone

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Pantones spring colors are stunning and give me hope that the winter blues will soon be gone! I always look forward to the transition from neutrals and darks to fresh, bright tones. All of these colors remind me of being in a vibrant garden or a tropical oasis and who wouldn't want that?!

 

Emerald Green is the color of the year, and I can't wait to incorporate it somewhere in my home. It is very romantic paired with gold pieces and even a more muted shade such as jade or linen.  Here are some spaces that used it perfectly!

 

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How beautiful and dramatic with emerald green paint on the walls and ceiling?!

 

How would you like to throw a dinner party in this dining room by Nate Berkus Interiors?

 

What spring Pantone color strikes you the most? Do you lust after Emerald like I do?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Get Social Sunday

Welcome to the 20th edition of Get Social Sunday hosted by A Lived in Home! I can't believe we are already in the 20th week! Where has the time gone? Glad to see each week the party grows even larger! 

Thank you to everyone that has continued to party with us and spread the word! You can continue to link up anything you desire! There are so many awesome projects out there! I want to see what you've been up to! 

The rules are simple:

1. Follow your host on the right side bar. That would be me!! :)

2. Link up your favorite post or two.

3. Stick around and check out other awesome blogs!

4. Tell you friends about Get Social Sunday and tell them to tell their friends!

5. Come back each Sunday through Tuesday and link up.

That's all! Easy peasy! 

Now enjoy meeting new blog friends!

Leopard Love

Anyone feeling frisky this Friday and anticipating the weekend like myself?  Today, I'm leaving you with a little leopard and emerald love. Emerald is the color of the year you know?! How gorgeous is this cover from Ladies Home Journal circa December 1962!

 

 

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HAPPY WEEKEND!

Gray or Nay?

I'm pretty much obsessed with gray. Or is it grey? This is new shocking news to you I'm sure! My kitchen finally got painted gray after I started the project, stopped, took a 3 month break from painting, and then hired my fabulous and efficient painter to finish the job! Alas, it's done and fabulous with it's new paint color!

While we're on the topic of gray, how about we discuss cabinets. I'm a total white cabinet kind of girl, but I've really taken to gray cabinetry lately. I'm thinking my dream home would have white uppers and gray lower cabinets as well as a gray island. Look how lovely this trend is!

 

The white subway tile also makes me drool along with the brass cabinet pulls!

 

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This kitchen is so fresh with the Fieldstone Gray cabinets and tons of natural light.

 

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The pops of magenta against the marble backsplash makes my heart melt!

 

 

Would you go for this look when designing a kitchen? I think it's fresh and timeless!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Target Does It Again

 

 

 

Coral Accent Table/  Storage Ottoman/ White Table/ Lattice Mirror/ Grosgrain Pillow/

Coral Box/ Turquoise Chevron Pillow/ Horse Figural/ Ceramic Lattice Canister

 

How could anyone not love almost every piece of the Spring Cottage Collection at Target?! I mean, for realz! This store is becoming so in line with designer trends that they are going to break me! I'm probably going to need a bigger house for all the new items I keep purchasing or either therapy!

It's Office Time

I have the green light to do something with my husband's dispicable office! I knew he'd get tired of the clutter and lack of personality in the space eventually! When he was out of town about a month ago I did purchase a new gold floor lamp and made a gallery style wall of mirrors which added to the blank space.

Over the holiday break I put together a design board for him and he's game for the changes. Here's what's happening:

I'm going to sample these 3 paints:

Benjamin Moore Silhouette

Sherwin Williams Web Gray

Sherwin Williams Peppercorn

We are going for dark and dramatic in this space!

Which color do you prefer? Have you used any of these before? I would love to hear if you have!

We ordered the furniture over the weekend and hope to have paint on the walls this week!