Summer Vacation!

This summer I went on a Mediterranean cruise with my family and 2 other families.  It was pretty much one of the best trips I have been on so far in my lifetime.  We started in Rome then boarded the ship in Civitavecchia, stopped in Sicily, Athens, Turkey and Crete.  Slowly but surely I am downloading, editing, printing and organizing my pictures from the trip!  I am hoping to do a few posts to highlight some of my favorite parts of each place we visited!  This trip has really put the traveling bug in me and all I can think about lately are all of the places I want to visit!  I think I am going to compile a list of the top places I want to visit in the United States and overseas...I wonder how many of those places I will actually ever make it to...highlights of the trip coming soon!

Bathroom Update

This bathroom needed a little face lift.  Wish fresh paint and a few new accessories it has an updated look!

Before

 

Happy Valentines Day

Happy Valentines Day! Another day to be thankful for my wonderful friends, family and boyfriend! Here are a few valentines I made, I wish I had started earlier so I could have made more! Thank you Martha Stewart for the inspiration!

Purses, purses, purses

I have been searching and searching for the perfect new black purse.  I guess I am just way too picky, but these are a few that seem to have stayed in my memory after all this time.  I am really liking the soft leathers and versatile crossbody styles.

B. Makowsky Claremont Crossbody at eBags

Lockwood Bucket Bag at Jcrew

Marc by Marc Jacobs "Classic Q - Little Ukita" at Nordstrom

Easy Recipe

Here is a super easy recipe for spinach artichoke dip. Great for parties!!! Can be served with tortilla chips, crackers or veggies.

1 box frozen spinach (thaw and squeeze water out)
1 can artichoke hearts, chopped
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup Parmesan cheese
1 small can green chilies (optional)

mix all ingredients together and bake at 350 for 30 minutes until bubbly

Invitations

My mom and a friend are on a committee to plan the Dogwood Coffee which is a fundraiser for the Women's Auxiliary for the Salvation Army.  They have asked me to help create an invitation.  This project has been a little challenge for me considering I haven't used Photoshop in months and I am amazed at how quickly I was able to forget...and remember.  But here are some of my first attempts and samples...

I used a photograph of the home as the background for this version.

This also uses a photograph of the home.

This uses a photo of a dogwood branch.

A new bathroom

Last year my parents completed a renovation on their house.  This bathroom was one of the last areas to be finished so I was able to help pick the finishes and fixtures when I was home this summer.  This space was previously a closet in the bonus room above the garage and has now been converted into a bathroom in order to create another bedroom suite on the second floor.  The bathroom has a neutral color palate with an accent of blue in the towels and rugs.

Tile detail in the shower.

Corner bench in the shower.

Vanity in espresso finish.