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.

Fall into the season

As we all know the holidays are a crazy, hectic time.  This year, instead of trying to add one more event into the mix, my parents decided to beat the rush and host a "Fall into the season" party instead of the typical Christmas affair.

 The outdoor fireplace was one of my favorite areas adorned with magnolia leaves, a gourd filled wreath and many votives. 

Three square vases wrapped with monogrammed burlap ribbon along with magnolia leaves and mercury glass votives draped the mantle in the keeping room.  (Ribbon from Pottery Barn.)

The living room fireplace was dressed with live magnolia leaves and mercury glass votives.

A Wedding Shower

A wine themed shower this summer for a vineyard wedding.  White flowers, grapes and photos of the couple were used to make this shower unique to their wedding theme. 

A simple arrangement of roses, photograph of the couple and their initial awaits the arrival of guests.

 

Yummy desserts!

Flower arrangements flank engagement photos of the couple displayed on the mantle.

Hello Blogging World!

I have finally broken down and decided to check out the world of blogging.  I love reading blogs and seeing how people use them to express themselves.  My friends Ansley and Ashley have inspired me to make an attempt at creating my own blog!  Since I have a degree in Interior Design I am looking forward to sharing some of my design ideas and projects as well as a little bit about myself!  I'm hoping this can be a new creative outlet as I maneuver through the design world.  Hopefully ill get some new posts up quickly as I learn to navigate a blog! Thanks for stopping by!