Brighten Up

This time of year can be difficult. The trees are bare, the skies are gray and it gets dark so early. I find myself craving color and light, and I'm drawn to artwork like these paintings by Linda Monfort. From the free brushstrokes to the vibrant hues to the flowers, these works do brighten my day.

Photos from here. 

Screen Style

After reading this funny take, I began thinking about Felicity. Wasn't that show great? I remember watching it in high school, and seeing Felicity go to college in New York City made me eager to go off to school. It was fun watching her make cool new friends, fall in love and wear an endless array of fantastic sweaters. Those sweaters, along with cords, peacoats, boots and loungewear get that away-at-university vibe just right -- even if I'm past the days of cramming for exams.

* Crewneck sweater

* Striped sweater

* Blue sweater

* Cowl-neck sweater

* Tank top

* Pajama pants

* Cords

* Jeans

* Peacoat

* Boots

* Bag

The Perfect Mix

What a wonderful long weekend this was! The past few days brought a perfect mix of at-home relaxing and going-out fun. It was a weekend of morning smoothies and walks outside, of fresh-baked bread and beers at a favorite pub, of a fantastic night out with friends and morning brunch with some of my favorite girls. I couldn't be more thankful for all these experiences!

Photos by me.  

Happy Days

After a lovely Thanksgiving yesterday, which included a nice dinner with my in-laws, I couldn't be happier about the long weekend ahead. Our only plans are seeing friends who are in town. With the rest of our time, I'm hoping to tackle some projects around the house and relax in a major way!

Wouldn't this New York home, featured on Apartment Therapy, be a pretty fabulous place to unwind and entertain on a long holiday weekend?

Photos from here. 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Photo from here and here.

Sweeter than Candy

I let out a little squeal when I first saw a pair of these vibrant shoes. And I was like a kid in a candy store scouring for more of them on Piperlime. The rich colors, the striking patterns, the towering platforms and heels -- heck, these are even better than candy!

Photos from here, here, here and here. 

Impressions

What a lovely weekend this was. While it was filled with lots of activity -- house projects, a family get-together, holiday shopping -- what meant the most to me were the small moments, the little impressions. My family gathered around a table that my mom set so beautifully. Laughing with my ten- and sixteen-year-old cousins. My nephew trying mashed potatoes for the first time. My dad and husband collaborating on a project. My pup sleeping with her back against mine. Likewise, these photographs by Katie Lloyd remind me of the incredible beauty of a single moment.

Photos from here. 

Happy Weekend!

I think this is going to be a very full weekend. We're starting phase two of our kitchen remodel: we're installing new lighting and we're also going to repaint. (Will and I recently admitted to each other that we don't like the green we chose for the walls after all. Dang!)

On Saturday, my parents are hosting a big Thanksgiving bash -- a week early since my grandma is having hip replacement surgery next week. I absolutely love getting together with my dad's side the family; my relatives are a lot of fun and always tell great stories. And then on Sunday, my mom and sister and I are planning to have a shopping day. We're hoping to get a lot of our Christmas gift-buying done. Let the weekend begin!

Photo from here. 

Color Cue: Emerald

Green isn't typically the first hue I gravitate toward when decorating or choosing an outfit. However, I'm liking the rich jewel tone lately, especially in these Pinterest finds.

Photos from here, here, here, here and here. 

Playing with Tradition

I used to balk at anything traditional. I thought the style was stuffy and old-fashioned and rooted in rules I didn't want to follow. But I've come around a bit and now appreciate classic touches in homes, like this Montreal house featured in Style at Home. But what I love most about this place is how the homeowners keep things unexpected. The brown velvet tufted ottoman, the glam chandeliers in the kitchen, the pink wallpaper and blue armchair in the dining room -- these things prove a properly grown-up home and a sense of fun are not mutually exclusive. Aren't you glad?

Photos from here. 

Oh, the Places You'll Go

I'm smitten with these prints by Matte Stephens. Chicago, San Francisco, New York City, Boston -- he captures all these great American cities with such wit and charm. Wouldn't these prints be adorable hanging in a child's room? I can only imagine the dreams of travel they'd inspire!

Photos from here. 

Favorite Things

Last week, we celebrated my husband's birthday by honoring his favorite things. Each day, I'd give him a little gift -- a new shirt, his favorite scotch, the aftershave he loves -- and this weekend we did some of his favorite things. We went out for sushi. We relaxed in the mornings, him with a movie and me with a big stack of magazines. We had beers at his favorite brewpub and brunch at a lakeside restaurant. We met up with friends one night, went to the symphony with his parents and cuddled with the pup at home. Here are a few glimpses of the fun weekend:

Photos by me. 

'Love Hard'

Today is my husband's birthday. It's hard to believe he and I have known one another for a third of our lives. It's been such a blessing to grow with him and share so much over the years. I admire the incredible sense he's always had of who he is and I love the combination of strength, quirks, wit and compassion that make him uniquely him. The way Bob Marley describes it, I think he's the one guy who's perfect for me, and I can't wait to celebrate his birthday this weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend!

Photo from here. 

Cool Blues

While this time of year, I naturally turn to clothes in rich, warm hues and comforting textures, there's something equally as luxe as these vibrant looks that Gucci sent down the fall 2011 runway. I absolutely adore all the sumptuous shades of blue, which would be gorgeous and invigorating to wear now and all the way through winter.

Photos from here. 

Sweeping

I have to say, one of the best parts of a house is not what's inside but what you see from it. And it would be difficult to find a more beautiful views, especially this time of year, than those from this Hudson Valley home, featured in Architectural Digest. Then again, the sleek architecture and minimalist furniture are pretty great too -- not to mention the adorable pups!

Photos from here. 

Illuminated

On this dreary, rainy fall morning, I'm captivated by the artwork of Luc Leestemaker. His paintings are so vibrant and alive, practically glowing with life. His use of yellow, in particular, is especially energizing, don't you think?

Photos from here.