Happy Weekend!

This week has flown by. But I'm looking forward to the weekend. My grandma will be in town so I hope to spend a lot of time with family and enjoying the nice weather. Have a beautiful weekend!

Photo from here. 

Champagne Dreams

Is anyone else craving a little glamour today? Then let's lust after these incredible gowns in Marchesa's spring 2012 collection. Fluttery, frothy and feminine, these dresses are utterly gorgeous. If I had one, I think I could find a pretty fantastic event to wear it to!

Photos from here. 

Mad World

This weekend was really nice. I got to hang out with girlfriends, relax at home and go on walks. But I have to admit, a highlight was watching the premiere of a new season of Mad Men last night. I love that show and am so glad it's back. I can't get enough of the sixties style!

Did you watch too?

Happy Weekend!

I'm so excited for the weekend to start. I'm getting together with some of my best girlfriends, and other than that the next few days are wide open. Who knows what they'll bring. I can't wait!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Photos from here and here. 

Masculine Appeal

A "Notting Hill townhouse." It sounds pretty nice already, doesn't it? Well, this home, featured in Elle Decor, doesn't disappoint. It's quite masculine with some glamorous touches. I've always been intrigued by curved sofas, I love bold art and I'm more than a little smitten with the tailored garden. Let's have a look:

Photos from here. 

Garden Variety

I realize I'm on a bit of a spring kick, but I can't help it! Some flowers in our front yard are already pushing up through the dirt, and I can't wait to see them bloom. I'm not a gardener, so I love that these flowers simply show up each year. It would be nice to add a similar feel inside my home, and these wildly beautiful paintings by Yangyang Pan would be ideal.

Photos from here. 

In Full Bloom

One of my favorite trends for spring is florals, and I pretty much want to buy every flowered item Anthropologie is selling! Wouldn't a vibrant chair or plate perk up a room? And aren't the clothes so pretty and fun?

Photos from here. 

A Rare Mix

This weekend was a truly unusual mix of elements. On Saturday afternoon, we headed downtown with no plans other than to walk from one lake to another. Nearly everyone out and about was wearing green, either coming to watch the St. Patrick's Day parade or grabbing a beer at a pub. But the strange part was all this was taking place with sunny, eighty-degree weather instead of the unusual snow and chilly temps! The trees were still bare but city dwellers were walking, biking and lounging by the lakes in shorts and sundresses. It was an odd juxtaposition, but wonderful to experience!

Photo by me. 

Irish Spirit

A few years ago, my mom, dad, sister, her husband, my husband and I took a trip to Ireland. We spent a few days exploring Dublin, took a train ride across the country to Galway, and then rented a van (we looked like a traveling family band in that giant green VW!) and drove down the coast to Dingle. It was an incredible trip! We loved the energy of Dublin and the beauty of the countryside. We had so much fun popping into pubs for Guinness, music and conversation. We'd all love to go back one day. This St. Patrick's Day weekend, I'm going to be thinking about those perfect days and all that gorgeous green.

Have a great weekend -- and happy St. Paddy's Day!

Photos by me. 

A Breath of Fresh Air

Today, the weather is supposed to reach a record high. I know it's going to be hard cooped up inside at work. Maybe I'll be able to sneak out for a bit for some fresh air and sunshine.

I think those would be two elements I'd love the most if I lived in this incredible New York home, featured on Fresh Home. Then again, the natural materials, minimalist architecture, huge windows, serene pool and amazing decks are pretty great too.

Photos from here. 

Springing Ahead

This weekend was lovely. The weather was unusually warm, which meant we took lots of walks outside and opened the windows of our house to let in fresh air. (And of course I forgot to set my clocks ahead; I never remember daylight saving's time!)

While I know it's too early to pack up my sweaters and boots, I am dreaming about sundresses and spring-y colors. Diane von Furstenberg's spring 2012 collection -- with its easy yet ladylike silhouettes and soft, pretty hues -- seems like the ideal aesthetic to set my sights on now.

Photos from here. 

Drifting

This morning the sun is shining, the weather is slightly warmer and my mind is drifting to lovely places. These photos, all found on the beautiful Classy in the City, perfectly match my mood.

Have a wonderful day!

Photos from here. 

Toned Down

Thank you for all the sweet comments yesterday! I can't tell you how much your kind thoughts and well wishes mean to me.

I want to share this stylish studio -- a mere 350-square-foot space in New York City -- today for several reasons. First, I love a makeover. Show me before and after photos of just about anything and I'm there with you on the journey. But second, it shows how a change of paint can completely transform a space.

When we bought our house, we inherited some unusual color choices. Lavender walls in the living room, a sickly sunflower gold in the kitchen, neon orange in the basement and a primary green accent wall in the bedroom (not exactly relaxing!). So as much as I love bold color, we worked our way through the house toning down the hues.

This New York studio started out with baby blue and light yellow walls. But with some gray paint and smart furnishings, it became so sophisticated. Don't you agree?

Photos from here. 

Happy News

I'm excited to share that my husband and I are expecting! After the ups and downs of last spring, we couldn't be happier about this pregnancy. I'm just into the second trimester now, and starting to feel less exhausted and queasy, which is wonderful. I've started wearing some maternity clothes, and Will and I have been making plans for the baby's room. It's all really exciting!

Photo by my mom. (Do you like the wallpaper at my grandma's house?)