Friday, February 24, 2012

COMING UP: our one year!

Well, this weekend (officially Sunday, the 26th) marks our one year anniversary and it just seems so surreal. I don't even know where the time has gone! Looking back at today a year ago, I was so anxious - nervous and excited - for the weekend events. Knowing my personality, I thought I would be wound up making sure everything was perfect, but surprisingly I was cool, calm, and collected (in my opinion!). I think I just had a peace about the wedding and knew it was all a part of the Lord's plan.


Here is the card I got Brandon that pretty much sums up my feelings for our weekend celebration.

Our plan is to go out to a fancy dinner tonight and then cook in Sunday and attempt to eat our frozen cake! I hope it is just as good as a year ago! Our cooking for Valentine's was quite successful - everything was delicious and I really enjoyed Brandon's help in the kitchen. Here is our night captured through pics.
 enjoying some bubbly!
And the best part of our anniversary is our trip that we have saved up for - we are going to skiing in Park City, Utah for three days! I am very excited because I have not been out West skiing before, but Brandon has been several times. Our trip isn't for two weeks, but in the meantime I will be day dreaming about being here:
photos via Hyatt Escala Lodge

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

WEST ELM'S GONE MOROCCAN!

NEWS FLASH - I, along with the rest of the blog world (and pinterest!), have jumped on the moroccan bandwagon. I am obsessed with the beautiful, bold colors and vintage wear each item possesses. I love how a moroccan rug can really add so much interest and color to a room. I have searched ebay, etsy, and the random oriental rug websites to find a genuine moroccan kilim rug, but all are super expensive for a statement piece. If you are like me, then get excited because West Elm has just released their new moroccan collection and it is amazing! I want it all.


I just told LD the other day that I want a moroccan wedding blanket -- and what does West Elm have for sale? A fabulous moroccan wedding blanket adorned with sequins and all, for $399! I know the perfect spot for displaying this beauty - just need to measure and make sure it would work.
We have been making lots of fires lately and I have been brainstorming about something comfy and cozy to prop up against while enjoying the fire on the floor. So when I saw these battani poufs I knew they were the answer to my question. Two of these would be perfect stacked together. Maybe one day! At $299 a pop, I may have to settle for one, or wait until they have a sale!
striped and patterned battani poufs
Now for my real wish list item, these beautiful moroccan rugs! West Elm really hit the spot by offering these great options. I would be much happier if they were more affordable, but these prices are better than most I have seen! I am obsessed with these two berber rugs:
And if you want color, they have some fabulous brighter color palette options. Here are my favorites:
What do you think? Are you sold on West Elm's morrocan collection? Which is your favorite?

Monday, February 20, 2012

k.dee jewels

Hi all! My friend Dana and I have officially started "producing" our braided beaded necklaces so place your order now! These started out as a simple DIY project (during our bracelet extravaganza) for ourselves, but quickly evolved into fun, statement necklaces that all our friends have been raving about. Since they are loving theirs, we thought we would give ya'll the opportunity to enjoy one too! And there are so many more bead color options so don't hesitate to ask.
SMALL :: $39.00 (shown in red/coral with gold chain)

SMALL :: $39.00 (shown in mercury glass with gold chain)

 LARGE :: $49.00 (shown in mercury glass with chunky gold chain)
All necklaces are made to order. To place an order or inquire about a new color, please contact Dana at danaemilyh@gmail.com.

Wednesday, February 15, 2012

MAY I SIT THERE?

I thought that the china cabinet had a little too much extra room on each side so I decided to add this antique chair and framed art with antlers. Now, the wall seems properly balanced and I can rest at night. Ideally I would love to stack some books on the chair ... but still collecting!

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

HAPPY VALENTINE'S!

I hope you all have a fantastic Valentine's day spent with someone you love (regardless of who it is)! Here are some special Valentine's treats I made last week for our bunco group. They were super easy and so delicious - perfect for a last minute sweet to satisfy someone special!

via pinterest via bakerella (it is the recipe using oreo cakesters)

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

BUTTERFLY LOVE

I was thumbing through my art pinterest board this morning and I happened to notice a trend - butterflies. Most of my friends will laugh at this post and nod their heads, but I guess I have a sub conscience attraction to butterflies. Is that too girly and totally generic? Oh well! If you remember, I snuck a framed one in my office gallery wall that I found at a local antique shop.
Along with tortoise shells and antlers, I think framed butterflies are very naturally chic! What do you think? Here are some of my favorite butterfly finds that I would love to see incorporated somewhere. 
 curious prints shop on etsy has tons of great science posters to frame
 this set of butterfly photographs would look awesome individually framed and matted in white - also from etsy
 Urban Outfitters Specimen Poster - so bold and colorful with an old school feel
this little guy is very similar to my antique shadowbox - found on etsy here

Friday, February 3, 2012

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?

Happy friday everyone! I can't believe it is all ready February and groundhog's day has come and gone once again. I don't know about you, but I am ready for Spring -- even though Phil did say we will have 6 more weeks of winter. Boo! I believe he could be wrong though considering we are having 60 degree days in mid January. 


Guess what is right around the corner?!? That's right, Valentine's Day. I don't have high expectations of Valentine's Day - I just like to think of it as a pleasant day to have my main man all to myself. He isn't a sappy, lovey-dovey type guy so I don't expect big pieces of jewelry, giant teddy bears holding balloons, or boxes of chocolate ... just a simple meal adorned with some flowers. [He also thinks that buying the flowers and delivering them himself is a much better deal than having them delivered by a stranger, ha!] 


Since our wedding anniversary is so close to V-Day we opted to cook in rather than competing against the rest of Bham to make dinner reservations (apparently you have to make reservations a year in advance!?!) and then we will enjoy a nice dinner out on the town for our one year. I have been thumbing through my pinterest recipes and favorite food sites and I believe I have decided to make a meal adapted from my friend Margot's anniversary dinner that she posted -- roasted rack of lamb, mushroom risotto, and asparagus with basalmic tomatoes! My co-worker made this same lamb recipe and said it was easy and delicious so I am going to try it out. 


And, if we aren't full off all that then I will make us these precious "cupcakes for two" for dessert. This way we can satisfy our sweet tooth and maintain our waistline by not having a dozen leftover! 

Like I said, I don't have high expectations of V-Day gifts, but if my hubby did want to surprise with me with something special and amazing ... I sent him this link to Lulie Wallace's commissioned wedding flower paintings. I found her shop several months ago and have been obsessed with her, but now I have noticed she is appearing everywhere! So, before her prices sky rocket I hope to own one of her fabulous quirky paintings. Here are a few of her recent commissioned paintings based on bride's bouquets:



What do you think? Do you have any V-Day gift or dinner suggestions?