helena says:

1 Year!

2013-04-01T13:50:00.000-04:00

I cannot believe it has already been a year since we decided to make our move back to the Baltimore suburbs. So far, we have had a blast renovating & decorating. Enjoy the first of many before & after photos below:

~Dining Room Before~

~Dining Room After~

Puppyhood

2012-10-08T14:09:00.003-04:00

We broke down and decided to take the plunge into parenthood! On July 18th, we picked up our tiny baby puppy from a family farm in Newmanstown, PA. "Remy" was born on May 23rd, 2012 and weighed in at 5.5 lbs when we got her at 8 weeks old.

Final Headcount

2012-05-29T15:38:00.003-04:00

Today we received our last reply card in the mail, but it certainly wasn't the least...

I wouldn't expect anything less from our favorite artist friend, Holden! We are so excited to celebrate with friends and family near & far....

50 Shades of Red

2012-05-16T18:15:00.001-04:00

I decided to take on a project today: Painting the Red Guest Bathroom Cream.

~Before~

8 hours and a ruined manicure later....

~After~

Let's just say we have a long way to go before it's even close to perfect, but the new vanity & cream colored walls already make a huge difference. Stay tuned for the next steps to making this guest bathroom a lovely oasis.

So Close, Yet So Far Away...

2012-05-14T17:51:00.000-04:00

Over the past two weeks, checking the mail has never been so much fun! Whenever I see a dozen or so pretty floral envelopes, I am as happy as a clam (its the little things). So far, we have officially received 196 responses from guests, and 165 have"Accepted with Pleasure!"

Sadly, we asked our guests to please RSVP by May 15th (TOMORROW!) and we are still waiting on 117 people! I am really not looking forward to making all of those phone calls, so c'mon friends & family, drop your pretty little card in the mailbox today!

Wedding Invitation Mayhem!

2012-04-24T12:56:00.005-04:00

Over the past three days, we worked like little elves to assemble and mail out our wedding invitations. Our wedding is only 46 days away(!), so we were on a bit of a time crunch.

Everything turned out perfectly, from the invitation design (courtesy of freebird paperie) to the paper wraps by timeless paper and last but certainly not least, the calligraphy by Broncha.

Here are a few images that I snapped during the process:

Another special touch are the stamps that we ended up using. They were not my first choice, as I initially wanted something wedding-themed, but at the top of the sheet of stamps, I happened to read "Baltimore Checkerspot" and I was immediately sold. The Checkspot Butterfly is the official insect of the State of Maryland.

"Like the Baltimore oriole, this colorful butterfly is named after George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, who helped found the colony of Maryland. The butterfly's colors resemble those on Calvert's coat of arms, with orange and white spots forming a checkered pattern on black wings. The butterfly has an unusual life cycle. It spends the winter hibernating as a caterpillar, rolled up in a fallen leaf which it uses as a sleeping bag. Nationally known artist Tom Engeman worked with art director Derry Noyes on this design." USPS.com

Time Flies When....

2012-04-19T15:17:00.002-04:00

1. You get engaged

2. You move to Miami, FL

3. You plan a big, fat italian wedding

4. You buy a house in Baltimore (while living in Miami)

5. You move back to Baltimore

All within one year!

Phewww. It exhausts me just looking at the bullet points...

To Jeans? or Not To Jeans?

2011-04-22T10:15:00.000-04:00

I woke up this morning in a panic. It's hard enough putting an outfit together let alone packing for the entire weekend with only 30 minutes to spare. My company is extremely casual, so I typically wear jeans, flats and a casual top, but today was out of the ordinary. This afternoon, we are meeting with our wedding planner for the first time, followed by 3pm Good Friday Mass. I scrambled and searched for the perfect outfit consisting of a cream-colored lace top, black blazer, Tory Burch flats and dark trouser jeans. Out of nowhere I hear, "You're wearing that to church?" My fiance, who is very traditional seemed appalled by the thought of wearing jeans to church and practically made it seem as though I would be going to hell for doing so. I explained how I always see others wearing jeans at church so I didn't understand why it was such a big deal. The argument was very similar to when I was 6 years old and fought with my mother about wearing tights; in the end, she always won the fight. While I still believe my jeans looked church appropriate, I eventually gave in and changed into a pair of Express black pants dating back to my freshman year of college, which he claimed were "too tight." Ugh, will I ever win? Maybe I will put back on the trouser jeans, just to make my point!

7 All Mankind Jeans - High-waisted slim trouser

Palm Trees & Presidente

2011-04-15T13:37:00.001-04:00

How would you describe your perfect engagement story? While I'm sure it varies by individual taste, every girl has thought about it at least once in their lifetime. I always pictured myself getting engaged on an empty beach (most likely Bethany) with the backdrop of a gorgeous summer sunset. In the back of my mind, I feared the worst of our engagement taking place during half-time of a Ravens vs Steelers game (obviously the Ravens would be up by 20 pts), and "WILL YOU MARRY ME, H?" would be flashing on the big screen. Lucky for me, our engagement exceeded all of my expectations and literally overwhelmed me with happiness and surprise! It took place on April 8th, on the most gorgeous island in the Dominican Republic called Las Palmillas; we were the only people in sight. As we stood on the beach, with the palm trees as our witness and Presidente beers in hand, I said "Yes" to the person I adore most.

Friday Fever!

2011-04-04T22:35:00.001-04:00

Sometimes I wonder why I choose to sit around all day long watching tv when I could be walking, exploring and befriending this incredible city. Our Nation's Capital has so much to offer and 99.9% of the time I miss out on the majority of whatever is going on outside of the restaurant & bar scene. This past Friday {on my day off from work}, I chose to break out from my lazy habit and take on an adventure. After a quick Google search and Facebook newsfeed scan, I was instantly enthused by the DC FASHION EVENT: Meet Trina Turk at the Donovan House. Not only was I sold after reading the words "Trunk Show", but the opportunity to meet one of the most iconic designers was a dream come true. I threw on a colorful, printed cardigan and my most comfortable flats and enjoyed the 20-min walk to the Donovan House...

I was instantly overwhelmed by the beautiful colors: various shades of purple, royal blue, white and yellow. The dresses were beautiful and I was tempted to buy them all, but I chose wisely...

Lillet 2 Dress

Perfectly tailored white pants

S'mores!!!

2011-03-25T12:16:00.001-04:00

Last night, I decided I needed a special reward for dropping weight at my WeightWatchers meeting - I've been so good all week about tracking my food & exercising regularly!

While grocery shopping, the first thing that came to mind were the delicious little treats we all like to call s'mores. I already knew they were an all-time favorite for my boyfriend, so it was a no-brainer. In order to indulge without falling off the WeightWatchers band-wagon, I used the incredibly handy iPhone App and found a WW s'mores recipe for 3 PointsPlus.

Quick Oven S`mores

WeightWatchers S'mores Recipe

Course: snacks
PointsPlus™ Value: 3
Servings: 2
Preparation Time: 5 min
Cooking Time: 4 min
Level of Difficulty: Easy

This traditional campfire treat can be made indoors any time of the year. Broiling the marshmallows and using fudge from a jar makes them a snap.

Ingredients


	2 large marshmallow(s)
	4 item(s) graham cracker(s)
	2 tsp fat-free hot fudge, at room temperature

Instructions

Preheat broiler. Set marshmallows on aluminum foil and broil until hot and beginning to brown.
Place each marshmallow on a graham cracker square and cover with 1 teaspoon chocolate sauce.
Top with another square and press together. Serve.

For all of you s'mores lovers out there, National S'mores Day is August 10th!

GILTY!

2011-03-23T17:27:00.002-04:00

Today was a big day for me! I finally found the Queen Anne style mirror I have been dreaming about for months now and I swiped it on GILT GROUP. If you don't know about GiltGroup.com, I highly suggest you do yourself a favor and sign up. It's a free website and I find some of the greatest deals on women's clothing, shoes, accessories and home decor. Finally, I have the focal point for our living room wall, and can start adding sconces and other fun decor!

Silver Leaf Arche Mirror $299 (such a steal on giltgroup.com)

The Anti-Hoarder

2011-03-09T18:18:00.001-05:00

I always joke around and call my boyfriend "The Hoarder" because he has so many silly collections. For example, he has boxes upon boxes of Pez Dispensers, shot glasses and baseball caps. One day he brought to my attention that I don't have any collections and while I don't envy his multiple, I think it would be nice to at least have one. Therefore, I recently found what I want to starting collecting. Something that I cannot purchase all at once, but can acquire over the years. Pretty. Practical. Useful. Unique. 100% Me!

The start to my Raynard Cristobal Turquoise China collection

Valentine's Day Surprise!!

2011-02-14T17:27:00.001-05:00

Hopefully, my Valentine isn't reading this blog post {kindly leave the page if you are!}, but I absolutely adore showering him with surprises! Unfortunately, I was a little late in buying his gift so I'm praying it arrives by the time I get home from work this afternoon. Nonetheless, I am cooking him a surprise dinner that will certainly stimulate his taste buds!

Pomegranate Duck

(served with asparagus & sweet potato fries)

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/pomegranate_duck.html

Chocolate Souffle
(in mini cups)

http://www.eatingwell.com/recipes/chocolate_souffl.html

Trays on Walls?....It's Possible!

2011-01-31T13:20:00.001-05:00

According to Horchow {one of my absolute favorites}, wall decor varies in all shapes and sizes. Here are a few examples of the most interesting wall decor ideas I've seen.

Horchow Tray Wall Decor

Venetian Masks...why not?

Au Natural

Bedroom Transformation

2011-01-26T10:21:00.000-05:00

We already owned the majority of the furniture going into the move, but we decided that a king size bed would be the perfect addition to our space. I found a Thomasville Cinnamon Hill Davidson bed with a gold/beige, upholstered headboard on sale and fell in love! For the first few months, I was having the hardest time finding the perfect duvet cover - they were all $500+, which was out of the question. There was one in particular from William-Sonoma Home that was particularly beautiful, yet still out of the budget, but after the holidays, it ended up going on sale. Without thinking twice, it was mine!

Bedroom Space

William-Sonoma Home Woven Paisley Jacquard Duvet & Shams

Putting it all together!

Kitchen Before & After Pics

2011-01-24T17:31:00.000-05:00

Kitchen Before Pics

Kitchen After Pics

The Waiting Game....

2011-01-20T17:26:00.000-05:00

Etsy is one of those websites that I always peruse, but never "pull the trigger." Well, that is until a few weeks ago when I ordered three adorable throw pillows to match my blue & cream colored rug. The living room is a working project, so hopefully these pillows will help tie things together. Since they are custom-made and shipping from Thailand, who knows when they will arrive. I guess I will have to sit-back, relax and think about my next DIY project...

http://www.etsy.com/people/Kainkain?ref=ls_profile

Wall Love

2011-01-18T14:45:00.000-05:00

I am absolutely loving this living room design by T. Keller Donovan. After spending many long hours searching for the right piece of art to go on our living room wall, I'm thinking a silver Queen Anne-style mirror might be the way to go. The sconces on either side are a great touch too!

http://www.housebeautiful.com/decorating/living-rooms-we-love

http://www.jonathanadler.com/Queen-Anne-Mirror#

http://www.kerrcollection.com/gallery-item-action/id.64

Counter Stool Cushion Project!

2011-01-17T17:15:00.000-05:00

Over the past two months, each person who has sat at our kitchen counter has had the uncomfortable experience of metal to the tush. Sitting on a bar stool sin cushion is no fun and I've decided to no longer punish my guests. Therefore, I chose to dedicate this past Sunday to designing comfortable and stylish cushions to match my kitchen!

While shopping at Target on Friday, I came across two cotton shower curtains in complementary patterns that I felt matched the color scheme beautifully. {1. Turquoise and White Damask Print shown below and 2. Multicolor Pin Stripe.} The best part was, they were on clearance!

Springmaid® Leandra Sea Mist Shower Curtain - (72x72")

Afterward, I made my way to Jo-Ann Fabrics to buy the cushion inserts, but ended up leaving with a 2.5 ft. sheet of 2" thick foam to use for the cushions. Measuring and cutting the foam was the most challenging part of the project, but I used a kitchen knife and scissors to cut & shape the foam to fit the stools.

The mess!

Since the shower curtains already came with finished button holes (for the hooks), I decided to use only the edges of each shower curtain for the bottom of each cushion. I sewed 3 buttons along the edge of each cushion to use as the pocket closure - if they ever get dirty, I can simply take out the foam inserts and throw the covers into the washing machine.

1 down, 3 to go...

I chose to use the opposite fabrics on each side of the cushion because I love the "mix & match" look. You will see that I alternated the tops and bottoms in the photos below.

After 7 hours of hard work, the look is complete!

Merry Christmas From Our House To Yours!

2010-12-22T19:36:00.000-05:00

Kitchen Inspiration Board!

2010-12-12T22:00:00.000-05:00

It has already been 1 month since we moved into our new home and we are just starting to decorate! I must admit that this process is much harder than I thought it would be because my taste is ALL OVER THE PLACE. I love the simplicity of shabby chic but at the same time, I enjoy bright, statement-making colors like lime green, turquoise and red! Therefore, I'm going to take things slow...one wall at a time!

My plan is to knockout the kitchen and foyer first!

Kitchen Inspiration Board: Valance from Bed, Bath and Beyond, Bar Stool Cushions from Pier 1 Imports, Latte Bowls from Anthropologie, Table Linens from Hen House Linens.

Foyer Furniture & Holiday DecorBed

All Moved In!

2010-11-08T12:57:00.000-05:00

We are so excited with how everything turned out, but we still have so much decorating and furniture arranging to do. Below are pics of how it looks today!

Foyer Bookshelves

Dining Area with my favorite chandelier!

Kitchen Overview

Wine Bottle Slots in Island

Men at Work!

2010-11-08T12:17:00.000-05:00

On Friday, Nov. 5th we spent the entire day moving out of our Glover Park Apartment and into our freshly painted Georgetown condo! Luckily, we hired an exceptional moving company that helped us with the process. Our contractor, James and his team had a few last minute tasks to finish up so I snapped a few pics of the guys tiling our kitchen back splash and finishing up the cabinets.

Old apartment in Glover Park!

James Shepherd & his crew

Fab Foyer!

2010-10-28T10:35:00.000-04:00

The white built-ins as soon as you walk into the foyer is one my favorite elements of this condo! Not only do I want them to stand-out, but I want the entire space to have a vintage-glam feel. Mirrored furniture and crystal accents will work perfectly with the silver gray walls (SW Samovar Silver from this entry).