Insert state pun here

I remember when Come on Feel the Illinoise came out and my friends and I OBSESSED over how good it was (ahem, Steven?). I listened to that album to death, particularly all over the Moscow Metro. I am so shocked I haven't bought the new album yet, especially because what I've heard has been.....so damn good. Do you have the album?

...

Did you see this over on Garance Dore (clearly I'm catching up on her blog)? First, how hilarious is the little story that goes with it? It made me miss my sisters (even though they are much younger and tinier than I am) . But also, how effing awesome is Giovanna's outfit? It looks so simple and natural but so crazy at the same time, I guess that's the genius of amazingly made clothes. le sigh
via Garance Dore

Oh yes!

This just looks so right to me for some reason. I mean, I already own a men's white blazer, so I was already halfway there. But the glasses, the scarf, the messy hair... (and maybe some brightly colored jeans?) man....I want to be in that photo
via Garance Dore

newest hair cut?

I've been struggling with what to do with my bangs (no change there) but I think this is it. Thoughts?

via Dustjacket Attic

why can't I look like this in a suit?

And also....why does a raspberry colored suit not seem totally crazy to me? What about a well cut black suit with a hot pink top and styled similarly? Would that be the runway to real world version of this?via because I'm addicted

I mean, I already have the Boston Terrier

Did you see this? Man, I love Freunde von Freunden. Why can't I have herringbone floors? That is all....

My Wedding on Snippet and Ink

I am so excited to announce that my wedding is featured over on Snippet & Ink today. I first fell in love with Snippet & Ink not only because of the beautiful (and not in a manufactured and cookie cutter way) weddings but also because of Kathryn's unparalleled inspiration boards (peach glass and seafoam?! I think so!) She did such a wonderful job of putting together the photos, I feel so honored that my wedding was even considered to be on her blog!

oh, hello

This is not goodbye, this is an admission that right now some other things (namely work) have taken center stage and I will be blogging less frequently for a bit. I have to say, having this blog has been such an outlet for all the little thoughts and observations I have on design, fashion, weddings, music, food, and everything else but there just aren't enough hours in the day. I'm sure I won't be able to keep those observations to myself (well and PB) for long, so I'll be around, and I'll definitely be reading all the wonderful blogs I've discovered to keep myself inspired. Thanks to those who have been checking in regularly, it means a lot to me to know that anyone besides myself actually likes those little things that keep me happy and inspired every day.
xo
image via Aubrey Road

What a difference a lamp makes

I am an avid follower of Apartment Therapy's Scavenger (that's how I got my Bertoia wire chairs). So I literally jumped when I saw this lamp (originally 400) for a mere 150. It took us a bit of time to get it hung in our living room, but I swear it has made the entire room more chic.

ps. I never provided any follow up on my gallery wall, so I thought I'd show it off here.

pps. sorry the pictures here...well, suck, taking pictures of lights is not easy. I'm so professional!

Wednesday = Halfway

My goal for last weekend was just to relax. In fact, I can't remember a weekend when I cared so little about organizing or straightening up. On Friday we had a wonderful dinner at Capital Grille.* It was one of those beautiful nights with great cocktails, views of the capital, wedge salads, and flowing conversation. Then, on Saturday we slept in and lounged around with Grizzly (do you think dogs understand what a hug is? Or do they just think, "huh, this is odd"). And on Sunday I had my Russian lessons and then saw the King's Speech (Have you seen it yet? It is really quite stunning). Then we went to Georgetown and ate crabcakes and friend shrimp at Tacklebox.
This weekend I am looking forward to getting drinks with my lady friends on Friday and a game meat themed dinner party on Saturday....oh and an 8 mile run on Sunday. You?

**We had a wonderful time, and the food was great, but if you just want a great steak in the DC area, go to Ray's the Steaks: it's about half the price and just as good if not better (but you don't get a view of the Capital).

Do you Nest?

So somehow, I'm a little behind the times and I only recently discovered Door 16, which led me to Manhatten Nest. Have you seen it? Seriously, I wish I had been this cool in college! It is just so inspiring to see what you can do to a rental on a serious budget. I highly recommend.
What other blogs am I missing out on?

Oh, Henry! The Navigator, that is...

This week, GB is sharing some beautiful pictures from her honeymoon to the Iberian peninsula (plus Morocco). I went to Portugal in college, but I am wishing I had checked out the Algarve, her trip looks amazing! (PS. have I mentioned that I love GB because she is such a history stud before?)


Okay, this post is neither about Portuguese princes nor candy bars, but we did hear a lot about the famous seafaring royal when we explored the Algarve for a couple days in November. It was pretty sleepy then, as most tourists (mostly European) flock for the cove-like beaches in summer, but you have to admit - there are certain benefits to that:

We stayed at a super cute luxury boutique hotel just outside Lagos, called the Quinta Bonita. You know that smell that all spas seem to have wafting around? That is what greeted us every time we walked into the lobby - how can I do that at home?

This was one corner of the garden (the orange grove on the other side supplied fresh juice in the mornings):

Anyway, I think it's safe to say that even ole' Prince Henry didn't have it as nice (hooray for jacuzzi tubs!). Plus, the British couple that runs the hotel is super friendly - that may not have been the case in the 1400s...

Quinta BonitaLuxury Boutique Hotel
Matos Morenos
Quatro Estrados8
600-115
Lagos, Portugal
+351 282 762135

Catching up

As I said on Friday, things have been a little crazy around here, not much time for noodling around on the interweb. When I did get a chance this weekend to catch-up on my street style blogs I saw a lot that I liked. As always my eye was drawn to combinations of tight black pants and blazers with boots, opaque tights, long hair, scarves, flared pants with billowy blouses, lots of black, even more grey, and a touch of camel thrown in. I'm so happy it will be starting to warm up soon and I can ditch my winter coat and roll up my sleeves.
via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9

real life makes an appearance

I just wait to say that I am alive and well, just faced with some awesome work opportunities right now that must take center stage. I can't wait to catch up on my blog reading and writing this weekend!

Did you catch this?

I love this DIY heart garland I saw over on design sponge* last week. It would be so fun not only for valentine's day but for a wedding or engagement party. And if you can't crochet (and who can) you can buy some on etsy.

Cooking Spaghetti Squash gratin

Ever since I saw this recipe for Spaghetti Squash gratin I've been looking for a chance to make it, and it did not disappoint. It does take about 3 hours, but a lot of that time is just waiting for the squash to initially bake and then for the gratin to bake.

The quick and dirty: Roast an entire spaghetti squash (after first making some small incisions)for an hour at 375, then remove the squash and let it cool. While cooling, chop up an entire onion, about 3 cloves of garlic, grate a few ounces of Gruyere, and rip up 2 tablespoons of basil. Once cool, you can remove all the seeds from the squash (and discard) and then scoop out the spaghetti squash. You only need about half the squash, so bag the other half and put it in the freezer for another time. Then start to sautee the onions for a few minutes, slowly adding in the garlic, spaghetti squash and some salt and pepper. Once everything is all nice and soft combine everything you've sauteed with 3 eggs and milk (beaten together) and the Gruyere and basil. Once everything is evenly distributed, pour the whole thing into a greased 3 quart pot and sprinkle shaved Parmesan on top of it all. Then toss it back in the oven for 45 minutes, take it out, and let it cool for 15...and voila!

Okay, so that was not so quick...or so dirty, but I do recommend the dish. I also recommend throwing in a little bacon or sausage (it only has 179 calories a serving, so you can do it and it will still be healthy).

Wednesday = Halfway

So after my first cruise experience, I still don't think I'm a cruise person, but I am definitely a sun and Mexican food person (oh and margaritas, please). While it was a bit windy and even rainy we managed to see the sun and eat some delicious mole and tortilla soup in Cozumel. And I definitely feel recharged for a few more months of winter. This weekend I'm looking forward to finally organizing a few areas of our apartment and starting back up some foreign language tutoring (that is, I'll be tutored). What are you looking forward to?

Parasols

You see them in so many outdoor weddings and they look so cool. But if you're like me, you think "Meh, do I really need this? Probably not." Well, about two weeks before the wedding, I started thinking about how our wedding was in an ENORMOUS park space and all the cute pinwheels and cranes we had labored over making could get lost in the vast, green expanse. I decided that I needed more big, colorful things floating around and parasols fit the bill. So, I ordered twenty parasols from Jadetime.com and bought a shiny red bucket at IKEA to hold them.

Guests milled around with a little sun protection

But let's just take a moment to enjoy a range of cute parasols looks and some other ideas for how to use them...

Color-scheme focused in this wedding on Ruffled

Eclectic and vintage in this wedding on Ruffled. Umbrellas from Bella Umbrella.

Include a small sign to encourage guests to join in, like this wedding on Ruffled

Sometimes, parasols are just plain practical, like in this beach wedding on Snippet & Ink

My Dream Kitchen (for the moment)

I love the antique woods and blown glass lights and they way they contrast against the stainless steel. But mostly I just love how open it is--even to the outside. It seems like the perfect place to host a dinner party...Something tells me that if I want a kitchen like that in DC, I'm going to have to build it myself.

photographer Nathalie Krag via Roseland Greene