Belle wanted to pop in and say hi!
She was very unhappy about the fact that there have been very few pictures of her recently.
I promised her I would fix it.
Looks like I wasn’t able to bypass the sicky sick bug.
I am officially down with a cold. And I’m pretty grumpy about it.
I’m hoping that with some rest this afternoon and copious tea drinking I can beat this thing.
As for now, I’m going to eat a boiled egg because when I was little my mum promised me that eating a soft boiled egg will make me feel better. It kind of does. That’s why I keep doing it I suppose.
Photo via
On Relationships and Marriage: Home Decor
Here’s a questions I got recently from the lovely Casey: After almost 2 years if dating, Joel and I recently moved in together. With all of the excitement , there has also been struggles, particularly in the interior design department. Joel prefers dark brown, minimalist, classic pieces, which I do, too, but it’s hard then to make the already super modern apartment (floor to ceiling windows) feel warm and cozy. I’m not suggesting adding girly pink touches, but i would definitely like to add more of a feminine touch to the place to warm it up a bit, without having Joel run for shelter.
I’ve tried adding some unique touches to make the apartment feel more like home, such as blowing up and framing photos from our favorite travels, but wanted to see if you had any additional ideas on how a couple can marry design tastes and build a stylish, yet comfy home together. Also, would love you to address ways that couples can pick out new items together that reflect both styles - like choosing a bed spread.
Decorating a home together for the first time is both exciting and tough for a couple. You learn each others likes and dislikes and you also often learn how stubborn one or both of you can be. However, this is totally something that can be worked through and you can end up with a home that makes both of you equally happy.
My first suggestion would be for you as a couple to start finding things you do agree on. Start with color schemes. Which appeal equally to both of you? Look at magazines and websites. Next, which decorating style can you both agree on? If he’s more modern and you are more feminine/classic why not give “eclectic” a try. Granted eclectic is harder to pull off but with some time and thought it can be done well.
A great way to add feminine touches without bothering your partner too much is to do it via the details. For example, a modern bedspread with scalloped edging, gray curtains with a fun texture, tasteful splashes of color here and there, and flowers.
You will not believe the difference some candles, colorful picture frames, fresh bouquets of flowers, magazines, mismatched pillows, and some warm throws can make in a room.
If you both challenge each other to think outside of the box you can help each other achieve a decorating style that represents both of you. Shift your focus from colors and furniture to shapes and textures. Think fur, snakeskin, china, leather, marble, glass, carved wood, and tufted fabric.
Also, learn to share. Meaning when you are out shopping for things play the “one for me one for you game.” Kevin and I did this a lot at Ikea. When I would get something I really wanted that Kevin wasn’t ecstatic about he would get to buy one thing that he loved but I wasn’t over the moon for.
But ultimately you need to compose a completely new and fresh style for both of you that is different from what you had when you lived separately. This is the new “us.”
Below are some great not overly feminine touches that can warm up your place and add a touch of “you” without being too much.
GPOYW: Missing Vegas edition.
If you’ve never seen magic in your life plan a trip there this year. The magic is everywhere. It’s like Disneyworld for grownups!
I enjoyed yet another wonderful massage today courtesy of… Kevin! He actually knows how to give a pretty good massage! Sometimes even putting my regular masseuse at the spa to shame!
I’ve had a bad back pretty much since adolescence so this skill of his comes in very handy.
I dream of one day having a house big enough for me to have a “spa room.” Nothing fancy just a massage table (you can get one of those from Costco for about $200), a calming color on the walls, soft lighting, a good sound system and a couple aromatherapy candles.
It would be just what I need. And as far as I’m concerned it would save us money in the long run!
I’m not one to lust after a super fancy home. I don’t need marble and granite everywhere. I just want it to be warm, inviting, and have the kind of amenities that we really enjoy. Like a sound system throughout the entire house; music is life to us and in our family home I want it to permeate every room.
Today at lunch my family and I firmly decided that it was time for a break. We needed to regroup, reconnect, and re-energize. We haven’t seen each other in over a month, there are a lot of things we need to discuss, and we need to help each other find focus and direction.
Our solution to this?
Chincoteague of course.
So on Friday I will pack our toiletry bag and my swimsuit, pop in my Michael Buble cd, and we will cross over the bridge to the land where all problems fall away, the future seems so clear, and my soul will be at peace.
I cannot wait.
Photo via
Kind of sad about these two splitting.
I don’t know they seemed happy together and like things were going well.
Maybe there was something to her constantly talking about how much she “loves” Leo…
Ideally speaking this is how I would wear them all through the spring.
- Top - Uniqlo
- Pants - J Brand
- Shoes - Steven by Steve Madden
- Sunglasses - Ray-Ban
- Coin purse - Rebecca Minkoff
- Necklace - French Connection
I can see it now. Cherry blossoms in full bloom, a cool morning breeze, Kevin’s hand in mine, and a quick stroll to Starbucks for some coffee and the Washington Post.
I have been all over the Oxford trend for this spring. I especially fell in love with them when I saw them paired with a dreamily styled casual outfit at Madewell. It was then that I decided that I must own a pair.
I knew the search would take some time, they had to be perfect. I would let fate guide me.
And so it was this past Friday we were browsing South Moon Under when the clouds parted and there they were! The perfect pair of Oxfords! I loved the color, the detail, and how wonderfully adorable they looked on my feet!
I nervously flipped the shoe over to check the price tag and voila! On sale for $50!
Done! They were mine!
I can’t wait to pair them with my white jeans and a lovely striped tee.
P.S. They are Steven by Steve Madden.
This darling little travel mug full of delicious home brewed coffee is making my morning.
My mum gave it to me last night after I picked them up from the airport. It was a gift from one of my aunts in Russia.
I couldn’t love it more if I tried!
