Mr. and Ms. Taken

I have been to two weddings so far this year, with several more to come. My favorite part about going to all these ceremonies and receptions is to see all the dresses, flowers, decorations, and tiny details. The best weddings are mixed with creativity and simplicity, and above all making it about the bride and groom with their personal touches. I am not married, though some day I will do my best to keep a few traditions, but also make sure there is a lot of personal character throughout the event!

Calendar in place of a Guest Book

Wedding Program Pockets

Creative Photography

White Wedding Cakes

Mad Lib Conversation Starter and Keepsake

Yellow Accent Colors

Paper Fan for Outdoor Events

Simple Chignon

Outdoor Reception with Romantic Lighting

via guest book, wedding programs, mad lib, yellow table, & paper fans  martha stewart weddings, photography and lighting my beloveds, cake sweet and saucy shop, chignon hairstyles-updo

Happy Almost Friday!

-M

Al Fresco

If you have not been doing this already, you really should take advantage of the wonderful weather and dine outdoors! With the big holiday weekend coming up, there is no excuse not to pull out the checkered table cloth, fire up the charcoal grill, and enjoy some comfort food outside in no other than your own backyard!

There are of course the basic essentials you need to have the perfect bbq, but why not put a little twist on it and then add some color to get in spirit for the 4th of July!

BBQ Condiment Sets - Perfect centerpieces!



via retroplanet and brightandbold

Personalized Plastic Cups - Etch-It cups

Festive Red White and Blue Table Setting

Some easy DIY decorations

Then lastly, some yummy colorful treats!

via all recipes

Have a great rest of your day!

-M

A cozy english-styled home in Conneticut

This beautiful New England home was created and designed by architect Joel Barkley, but not without the help of decorator Alexa Hampton. The main level flows smoothly without, creating a very open floor plan as there are no hallways. I absolutely love how the hidden side of the house, or entrance court, is a crisp white, and the front has black wooden panels. I also like the idea of a fireplace in the foyer, very warm and welcoming. Almost makes me want a cold, crisp fall day, well maybe not...this Chicago weather today is too perfect!

via architectural digest

Enjoy your Tuesday, I am heading to an afternoon baseball game!

-M

It's all about Citrus and Sunshine

I would like to wish everyone a Happy Friday! I took the day off of work, and plan to head down to the Taste of Chicago in a little bit with the bf. Today is the first day it starts! Then afterwards we have beach volleyball by the lake, not to mention we won last week! Then on Saturday we are celebrating a friends birthday with a yacht on Lake Michigan, hopefully the weather warms up!

I would like to try and make these skewers tomorrow to bring on the boat!

via Quick Dish

Then perhaps I will drink one of these...I am all about the low-cal cocktails!

Vodka with Fresh Oranges and Raspberries
This cocktail is super low in calories but strong in taste.
Serves 6
Low Cal Cocktail Breakdown: 116 calories, 7.5 g carbs, 1.5 g fiber
Ingredients: 
1 cup of vodka
1 L of club soda
2 oranges, juiced
½ cup fresh raspberries
½ cup fresh tangerines
Ice, crushed
Irresistible Summer Cocktail Preparation: Pour vodka, club soda, juice of 2 oranges,

 fruit, and ice into a blender; pulse until puréed. Serve in a tall glass, add fruit to garnish.

Find more low-cal cocktails @ Page Daily

Enjoy your weekend, spend some time outside!

-M

Black & White

I stumbled upon this timeless Victorian house with the design focused on the black and white palette. It has a very sophisticated feel to it, with a few pops of color and funky patterns throughout. Ken Fulk designed with the mindset to soften up the bold B&W foundation, and then dress it all up with beautiful textures and playful accents. There are so many tiny details that really give the home a lot of character, such as the Ralph Lauren black Yacare Crocodile wallpaper by the fireplace. You can see more of Ken Fulk's interior design in this Napa Valley cottage.

via House Beautiful

I really need to visit San Francisco, it is definitely on my list!

-M

Let's go Jet Setting...

I feel as though this is the summer of destination weddings! I have been invited to 3 of them, and will end up going to only one. And I finally just booked the tickets, which means I am officially excited about it! Not to mention Southwest Airlines is having a 40th anniversary special, with $40 - $80 one way flights around the US! (Sale ends June 23rd)

The destination I am going to is some place I have never been, but always wanted to visit...New Orleans! (aka NOLA) It is not until the end of October, but I cannot hold my excitement!! I have been telling everyone, and showing them the beautiful venue it will be held at, Southern Oaks Plantation. I am so pumped to stay in the French Quarter, and walk around Borbon St.

It seems like destination weddings are the hot ticket right now, especially since you can combine your honeymoon and ceremony all in one, which can save some money. However, you need to make sure you closest friends and family are up for the vacation, as it does require more of a committment.

Here are some of the top spots for 2011 weddings:

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Tuscany, Italy

Cyprus

Jaipur, India

 

 

 

 

Hawaii, US (actual picture from Maui where my sister honeymooned!)

Castle Leslie, Ireland

Lizard Island, Australia

Cape Town, South Africa

via IBTraveler

Some of these sites seem a little more extravagant and costly than

what I am use to, but definitely something to lust after! 

-M

Before and After: Kitchens

I currently live in a vintage apartment building, estimated to have been built in the early 1900's. It is a 2 flat with a basement, and we are on the top floor. Our landlord is very flexible and easy-going, he let's us paint, make changes and suggestions, etc. I think one of the reasons is because he just doesn't want to decorate or try to design the interior himself!

My boyfriend and I recently painted the faded white walls in our dining room, which is also the first room you enter when you walk into the apartment. We bought the paint from a cute eco-friendly store, COLORI Eco Paint Boutique, located in Wicker Park. My friend Natalie went with me to choose the color. She insisted that the name of the paint is more important then the actual color itself, which I agree with to an extent. It was harder than I thought to choose the color, I really just wanted a medium shade of tan. However, after looking at so many paint samples that are so different yet so similar, I finally just picked one. I chose a color called Jungle Path, by Mythic non-toxic paint. At first, once we started painting I started to panic, thinking that the color was too dark, but now I really like it and we have received several compliments.

Next I really want to paint our kitchen, and also just re-decorate the whole thing! Right now the lower half of the walls is painted an odd shade of light green, almost minty (from the previous tenants). At first I thought I liked it, but it really just doesn't look right or go with anything. I would love to paint it a bright yellow! So that is my next project. I would like to take some before pictures, then once it is all done, some afters to hopefully show the big improvement! In spirit of my new project, I found a collection of before and after kitchen makeovers.

#1 Before

After

Now that is a cute shade of green!

#2 Before

 After

This kitchen finally entered the 21st century! What do you think

about matching the exterior of the fridge to the cabinets?

#3 Before

After

I love the yellow pattern on the built-in bench!

#4 Before

After

This makeover only cost a measly $400!

(see more at myhomeideas)

Have a good Monday!

-M