Hello my name is...

I saw this table set up in a Pottery Barn catalog last month and thought it was so cute for a 4th of July BBQ, or any BBQ actually.

I love the individual place mats, the plates, the bucket o' drinks and my FAVORITE is the little rope name holder- love it! What an easy DIY ...I wish I had a backyard right about now.

Designer: Steven Payne

The blog world is a major web of design inspiration and I could spend hours/days/weeks finding amazing images and new designers I've never seen before.

Steven Payne of Maison Architecture & Design is one of those- I feel in love with his work from the first picture I saw. Based in London, he specializes in all kinds of design from furniture design to residential design. Here are some of my favorite from his residential design portfolio:


I love the use of white, gray and black here. I've wanted to get some black/dark gray curtains but was not sure I could pull it off- I love them in this pic.


The tiny framed art over the bed is quite the change from the usual mirror, large piece of art, or a gallery wall. I love it paired with the simple white bed- just perfect together.


Love the Asian screen hung over a bookcase

This bed looks so comfortable, I want to get back into bed now :)

I wish I had space for an area like this in my place. It can be used to curl up and read, as a dining table, or even as an office- what a versatile space.

This corner of windows opens up right onto a porch, what a perfect spot for a summer dinner party.

The cabinets here are my fav, I love the color of them- and all those windows, the sunlight in this space is amazing!

To me this bedroom has the perfect mix of masculine and feminine. I think the BF and I could move right into this room and there would be no arguments.

Even with high ceilings the two matching mirrors on either side of the fireplace open the space up that much more. I also like the two separate seating areas and the open feeling here.

The last two here are my favorite for obvious reasons- I LOVE the pink and orange and I would love to be sitting here right now with a cocktail in hand-what a beautiful view!

All images from HERE

Bribes and Organization

What do they have in common you ask?

Well, the BF and I are headed down to his parents house in CT for the weekend and a trip to Ikea is always on my list of stops. Only issue is, the BF hates Ikea with a passion. But if I promise to not complain about the car ride and ANY traffic we may hit (if you have ever driven from Boston south through Hartford on a Friday afternoon you know what kind of traffic I'm talking about) on the way down then he will suck it up and take me to Ikea- yeah!

For those of you who know me, it comes as no surprise that I LOVE organizing! This was one of my favorite Christmas presents one year, and it also has been the source of many topics I have written about in the past (Here, here and here)

Ikea is GREAT for storage and organization stuff, and its much cheaper than the Container Store. (Sorry Container Store I love you, I really do- but you are expensive)


Here is what is on my list so far...



Slap some white paint on these babies and they are the perfect storage for all those little crafty things. The magazine holders are my favorite- I'm scared they are going to stop making them so this time I think I'll have to get like 20 of them :)



Lucite is that you? I'll have to check these out for myself- but they could be fun to use in my office or in my closet filled with accessories.

I have a few sets of these already and could always use some more- I love the little tag holder in the front where I can put a neatly printed label.

Filled with some homemade iced tea or lemonade...vodka, tequila whatever your choice of drink-these are darling :)

So, is there any must have Ikea item that I'm missing on my list?? Do share please.

(all images from Ikea)

Loving This...Rachel Leigh

I'm sure you all are aware of Gilt Groupe by now- today they are having a great sale of some pretty fun summer jewelry by Rachel Leigh...they actually look alot like some of the J Crew necklaces I've seen around.

If you aren't a member go HERE to sign up for some amazing deals!

Loving this...patio

My awesome Grandma saves her magazines for me once she is done reading them. Last time I was home she gave me a few and one of them was Southern Living's Before and Afters- the 25 best budget-friendly makeovers. I've tagged almost every image in there as my favorite but this one really jumped out at me...I wish I had a space like this to come home and relax in everyday after work...love it!

Love those giant planters with the boxwood balls, the curtains that probably flow in the wind and create such a soft atmosphere, the up-cycled benches that got a great makeover with outdoor fabric, the table...oh the table I just adore, and the wine. The wine might be my favorite part :)

Gotta get my hands on this

I need (need/want- its all the same thing, right?) this camera but I need some help convincing the BF that it is, in fact, a needed item.

So, how do I go about doing this?? I've got to convince him it was his idea to buy it in the first place, isn't that how you get a man to buy something you want?

Help please!

Thanks in advance :)

**Also, Head on over to High-Heeled Foot in the Door for an AWESOME giveaway today**

For your viewing pleasure

A little sunshine...I know I need some sunshine right about now


Source: Metropolitan Home

Source: House Beautiful

Source: Domino May 07

Source: Domino

Source: David Jimenez

Source: David Jimenez

Source: Cole and Sons Wallpaper

Source: Coastal Living

Source: Coastal Living

Source: Canadian House and Home

Source: Amanda Nisbet

Source: Amanda Nisbet

Forgot to mention

In my post about my new flatware find I totally forgot to mention the best part...the whole sent, service for 12, butter knife and serving spoon and all was a whopping....get ready....$18!!!!!!!

So go, RUN to your nearest junk store / flea market / antique store and find those deals...they are out there :)

Back in the Day

I didn't take many pictures during the citizenship ceremony of the BF, but the ones I did take show the great detail, artwork and history that are behind one of the most famous buildings in Boston. The citizenship ceremony was held in Faneuil Hall. If you have ever been to Boston before, you automatically think Fanuiel Hall is an area with many buildings, shops and restaurants. But, only one of the buildings is actually Fanuiel Hall, the rest are Quincy Market, North Market and South Market.


Built in 1742 this building was used as a meeting place, the Hall has seen some of the most famous people and discussions in our countries history. In 1764 when the doctrine of "no taxation without representation" was established, 1773 when the protest of the imposed tea tax took place to start the Boston Tea Party, and where Samuel Adams rallied the citizens of Boston that began the revolution to gain independence from Great Britain. You can really see why Faneuil Hall is nicknamed "Cradle of Liberty."

As I was sitting there listening to the Judge and Mayor Menino welcome 405 new citizens of the United States, it really dawned on me what an amazing building to have chosen for the ceremony. So rich with history, I can see why this one building, in the middle of Boston, is so important to our whole country.

(click to enlarge)

This historical piece of art graces almost the entire front wall of the Hall, its massive and beautiful. Below, are the works of art on either side.

Mayor Menino saying a little something

After everyone was sworn in as American citizens this little boy (behind the podium in the yellow shirt) led the room in the Pledge of Allegiance. His mom had just become a citizen from India, he was so cute up there.

Here are some of the wonderful details of the Hall

I loved these light fixtures, there were about 15 of them on each side of the balcony

The large light and medallion in the center of the ceiling was so detailed, it was beautiful

Carved woodwork like this was everywhere you looked

I loved this old clock and the eagle sitting above it. It seemed very fitting that the eagle was holding a ribbon that said "e pluribus unum." In Latin meaning "Out of many, one."