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Gorgeous little cottages and escapes

I have been planning my wedding for over a year and a half now. My words of advice to the recently engaged – make your engagement as short as possible. The length of your engagement is in reality the length the wedding planning process takes. With our wedding on May 24th, planning is almost complete but we are also neck deep in smoothing out the nitty-gritty details that take forever and never seem to end. I think that couples should also get a honeymoon right before the wedding. For me, it would be a weekend by myself to regroup and not answer any phones, emails, and definitely not look once at a to-do list or calendar.

Somewhere by the water and very, very isolated would be perfect for me.

via Pinterest

via Pinterest via BHG

via imgarcade

via Favim

via Panoramia

April 22, 2014
Bring on the Spring – pretty up your rooms with spring hues

I am so excited for spring flowers and bright colors that are going to fill our outdoor space so I thought I’d do a post about bringing that color in and enjoying indoors as well! Just last night sweetums brought me the most beautiful pale pink roses. Having them on my desk makes the room feel so much lighter…

via styleathome

Using hints of color in a room make me happy. Especially when those items are so easy to change out like pillows, curtains, and decor you have around the house like books and frames. I’ve been loving gold and pink lately.

via fourgenerationsoneroof

If you are loving the room you have now and don’t feel like changing it but you want to tie in some of your favorite flowers, getting one simple throw pillow that pulls out similar colors can do the trick!

via anthropologie

If you want to go bolder, find some wallpaper or upholstery with a floral print/pattern. Anthropologie usually has some unique upholstered items. If you struggle getting real flowers into your home, adding a flower pattern might give you what you need for that spring feeling indoors. I’d love to have one of these in my office!

via cuckoo4design

Most often we forget about livening up our bedrooms since all we tend to is sleep in here, but bringing some fresh flowers in and updating your bedding can really bring you into the season.

April 18, 2014
Unexpected ways to make your dining room chic and gorgeous

My dining room is one of those rooms that is visible from most other rooms in my home, so it’s really important to me that it’s easy on the eyes. Here are some fabulous dining rooms, big and small that I would be more than happy to have as my own…

via homeremodelnote

Loving this clean and chic dining room. It is small, just like mine, so how genius is the floor length mirror at one end of the dining table. I will definitely be trying that trick.

via homedesignlove

I’m a big fan of bench or settee seating at the dining table. You can put a bench on just one side or on both.

via Lonny Mag

Feeling risky? Go all out and get full bench seating! I would still have two simple mix matching chairs to put on each end to maximize the seating in this space but I love the idea.

How cool is this bench? And those blue velvet chairs? The chandelier is often the conversation piece in a dining room, making the chairs the focal point is a nice change of pace.

via Pinterest via La Dolce Vita

I LOVE the idea of combining a library and a dining room. I grew up in a family that often reads and eats at the same time ( I know, I know…not always a healthy environment for books)

via Pinterest via feedly

April 17, 2014
Dazzling Brussels: The next stop on my summer 2010 backpacking trip

Brussels was a nice, relaxing stop during our European backpacking trip (June 16 – August 25th). It was somewhat toward the end of our trip so we needed a few days to stop and taste, ehem…smell the chocolate.

If you are a lover of opulent architecture and have a fierce eye for detail you will love Brussels. The architecture spans from medieval to post modern, which the jewel being the gothic Grand Place.

More architecture from around the city:

I still can’t believe how many bikes are in this lot – look how far back they go!

Any of my lovely readers been to Brussels?

Thanks to wonderful future hubby for all of the fantastic photography he did during our trip!

Here’s that list again of all my posts from our travels that I’ve posted –

Spain
•Introduction to my European backpacking trip and a list of places we visited
• Galicia – Baiona and Isle de Cies
• Galicia – the coast, some charming vineyards, and Pontevedra
• Santiago de Compostela and gorgeous hidden beaches
• Gorgeous mountain lakes of Picos de Europa
• Stunning mountains – Picos de Europa
• Bilbao and San Sebastian
• Beautiful Barcelona
• The amazing Sagrada Familia Cathedral in Barcelona
• Art Nouveau dream house by Gaudi in Barcelona

Italy
• Not to miss – the gorgeous rocky coast of Italy’s Cinque Terre
• More from my summer traveling Europe – amazing Rome
• From my summer in Europe – amazing Pompeii
• Turquoise ocean and vineyards on cliffs – the amazingly stunning Amalfi coast
• My Summer in Europe: Pictures from lovely Florence, Italy
• Enchanting Siena
•Venice
•Lake Como, Italy

Switzerland
•Jungfrau region, Switzerland, Part 1
•Jungfrau region, Switzerland, Part 2

Germany
• One of my favorite cities from my European backpacking trips – Ulm, Germany
• Lake Constance
• Cute HOUSE Overload – the charming medieval homes of Germany’s Romantic Road
• Regensburg, Germany, and Salzburg, Austria

Austria
• Salzburg
• A charming lakeside village, Hallstatt
• Beautiful Vienna
• Kunst Haus Wien in Vienna

Hungary
• Budapest Part 1
• Budapest Part 2

Czech Republic
• Stunning Prague

Germany
• Berlin

Holland
• Amsterdam

April 16, 2014
Spring and summer mantel decorating ideas

My favorite part of decorating the house is bringing in small personal touches that make me smile each time I look at them, or showing off a collection I’ve grown over time. A great place to do that is the mantel, because nothing is permanent! You can change out a mantel like you would a shelf and make it the centerpiece of a room.

Here are some great ideas to welcome spring via your mantel:

via theinspiredroom

If you are really open for change, painting your mantel and fireplace surround in a warm white is a great way to brighten it up for spring. Just make sure you are really committed if your surround is brick, as stripping paint off of brick is pretty darn tedious.

Loving this very clean and simple mantle with the white and gold accents.
via Pinterest via Centsational Girl

via interiorsbystudiom

You can’t go wrong with a quote. Make it something you want to remember each day or your latest mantra! Got a cool set of pottery or ceramics? Showcase it on your mantle.

Adding a chic mirror above your mantle is a great way to make the most of precious natural light and makes a stunning focal point. The coral on the mantle is also a nice homage to summer. I always like to decorate with natural objects whenever possible.’
via BHG

Use your mantle as a revolving art gallery. I have way too many prints and little pieces of art from my travels to have all hanging at the same time, so I rotate them every few months. The mantel is a great place to do that.

via BHG

April 15, 2014
Office Space Eye Candy

Some office eye candy to get through the day. It’s a great idea to make sure you love your work space. It makes being there each day not as daunting! Since I’ve been so overwhelmed with wedding planning keeping my space organized has been really important to my sanity.

via designsponge

via flickr

I need to be better about keeping flowers on my desk because they always make me a bit happier to be there

via ashleyelladesign

Instead of a cork board to serve as a pinboard/inspiration board, clipboards are a great way to organize inspiration by project. Your space is a little more limited on a clipboard, but it also makes your inspiration portable, and keeps your wall space from looking too cluttered (which always happens with my corkboard)
via trendenser

via aestheticoutburst

via decorpad

What is a must have in your office to stay on task and productive?

April 14, 2014
Contain Yourself (and the necessary clutter in your home with these clever storage ideas)

While spring cleaning has yet to begun at my house, and likely won’t this year with my wedding in May (yikes!), I thought I’d share with you some fun ideas to contain the chaos you’d like to keep in a way that doesn’t affect your home decor.

via bhg

Matching baskets are fantastic! Especially ones with label options to help you remember what you have stored inside. It keeps this bookcase clutter free but makes it possible to not have to store a ton of things behind closed doors.

via etsy

Picking similar styles, all see through containers at the bottom and baskets at the top make this cabinet look so well organized. Clear canisters also help remind me if I’m running low on something. I also love the pop of color with the labels.

via inmyownstyle

Not everything is going to fit in the same size containers and if keeping everything matching is too much of a commitment for you, you can mix it up a bit and it still look great. Just try and use similar sizes and shapes to create a cohesive look.

via twotwentyone

I love the mix of three colors here. Using pops of color is great but I love how this one is minimized to two color options and scattered throughout the storage.

April 10, 2014
Gorgeous outdoor spaces

For all of those who are itching to go outside like me, here’s a little eye candy to tide us over! Our backyard and patio need some serious love, but until we recover from our wedding expenses, I’ll just have to live with gathering inspiration until we can start making improvements.

I would be out here all day…though everything would be covered in dirty puppy prints…The throw pillows are amazing.
via Laura McQueen

So private and lush! I could imagine setting up a temporary outdoor office to enjoy it.
via Decor4All

Love this pond side cabana…
via ghoofie

via lizmarieblog

This country style brings in some of the barn like style I adore. Clever use of a tub as a coffee table base too!

via lolalina

For small spaces, these built in benches might be the best choice! Throw in a cute table and you’ve got a perfect setting for some outdoor fun. I also love the idea that these benches could double as storage!

April 9, 2014
Best little tips, tricks, and cheats to create the special finishing touch in your home.

Going the extra mile with a space doesn’t need to take much effort. You can add a little touch to one room or space to change the entire feel or look of it. Not all additions make a huge impact, but here are a few that I think really go far…

via flourishdesignandstyle

Don’t have a bar or breakfast bar but want one? This extended bar made from a table is a genius idea! It expands the kitchen seating without taking your eye away from the rest of the room.

via thehandmadehome

A fire pit cover makes this space multi-functional! It gets the outside patio a great table space when it’s not in use but also a great gathering spot when you lift the table and turn up the heat!

via iheartorganizing

A bookcase next to the tub. This is a brilliant idea for those who might not have storage space in their bathroom otherwise! Even a skinny built in can maximize the storage in the bathroom as well as make it look cozy.

via Houzz

Adding the additional shelf above this kitchen sink window gives you a little more room for decor or storage. Pull out some of those great decor pieces that give your kitchen a little personality without a lot of clutter. This is great for small kitchens that might not have the storage space for decor on the counter.

via returntohomeinteriors

Under cabinet lighting. I absolutely love look it gives to have light hidden away but it’s so useful if you find yourself working late or struggling to have a well lit work space. It’s not just for kitchens!

April 8, 2014
Make The Most Out Of Your Closet

Spring cleaning can get to the best of us sometimes and when it feels just a bit too overwhelming sometimes I like to start small! A closet is a great place to get a great amount done but it not take too long to accomplish.

via bloglovin

Try pulling everything out of your closet, sorting it into piles of keep, donate, and trash. Sort your keep pile into sections on a table or floor of how you would organize it. Plan it out to fit the size of your closet so you don’t have any extra bulk in the way.

via BHG

via pinterest

Figure out what you need in your closet to function for the stuff it’s going to contain. Do you need more shelf space, more drawers, a few buckets, or more space to hang things? Do a quick drawing of how you’d like it to look so you know you are putting everything in the right place and not missing any essential pieces.

via iheartorganizing

Sometimes it can be a quick run to the store to get what you need, other times you’ll need to think about custom fits for your closet to make it work but either way the closet needs to function for you so customizing it is a great option. Since most closet storage items are not that expensive and most closets aren’t large enough to get to pricey, this is a great budget friendly place to start as well.

via bhg

Once you’ve updated your closet to fit your needs, put everything inside and enjoy the glory of your new organized closet. Want to keep that amazing? Don’t put anything new in the closet without taking something else out. Make sure you keep a balance of items and space in the closet or every time you go to get something out it will be a big ordeal.

April 4, 2014