Borrowed and Blue FEATURE

Guess what?? Our wedding is being featured over at Borrowed and Blue as wedding of the week! Go check that out ASAP! And if you want to see more of our wedding, head over {here}

I "met" Brielle through her blog Mr. D and Me. And now she has this event planning business and a very cute Etsy shop that even sells blog designs! Whew, I bet she stays busy!! Go on over and say hi to her :) And you can even submit your own wedding to be featured!!!

Goals Update for February (I know....I'm behind)

Here are those goals I mentioned I would be working on for 2013. I've given you an update after month 1, am I doing any better? Let's see!

1. Eat healthier Have to admit that I am not really doing this...its not quite as bad as around Christmas time but I know I can do better (less sweets and soda)
2. Exercise once more Still been trying to get to the gym twice a week. But I got a good workout helping some friends move last weekend.
3. Read 12 books (1 per month-gotta start small) Divergent was my month 2 book. Waiting on the second one from the library. Tempted to just buy it though.
4. Try more new recipes- Still need some new ideas. Trying to not eat the same things weekly/bi-weekly though
5. Make and order our wedding album Yikes...someone MAKE ME DO THIS
6. Be a better friend -yes, however I would love to send some of my friends some snail mail (packages would be better..too bad I'm poor haha)
7. Travel more - Visited our parents, went to Blacksburg and going to D.C. soon. I would say that is plenty for now.
8. Be more active at church -we've been going pretty much every week but I still want to get involved in a bible study. I think this would help me keep God in the forefront throughout the week.
9. Get more organized and get rid of clutter - Need to do some spring cleaning! and get rid of some old clothes when I switch them out. Otherwise we are pretty organized.
10. Do more DIY projects- gonna be soon once its warmer :D already have a few in mind!!
11. Blog more efficiently- This I am doing. I will try and pick down times to just write a bunch of posts and schedule them. And also responding to comments through email is much faster.
12. Do more for others-trying to think of ways to do this...my brides- let me know if you need ANYTHING! I know how stressful that can be!
13. Budget wisely-pretty proud of where we are with this...can't wait to get our tax return to pay off a loan!!

What are some suggestions you have to help me stick to my goals? What are some goals of yours for this year??

Happy Monday!

Shabby Apple

Remember when I mentioned that Shabby Apple asked me to be an affiliate of theirs? Well I wanted to share some of my favorite teal/mint things with you! Enjoy!

Botanical Belle Earrings

Alice Dress

Serenade Dress

Tahitian Waters Ring

A Preppy Lady

Dining Car

Wedding Wednesday #2

WOW! Everyone really seemed to enjoy last weeks Wedding Wednesday post A LOT! So I am going to continue with that because I LOVE writing about it. I know I am not an expert on weddings but I do feel like I have a good bit of knowledge to share on it now (and a lot of pretty pictures). So today's focus is going to be on.....

BRIDESMAIDS!


I actually can't speak from past experience on this...yet! I am going to be a bridesmaid but the weddings aren't until next summer! So what about bridesmaids am I going to discuss? How to pick them? Make them feel special? Picking gifts for them? Picking dresses that they'll love? I will hopefully cover all of this in one post! Whew :)

1. Choosing your bridesmaids

• What is the size of your guest list? This should help determine about how many bridesmaids you have. If you are inviting 50 people you probably don't want to have 10 bridesmaids. That might look kinda strange. But what if you just have 10 BEST friends that you just can't see leaving out? Give them other tasks. But you have to ask, don't just assume they will be okay with helping in another way. They may just want to enjoy the wedding from the audience if they can't be a bridesmaid. Don't feel so bad about hurting someones feelings because you should expect a lot from the girls you choose and you want the ones that will really stand by your side. When you do choose them, find a unique way to ask!!

(those are ring pops on the outside of the envelopes so they could have some bling too!)

2. How to make your bridesmaids feel special

• Now that you have chosen your bridesmaids, how do you make them feel like they were hand picked specially by you? Include them! Talk to each girl and keep her in the loop on your wedding plans. It may seem like you are driving them crazy with all of the wedding talk, but trust me if they are really your friend then they want to hear. Ask them if they want to help if you are making things, but don't force anything on them. Help them get to know each other so that no one is left out when it's wedding time. Be sure to take individual pictures with them at the wedding. They will cherish those forever!

3. Appropriate gifts for the bridesmaids

• I struggled with this part a lot. I wanted to get individual gifts that were unique to each girl, but I ultimately decided to get them all the same thing. Why? Well like I said before, you want to make each bridesmaid feel special. I was worried that someone would want the other's gift and I didn't think I could manage to spend the same amount on each. So I got the girls navy flip flops for dancing, a j.crew canvas bride bag to carry their stuff and the pearl necklace and earring set that they are wearing in the picture above. We went to Olive Garden for a bridal luncheon the day of the dress rehearsal and I gave them their gifts! (Luckily, Brittany took pictures there!!)

4. Picking Dresses that they will LOVE

• First of all, be aware of their budget. You will definitely be focused on your budget, but be aware that they will spend a lot on your wedding as well. I know my girls put in a lot of money and I am so grateful that they love me enough to do so. A bridesmaid not only has to pay for their dress, but potentially could have to pay for their nails, hair, makeup, a hotel, gas/flight, gifts for you, and any activities that you may do. So pick a sensible dress that will be comfortable for the setting/temperature, something that the girls approve of, that flatter them (this could mean different styles of the same color and material) and that they can hopefully wear again. If you can do all of this, you have found the perfect dress!

Ashley, Brittany, Morgan, Olivia and Sammi: Thank you for being by my side! I love your girls :)

Denise and Olivia: I can't wait to be a part of your special days! You are going to be beautiful brides!

The day, the dress

The bride, the groom
The joy, the tears
Will all come soon
Professing true love
To my husband-to-be
With all my family & friends
All watching me.
I hope the sun will 
Be shining down
Keep your fingers crossed
I’ll fit in my gown.
But there’s just one more thing
That needs to be….
And that’s to have you
Standing there with me!
So on my wedding day,
I will need you more than ever,
Please say you’ll be my 
Bridesmaid…
And my friend forever!

*(author unknown)

XO Samantha

Linking up to:

Symphony Designer House 2012

Courtney and I got the opportunity to go visit the 2012 Symphony Designer house at Pinifer Park a couple of weeks ago. I have never experienced a "designer house" before so I didn't really know what to expect going in. Unfortunately I can't promote for you to go check it out because its closed to the public and I don't have any pictures but you can find out more about it here:http://www2.timesdispatch.com/lifestyles/2012/sep/09/tdflair01-richmond-symphony-designer-house-ready-f-ar-2181252/

I wish I had pictures of the kitchen and bathrooms :( They were stunning and the kitchen design was a very clever use of space and budget. Who knows..maybe I will get to be a part of the next Richmond Designer house?

I was thinking about what my favorite space was so that I could talk about it and to tell you the truth, I liked something about each space. I know that each designer put a lot of time and effort into their space.  It would take forever for me to mention what I liked about each space so I will show you the only pictures of the 2012 house that I could find. And did I mention that the property is GORGEOUS! I would hang out on that wrap around porch all day long!

Bridget Beari Designs did the hallway and stairwell

Dining Room by Ruth and Ollie

I loved the sophisticated feel of this space. Whether it was the lush velvet yellow drapes, the gold chairs with leopard seat cushions or the white hide-hair rug or the bright coral/red ceiling, I was drooling. :)

Here is the link to a video if you want to learn more about the house and some of the design concepts:

http://wtvr.com/2012/09/04/virginia-this-morning-richmond-symphony-designer-house/

Since I don't have many pictures from this, I will share a few past designer house photos as well!!

2008- Houzz

Cabell Design Studio

2010-Traditional Home

Jennifer Stoner

Have you ever been to a designer house? If so, what was your experience? What space in the house would you want to design?

XO Samantha

Banquettes oh my

I always wished that we could have a banquette at my house growing up. I love the idea of grabbing a big bowl of cereal, curling up in the corner of the kitchen and eating while looking out the window. I realized that after looking through the images that I found, all of them have a giant window to look out. 

Here is why I just adore banquettes:

1. They are more custom than just a table and chairs. 
2. They make awkward space usable.
3. The built-ins can be used for storage also.
4. They feel more cozy like a sofa and allow you to cuddle (with the husband hehe)
5. They can be an extension to your kitchen design.

These images all have a wonderfully wide variety of chairs, chandeliers/lighting, tables, pillows, and cushions. I hope that I can be that bold when I get to design my own banquette for my own home one day.

I guess I used to think that banquettes were very traditional, but these spaces show that they can be very stylish and modern. It shows you don't have to go to a furniture store and buy a set of table and chairs. You can buy individual pieces that you love and mix them together to create the perfect eat-in kitchen banquette space.

I think my absolute favorite of these is the 2nd image. The yellow, orange and teal pillows and accessories perfectly complement the ghost chairs and rustic farmhouse table. The round table softens the corner and makes it more inviting. (and this one has the storage underneath too!!)

Digs Design Company

Better Homes and Gardens

Apartment Therapy

Gillian Lefkowitz

Pinterest

Pinterest

Better Homes and Gardens

Better Homes and Gardens

Houzz

Houzz

Houzz

Better Homes and Gardens

Mix and Chic

Tracery Interiors

Which ones are your favorites? Do you like eat-in kitchens? Do you think I'm a little too obsessed? Haha! 

XO Samantha

Hutch- Before &After

Hey readers,

Today I have a special post. I finally finished repainting my hutch. I mentioned before on my organization post that I had started working on it and I am just now getting to enjoy it. It turned out to be a lot more work than I had originally thought. My husband really helped out though. I especially appreciate the help with sanding it. That part was NOT fun.

For the color, I chose Lemonade Slush by Better Homes and Gardens. At first I wanted something more golden yellow, but after really thinking it over I wanted a more neutral yellow in case I decided to change my kitchen colors. I do think I still want to paint the hardware, but I haven't decided which finish yet. And I removed the doors on the top permanently.

I would really love your feedback. I am certainly enjoying it now. Every time I go in the kitchen, my eye is drawn to it which is what I wanted. It houses all of my fancy dishes that we got from the wedding, so I want everyone coming in to notice them.

Also please ignore any mess in the pictures! :) Thanks. Sorry that the images aren't that great. Its a narrow kitchen so it was hard to get a good angle. Hope you enjoy!

*Before*

*During*

*After*

A couple of inspiration photos too of course:

Centsational Girl

Vintage Rose Brocante

Home Portfolio

Martha Stewart

Now I'm working on my next DIY project: those chevron curtains!! Hopefully I can post about those soon :) How do you think my hutch turned out? Would you have painted it a different color? Do you have any yellow furniture? I would love to see it!

XO Samantha

Link Parties:

Skip to my Lou

Tatertots and Jello

Keeping it Simple

High Heels and Grills

Weekend Wonders