Playing dress up

The holidays always provide a great excuse for getting all gussied up. I welcome such opportunities with fervor! These gorgeous dresses would be fabulous for a night out or a formal dinner. The sparkly bustier would be perfect for a new year's party or night on the town. Lovely, lovely.

Polka dots are fun

This dress with these shoes would be dashing.

Black diamonds. Do you like them or not?

I think they're lovely.

It is snowing outside and once again I find myself dreaming of a nice hot bath in something akin to this lovely tub...

There are a number of things I love about this room:
1. The masterful bed. I love that it is four poster and dark wood.
2. The picture wall behind the headboard. I have a thing for picture walls...
3. The silver-based bedside lamps. Very simple but very pretty.

Making me smile...

Does your heart ache when you see an old house that has been left uninhabited and allowed to decay? I come to the verge of tears when I see such a beautiful house such as this that has architectural delights at every corner and could be turned into a gorgeous home but is left abandoned and uncared for. Imagine what it could look like!!

Go Navy Beat Army

Mr. C and my father attended the Army/Navy game this weekend. It was freezing cold but well worth it. The pageantry alone is spectacular. Not to mention the blowout outcome of the game itself (Go Navy!)

The army corps

A Navy parachuter. Both sides dropped parachuters onto the field.

The midshipmen.

And of course, the star attendee of the game: Our nation's president.

Let there be (white) Light!

I was put in charge of decorating our office tree. I was told we already had a pre-lit tree so I went out and purchased the decorations. When I got back from Thanksgiving break my co-workers had set up the tree---and to my dismay I saw that it was pre-lit with colored lights.
Oh mercy me.
After I had already voiced my distaste at even the thought of color lights. None of my decor would work with color lights and to be honest, I don't even know how to decorate around multi-colored lights. So what did I do?
I took the pre-lit lights off.
Easy, you think? I say nay nay.
Each strand was adhered to over half of the trees branches with a plastic clip. I had to twist and break every single clip in order to free the strand of lights. It took altogether about 4 hours of pinching and breaking and 10 band-aids to stop the bleeding of my chafed fingers. But I was determined to be rid of the color lights! Once I finished taking them off, I strung it with white lights and attempted to decorate it with simple (but elegant) furnishings. This was my first time decorating a tree entirely by myself and with only my choice of decor. Daunting.
Below are pictures of the final product.

So, I put this out to my fellow bloggy friends: Color lights or white lights at the holidays? I absolutely must have white lights. I can't explain why. To me, (and mind you, this is purely my opinion about how I want my decor) color lights are akin to lawn ornaments: usually tacky. I used to think it was a West/East thing (with westerners preferring color lights) but I don't believe that is true. So, hopefully I haven't made anyone feel bad. You can do whatever you want with your own lights, I just have to have white lights. But I truly want to know what the consensus is. Do you use color lights or white lights?? Talk amongst yourselves ;)

Espying Elegance

A simply elegant home that is dripping with class and character. There are ceiling to floor windows, wood floors, and a huge walk-in closet. But my favorite has to be the kitchen. It is very simple but there is something about it that causes me to stare at it over and over again. Do enjoy!

If I were cool enough to have business cards...

I would carry them in one of these ultra cool cases.




Found here.

I hope everyone had a fabulous Thanksgiving and ate LOTS! I would absolutely love to have my Thanksgiving dinner in such a gorgeous dining room as this.

The white chairs, the stone accent wall, the white curtains, the windows...oh it is enough to send shivers down my spine!

Tote your laptop in style

With these cute bags found here.

Espying Elegance

A gorgeous home so tastefully decorated! This entryway is gorgeous with its lanterns and dark wood moulding.


The bedroom is done in a warm grey and blue that adds such calmness. The headboard is different and fun.

An expansive kitchen. I think you could cook just about anything in this kitchen.

And my personal favorite, the CLOSET. It is bright and airy. I love the lampshade. All the many drawers and shelves...I love it.

Adding dramatic flair: Shopbando

A cozy den

Love the dark wood walls and the coffered ceiling. Notice the carefully wrapped and placed books on the shelf.

A whimsical castle stairway...



The time and craftmanship it must have taken to build such a structure is amazing to me.

Espying Elegance---hotel style

This would be a most pleasant place to escape to for a weekend getaway! The Hotel Healdsburg in California. It is comfortable and chic with simplistic, non-fussy rooms that echo a feeling of relaxation. And a nighttime dip in that gorgeous pool is calling my name!