Simply Elegant

2011-12-15T16:34:00.001-05:00

Found this DREAM kitchen via Daisy Pink Cupcake blog. So gorgeous it took my breath away.

Yes, please

2011-10-19T19:26:00.003-04:00

(found via http://www.elledecor.com/image/tid/5175?pause=0&page=11)

(Photography by Mark Walron, Southern Accents, found http://mynottinghill.blogspot.com/2010/01/fireplaces-in-kitchens.html)

I absolutely, positively want a fireplace in my kitchen! It is now a must-have!

Micasa

2011-09-28T15:51:00.000-04:00

I cannot get over the windows in this room.

2011-09-20T18:52:00.001-04:00

Found via Daisy Pink Cupcake who found it on Pinterest.

I LOVE this idea for a kitchen. Walls full of windows...heavenly!!!

Found

2011-09-18T18:56:00.001-04:00

I want to curl up with a book in this corner right now!! Gorgeous.

Via flickr.

Windows Galore

2011-09-16T23:04:00.001-04:00

Most beautiful breakfast nook FULL of windows!!!!

Coastal living

2011-09-14T11:19:00.001-04:00

Kids' rooms!

2011-09-13T21:24:00.000-04:00

Comfort

2011-05-28T19:53:00.001-04:00

Roomy

2011-05-22T19:50:00.002-04:00

Love the floor to ceiling window and beamed ceiling

Craving all things white

2011-02-23T20:05:00.002-05:00

Maybe because I am longing for spring but I am finding a sense of haven in rooms that are white on white. Though not practical in many ways they are nevertheless relaxing and oh so peaceful!

And this kitchen is the topper. I LOVE the wall of many-paned windows!

Drama

2011-02-07T14:21:00.000-05:00

Loving the dramatic elegance of this kitchen.

Pink

2011-02-06T14:25:00.001-05:00

Thanks to Rue magazine, this tasty room caught my attention. I could never pull it off but something about it just feels right.

Warm thoughts

2011-01-28T14:40:00.002-05:00

I am buried under over a foot of snow and wishing I was buried under the warmth of these goodies from Anthropologie.

Serenity

2011-01-14T18:07:00.001-05:00

HGTV does it again

2011-01-11T18:13:00.000-05:00

Their beautiful 2011 home is stunning. Did I ever mention that I LOVE HGTV? I am obsessed with the show 'House Hunters' and always have HGTV on in the background if I'm home alone. I fell instantly in love with this cabin in Vermont. Loverly, loverly.

All pictures courtesy of HGTV.com

Kitchen Inspired...and a big Yes Please

2011-01-10T18:09:00.002-05:00

HGTV knows their stuff

Country Living Green Home

2011-01-07T17:55:00.000-05:00

My kind of Montana cabin

2011-01-05T17:49:00.000-05:00

More kitchen love

2011-01-04T20:57:00.000-05:00

Courtesy of Southern Accents

Kitchen love

2011-01-03T20:52:00.003-05:00

Though it could err on the side of being a little sterile, nevertheless this kitchen makes me happy. It is so clean and the lines, oh the lines! My favorite feature: the huge corner windows.

Polka.Dot.Stairs.

2011-01-02T21:01:00.001-05:00

One word: Awesome.

Calling my name

2011-01-01T18:06:00.000-05:00

I don't know if it is the comfy bed or hanging lantern but something about this room is calling my name...loudly... ;)

White

2010-12-08T20:31:00.000-05:00

Wreaths

2010-12-07T20:34:00.002-05:00

Wreaths in the window...I have always loved this look. It seems timeless and is so

very elegant...

For the modern baby

2010-10-26T16:39:00.002-04:00

Though it's not my particular style I think this baby bed rocks!

You can find it at Ubabub.

A simply pleasant dressing room

2010-10-12T13:49:00.001-04:00

A few finds

2010-10-11T17:17:00.006-04:00

I must admit, I first saw these photos over at A Life's Design and drooled, so I looked them up myself. This blog has always been a place to store beautiful and elegant things that I stumble onto so I had to document them!

Great farmhouse sink and gorgeous window

Glass cabinets are gorgeous...if you have pretty things to display of course!

Oh the garden parties you could have here...

All photos found at House Beautiful

Herb garden

2010-07-12T16:52:00.002-04:00

I love this little garden nook. A little walkway to stroll along in the evenings, perhaps? Yes, please.

Outside living

2010-07-01T21:22:00.001-04:00

Though made of wood, this chair beckons for a good curl-up-and-relax

Library

2010-06-03T22:14:00.000-04:00

Open shelving

2010-06-03T20:44:00.000-04:00

So classy

Photo wall 2

2010-06-03T20:17:00.000-04:00

Exactly what I am looking to re-create at my new house

Photos

2010-06-03T19:51:00.002-04:00

Love photo walls

Bright

2010-06-03T19:49:00.000-04:00

Mmmmm

2010-06-03T19:43:00.004-04:00

Black + White kitchen=LOVE

The Big Apple

2009-11-05T23:32:00.002-05:00

Visited NYC a couple weekends ago. Stayed in Park Place at a wonderful hotel and enjoyed being a lazy tourist (i.e. no plans, no schedule).

Saw this gem of a B'way play:

and visited Apple within the Big Apple:

A very fun excursion!

Espying Elegance

2009-09-21T13:07:00.006-04:00

I went for a walk the other day. Here are some of the things I saw, including amazing homes. The detail is incredible. I will have to take more pictures of the homes nearby. They are pant-worthy.

Multi-paned windows, a small round window...

This little alcove is precious. And the stone-work...

A friend.

The park across from my street.

A cute address post covered in flowers.

All of these homes are from either the eighteenth or nineteenth centuries and capture my heart.

Can you believe how well-kept these homes are? It makes me so happy to see old architecture kept in all its glory. Makes me want to knock on the door and hug the owners!

Just because I love before and afters...

2009-09-16T12:51:00.003-04:00

This was a patch of landscape I worked on a couple months ago at my church just because it was driving me crazy! So I put on some gardening gloves and went at it.

Before:

and After:

Espying Elegance

2009-08-26T10:05:00.002-04:00

So this lovely home is a real-life home for sale in New Jersey. Not a magazine house or show home it is simply someone's home that they are trying to sell. I love their style and the design of the home. I would buy it!

Gawked at here.

Pretty Pretty

2009-08-14T16:37:00.002-04:00

Have a great weekend!

Espying Elegance

2009-08-07T16:19:00.004-04:00

I'm off to have a dinner date with my Daddy--but I'll leave you with this lovely home. White galore!!

Cuff Love

2009-07-28T08:49:00.001-04:00

Loving these by etsy seller Anne Holman.

(I'd be) Singing In The Rain

2009-07-21T09:21:00.004-04:00

If I was taking holiday at this adorable cottage on the shore

But as for now, where I am, it is just raining.

2009-07-16T15:58:00.001-04:00

Wouldn't you love to sit down to breakfast in this peaceful kitchen? It would be heaven.

found here.

2009-07-13T16:01:00.003-04:00

Spent a week outside of Seattle, WA recently. And wouldn't you know, it didn't rain a single day :)

Beautiful niece Miss C picking flowers---isn't she adorable? I couldn't help but capture the innocent pleasure had in simply gathering pretty things. Hmm, I guess some of us never grow out of that.

Espying Elegance

2009-07-09T15:46:00.001-04:00

The front hall...need I say more?

Espying Elegance

2009-06-23T09:32:00.003-04:00

A simply lovely home. Whites and greys dominate the color schemes. The living room seamlessly opens into the kitchen allowing for a very open atmosphere.

The placement of the couches creates a room within a room.

I really like the bedroom. It is soothing yet crisp.

Thanks for accompanying me through this cute flat!

My idea of camping

2009-06-15T15:44:00.003-04:00

Simply elegant, no? ;)

Exposing Etsy

2009-06-09T15:54:00.003-04:00

An adorable etsy store! I would buy all of these shoes in an instant...if I had a baby's feet to put them on that is...(oh yeah, and money)

Check out more designs here.

Loving...

2009-06-08T16:21:00.000-04:00

... the brick walls, metal-framed window, and chalk-board accent wall...

shiny pretty things

2009-06-05T14:43:00.004-04:00

Little pretties found here.

Espying Elegance

2009-06-03T15:41:00.003-04:00

A charming home splashed with personality...

2009-06-02T15:19:00.001-04:00

cute pillow...

it has a companion pillow that says 'stay'. hee

found here

2009-05-28T13:50:00.007-04:00

My Memorial Day weekend was spent here:

along with all of my sisters...

and in the devoted/obsessive attendence of this chubby-faced little rock star:

Exposing Etsy

2009-05-27T11:57:00.001-04:00

Gorgeous photography by Deborah Brackenbury.

You can see more images at her online etsy store.

2009-05-26T14:40:00.001-04:00

I hope everyone had an incredible Memorial Day weekend. It is always a great time for remembrance and also a time to hug close to you all those who are dear. I spent the weekend with my family. Pictures to come...

Exposing Etsy

2009-05-22T13:50:00.003-04:00

Caught my eye

Etsy seller Mrhstudio

Boden

2009-05-21T14:52:00.007-04:00

For chic Mama's:

For little ladies:

...and gents:

and even for beach tots:

Espying Elegance

2009-05-12T14:15:00.003-04:00

As found in Architectural Digest, this lovely home echoes its age with gorgeous furnishings.

I would take my meals here every day in the summertime! Isn't it picturesque?

Ooh, yes please

2009-05-05T13:53:00.001-04:00

Some niceties from ModCloth.

Esyping Elegance

2009-04-30T12:27:00.004-04:00

A stunning home! Took my breath away.

Can this kitchen be any cuter? I think not. It is so comfortable and would make a fantastic hang-out spot for the whole family.

Of course the windows are Stunning!

Exposing Etsy

2009-04-29T14:47:00.000-04:00

Loving the workmanship of this etsy artist.

Enamored

2009-04-24T13:12:00.003-04:00

by this window!
All the panes and clasps...looovely.

Espying Elegance

2009-04-22T14:03:00.003-04:00

A sweet little home full of bright white and splashes of color...

2009-04-15T14:06:00.002-04:00

Is this not the most charming little house? I can't get over how cute it is. And complete with a RED door! Love it.

p.s. It's for sale. Yes please??

To market, to market

2009-04-01T14:15:00.003-04:00

Mr. C. and I went to the indoor market on Saturday. We enjoyed threading our way through the many little shops and stands, running our fingers over old books and enjoying tasty treats.

An afternoon well spent!

"Please sir, I want some more"

2009-03-31T13:54:00.004-04:00

My baby girl, Lily, went to the vet this past weekend for two vaccines and a blood test. They brought her back out from getting her blood drawn with a tiny little bandage on her arm (the needle moved thus causing some bleeding). She is fine, I don't even think it hurt her (because, as the nurse told me, Lily gave ample kisses after it was done) but that little bandage was the cutest thing I have ever seen. I kept it on her most of the day, firstly, to stop the bleeding, secondly, because every time I looked at her I swooned because of the overwhelming cuteness factor.

She is spoiled already, but all she had to do was put her little bandaged arm out and she got whatever she wanted that day. :)

It may be March...

2009-03-24T09:07:00.001-04:00

but it is still cold enough for a cup of hot cocoa! (and it was very yummy)

So sleepy

2009-03-17T10:10:00.005-04:00

Maybe it's the weather. Maybe it is my stuffy nose. But I really want to be snuggled up in one of these bedrooms. Fast asleep.

2009-03-12T11:46:00.002-04:00

This

would be a cute wall decoration in a baby's room, no?

Spring is around the corner...

2009-03-10T11:03:00.002-04:00

and this lovely umbrella would keep me dry.

Found here.

2009-02-25T14:44:00.004-05:00

I just bought these gorgeous sweaters on sale at Victoria's Secret online. I can't wait for them to come in the mail!

Enjoying

2009-02-13T09:38:00.000-05:00

this room

Welcome to this beautiful world, Baby M!

2009-02-10T13:55:00.003-05:00

Recently, my sister brought her first little baby into the world. He is basically the cutest baby ever, but as a new Aunt I suppose I am bias... ;) I wasn't going to share this personal celebration but, really, he is too cute not to brag about!!

Baby M. shortly after birth.

Baby M. at a few days old

Baby M. being dressed up by his mom at 2 weeks old (which was yesterday)

Mary, Mary, quite contrary---

2009-02-06T10:39:00.002-05:00

How does your garden grow? I love hedges and wildflowers. Would that I were strolling in gardens such as these!

2009-02-04T09:54:00.003-05:00

I woke up to a blanket of over five inches of snow this morning! Mmmm, all I could think about was wanting to snuggle under the covers. And how lovely it would be to snuggle in a bed like this! Yes please!

Laughter

2009-01-29T13:08:00.001-05:00

1. Laugh out loud..., 2. Meg Outtake, 3. Jeremy Britton, 4. DSCN8664

Stairway to heaven?

2009-01-27T09:51:00.003-05:00

The main staircase of my dream home has always been difficult to pin down. I would like it in the main entryway of the house but I shy away from the more gaudy, expansive entryways that echo even the smallest of sounds and present a cold first impression of one's home. But the staircase itself I have always wanted to be more dramatic, though not garish. Dare I even hint at the motto of my dream home being simple yet elegant? Hee. Anyway, this staircase is rather tempting to me. It is large and sweeping yet only in its own little corner of the entryway. The railing is gorgeous. I love all the wall space, which I would promptly fill with framed black and white photos of all sizes in my own 3-wall picture gallery.

The landing also is a subject of concern for me because I want it to reflect the beauty of the staircase but also communitcate instant comfort and familiarity since, to me, the second floor of the home is strictly private quarters and is even more intimate than the floors below. Don't you love how seriously I contemplate this as-of-yet non-existant dream home of mine? ;)

2009-01-26T11:09:00.005-05:00

Liking this garden layout. Only thing I would change perhaps is instead of a brick walkway I would have it be pebbled.

2009-01-23T11:19:00.000-05:00

A casual outfit for a weekend of sight-seeing or just a luncheon with friends.

2009-01-23T11:04:00.002-05:00

Interesting variety of 'splash' colors in this bedroom. I kind of like the white chandelier too.

Espying Elegance

2009-01-20T10:31:00.004-05:00

A most charming little home with a very open room plan in order to maximize the smaller space.

The little windows are charming and add a cottage feel to the home.

A simple bathroom but notice the window! I love middle-latched windows that you can throw open!

A very tiny kitchen but neat and very organized.

The dining/living room with double doors at the end.

2009-01-16T09:25:00.002-05:00

I am in love with this kitchen! I love the double doors, I love the cabinets and the farmhouse sink. I even love the old school room lights which I normally would pass over. It just seems like such a happy place to cook!

2009-01-14T10:07:00.001-05:00

Trying to look for the little things...
1. The wall of pictures, always a hit
2. The gorgeous settee
3. The coffered ceilings painted to match the walls.

Image found here.

2009-01-09T10:38:00.000-05:00

Such a pretty little scene! I love the blue and white! Seen here.

Espying Elegance

2009-01-06T12:46:00.002-05:00

A charming home that just gets my heart beating faster. It is so inviting and warm but also minimalistic-ly chic.

I LOVE the fireplace and the built-in bookshelves. Also the white tones off set by the wide plank flooring.

2009-01-02T10:27:00.001-05:00

I hope that everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

(Images courtesy of my sister who was in PARIS for Christmas!!! Jealous? Me? Of course not!...)

Playing dress up

2008-12-22T10:31:00.003-05:00

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

2008-12-18T09:59:00.004-05:00

This dress with these shoes would be dashing.

2008-12-18T09:54:00.002-05:00

Black diamonds. Do you like them or not?

I think they're lovely.

2008-12-16T14:58:00.001-05:00

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

2008-12-15T13:30:00.002-05:00

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...

2008-12-10T14:17:00.000-05:00

2008-12-09T09:50:00.002-05:00

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

2008-12-08T14:07:00.005-05:00

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!

2008-12-04T11:16:00.005-05:00

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

2008-12-02T14:47:00.008-05:00

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...

2008-12-01T09:56:00.001-05:00

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

Found here.

2008-12-01T09:18:00.002-05:00

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!