Friday!

Hope you all have a wonderful and fun filled spring weekend!

Marzipan

I have always love cutie fruit hand shaped from marzipan (the dense and sweet almond paste). This particular picture of softly toned cherries finished with the metallic gold leaf is so stunning. I would love to have these at any party!

ISCOV

I just bought a new bag to use onsite when I am doing production work. Someone I work with has an ISCOV bag, and I fell in love with it. It is a Chinese company that makes beautiful, quality bags. The handles are soft leather, and the insides are mesh - the perfect combination of style mixed with utility. Mine came in the mail today, and I love it!

This Week

{via Lovely Clusters}

I took a lovely little two day trip to New York this week. I decided last minute to hop on a plane and hang out with my friend Alex. She lives in Williamsburg, Brooklyn - somewhere I had never been. Well, let me tell you - I have fallen in love with New York - what a wonderfully diverse, fashionable, and action-packed city!

Gorge

How amazing is this light filled space? The crisp white accented with bold pops of yellow is so fresh. This room is livable while still be glamorous (with the chandeliers, classic furniture pieces, ornate moldings, and chaise lounge). I love the soft gray of the walls, the muted tone of the floor, and the tonal artwork.

Sunshine

It is a gorgeous day today, and I enjoyed sitting outside drinking hard cider. I have a long day ahead of me tomorrow, so I plan to stay in and take it easy tonight. I need to relax and put my feet up!

Living Rooms

The two living rooms below are two of my favorite I have seen. I mean really...how great are these spaces?!? Such beautiful mixes of old world rustic, clean and contemporary, and glitzy glamor.


That disco ball sitting in the fireplace is just two much (and I mean that in a good way). I love the white-washed floors, the traditional lines of the chair, the perfectly arranged books, and the simply hung artwork.


This one is obviously much more grand, but I love the chandelier hanging over the comfortable yet stylish room. The accessories are all more interesting than the last, and the simple color palette ties it all together.

Sunday Afternoon

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

I worked many hours this weekend, so I am having a lazy afternoon today. I just got back from the local dog park where Maya had a blast playing and wrestling with some new friends. I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend!

Have a Lovely Weekend

{via Lovely Clusters}

Spring Style

I love this look from J Crew's Spring Style slide show. Just as they describe it, I adore the 'masculine-feminine mix' that is 'eternally chic'. The black crop pants look great with the tucked-in gray t-shirt, layered necklaces, and boyfriend cardigan.

Dreary Day

{via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

Chicago is very gray today. It has been raining on and off. Everything is wet, the sky is dull. The good news - lots of freshly grown greenness will follow! Something to look forward to...

Paul Costello

When I first saw this picture, it stopped me in my tracks. It is somehow incredibly inspiring to me. I love the soft lighting, the wall of feminine themed paintings, the bowl of flowers, and of course that adorable girl. I found out it was taken by photographer Paul Costello. He has taken gobs of gorgeous photos that I am sure I will feature more of.

Happy Monday

{via Cycle Chic}

What a beautiful day it was today! Great way to start the week. The sun shining makes me feel energetic and productive today. I ran errands, made phone calls, did laundry...now off to a long overdue dinner with my dad.

The Apricot Chronicles

I am thrilled, excited, ecstatic to announce my new website:
I Appreciate That was originally intended to be a design focused blog/website. Lately it has been swaying more and more towards food related posts. So in an effort to be organized and orderly and focused - I have created a new blog that will center strictly around food. I love food so much - and this is a great way to continue having a creative outlet solely surrounding this subject. I will have a continuous feed on this site showing what is being posted there, but please check it out!

Black is Back

Not that black was ever out...Ahhhhhh. I love this photo. This is who I want to be. I (of course) for the life of me not figure out where I found it or what designer it is. Either way - the simplicity of the the all monochromatic color palette, the slicked back hair, the skinny pants, and the pointed patten ballet flats all equal perfection. It is so feminine - I am always striving for that balance between not too sexy and not too frumpy. This is exactly it. Love.

Craving Nature

{via Lovely Clusters}

Maybe it is the impending warm weather, maybe it is my lack of vacations - whatever it is - I have been truly craving a natural setting lately. I want to walk on a beach, or climb a mountain (haha), or run through a field. Can you tell I am not really a nature person. All that I desire is what is in my head. That is why this feeling is so unique for me. I just want to go have a picnic by a lake - or something. I need to figure out how I can make this happen...

Real Wedding: Bonnie and Michael

PART ONE: Rehearsal Dinner

I worked on the design of this super cutie rehearsal dinner with Jesse Deckard of Botaicals, a branch of HM Designs last year. The entire weekend was planned at their estate in rural Wisconsin. Their classic red barn was used as the setting for this rustic chic evening - complete with hay bails, quilts, fresh yellow sunflowers, galvinized metal, gingham plaid, strung Italian lights, and custom barnwood bars. So so cute!







Event Planner - Lori Stephenson of Lola Event Productions

Nice To Meet You

This is one that I have had saved for a while now. Unfortunately, I can't remember where I found it - but I absolutely adore this entryway. Overall the space is neutral, but that pop of color in the bright orange painted bench upholstered in that gorgeous fabric is the perfect touch!

Sunny Days Ahead

I just bought a bunch of vibrant yellow daffodils at the store to brighten up my place. It is always such an exciting time of the year when cheerful spring blooms pop up. Tomorrow is supposed to be warm and sunny, and I can't wait to spend some time outside!

Why You So Blue?

There is something about this bedroom that made me stop and look. While it is not a look that I would try and replicate in my own home, I adore the soft and ethereal atmosphere. The plush velvet, icy acrylic, monochromatic walls and curtains - all in powder blue! If this is a hotel, I would stay there for a night (or two).

Just Keep Reading

{photo via Audrey Hepburn Complex}

My list of books that I want to read just keeps getting longer and longer! It is impossible to keep up on, but the idea of all the information and the stories within all the impending pages is exciting. I have been stuck on the same book for way too long lately. I absolutely need to get through it so I can start checking some of those titles off!

Put Your Dancing Shoes On

After a long long week of work, I feel like dancing tonight! It feels so good to not have anything to do. Don't get me wrong, as a freelancer it felt pretty darn good to have a lot to do as well. But after the many hours of hard work I put in, part of me wants to get up and go do something fun (then the other part of me wants to put my feet up and sip on a nice glass of wine)...I wonder which part will win?

Cake!

How stunning is this cake!?! I love the classic white frosted cake covered in unexpected drapings of nude colored fondant. Plus, the styling in this photo is gorgeous - so simple and elegant with the white cake stand, the apricot toned wall with white moldings, and the clean white table.

Photo Fabulous

{bia Audrey Hepburn Complex}

I am working a photo shoot today using all adorable and charming babies. They are so cute and inspiring. If only we can get their naps, snack times, and giggling moments coordinated!

Real Life

{via Mint}

Here is a room that I feel like not only embodies my true interior design style, but also one that is realistic for anyone to achieve. First of all - there is actually stuff around the space! Everyone has things, but most photographed homes only show the artfully placed tchotckes (books, frames, trays, figurines, etc.). It is refreshing to see a featured room that feels real, but still it clean and beautiful.