{ before + after }

my widdle apartment before...

and.... after!

 i switched out the overstuffed patterned chair for this matching orange queen ann-ish, crushed velvet pair. {homegoods!}

revamped the lamps with these nautical navy shades from target. 

 and found this new sleek glass + silver coffee table @ cb2.

 the sis helped me make {and by that i mean, she totally made} this navy pillow with gold accents. i hear there are two more in the works.... ahem...

my favorite part about these chairs is the silver button piping.

 hot pink accents? yes please. 

 i found this window frame at a shabby chic recycled boutique in the short north early this spring + just waiting for the right moment to break it out of the closet! 

what do you think?

{ royal wedding prep }

well. as i'm sure you know, tomorrow morning, 4a.m. = royal wedding. yes, i'm one of those. those crazy people getting up at 4a.m. to tune into the today show's pre-coverage and watch the wedding vows @ 6. and i plan on making some breakfast pb + fruit toast and lots {and lots} of cappuccinos!

did i mention... lots of cappuccino? 

cheers!

{ head for the hills: part two }

remember i mentioned a few rain drops falling during out "all outdoorsie weekend"? well, i wouldn't feel too sorry... to pass the time we decided to have our own wine + cheese tasting at the hilltop bistro! {aka the card table in the living room that overlooked the pond.}

 {yes. we actually had three types of wine + two different cheeses in tow for the weekend.}

 wind chimes are one of my all-time favorite sounds. reminds me of my grandparents house on the quiet river.

 and then.... out comes the sun...

{wee!}

 {my fave boat shoes}

the fire pit that was supposed to house s'mores galore {but weather relocated the marshmallow madness to the microwave}.

xo

{ foam me up }

no. your eyes are not deceiving you... this is my {repeat: all mine} brand, shiny new cappuccino maker!

it makes delicious ice cappuccinos... 

 + frothy, milky warm-me-up cappuccinos...

 i'm even learning to perfect my foam form. 

 could anything be better? really? 

now to learn how to make those frilly little designs...

xo

{ royal wedding bells }

don't worry, ladies...

:) 

via rachel. so great. and found here.

are you going to watch the royal wedding this friday? 

{coverage starts at 4am on the today show, you know...} i think the sister + i are making cappuccinos {stronger than tea} + strawberries + toast for the morning of!

when the goin' gets tough, the tough head for the hills...

hocking hills that is! because sometimes you just need to get away.

 we stayed the weekend in a little cabin in the middle of nowhere.

 relaxed + laid low.

 dodged the rain showers...

to soak up as much {even if it was little} sun as possible.

can't wait for a return trip. 

{more photos to come}

{ happy easter-ness }

i had lovely easter weekend filled with chocolate bunnies, colorful eggs, fam + a little {much needed} down time.

 { yep. i still enjoy coloring eggs. i am five.}

this is my fave. 

hope you had a great weekend, too.

{ time to take monday by storm! }

{ pick a card, any card }

a few weekends back {when the sun was playing on our team} we grilled burgers + the sister and i introduced the bf to ... phase 10. now, if you are not familiar with this magnificent card game of pure skill mixed with adrenaline, well... you're missing out my friend. 

he looks sassy because he's losing.

this. is the perfect summer salad. i've been making it religiously. the dressing is the secret. i got the simple recipe from my nutritionist {for the hot second i actually was one of those people who *had* a nutritionist.}

healthy salad dressing:

olive oil or flaxseed oil

a squeeze of a fresh lemon

garlic 

salt + pepper

map out your weekend...

we have!

please pray for less rain.

enjoy the fun days!

a friendly chi town visit included a very shabby chic hotel stay at the wit and lots of catching up with friends.

 not to mention amazing city views + this cute little chaise lounger and shiny floor chandelier. 

topped off by a delicious brunch complete with ooey gooey banana nut bread + a cappuccino foamed to perfection.

cheers! ;)

once upon a flight...

sometimes when there are no particular plans on a random weekend night, we like to walk down the street to a local wine bar.

the burgundy room. and sometimes... we like to try out different flights.

this past weekend i tried the french flight and bf, the spanish. 

we like to take our time, taking sips over the cheese plate + pretend we know all the winey adjectives like "woody, pine, dry, smooth." 

{ love is in the flare }

welcome back, 70's. i'll leave the flower power in the past, but am digging these updated flares.

via here. buy here.

groovy, no?

via here.

saaaailing... take me away....

dreaming of blue skies, salt water in the air + sand under my toes. too bad i still have a while to wait. 

this pic was taken a few years ago on my way from hyannis port to nantucket. <3

{ six super shiny things }

six things i'm currently loving.

one. this bright beach-ready bathing suit contrasts with the deep blue ocean

two. rusty, red trousers to hit up the weekend farmers' market

three. coral paint for the soon-to-be-tan-in-may digits

four. a wine picnic for two? don't mind if i do. perfect for a weekend getaway not-so-far from home.

five. mellow yellow sun dress perfect for work or play.

six. nude wedges. longer legs coming right up!