My mom asked for some help with the upcoming ‘Girls Weekend,’ and I immediately went into Martha Stewart planned mode, plan a party and shoot a wedding that weekend, oh shor! We need this, that, and oh could you pick up some Magnolia leaves? Alberta didn’t know what she was getting herself into.

I wanted the decor to be a casual elegance. I envisioned a mixture of rustic items, touches from the garden, and a splash of sparkle with silver and mercury. The container for the centerpiece was quite a challenge. After trying two other different vintage wood boxes that I got off of ebday, that proved to be either too tall, or too small, we went with a vintage tin shaker box of sorts that matched the feel I was going for. I filled the circular tin container with white peonies and hydrangeas that we got from Whole Foods, and accented it with succulents from Home Depot. I covered the table with a dark brown burlap table cloth that I picked up from JoAnn’s, and added the moss table runner to add the garden feel. To contrast the garden rustique of the moss and burlap we used mercury silver taper candle holders that I had in my living room, and bought silver leaf chargers off of ebay, topped with Alberta’s set of beautiful white dishes.

Keeping with the style of the table we used an array of mason jars we had around the house for beverages, and clay pots to hold the dinner rolls. All of the name cards and tags on the out of town bags I made myself, and love the image of the tree in the background to tie it in with the garden decor. The brown craft out of town bags that I picked up at Michael’s craft store and napkin holders, were adorned with handmade ivory flowers made out of Dupioni silk that I got from G-Street fabrics. The table came out better than I had envisioned, and our family get together was so amazing. More on our girls weekend coming soon! And, I love designing and decoration tablescapes, so if you’re planning a party, and need help…you know where to find me!

I’m going on vacation this summer. I haven’t been on vacation in six years, SIX YEARS PEOPLE. Although it’s going to be right in the middle of stressful wedding seasoness, I think I’ll get over it once I’m lying on the white sand looking over the crystal clear water. Just last week I started freaking out trying to figure out what I’m going to wear, I don’t have beach clothes! So this Style post is inspired by just that, beach, summer, nautical, water. July can’t come soon enough.

1. Jcrew sail sea bag
2. Lattice work designer pillow
3. Bucket pendant lamp
4. Captain’s Wire Wrapped Brass Ring
5. Gabriella dress
6. Marine flags
7. Earth Ends Chemise
8. Organic Cotton Pin-Tuck Duvet Cover
9. Dotty Bikini
10. Fortuna capri sandals

My spring 2010 Style edition has been inspired by, well, wedding season! Here are some of the latest trendy accessories for this wedding season.

1. Kristin Morris Bridal Jewelry
2. UntamedPetals Bridal flower hair piece
3. portobello wedding feather hair piece
4. Stuart Weitzman Pomposo heel
5. DavieandChiyo Satin bridal clutch
6. Christian Louboutin white satin bow heel
7. J.Crew Pearl Bracelet
8. Bonzie Dupioni Raw Silk Wrap
9. Vera Wang Bridal Collection 2011
10. Cara Rosebud Necklace

I heart Etsy, and maybe a little too much, but the little gold mine of beautiful handmade items makes my heart pitter patter. Today’s style post is an Etsy overload. Here are some of my favorite shops and items, but make sure you browse through all the different sections. What are some of your favorite Etsy shops?

1. yarncoture: Gray knit scarf
2. dedeetsyshop: Rose linen pillow
3. hijirik: Letterpress bird print
4. favorJewelry: Gold hoop earnings
5. bittersugar: Live what you love letterpress print
6. tidabeads: Snowflake beanie
7. sarahandbendrix: Heart shadow box
8. uncommon: Decorative chandelier
9. redrubyrose: Clutch
10. WeddingAisle: Birdcage veil

I’m finally finished with my living room redecorating (check out the before), and it’s just fabulous. I have a hard time getting myself to leave the couch, cause I love just sitting and soaking it all up. I had an idea about how I wanted it to look, and I think I definitely topped it. This new space is a true reflection of me and things I love. Feel free to stop on by and check it out yourself!

This is one of my favorite parts. I bought this scrapbook from South Moon Under years ago, and wasn’t ever brave enough to do something to any of the pages. I finally decided to take it out of my closet and place all the amazing thank you notes I get from clients in it. I love opening it up and re-reading all the notes, and especially adding new ones.

Windows down, cruising along, and then it happened. One big fat rain drop on the windshield. Followed by 75 million pouring rain drops, you know, a FULL OUT TYPHOON hovering over my little civic. And I was all, crap, how does one get the passenger side window up WITHOUT POWER WINDOWS? During a typhoon. Going 50-ish MPH?! My left pinky finger held on for dear life to my non-power steering steering wheel as I Gumby stretch my 5’1 body across the stick and e-brake to just barely reach the knob as I try to turn it. And drive. At the same time. And at that very moment, and all the subsequent times it happened in the next five years, I swore that when I could afford a car with power windows, locks, steering, and air conditioning, I would be the most thankful and appreciative person for it.

I was. And am. Every time I get in my Amelia, I am reminded at how thankful I am for simple things such as my power windows, power steering, power locks, and air conditioning. Lessons that only can be learned when you aren’t as fortunate to have nice things to begin with, things you have to work hard for.

A few weeks ago when the time came to retire the fifteen year old blue and white stripe hand-me-down couch, I was grateful. Grateful that Alberta let Amanda and I borrow it for all those years that we couldn’t afford anything else. As the truck pulled up and the delivery men climbed out, power windows, I thought. And just as they closed my door, I jumped on my couch and danced it out. Thankful and appreciative. I was. And am.

So I thought I’d switch things up with my latest style edition, per a friends’ suggestion, and show you my inspiration for my new living room. Some of these things I have, others I just *wish* for. I love decorating, and this new living room of mine truly reflects me.

The fall air has finally kicked in, and I’m so excited for what colors it may bring. I adore the berry color, and well, I kinda like gray too ;)

1. The Martha bag, by Hobo. If you don’t know Hobo, I highly suggest you check them out. Every bag is amazing!!

2. Kelsey Ruffle Top by J.Crew

3. Carlita slouch wedge bootie from Banana Republic

4. Office storage boxes from The Container Store

5. Toggle front sweater coat from Old Navy

6. Dupion Handmade Bridal Rose on Etsy

7. Westbury Remy by Kate Spade

8. Midnight Crystal Ring by J.Crew

9. Poloneesi Bed Linens from Crate and Barrel

There has been so much going on over here lately that I feel as if I have forgotten to stop and smell the daisies. In lieu of trying to find a daisy to smell here in Bethesda, I’ve decided to bring the bright sunshiny happiness to me instead: bright, summery, fun, and yellow. The perfect combo for a stress free summer day.

1. Gray Banana Republic Necklace

2. Gorgeous wedding gown by J.Crew

3. Letterpress print from Hijiri

4. Crate and Barrel dinning room chair

5. Pottery Barn Toile print bedding

6. Gray Quil Rug

7. Sleeveless blouse from J.Crew

8. Light fixture from CB2

9. Tunic from Anthropology

One blog reader recently commented that I am always so stylish and cutely dressed. Yes, I indeed did a double take to make sure that was in fact what I was reading. Although, INTERNET, don’t worry, I have made her an appointment with the optometrist for next Wednesday at 9AM. CLEARLY she needs her eyes checked.

Lately (as in the last 2 years) the shopping and looking stylish has taken a drastic nose dive into the sand. I spend most of my time working at the restaurant, and the other three free days a year sitting at my computer trying to get editing done. When I actually have a day off my brain goes into shock mode and can’t pick an outfit out for the life of me, I don’t even know where to begin. TOO MUCH PRESSURE. I CAN’T DO IT, I CAN’T DO IT! And then, I usually end up wearing jeans, my black pumas, a black shirt, and a hoodie sweatshirt. Yes, that is EXACTLY WHAT I WEAR TO WORK at the restaurant.

In my attempt to convince myself of said statement actually being true, I have decided to start a style post. They aren’t all necessarily clothes, just things I like and think are cute. Not sure how often this will happen, but I’d thought I’d give it a whirl. I only have had one of these, and well, I killed it.

1. Chartreuse clutch I would die for from Etsy.
2. Gorgeous Turquoise earrings from Banana Republic.
3. Fancy gray flip flops from J. Crew.
4. Summery shirt from BCBG.
5. Handmade birdcage veil from Etsy. Handmade Lovelies is a company by a photographer.
6. Gray Heels from Nordstroms.
7. I adore paper. Thick, thin, envelopes, enclosures, invites, letterpress, you name it. And these letterpress invites from Bella Figura are AH-MAZ-ING.
8. I think topiaries are the cutest little plants. EVER. Too bad I don’t have a green thumb. Check out this little guy at Smith & Hawkin.
9. Although I have yet to figure out a use for these little suitcases from the Paper Source, I think they are adorable.
10. Headbands are all the rage these days, and this one from J. Crew, would make an awesome accessory.