Thursday, December 29, 2011

What are you doing New Years Eve?



New Years Eve is one of my favorite holidays. It's a time to get glam in glitter and sparkles and drink champagne. Who doesn't love that?  This year, we are laying low in Raleigh due to all of the moving events taking place just after New Years Day. Maybe next year we will be able to throw a glitzy NYE soiree. Here are some ideas I love.







Although I may not be dripping in glitter this NYE, I most definitely will be using this clutch I received as a gift from J. Crew. Paired with a black velvet blazer it will be simple yet festive.



Maybe I'll try a little bit of this too.

Now, suppose we had an affair we were attending for the evening, I would adore to wear a piece like the ones below.
 
What are your New Years plans??

xoxo,

Katie
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Wednesday, December 28, 2011

Home Sweet Home

My apologies for the blogging hiatus. Life has been quite busy this past week.  Last Thursday, Austin and I made our trip up to DC to find a place to live. After weeks of online hunting and stress, wouldn't you know it that Austin found the place we ended up signing THE DAY before our trip? Typical. 


Anyway, I'm so in love with our new little space. Our new digs are in Georgetown.  It is a neighborhood in the NW district of DC. If you've ever been to DC, you know how stinkin' cute Georgetown is. The location of this little row house is beyond ideal. We are a half block back from bustling M St, where there are hundreds of restaurants and boutiques. The fact that we get to call it home makes me crazy jump up and down just a little excited.

Here is an exterior photo. Interior photos to come once we are all settled in :)



 Georgetown is one of the oldest DC neighborhoods, as it was used as a port because of its close proximity to the river. (I may or may not have been doing "new town  research")  I am absolutely smitten by all of the charm that this area boasts. 



And of course we musn't forget..


This could get ugly.


Our "D-Day" is January 4th.  I have been packing and such to get us ready to load our life into a U-Haul trailer.  These last few days in Raleigh are bittersweet, but we are excited for new beginnings in DC.


I hope everyone had a beyond amazing Christmas and spent lots of quality time with family!


xoxo,


Katie
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Tuesday, December 20, 2011

For The Love of Monogram

With my status of what I like to call a "nearlywed", my monogramming habits have come to a hault. I keep going back and forth wondering if it is socially acceptable to wear newly monogrammed items before the big day.



For example. I know the monogrammed jewelry thing is so crazy popular and every corner you turn, but aren't these the sweetest? They are a simple piece that I could wear with everything. However, with a $350 price tag, I'd prefer to get them with my new monogram. If you know me, you know my patience level is that of a fruit fly, and there is no way I could wait until April 27, 2013 to wear these. I'm curious, what are your thoughts on new monograms before the big day?

Here are some other drool worthy monogrammed pieces I am sure to indulge in post wedding day. Aren't they darling?!





The cutting board is a total must in my opinion for every household. With all of the styles and color variations available, it can match any kitchen!

What is your favorite item to monogram?

xoxo,

Katie

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Thursday, December 15, 2011

All Wrapped Up

Can you even believe that Christmas is in 10 short days?! It has definitely flown up on me. Thankfully, all of the shopping is done, gifts are wrapped and the house is decorated. I decided to take the gift wrapping into my own hands this year, as last year Austin decided to wrap all of our gifts we were giving with blue electrical tape. Let me tell you, I freaked out. I calmy, had to unwrap everything at the final hour and re-wrap it all with clear scotch tape.

See, I even documented the epic fail on camera.

\
 This year, I attempted to take a different route and make sure we were fully stocked on wrapping supplies and even ordered these darling gift tags from Etsy in hopes of a more put together package. I mix and matched multiple styles in my order to have different variations under the tree.

I mixed gold and brown paper together for a holiday glitz yet rustic look under the tree. I loved how the white tulle I bought for ribbon turned out with a little bit of raffia. It was so easy to do and is a tiny step up from the picture above. Bless his heart.


Here are some gift wrapping ideas that I thought were just adorable. Must keep in mind for the future!


I down right NEED this paper. The ribbon color combo is fab.

So perfectly feminine.

So simple! And makes for a fun pine cone hunt outside!


LOVE the succulent incorporation.


I would love to hear about how you all wrap your gifts! I am always looking for new and fun ideas!


xoxo,

Katie
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Monday, December 12, 2011

Weekend Recap

Rickshaw ride from our condo to Buku.  It was a little brisk out.

What a busy weekend! Just now finding the time to post. As stated previously, Austin and I are moving to DC in just a couple short weeks! We have both put in our notices at work, terminated our apartment lease, and have begun the apartment hunt in the city. It is still all such a blur to me.  This past weekend, we decided to celebrate our Raleigh life before it is a distant memory!

Saturday night, Austin and I went to Buku for dinner before going to a show.  We went to see the Christmas Carol at the Progress Energy Center. It was absolutely, positively hysterical! I loved how they incorporated modern topics into the show. Sadly, probably my favorite part was having "The 2 Day Sale Target Lady" run across the stage pushing her cart as fast as she could go. I died.  Even Scrooge himself did the "Shuffle" to LMFAO's "Party Rock." It was quite the entertainment!

These mussels were di-vine. Bathed in tomatoes, white wine, garlic and a cream sauce, they were a hit in my book.
Amazing Spring Rolls with lobster and avocado filling, and slapyourmamma its so good hummus for dipping.


We also split a tuna asparagus sushi conconction as an appetizer, but I was so starving at that point, I didnt stop and smell the roses and take a picture of it. It was equally as delish.


 After the show we braved the 25 degree weather and watched skaters maneuver the ice rink downtown. You bet your natural born hiney you won't see me get on that ice. My coordination would be a purifed nightmare on that ice, but it was fun to watch the more coordinated people enjoy :)

 We rounded out the evening getting together with a bunch of old friends that we are so sure to miss once we make our move.  But we get the feeling that we will be receiving many of them as visitors in our new home :)


Hope your weekend was swell!

xoxo,

Katie







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Friday, December 9, 2011

New Year, New City!



Well folks, the time has come where we can officially announce that we will be making the move to Washington, DC! Austin has been going to through the application process for a job up there since JUNE. Crazy right?! I guess that is what happens when you apply for a job with the government! We are so thrilled. While it is very bittersweet to be leaving Raleigh, we are both very excited for what lies ahead in our new journey.


Being both NC only natives, it will be a huge step for us! He will be starting after the first of the year, so the next few weeks will be jam packed with finding the perfect apartment, packing our current apartment, and settling into city life. I am also very excited for the new project of decorating and organizing our new digs. How adorable is the print above? It will be a necessity for part of the new gallery wall.  You can see all of this adorable work at Etsy!


What are some things we should do in DC? We love to try new places and spaces and are open to all suggestions! I cannot wait to check everything off of Tory Burch's City Guide for what she loves about DC. Who doesn't love Tory?! 


Look at at her new store in Tyson's Corner...I hope to visit this little gem quite frequently.


Anyway, I will be sure to keep you posted on updates during our rather hectic time that begins, well, now.


Happy Friday!


xoxo,


Katie

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Thursday, December 8, 2011

Cobalt


I am currently full steam ahead on the Cobalt train. I absolutely love nearly every single thing in the shade.  I am drawn to it like a bug to light.  I know it is a huge trend right now and is everywhere you turn.  Maybe I love how versatile it is.  The idea that you can wear it almost as if it is the "new black"  It goes fabulously with animal prints, sparkles, black, brown you name it. I have my eye on the cobalt skinny jeans below. I love adding to my color jeans collection and think these would be the perfect addition.

Cobalt

Waterproof jacket
£159 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Rag & bone slim fit pants
$242 - rag-bone.com

Ann Taylor high heels
$225 - anntaylor.com




 I think everyone should have a little bit of this color in their closet. And makes the perfect transition into Spring/Summer paired with white slacks, blazer, skirt, you get the idea. Its all around perfect.





Even Princess Kate agrees...





xoxo,

Katie



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Wednesday, December 7, 2011

Coastal Fog & Signature Jordan Interior Design

Through college until I graduated, I had the extreme privilege to work with a very old family friend with her interior design business.  Jordan, an interior design ECU alum has quite the talent ya'll (sorry, I said it Jordan) Our families have been friends since nearly the beginning of time and throughout my days at Coastal Fog, they really became family.

Coastal Fog is the retail shop of Signature Jordan Interior Design. There, I assisted with purchasing, attending markets, and helping with projects. It was a tremendous experience that I will be forever grateful for.  I highly recommend to anyone stopping through the area to browse this quaint little shop nestled in the heart of downtown Greenville ( I can promise you won't leave empty handed, I never do) ;-)   The shop carries brands such as Voluspa, Lollia ( a favooorite of mine), Archipelago, Roost, Kalalou, Design Legacy, Simpatico Candles, Caldrea, the list could literally go on and on and on and on, well, you get the idea.  Jordan is amazing to work with and can even take orders over the phone if you are searching for that perfect gift! 

Here are a few of my shop favorites:

Voluspa Suede Blanc Candle

Design Legacy Throw Pillows

Lollia Bubbling Bath & Hand Creme

Simpatico Candle

Ceramic Tealight Lotus Flower (the PERFECT hostess gift!)  

Jordan is an amazingly talented designer.  Whether your project is a bathroom flip or an entire house, she is the gal for you.  She has a serious knack for getting to know your personal style and being able to incorporate it effortlessly into your home.

Here are just a couple before and afters:

Dated Powder Room Before

Fabulous French Design. Faux finish on the vanity really brings it to life. And check out that wallpaper. To die for.

Jordan's Greenville cottage before her summer overhaul.

I don't think any real caption is needed other than absolutely adorable.  

Be sure to check out her blog to keep up with all of her newest projects and products at the shop!

Happy Wednesday!

xoxo,

Katie
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