Nesting

As I was reading Simplified Bee yesterday, I learned of this amazing little website. Nesting is an all-in-one resource for decorating living spaces where kids, pets or life in general make high performance (read: stain resistant) products essential. Created by a DC interior designer and new mom, Nesting offers both furnishings and design services.

Unfortunately it is WAY out of our price range. Like $10,000 for a sectional out. I couldn't even afford one of the dog beds. Too bad. One day, when Derek and I are filthy rich, the products from Nesting will fill our home so that Kaiah can sleep where ever she wants.

Happy Cinco de Mayo!

In celebration of Cinco de Mayo, I wanted to pass on this gorgeous anniversary shoot in Mexico by Jose Villa. Enjoy!

All photos by Jose Villa via Wedding Chicks.

Decorating with Color: Turquoise

Turquoise is the perfect color to decorate with all around the home. This blue-green is calming, reflective, and speaks to a luxurious getaway. Use pops of turquoise in a neutral space, or lots of different shades for a monochromatic look.

Paired with mirrored surfaces and stainless steel, turquoise creates a sophisticated, chic room that's just a little bit vintage.

How about a turquoise front door? I'll take one.

Here are a few of my favorite turquoise products...

KitchenAid Stand Mixer from Macy's

Xhilaration Pillow from Target

Round Pintuck Floor Pillow from Urban Outfitters

Tier Cascade Chandelier from Urban Outfitters

 

Ponzio Table Lamp from Crate & Barrel

DC Cupcakes

Something reminded me today that Sprinkles Cupcakes will be opening a location in DC this summer. I got all excited and then I thought I should figure out where else in DC I can get a yummy cupcake in the meantime.

Frosting recently opened in Chevy Chase. They seem to be a little late hopping on the bandwagon, but at least they are not too close to their competitors location wise.

Georgetown Cupcake has locations in Georgetown and Bethesda. Honestly, I don't love the fact that they refer to themselves as making "designer" cupcakes. Ok, ok, I hate that. It turns me off. It makes me feel like they might be more hype than anything else. But, hey, they've been around the longest, since 2008, and they sell out all the time, so they must be doing something right.

Hello, Cupcake! is located in Dupont Circle. They are LEED Certified {love that}, and they've been criticized for using too much icing {my favorite part, yay!}. Oh, and I have their book! So cute.

Cake Love {you know, the one with the guy from the Food Network} has locations on U Street and in Silver Spring, Shirlington, National Harbor, Tysons Corner, and Fair Oaks Mall. These cupcakes I have actually had the pleasure of tasting! They are always perfectly imperfect but are a little to sweet for my taste. I also remember being very annoyed that their prices were not listed anywhere.
By the way, they bake normal cakes too, and even offer Vegan, gluten-free, and low sugar options as a part of their "Green Label".

Red Velvet Cupcakery is in Dupont Circle and Penn Quarter. They boast the fact that their staff consists of trained pastry chefs and play up this whole "we're elegant" thing. Mostly I hate them because I always dreamed of naming my bakery Red Velvet. *sigh*

Baked and Wired, in NW, is very well reviewed. It seems to be a cool, hip place, with modern cupcake art adorning the walls.

Wow. Does that seem like a whole lot of cupcakes for one city to anyone else? Hello, Cupcake! is definitely on my short list of place to go while I'm home.

Dream Getaways - Mexico

I would really love a vacation right about now, so I'm living through photographs.
Among my resources for finding hotels that look to-die-for is Mr. and Mrs. Smith, a website dedicated to boutique and luxury hotels.
One of my all time favorite hotels is La Amada Hotel in Cancun. Private plunge pool? Yes, please. But its not just the amenities that have me swooning over this place. Its the natural, yet modern, architecture and design. It looks like the whole place was just plucked out of a West Elm catalog.

For romance in the ruins, Hacienda Uayamon looks like perfection. Picture those crumbling walls all lit up with candles.

Still to come: Greece and the Carribean.

neVer forgeT

"While 32 of our friends and classmates are in heaven trying to explain what a Hokie is, 

I stand here sure in the fact that I wouldn't want to be anything else."

♥

4.16.07

HGTV Green Home 2010

This year's HGTV Green Home is an absolute dream. No really. This IS my dream.

Modern farmhouse? Check.
Wrap around porch? Check.
White kitchen and dark wood floors? Check and check.
Sunlight pouring in? Check.
Industrial details mixed with southern charm? Let's just get to the pictures already and you'll see for yourself!

I'm all ready to move in!