Sunday, September 18, 2011

I'm Back (and Slightly Jet-Lagged).

We just got back from our big Europe trip this weekend!  We had an absolutely amazing time.  It was so nice for Justin and me to take some time off of work and just relax together.  Call me crazy (and/or slightly paranoid), but I didn't want to advertise to everyone that we would be away from our home for over 2 weeks.



I can't wait to share the details of our trip and the pictures with you.  We have over 2,000 pictures to sort through -- so it may take a little time!  To give you a better idea of our vacation, this map shows the places we visited -- starting and ending in Paris.  (Athens hardly counts because we got there super late and had to leave the next morning for Milos, but since we slept there, I included it!) 


Since I don't have any pictures to share with you right now, I will share a hilarious message we received during the trip from our friend Kevin, who checked on things around the house while we were gone: 
Justin and Emily, a brief update:

I'm well, thanks for asking. The house is good. The light over the front door went out. Do you know if you have any extra bulbs? If not, I can pick one up. Also, do you have any drywall patching compound? If not, I can pick that up as well. Oh, are there any special instructions for removing stains on the couches (are the instructions different depending on which couch?)? The cars are... well, you have had that Lexus for a long time, right? I found a guy on craigslist that will take it in its current condition (long story). I think it's only fair that you guys get almost all of the proceeds. Also, can you take the passenger seat out of the Infiniti? I couldn't find it in the instruction manual. I think I found the right tools, so I'll give it a shot. Other than that, everything is peachy. I accidentally left the water running on the soaker house for a few days, so someone posted a notice on your gate about water usage. The gate was locked (like you said!), so they couldn't actually put it on the house. I think that is legally relevant. I'll turn it off this weekend.

Oh, I forgot to tell you that I... well... nevermind. I'll just tell you when you get back.

Miss you guys!
Kevin
Of course he was kidding about everything except the front door light.  Too funny, right?   

Between snuggling Riley and Zoey and catching up with work (which I am dreading), I am looking forward to seeing what all I've missed out on in blog land over the last couple of weeks.   

Tuesday, September 13, 2011

Hotel La Belle Juliette.

Remember the gorgeous Florence hotel I posted about?  Well, I have another beauty to share with you.  This one is the Hotel La Belle Juliette in Paris.  The best part is that we are actually staying at this hotel!

Check out how amazing the place is.  (I know, picture overload -- but I couldn't narrow it down.  They were all too pretty not to share.)












I may never want to leave!  Thankfully my firm has an office in Paris -- maybe I can just relocate and live here!  (Just kidding, mom!  Kind of.)   

Sunday, September 11, 2011

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Riley + Headbands = Cuteness.

Riley recently had a growth on the side of his neck that ended up getting inflamed and had to be removed.  Everything is fine now and it's not cancerous, so there shouldn't be anything that we need to worry about.  Because he's ok, I don't feel so bad embarrassing him.  We had to wrap up the spot for a few days before the vet removed it.

One thing is for sure, Riley sure knows how to rock a headband.

I swear this wrap looked red at Petco, but once I got it home, it was definitely more raspberry than red.  Hopefully Riley didn't mind too much.  I still think he looks super cute.  


He would occasionally paw at the wrap, and a couple times he ended up pulling the band in front of his ears over his eyes.  We tried so hard not to laugh at him, but it was pretty darn funny when he was trying to walk around without being able to see.  I always felt so bad for him when it happened, I never had the heart to take a picture of it.


Once we ran out of the pink raspberry wrap, we went to Petsmart to see if they had more manly colors.  Thankfully, they had some blue.  See how much happier he looks?   


And last up -- yellow, which is what the vet's office had. His face is so sweet!  And I love it when his ears flop back when he looks up.


And one of the best looks, the cone after the surgery!  Thankfully, he just got his stitches out and doesn't have to wear the cone anymore.     


Am I a mean pet parent for exploiting Riley on the blog?  :)  The "headbands" were just too cute not to share!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Happy Labor Day.

Hope y'all have a wonderful Labor Day enjoying your time with family and friends! I came across these interesting Labor Day travel stats on Pinterest (of course).




What are your plans for the holiday weekend? Are you traveling anywhere?

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Milos, Greece.

3 words:  I. Can't. Wait. 

(photo: here)

(photo: here)

(photo: here)


Saturday, August 27, 2011

Gorgeous Nursery: Round 2.

Remember this fabulous nursery I recently blogged about?  Well, I have another one to share with you.  {Sidebar: Don't read anything into the increased postings on nurseries . . . I am not pregnant!}

My friends David and Emilia did an absolutely amazing job on their baby Bea's nursery.  At the time they first posted pictures of Bea's room, she hadn't yet made her big debut.  I am happy to report that sweet Beatrice Lolly made her grand appearance on Friday!   

On to Bea's nursery, which I know she will love once she's home.  I love how they went with blue paint on the wall for a girl's room.  I wouldn't have ever thought to do that, but with all of the other feminine touches, this room is absolutely perfect for a girl.  Emilia said her goal was to have a girly-vintage feel, and I think she totally achieved it.           


The sweet sentimental touches of the pink frames on the gallery wall (which includes a valentine that Bea's great-grandfather gave her great-grandmother) and the precious dresses (which were Emilia's mom's) above the crib are perfection.     


And how great are those stripes?  Love that they pained the closet door too!  Check out those fabulous Anthro knobs on the changing table/dresser.  Aren't they fun?! 


This corner of the room is one of my favorite parts.  The vintage bookshelf was found at an estate sale and the adorable mirror was a Goodwill find!  They are both perfect for that space!


And how amazing is this lamp that Emilia found?  I love it!  She bought two of them for when Bea and her big sister, Ruby, share a room.  How sweet is that?


I'd say sweet Bea is one lucky little girl to have such a fabulous space.  Go check out their blog where Emilia shares more details of the room.  Oh, and you should also check it out because their other daughter, Ruby, is just about the cutest little girl I've ever seen.

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

Kindle Case + A Winner.

I recently bought a Kindle and have spent the time I should be reading on it checking out potential case options!  Here are some of my favorites:

I love that this one looks like a clutch rather than any type of electronics cover.  And if I ever decide to stop using the Kindle, I can repurpose this baby in a heartbeat.  Another positive -- it's reasonably priced.  


(photos: etsy)

I am also a big fan of the classic style of the Dodo case.  It's so simple and I'm digging the red (the inside also comes in a variety of other colors).  And I like that it's made like a book -- seems appropriate for an e-reader! 


(photos: dodo case)

And of course I love the Kate Spade covers.  They are super cute, but I can't pay $85 for one of them! 

(photo: here)

I am totally regretting over-thinking the whole Kindle case decision.  I am flying last minute to Chicago for the day tomorrow and will be traveling case-less!  Do you have a Kindle case that you would recommend? 

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Last but not least, the winner of the UPrinting giveaway is . . . Meggie!  


Congratulations!  I will email you about the details of the canvas print!     

Monday, August 22, 2011

Home Tour: Office.

In the last home tour post, I showed you the office bathroom. Well, now (finally) here is the office itself!  Our office is definitely a multi-purpose room. We use if for an office (of course) and also as a guest room and home gym. Riley and Zoey stay in this room during the day too.

The room is pretty big -- 20' by 18'. We've really struggled to use the space in the best way. Frankly, it's almost too big. When we first moved in, this room was our main guest room and the office was on the third floor.  We switched them a while back and like this set up much better. This room is still a work in progress (but what room isn't, really?).

To give you the lay of the land first . . . as you walk in, this is what you see over towards the right back corner.


This is the view over on the left side of the room. We definitely want to add another rug and either a comfy chair or a smaller couch for lounging. When we first looked at this house, the first thing I noticed was the terrible light fixture/ceiling fan. Since we bought the house, I've talked about changing it, but as you can see, it hasn't happened yet!


All of my favorite offices have the expedit shelves from Ikea, so I thought why not include them in ours. They really are a great storage solution! I'm still tweaking the styling, but it works for now.


From this picture over on the "daybed side" of the room, you can see where the door from the entryway is. We definitely need to add something above the daybed and over to the left of the TV.  And don't worry -- the exercise bike is on wheels, so we can wheel it out in front of the TV when we use it. We don't torture ourselves by facing the corner while we work out!


And the doorway to the left of the clock is the bathroom and the door in front of the bike is a mini-closet that is under our staircase (just so you get an idea of the whole layout).  


If you keep going around, you see the other corner of the office where the mail center is above the Ikea cabinet I jazzed up.


We each have a bin to keep magazines, ads, etc.  There are also places for receipts, bills, and coupons up on the wall.  It always seems like when I'm running out the door to shop, I know I have reward points or a coupon somewhere and it takes me a good 10 minutes to find where I put it.  Now I know to check here first (assuming the system works correctly).  And it's nice to have the recycle bin handy for all those ads we get! 


Here's where we work when we're at home, which we both have seemed to be doing a lot of recently. 


I like the desk set up where we are facing each other.  We used to have the desks side by side, facing the wall, but this set up seems to work a little better for us.  Riley and Zoey usually lay down by our feet under the desk.  We can peek around our monitors when we are deep in conversation!  And no matter how hard we try, the wires and cords on the desk always look so messy! 


You can also check out a close up of the chevron boards in action.  The color ties in nicely with the cabinet by the "mail center." 


For those of you with an excellent memory (since it was forever ago), you will remember that I was debating what fabric to use for the drapes and roman blinds.  It was a close call, but I ended up going with the theo fabric.  I am happy I went with that choice.   


Tonic Living made the drapes and the blinds.  They were so easy to work with and did an excellent job.  I would definitely recommend them.


I found the dresser on Craigslist.  It isn't staying the yellow color forever, but oddly enough it doesn't seem too out of place.  I hope one day soon to paint it a muted teal color.


And were back around to where we started.  Phew -- that was quite the tour. 


And because it's technically the dogs' room, since they stay here during the day, here they are in the room looking as cute as ever. Excuse the tripod in the back. 


A lot of napping (by people and dogs alike) happens on the daybed.


Thanks for joining me for the grand tour!  That wraps up the first floor.  Now on to the second floor . . .  

{And don't forget to enter the Uprinting canvas giveaway -- it ends today (Monday)!}