January 20, 2012 
Hope you all had a wonderful week! As usual, I'm looking forward to a semi-relaxing weekend, getting caught up on chores and groceries after a long week of work. What will you be up to?
Image: iPhone image I snapped of a page in the new issue of Martha Stewart Living
January 19, 2012 
One of the next apartment projects on my list is organizing/prettying the built-in shelving in my bathroom and possibly kitchen. In addition to organizing the actual objects, I'm looking for something to spruce up the backs of the shelves. Since this is a rental space I don't want to invest in anything too labor intensive or expensive. So, rather than paint or expensive wallpaper, I'm thinking a pretty roll of contact paper might do the trick. So far, I really like these two styles pictured here and priced under $6 each. I'm almost positive that Miller's (our local hardware store) has the top one. What do you think? Any experiences with contact paper lining, good/bad?
Contact Papers: Print 1, Print 2
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January 18, 2012 
I'm loving Jenna Rose's handmade, canvas baskets and hampers. Cute and collapsible - perfect for tiny living spaces like mine.
Image from Jenna Rose's Etsy shop
January 18, 2012 
The styling/photography on the new Herriott Grace site is simply perfect. I've been out of the loop for so long I had no idea it had been updated. Loving the new (to me!) blog look too.
Photo Credit: Michael Graydon, Styling by Nikole Herriott
January 15, 2012 
One of my favorite places from our trip to Portland was Broder, a very cozy, little Swedish restaurant in the SE part of the city. We went to Broder for dinner on a cold, rainy night (actually the only night it rained on the trip) and it was perfect. The food was heart warmingly delicious, thankfully not too pricey - and the was setting quaint and casual. Everything was served in the most, simple cutest dishes and glasses - and the kitchen was completely open, giving it a very homey intimate feel.
There were only two guys working - one cooking, one serving. The server was great and very friendly. He talked to us for awhile and even suggested some places for to check out while we were in town.
I ordered a hot tea with cream and the Swedish Meatball dinner with potato pancakes and sautaeed greens for the sides. Everything was super tasty and hit the spot.
If you're ever in the area - I highly recommend!
BRODER / 2508 Southeast Clinton Street Portland, OR 97202
(503) 736-3333
January 4, 2012 
I am absolutley in love with this wedding. Have you seen it yet? Check out the details here.
Images by Bayly & Moore via The Boho Wedding Blog
December 18, 2011
If you've ever read this blog, you probably already know what a huge Built by Wendy fan I am. I look forward to seeing each season and rarely miss an opportunity to post about her new looks throughout the year (here, here, here, here, here). I got wind that she was having a little sale this morning, hopped over to her site and was delighted to discover that their celebrating the line's 20th Anniversary. I was even more delighted when I found this amazing scrapbook she created chronicling the the start of BBW. I read through the entire thing and loved every bit. Very inspirational and cool to see the progression of such a darling little company. Check it out if you get some time!
All images from the Built by Wendy Scrapbook.
December 9, 2011 
Hope you all have a wonderful December weekend!
Photo: Picture of our wreath by me!
December 8, 2011 
Toast has the best Christmas decorations right now. Classic, simple and well crafted. Any of the above items are things that could have easily been handmade by friends or family or even passed down throughout the years. Certainly my kind of holiday style.
Left to right: Cowbell ornaments or garland, Fair Isle stocking, crackers, English beeswax candles.
December 8, 2011 
Company C has the cutest windowpane pillows in some really great colors. Jade and pink are pictured here - but I'm thoughtfully considering the periwinkle for the chair in my reading nook. See more colors here!
December 8, 2011 
This past October I spent a few days in Portland while my fiance (our city's sustainability officer) was attending the EcoDistricts Summit at Portland State University. The trip went by SUPER quick, but I was able to check out a few cool places and snap some pictures. Over the next few weeks, in addition to my apartment makeover posts, I'll be posting about our Portland trip. I'm really looking forward to sharing my take on some very neat places with you, so please stay tuned for some pretty cool posts! :)
Image taken at the Portland Rose Garden by Mary Stonecypher
December 5, 2011 
This November, Winter Park got a really cool new restaurant - Prato! Sister to the popular, upscale Park Ave restaurant Luma, Prato serves some of the most delicious, freshest Italian cuisine in Winter Park. They use local, seasonal ingredients for most of their meals - with a list of partnering farms right on the front of the menu. Their pasta is even handmade each day in house.
Prato's atmosphere is bustling with rustic Italian charm and their branding (some of the best I've seen for any shop/restaurant in a while) is the perfect combination of classic and contemporary. All the servers wear either plaid or gingham button downs with white aprons.
So far I've tried the Rigatoni Amatriciana: fresh rigatoni with smoked pancetta, caramelized onion and pecrino and the Campania salad: an arugala salad with rosemary almonds, pancetta tesa and balsamic vinaigrette - both very delicious.
If you're ever in town be sure to stop in for dinner, you'll love it.
PRATO
124 N Park Avenue
Winter Park, Florida 32789
All Images by Mary Stonecypher
December 3, 2011 
Just ordered these super cute oxford stripe sheets for the bedroom. At first I wanted something really colorful but the neutral khaki color is starting to grow on me. Can't wait to see them in action. Up next: quilt, blanket or bedspread!
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