Meet Me at Julia Ryan!

(via Julia Ryan)

What a week--three posts in three days, can you believe it? How very unlike me.

I want to bring your attention to Julia Ryan's "Let's Chat" series, where I'm featured today! I hope you'll run on over to Julia's blog, learn a bit more about me, and stay awhile to check out her amazing photography, adorable kiddos and seriously lovely home.

Thank you so much for the feature, Julia. I'm honored to be in such good company. You are a doll!

Meet Me Today on Classically B!

Hello, friends! Today, Brittany of the wonderful blog Classically B is featuring a few of my most favorite things in her series "Favorite Finds".

Be sure to check it out to see two steals and two splurges and, while you're at it, be sure to spend awhile at Brittany's corner of the blog world. Thanks, Brittany!

You're Invited to Share a Few Favorite Things

I'm sure you're all thinking that I'm getting ahead of myself with the visual above (created by me! yay!), buuuuuuuuuuut the spirit of the Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays is already upon me. 

Rather than focusing on what I don't have, why not focus on the thankfulness and gratitude I all feel for the things I do have? I'm feeling so very blessed lately, and now have more time to appreciate the special pieces in my home that really make me smile.

What about you? What are some of your favorite things in your home?

Do they tell a special story or connect to a dear memory?

Want to play along?

Send me an email with a photo of "your favorite thing", as well as a description of the item, why it's so special to you, its origin, and where it lives in your home.

*be sure to include the name and url of your blog in the email, if you have one*

I'll be spotlighting a few of "my favorite things" this coming week and would love to highlight yours, as well!

Hope you'll all play along!

Visit Me at Loft & Cottage Today!

I'm so flattered to be guest blogging for Casey of Loft & Cottage today while she is enjoying an early autumn vacation to Italy (which I couldn't be more jealous about!). In honor of the start of the season, I'm sharing my favorite harvest inspiration. So, be sure to stop by Loft & Cottage today to say hello!

While you're there, be sure to take some time and peruse Casey's portfolio, as well as the projects she's highlighted on her blog. Here are just a few of my favorites (trust me, there are many, many more I could have selected!).

Casey's own custom-designed daybed, perfect for an unused nook in her home:

A client's gorgeous guest bedroom (I gasped aloud when I saw this room for the first time!):

...but I don't want to spoil all the fun and show you all the good work Casey has done.
Be sure to stop by Loft & Cottage and check out her fabulous talent for yourself!
See you there!

Visit Me at Honey + Fitz Today!

 Happy Monday, blog friends! To start the week off right, I'm over at Dina's fabulous blog Honey + Fitz today. 

Pop on over, say hello and, more importantly, check out Dina's truly inspired home. 

This gal is a talent, let me tell you. Just check out some of these rooms in her home:

Dina's kitchen table is tres chic, with its Chang Mai and ostrich chairs:

 Her gorgeous guest bedroom, filled with light and fun pops of color:

 Dina's newly-revamped dressing room with custom tufted ottoman:

 (all via Honey + Fitz)

Dina's so talented that she recently appeared on The Nate Berkus Show to show off the custom touches shes added to her home! How cool is that?

Hope to see you over at Honey + Fitz today.

Today's Guest Blogger: Rene of Cottage and Vine

I've had a series of fantastic guests here on Meet Me in Philadelphia while I've been away and last, but certainly not least, is Rene of Cottage and Vine. Everyday I'm eager to check my blog reader to find out what ingenious project Rene's revealing. Welcome, Rene!

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Hello.  I am Rene from the blog Cottage and Vine and am happy to be here today!  Congratulations to the newly weds and what an honor to guest post while Ashley and her husband are in Greece.

Ashley asked me to share summer time inspirations with you today.  When I think of summer, certain images always come to mind.  I absolutely love the season and it would not be complete without .....

a trip to the farmer's market {via}

fresh flowers {via}

going barefoot {via}

dining alfresco {via}

kayaking {via}

and homemade ice cream {via}

Thank you for inviting me over today Ashley!  All this talk of summer makes me want to go outside and play.

Today's Guest Blogger: Noelle of Gray Paint Decor

Today, I'm lucky enough to share with you the unique perspective of one awesome blogger, Noelle of Gray Paint Decor, who also happens to be a superwoman (aka, a mother of 5!) So happy to have you here, Noelle!

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Hey there, Meet Me In Philadelphia readers! I’m super pumped to be guest blogging here while Ashley honeymoons. I hope she is having a seriously relaxing vacay.

Since there is no vacay in my near future I thought it would be fun to create a little patio moodboard that I wouldn’t mind retreating to this summer. There are two sad little chairs on my patio right now, so this is a budget minded moodboard with my ulterior motive being that maybe my husband will see it and decide it simply must be ours...

How funkified is that wood chair? I love me a random offbeat chair. It currently resides, along with the mirror and the pair of rattan chairs, on my local Ventura/ Santa Barbara Craigslist.  I love Craig and his list.

As for the other sources:

Rug: Overstock

Black stools: Overstock

Chair: Ikea

Sofa: West Elm

The rug and chair are under $100, and the stools are just a whisper above. The sofa is not super budget friendly, but I liked.

Thank you so much for having me, Ashley!

xx,

Noelle

Today's Guest Blogger: Fran of Green Street

Today's very special blogging guest is Fran of the fabulous blog Green Street, one of my favorite daily reads. She was an early supporter of this blog and I'm forever indebted. Aside from her beautiful blog-related activities, Fran recently revealed that she's expecting! 

I'm so happy for you, Fran, and thrilled you're here today!

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Thank you Ashley for inviting me to guest post while you're off busy getting hitched! :)  I'm so happy for you and your fiance (hubby when this is posted)!!!

There isn't anything more that reminds me of summer than the outdoors - gardening, outdoor entertaining, grilling, swimming, etc.  You get the drift and since I've been busy trying to re-vamp our teensy tiny patio, I thought it apropos to share some of my all time favorite patio inspirations.

I always will be a fan of teak furniture. 

via

Love the gravel filled patio. 

via

That lawn is the perfect backdrop. 

via

So charming.  We have a teak set just like this and I hope to do this one day.  

via

Love the mix of teak and iron (check out the greek details on those chairs)!

via

I love french doors that open onto a patio.  

I love wicker too.

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How quaint. 

via

This patio looks so practical yet inviting.  

via

The lantern hanging above this patio makes it so warm and cozy.  

And, who doesn't love a good picnic bench?

via

So adorable! Perfect for kids!

Ahh...the perfect setting for a summer cottage!

Well, hopefully, by the time this is posted my little patio will be ready to share.  Ashley, I hope you're having the time of your life.  I can't wait until you're back so we can see pictures.  Thanks again for having me - it's been a real treat!

Today's Guest Blogger: Danielle of Fresh Quince

It's rare for me to find a kindred spirit in this world, and I have certainly found one in Danielle of Fresh Quince, today's special guest. Danielle proudly earns the title of the Queen of Craigslist because, let me tell you, this lady has an eagle eye for secondhand finds. Let's all say hi to Danielle!

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Hi everyone! Danielle here from Fresh Quince. Summer to me is time to get out of the house and soak up the sun. My ten year old son thinks so too and that is why the first thing I think about is swimming in a pool. Every year I day dream about building a natural pool in my backyard and having parties all summer long (with lots of supervision for the kids of course...I'm a tad bit paranoid.) A natural or 'green' pool requires no chemicals to maintain, instead it uses water circulation through organic filters and plants to keep it bacteria free. I don't know about you all, but I hate what chlorine does to my skin. So here are few inspirational summer time natural pool images that I have saved and drool over every year...


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This is probably the only pool that would fit in my backyard...


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So bucolic...


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Just imagine...


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I'm off in dream land again. Thanks so much Ashley for having me guest post! I wish you all a wonderful sun filled and happy Summer!

Today's Guest Blogger: Dina of Honey + Fitz

Happy Memorial Day, everyone! Hope you're all enjoying the first taste of the summer season. I'm truly honored to have the lovely Dina of Honey + Fitz at the helm today, sharing with us pretty summer seasonal inspiration. 

Welcome, Dina!

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I am so thrilled to be guest blogging for Ashley while she's off honeymooning it up in Greece! There are no words to express my jealousy. It is one of the most magical places I have ever been but unfortunately, the feta cheese in my favorite watermelon & feta salad is the closest I'll be getting to Greece this summer!

Summer is far and away my favorite season. I get excited for summer the way only someone who grew up in New England could. In Massachusetts, summer is a fleeting and magical 12 weeks. And then POOF! It's gone and you're shoveling snow again. Now I live in the South where summer drags on...and on...and on. It goes on so long, you forget what it's like to wear socks! While I definitely don't mind, for me the arrival of the summer season will always bring back memories of Red Sox games, Del's lemonades and lobster rolls all accented by the ubiquitous salt air smell of a Cape Cod beach.

A clapboard house surrounded by lush hydrangeas with an ocean view everywhere you turn - summer perfection in my book!

Of course my little haven by the sea would have its own winding path through the dunes to a quiet sliver of beach.

After a day of sand, sun and salt water, we'd all enjoy the perfect summer meal on the deck. No silverware required, just lobster crackers, wine and friends!

After dinner, we'd keep the outdoor fun going with a movie, some s'mores or maybe just catching lightening bugs. This is my fantasy and in it, I've obliterated mosquitoes from the face of the planet!

aaaaaah! Doesn't that just sound like the greatest day EVER? Now someone please invite me to your beach house! If you've enjoyed playing along with my little fantasy, follow me over on Pinterst where I pinned these and many more inspirational images of everything from beach houses to kid's rooms.

Today's Guest Blogger: Heather of My Many Moments

The adorable Heather of My Many Moments is with us today. Heather is superlatively sweet and I've gushed many times about how she's able to score some of the most unique thrifted finds out there. With no further ado...

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 MarthaStewart.com

Whether you are having a Summer wedding, a quaint garden party, or having a Sunday BBQ with friends, we want to make sure we do it in style, right?  Over the years of throwing parties and entertaining I have stumbled across some great resources for any event. I thought with Summer just around the corner,  I would share them with you.

1. BHLDN - This is my new website obsession of mine! Anthropologie has a fabulous wedding line, and with it they launched this new website filled with chic decorations that would work for any party, not just weddings.
Here are just a few of my favorites from the website.

BHLDN.com

2. I also have a slight obsession with Poms! I think they add a ton of character and whimsy to any party.  Fiesta Pom Pom is my go to Etsy store for them. They are very reasonably priced and come in a variety of colors. You will be in Pom heaven!

 FiestaPomPom

3. For inspiration and decorating ideas I head over to Oh Happy Day blog. They show step by step instructions for all kinds of fun projects like birthday hats and pop up invitations. I like these streamers they featured.

Oh Happy Day

4. I know we all love to hate her but when you're good, you're good...Martha Stewart. I find myself before every party stealing ideas from this woman. Her website should be saved to your favorites. From adorable gift wrapping ideas, to great, cheap and easy centerpieces, she is really a one stop shop. I find myself planning my whole menu on the recipes alone.

MarthaStewart.com

Hope these sources got your mind simmering up the perfect event!

Whatever your plans are for this Summer, I hope the time is spent with good food, in good company with great decorations!

Thanks for having me Ashley!

XO,

Heather

Today's Guest Blogger: Naomi of Design Manifest

Last summer when I kicked blogging into high-gear, one of the most supportive early readers was the lovely Naomi of Design Manifest, who is a fellow Philadelphian and a great partner in thrifting. So happy to have you here, Naomi!

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Good Morning! I'm Naomi and I'm delighted to be filling in while Ashley is off getting married and enjoying her 'moon in Greece. While I don't have a vacation to look forward to myself, I can take comfort in the fact that summer is just around the corner.

Something about summer makes me a little softer. I want to sleep late, frolic outdoors, take long bike rides, dine alfresco, and enjoy lingering sunsets.  Throw in just a little adventure (say camping and a road trip) a little quest for knowledge (give me a hammock and a pile of books) and of course a decorating project or two... and I'm a happy girl.

This summer I'm inspired by a touch of boho, soft corals, peaches and pinks, the great outdoors and tolix chairs.  Oh and tree houses.  Can't forget tree houses.

Thanks for indulging me!  And Ashley, Darling, have the most amazing two weeks!!