Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

(via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

It seems like summer, at least the unofficial start of the season, is upon us already. I'll be signing off for the next few days to enjoy a barbecue, the release of the next season of "Arrested Development", a wedding and hopefully some progress around the house.

Wishing you all a wonderful Memorial Day weekend filled with abundant sunshine, frozen treats and plenty of grilling!

It's a Beautiful Morning

What a difference a week makes, am I right?

I borrowed the title of this post from the '60's song by the Rascals because it seemed fitting.
Adam and I are in my home state, Connecticut, preparing to celebrate the wedding of two very wonderful people, Eric and Beth. Eric is Adam's best friend and, tomorrow, Adam will be serving as Eric's best man.

We drove from Philadelphia to my parents' house in northern Connecticut and, upon waking up, I thought it would be nice to snap some pictures of the surroundings which are so very different from my usual urban environment. I hope you enjoy.

(all images via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

There's nothing like a change of scenery or a happy occasion to lift my mood...though, I would be terribly remiss if I didn't thank you all for your overwhelmingly kind comments to my job news last Friday. I'm not a person who regularly divulges my feelings to others, so exposing such a vulnerability on the world wide web was very unnerving. I have spent the last week licking my wounds, and your care and support has made those wounds less apparent. I am beyond appreciative.

Have a wonderful weekend, my dear readers. On Monday, my husband and I are off to begin our Scandinavian world tour (of sorts) and I'll have a host of wonderful bloggers here in my absence. Be sure to check back next week for all the details!

TGIF, 7/6/12 Edition

(via Meet Me in Philadelphia)

It seems that after another long (though shorter) week, Adam and I just can't sit still. 

We're heading to the shore after work tonight and it will feel nice to escape what promises to be another muggy Philadelphia weekend.

Wherever you may be today, I hope you're feeling rested, relaxed and cool.

'Til Monday, friends.

TGIF, 6/29/12 Edition

'Tis Friday again, friends, and this one is a little bit different than the rest because today Adam and I are en route to Vacationland (a.k.a. Maine) with Mom.

We're headed there to spent a quick weekend with family, specifically to celebrate the vow renewal of my cousin and his wife. I'm hoping that during the brief stay we can eat some yummy Maine food, like whoopie pies, red hot dogs and blueberries. Perhaps I'll even be able to find some bargain antiques, like I did at Thanksgiving.

See you all Monday. Wishing you all a wonderful weekend!

TGIF, 6/15/12 Edition

I am so excited to arrive at Friday, blog readers. 

Do you want to know why?

This weekend my husband and I are going to see the summer group:

The Beach Boys!

I'm thrilled. I'm a huge Beach Boys fan and, in particular, I'm in awe of Brian Wilson's incredible talent.

It just feels right to see this band on a warm summer Saturday.

But before we say goodbye to each other for weekend, I wanted to thank you all for reading my confessional about blog envy and feelings of inadequacy. Truth is, I certainly don't always feel badly about reading blogs or writing one--if that were the case, I'd stop and dedicate myself more to ventures like exercise or other un-fun things! I know firsthand that the blog world is filled with talented, kind, thoughtful human beings that want to connect with others in a meaningful, open way--and that realization always trumps feelings of jealousy or imperfection that creep in on occasion.

Thank you for your honest comments. I'm really so grateful that you would share your perspectives here.

If I could send you each a yummy bouquet of chocolate-covered fruit, I would.

That's how much I care.

'Til Monday, dear readers!

TGIF, 6/8/12 Edition

I've had a super busy week, so I admit that I haven't had enough time to spend in blogland.
I did, however, sufficient time to obsess over a few things that I have to share before signing off for the weekend.

A few things I'm obsessed with this week:

Ever since watching the Ryan Gosling movie "Drive" two weeks ago, I've been obsessed with the '80s synth feel of the soundtrack. In particular, the song "A Real Hero" by College featuring Electric Youth has been on loop during the work week.

(via Youtube)

Do your ears a favor and check it out.

I recently made the switch from Laura Mercier's Tinted Moisturizer to Chantecaille's "Just Skin" tinted moisturizer and I cannot overstate my love for this stuff.

(via Nordstrom)

I'm an uber-fair lady (seriously, I'm white), so I have a hard time matching colors to my skintone but I found that the 'Alabaster' shade has worked perfectly. It actually makes me feel prettier.

While in Chicago, Adam and I bought ourselves a gift to celebrate our first anniversary (a "paper" anniversary, I believe): a linocut of "Flowing Hair" by Henri Matisse.

This treasure lives in our bedroom. Isn't it lovely?

Final obsession o' the week: Amanda Peet's home in Vogue.

(via Vogue)
Her home was featured in Domino years ago and I love that she's stayed true to the cozy California look that I loved so much. Be sure to check out the whole spread here.

****
But enough about my obsessions: I hope you all have a wonderful weekend.
Lots of love sent your way from Philadelphia.

TGIF, 6/1/12 Edition

Good morning, friends!

Over breakfast, I flipped my adorable Rifle Paper Co. fruit calendar to find that it was already June.

Much of May was a blur, so I'm looking forward to slowing down a little bit this month, if that's possible.

I'm finishing my second full week at my new job and things are starting to come together. Yay!

But as far as this blog goes, you (yes, you!) keep me feeling fresh and inspired.
Thank you for the super-sweet comments about my window cornice project this week.

Your comments made an otherwise frazzled Ashley feel all the more calm and happy.

Sending you lots of love and appreciation this first weekend of June.

'Til Monday, blog buddies.

TGIF, 5/18/12 Edition

 Sorry for the radio silence over here this week, friends, but I'm sneaking in a post before the week is out so forgive me!

Adam and I are in Chicago for the next few days to celebrate our first wedding anniversary and we thoroughly appreciated the warm temperatures and abundant sunshine we were met with when we arrived yesterday morning.

We are taking advantages of all of your super-helpful Chicago suggestions (thank you, btw!) and plan to see as much as we can while we're here. Just last night, we visited Wrigley Field to see the Cubs/Phillies game.

The stadium was great, as were the friendly and spirited Cubs fans we sat next to. 

Our hometown heroes beat the Cubs 8-7. It was a good night.

Chi-Town has been wonderful so far and we still have a few more days to see more!

Have a great weekend, blog friends.

And for those of you off to Blogfest next week, have an awesome time!

TGIF, 4/27/12 Edition

Today, Adam and I are off on a 3-day weekend in Connecticut, beginning with a wedding celebration of two lovely people. Being in my late twenties, it seems that many of my peers have been bitten by the glorious marriage bug so there will be several more weddings for us this year.

In less than a month, I'll be celebrating my first wedding anniversary and I can't believe how quickly it went. I honestly feel lucky to be married and, strangely perhaps, want everyone in love to experience firsthand the commitment of it. I consider it an honor to be my husband's spouse, and I know he feels the same.

On this Friday, I'll be celebrating love and I hope you will be, too.

Sending lots of it to you, wonderful readers, today.

(and thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the sweet comments about my job! you all are the best!)

TGIF, 4/13/12 Edition

(via my Pinterest)

Is it Friday already? Where did the week go?
I had all of these plans for posts this week, but apparently the crazy cocktail of Zyrtec (thanks, allergies) and paint fumes (thanks, projects) I'd been ingesting led to lethargy. Whoops.

The total transformation of the pathetic $5 wooden chest I bought last Friday is underway, though, so I don't think I've killed all of my brain cells just yet...I promise to have a big transformation to reveal next week.

Oh, and before the week is out, I wanted to say a big WELCOME to my newest followers!
Thanks for reading and sharing your lovely comments!

Happy weekend, blog friends.

Scenes from the Weekend

How was your weekend, friends? 

I hope you had a great one, celebrating Passover or Easter or just enjoying a beautiful spring weekend.

It was an eventful one for Adam and I, so I thought I'd snap a few pictures of some of the highlights.

For one, we picked up my $5 entry chest that I mentioned on Friday.
I couldn't help myself and started sanding, patching, and priming while watching "50/50" that evening.

Don't worry, you'll see the total transformation soon, including a very sad "before" picture.

We went to an estate sale about 5 blocks from our apartment and walked out with this coffee table.

We're trying it out.
I might have a transformation planned for it...just you wait and see.

We also strolled around the neighborhood and admired a lush bed with every color in the spectrum.

Adam and I weren't the only ones photographing this pretty garden.

We spent Easter with Adam's extended family and feasted on goodies, like this beautiful chocolate cake.

It looks almost too good to eat!

And, finally, we started watching "Twin Peaks" this weekend and, boy, is it bizarre and addictive.

Not to mention that Tony and Riff from "West Side Story" are in it--hilarious! 

All in all, it was a fantastic weekend and I'm looking forward to chronicling the transformations of my entry chest and new coffee table with you soon.

Happy Monday, friends.

TGIF, 4/6/12 Edition

(via my Pinterest)

Ever have one of those weeks where, somehow, things just come together? 

That's been my experience this week, actually, and it's a great feeling, let me tell you.

You may know I've been hunting down a small dresser or cabinet for my non-existent entryway (where my Ikea Expedit used to sit). This morning, I'll be picking up a piece for $5 and am thrilled to start transforming it.

Oh, and remember this set of Empire chairs from my antiquing expedition in CT with Mom?

Well, I couldn't stop thinking about them and, now, they are all mine!

My mom is kind enough to pick them up and house them for me until our next visit.

This pair will live in my den...which is undergoing some changes that I'm really looking forward to sharing.

There's something about springtime that reawakens the creativity, or something.

Anyway, I wish you all a joyous Passover and Easter, friends.

See you next week.

TGIF, 3/16/12 Edition

Here is some miscellany from this week, all things you will definitely care about.

On Monday, while waiting for my train back to Philadelphia, I snapped several photos of the ceiling of the New Haven train station. Look at all that detail.

 My three Robert Motherwell-esque paintings were hung above Scooter, my husband's 25 year-old turtle.

We're convinced that he's a connoisseur of the New York School; and will appreciate the new artwork.

 Things are happening with these kitchen cabinet doors because, let's be real, you all don't need to know that I take Nature Made vitamins or that I practically hoard Goya beans...unless I tell you.

 I bought myself more carnations because, why not? 

And finally, I discovered fuschia and red combined in quirky preppiness on Emerson Fry's Paulo loafer.

Mark my words: they will be mine. 

(via my Pinterest)

See, I told you: all things you would care about.

I'm off today to try my hand at finding some secondhand treasures in nearby Delaware--wish me luck!

Happy weekend (and St. Patrick's Day), blog readers.

TGIF, 3/9/12 Edition

Good Friday morning, blog friends!

As you read this, I am enjoying a long weekend with my parents in Connecticut and you better believe Mom and I have a project or two to accomplish while we're together--look for it next week! 

But, before I could leave the week and my apartment behind, I had to snap a few pictures of red springtime accents that brightened this past week for me.

A collection of red tulips in my living room.

Long-lasting, lush carnations add a chipper touch to a bedside table.

This $5 cyclamen plant from Home Depot brings an exotic shape to my dresser top.

The timeless red-and-blue combination carries over from my bedroom to my Jack Spade tote.

I hope that you and yours have a fabulous weekend.

'Til Monday.

TGIF, 3/2/12 Edition

Before we officially end my birthday week...yes, I do mean 'week'...I thought I'd share a few photos of it.

On Tuesday (my actual birthday), Adam brought me to Kanella, a restaurant just a short walk from our apartment that specializes in Cypriot food--pretty cool, right? Kanella's chef, Konstantinos Pitsillides, was recently named a 2012 semifinalist for the "Best Chef: Mid-Atlantic" award from The James Beard Foundation. 

What a great birthday dinner it was!

 Adam and I devoured the saganaki, sheftali, lamb chops, and pumpkin-stuffed 'winter ravioli' (which I just had to take a picture of, below):

 And, really, no birthday is complete without a few gifts, am I right?

Family and friends were so kind with their cards and presents...I feel so lucky.

One particular gift, a set of vintage silhouette scenes from my aunt, sparked a project..

Be on the look out for that next week!

I hope you all enjoy a lovely first weekend of March.

Come back next week, when I'll be sharing several projects I've been cooking up around here.

AND

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for a set of 4 linen burlap napkins handmade by moi!

The giveaway will end Sunday, March 4 at 11:59PM.

'Til Monday, friends.

TGIF, 2/24/12 Edition

(illustrations via Real Simple)

Midweek, I found myself struck down in the prime of my life by, of all things, a cold.
Not a standard, run-of-the-mill common cold...I'm working on my third box of tissues and I don't predict this thing will release its grip on me soon. Boo.

Anyway, my parents are visiting from Connecticut this weekend to celebrate Adam's birthday (which was last Monday) and my birthday (which is next Tuesday).
Hope you all have a great (and common cold-free) weekend, friends!

TGIF, 2/17/12 Edition

I feel like such a negligent blogger this week friends, so I thought before the week was out I would share with you what I've been devoting my time to recently (and, no, most of it has nothing to do with design).

I've been...

1) Getting my lazy self back to the gym and, man, I need to personally thank David Bowie, Passion Pit and Cut Copy for giving me the musical motivation for those last five minutes on the stationary bike.

2. Reading my new book, a biography of Lyndon Johnson. I'm very into non-fiction lately.

3. Trying my damnedest to stop biting my nails...it's a gross habit,  I know.

4. Obsessing over newly-acquired products. I'm in love with my new scent "Crushed" by Tokyo Milk and am hopeful that the Mavala Double Lash serum grows my eyelashes to never-before-seen lengths.

So there you have it, where I've been. I'll be back next week with my usual posting schedule, but until then: have a wonderful weekend! I'm off to hunt down antique treasures today with Naomi of Design Manifest fame, so wish us luck!

TGIF, 2/3/12 Edition

February is my birthday month and in just a few short weeks, I'll be another year older. Another year closer to 30.
Am I the only one who does a lot of reflection around birthday time?

Oh, who am I kidding, I reflect all the time. I reflect uh lot. I'm in my own head even more than Angela Chase.
So much reflection means so much over-thinking on my part, you know those thoughts that we're all subject to:
--Why did that relationship end that way?
--What could I have done differently at that job?
--Why don't ___ and I hang out more?
--Should I have worked harder in school?
--Why haven't I been to the gym in so long?
--Where is this blog going? How can I advance it to where I want it to be?
--What is my next move?
(insert your own particular neurotic thoughts here)

So, I've decided to make a personal 28th-birthday-promise:
To stop being so damn hard on myself.
To forget  this person or that person who caused so much sadness or grief.
To show the world that I'm pretty spectacular and funny and clever and cute (okay, maybe I'm not that bold...yet).

To celebrate this resolution of sorts, I'm getting my hair did today, getting back to the gym, and treating myself to the best life possible. To 28 and all that follows.

Happy Friday, everyone.
Thanks for reading and for making each day a little brighter with your comments, emails, and support.

TGIF, 1/27/12 Edition

Where has the week gone?
I've been in the midst of several projects all week and, because I just can't wait until the reveal on Monday, I had to give you a sneak peak (or two)...

For one, a bold change to the roman shades in my living room:

And another--a new pillow for my sofa:

I can't wait to reveal the full step-by-step roman shade tutorial on Monday.
Be sure to come back next week!

Happy weekend, all!

TGIF, 1/20/12 Edition

'Tis Friday again, friends, and I have some miscellany to share before we head into the weekend.

Recently, I snapped this powerful message on a building a few blocks away from our apartment and felt like everyone could benefit from such a validation that I had to pass it along.

Secondly, this is making its way to me and, more importantly, to my living room.

You know I luuuuuhve me some red.

Finally, I'm heading to a few of these places this weekend to hunt down a piece for the open expanse in my living room.

Seems like January is a good time to find treasures as people clean house and donate their wares.
Wish me luck!
(P.S. Impact is opening a new store, which might be the largest thrift store on the East Coast...I cannot wait!)

What do you all have planned for this weekend?
Wishing you all a fun-filled weekend, blog buddies.