Happy Love Day!

Happy Valentine's Day all! Hope that whatever you're doing today you are celebrating the love for yourself and others! I'm off of work today for "winter recess" -- which I'll take! The snow over here has taken over and we're living in a current state of snowmaggedon. Tonight D and I are are heading into the city (NYC) to see Rocky, the new musical on Broadway. This was actually a Christmas gift I got for D, and the smarty pants that I am, I booked it for Valentine's day. So it kinda served as a two-for-one gift giving thing. Winning! And Rocky on Broadway is in it's opening week so I'm really excited to see how the movie will be portrayed on stage. And in case you haven't actually seen any Rocky movies, do yourself and your man a favorite and just watch it. I fought it for years thinking the movies looked like stupid cheesy 80's movies, but in reality they are well written, inspiring, and in fact an awesome love story between Rocky and Adrienne. The first Rocky actually won the oscar for best picture in 1976. 

So with that being said....."Yo! Adrienne!"

 

Also remember when I mentioned in this post that I didn't have time to decorate. Well I threw together a little festive mantle just in time for the occasion.

 Also from this post, I may have called D out that he never wrote on my chalkboard last year with reasons why we love each other. Well apparently he took it to heart (no pun intended) and I came home to THIS (see above). An original D created chalkboard. Like really?? How adorable and impressive is that? I didn't even know he had an artistic side?! I'm also really loving the little pink and purple hearts floating upwards.....so very artistic.

And I know my blog has been waaaaay lacking on the outfit posts so this is a quick shot I snapped at work with my doxie love sweater. You probably can't see it but there's a red heart on the collar. So completely valentine appropriate.

Then he made me this. This is a strawberry made into a rose. D's uncle owns an Italian Restaurant (The Italian Cucina) in New Hope, PA and they were asking him advice on some festive things to add to the menu for valentine's day. The clever one that D is, he went on my Pinterest page and searched around to find the strawberry rose. To prove to his aunt and uncle they were easy to make, he quickly made one himself following a tutorial online, and then proceeded to give it to me when I got home from work. He never ceases to surprise me!

Hope you all have a wonderful Valentine's Day loves!

xo Steph

Valentine's Day Decor

Today's #tbt isn't an outfit but my fun and festive Valentine's Day mantel and decor. I haven't had a chance to create a new look for this year other than throwing on a heart garland and calling it a day but such is life. Always busy and never feeling like I have enough time for anything or anyone.

Nevertheless, here is some valentine decoration inspiration if you are looking to decorate your mantel and fireplace. All pieces are from Target's collection last year, and the garland is one I made myself with bakers twine and scrapbook paper.

 I also made a DIY chalkboard out of an old mirror -- and these are the awesome results below.

I had intentions of us using this chalkboard as a daily thing where we would write a reason why we love each other. I started it off with I love D because he "makes me tea in the morning" but turns out D wasn't as up to the challenge and this message stayed on the board for the rest of the month. #chalkboardfail

Have you decorated for Valentine's Day? Anyone else feel like they have zero time to do anything???

As for me, I feel like sometimes I spread myself too thin and never devote enough time to anything or anyone. It sucks and I hate that feeling. I really wish there was more than 24 hours in the day : (

xo Steph 

The Great Debate: White or Colored Lights?

So this is the ultimate debate: Do you put white lights or rainbow lights on your Christmas tree? This article made me realize I was not alone. This particular debate has been going on in my family for YEARS! Its was always my mom and I who wanted the classic white lights, and my dad and brother who wanted the colored lights. I personally like the classic and put together looking tree, while others like a tacky more fun tree complete with homemade macaroni ornaments from kindergarten. Don't get me wrong, I love sentimental ornaments, but I always have to look at this tree all month so I prefer a more "put together look." As I was saying, this never ending debate has been going on for years with no avail, so as a result, my family started getting two trees. Yup, two. In the living room (aka the room that no one really uses and is in front of the big bay windows, my mom and I have our way with the white lights. This is the tree everyone sees from the street. In the family room with the fireplace, TV and the room we pretty much do everything in, we have the tree with the colored lights. We basically have a Christmas tree mullet situation going on here - business in the front and party in the back!!

As for the tree D and I have in our apartment, since we don't have a huge house and I am just so agreeable, we do the colored lights (and the large vintage bulbs) and are going with the whole "quirky and fun tree vibe." I mean heck, you might as well throw some tinsel on that thing and a few popcorn strings and call it a day. Because anything goes with that tree! Very no muss, no fuss. But I told D that once we have a house of our own with space, the two Christmas tree tradition will be implemented in full effect!! Christmas tree mullets will live on for our kids to enjoy, and to take sides in the ever long debate!

And I still haven't had a chance to post pics of our actual tree but I PROMISE they will be up tomorrow : )

So which side of the debate are you on? White lights or colored lights?

Or do you do something completely different? Blue lights? White Christmas tree? Neon pink everything?

Please share with me your traditions!!

xo Steph

also linking up with Still Being Molly

summer mantel & details

One thing that always stumps me about summer decorating and decor is that there aren't many holidays to decorate for. You know how I love my holidays! And mantels too. There's something about mantels that I love. I think George Constanza from Seinfeld can be quoted saying "If I grew up having a mantel, I think I'd be a different person." haha

Other than fourth of July where you can get a little red, white and blue happy -- I like to decorate for summer with pretty turquoise and coral colors to brighten things up. This summer-ized mantel will take me all the way until fall where I will go pumpkin/halloween crazy on this thing!! You can check out my Valentine's and Christmas mantels here and here. And also my winter mantel in this post here.

 all decor on my summer mantel were from Target -- tried to link sources but I couldn't find them online.

{lots of bright turquoise and coral accents}

and the "Bali Sunrise" scented soy candle from Target smells ahhhmazing.

 and gotta have the Dachshund candy dish too to represent our little doxie Tiki.

 books are always a great way to decorate on the cheap too. These books are D's, but any nice hardcover book works nice.

matching throw pillows are also a great way to change up your look every season. This turquoise chevron pillow was my summer pillow of choice.

 We've only been here since December and we've finally gotten around to hanging stuff up on the walls. Slackers! Here's a small gallery wall D and I put together.

and these are some of my favorite canvas art pieces we picked up a few years ago from local artists. There's just something about the trees and the colors and the different seasons I love so much.

Hope you enjoyed my my summer mantel and details around my apartment.

Happy Friday everyone -- hope you all have a wonderful weekend : )

xo Steph

Easter Pretties.

I'm embarrassed to admit I haven't had a chance to decorate for Easter, and considering it's this Sunday -- I think the odds of that happening are slim to none. Such a shame because I love any chance to be festive and decorate for the holidays. Oh well, when I go visit my parents this weekend I'm sure my mom will have the house decorated -- and most likely I'll still have an Easter basket even though I'm almost 30.

 Don't judge. I still believe in the Easter bunny ; )

If I did get a chance to decorate for Easter -- this decor would be found in my place:

Pier One Easter Egg Paper Lanterns Set / Easter Bunny Candy Dish / Hazel Pillow Easter Brunch / Easter Brunch Cheerful Wares for a Springtime Spread / Faux Tulip Arrangement Easter Brunch / One Kings Lane Happy Easter! / HELLO KITTY PLUSH - EASTER YELLOW (9" WITH THE BUNNY EARS) - HELLO...

Hope you all have a lovely day : )
I'm actually taking a blogger day off tomorrow for Good Friday -- so see you all on Monday!

xo Steph

life lately: pretty little photos

Went through the trusty iphone and found a bunch of photos I forgot to share. 

Here's a few snapshots of my life lately -- enjoy! xo

experimenting with berry lips.

 taco nights.

sunday funday with old friends.

 me and D <3

 dinner in bed is the new breakfast in bed.

 trying to start my mornings off right -- naked juices are the best!

 love procrastinating on pinterest only to come across -- myself!! xo

 breakfast of champions!

sleepy puppy keeping me company as I catch up on my reading.

 my winter mantle kept basic with vanilla candles, cinnamon pine cones and pine garland.

my January chalkboard art.

 Just one of the many reasons I love him : )

What have you all been up to lately?

Hope you all have a lovely day! xo

-Steph

entertain: Valentine's Day Brunch

Valentine's day is perfect for hosting a brunch with friends and family to celebrate -- well, LOVE of course! Brunch is a personal favorite of mine -- it somehow savors the morning and lets it last a little bit longer. Here are some details I'd include in a Valentine's Brunch, complete with menu, playlist, and decor ideas. Enjoy!

*all images found on my pinterest page*

{Valentine's Brunch Menu}

Heart shaped mini pancakes (make an apple version like I have here)

Fresh cut strawberries 

syrup and strawberry jam

heart shaped eggs, toast and bacon

orange juice, coffee, tea

sweet heart mimosas 

(my creation of mixing cranberry juice & champagne)

heart shaped bowls from Pottery Barn

 And no festive gathering is complete without an awesome playlist and fabulous & fun decor. 

Check out my  picks below:

{Valentine's Brunch Playlist}

Kiss Me -- Sixpence None the Richer

Friday I'm in Love -- The Cure

Your Song - Elton John

Make You Feel My Love -- Adele

Somewhere Only We Know -- Keane

You're Beautiful -- James Blunt

You Found Me -- The Fray

I Won't Give Up -- Jason Mraz

Wonderful Tonight -- Eric Clapton

Everything -- Michael Buble

Always -- Bon Jovi

Brown Eyed Girl -- Van Morrison

Lucky -- Jason Mraz

Banana Pancakes -- Jack Johnson

The Scientist -- Coldplay

Everlong -- Foo Fighters

Your Love -- The Outfields

God Only Knows -- Natalie Maines

Ordinary People -- John Legend

Could You Be Loved -- Bob Marley

And the decor details to make your home festive and fun:

cute letters wrapped in yarn

 chalkboard printable

 dachshund dish towels for valentine's day -- I die. And totally match my mantle theme!

 LOVEly bright pillows to add fun to any couch!

Anyone else planning on having a Valentine's day brunch with loved ones?

Hope you all have a lovely day! xo

-Steph