Holy Whoa Before and After take 2

While perusing a secret goodie of mine, Chicago Home and Garden magazine, my face lit up when I saw the photo above. I would move into that kitchen in a heart beat. The rich color palette comprised of the dark wood floors and moldings with the soft grey walls and black accents strewn about. This is another perfect example of neutral done right.

And it exudes an eclectic feel with the blending of contemporary and rustic furniture, but overall, it maintains a rather traditional look.

My least favorite part of the kitchen is the black grout on white subway tile. I just don't get it. I think it makes the tile look dirty and gritty. But that aside! How fantastic is that island? And the farmhouse sink? And the rounded pendants? And the sconces over the windows? And the glassware displayed in the far right cabinet? And is that an espresso machine I spy? Ok - I have to stop somewhere or I'd keep going and going...

What really makes it that much better is when you see what this space originally looked like. Crazy, right?

Have a great weekend everyone! I will be entertaining my long lost college friend who has been in China for two years (and is leaving for Turkmenistan as part of the Peace Corp in a month. Yeah, it's a real country. I didn't know that either.)

Top 10 Pre-Fall Picks at J.Crew

Have you seen the newest arrivals at J.Crew? I am in loooooove. After seeing the abundance of rich jewel tones, plaids, and sparkle everything, I am ready to throw in the beach towel, reach for my navy blazer, and head out for a hot chocolate with espresso.

My favorite fit in a preppy style and muted pattern.

Tomboye Plaid Shirt

Can't decide what I love more: the mustard hue or the sparkly ruffled collar.

Jeweled Wool Tank

I need this for all my upcoming blogger parties.

Sequined Skirt

The best pants ever created but with a rock-star twist.

Zipper Minnies

The color, the quilting, the chunky but not too huge size. Loves.

Rhapsody Satchel

This wedge looks comfortable and sexy at the same time.

Zipper Wedges

Literally, a white top, jeans, and this hat. Instant chic.

Billykirk Hat

To wear with my aforementioned navy blazer.

Silk Pin

Unless this is your first time reading LCY, you know I love sparkles.

Crystal Pebble Necklace

The crocodile-patterned leather. I need this in my life.

Timex 1600 Watch

Andrea's Wedding: The Big Day!

You've been following along for the past few months, and I am so pleased to finally show off the fruits of our labor in planning a budget-friendly, backyard beach wedding (in under three months). This past weekend, we ventured to the western shore of Michigan in celebration of Andrea and Paul's nuptials. There were 19 people total, and the day could not have been more beautiful. Seriously. It was 80 degrees without a cloud in the sky. I really don't think the photos need comments; they kind of tell their own story.

There are, however, a few items of note I'd like to point out.
1. Yes - I am wearing THE SAME dress I wore to the Martha's Vineyard wedding last month. The zipper on the dress I was supposed to wear broke as we were getting ready, and I had to call in this back-up. Good thing I love me some yellow.
2. The photographer you see a few shots down, who is also wearing yellow, is the one and only Alicia Bock. She is my favorite photographer. I found her through blogging, and she even came with a polaroid camera. She was a delight to have there, and I cannot wait to see her photos!
3. If you have questions about sources or anything, I first encourage you to search through LCY. I'm guessing it's here somewhere, including information on the wedding attire, the bamboo flatware, the twinkle lights, and the centerpieces.

And now for a few glamour shots...

Andrea's Wedding: Bridal Shower

Two weeks ago, my mom, sister-in-law, and I hosted a bridal shower for my sister. You may remember me showing off the DIY invites I created a few weeks ago. We held the small event at my mom's house, much like we did for her friend's baby shower last summer and my sister-in-law's bridal shower a few summers before. Hey - if it's not broke, don't fix it, right? Seeing as Andrea will be married on a beach this weekend, we wanted to incorporate beachy elements into the decor and use a lot of greenery, as well.

You can see more details of the decor over at Tobi Fairley's blog where I am guest posting today on behalf of Rue Magazine as part of her Design Summer Camp.

Next to the dragées (more commonly called jordan almonds), we placed a card that detailed a brief history of where they originated. The story is actually kind of amazing - the tradition of candied almonds and weddings actually dates back to the Medicis in Florence!

I wore a grey J.Crew dress with ruffled collar, gold Gucci heels, and a J.Crew flower headband. The bride-to-be (centered) wore a yellow Leifsdottir dress and my grey Prada heels, which are totally awesome if I do say so myself. My sister-in-law Jess rocked out a few items of J.Crew's summer line including the pink floral skirt, and my mom, who is pictured next to me, surprised me by wearing these darling shoes by Land's End Canvas - which she bought after seeing them on my blog!

One of Andrea's gifts came from my cousin who fell in love with these fantastic ceramic fruit baskets after I posted them on my blog from my visit to Ochre in New York. She bought them from Jayson Home and Garden online.