no such thing as natural beauty.

so, as i mentioned in a previous post, i have embarked on a path to more clean living. while reading my new kick-start books from cover-to-cover, i can upon these two amaze recipes for at home beauty treatments. i had to share. i hope you find them as enjoyable as i did. and despite smelling like avocado and coffee for a few hours they are totes going in my files as keepers! loves!

coffee facial mask, or as i labeled it: java facial

super easy recipe. i used the lemon version. smells amazing and energized my face right away!

no judgement please. it was super easy to spread and felt like it was really exfoliating my skin. took about 15 minutes to dry completely. i would make sure not to add too much yogurt unless you want to be dripping gobs of the mixture around your home. 

avocado hair mask, or as i dubbed it: guac mask.

the only tools i needed were the ingredients, cling wrap and labels. you don't actually need to label them. they obvi. consist of clearly different stuff but knowing me i'd end up with coffee in my hair and guac on my face. worst things could happen but i'm just saying...

both are compliments of the lovely jessica alba who, to my jealously, is not only beautiful and famous, but can write too. she jots down tons of good tips in her book, the honest life. i highly suggest you grab you a copy.

and there you have it dear friends. good enough to eat, better to save for your face and hair. loves. 

nailed it.

so, as a designer sporting a fancy manicure is not an easy feat. i'm always tearing things off walls, painting, drilling, you get the idea. unfortunately, despite my affinity for pretty nails maintaing them is not always doable. as wedding season is in full-effect i've found myself opting towards the gel manicures. now don't get me wrong, these treatments work like a dream-they.do.not.chip.off. but to my dismay, they really don't come off. like, seriously. they're bonded on like something else. needless to say, i constantly rip them off one by one and am left with painful little nubs for finger nails. i cry, i pout, and two weeks later i go get them again.

 

an alternative which literally fell into my basket at cvs were sally hansen salon effects press on manicures. i've never tried them before and am not coordinated AT ALL, but they were super easy and came out pretty good. not sure how long they'll endure my lifestyle, but i like how fancy they look even if it only lasts a night or two. 

one tip: i suggest getting a busy pattern. i feel like that is more forgiving than one tone. below, find some nailspiration. i mean, seriously? how long must it take these girls? the patience alone is impressive. 

amaze. i want that sweater and those nails!

all of these gorge styles are courtesy of pam & kin phancy phalanges. see more here. i wish i had the time to sit for one of these nail masterpieces. loves.

district finds.

it's always tough, when you move to a new city, to find those fave spots around town. luckily, between clients i have plenty of time to meander down streets and find new shops and grocers. we live in an exciting part of dc which houses hipsters, artists, business folk and retirees. it really is a melting pot if i've ever seen one. that is the precise reason in which we chose this hood. it's chalk full of delights. 

if you've read my posts then you already know i'm a huge fan of rifle paper co. what a lovely treat to find a little shop that carries nearly every paper good they make. much better than having to patiently await my order in the mail. i also love the idea of these paper covers for wine bottles. it makes cheap wine fancy and adds a little humor to what can be a somewhat basic dinner party gift or wedding favor. adding one to a bottle of two-buck-chuck shows you really care. 

with the recent heat wave i have been in constant need of hydration. i found this gem of a grocery after ducking under a near-by slice of shade. it's absolutely fab. fresh meat, local produce and homemade goodies are abundant and better still, affordable! they also have a great wall of wine that allows you to serve yourself via keg pumps. i'm sure there's a more specific name for the service but i just don't know it.

this little stop is two blocks from us and carries a huge selection of produce and dried spices. the staff is always super helpful and friendly and couldn't be more welcoming. i bought one of my favorite teas which i typically stock up on in boston so i was super happy to find this cold nectar right around the corner.

now i've been wanting to drop into this spot for some time. located right next to one of my favorite coffee joints it's name is so clever and it's ac was amazing. they have such fun patterns and great little pieces to help make a space your own. while i didn't make any purchases today (too hot to carry anything back with me) but i imagine i'll be a regular very soon.

so there you have it my friends. i encourage you to take a walk in your hood. it's amazing what you can find just a few steps from your very own backyard. happy hunting. loves!

about time.

what we've been up to? oh so much. a lovely trip to the cape. a first for teddy but he seemed to enjoy it just a little bit...

watched fireworks (well, an attempt at them) from our friends boat-cold but lovely. i just love fireworks. especially when you're surrounded with family and friends and the one you love.

a little shopping. i like to think of it as research and development...

lovely little throws. comfy enough for a couch, durable enough to throw in your beach bag. i especially love the way they staged these warm weaves-intertwining them on this worn ladder adds a great rustic appeal. find yours here. 

we saw these all over and i wanted one sooooo badly. unfortunately, we need more lighting fixtures like, well, i don't know. we just don't need anymore. so, the voice inside one for once and we didn't take one of these rope lamps home. once we have our cape house it will be a different story and i'll be cleaning these out of shops up and down the coast. take yours home here. loves.

i did treat myself to this interesting bauble. it's a bracelet made of sailing rope from maine and the clasp is super pretty. it's one of the most comfortable bracelets- i forget i'm even wearing it. find yours here. they come in so many pretty colors and sizes. get yours today!

i also treated myself to some yummy lobster. a favorite of mine. luckily we had a few other fans at the cape house and had a traditional lobster bake right there. it was delicious to say the least. 

and attended a friend of ours wedding. it was so beautiful. and i still have little reminders of it in the form of 20-something bug bites. after the itching stops i'll be able to say whole heartedly that it was one of the prettiest weddings i've ever attended. congrats to ren and topher!

the rehearsal dinner was so fun with yard games and a pig roast. the real show-stopper was the gallon of home made paella-homage to the bride's Brazilian roots. it was so savory and yummy that the rather picky eater beau of mine even devoured two helpings. what i wouldn't give for a peek at the recipe!

and i must note the beverage cooler. two boats which they docked on the outskirts of the tent, filled with ice and an array of drinks and let us go to town. perfect for the setting and for the crowd. it was such a cute detail that really set the tone for the party.

kid's table at the reception. so cute. each place setting had bubbles and an activity kit. so smart, so sweet, i'm so going to steal that idea! the kids were so entertained and i'd say had an equally fabulous time at the wedding. it was perfect. 

we also spent some time in nantucket which was a huge treat. we ate well, we drank well, we had a great mini-stay. a few of our favorite ack memories. 

some yummy local brews. 

gorge sette. a girl can dream. 

a reason to pull out some of my favorite summer dresses. 

cheers to hoping the past few weeks have been just as exciting, relaxing and generally wonderful as ours. loves.

get it together.

so, as you can gather from my lack of blogging last week we were away. we went up-north to visit family and celebrate the 4th-a fave holiday of mine. while it was fabulous to get away, i couldn't help but feel restless and ready to get back home. i think that our recent world travels have left me exhausted and a little out of sorts. there's something to be said for having a routine. i thrive on organization and cleanliness and being away for so long has left me feeling a little frazzled. i wanted to share a few tips that always seem to help me get back into the swing of things. they are simple, painless but result in big returns to my piece of mind. i hope they have the same effect for you loves. happy organizing!

it's just so true. making your bed is really the easiest way to make your entire room look neat. i know it can be a pain-especially if you have a mountain of throw pillows like we do. but i promise, if you get into the habit you'll be ready to have people over any time, have a clean oasis to come home to, and most importantly one less thing to do after a long day at work. 

if you're like us and lucky enough to have a washer/dryer on your main level it makes doing laundry (especially dish rags and other kitchen cloths that get dirty really fast) a breeze. i simply drop in cloths and items as i go. when it's full i just drop in a pod (which works for both colors and whites-even together) and hit start. i know it's a little elementary but for me-who is constantly wiping up it's a huge time-saver.

the same can be said for hand-washing the dishes you use on a daily basis. because it's just the two of us we don't typically have enough dishes to run the washer every night- good for the environment-can be a pain on occasion when the item you need is dirty and sitting on the washer racks. because i have coffee every morning and make oatmeal on the stove i simply rinse off the dishes after i cook and leave them on the towel to dry. that way i always know they're ready-to-go and it saves me a few precious minutes in the hectic am rush.

whenever i embark on a health-kick i always like to go buy a few books to help motivate and educate me. it helps for me to identify goals and learn how to achieve them. both these new books are great. jessica alba gives tons of easy tips on how to live a more honest life-using less, doing more and doing it in a more gentle way. while it's geared towards new moms and  young families, i found it extremely interesting and plan on integrating a lot of her advice into my own life. and gwyneth's newest cookbook is full of yummy and clean recipes. they are quick, they are filling and they are easy. what could be better?

i also have a ton of organizational tools around my house which really help me. i can be a bit frazzled and scatter-brained so having all my sewing supplies, grocery lists and weekly calendar all where i can see them and update is a huge help. i really love the market list by rifle paper. it has a magnet on the back and we add to it as the week goes by and i can quickly grab it and do my sunday shopping without having to track down the beau and see what he needs-it's all there. the calendar is also a magnet and dry erase board. super easy, super cute and a super find from rouge and co on etsy. 

and of course, flowers. i try to buy or pick fresh flowers every week. they only cost about $5 a bunch and they make me so happy. i think we ladies should always be flanked in flowers. no need to wait for a boy to buy them-grab a handful for yourself, and while your at it, buy one for the boy too. everyone loves to get flowers!

hope these tips come in handy for you too and give you a few extra minutes each day to hang. loves!

tablescape inspirations for fun summer parties:

summer market-ing:

creating; it's been far too long since i've painted or done any diy's. i am in dire need of some of this:

getting back into shape. all these vacays have started catching up to me. need this stat:

hope your summer plans are coming along swimmingly. loves. 

show your love. grab some cardboard letters from the craft store and cover with glue and glitter and they make a great photo shoot prop or even adorable to hang in a child's room over thier bed or crib. or, cover with a flat paint and have friends sign at an engagement party. the couple will love it and keep it for years!

illuminate your space. order these oversized letters online. cut out the back, and poke holes with an exacto knife. pop strung lights into the holes and there you go. so easy, so fun and so inexpensive. 

diy sweetheart chairs. you can really go all-out with these and make them your own. adds so much personality to your little nook and something you can keep in your home for years to come. 

photobooth props. could it be an easier?

say what you mean and mean what you say. loves!

q street clients.

hey! i hope this post finds you all enjoying the last few hours of the weekend. i spent mine getting ready to depart the district for some fun in the sun. we'll be spending our 4th on the coast and i tell you what- i need it! the past week was so exciting. i finished up round one of the q street project. my clients wanted to update their bedroom and make it a warm and peaceful retreat. with two young children and super busy lives i wanted to make sure it wasn't only beautiful, but functional as well. with an eye for key pieces and an attention to budget, i am super proud of what the end product was. take a look and let me know what you think!

this was the before of the entryway/closet of their bedroom. they have this great loft space above the closet that added a lot of dimension to the space. since they share the closet i wanted to make it pretty yet accessible. they also wanted some storage spaces/laundry options-this is key with a busy family of four!

and the after:

i found these amazing window panels at homegoods and lucked out-i found two sets. this is an idea i love; covering the closet with drapes. it adds height and they can keep their closet as messy as it can be and simply draw the drapes if they like. the baskets-also a homegoods find- can double as storage and laundry baskets. i just love this view. i think it adds a lot of warmth to the room. 

before:

after:

i had to use a power drill and create knob holes for the built-in drawers. i think adding hardware to any drawer is really one of the least expensive ways to completely update a piece. i found these gems at anthro on sale from $15 each marked down to $2 each. i was prettay proud of myself. more pics:

the focal point of the room. the bed. this was the before(s):

and, the after:

i used all of the existing furniture-it was great and meaningful to the clients but needed a little tlc to make it all flow together. i spray-painted the lamps and bought new shades. i stained the end-tables which were hand-made wedding presents so i wanted to keep their intergrity. i added a fabulous mirror i found on joss and main and threw a few textiles on the bed to add some comfy layers. i wanted to make sure the room wouldn't be overwhelming or require any maintenance and i think we achieved that goal.

let me just say, however, the staining furniture in 100+degree temps was not an easy task. i do not envy people that have to work outdoors unless it's sitting next to a pool!

this was the before view when you walked into the room. while it was light and open, it needed some love. the paint alone was a huge update, but adding some window coverings and a chaise it really made the space functional and created a little cove which i'm sure will get a lot of use. 

and the after:

and my happy clients toasting the new room on their lovely new lounge chair:

 so happy to move on to the next room at the q street abode! and don't worry, you know i'll keep the pictures and updates coming. loves! 

coppertone.

sing it sista.