A Love Affair with White

now that the word is out about all things pinterest, it is easy to get sucked into the searches for anything and everything...from fashion to recipes to party printables to home decor and design, you'll be addicted soon if you haven't hopped on the bandwagon quite yet.

sometimes i can't help myself but go ahead and "bookmark" some of my favorite home and room ideas for our next house...in particular, i have a fascination with all things white. friends know this, but my family has an obsession with white cars--my parents have 3 white cars and both jeff and i drive white cars--weird, i know.

ok, back to the subject at hand...one day, i can only hope we're able to build our dream home...a traditional southern colonial-type, something right out of southern living, ahhh, one can dream, no? here are some of my favorites:

that front porch has morning coffee time written all over it

we'll take that perfect pool for playtime and relaxation, too!

 not to mention the endless natural light for this house

loving the contrast of the dark wood floors and all that gorgeous white detail

does this room not scream happy home??

this one comes in a close second

i would have plenty of dinner parties in this fabulous dining room

and this kitchen...hello entertaining!

i don't think we would ever get up, nor would our guests  leave
if we had bedrooms like this

and for master bath time...an old-fashioned tub is a must!

now check out this adorable space for a small office nook

now we certainly can't forget the kiddies

nor the best laundry room i've ever seen

enough swooning for the day for this girl...that's the dream home in a nutshell! obviously i need to get back to work if we're ever going to get there ;)

They're Magically Delicious

Not only is it Thursday, but it's St. Patrick's Day all you lucky charms! In celebration, I made sure to wear my favorite color green so that I won't get pinched, though I won't be making any corned beef and cabbage---why can't the Irish have more stomach appealing food?  
The fiance and I have a hot date lined up tonight...meeting with our pastor for pre-marital counseling--haha! Boy we sure know how to celebrate, don't we? 

Today I am doing a roundabout at some of my favorite blogs/sites with some fun new posts that are most certainly worth devoting a bit of attention to--come on, you know you want to:

Check out this house tour...my gosh, pure happiness exudes from this decor! I just love Maillardville Manor--so sweet!

Visit Southern Weddings Magazine's blog for these gorgeous yellow bridesmaid dresses...ahhh love pairing the frocks with fun cowboy boots!

Hop on over to Fantasticly Frugal for helpful hints for maximizing your online savings--especially for those of us who can't help but virtually swipe the Visa!

Since I cannot eat chocolate as of late as my Lent sacrifice, I do believe I can indulge in this tasty treat featured over at Joy the Baker...Toasted Marshmallow Milkshake--yummo!

Curious about how to transform yourself and your body? Run on over to Runner's World and read their feature on The Golden Rules of Weight Loss for some things you may be missing

We're so close to the weekend I can taste it...and Nashville is due for some lovely-like spring weather...high's in the 70s with rays of sunshine headed our way. Sounds like the perfect time for me to be outside enjoying it all I can--and hoping Jeffrey can get a bit of sun on his Casper like self, too!! ;)

{Boudoir Inspiration}

There is something so wonderful about coming home to a serene and tranquil space that is your bedroom. Don't get me wrong, for I love how our bedroom has turned out, but I am constantly on the look for other fun designs and can't help but think what we'll do to the master bedroom next... I most certainly want new bedding in 2011 and of course I am constantly for new ideas for our room via my favorite websites:

Oh thank you to House Beautiful, Coastal Living, My Home Ideas, Southern Living, and a slew of other websites for all this inspirational decor and design... swoon!

And for some of my favorite guest rooms...

I swear, the moment we finish getting our house decorated and complete, I'll be ready for another project--there is just too much inspiration out there via blogland and design websites to let me ever be done...

Wedding Wednesday...Reception Planning and Makeup

Have you missed me blogging all about the wedding? I'm sure some of you are gagging right now as I elaborate on the intricate details, but we all are aware that I am an OCD bride that wants everything to be perfect on my magic day. {and yes I know, I have already been told something is bound to go wrong, to which I say, "that is why I have a wedding planner"--haha}

This afternoon, Mom and I are headed to meet the fantabulous Amy Lynn Larwig at Nashville StudioWed to discuss all things makeup. This is one area I haven't thought too much about when people ask "how do you want to look on your wedding day?" Well, I am most certain that I want to look like me... and by that, I mean I want to look like the best version of me--does that make sense? I want to incorporate soft pink/rose-colored lips, false eyelashes {yes, I heart them!}, and eyes that pop...wish us luck and let me know if you have any advice in this area.

Here is a look at some celebs' makeup that I absolutely love--inspiration if you will:

Tomorrow afternoon is the BIG reception planning meeting... I am so nervous I could scream! This is where we talk about anything and everything reception-related so I have been in preparation mode to get my thoughts and ideas in order--and with that, plenty of inspiration boards as if you're surprised. ;)

Here is a small peek at some inspiring touches and details we'll be
discussing with everyone at aVenue tomorrow...

Other course there are plenty of other details {favors, decor, creative ideas and design elements, etc.} I would LOVE to share with all of you, but I have to keep some things secret until next June... can't go giving away all my secrets now can I?? Happy Wednesday friends!!

Wedding Wednesday... Not Really

Not much over here happening via wedding la la land--I know, I am at a roadblock and think I may be slightly hallucinating as I had a totally weird dream last night--do people start having more and more nightmares as the big day approaches? If so, we're in trouble with 7 more months to go...

All that aside, I have been looking stalking a few blogs lately and I wanted to post some fun things I stumbled across for your guiltiest pleasures... fashion, decor, food--whatever your fancy, this should help them all!

This closet was featured over at Live Creating Yourself and I just had to share.. not only is her "mom cave" incredible, but wait until your check out the rest of Megan's {via Honey We're Home} home... that kitchen and her library rainbow bookcase=to die for!!

Check Censational Girl's blog  for how to create an inspiration board for your home office--I will most certainly be tasking this job on myself for my little space very soon!

As far as food, I am working on a little Thanksgiving post with all my favorite recipes scattered throughout the world wide web. But just to wet your palette, check out some of my top food blogs and sites for inspiring dishes for the upcoming holiday festivities:

Cooking Light

Paula Deen

Recipe Girl

Eat.Drink.Smile

Mel's Kitchen Cafe

Our Best Bites

Picky Palate

And for all you fashion gurus, check outsome of my favorite places for discount shopping right now!!

JCrew Holiday Sale--up to 40% off... loving some of their staple pieces

Nordstrom's All Women's Sale...may I have this coat please??

Loft...take an extra 30% off current sale items

And this weekend, Friends and Family 30% off everything sale at Banana, Gap, and Old Navy--make sure you get your coupon to save, save, save!!

Happy Hump Day friends... so excited for the CMA Awards tonight(live from Nashville--woo hoo!), cooking dinner with my honey, and taking pictures to show off the new paint and furniture in the kitchen- I am in LOVE!

The House as of Late

I am abandoning ship this week for Wedding Wednesday...frankly, I am a bit overloaded in that area and don't feel like spending any amount of time dedicated to the "w" word right now so we're taking a small break and I promise to provide more bridal fun next week--until then, I am focused on what shall we call them..."other things" AKA my abode:

When we last left off {see this post}, I showed the final product of the master bedroom, progress on the formal living room, 1/2 bath, guest room, and upstairs full bath.

Well, after searching high and low for the perfect lamps, my Mom and I stumbled across exactly what I was looking for this weekend at Homegoods--needless to say, they landed in my buggy in 2.5 seconds before another crazy woman snatched them up! I came home, put them in their proper place, and then Jeff and I hung the pictures we had gotten from ZGallerie... oh how I want to sleep up there because I heart that room so much! Still a few things to be done including a sitting chair, a few more accessories, etc, but then I can move on to another room to occupy my time.

The office... well, my desk is all nestled with my calligraphy goodies, loads of stationery, and backups for tissue paper and gift bags, but you may notice I am missing a little something: a chair! I am on the hunt for a proper sitting chair, but haven't found the perfect one just yet--well, one that doesn't cost $500! I am seeking an upholstered arm chair so if you stumble across something uber fabulous, send it my way please. I am also waiting on this chic little rug to make its debut, but sadly the shipping date was moved back to the end of the month... and so I wait.

This poor little office wants some love...and attention! I promise the walls aren't really THAT bright... poor picture taking abilities from yours truly...haha! I know it will look MUCH better once I get storage, items on the walls, and add some personal touches

 LOVING all the storage in my desk!

My rug that better arrive ASAP!

And finally, the downstairs living room AKA man cave. It was no shocker to my friends that I wasn't too keen on the colors I had formerly chosen for our entertaining space. The brown couches with bright orange pillows just wasn't my "thing" persay, so out with the old and in with a much more muted palette--blue, khaki, and ivory....ahhhh much better! I added a new lamp, some new picture frames, a plethora of pillows {which will be the death of my decor budget}, and a new throw for added comfyness. Still a work in progress as we need more on the walls--including a photo collage I can't wait to work on, a few knick knacks, but we're getting closer all the time. Obviously this room is all about comfort since it's where we spend the majority of our time when we're home relaxing.

My little picture nook

 Jeff's priority and BFF...the HUGE television ;)

Bare walls=no fun, but a fun project to occupy that space soon!

 I love that it's very "lived in" and homey