Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TUESDAY SHOESDAY

Color blocking is back BIG time, and what better way to celebrate than with these patent leather pumps by Guess? I'm loving the 3 color combo, and the ankle strap keeps you safe and secure.

 Image found via DSW

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

WEDNESDAY'S WORDS TO LIVE BY


Image found via Souls Never Wrinkle

LINDEE DANIEL TRUNK SHOW AT LOVELY

How drop dead gorgeous is this dress? I received an email from Lovely about their Lindee Daniel trunk show and I just HAD to share. Lindee is a relatively new designer, but you’d never know it – all of her pieces are pure works of art AND eco friendly. Schedule your trunk show appointment now and get 10% off – it’s happening from February 10-12.

Lovely
313 West 4th Street (between Bank Street and West 12th Street)
West Village, NY
212-924-2050


Image found via email from Lovely



Tuesday, January 24, 2012

TUESDAY SHOESDAY

Who knew “7 for All Mankind” made shoes? Well I’m glad they do, because I’m slightly in love with these. They are so simple, but there’s something about them that keeps pulling me in. I love that the gray strap makes them a little more interesting than a plain black platform pump, but that they are also versatile enough to be worn with black tights and every single dress in my closet. Check them out on endless.com




Thursday, January 19, 2012

OUR FIRST HOUSE

Last week was a great week – I booked a sweetheart of a bride for her August 2012 wedding AND I found out that a conference I was dying to attend but couldn’t because it was scheduled for 3 days after I’m supposed to be giving birth is being rescheduled! Good things are happening in 2012, people – I’m liking this year already.

Which brings me to the house that hubby and I are buying and renovating – you can see more about this story here.

I wanted to share some of the initial pictures I took of the house last summer when we decided to really go for it. The house is 90 years old, has never been renovated, and is oozing with potential. Check it out.

 Front of house from street

Closed-in front porch and future office of Ruffles & Tweed

 Living room fireplace 

 View of dining room from living room (too many walls!)

 Kitchen

 Kitchen

 Kitchen

 Stairs up to second floor

 Second floor bathroom (only bathroom in the house - we'll be adding 2 1/2 more)

Second floor hallway

Second floor bedroom #1

 Second floor bedroom #2

 Second floor bedroom #3 (converting 3 small bedrooms and bathroom on second floor into 2 larger bedrooms with bigger closets, bigger bathroom, laundry room and reading nook)

 Attic (turning it into a master suite)

 Basement

 Basement

You might be thinking what I was thinking when I first set eyes on the house – are you out of your mind? My husband and I both wanted nothing to do with this house initially, but the more we thought about it, the more we knew we’d be crazy to pass it up. As I mentioned in my previous post, the only thing being salvaged is the foundation and the hard wood floors. We’re redoing all of the plumbing, electrical, sheetrock, windows, and siding – as well as creating a new kitchen (with newly added extension), new bathrooms, new laundry room, and new master suite in the attic. 

We’re knocking down walls like it’s our job and we’re even rebuilding the fireplace. I say “we” like I have anything to do with the reconstruction – I wish I could help, but at 7 months pregnant, I can hardly even step foot in the house since it’s been under construction. My husband, on the other hand, along with his dad and multiple other helpers, have been working away and making great progress.

We got off to a slow start when a “stop work order” was placed on the house after the attic roof was raised without a permit. After months of back-and-forths with the city to develop actual plans, have them approved, and have the appropriate permits in place, we are now full steam ahead. Can you see the difference? There’s still a ton of work to get done, but it’s exciting to start seeing the changes. 

Front of house from street (with new roof and old windows being ripped out)

 Closed-in front porch and future office of Ruffles & Tweed (now with electricity!)

 Living room fireplace (actually looks works than before because of the fires being burned before it's been cleaned) 

 View of dining room into kitchen from living room (new open concept!)
 Kitchen with extension, 1/2 bathroom, and cathedral ceilings

Closer shot of cathedral ceiling in kitchen

Stairs up to second floor (no longer closed in)

Second floor bathroom

New second floor laundry room 

 Second floor hallway

 Second floor bedroom #1

Second floor bedroom #2

 Attic (with raised roof in middle and view of soon-to-be walk-in closet)

Attic with new skylights

I am now in full on design mode and can’t wait to share my design ideas and findings with you. Um, I went to SIX different HomeGoods last Saturday – who does that? The best part about completely renovating an old house is that everything will be brand new and everything will be 100% us because we get to pick it all out. 

Check back soon for more updates on the progress, and hopefully, I can provide some inspiration and hope for anyone else thinking of taking on a similar project.

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

TUESDAY SHOESDAY

Did everyone watch the Golden Globes this past weekend? Was it me or did all the ladies look super skinny? I mean like SUPER skinny. Anyway, Charlize Theron always looks good in my opinion. I loved her dress AND her shoes – not necessarily together, but loved them both all the same. She sported these cream colored Givenchy sandals with metal embellishments – LOVE. 

 Image found via ShoeRazzi

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

TUESDAY SHOESDAY

I am a heel girl through and through - the higher the better. But being in my third trimester now, I'm noticing that my balance is not what it used to be. Instead of switching to flats, I say, bring on the wedges! And these wine colored beauties from Anthropologie would do me just fine.

 Image found via Anthropologie

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

TUESDAY SHOESDAY

I am loving these Kate Spade pumps for a Spring wedding - they have the perfect amount of shimmer along with the daintiest butterfly applique, and are a complete steal at $99.

 Image found via Endless