Tuesday, August 21, 2012

European Adventure - Vienna!

Vienna was one of those cities that just feels so alive and colorful!  We had never seen a city with so many gardens and parks - perfectly manicured and trimmed with utmost detail.  It was absolutely lovely, and we had the most amazing time.  

Highlights included:

Wandering through the gorgeous Schonbrunn Palace gardens
A fabulous tour of the Schonbrunn Palace - highly recommend!
Walking up and down the picturesque Mariahilfer Street
Prater Amusement Park
Schweizerhaus Beer Garden and meeting new friends :)
Biking to Danube Island
Picnicking on the Donau River
Zanoni and Zanoni gelato and the best croissant I've ever had
Getting tickets to the Ballet at the Vienna Opera House (and them not letting John in until he went home and changed clothes - shorts are not allowed!)
Hofburg Imperial Apartments and Treasury
Tram tour of Vienna Inner Stadt 
Enjoying the multitude of the lovliest parks and gardens
The beautiful Karlskirche Church
Lunch and shopping at the Naschmarkt
and much much more....

Enjoy some of my favorite pictures of Vienna!

Schonbrunn Palace and Gardens


Karlskirche Church
Franziskanerkirche Church
Zanoni and Zanoni ;)
exploring the Naschmarkt
hofburg palace
Stephansdom Church
Prater
the original budweiser beer!
vienna opera house


i still dream about this chocolate croissant

bike ride to danube island

imperial apartments

Next up on our European Trip - Florence!  
Happy Tuesday!

XOXO

Monday, August 20, 2012

DIY China Cabinet

A recent project I did when my parents came into town last month was refinishing an old curio cabinet.  The cabinet actually belonged to my sweet grandmother, so it is a very special piece.

I needed a place to hold some china and crystal pieces that were pretty but that didn't get much use.  I decided to update this cabinet a little - giving it new life and a fresh new paint job.

BEFORE:




After lots of sanding, wiping, and 2 coats of Primer on the outside and inside:




And Final Product!!





me and my mom!  ;)


The transformation:

Photo: Project of the day! #diy http://instagr.am/p/NE2eHABt7U/

And here it is all decorated!!
I am soooo happy with how it turned out.  And it was such an easy way to update an older piece.




(The final color is Behr "Tide Pools" in Semi-gloss!)

Happy Monday!!

XOXO

(don't forget to enter my BaubleBar jewelry giveaway!!  It ends tomorrow!!)

Friday, August 17, 2012

Friday's Fancies - Summer Sunset

august 17th - summer sunset

Is it really Friday already?!  Wahoo!!  I hope you all have
had an amazing week -- I can't believe it's nearing the end of August, which means fall is around the corner.  I'm not sure how I feel about this.  I think I'm sad.  I really love summer and I really hate winter.  But I have heard wonderful things about the fall season up here in Princeton - so I'm kinda excited too!  :)  I do love the changing leaves, anything pumpkin flavored, and big chunky scarves.   

This week's Friday's Fancies is inspired by a beautiful summer sunset!  Which we have been getting some absolutely lovely ones around here lately.  My outfit is a mix of warm golden and orange hues, and neutral accessories.  



Summer Sunset

1. Clutch
2. Blazer
3. Watch
7. Blouse
8. Pants

I really love all the pieces of this outfit - especially the flowy blouse, colored jeans, and booties.  That is basically my dream fall outfit.  And the tribal necklace from BaubleBar is amazing.  
**Speaking of BaubleBar - be sure to enter my AMAZING giveaway to win some gorgeous jewelry!  :)**

Another fabulous secret I have to share with you is about my dear friend's new boutique, which just opened in Asheville, NC! 

Elise

 Elise the Boutique is absolutely adorable and is your one-stop shop for all your favorite styles of every season.  
Some of my fave pieces:


2 Piece Flat Sandal - Chesnut


Pleat and Asymmetrical Hem

Mixed Beaded

Black Multi-Strand Beaded

Don't live in the NC area - don't worry!!  The boutique is online and Tyler is graciously giving all of my readers 30% of anything and everything in the store until midnight this Sunday!  Just enter the code: 'WEEKEND' at checkout

Happy Shopping!! :)
...and happy weekend!!

(A couple of my favorite sunsets from our Europe trip)

florence
positano