Alexander & Company

I visited the super charming home of a friend last week and she had the sweetest wedding present hanging on her wall. At first glance these prints look like any other vintage print, but really they are custom made for the bride and groom to remember their day in a special way. 

They also have fantastic save the date cards and post cards. 

They are made by a local Chicago company called Alexander & Company. You simply fill out the information (including hair color for the bride & groom print, how cute is that?) and you have a custom print for a wedding gift. They come in many sizes and range in price from $200-$500 depending on printing and size. There are a bunch of options to choose from, so something for every couple. 

And as if that is not cute enough, I am kind of obsessed with these prints for kids rooms or nurseries. 

So fun, right?! Would look great in a kid's room or part of a gallery wall in a hallway. 

Love when I come across great finds in my own friends' houses. Thanks Ali! 

xo

Erin 

Master (Bedroom) Plan

It still feels like there is so much to do at the house, like an endless list that I will never get to the bottom of. We have an empty living room, a dark hallway that is in desperate need of light, door knobs that need to be installed, runners to be picked out, a barren guest room, and on and on. I have settled on that fact that this will all take years. And it is okay. 

The one room that needs attention next, since we use it every single day, is the master bedroom. We have lived without a headboard and the furniture we brought with us since June. With just a few more pieces and some paint, the room will finally become more like home to us. I have been looking at many, many pictures on Pinterest to settle on a room that mixes our already masculine furniture with some softer touches. I like rooms to have that mix and it only seems fitting for the master. 

Here is the finished product, or at least a mock of what it will look like. I hope. 

Already owned: the dressers, bench, rug, and lamps. 

What I need to get: coral trimmed bedding, tufted nailhead headboard, Gray Shower Benjamin Moore paint

I wanted a moody color on the walls since the attached bath is all white with white marble counters. Those gray boxes are actually windows. The rug was the old one from the family room and I love how it looks with the dark floors. For just a slight punch of color, I love coral with the gray and navy. 

What do you think? Should I stick with these choices? It is not that much to get, but pulling the trigger is so hard! 

xo

Erin 

Decking the Halls

Putting up Christmas decorations always starts fun for me, but always ends up being a bit more work than I remember. This year, there are more mantels to decorate and I wanted to use things we already had. Outside, I actually hung the garland and lights myself only to find them on the ground an hour later. Matt rehung them for me (almost) happily. I was bummed since I wanted to accomplish that on my own, but at least I tried? 

I went with fresh garland and just lights around the entry. The house is set away from the street, so really no one will see it except guests and us. It was my first round buying real garland. I clearly did not pick the lushest of them, which I will do next year. 

The larger LED lights are a cooler color than the traditional. I like how much it lights up the entry. I bought the wreath (all of them) and got crafty by making the bows. 

We use a fake tree inside. It is just easier and I love how it is already lighted. My mom gave me these fun yellow, silver, and black striped ornaments last year. I love the unexpected colors in the tree along with the more traditional ones. 

The fresh wreaths inside make up for the fake tree. They smell amazing. To keep them fresh, I spritz with some water every other day or so. The little bells garland and the crystal candlesticks are what I usually use as the centerpiece for Christmas dinner. 

These glass vases are always on the island, so I just filled them with some pine cones and garland. I am using that low vase to hold Christmas cards this year. 

Glittery little trees for the side table in the family room. 

The mantel in the family room has some great (fake) garland from Nell Hill's that my mom sent me on it. 

Also from Nell Hill's is this amazing lighted wire. It is battery operated, flexible and gives off great light. Genius for indoor decorating. 

I used this idea last year. It is an easy way to add cheer to a vignette. 

The mantel in the living room I kept simple since the tree is in here. I watched a video to help me tie the wreath bows. I used a plaid tartan and white polka dot ribbon. Then I used some bulb lights from Ikea and Moroccan tea glasses as votives. It will be pretty with the lights turned off at night with the tree. 

Since I was already all over the decorating, I finally put round bulbs in my new light fixture (vintage). I go in the living room and turn it on all the time now. Just to stare. Yep, obsessed. 

Here's to happy holiday decorating and a fun weekend. 

xo

Erin 

Nor Cal Wedding Love

Although this wedding was over a week ago, I think I am still in awe of how gorgeous it was. Looking back at these beautiful and thoughtful elements of what made for the picture perfect wedding for my brother and his new wife takes me right back. 

My sister in law is a Northern California native and wanted a rustic, yet elegant feeling to the wedding. All the events were held in her home town of Los Gatos, a place I had never been. This charming town won me over with its boutique filled downtown and delicious restaurants. The rehearsal dinner was held at California Cafe, whose food and service was the perfect way to start the weekend. 

Succulents were mixed in with hydrangea and roses, wrapped in birch and placed on sequined linens. The sequins were not shiny, which gave off just enough sparkle. An unexpected combination that was gorgeous. 

Large vases were wrapped in birch, filled with roses, or candles to decorate the bar. 

The groomsmen were given cuff links that reflected a memory from the groom like surfboards, cigars, or the sailboats above. The groomsmen wore custom colored seersucker bow ties. 

Apis Floral did all of the tabletop and flowers for the rehearsal and the wedding. 

The ceremony and reception were held at Villa Montalvo, a historic estate built in 1912 by California's first Senator. 

The Bride's bouquet. I was obsessed with the mix of different flowers. 

Two large arrangements for the alter.

Hand painted signs directed you where to head next

Adorable swirly straws with the bride & groom's name

The table arrangements were perfection and the wine bottle table numbers worked perfectly into the decor

The rehearsal dinner flowers were re purposed to decorate up a large room in the villa. Loved the mason jar votives. 

Stately setting with romantic touches

As some of you read in my Movember post, my brother is heavily involved with the cause. His 'stache was paid homage in the groom's cake along with his recent accent of Rinjani volcano. 

A classic, and delicious, wedding cake. 

The bride and groom met at UCLA, so it was only fitting that Joe Bruin make an appearance, get the crowd to sing the fight song, and then lead a Dougie circle.

I could not be happier for this couple that I am lucky enough to call family. Their radiating love for each other was infectious and reminded us all of what marriage is all about. 

xo

Erin 

Photos via Allison Giese & Moi

Outdoor Decor

With the interior of the house in a state that I like (for now) and the fact that I have put off decorating until I settle in more, I decided the patio needed a little love. We have a large space to entertain and enjoy and the privacy we have now is fantastic. We moved a patio set that we had at our previous place  and I used a few things I had along with some new items to set up two areas where we can sit, relax, eat, drink, and enjoy the summer. 

I wish I could say I planted those flowers, but picking them up from the local nursery (thanks Mom!) was just as satisfying. The teak bench was a wedding present from our dear friends with a plaque engraved with our wedding date. 

The black set was from our previous house, as well as the umbrella. I found all the fun blue and white cushions from World Market. 

I am obsessed with these outdoor ottomans. Perfect as a place to rest your legs, a tray for drinks and candles, or another seat. Also from World Market. 

Did you know you can bring in (sad) pots you already own to your local nursery and they will plant them for you? I did it with the blue pot on the right and had them plant all my favorite herbs. The rosemary tree smells amazing. Need some bigger planters for this entry, but figure this will be great for this summer. 

Now if the temperature can go below ninety-five, I can enjoy it  during the day again. It will be fun to have a party soon and take advantage of the space. 

xo

Erin 

Set the Table: Cinco de Mayo

To go with my recipe on Monday, I was thinking of how to set the scene with a few easy pieces. Instead of the over-the-top decor of so many fiestas, let's try a more sophisticated approach...

 Set of four Tumblers $18

Walnut Serving Tray (on sale) $58

Sacaton Dinner Plate $20

Azure Tablecloth $128

Spicy Grapefruit Margarita 

I am totally obsessed with the plates. The pop of orange with a great print is the perfect backdrop for a fun meal. The cobalt blue in the tumblers is a great contrast with the richness of the wood tray. As for the Spicy Grapefruit Margarita (recipe here), it not only looks delicious but color coordinated. Who could ask for more? 

xo

Erin

Surprises, Sunrises and a Nursery

You might not be hearing from this girl for awhile. Last weekend the little babe I have been anticipating to come in three weeks decided to grace us with his presence early. He arrived just after dawn on Monday and has been filling up my days and nights with so much joy that I hardly (a bit of a stretch) notice how little sleep I am functioning on. Even with so little rest, sunrise with my little guy in his nursery is my favorite time. 


I wanted to share pictures of the nursery so you can see what I put together for the little man. This being one of the few posts you will see from me for awhile, I wanted to make it a good one. 


We always knew it was going to be a boy and I wanted to create a modern, yet cozy space that would be inviting for him and comfortable for us. The room started as an extra room used only a few times for overnight guests. 

I loathe that fan. It was the first thing to go. 

It is a good thing that I went through that whole nesting phase early, as the room has been done and it was so nice to come home to a finished room. 

The walls are painted Bunny Gray from Benjamin Moore, which is a pale gray but also changes to a light blue in certain light. The chevron rug is from Dwell Studio, which along with the glider from Room & Board, is one of the first pieces I picked out. What is great about the glider is that is wide and deep and covered in a soft, short velvet. Big enough to stretch out and super comfortable for Dad. The brown leather Moroccan pouf is from a store on Ebay and the initial pillow is from Jonathan Adler. We already had this twin bed from Crate & Barrel and turned it into a day bed with lots of pillows. 

The white furry pillow and the navy corded pillows are from Crate & Barrel. The white pillows and soft gray pillows are from Ikea. The chevron pillows are from WillaSkyeHome and the striped pillow is from ModernMarvelousHome, both on Etsy. 

I am completely obsessed with the animal prints from The Animal Print Shop by Sharon Montrose. 

The black out curtains are from Pottery Barn Kids and do a really great job of getting the room dark during nap time. The curtain rod is from West Elm. 

The dresser is from West Elm, shelves are form The Container Store and the changing pad is by Nook. The glass containers filled with pacifiers and toys was something I had seen on Pinterest and loved. I also love that I found a place for my White Sox bobble heads on the top shelf and a mini version of the trucks used in the family business.   

The crib is Sparrow by Oeuf and the bedding is Pottery Barn Kids. I love the modern crib with the simple, preppy stars and stripes. The Love poster is by MadebyGirl, one of my favorite print shops and blogs. 

It is so fun to share this project with you and a great send off for me into a nice long break to take care of my son. 

Thomas Michael is the new love of my life and hopefully I will be back soon to share more about life after baby and how my world has changed. 

Until then, lots of love. 

xo

Erin 

South of the Border Chic

I am obsessed with Otomi embroidered fabrics from Mexico. Ever since I had Christmas dinner on one last year, I have wanted one of my own. The crazy price of it has kept me from taking the plunge since I do not spend that much on table linens. But after seeing this application from Pinterest, I think I could justify the price tag. 

via Pinterest 

The headboard is fantastic and such a great way to use the fabric. I also am loving it as a way to cover otherwise dull chairs. 

via Pinterest

Or you could simply use as a bedspread like below. I like how the neutral color gives some interest to this otherwise basic room without being too loud. 

via Pinterest

Simply hanging as wall art would be so fun, especially in a little nook like this. 

via Pinterest

The large sizes of the Otomi fabric starts around three hundred dollars. 

This Etsy store sells the below option and a couple others. 

Also on Etsy was this great Otomi covered ottoman. Obsessed. 

For a less pricey option, these pillows would be so fun on a bed, couch or piled on a chair. You can find them in a few colors and styles from this Etsy store. 

I love that there are options for this great fabric and I am hoping to figure out how to incorporate it into my pad. 

xo

Erin