Can you say facelift?

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When I first bought my brownstone, the third floor apartment was in the "best" shape, 
but man was it far from good.

I've slowly been working on updating, cleaning, renovating, and 
finally! finally! finally! have the apartment complete.  

The hardwood floors are refinished, the walls are cleaned and painted, and the 
bathroom is no longer an Easter EGG!

Without further ado, the before and after shots:

Kitchen:

Dining Area:

Bedroom:

Bathroom:

Den/Closet/Nursery:

Always Remember...Never Forget ~ 9.11.01

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As I made my way out of the NYC area this morning, I couldn't help but be haunted by the broadcasts on the radio which played back the events of 9.11.01.  With New York City in my rear view mirror, I remembered where I was, what I was thinking, how scared we all were that fateful day, 11 years ago...

I also remembered the feeling of community, the feeling of patriotism, the feeling of neighbors coming together in the days shortly thereafter. I remember the candle-lit vigils; the American Flags adorning cars and front lawns; the songs of hope and remembrance playing on the radio.  We rose up as Americans, eager to defend the beliefs our country was founded on, and determined to defend our freedom. We were proud to be from the USA.

Today, I wore red.  I wore red, because I will never forget.

Always remember, Never forget.  ~ 9.11.01

Where have I been?

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Hey All!

I know I've been on hiatus for a long time. But it's been a BUSY! BUSY! BUSY! last four weeks. I've been traveling, renovating, playing, and enjoying the last few sunny days of summer.

Here's a little preview of the many posts to come:

Too Soon? Maybe

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Is it too soon to be lusting over my favorites for the Fall?  Maybe?  But I don't care.  I cannot WAIT for Fall.  It is my favorite season for many reasons.  One of which is the clothes.  

Check out these fabs that I'm lusting after (some of them since June):

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Outdoor space in the city...To DiE FoR!

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When I bought my brownstone, like any home buyer, I had my list of must haves - but as you can tell from the before pictures posted here, I wasn't THAT picky.  I mean it needed to have running water and electricity, don't get me wrong, but I wasn't stuck on it being my perfect dream.  I wanted to transform it into my perfect dream.  

It needed good bones, great character and OUTDOOR SPACE.  Yes, that was the one thing I would not compromise on.  I wanted to be able to walk out my back door with a glass of wine in the summer and relax.  I wanted to see the snow as it was falling for the first time each winter.  I wanted a little slice of suburbia in my city home. And...low and behold...I got it.

Here are the before and "so-far" pics of the backyard.  It still needs A LOT more done, but you get the idea.

Clearing out the clutter...

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So its about time...I know you've been dying to see them.  The before pictures of what my brownstone used to look like...you know..before I started ripping out carpets, taking down walls, and adding paint that wasn't pale mustardy-cream colored.

For real though, I've decided it is about time for me to start showing the after pictures, and before I can  do that...I need to show you the befores...

In all their glory...here is the beauty that is my home...before Erica took over.  These were taken circa June 2011 during my final wall through, so please forgive the quality!

Don't cringe too much! I promise it doesn't look like this anymore!

 

The downstairs entrance.  Isn't that carpet fabulous!?

The living room...turned creepy dingy dark bedroom...

Isn't that lime green ceiling just awesome?  It offsets the linoleum and curtains so well...

I just love the stained beige carpet EVERYWHERE.  Thank goodness that is gone!

 

Sad that the third floor is the nicest, and its still a mess!

Oh...and then there was the backyard...

Wedding Season has begun...

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To me, there is nothing better than celebrating the love of two people as they exchange vows with each other before their family and friends.  Have I told you I'm a sap and hopeless romantic?  'Cause I am.  I love weddings.

This weekend, Danny and I had the pleasure of being guests at my good friend Kelly and her new husband Jeff's wedding in Red Bank, NJ.  The reception was at Eagle Oaks Country Club in Farmingdale, NJ. Boy was it a fantastic wedding!  Everything was perfect.  It was like a dream.

Here are the only shots I took from the evening, because I was too busy on the dance floor having fun :)

Congrats Kelly and Jeff !

Give Me Love...

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Have you heard of Ed Sheeran?  I hadn't...until two days ago...when my boyfriend Danny informed me I was living under a rock not on top of my music knowledge.  Apparently he is killing it on iTunes.  Who knew?!

If you haven't downloaded his song, Give Me Love, DO IT NOW!  I promise, this song will make you melt.

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Things i've been lovin...

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If you know me, you know I love being unique.  I hate having the same things as everyone else. This goes for jewelry, clothes, purses - you name it.  I just love finding new products that truly are new to me and most others especially when they are affordable and make a great addition to my must haves on my desk, in my purse, in my bathroom or kitchen.

Here are some of the things I am loving on right now...Shhhh. Don't tell too many people!

Clementine Crush Body Lotion from Love & Toast: I hate most hand lotions, because they leave your hands greasy.  This one doesn't, it smells amazing, and its pretty affordable!  I have a bottle on my desk that I got from Target.

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Inglot Matte Collection AMC Eyeliner Gel: If you know makeup, you know gel eyeliners are where it's at.  I love gel eyeliner because it gives you the crisp dark look of liquid liner, but isn't as hard to keep straight when applying!  I even got my mom hooked!  I have tried them all: Mac, Bobbi Brown, Mabelline, and was only semi-satisfied.  The gel would always smudge outside my eye.  This was until my hair dresser introduced me to Inglot.  Try their Matt Eyeliner Gel and you won't go back.  Promise. 

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 O.P.I.'s Did It On 'Em:  I know, it's bright.  I have had it on my toes for the last three weeks, and I semi-love it.  It grows on you.  I love the pop when you wear pink or navy, etc.  It's a little rock and roll and a little prep, all at the same time.

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Can you say makeover?

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So, as you may or may not know, I own a brownstone.  An old, 1891, brown wallpaper and dingy beige carpet brownstone.  Well, to be honest, the beige carpet is gone.  The brown wallpaper...not so much.  Anyways, I digress.  I own a brownstone that I'm renovating.  It is a BIG project.  Bigger and SLOWER than I realized.

In addition to moving walls and constructing new doors and closets in my apt (updates soon), I also have a rental apartment in the brownstone which is in need of some MAJOR love.

Last week, I updated the bathroom and the kitchen with a process that is new to me: tile reglazing.  The tile was in perfect condition, but was COMPLETELY outdated. My aunt had recommended Christian to me, after she took her own bathroom from 80s pink to modern white and mocha.  I finally decided it was time the easter egg of a bathroom got a clean new updated and modern look and that the beige outdated kitchen should take the ride too.  

Here are my before and afters of the bathroom  Can you say Wow!  

I'll post the Kitchen when painting is all done.