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. 

From Garbage find to Kitchen centerpiece...

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 When I moved into (ok, so I haven't really moved in yet) my house, I realized i was in 

desparate need of storage AND counter space in my kitchen.  

I didn't want to buy anything cookie cutter in a store before I searched garage sales this past Spring, because I knew i could find something on the cheap and make it my own.  And find it I did!  With a little help from the town-wide garage sale in our beach town, and the day after curb side cleap up.  That's right friends...this little beauty was found in the G-A-R-B-A-G-E.  My mom and sister thought I was nuts because they hated that it was KNOTTY PINE, but I knew this was the perfect piece (which someone else had made homemade) to have both counter height cutting space and storage -OPEN STORAGE! Halleluleah! 

My X5 was not so happy when we stuffed in the back, but we got it home and I decided, yep it was perfect.

So, as you can see below, I got to working - with the help of my amazingly awesome and understanding boyfriend.  I'm still not sure why he thinks me taking on projects like this is OK, but he does and he helps! 

so...I'll keep my mouth shut!

I found some inspiration for creating my own reclaimed kitchen piece here and here.

Here is the process from start to finsih:

  

After taking off the doors and hardware, I started by using liquid sander (above) and sanding the heck out of it with a belt sander until all of the wood was rough and ready for priming.

 

a little Zinsser 1-2-3...to prime (with a foam roller of course, so there were no lines)

 

I used Benjamin Moore Peacock Blue  as my paint color...again with a foam roller

 

some brushed nickle handles and retro cabinet hinges, and viola!

Pinterest Recipe!

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So, I always pin healthy recipes on pinterest, but I rarely make them.  I mean like never.  It is so much easier to make the recipes I know.  Isn't it?

A few weeks ago, I was in the supermarket and wanted something fresh for dinner.  I thought of this recipe from pinterest and decided to spice it up with my own flare (sans tomatoes for Danny's liking).

It was quite simple really, and a different take on green beans.  I loved the feta cheese (of course) as an addition, and never really thought to add other veggies to my green beans. 

All you do is blanch the green beans as you'd normally do - keep them a little crisper to get a great crunch.  Add fresh red peppers that have already been diced, crumbled non-flavored feta, salt, pepper, and olive oil to taste.

Here is the finished result:

Yum!

Fireworks!

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I love Fireworks!  I mean LOVE.  People make fun of me for it.

Yesterday I had the joy of experiencing the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks for the first time in person.  WOW!

Here are some of my favorite shots!

Happy Birthday America!!!

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I love everything July 4th!

I do.

I love fireworks, the desserts, the family get togethers, the time at the beach, the end of school and the start of summer (when i was little), the 08735 of it all.

This is my second 4th of July not being at our beach house, but I will still be celebrating in style - watching the Macy's NYC fireworks for the 1st time ever!  Boy is this girl who loves FIREWORKS and SPARKLERS super excited!!

Here are some of my favorites concepts for your July 4th!

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Happy Independence Day Everyone!