Dwell | Office Space

Since we moved to our home in the suburbs, we knew we wanted to wait to fill it with the right things at the right time.

As I have mentioned before, we came from a typical, small, railroad style apartment in the city and it left little space to fill. Upon moving into our new home, we welcomed the larger space it had to offer. We knew we would want to fill it over time with the right things that speak to us and we truly love.
I am getting around to a favorite room in our home, which will be served as an office/rumpus room. It has a very loft presence to it and makes for a perfect spot to use as our office and as a little haven for Blake to play and use as well.

We have a lot of work to do, but I am so excited to share the progress along the way with you all. My mind is blooming with ideas and I love having my little notebook to jot down things, to keep as reference.
I love the sweet start to the decorating journey and think it is a simple and refreshing space. I still have much to add and am working on getting my desk accessories but I love how it turned out....

Keep on the look out for updates!

Life Lately | Thoughts on Brooklyn

When we left our tiny Railroad apartment, in Brooklyn, we knew it was for the best, yet so bittersweet. Saying goodbye to the place we moved into straight after our honeymoon, the place that was going to be called our's, the place that carried memories, was the place for solitude and most important, watched me grow. It was a challenge being in the city and there were many times, I felt at my lowest and vulnerable.

Justin and I grew up in the same small town of Pennsylvania and yet, he moved on and had resided in the city, shortly after graduating college. When we started dating, I would spend my weekends driving to the train station to head into Penn Station and there would be my guy, patiently awaiting my arrival. It never crossed my mind of what things would be like, relocation and moving away from my family/friends as I solely focused on my city adventures. Because when you are young and in love, isn't dreaming of what your life would be like together, completely normal?!

After the wedding and honeymoon, we anxiously awaited to turn the key to our humble abode, perched up high on the third floor. We lived a few blocks from Prospect Park, near the best restaurants and had Manhattan within reach, most important! We were together. I suppose this is where I am supposed to say we lived Happily Ever After...

There were often times I questioned if I was cut out for the city. As most of the times when I visited Justin, we would go off adventuring and having fun but this was a time to get serious and find out who I was, as a wife and as a young woman. I wish I could tell you everyday was perfect, but it was not, it was work. There were days of doubt and fear, days where I didn't know who I was or what I wanted to do. There were day's I had to dig really really hard, to find the love and compassion for myself and others. The city can be cold, full of intense and emotionally draining people but one thing I learned is it made me stronger, helping me define and question and really dig down deep into this heart of mine. What we all really need is, to give ourselves some grace and forgiveness on issues that have hampered our hearts of forgiveness. It took some time and confidence, but in the end, that city, my city, made me who I am today. 

We are all able to learn something about ourselves, during the most arduous moments. My heart has since then healed, I have become a stronger and confident woman, trusting in God. The love and thanksgiving for my husband is still as alive and flourishing as the day we met, and I thank him for being the biggest cheerleader in my life (along with my beautiful mother!)

New York City... I love you! I love you for the walking, the fashion, the people, those tall building's and bridges, art exhibit's, the subway, the food...did I even begin to mention the food? Thanks for keeping it real, for teaching me the most about myself and the best part of all, thanks for being you!

Dwell | Lounger Restoration

One of the things I loved about walking around in Brooklyn, was the free, rather, "garbage" people put out . I lived in a tiny railroad apartment at the time but I wish I would have just brought home everything I found to restore. I love that there is a story to the particular piece and it can carry through with a new owner with a little cleaning up! Why on earth is the Brooklyn Flea so popular?! Because of that very same thought of landing your own piece or 'treasure' of your very own.
With that being said, when we first moved in to the suburbs, I explored our neighborhood with Blake and stroller walked everywhere. I took notice an abandoned home, with a ton of furniture and odds & ends lying out front. When I spotted the lounger, I knew it was a treasure in the make. It was scratched up severely on the arms and looked as if a dog was gnawing on it in spots. The cushions were completely flattened and screamed the 60's, with it's plaid- itchy fabric.
I asked the gentlemen who was in the garage, if he was selling anything, mentioning, I took notice to the chair. The gentleman ended up telling me to just take it, as he was going to take most of the furniture to a local antique store, downtown. As unfortunate of an event, in the loss of his mother, it became in my favor of owning the little gem of a lounge chair!
I picked up some Teak Oil and some sandpaper at the local hardware, along with some wood filler. When I thought of the cushions being done, I wanted something to carry on through the years and already knew my love for herringbone would be the winner....
I went to a local upholstery company, asked for any remnants they may have had and with a little searching wayyyy at the bottom of the rolls of fabric, my darling herringbone fabric, just enough for my cushions, was found! He gave it to me for just $20 p/yard and kept the old cushions as a guide for the new ones.
My total cost of restoration of the chair was short of under $300, but I am so happy with the end result and will enjoy it for years to come!