Kitchen Amore!

Cabinet Color Inspiration

Window Treatments

Counter Tops

All Over Feel

Obviously I'm in kitchen reno mode and it's all I can think about. I thought I'd share with you where I'm getting some of my inspiration. Hope everyone has an amazing weekend!!! I'll be where else? Painting in my kitchen!

Find kitchens 1&2 here and kitchen 3 here

KIEHL'S!

KIEHL'S, KIEHL'S, KIEHL'S! Maybe I'm slow to catch on I don't know- it's entirely possible, but their lip gloss is fabulous! I've been a staunch Chanel lip gloss supporter for years, and they will always have my heart, but I have to say this Kiehl's stuff is great! I'm super picky about my lip gloss, It can't be too sticky, and it can't dry my lips out. Kiehl's is nice and light and it has nice smell too. Compared to Chanel it's a bargain too at about $14 a tube. Try it!

Behold: My amazing kitchen renovation...on a budget!

The Progression : Before

After... and beyond.......

Recession or not, I'm going to have a beautiful kitchen-I'm determined. I thought about it and while our house is only about 15 years old, I'd like to pose the question when is a house "not new anymore?" When is it ok to start tearing things out and making major improvements with out having to feel a little bit wasteful? I've always loved things that are not brand-spankin' new- things with character. If a fresh coat of paint can save an object from a landfill I'm game. I believe in responsible, chic & beautiful home improvement. 

Anyone who knows me will testify to my undying devotion to a good bargain. If it's not on sale I'm not buying. If I can't wheel and deal I'm not interested. All that said I thought it might be fun to document our kitchen renovation and maybe inspire a few people along the way to try the same in their homes. We bought our house last April 2008 and when we took possession the kitchen came complete with a suite of dated appliances, builder grade lighting, tired cabinet hardware, less than fabulous window coverings, and a truly jarring shade of red-orange on the walls. 

We started small taking on first the wall color, lighting & cabinet hardware. The fiery walls made way for a soft butter yellow and we replaced the light above the sink with a new fixture for less than $40. New cabinet hardware from Target set us back a cool $30. Next we replaced the stove and dishwasher and I got my fab new convection oven, but it took some effort to get a great price. We bought them from Best Buy and they were floor samples. They were in perfect condition and we got them for below cost-I peeked at their sales sheet. Floor samples are great for negotiation because stores need to move them fast and usually budget a loss for them. We also received free delivery and free installation because we bought them at the same time and spent over a certain amount of money. 

Yesterday I bravely decided the oak has got to go! I worked up the nerve after recently painting the powder room and master bath cabinets. So far so- FANTASTIC! I finished the cabinet group on the east end of the kitchen and we plan to finish the rest this weekend. It's so much more custom looking and my kitchen is starting to develop character that only a "older home" could possess. I'm so proud. 

We will top off the renovation with new counter tops, sink, microwave, and back splash. I will continually update and I pledge to stick to my modest budget- our kitchen will look like million bucks with some patience and creativity. 

Wedding Portrait

                                                              Painting by Lisa Land

     Original Photo by the talented Mr. John Scott

I haven't posted in a couple days but I've been so busy! I worked on the master bath makeover this weekend, and spent a lot of good time with friends and family! With out a doubt though my weekend was made when my dear friend and very talented artist, Lisa Land dropped by to bring me a painting she did for me. I gave Lisa a photo to paint from, taken at my wedding. The photo captured my bridesmaid tying up my train right after the ceremony. This portrait just blew me away. I'm in love with the painting and I can't wait to have it framed. 

Tory Burch= A+

As we all know 2009 Fashion Week is upon us in NYC. I just wanted to take this time to point out how amazingly talented Ms. Tory Burch truly is. If I had a million dollars I would recklessly buy every piece in this collection. ♥

Rainy Wednesday

Ughh It's cold, grey and wet outside, and according to the weatherman it's only going to get worse. It's days like this I'm so thankful to have my darling sidekick Trixie La deux. She's always game for an impromptu photo shoot. She lifted my spirits and hopefully she can lift yours too!

 ♥ 

Spring Master Suite H.B. March 2009

What I would give to wake up like a pampered princess in this room every morning!

"The mandate for the master bedroom was comfort and peace. Custom hand-painted wallcovering by de Gournay gives this room and old-world feel. Mirrored Frencj doors bring in the light. Designer Alessandra Branca designed the linen-velvet headboard. Lampshades are by Nina Campbell." -House Beautiful March 2009

New Work on Etsy

I've added a couple fresh, new prints to Etsy today. Take a peek here. Happy Monday everyone!

Happy Valentines Day!

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= A sweet little get-up! 

If I lived in a slightly warmer climate I'd be head to toe in my favorite J Crew ensemble of the moment today. I hope everyone has a chic, cozy, and Happy Valentines Day! I'm off to drag my husband through endless amounts of antique shoppes. 

Vintage Valetines

These are vintage valentines we have at work. They are so delicate and sweet. 

Office Valentines

Can you tell I'm on a little V-Day kick this week? I made these goodie bags for all my co-workers and a few of our wonderful volunteers. I found the cute little bags at Target, but instead of using the twist-ties to seal them I just folded over the top and used my sewing machine with a fun zig-zag twist after I had filled them with homemade sugar cookies. Next I took pink ribbon and looped it through the top of the bag, put on a little personalized tag and tied it off in a bow. I had fun hanging them on peoples doorknobs this morning.

Perfect Little Valentines Dress

I love, love the classic cut of this dress. Its by La Via available at Saks. It's perfect for any romantic Valentines celebration! I would pair it with a pair of candy red kitten heels. 

Valentine Craft

Crayon Hearts

If the sun seems to peer right into your window, give it something pretty to look at- through. These translucent hanging hearts are easy to make from waxed paper and crayons.

-Martha Stewart

Ta-Da!

Ta-Da! I'll settle for this leopard print bench that I'm using as my new nightstand. One day I'll get brave and go big like a rug or chair but for now this will do just fine. I hope everyone had a great weekend and now back to work! 

Bella Chic

I've been on a quest as of late to try and find one lepoard piece to integrate into my house. I keep thinking "chair, chair, chair!" but I'm not married to the idea of a chair. It could be a throw pillow, I don't know- I just know I want lepoard. Here are couple pieces I found that I really liked from one of my favorite local shops- Bella Chic Interirors. (the middle photo is a tribute to my husband who so badly wants a bulldog) If anyone has any lepoard tips, send them my way!

An Ode to J. Crew

All hail the Spring Collection from J. Crew! Behold my top 5 picks. Seeing these fresh spring designs make me so excited for warmer temps and bright colors. I can't wait for the smell of fresh cut grass, chlorine from the pool, and charcoal burning and the grill. 

Perfection!

Ginnifer Goodwin and Drew Barrymore at the premiere of "He's Just Not That Into You" last night in Los Angeles. I think I would possibly agree to give my first born for Ginnifer Goodwins' complete ensemble. 

New Goods!

I've listed my first sets of note cards at beestingstudio.etsy.com -eight cards each individually hand screen printed. Stop by and check them out! Spread the word! I've got two more designs in the works that I will get posted as soon as they are ready. I hope you like them! 

New Work Coming Soon...

I've been working up a storm all weekend after being inspired by some other ladies' entrepreneurial adventures. I'm so excited and now that I've got things going, I can't stop! I didn't realize how much I really missed screen printing and just printmaking in general. It's nice to kind of mentally put painting aside and focus on something different. When I've got more done, I'm going to list on etsy.com. I'll let everyone know when that happens.