Monday, October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween!!

In honor of this eerie holiday I've got a little BLACK and ORANGE inspiration just for you! These rooms are anything but spooky...




House Beautiful





HGTV Green Home


Turner Davis Interiors

blog.livelikeyou.com
All images {via}

PS- Have you "been boo-ed" this year? If you don't know what I'm talking about go {here}. My sister has! So in return she made these cute cute little pumpkin bread mini loaves, topped them with chopped pecans, wrapped them up in celophyne, placed on a paper leaf doile underneath, and tied with a krafty bow. 




Now I'm wishing we lived in the same city because I bet I would have been one of her "victims"! 
What a cute idea!

Hope you all have a fun and safe HALLOWEEN!


Thursday, October 27, 2011

Guest Post: They DIY Showoff

I have another guest post treat for you guys today! It is Roeshel from {The DIY Showoff}! Roeshel and I "met" through the Roomspiration Blog Hop and I was flattered when she agreed to write a guest post! Ok, truth be told this was supposed to happen last Friday while I was away, but I couldn't get it scheduled in time. Fine by me as I'm having trouble staying on top of everything this week anyway. I know I have a lot fo promises lingering, i.e. the guest room and kitchen, but I swear I'll get to it! Bear with me here!

But back to Roeshel - she's great!...


 Hi Just a Touch of Gray Readers!  I am so excited and so honored to be here today guest blogging for Rachel. She's such a sweet blog friend with a beautiful style. Her home is gorgeous! You've drooled over her amazing house tour, right?

I'm Roeshel, (me---->Welcome!) from The DIY Show Off blog. If we haven't had the pleasure of meeting, I started blogging a couple of years ago to journal the progress of our farmhouse renovation. I (along with Mr. DIY) share our D-I-Y projects we complete as time and money allow. We learn as we go. We make a great team and love turning our old neglected farmhouse into our dream home. 
The DIY Show Off

You're welcome to visit and tour our home. We LOVE company!
I'm also an official DIY Club girl, a group of fun and creative friends who get crafty with some great products. There's also a monthly project contest with some amazing prizes. 
Some of my favorite home improvement projects:
Our Recent Kitchen Remodel

before



after (still a work in progress - stove backsplash, kitchen island, etc.)


Guest Bedroom Reveal with painted floor tutorial.

Dining Room
A couple of my favorite decorating projects...I might have a slight addiction to wreaths.





and DIY gifts

Every week, I host a DIY Project Parade where I share a project we've done or feature a DIY Show Off reader.


I had a blast working with fellow blogger, Remodelaholic, designing this room...

Every month, I share a Pinterest day dream...





Right now, for Fall there's also a weekly DIY Fall Festival.
 The DIY Show Off
I love that through blogging, I meet others who share our DIY passion. I've made so many talented and creative friends including Rachel.  I love being inspired by real people and their real homes and real decorating.  Thanks to the lovely Rachel for having me and I hope you'll pop over to the DIY Show Off and share your creativity and inspiration.


Thanks for sharing, Roeshel! Isn't her kitchen amazing? And you guys really should have a closer look of her recent guest room re-do. She painted a rug on the floor and it truly looks amazing. 
Well that's all for today. I hope you guys have a great day! It's almost the weekend!

Monday, October 24, 2011

Roomspiration: Top Master Bedrooms

Hi guys! I'm back from vacay and it was amazing! I'll share some photos later this week because today I have a special Roomspiration feature in store for you.


All 12 Roomspriation hosts are featuring favorite linked up rooms! As you know, I hosted master bedrooms here - see my master bedroom reveal and all the other amazing rooms linked up {here}.

Well now here is the hard part. You guys all have such gorgeous spaces there is no way I could choose a favorite. So... drum roll please... I present to you the...

TOP 3 
MOST CLICKED ON 
MASTER BEDROOMS:

#1: Accessorize & Organize

BEFORE: 

Now I know you may be thinking that this wasn't so bad to start with, but Rachel's taste evolved over time. Now her master bedroom retreat looks like this... 

AFTER:

Gorgeous, right? I love the pattern in her bedding and the relaxing, soft color palette. So pretty!
Read Rachel's full post {here}.
____________________________________________________

#2: Amanda Carol at Home

BEFORE: 

AFTER: 

So pretty! I love the mirrored night stands and that they are different sizes. The mirror over the bed and those lamps are great additions to this room! It's such a lovely space! 

BEFORE:

AFTER:


I love this little sitting area in her master. The windows are gorgeous and she has created such a cozy and inviting little area with the window treatments, pair of chairs, and layered rug.

Read Amanda's full post {here}.



____________________________________________________

#3: Inspiration for Decor

This master bedroom started with this fun mood board... 


And in my opinion was executed perfectly... 


Ahh, I just love the way her vision came together. The color scheme is right on trend, and aren't those L-O-V_E pillows fabulous? Such a fun and fresh space.


Read Dayna's full post {here}



Inspiration for Decor

Congrats to the Top 3 Most Clicked On Master Bedrooms!!!  
And thank you to all of you who participated and linked up yours! 
I had so much fun looking at each and every one of them! 

Ok ok, you want more favorites? Here are a few more fabulous (and popular) master bedrooms...

Modern Maizy

Read Jenny's full post {here}.


A Little Paint 

Read Gloria's full post {here}.

12 devonshire

Read her full post {here}.

Now go and check out all the other TOP and FAVORITE rooms... 

Abode Love - entryways
View Along the Way - living room
Homemaker on a Dime - bathrooms
DIY by Design - guest bedrooms
Family Brings Joy - craft rooms
Involving Color - dining rooms
All Things Bright & Beautiful- kids bedrooms
a la mode - nurseries
Just a Touch of Gray - master bedrooms
The Blooming Hydrangea - closets and nooks
The Mustard Ceiling - laundry and mudrooms
The DIY Showoff - kitchens

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Guest Post: Jessica @ Ecru Stationary & Design

I have another treat for you guys today! It's my good friend, Jessica, with {Ecru Stationary & Designs}. Guys, this girl has true talent if I've ever seen it. I'm so proud and excited for her and her business. She knows exactly how to drive the line of creative and classic design. If you need invitations for an upcoming gathering or personalized stationary for the holidays be sure to check out her out. 


She even designed the invites for my sister's surprise bachelorette party...

And my bestie's bachelorette party!  

LOVED them!! 

But for now, she's going to talk with us about color. 

Yes, my friends, it's a double dose of 2012 Pantone color predications this week! This color scheme is so to-die-for that it deserves another look...
___________________________________________

Hi there! I’m Jessica from Ecru Stationery & Design, and I am delighted that Rachel has asked me to do a guest post for her loyal readers!

I am a second-generation graphic artist, and my sole goal is to bring beauty to the world and encourage others to release their inner creativity. Custom stationery and invitations is my vocation, and my passion is everything design!

So for all you home renovators and DIY-ers out there, I hope you enjoy some design tidbits and general rules of thumb that I like to live by.

A few weeks ago, Pantone, the world renowned authority on color, released its Spring/Summer 2012 Color Forecast. From these 10 beautiful shades, I picked 3 to create a mood board and added a second neutral for a base.



This is such a romantic color palette, and I am absolutely loving these ethereal shades on plush, tufted chairs, dramatic damask prints, and rich brocade fabrics. Avoid going ultra-femme by toning things down with some more masculine details, such as silver studs on chairs and headboards, sleek metal end tables, and modern, clean-line sofas—like Rachel used in her living room makeover. Also check out those killer silver studs on her dining room chairs!

If you’re looking for something to amp up your room, try investing in a classic piece like her modern tufted sectional and contrasting it with a French-inspired end chair with a beautiful print in Margarita. This is sure to bring life instantly to any room!



I just adore the juxtaposition of these insane metallic patterned wallpapers with the more masculine and modern furniture below. See Rachel’s living room where the undertones of her whitewashed walls mimic Sweet Lilac and are offset by that to-die-for gray sectional. Talk about a modern classic!



Although these are all very light shades, you want to avoid going overboard with any one particular color. It’s generally a good rule of thumb to use neutrals as a base and using your pops of color as accents. Depending on how adventurous you are, that pop of color can be anything from a throw pillow and drapes to a sofa and painted ceiling!

It’s all about what fits in your comfort zone. Just remember to give the eye a rest, and don’t be afraid to go a shade darker or lighter in your color palette. In other words, I took the color Driftwood above and used that anywhere from light dove gray to deep charcoal to mirrored finishes. Sweet Lilac can range from pale purplish-pinks to lavenders. Stay within that spectrum for a look that’s polished and not matchy-matchy!

I hope you all thoroughly enjoyed these little design tidbits and feel inspired to go and try some things out in your own home. Again, I want to thank Rachel so much for having me, and I look forward to sharing some more of my inspiration soon!

And if you liked this post, you’re sure to enjoy how I would use Pantone’s Spring 2012 Color Forecast in a beachside Spring event of my own.

Wednesday, October 19, 2011

4 Years

Today is a very special day! Just four short years ago hubs and I met at the alter {or whatever you want to call it since we were outside} :). Looking through pictures to post for you today brings back a surge of wonderful memories. That day was so meaningful and oh so fun. I will never forget that day. I loved every second. I am one lucky girl.

Now I'm going to share a portion of what I wrote last year on our anniversary (apologies if you've already read it, but at the hour I'm scheduling this post... trust me, it's not going to get any better than this) . I can't believe another year has gone by already...

Today is October 19th.

Four years ago I...


...walked down the aisle with my Dad surrounded by family and friends...


to exchange vows with this handsome man...



Now reminisce a little with me as I remember... 

Getting ready...

Mom putting on my veil...

My sister and Erin...

All my bridesmaids (the best ever)...

Sarah Beth, Kristin, & Erin...

My grandmother's rosary (and my something blue)...

The boys...

And what they wore...

Goofing off with the groom...

Never a dull moment...


Ryan's Dad, my groom, & his brother

Toasting with my girls...

The beautiful ceremony site and the perfect weather...

Ryan's proud mother :)

My sweet grandparents (we miss you gpa)...

MOB and FOB...


Ryan and his Best Man/Brother walking down the aisle

Ceremony in motion...

It's official!

Mr. and Mrs!
The whole bridal party

Husband and Wife :)


We toasted...


Everyone danced...

Yup, everyone...

We photo oped

The boys did too...

Everyone had a fun time...

And most of all, we were (and still are) IN LOVE...

As the night was coming to a close...

Ryan gave an eloquent speech thanking our parents for all they have done and our guests for making this night so wonderful...


With glasses raised...


...it was time for an impromptu WAR EAGLE...

HEY!

And then we were off!


I look forward to many more years together!
I still feel like we were...
Just Married.

Happy Anniversary, Ryan! I love you lots and lots and always will. 
xo
wifey