Sick and Tired

Hello world,

Erin is away right now, and I am afraid that right before my big trip I have gotten sick:(...our posts will be lacking this week. Please forgive!

Ciao,

M.E.

Project Central

I am constantly creating and re-creating my house....probably driving my boyfriend insane, but it is my passion and he handles it quite well:)....Here are some of the things I have been working on around our abode....hope you are inspired!

My finally finished guestroom!

Autumn Inspiration

Our master bedroom...a constant work in progress (the headboard is our next project!)

Ciao,

M.E.

One man's trash is another man's treasure.

HELLO PEOPLE!! 

Can I please tell you that you can find the most amazing things at GARAGE SALES!!! Okay, so sometimes you have to put your creative pants on and look beyond the currant state of a piece... Chairs, just a fresh coat of paint or new fabric... and BLAMO you have a completely new and fabulous piece!

 

FROM TRASHY TO CLASSY!

How much do you love this renovation? 

Don't get the wrong idea, garage sales are not just for the customer! Some of us have a ton of stuff that we really just need to get rid of. Come on, you know you have those jeans that you haven't worn in years, and that dress, that lets face it, it will never be back in style.

There are things that you have hidden in a drawer that you never use that someone else is dying to have! Cell Phone, a broken watch... so what good are these things doing for you? NOTHING, but how great would some extra cash in your pocket be? REALLY!!

So nobody wants to be like those people on HOARDERS (side note: great show). If you feel like you might be that way in the slightest, I can't even begin to tell you how amazing you will feel after you rid yourself of excess shit! Trust me!

Ciao, 

m.e. 

Falling Leaves

Welcome the Season

I have been so inspired this last week or so to decorate for fall.

We have been making paper leaves (which is so fun to do with a three year old:)) and decorating pumpkins for grandma's.

I have literally covered my house in white and orange pumpkins, an

d have been craving fall meals. Even though it is still 90 degrees out, I have the bug for fall to be here.

I have started sifting through my Martha Stewart Magazine, and Better Homes and Gardens to get ideas and inspiration, and also looking at some websites that truly inspire.

Below you will find the sites I look at to try and gain some

holiday decorating genius!

marthastewart.com

bhg.com

crateandbarrel.com

potterybarn.com

Decorate a pumpkin for me!!!! I will post all of our wonderful pumpkins when we have carved them for you!

Ciao,

M.E.

Meadows

It's all I have to bring today
It's all I have to bring today – This, and my heart beside – This, and my heart, and all the fields – And all the meadows wide – Be sure you count – should I forget Some one the sum could tell – This, and my heart, and all the Bees Which in the Clover dwell. By Emily Dickinson

Romantic Dinner For Two

A New Valley Secret

So, yesterday was the boy's big 4.0. I wanted to take him to a special dinner, and we found the perfect gem to try....

Jackie Mercandetti

I rely on my Phoenix Magazine for many of my valley adventures, as you may already know, and in this month's issue a review was done that made my taste buds start to dance!

Tucked into a random Awhatukee strip mall we found Secreto, which truly is one of Phoenix's new best kept secrets.

This New Mexican style restaurant did not disappoint. The atmosphere was dark, quiet and very romantic. The oversized booths were filled with pillows and cushions for snuggling and getting cozy next to the one you love.

I found the wine list to be concise and well-balanced, and the condensed menu made our selection easy.

We decided to split a couple of appetizers and share a main entree, which turned out to be a brilliant plan- we were both stuffed.

The two apps we tried, the bacon wrapped shrimp, and crab cakes, were flavorful and garnished in a New Mexican flair.

We split the 10 oz. filet, and I have to say, it was one of the absolute best cuts of meat I have ever had. It literally melted in my mouth and paired with red chili smashed potatoes (served in a green pepper) the entree was a hit.

Some things we want to try next time are the Pork Tenderloin, the Carne Adovada, and the Green Chili Stew. They also had a nice selection of specials, all of which sounded delicious.

They were so sweet and brought out Flan for the birthday boy, and did I mention that the service was impeccable?

Please try this amazing spot and let us know your thoughts, I know we will be back and I hope you will too!

Secreto

(480) 706-2200

Ahwatukee

4232 E. Chandler Blvd.

Phoenix, AZ 85048

secretophoenix.com

Ciao,

M.E.

Sharing is Caring

Check out these amazing sites! They are where I go for inspiration hopefully you will love them too! 

www.lonnymag.com/decorate

How much do I love all of these headboards? This totally inspires me to get my own headboard done! One of may projects on my to do list.

I am so in love with every space on this site, you have to see them!  

And I mostly love www.simplygrove.com. I follow her daily. Pretty much her shop, Brass Razoo, is my ultimate dream job. Me & Megs would really kick butt at that! 

More adorable headboards found here! 

She also has links to a million other blogs... others I love...   emmas.blogg.se her minimalist style keeps me from getting too cluttered! It's all about balance. 

Not so surprising, she fancies the headboardless approach... 

 

style-files.com

This is a new blog that I have found, loves it! Here's their headboards of choice...

So many wonderful blogs and beautiful headboards.. Hopefully next week I will be able to post pics of my very own headboard creation. I just needed a little eye candy to get me started. 

Caio,

M.E.

 

Blazing Trails

High Gear

Every time I open my Phoenix Magazine I get inspired to do something, go somewhere, eat everything and explore this beautiful town we live in. Where else

can you enjoy the outdoors from now until May?

So it got me thinking...what better way to get an amazing workout than to get my butt outside and take a hike on one of our multitude of incredible trails!

You can drive, or bike near or far and find some killer hiking excursions all around this valley. Here are a few I am excited to try, courtesy of trails.com

Boynton Canyon

6 Mile Hike

Sedona, AZ

450 Ft Elevation

Easy To Moderate

3 hour Hike

check out

www.sedonahikingtrails.com for details

Havasu Canyon Trail

Seligmen, AZ

20 Mile Hike

Minimal Elevation

Moderate

2 day hike

check out trails.com for details

Camelback Mountain Summit Trail

Phoenix, AZ

2.32 mile hike

1,300 elevation

Easy

2 hour hike

check out trails.com for details

Don't be afraid to take a day trip, or a Saturday morning trek for that matter. We are lucky to have awesome trails right in our great big back-yard. Happy hiking!

Ciao,

M.E.

Point A.

AAAAAHHHHH!!!!! How does this happen? How do I log onto facebook withthe intention of approving one friend, and BLAM an hour goes by. Whata colossal waste of time! Not only do I have blogging to do, but my handsome Richard is leaving me for the weekend and I need to absorb every minute with him. I am convinced that facebook is the ultimate black hole.

So as many of you know I am so happily engaged, and thus wedding
planning!

It is really tough to get started. For us we had to decide
on whether we wanted it to be local or destination. Because we have so many people we love and couldn't imagine our special day without, we decided on local. Once we decided on a place, my brother's backyard,the rest has been nothing but fun! Well,  everything but the finances.

Of course, The Knot, has been super helpful for me. It has tons of inspiration photos of weddings,but also lots of local vendor information that has been very useful.

www.theknot.com

 

 

I have arranged a meeting with a photographer I found on there, I hopeit works out! I will keep you posted. In the meantime, here is a linkto her blog too, I loves it.

www.elysehallphotography.blogspot.com

 

 

 Have a wonderful night all! 

Ciao, 

M.E.