So here’s the deal guys…

by Bailey on July 13, 2010

…And y’all are probably going to hate me. But…please try not to?

We are in. And I am in love. There is still major construction going on all this week, and then probably a few weeks still of touch ups, but we are home and I could not be more thrilled. Pete seriously walks through the house calling my name and gets no response, only to find me standing in the middle of a room just staring, zoned the eff out in fantasy land. I am still in shock that we did it.

Blah blah blah, you say, shut up Bailey and show us the GOODs.

Well see, that’s the thing. I can’t.

I have a super awesome opportunity to have all of our hard work here published, which beyond being rill flattering- would be really great for my bidness, and they want the right to the first exclusives. And I know I am a complete sh-theed for stringing you along for a YEAR now, and I am DYING to show you where we are now. So sowwy. We are all going to have to wait just a little while longer. The good news is that nothing is really finished. And if it DOES get published, the first images of Clifford will be studly, and not crappy lighting taken with my broken camera while Mike, the painter, hides behind the sofa.

In the meantime, I am going to leave you with these sneak peaks:

Living Room

Master Bedroom

Guest Bedroom.

Now, we are all going to forget Clifford: The Big Red House exists until we can properly indulge in his deliciousness. Sound good?

Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming. I cannot wait to catch up on all of your blogs, and if any of you are awaiting response from me on emails, or with guest posts etc, can you kindly resend now so I can get back to you ASAP?

xoxo

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If you lived here, you’d be home now.

by Bailey on July 9, 2010

We still don’t have a bed…

But I have never felt so “at home”

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Crazy, insane? Or insane crazy…

by Bailey on July 8, 2010

I am moving in. Like now. As you are reading this. Ready or not, Clifford, here I come!

And yes, that is a giant hole in the ceiling of my dining room. Because they need to have access to plumb the tub in the master bathroom directly above. Which is still not installed. Because they still have to wait on the wallpaper. And that is the least of our still-to-do list.

Sooo….basically, it is leaning more towards “not” than “ready”. But I don’t care. I adore Clifford just the way he is and I will not wait another moment for us to become lovers.

OH! And I am hosting a party Friday night for all of the boys in town for Pete’s bachelor party.

Maybe if I roofie all of them they won’t notice?

Also, if you missed it yesterday, check out my client space on La Dolce Vita!

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**SUPER HAPPY UPDATE!!**

It works!! Go check it out!

*SUPER BUMMER UPDATE*

Due to some technical difficulties the pictures on Paloma’s aren’t showing up for most of you, I emailed her to see if there is a way to fix it and hopefully they will be up soon!

Remember a few months back when I cryptically posted these images of inspiration for my latest client project?

Well the space was for my friends:

Chefs Brittany and Vaido who own an incredible catering company called Truffleberry Market here in Chicago.

They hired me to decorate the office and dining room in their new headquarters.

It was a MAJOR project as we were working against particularly charming Office Park Architecture, but I think we came up with something pretty incredible.

If you want to see the full before and (almost) after -we are still awaiting curtains and some upholstery- head on over to Paloma’s lovely blog, La Dolce Vita this afternoon!

Then come back here and tell me what a genius I am because I am feeling super needy.

{ 20 comments }

This is happening…

by Bailey on July 6, 2010

Pete and I move into Clifford, The Big Red House on Friday. A year to the day from when we closed. To tell you that I will be doing a happy dance would be a gross understatement. There are no words for the joy that will be radiating through my body. I can, however, guarantee you that I will be bathed in gorgeous, sparkly, disco ball light when I do my happy dance.


And it is going to feel awesome.

Images Via: The Zhush, CoCo Kelley, and Elle Decor

And for any of you curious as to what my happy dance looks like, I would refer to this past post. Or this latest copyright infringement of my moves. About 1:25 in, the lady singing.

Pete likes to find videos of people he thinks dance as sexy as I do, and pass them along to moi, and then I gift them to you! Spreading the sexy!

{ 13 comments }

Sorry…

by Bailey on July 2, 2010

But I will not be legit posting for a few days. Besides it being America’s Birthday, one of my very best besties is coming to Chicago tomorrow for the weekend, and as much as I love all of you- my virtual friends- I find real live human interaction to be beneficial for my soul.

Especially when the human interaction is like this:

Yay Hellion visiting, and Yay USA!

What are you up to this 4th of July? I sure hope it involves dancing with a hot blonde like the lady above, because there really could not be anything more patriotic than that!

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Please?

by Bailey on July 1, 2010

Is this too much to ask for?

I would share my pastries with my ridiculously dressed pedicurist. I am just really generous like that.

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As destination weddings have become more and more popular of late, the traditional wedding basket/favor has become more intense as well. As if your wedding budget wasn’t strapped enough, now you have to give your guests a PRESENT? Umm no. The honor of the invite should be gift enough.

I’m kidding. Sort of. But if you are going to include a welcome basket/favor situation, I have a few tips. I think your guests and I can agree that while we love you, we don’t need another trinket in our lives, and a silver heart paper weight with YOUR monogram on it isn’t necessarily the most useful item to lug home.

Like your wedding, your welcome basket should reflect you and your groom,

These adorable favors are bursting with the Bride & Grooms personality

The destination and theme of the wedding,

And make your guests feel appreciated.

I am a huge fan of edible/drinkable items, there are few things that make me feel at home like wine/cheese/candy.

If you have the budget/desire to go all out with your welcome baskets, there are resources below to help you do just that. But for my money, I think the most welcoming gift would include either a split of wine/champagne or some sort of snack that has meaning to you or the destination/theme…

A note from the Bride & Groom thanking guests for coming, and a map/brochure of the area.

Boom.

If you want to expand on that other thoughtful items would be sunscreen, fans, hats, flip flops for tropical spots.

Perhaps a guide book…

A hangover kit for rowdy fiestas…

Other fun idea would be a sort of newspaper with custom crosswords, articles about the couple written by friends/family, to help guests who may know one of you better than the other get to know you individually and as a couple before taking part in your wedding.

Basically I think you need to be realistic about your budget. The Welcome Basket is not going to make or break your wedding, decide what you want to spend on it and go for quality over quantity.

Gift baskets:

Navy & Lavender sells fantastic various ready made, themed, gift bags


Kate Parker also creates ready-made cute regional gift baskets

Made In Colorado

Nokomis Grove

I love this sweet presentation

Tote Bags:

Inexpensive tote bags from Pearl River, attach a custom label or stamp the bag with a logo, and fill with your favorite treats!

LLBean tote bags are cute, practical, and inexpensive

Goosberry Press makes these totes with cool maps of various US cities

I love these wine totes by BeauCoup

Food:Custom colored M&Ms can be printed with your photo, wedding date etc. MyMMs.com

Peterbrooke has a great selection of sweet/salty treats

Martha Approved Macaroons

Honeyville

Key Lime Sables

Loveless cafe sells some of the best biscuit mix, grits, jams, and hams in super cute packaging!

BeauCoup sells a lot of different customizable treats!

Caramel & Fleur de Sal Popcorn

Create candy bags with your favorite treats by color at Sweet Life

Custom Labels/Maps/Stamps:

Miss Pickles Press Etsy Shop sells customizable labels, tags, bags and cards.

Toast Its creates custom labels for wine bottles, you can add your own design and message to your guests.Berkeley Rubber Stamps creates custom stamps that you can use to decorate totes, labels etc.

Trial by Cupcakes makes custom maps of your wedding destination.

What do you think of the whole Welcome Gift thing? What would you like to receive upon arrival as a guest? What did you do for favors at your wedding? Best welcome gift you have received?

Let’s give stressed Brides some fresh ideas!

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You’re too late, Marchesa…

by Bailey on June 29, 2010

I already found my SPARKLE PLENTY after-party Wedding Dress.
But this was a valient effort. And I respect you for it.

You sir, however.

Will be coming home with me. I don’t care how ridiculously overpriced you are

80 days until the Wedding…I am just saying, you might want to expect more Wedding/BrideBrat posts for awhile.

*note…will not actually be purchasing $600 t shirt…but might try to make it!

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Come and knock on my door…

by Bailey on June 28, 2010

(The Neotrad)

(House of Turquoise)(Domino)(The Decorista)


(Honey Interiors)

(Journeys of Mangonett)
(Pure Style Home)(Desire to Inspire)(Miles Redd)

…Because…

We have a new front door!

And I know it might not look like much now, but add some navy blue trim and this guy:(Sly Fox Doorknocker)

Painted to look more like this guy:

The orange on Mr. Fox will bring in the orange of the brick. I think it is going to look rill sharp.

What do you think of the color swatches so far? What’s your favorite shade of blue? Have any heavenly hues you think I need to slap on there before I make my decision?

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