Pantry Envy:

A super sweet Oh My, Oh Me reader named Kelly wrote: 

Hi Cristina! 

... Do you have any ideas or inspiration photos for organized pantries? Yes. Pantries. We are looking into redoing and expanding ours, but we have NO idea! We have a couple of photos (that we found in magazines) but we aren't crazy about them. Can you help?...

Of course! Thanks again for contacting me, Kelly. Hearing from readers like you makes all of this worth while! So let's get to it - here are a few of my favorite pantry inspirations:

 The one above is very cottage like. Notice how everything is placed in glass containers! Makes a HUGE difference.

 *Categorize! Sauces are with sauces, cans are with cans - everything in it's own section.

baskets are a great way to categorize things that come in individual packaging like chips and cookies. They are also a great place to store your napkins/napkin rings.

LOVE the labeled glass jars. This could be a fun DIY project!

the break down:

- cardboard packaging isn't very appealing. Recycle what you have and check out places like: World Market and the The Container Store for glass and plastic containers.  Joann's and Hobby Lobby have jars in bulk - use an online coupon for greater savings! mommysavesbig.com

- if you're not comfortable with mixing different styles, go for a simple and classic color scheme... Something that will be timeless. 

- the style of your pantry should match the style of your kitchen :)

- remember to categorize everything accordingly.

Hope this helps, Kelly! Keep us updated - we would love to see your final results :)

Table Spruce-up?

I recently found this lovely table on craigslist 
for $10 buckaroos!

It definitely needs some tlc, but for a price like this - I'll take IT!  I contacted the seller and he verified that it is indeed made from solid wood and completely sturdy. Yay! We all know it's so hard to find solid pieces these days for a decent price.

So, I'm thinking of sanding/staining it a dark color like this:

... above is a picture of what our nook currently looks like. This table was the only affordable solution at the time, but I always intended our white chairs to be paired with a dark wooden table.  

What do you guys think - yay or nay?

Kerri Russell's Brooklyn Home

Amen - It's almost Friday! 

Today, I'm reminiscing the good ole' days while listening to this:

Seriously, I listened to this song at least a billion times my junior year of high school - with the windows down and the music blaring. I spend less time in my car and more time on the train these day's, but songs like this make me want to hop in my car and JUST drive.

Speaking of reminiscing... are any of you hard core Felicity fans?  Can't say that I am (sorry)... HOWEVER, I am in LOVE with her Brooklyn Brownstone home. INSANE. Take a gander:

 I've been dying to get wire chairs like these! This place sells them for $255 each. 

 Note the kitchen's simple light fixture, the floating shelves and drop-down towel handle - simple touches that makes this space unique.

I can't get enough of the living room's crown molding and the Ochre light fixture. Just can't. 

Isn't the neutral color palette perfectly executed throughout the house? 

Nursery Inspiration {part 2}

Remember when I posted about Jenna's nursery-request?  Well here are a few more that are share-worthy:

 Isn't this room adorable? KDF painted the walls with stencils for her client's nursery.

Cloudy with a chance of RAIN

Check out our view last night during the storm? INSANE.  Now you see:

 Now you don't!

As many of you know, the south and midwest have been hit with devastating tornadoes the past few weeks. My heart goes out to all of the families who have lost their homes, memories and worst of all - loved ones. I can't imagine what they are going through.

Atlanta: Restaraunt {reviews}

The Mr. and I recently celebrated our first year of marriage (wojdnsajte$%^o!)! It was such an amazing year filled with countless blessings, infinite amounts of love and great beginnings.  Thank you all for your sweet emails and encouraging words! It still amazes me how I can connect and grow from loving strangers all around the world. 


So how did we celebrate? Well, in honor of our honeymoon destinations - we ate A LOT. For those of you who live in Atlanta here a a couple of restaurant reviews:


- Anis Cafe: Parisian. Highly recommend!
We had Sunday brunch there and it was delicious! Nutella crepes, Moules Marinière, Salt-Cured Salmon, Eggs Benedict - you name it. The prices were fair, however the atmosphere was a bit stuffy. Just sayin. Expect to pay valet and take advantage of their dessert menu. Yum.

- Pricci: Italian. 
Portions were a lot larger than I expected. They have a great 3 course meal with wine pairings  that changes each month (which is what I ordered). $39 per person - not bad at all! They bring out a delicious bread and tomato/cheesy-goodness/sauce appetizer so I was full by the time I reached my main entree.  Lucas ordered the Spagetti Frutti di Mare - it wasn't as spectacular as the one he had in Italy, but it was still delicious. Very simple. Valet parking only.

Baby-Mania {shower inspiration}

It's been a super exciting time for our family.  My oldest brother and my insanely gorgeous sister-in-law are expecting their first baby - Ehhem - THE very first baby in the family. Words cannot describe how thrilled we are to become aunts, uncles, and grandparents... you can only imagine the amount of shopping we have been doing ever since we found out it was a baby GIRL - soon to be known as Gabriela. It's a perfectly bi-lingual name for spanish, Portuguese and English don't you think? Just don't call her Gabi because my mom is already having fits about that! ;)

Next week is the baby shower and we are ready to go - all out.  It's been such a blast planning this little one's shower. She's not even born yet and we are celebrating like there is no tomorrow. Here are a few inspiration photos for Gabriela's shower:

A lot of the decor will be DIY projects like the hanging pom poms, the table runner, flower arrangements, party gifts... so stay tuned to see how it all turns out!  CAN'T WAIT!

p.s. I will be posting pictures of Faith's new master bedroom next week!

DIY Projects on a $0 budget.

My latest projects require 100% found objects.  My challenge was to make something functional and/or decorative without spending a dime.

So what did I make?

A pendant light fixture out of coffee filters and ribbon.

and decorative pinecones made out of cereal boxes.

I'm not quite sure where to hang the pendant fixture... what do you guys think? Should I place it in our master bedroom or in our dining nook?

Happy Tuesday! :)

My Best Friend's [Master Bedroom]

Remember this handsome couple?  I bragged about 

their adorable wedding...

Well they want to update their master bedroom, and asked me if I could help out.  They have been working hard on decorating their 

home for the past year and now it's time for their MB to look AHHHHMAZING. 

Color scheme of choice: white, black and red

Here are a few inspiration photos that I suggested:

#1 item on priority list: West Elm's hand-blocked jaipur quilt . 

oh, how I love this quilt.  It looks even better in person.  

What's left on the to do list:

lets see...

-paint the ceiling white

- paint the existing bedroom furniture black

- buy new hardware

- complete bedding (pillows, duvet, sheets etc.)

- assemble art pieces

- antiquing for decor

- new lamps

- DIY curtains (4)

- window hardware

- rug

- accent chair

Fewf.  Can't wait to get crackin on this project!