We're officially grown-ups now...

Our rug is in place! It's fabulous. Everything around it is not.

I need to make a TJMaxx run for more appropriate throw pillows.

Also we are in desperate need of a decent coffee table. And a new couch would be nice. So would a couple of cozy chairs and a working fireplace. Baby steps, I tell ya.

I want

This coffee table.
It's perfect. I don't know where to get it. I've seen things like it, but not exactly.

Everything about this room needs to be copied and pasted into our living room.

Also, we received our rug today!!! Even though the website says it will be shipped out on 8/25 direct from the manufacturer. I'm unprepared and need a rug pad before I can open this thing up. We almost went out tonight for one then I realized we had to stay home to wait for our groceries. Yes, we get groceries delivered! It's literally the greatest thing ever, until they are out of stock on something and then they don't substitute. So if I order multi-grain bread, they won't substitute with whole wheat bread if they run out. Then I have no bread for the week. I'm currently annoyed because we only have a few more minutes in our delivery window and they still haven't shown up. Grrrrrrr. Tomorrow night we have plans. I'm telling you this, mom, so when you come over this weekend you're not all like "why didn't you put the rug down yet???"

Office update

This is a small thing but it took us about 5 months to get to.

Installing the roman blinds behind the computer!

Dum dum dummmmmm... May i present to you...


I'm almost as relieved to not have to look at the shipping boxes as I am to see the final installation.

It is subtle, but it is much neater than before.

You can look here for photos of the original roman shades!
(Or don't - those things were pretty nasty!)

Now we're starting to think about a better desk and rug, and perhaps a little reading nook or drafting table in the opposite corner. Also we have to figure out a way to neaten up those wires.

We actually have no idea what we're doing now since all we seem to care about is who gets to sit on the couch with the iPad.

Rug

In a shocking twist of events, I actually made a decision and followed through with it.

After looking at this lovely blog earlier this week, I was completely smitten with their living room rug. I scrolled through the comment section, and luckily found the link to the exact rug. I showed the photos to John and he gave it his stamp of approval. Never have I been so sure of a thing at first glance.

It was a splurge. But I realized we've been in this house for almost 2 years now and have yet to purchase a piece of brand new furniture besides a mattress and a desk chair. I also realize that a rug is not a piece of furniture, but it may prompt me to make our home a little more inviting and cozy.

One month til delivery!

Dining Room conundrum

Up to my usual indecision.

So, the dining room. What are we doing in there?

Ideally we would like a Parsons table with mix and match chairs...


But maybe something lighter than the dark wood. A limed finish?


But the lack of limed Parsons tables on the internet has me paralyzed. Especially since I could basically get everything in that photo with a quick click over at West Elm. But I kind of want to hold out for something cooler, like the limed finish... or a zinc table top.


Then we have the light. I found these options which maybe could be cool:

via


via


via


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What I like is the non-chandelier-y element of these fixtures. No fake candles, no leggy branches. They are all pretty affordable and statement-making pieces. Which I think will compliment the plain look of the Parsons table.

What do you think?

The Villa...

Our vacation in Tuscany included a week-long stay at Villa il Leccio...


This place was just too gorgeous - I had to take photos of everything!

It was basically everything you would expect to find in a villa in the Tuscan countryside, in your wildest dreams!

I have narrowed it down to my favorites right here...

foyer and staircase


foyer


living room


living room


living room


formal dining room


chandelier in formal dining room


breakfast nook (would you like some fresco with your eggs?)


our bedroom


view from the villa


pool


butterfly and lavender

Just about back to normal... almost...

Um, yeah... 3 continents spanning 18 time zones over these past 3 weeks. China, New Jersey, Italy, now back in New Jersey.

So excuse the lack of posts!

I am deep into editing about 800 photos from Italy, but in the meantime I leave you with these:

Salame e Formaggi


Biscotti (per la mamma mia!)

Will definitely be updating soon!
xo