Style in Seven - Ashley of Ashley Nicole Catherine

Good morning everyone.

B & B is again open for business and I'm so happy to be back...I missed youz guys!

To start things off again, I'm so happy to welcome the fabulous writer of Ashley Nicole Catherine here today.

Ashley's blog is one that I absolutely just love to look at....she has a gorgeous feminine style that so speaks to my aesthetic.

Her posts are always visually stunning and feature a beautiful display of fashion and design....trust me, each and every post is just entirely too pretty.

So with that, please welcome Ashley here today- as you'll soon see, her style is a blissful mix of pure loveliness.

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hi, everyone! i am honored christine asked me to take part in her "style in seven" series! i've been a longtime fan of christine's blog and this series in particular and i'm excited to share a bit about my personal style. to me, style is more than fashion and design - it reflects personality and a person's worldview. i had fun thinking through how to describe my style seven ways and hope you enjoy!

1. feminine frills

a girly-girl from the start, my mother can attest to how i used to cry when she wouldn't let me wear dresses (in the middle of winter) and as i've gotten older, that aesthetic has turned into a love for designers like erin fetherston, jenny packham and elie saab.

2. sparkle

i suppose you could say i've "always had an eye for things that glittered." glittering, sparkling things make me smile, whether it's a handbag or the eiffel tower at night.

3. the chesterfield

there is something about this elegant design that appeals to the traditionalist in me. chesterfield originally referred to buttoned leather couches, but i prefer upholstered, tufted pieces in neutrals. it is a modern-day take on this timeless design that infuses a bit of romanticism and warmth.

4. dance

dance has always been a big part of my life. i am drawn to the beauty of the movement and lines, especially in ballet, and find it to be the most beautiful expression of emotion.

5. literature

there is so much to learn and understand about the human condition and interpersonal relationships through great fiction and there is nothing quite like getting lost in a good book. and i literally mean a book - leafing through the pages, reading the printed word. it's an art form and the purist and romantic in me will never give up physical books, kindles and nooks be darned! 

6. staples

my day-to-day style is mostly dominated by staples - the investment pieces that work year after year and with most outfits. give me a classic bag any day over this season's "hottest" accessory.

7. joyful

despite the inevitable heartbreaks in life, i try to appreciate the beauty around me - love, a child's laugh, a sunset. maybe that sounds trite, but i've been on the other end before and it's no fun! life is so much fuller and richer when you can find joy and celebrate the good things in life.

thanks again, christine, and hope to see a few new faces over at ashley nicole catherine!

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I love how introspective/reflective this post was...exactly the kind of 'blogger style scoop' I was hoping for when I came up with the series...thank you Ashley!!!

Have a wonderful Sunday everyone- again, I'm so so happy to be back and thank you for all of you kind words and support...I had a really hard week and reading your comments and well wishes really did make it better- I know I've said it before but it's so true...the friendships I've made through the pages of B&B are really such an absolute gift...I love you all like crazy.

xo

Taking a Break

Hi all...I wanted to let you know that I'll be taking a little blogging break for a few days...all is ok and I don't really want to bore you with the details, but let's just say I'm having a shitastic few days (aside from the kitchen of course) and not really inspired by pretty things at the moment.

I'll be back soon and I'm sorry that I won't be visiting each of you for the few days- I'll be so looking forward to catching up.

The fam jam and I are hopefully leaving for vacation this coming weekend so look for an amazing Style in Seven on Sunday and a new #pkg update on Monday...lots to come next week.

{photos via Pinterest}

Have a fabulous few days lovelies.

I'll miss you.

xo

Project Kitchen Gorgeous - Sneak Peek

Goodmorning all...it's officially #pkg day (being Monday and all)...

and as promised, here are a few little peeks at the progress.

First, a peek at the window trim and cupboard profile...Meredith came up with the brilliant idea of capping the two shorter/stubbier windows in the kitchen to make them appear the same height as the large one at the front of the house- love!  The cupboards are a modern shaker and are finished in Pratt and Lambert Seed Pearl.  And speaking of colours..the island is P&L Feather Grey, walls are finished in Para Paints Stucco and the ceiling is Fine Needlework, also by Para.  

Oh and PS, apparently I've won the record for most drawers in a kitchen...we chose them over open cupboards because personally, I they're infinitely more practical...i.e the can hold more shit.

And the island...remember the days back when Meredith mentioned that little idea I threw at her?  Well she drew it up, designed the heck out of it and voila...here it is come to life.

To say I ADORE that piece of furniture, would be the most gargantuan understatement in recorded history...well perhaps not but really, I loooooveeee it like the moon and stars.

On today's agenda: open shelves are being installed, cabinet doors are being finished and hardware is going on...good times!!

As always, giant kisses for following along- #pkg wouldn't be the same without you!!!

xo

Sponsor Love - k.slademade

I wanted to showcase some of the gorgeous new clutches and accessories now available at k.slademade.

If you haven't already linked over and purchased something, you're silly- go now!!!

If you need convincing, here it is...

I die over all of the amaze clutches.

And PS, k.slademade also sells charming floral pins...

and these fabo wrap bracelets...

Yum.

Click HERE to buy stuff- it will make you happy- promise.

Have a wicked awesome Saturday.

xo

Project Kitchen Gorgeous - The Cabinets Have Arrived!

I promised an update so here it is...cabinets have arrived and are just starting to be placed in their proper place - still lots to do but I can actually see a new kitchen emerging...bliss!!

Today the cabinets are going to fitted and the drawers put in...counters will be templated tomorrow.

Happy Friday everyone and I hope you're all staying cool- it literally registered 50C here yesterday- my semi polyesterish/chiffon maxi dress, combined with the vinyl bench from the seemingly non-air conditioned restaurant we were in last night, almost killed me...I came VERY (ok not really but I did try to mentally figure out how I could make it happen) nearly stripped bare right then and there...loathe sticky heat!

xo

Friday Fabrics {on Thursday} - Jobs

I'm skipping the weekly que and talking fabrics today.

The cabinets are going in today {holy shit....I'm dying with excitement over here} so I'm pretty sure you'll be wanting to see some pictures/updates tomorrow...thus, fabrics are up today.

In actuality, I would have had a hard time waiting until tomorrow to post these pretties anyways...what you are about to see is nothing short of textile PERFECTION...according to moi anyways.

Think Josef Frank meets girly boudoir...delish!!!

And with that, may I introduce you to the magically whimsical world of Jobs Handprinted Textiles.

Pillows...

And fabric by the meter...

This collection of fabulous literally leaves me speechless...the 5th or 6th fabric option MUST make its way into my daughter's room...like for realz.

Oh and price point/perhaps the only hitch...fabric ranges from $145-$215/meter and the cushion covers are $147...not cheap but doable when you think these are hand painted...yes, block printed and then done by actual people/not machines, this makes it so so worth it- a pair of jeans costs that much for heaven's sakes...we'll call these investment pieces- and sublime ones at that!

Have a fabo Thursday and think of me on this, the official day 1 of #pkg install...happy times!!!

xo