Living room = ladies lounge

A few years ago Rachel and I started calling her formal living room the "ladies lounge" and I'm adopting that name for my transforming room too.  Calling it that does help explain to inquiring men why there is not a TV in the room!

My sisal rug arrived a few weeks ago and I really love how it helps warm up and lighten the room.

I changed the fringe on my panels to a flat green ribbon and think it helped the curtains look a bit more like they were planned to be in this room.

Someone thinks this makeover was all for her and we keep finding her in the ladies lounge.  Great spot for her to watch all the activity on St. Mary's St or take an afternoon nap!

Next project in the room are getting the pillows made.  I have all the fabric, just need to find trim and have them made.  I'm also going to work on a new piece of art in April.

XO,

Whit

Weekend party recap

We celebrated two of my very best friends this past weekend.  Get ready for photo overload!

First up - Rachel's baby shower!  Can't wait to meet baby Matthews and find out if it is a boy or a girl (my money is on boy!).

Edible Art did a great job copying the Noah's arc theme from the invitation on the cake & cookies.

Carolina Country Club in Raleigh

Favors - animal cookies & silver baby cup w/ Reece's Pieces

We had people write messages in the ZooBorns book -- advice to the Baby about Rachel or to Rachel with advice about being a mom.  We tried to keep it fun and relevant to the animal picture on the page, which got interesting.

Marlowe is next after Rachel!

All the girls

and the ladies!

Then we headed to Charlotte to celebrate Grayson and Matt at their engagement party!  Looking forward to these two tying the knot at the farm in July.  You'll notice I wore the same J. Crew shift dress, just changed the accessories up. 

The happy couple with Grayson's parents

All the ladies

Then Sunday morning a group of us hosted a kitchen shower for Grayson at my parents' house.  Big THANK YOU to my mom for all her hard work to make this such a lovely brunch!  She pulled the rest of us together.

The bride-to-be with her new niece!

Hostess with the mostest = BC

Grayson with the hostesses

w/ her sweet Mama

So pretty and bridal with her ribbon bouquet!

So thankful for God blessing me with these strong friendships!  Rachel & Grayson - so looking forward to celebrating the next chapter in each of your lives.

XO,

Whit

Spring Entertaining

My kitchen island is ready for Easter.  Vase is Juliska from La; eggs are alabaster from Williams-Sonoma; bunny was from Fearrington Village shop.

We had a joint birthday dinner for Jean & her sister Dorothy's birthdays last weekend.  I decided to keep it easy and used pink paper plates on gold chargers.  Still festive and colorful!  

As you can see, we don't have any dining room chairs, so I collected 8 chairs from all over the house.  I actually kind of liked the eclectic feel.

Tulips by kitchen window and calla lilies in living room.  Both pairs of containers are from Homegoods.

(5 seconds after this picture was taken I dropped and shattered the top of the cake plate.  I may have shed a few tears...I had just driven all over Raleigh to purchase a new one not 15 minutes before I clumsily dropped it. Oh well!)

The birthday ladies!

Then Friday we celebrated Jason's birthday at the Ottos' house.

The Otto brothers' ladies

The birthday boy & Marie

XO,
Whit

Perfect little Saturday

As shown in a photo collage.

Saturday a.m. we headed over to Chapel Hill to the Camellia Forest - Olivia included.  We came home with two Jacks (stunning pink flower below) and one additional April Remembered.  I cannot recommend this camellia nursery enough -- they have so many varieties and it's really fun to walk around.

Lunch at Merritt's -- most delicious BLT with bluegrass in the background.  Perfection.

Then Saturday evening we celebrated two Hamrick kids' engagements -- Kiki and Chris (best friends who met at our wedding!) and Kate and Landon.  It was a lovely evening at the Hamricks' house.  Congrats to all four of them!

How cute are they?! So thankful for the future Mr. & Mrs. Hamrick.

Ayers family

Hamrick family

Ottos!  Happy 35th anniversary to my in-laws!  We love you both!

Myers Park High School ladies

Looking forward to lots more celebrations!

XO,

Whit