Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Reilly Monroe!

I really, really didn't want the weekend to end.  I have been looking forward to Julia & Reilly's wedding since they got engaged.  It was the perfect weekend in Chapel Hill.  Rachel was the photographer at the bridal luncheon and rehearsal dinner, but I captured a lot of special moments on the actual wedding night.

Her bouquet was stunning!!  Julia wore her sister, Claire's, dress and her mother-in-law's veil.  They were both very Julia and seemed to be made for each other.



So sad it's over, but so happy for Julia & Reilly's married life to begin!

XO,

Whit

Home Tour - Dining Room: Attic + College

Sadly I can't find one solitary picture of what this room looked like pre-me!  It served as a guest room / bar / office.  It was filled with NCSU and Hurricanes "art."  Honestly, it served it's purpose in the bachelor pad. 

In its current state, it is by no means as formal as I'd like it to be, but the mis-matched items work ok for now.  I had to prioritize some other rooms over it.

View from the foyer

I love the French table and chairs Jean (MIL) loaned me.  She wants them back, but I'd love them in a kitchen one day when I have a more formal table and chairs.  The chandelier was in her dining room in her current house when she moved in and so I added a little gold, dusted it off from being stored in her basement and had it hung.  Of course, I'd rather have something with crystal more like my kitchen, but that's a bit formal for the current state of the room.  You can see our Razzle Dazzle Powder Room in the background.

View from the kitchen

The curtains are a very small black and cream silk check.  Jean owed us a little money and she and I made an agreement and had these made. :)  Since we aren't planning to stay here for many more years I don't want to go to the expense of having custom draperies made for every room, but I LOVE them in here.  It makes it look a bit more finished.

Detail of the drapes

Our current china storage (to left of double window)

My sweet (and talented!) dad painted the impressionist peacock painting for me during college -- it was ripped a little when a burglar broke in during our last night of college senior year. 

Here is was during my college days over my desk...

An old black table I also picked up during college serves as our buffet.  The prints and floral arrangement were housewarming gifts from Jean.  I am obsessed with the antique mirrored frames.  I found the pink Murano glass bird in the attic.

Here is the black table back in its Chapel Hill glory

Corner Chelsea House display rack -- one of my favorites pieces in the house and also courtesy of Jean's attic.

From the Chelsea House rack this is the view

Behind the floral painting (found in Jean's basement or attic) is our chimney.  I am so tempted to find out why it's been drywalled up, but a little scared to find out -- our house is 102 after all.  No telling!

Close up of corner

 The green chair has also been with me since jr. year of college

So that's our dining room!  I do enjoy hosting dinners in there.  Next up in that room will be finding a rug -- I want something in the same color pallete as my china (Herend Queen and Princess Victoria in green).

I plan to showcase some of my favorite dining rooms over the next week or so, but wanted you to see ours first before seeing some of the finest.

XO,

Whit

Going to the chapel!

I had insomnia last night --  I think it's because I'm so excited.  I felt like a five-year-old on Christmas Eve. 

Julia and Reilly are getting married in a few days and it will be a fun reunion weekend in Chapel Hill...and to top that off Louise and Cullen (FINALLY!) got engaged.  I cannot wait to see my sweet best friends.  I haven't looked this forward to something in a very long time.

Couple #1: Julia and Reilly (soon to be "The Monroes")

At a "famous duos" cocktail in college -- can you tell what they are?

Couple #2: Louise and Cullen

The picture below is right after Cullen pinched Louise's neck with the ice tongs!  Never a dull moment with either of these couples.  I love them both dearly.

I've already laid out all my outfits and accessories for the weekend. I told you I'm excited!!!

Josh said the dress on the far left was "so ugly and looks like it's from Africa" -- I tried it on and he softened a bit.  Who cares though-- I'm wearing it to the bridesmaid's luncheon and doesn't he know girls dress for other girls?  That nut!

Off to Columbus for work tomorrow then only one more day of work to get through!!

XO,

Whit

4th of July

We spent the long weekend in the sun at my in-laws' place at AB.  It was so nice!  I'm so glad to have a little sun for Julia's wedding this coming weekend.



We spent a lot of time being lazy (and Josh caught a summer cold), but we did go out with a big crew on Saturday night in Morehead.

We also did a LOT of eating.  On Sunday night we fixed a traditional 4th of July meal -- burgers, hot dogs, fried green tomatoes and homemade vanilla ice cream.

We had to improvise a bit with the fried green tomatoes, but they still turned out delicious so I wanted to share.

Slice tomatoes.  Salt and pepper really well on both sides.  Then toss in cornmeal -- make sure they are completely coated.

Heat a few T of olive oil in a skillet on high heat. Once the pan is very hot place tomatoes in and cook for a few minutes until golden brown on each side.

Once you remove from heat let cool a bit on a few paper towels.  We then served with pimento cheese -- place dollup of pimento cheese on top when they are still hot so it melts a bit.  They were delicious!!

To make the "pimento" cheese we had to use what we had on hand.  We grated up colby and jack cheese, added a little mayo, dash of cayenne pepper and jalapenos.  Sadly, we didn't have any pimentos, but it really didn't taste much different once they were on the tomatoes.

Tonight we enjoyed a beer in our rocking chairs on the porch...with our dog -- I don't think it gets much more American than that!

Happy 235th birthday, America!

XO,

Whit

Green with Envy

I have always been a green girl.  I think most of the women in my family are -- we love to wear it, it's our first choice when decorating and some of us even have green eyes to make it all the more appealing with our dark hair. 

My love for the emerald / Kelly variety has been elevated to new levels in 2011.  The Golden Globes started it, and my girl Pippa sent it into the realm of complete adoration and obsession.

I love this season's inclusion of the color in fashion -- clothes and accessories.

I adore the versatility of the color on fine china (I have a slightly lighter version in mine with the Herend Queen and Princess Victoria patterns)

It's great for all seasons of stationary and household accessories. 

It's bold, crisp and cheerful on furniture

Striking and elegant on wallpaper

You can achieve the same effect, albeit more subtle, with just small pops of the color in a room.

I'm still on my search for a great green dress, but in the meantime I'm going to order that $38 ring I've been eyeing for months at Anthropologie.  It has the same effect as the coveted Elizabeth Locke rings that can set you back $5k!

XO,

Whit