My Bug

This is Bug.  He hates that I call him that, but I can't help it.  As nervous as I get about moving to a new city, he is my reassuring voice of reason.  He keeps me grounded and makes me laugh.  I love him very much and can't wait to be his wife.  Sorry for the cheesy post, it has been an emotional couple of weeks!

Chandelier

So I ordered this chandelier for the new house yesterday.  Did I mention it is the second one I have owned.  I must really love this chandelier.  We put it in our first house, but it was part of the closing...sad.  Tear.  All is good, because in six weeks I will have it again!  Tomorrow is my last day at Villa Dauphine.  I have been there six years, and have learned so much.  It is going to be bitter sweet to leave.

The House!

So we close on our house next week!  I am so excited.  Although I am nervous about moving to a new town, I am really ready to be settled.  I know I will have a lot to post about the new house.  We love it, and cannot wait to have a fresh start!  Promise pics to come soon!  I will finally get to unpack my camera cord.  Hope y'alls week is going well!

Update!

Here is a little sneak peek of some wedding details. Yes, I have already gotten a lot done! I figure do what I can while I am still living in Mobile. Planning a wedding out of town is a hassle! This is the bouquet that I have fallen head over heals for! It is romantic and dreamy, and has peonies. They are my absolute favorite flower, and a must for my bouquet. It also shows the colors I am using throughout the wedding. Soft peachy-pinks and even softer pear greens. I cannot wait!

This is my bridesmaids dress. It is the Ashley, by Vera Wang in Champagne. I want to order one for myself! Love! I can't show you my dress, it is a secret. I can tell you that I love it, and will want to wear it everyday even after the wedding! Happy Thursday!

images courtesy of Vera Wang and Martha Stewart Weddings

Exciting News!

So as usual I feel very badly for having not made a post in forever...but I have some exciting news!  Paul(my boyfriend) and  got engaged this past weekend!  It was perfect and I couldn't be happier!  We were at The Grand Hotel in Point Clear, AL.  If you have never been, go immediately!  It is a little piece of heaven on earth.  Here I will show you!

The main building.  Great food, great bar, and an even better piano player!

Beautiful oak trees are all over the grounds.  It is truly amazing.

The beds are like sleeping in a giant marshmallow.  This was the exact room we stayed in...or at least they look identical!
This was our view from our balcony.  Mobile Bay never looked so good.

And last but not least the pool.  Tons of chairs, yummy daiquiris, and super friendly staff.  I would seriously live here if I could.  Enough about The Grand!  I am super busy, more than before!  I have kicked into full gear on the wedding planning, so do not be surprised if a few wedding post creep their way in.  Hope everyone is having a great week!

I Am Loving Skirted Console Tables!

I am so into skirted console tables right now!  I think it has something to do with my southern roots.  Every house I grew up in, or frequented had a skirted table.  Typically most skirted tables are round, but the rectangular console is a new spin on a classic.  I posted a few of my favorites below...is it just a coincidence that Palmer Weiss and Phoebe Howard are featured!  I have asked Paul, my boyfriend, to build me a base, and then I have recruited my mom to make the skirt!  I cannot wait.  It is either going to go in my living room, or dining room...not sure yet?

I love the graphic David Hicks fabric in this Palmer Weiss photograph.  I also love the the turquoise gourd lamp!  
These tables are also great for hiding junk.  Our new house could have a little more storage, so this is a perfect solution.  I love the thick grosgrain trim that creates the Greek key detail.  
I remember the first time I saw the above entry way.  It was in Domino...tear.  Palmer Weiss was featured as an up and coming designer.  Look at her now!  Famous!
The perfect Phoebe Howard.  Refined and classic.  I am a huge fan of antique Windsor chairs.  They are such a piece of Americana!
This is an example of a more formal skirted table.  The box pleating is beautiful, especially the silk banding at the bottom.
This photograph really caught my eye.  What a great idea for a dining room table.  Especially f you are on a budget.  It is tailored and perfect for a growing family.  If your fabric is pre-washed, just throw it in the washer and dryer, viola!  

images courtesy of Palmer Weiss, Phoebe Howard, Southern Living, Decorpad

A Little Wish List From Wisteria...

I love the high arms on this sofa.  I am drawn to slip covered sofas.  I think it may have something to do with the zoo that I let chill on every piece of furniture I own...
This would be perfect behind a sofa or against a wall as a serving piece.  Throw a pair of porcelain gourd lamps on top, fabulous! 
I would like two of these, one beside each club chair in front of the fireplace.  Did I mention I need two club chairs too?
I love the idea of using two of these for a little cocktail table.  I am obsessed with mirror!  It reflects so much light, and can really open up a space.
These would look great in my dining room...or in my bedroom.  I cannot decide!  I just know I need them.
I feel like am doing to many pairs, but I would love a pair of these for my coffee tables, or on top of the built-in bookshelves.  Yay!  I have built-in bookshelves!  I have been wanting some for soooo long!  I packed my cord that inputs my pictures on the computer, but I cannot wait to post the pictures of my house!  I love it!  Have a great weekend!

The Color Quiz

On every blog I read these days I see the House Beautiful color quiz. I thought it would be fun to take it, and see what it says about my color preferences...here we go!

1. What is the first color you see when you wake up in the morning? While I am on hiatus at my mother's house, I am in my old room. Benjamin Moore Gray Cashmere, it is a green-gray-blue that I had in my kitchen at my old house. I love this color. It is perfect for any room!

2. What color are your eyes? They are technically brown,, but really are more the color of my hair which is red...so a coppery, reddish, brown?

3. What color do you wear most? I am pretty diverse, but I definitely lean towards black, white, navy, and denim...that is a color in my book! I wish I looked like her in my blazer and jeans.

4. What color do you never wear? Fuchsia, if you look at my picture above, it is pretty clear why I should stay away from that color.

5. What color do you wear to feel sexy? Black. It is never boring, but always classic. The dress below is understated and womanly. Those two traits are sexiest to me.

6. What color gets you the most compliments? Lavender, but I don't wear it that often...maybe I should.

7. What color is your lipstick? Bobbie Brown Peach Brightening Lip gloss, and Bobbie Brown Lip Shine, in Claret. I usually just wear the peach gloss, but the Claret is the best red! It is not in your face, but still makes a statement!

8. What color was living room growing up? Uggghhhh, brick red. Need I say more?

9. What color are you sheets? White. Clean, fresh, and it makes me feel like I am in a hotel. My bedding is all white too, I like white sheets, and white towels.

10. What color was your favorite crayon growing up? Blue-Green, or Green-Blue.

11. What color is your car? Green Gray

12. What color was your prom dress? Mint Green

13. What is your favorite gemstone? Emeralds, like the earrings Angelina wore to the Golden Globes, or was it the Oscars...who cares! Look at those amazing emeralds!

14. What is your favorite flower? Peonies, the are full and fragrant. My absolute favorite!

15. What color makes you happy? Apple, Pear, Lime, I love fresh spring greens! I have always admired the room below. Is it just me, or does this room make you smile?

16. What color depresses you? Mauve. This room is sad, sad, sad. Moving on.

17. What color calms you? Soft gray blues. Any room Phoebe Howard does calms me. This is Benjamin Moore Glass Slipper, one of her absolute favorite colors.

18. What color makes you grind you teeth? Bright YELLOW! I hate it.

19. What color would you like to try but are too scared too? Dark navy blue, like the color in Windsor Smith's kitchen. Actually the picture below makes me much less scared, it is fabulous!

images courtesy of House Beautiful, J. Crew, Elle Decor, Nordstrom, Bobbie Brown, Benjamin Moore, Southern Accents, HGTV.com, and sorry if I missed one or two, this was a long post! Whew!

Sketchy!

So I know I have been M.I.A. lately, but it is probably gonna be that way for a few more weeks. A lot is going on right now, and I am trying to keep my head above water! I do promise to come back with a vengeance! Hopefully a pretty post here and there will pop up and surprise you! Thanks for reading and keep checking in! you never know what you might find!

xoxo,

Amanda

p.s. Above is a pretty picture to send you off into the weekend, hope you have a nice one! Picture courtesy of the always fabulous Eddie Ross. I wish I could just hang out with him for one weekend...don't you love the apple green grass cloth!?!

Local Talent

I am a big fan of Mobile, Alabama, my hometown. It has history and a slow southern charm. It also has some fabulous local talent. I wanted to highlight three of Mobile's most fabulous artist. I have posted a few paintings of each, but their portfolios are endless. I have attached links to all of their websites. Enjoy! Art is personal and an invaluable aspect of decorating. No home is complete without art that speaks to the home owners. Art makes a space personal and is a great investment. Think long and hard about each purchase, it will be one you will not regret. Have a great weekend!

Original oil by Amanda Hendrich. Lagerquist

Original Oil by Amanda Hendrich, Bulldog

Original Oil by Randy Moberg, Seated Figure II

Original Oil by Randy Moberg, Delamar Street

Original Oil by Anita Westerberg, Inspiration

Original Oil by Anita Westerberg, Behind

My Sweet Boy!

Now, is this not the cutest face you have ever seen?!  I love all of my four legged children, but this little man has a special place in my heart.  I have been feeling a little overwhelmed lately, and one good snuggle from Jimmy Dean and I feel so much better.  I really do think animals have healing abilities.  Anyways, just a little post that made me smile.  

She can do NO wrong!

Phoebe Howard has done it again! The bedrooms below are all from the same Island House! She has such an amazing eye for color, sophistication, and still keeps all of her designs approachable. If you are a follower of MrsHowardsPersonalShopper.com, like I am, you will see she is about to open her third shop in Charlotte! If anyone reading this post lives in Charlotte...you are very lucky! It is going to be 11,000 square feet! According to her blog, Phoebe hand picked everything, from the paint on the walls to the tiniest accessories. I cannot wait to see pictures!

images courtesy of Phoebe Howard