Love Where You Live

I'll be the first to tell you that I. Love. Charlottesville. I am surrounded by some of the most beautiful mountains, have quick access to the ocean, get to interact with the smartest people in the country (trust me--they'll tell you), and can take a hop-skip-jump and be immersed in something historic.

This weekend was no exception, and it started on Friday. Sometime earlier this week I go the brilliant idea to ask my boss if I could take a tour/spend the day at Monticello (because I honestly haven't been there since SECOND grade and what if one of my groups wants to visit?! I need to know how to sell the product!!). Being the laid-back boss that she is, she said, "Yes of course!!" Even better--earlier this year I won two Behind-the-Scenes passes to see the upstairs of the house, so naturally I invited my wonderful mama to tag along and snoop inside Mr. Jefferson's abode. 

Friday was the perfect day to visit because a giant rain storm the night before left us this awesome spooky fog:

However, once we got through the tour, we were given beautiful sunshine and perfect fall foliage.

She's sooo pretty! 

Ole TJ knew what he was doin. 

Yesterday, I went to an adorbs baby shower for little Quinn N. She is sure to be the most fashionable baby on the block and I'm pretty pumped to see her rock her infant legwarmers. After the shower, I got a wild hair and decided I HAD TO SEE COPPER ASAP + we had a free pizza coupon that was expiring this weekend (waste not want not!) so I drove up to the VP and we gorged and drank like the good ole days. 

OMG SO EXCITED!!

It's rough around these parts. 

Some things never change...

And what better way to follow up a night of pure, unadulterated laziness? A trip to the Vineyard!

I've missed these two so...

Anything the light touches, Queen Caroline...

Obviously, another wonderful weekend under the belt. The only thing more exciting is that today is Granny's 92nd bday! All those years + a knee AND hip replacement and still lookin' fly. I'll take those genes. 

Cheers to the Weekend,

Hannah

Paint it Black -- or Nothing at All.

The day I stop scraping paint from under my fingernails, off my floor, and out of my eardrums, is the day I meet my land baron and we buy a mansion that's move-in ready. Someone please remind me that when I do find my fixer-up dream house, I should only buy it if I have enough money to pay some one to fix it up for me. I am on the brink of being finished (painting) in my little apartment -- only the steps left to go -- and I am thrilled. I always say to myself that I love painting... then 4 months into it, I realize this is so not true. 

Anyway. It looks great! You'd never believe it was the same place, and pictures really don't do it justice. There are still some little details needed to make my "office nook" perfecto, but that's the fun part. I know this much is true: the rustic "barn red" is forever gone from this place and it couldn't have happened fast enough.

Before:

Yes, that is green shag carpet! "Vintage" from the 50s. Oh lawd.

During: 

After (well, in the dark):

More paint than you can imagine to cover that mess.

I need to do an entire 'before and after' post to show my little place, but honestly, I can't take a photo that will show  you just how different it is. This place was cave cricket, stank-nasty, concrete central. Now, well, it's still got cave crickets (though not as many, thanks to Abita), but it actually looks....nice. I'll get around to it one day, don't you worry. 

Next up: find a pedestal table for my "dining room." And a barstool for this nook because I'm feeling like a hermit with that tiny chair. Onward and upward, right?!

xoxo, Hannah

Make Me A Bird, So I Can Fly Far, Far Away...

Ok. So. I'm back on the hunt for fabric to upholster the multiple amazing wingback chairs that I have (luckily!) inherited/bought/discovered from relatives + Goodwill. I think I'm up to 4 or 5 now, all of which are in desperate need of some fluffing, stuffing, and re-covering. I've seen so many examples of reupholstered chairs that it's a little overwhelming. Do I want traditional? Artistic? Preppy? Toile or houndstooth? Oh, the pressure... 

My first thought was to have at least one chair covered in some sort of blue and white stripe (duh). However, after seeing this photo, I'm loving the leaf-themed print and how cozy it looks next to that window.

Something about this fabric reminds my of my Aunt Margo--who was always super stylish--so maybe that's why I'm lovin' it.



I've always really liked the idea of having mismatched chairs at a big, chunky dining table. These wingys are cool, but I'm thinking you'd need a really tall table or a chair with no arms to accomplish the appropriate "scooted-in" feel. Also, I'd probably be rll stressed about spilling spaghetti sauce or lentils or red wine (winter only!) or some other tragically staining substance on them--my middle name is Grace, after all.

Mmmm...I don't know why the color yellow is always taking a bad rap. It's cheerful and bright and deliciously sunny! Look at it. So pretty... 

Ok. Obviously I was drawn to this like a squirrel to a bird feeder. However, I think it would be a bad call for me to spend (a lot) of time and money picking out swatches, figuring out the best panel placement, and mixing/matching the colors only to change my style in a year or two. Sigh. I will appreciate from a distance and harness my inner middle-school taste buds...

All right, all right. It's not exactly a wingback. But--everything about this print is pulling at my heart/purse strings.  I've always been a fan of chairs that are more long than wide. If that makes sense. Perfect leg-curling potential...

Anyway. Thursday!? Yes, it's true. Only a day left until I'm chillin' on a dirt road (kind of), stuffing my face with local seafood, jamming out to fresh playlists, gorging on Bailey's cake, and ridin' dirty (top down, chrome spinnin).

My hard-knock life...continues. 

xoxo, Hannah

The Hook

The weekend verdict? Stay in town with the 'rents and listen to some banjo-playin' fools while catching up with an old friend over spinach, artichoke, and asparagus pizza. Yumm. I haven't seem Tim in almost two years, which is crazy to me because he was one of my best friends in high school and we used to always run in the same circles (literally). I love bumping into people you haven't seen or talked to in forever and picking up exactly where you left off. It's so refreshing--I only I wish I'd brought my camera to catch a picture of Tim's stylish new grizzly man beard. It was v. impressive. 

Meanwhile, everything in the Lou is bursting in techno-color green. The fields are lush and delicious and ready for fall. My mom was on her typical mission: find something to paint, stat! So, she pulled out the new ladder she bought for her bathroom and started sanding. It began a sad, chipped blue color but ended with an awesome glossy black finish--the perfect addition to her room.

Also, it's walnut season like woah. Watch your head...

What's the story, morning glory? They've taken over the blackberry patch.

More exciting news at my parents' house: they planted two fig trees (and "they already have figs! See!?!'). Gettin' figgy with it. 

On one of her recent scavenger hunt adventures, my mom found this old medicine cabinet for $3 and decided it was something I needed to fix up and have. Umm, ok!!

So proud. 

I found this Anthropologie mug at Goodwill for a whopping $.35!! I'm gonna pretend the 'm' is for my middle name....

Boo lovin'.

So ladylike...

My parents are in the process of "renovating" their patio. In the meantime,  the front yard is a giant sand pit filled to the brim with walnuts and cats. Tiger especially loves to lie, play, roll, and frolic anywhere near the glorified, oversized litter box. Meow.

Saturday night, we went to Montpelier to watch fireworks for Constitution Day. It was awesome because we got to "sneak" in the back gate and drive to a secluded part of the steeplechase course to watch the show all by ourselves--how many people get to use James Madison's estate as their personal playground? Super lucky, and it was the perfect night for fireworks. 

Anyway. Don't have to work until 4:00pm today. Who knows when I'm leaving... midnight at the earliest...? Trying my best to keep the cranky pants at bay. We shall see. 

xxx, Hannah

Tricks Are for Kids.

So my cousin Jenny just had a baby last week (a boy named Sawyer...love it) and I think the whole infant arrival sent me on a whirlwind hunt for pastel pinks and blues. Not that I think I would ever decorate a kid's room in these colors, but I do love a sweet pastel palette, especially when it's chock full of lush flowers and crisp white backdrops.

Super into the idea of separating little makeup items with this "industrial"-looking tin thing.

I am willing to bet that no children live in this house with this staircase...way too white and perfectly unscuffed for any of that nonsense. Still...lookin' good....

Turquoise. Pink. White. Yes. Yes YES.

Would only look better with a little teal Pyrex peekin out.

Chunky coffee table legs ftw.

Light fixture + marble-ish counter tops + glass-faced cabinets + artichokes at the ready

Yoga tonight. Whining my way out of work on Friday. Cape Charles for the weekend (!?!). Leftover Rio Grande for dinner!!!! And it's not blazingly hot as balls out today. Score!

xxx,

Hann

OMG, Let's Go Shopping

I cannot remember the last time I went shopping for clothes and actually purchased something. I'm on a mission this weekend to find at least three new outfits for work and play. It's a daunting task, especially for a cheap-o like me. Now would be a great time for a surprise trust fund, dontcha think? All you personal shoppers out there...send good karma my way. Ugh.

This little number is melon-licious.



Obsessed with this creamy white dress. So summery and would be awesome w/some colorful heels (see Kate Mid below).

Love the top of this dress paired with the comfy bottom. Lace me up.



Going nautical on yo ass.

Mathematical delight, and I love that I could wear these day or night.

If I were a rich girl...

Heavenly. Although I bet they would stretch easily and probably pick up tons of dirt. Meh.

Can't stop, won't stop. Love her.

Next mission--find the perfect wedding out fit a la Rhode Island nuptials later this month!