Minted LOVE

It is that time of year when folks are getting hitched, babies are being born and kiddos are growing up and leaving the nest. Or, if your like me and you have none of those things happening in your life but you drool over gorgeous branding for your business, home decor, stunning invitations and even menu cards for your spring time soiree,  Minted is the most incredible resource for you. Wow, that was a long winded sentence. Anyhow, I am serious you guys... they have it all, for everyone. I have spent the past couple hours crushing over their products and I had to share them with you...It would be an utter crime not to. My eyes are burning from staring at these beautiful images on my computer screen for so long (kidding not kidding).

Minted recently introduced their 2015 Wedding Collection and have added rose gold pressed foil to their invitation line and IT. IS. STUNNING. You can even get foil pressed business cards too! I will be doing that in the VERY near future. 

Check out some of their many shimmering (and non shimmering) treasures!

 They also have a huge selection of party backdrops, fabric, home decor, art and a zillion other things I need... Yes, I said need.

Aren't these Menus awesome?!?!

What do you all think? Are you as crazed over these as I am?

I knew you would love Minted, my friends... And yes, you're welcome. 

My Little Loft {Coming "Home"}

You know the feeling you get when you come home from a long vacation and you crawl into your very own bed? Or when you visit home after a semester away at college? That deep sense of home and belonging that your mind, body and soul have been craving for so long? I am not talking about a social belonging (although that feels great, too), but a place, a nest that reflects your personality and passions 100%. 

After living out of suitcases and boxes since last May (in both Europe and California), I am finally able to set up a space of my own and feel that deep comforting peace that comes with being "home" that I have longed for. For me, "home" isn't a specific location in the world, but a place of my own where my mind can rest and can feel a calmness and serenity.  I need to be in a place where I can host others, so hopefully they can find a peace and calmness there too! This last year has been a crazy whirlwind, to say the least, and I have finally arrived "home".

My household goods arrived from Europe the day before Christmas Eve, and I am having an absolute ball setting up my little loft with treasures that I was able to bring back from Europe. With every box that I have been unpacking, I have been reminiscing about all the adventures I went on to find these beauties and the unique history and stories that come along with each of them. 

I am currently trying to cram all my things into one small space and make each thing cohesive with the next. I want my tract-home loft to look like a Parisian apartment, so that I can feel inspired and as though I am in my favorite place in the world... Europe. I am wanting eclectic, European charm to ooze out of every pore of my teeny tiny rental. A place that reflects my personality and soul. I call this "Eclectic Expat Chic."

I can't wait to share the process that I will be going through to set up my space and make it a place that will be warm, welcoming and relaxing. My loft is still under a little bit of construction, but I just had to share a few vignettes with you now, because frankly, I am just too excited! It has a little ways to go but I am making headway daily. I will have loads of DIY's and before and afters coming soon....

Like this smoked, antiqued mirror behind my mantle!

...And how I am turning this armoire into an espresso bar (without messing with it's integrity)!

The absolute most important piece of a home is being able to be around people you love... I have learned no matter where you go in the world, if you have an open heart and mind you can create a home and family anywhere. 

What makes a space "home" for you?

Cheers to being there!

Top Posts of 2013

Prost Neu Jahr! 2013 was a pretty emotional year for me (95% being happy emotions). It was filled with an abundance of exploration, incredible food and wine, plenty of soul searching and the realization that I was a zillion miles away from home (can't believe that took a whole year to set in). Last year was definitely filled with it's ups and downs, mostly ups and I am so honored to have been able to share our home and most precious moments with you all! While there are tons more recipes, DIYs and travel ideas, I have pulled together a few of my top posts from the year, starting with my absolute favorite. After that, they are in no particular order. To see a particular post click on the image or the description below the image.

Enjoy!

My Philosophy {What Does The Poor Sophisticate Even Mean?}

San Gimignano, Italy

Montepulciano, Italy

The dining room looks pretty darn different today than it does in the picture below. Can't wait to share the most recent and biggest changes with you all in a post coming soon!

Winter {2013} Dining Room Reveal

Vintage Map of Epic Proportions

(Rental) Barn Kitchen Transformation

DIY Removable Wallpaper

DIY Salvaged, Industrial Entry-Way

Rosemary, Blackberry, Camembert Grilled Cheese, Drizzled with a Homemade Balsamic Glaze

Spring Ready Living Room

Exploring Burg Eltz

Summer Barn Coastal Decor {The Power of Pillows and Accessories}

Charming Strasbourg, France

DIY Ombré Series

DIY Flavor Infused Chocolate Syrups

Barn Falliday Decor

DIY Drop-Cloth Zebra Hide Rug

Contemporary-Classic Living Room

Quirky and Eclectic Time Zone Clock Wall

Branstetter Barn Holiday Tour 2013

Enchanting European Christmas Markets Part 1

What were your favorite moments of 2013??

BRING ON 2014!

Tartan Love and a Few Classic and Fabulous Finds

 Bon Jour, mes amours! If you follow me on Instagram, you know I just got back from the "city of love" and wow, it was stunning! What an experience to go there during the crisp, cool winter! Ah, I feel so revitalized after roaming the streets of Paris with my dear friends.

Because I have so much holiday preparation to do, I am going to keep this post short and sweet and just share with you a few Christmas decor updates that we have made around the barn. I will be sure to post our Paris photos soon but first, I want to share with you my love for Tartan (or in The States, plaid) this holiday season. I am also so excited to show you a few new goodies  I have found at a few flea markets! 

A touch of tartan adds a sharp, classic sophisticated look to a

a space and I can't get enough of it this winter. The more I add to our home, the more our barn feels like a British or Celtic, country home (well, my version of one at least).  It reminds me of a pub I went to in the English countryside. Also, I am part Scot and am having fun paying tribute to my heritage. 

(My wonderful cousins in the pub that inspired me to do this "look")

After I posted our Holiday Home Tour a couple weeks ago, I stumbled upon some tartan pillowcases for a Euro and have added them to our Christmas decor! I think they look great with some of the antique tartan we already had in our living room. The pillows really complete the space, and add the perfect pop of red to that corner. The red really makes that part of the room come to life. 

.

I have added these pictures to our Holiday Barn Tour post, so you can see all of our holiday pictures together!

My home isn't the only thing we have decked out in Tartan,

 I am sporting it this winter season as well! 

Now, on to some of the vintage goodies I scored last week.

I found these gorgeous Florentine trays at a flea market while hanging out in Trier and were so thrilled to add them to our collection. I couldn't believe they were hiding on the floor under a pile of junk... The vendor must have known I was coming and was keeping them hidden from the crowds of people for me to discover.

At the same market, I also found this kitschy, faux, oil painting from Rome. It is classic, quirky and just what I like. The masculine gentlemen's pipe is from a shop in our local area. I am loving how it all looks on top of our WWII Russian Ammo boxes from European Vintage Chic in Landstuhl, Germany! The Gold glitz of the fancy foil painting (faux oil) and florentine tray are a great contrast to the roughed up and bleached ammo boxes. 

To see our  Barn Holiday Tour and more touches of Tartan in our home, click the image below and head on over! We would love to have you over! 

To learn more about the history of tartan, click here.

So tell me, how do you feel about Tartan? Love it as much as I do?

My Folks' Cozy Cabin in The Woods

If there is anyone in this world that can see the beauty and potential in something...even something that looks like a complete dump...it's my parents.  For years, my folks have inspired me in so many ways and pushed me to think differently about things...to see things not as they appear, but how they could be. They truly see the beauty in everything, even the simplest of things. 

While in Ca, I snapped a few pictures of my parents' little place and I am beyond thrilled to share them with you! 

Welcome to my parents' cozy little cabin in the woods!

In 2005, my folks purchased a major fixer-upper North of Napa Valley. It is nestled over a river and through the woods...literally. They poured their heart and soul into this cinderblock, cold, mess of a place and transformed it into a precious stone and knotty-pine cabin that is fit for a storybook. 

 Here is the outside before...

And, here it is now! 

This is the big shocker for me...

and after... 

Instead of tearing it down, they beautified it!

Napa-Lake Stone Cottage is a wonderful getaway for all of us!

We love visiting them in their almost micro-cabin!

Every inch is decorated with beautiful collected pieces.

Can you see where I get my love for antlers ???

The white cabinetry brightens the space up and the double chandeliers add major charm. The baskets  under the counter help with what little storage their cabin has. My folks have really made use of every inch in their home. 

It is the perfect place to relax and enjoy a warm coffee.

 Not only is my parents' cabin undeniably gorgeous, but they are the greatest hosts. The combination of the two always makes for a wonderful time for me and the rest of our family. It is hard to not fall asleep in the chair or in their hammock while listening to the breeze rustle the pine needles above.

They have packed so much character, charm, and elegance into their little place in the wilderness. They sure are amazingly talented! 

Whether you live in a trailer or a mansion, a cinderblock home or a tract home, with some hard work and imagination your place can become gorgeous and unique. My parents teeny home is perfect proof of that! Go, be encouraged, and beautify your home and bless all those who enter in. 

Thank you so much for coming on this tour with me!