ikat | youkat | weallkat

My new decorating obsession is Ikat. Since I am finally doing my home office I've decided to have some fun with color.

So I am looking to take the two Louis XVI chairs I've inherited from my grandparents from their legendary Le Gourmet restaurant they had back in the 70s that look similar to this:

And transforming them using a purple ikat fabric that is similar to this:

...Happy Day...

Happy Birthday to the best sister in the whole wide world!!!

For the Foodies: NYC

I just got back from spending the weekend in NYC with a few girlfriends. It was a blast! This was the first time back in the Big Apple since college and boy was this trip different. From staying in an amazing apartment in the Upper East Side, to seeing my first show on Broadway, to a club opening in the Meatpacking District. We lived it up SITC style! Carrie Bradshaw would have been jealous... I feel we walked every street and every little corner of Manhattan. I personally fell in love with SoHo. I loved everything about it! Here are a few places we checked out and some recommendations on places to avoid.

Ostera al Doge - Theater District - We went to this place right before our show. It was by far my favorite restaurant in NYC. Tiny little place (make sure to have a reservation). The food was AMAZING and totally authentic including the wait staff. Fabulous!! Made friends with the table next to us who were also locals.

Sal's Little Italy - We were fortunate to stumble onto this place on Friday afternoon when we needed a break from shopping and rest or sore feet. Not only was this place convenient we also find out this was probably the best pizza places in NYC. I mean President G.W. Bush visits them every time he's in town. Now that should say something. The pizza was awesome!!! We made friends with Sal himself. You must try this place for yourself! Right in the heart of Little Italy.

Little Cupcake Bakeshop - Nolita - Yum Yum! This was such a cute little shop and it's was in a great location! I loved Prince Street. It had wonderful shops and cozy little restuarants. I could live in this area!

Craft - Flatiron - Atmosphere was nice but the service was horrible and very expensive. Totally overrated. Save your self the time and money and avoid this one. Only one highlight they did server the dishes in these lovely little copper pots. It is also family style but no one cared to share that with us until we got the food.

The Collective - Meatpacking District - Oh my! How could I forget this place?? We ate here for Brunch before our flight. It was soooo great! It was so eclectic and the area was awesome. I got the Sweet Potato Waffle. Yum-Yum! They even served us our bill in an old library book. Too cute! Highly recommend. Need a reservation.

...New York State of Mind...

So this weekend is quickly approaching which I'm extremely excited about. This Thursday, with three of my girlfriends, I'll be traveling to the land of NEW YORK CITY!!!! I haven't been to the city since early 2001. Crazy I know! We plan to see a show, eat at fabulous restaurants, shop shop shop, and check out the latest in NYC nightlife. Watch out New York - Carolina girls are coming to town!

Pumpkin Awesomenessss

Happy Friday friends!! How fun is this... Want to learn how to do this go {here}!

Some Things I Love...

Coffee in the Morning

French Fries as a Food Group

Smell of Fall Leaves



Palm Trees in Tropical Lands

Shoes, Shoes & Shoes

Vintage Bikes

Fashion ANYTHING

This House

Flower Shops

Puppies

Photos from dress, design & decor

Cupcake Delight

I had a lovely gentleman swing by my desk today and drop off the most amazing cupcake! Yes, I know, very sweet indeed. Well, here's the story...as I was coming out of the break room this morning "Mr. Social-Butterfly" was saying "Hi" to someone to his right and also swinging around the corner to his left and bumped into me as I was carrying a full cup of HOT coffee. Fortunately nothing really got on me but he definitely was nailed with coffee all down his arm. I felt horrible because there was nothing like hot coffee drenching you at 8:30 in the morning and I couldn't do anything to stop it! I just stood there in complete shock. The sweet gesture (no pun intended) was his little peace offering. Cute eh? The cupcake was delightful too. Chocolate Cookie Dough I think he said...I don't know where this treasure was purchased but it sure was delicious! I will find out and let you know! Anyway, off to my Italian lessons! Ciao bellas!

Corporate Laddering...

I highly enjoyed this blog posting today posted on Forbes.com. Enjoy!

...Sailed the Ocean Blue...

osI love federal holidays! Today I had the day off of work which was very much needed. I got a lot of done today which included getting my Fall flowers planted, got the house in order, and ran a few errands. It was a nice relaxing day!!

In 1492, Columbus sailed the ocean blue...

The Lord's Day

2 Corinthians 4:7-9

⁵For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. ⁶For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness,"made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.
 
 ⁷But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.



Fabulous Fridays

Have a great weekend!

Office Space

I've been putting off setting up my home office from some time because I've been trying to find the perfect setup. I need a workspace for my sewing and crafty things. I would love to have a ribbon board and a place to keep my wrapping paper and of course the handy embosser. I also need a place I can sit for hours that is comfortable enough to work in front of a computer. I also need color but also something I won't get sick of over time.

Here are some ideas!

I love this idea for the walls.

I love the burst of color!!



Hmmm decisions decisions...

...Happy 5th Anniversary...



Painting by Jeff Pittman



Today I am celebrating my 5th Anniversary living in Charlotte, NC. I moved to Charlotte October 6th, 2005 from Washington, D.C. I was working for Accenture at the time and was able to transfer fairly easily. It's amazing how I landed here but can only say that I truly felt led here. Charlotte has become home. It's changed so much the past few years and even through this "recession", this town still seems to be growing daily. Here are some great shots of the city and the place I call home. Happy Anniversary Charlotte! You've been good to me...


I call this place home M-F



MINT Museum Uptown

Carolina Panthers

Blumenthal Performing Arts Center

Time Warner Arena

Queen Charlotte