swooning over the swan house.

snippet and ink's love in the garden board yesterday reminded me how much i love this place. the swan house, a classically styled mansion built in 1928 for the edward h. inman family, heirs to a cotton brokerage fortune. the house was designed by well-known atlanta architect philip trammell schutze in 1928 and decorated by ruby ross woods of new york. located in nw atlanta the swan house is owned and maintained by the atlanta history center. it is just the place i dream of having my wedding (if i wasn't already married, of course)...actually i have many dreams of many weddings with all sorts of themes. dreaming doesn't hurt anything!!

xoxo
elle.

appreciating our roots

as i mentioned in my new years post i have several apartment projects i can't wait to get finished with the new year. one of them is completing the bathroom off of our bedroom. keep in mind our apartment was built in the 30's, we live in new york city, and we don't own it...so this doesn't involve anything more than a creative paint job and hanging some pictures. however, i have decided on black and white stripes about 2-3 inches wide. since this is not a place we will live forever i feel it is the perfect opportunity to be a little more fun/risky (not that stripes are totally out there) doing something that if i was living somewhere else i might fear is too trendy or not something i would like for a long time.

last time i was home my mom mentioned she had a stack of old family photos that she just didn't know what she was going to do with and asked if i had any ideas. i immediately thought of my bathroom.

i brought them back with me, went and purchased standard, inexpensive black frames in various sizes and have them all ready to add to my bathroom. i think the look of the black frames covering the black and white stripes in our petite bathroom will have a neat impact and is a daily reminder of where i come from. i hope to add photos from my husband's family as well. a fun and inexpensive way to add flavor to our home while appreciating our roots.

we'll see how our stripes turn out and share pictures soon :)

xoxo

elle.

{images via j.crew collection store, blog branca, unknown, domino mag, sarah shift, elle decor}

the french fizz

i found this thank-you written by marilyn monroe and couldn't keep it to myself :)

and yes, it's tasty but i think it's only my fave because of the iconic orange label.

it's always a fete with bubbly.

just in case you needed a little wednesday pick-me-up.

JILL

{images: martha stewart, veuve clicquot, design*sponge, papertastebuds}

a quick dinner favorite

i am always looking for new, fun, unique yet healthy recipes to make for dinner as i like to switch things up at our house. i love all of martha's everyday food recipes although i have made my way through quite a few. i quickly wanted to share an easy favorite from martha that has been a go to for a few years now. it is healthy, fresh and so easy...it is light yet satisfying.

ARUGULA WITH ROASTED SALMON AND NEW POTATOES

ingredients:

• 1 pound red new potatoes, quartered

• 3 tablespoons olive oil

• Coarse salt and ground pepper

• 1 pound skinless salmon fillet

• 3 tablespoons white-wine vinegar

• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard

• 1/4 cup snipped chives

• 10 ounces baby arugula

off to make it for our dinner tonight :) enjoy

xoxo

elle.

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. On a large rimmed baking sheet, toss potatoes with 1 tablespoon oil; season with salt and pepper. Roast 10 minutes.

Toss potatoes, and push to sides of sheet; place salmon in center, and season with salt and pepper. Roast until potatoes are tender and salmon is opaque throughout, 10 to 15 minutes. Transfer salmon to a plate; break into large pieces with a fork.

While salmon is cooking, whisk together vinegar, mustard, chives, and remaining 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Add arugula and potatoes; toss to combine. Top salad with salmon pieces. Serves 4

could it be...

i have my eye on velvet right now for a chair in our living room. this chair is giving me quite the hard time. i have considered handfuls of fabrics in three different colors for it over the past year and just can't commit.

xoxo

elle.

it adds texture and depth and comes in so many rich colors that give life to any piece. used on a pillow or to cover a sofa or on pumpkins :)...you can't go wrong.

velvet might just be the perfect option. it is such a lush and inviting fabric that gives off a feeling of subtle elegance.

b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l wedding

not alot has to be said about this wedding.

i found it simply stunning.

{click to enlarge}

it looks as if alot of effort went into the details for this wedding and i don't think it was a disappointment!

the colors and textures were bright and bold, with a dash of quirk.

you can see more at the bride's blog, peacock feather events, or on oncewed.
the photography (which knocks my socks off!!) was done by the fab heidi of our labor of love.

love it.

JILL