Tis the Season

It's that time of year. Hustle and bustle. And some more hustle and then a little more. I feel as though the holidays just jumped in front of my face tonight and was like "guess what! I'm here!". Yikes, Holidays - let's ease into this a bit. You see, I LOVE the holidays. Adore. Probably more the most. But I feel like the last few years it just appears out of nowhere for the mister and I. We miss the days of a month long anticipation we knew in our younger years. Instead it feels like another little weekend. Like Columbus Day (no offense Christopher). The past two weeks, Mr. C has been working late nights. Really late nights. Like 4AM folks, no exaggeration. That takes a toll on the holiday spirit. But what it also does, is make you realize that Mariah Carey is dead on (shocker). All we really want for Christmas is each other. A night out, a night in, folding laundry, walking the dog. That all seems super fun to us right now. And that's pretty great. Because with things like Newtown happening far too often, it's these little things we all must do a better job of loving. 

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Mister C. I hope this silly deal closes so we can do dishes. Or sit on the couch making fun of each other. That would be the best. I hope all of you out there get a little of that down time this weekend. That's when the Christmas magic really happens. xoxo

SMP Weddings: THE BOOK

So about this time last year. We were covered in glitter. In our ears, in our hair, and basically anywhere glitter could go. We had decided that the first ever SMP print magazine we were going to put together could be something even better. It could be a book. A beautiful, put out so your friends can see, coffee table book. So we got knee deep in DIYs and glitter and dreams - and low and behold we have that book. It's in our hands. And it's so beautiful, we can't help but kiss it now and again. Style Me Pretty is now portable. And I truly think you will love every page.

cover photo from Jose Villa

And today, if you decide to purchase it, all proceeds go to the families in Newtown. It's the least we can do. Thanks for your constant support. xoxo

Thankful

Can I tell you what I am thankful for? Y'all not holding me to the "I'm back" post I posted awhile ago. Lordy me, life is a hectic beast. I'm so bad, I don't even have a single kid to my name (other than Otto of course) and I still can't get my act together long enough to spew out a few sentences. And I call myself a blogger. For shame. But I find myself on the eve on Thanksgiving - giving thanks (as people often do) for this little blog, and this little corner of the universe that sits and waits for me to blabber on about silly little things that make me smile. So I guess I just wanted to so thank you. For years now (that's crazy pants) of listening to me blabber about lovely things. For joining me in toasting to the simple things. To the things that often get lost in this fast-paced world we live in. But I have pledged to my little ol' self to never let those little things get lost. And on this cold November day, on the eve of one of my favorite Holidays - Mr. C, Otto and I are sitting by a warm fire, in our lovely house, drinking wine and giving thanks for the little things. Because even though we often get wrapped up in our to-do's...it's nights like these that make it all worth while.

Wishing you and yours the happiest of Thanksgivings, full of memories and laughter...and all those simple things you can't get enough of. Happy Thanksgiving.

xoxo,
Abby, Andrew & Otto

Mastering the Bedroom

So y'all. Here's the issue. I love to decorate things. That ultimately leads me to wanting to redecorate the house just about every single day. Mr. C doesn't share this sentiment. He things we should sleep on things (for about precisely 3 years - no exaggeration there) before acting on any purchase for said design. God bless him, because I would be 100% out of control if it weren't for that man - but after 3 years of sleeping on things and going back and forth on what in the world we want to do with our bedroom to make it a sanctuary and not just somewhere we pass out - we've both determined it's time to act. But here's the problem - in those 3 years, I've redecorated this room in my mind ooohhh, about one MILLION times. So I want to settle with something that is traditional, yet with a twist. So the right and left side of my brain (who are constantly at odds btw) get along. And something that won't break the bank. That's for you Mr. C.

So here's what I am thinking without having the proper design tools to show you. Forgive me.

Wallpaper / Chandelier  (similar) / Nightstands / Headboard / Linens / Dresser / Rug

I love layers and layers of neutrals. They scream sleep to me. Mind you, we will NOT be purchasing the majority of this for quite sometime, but putting this out there lights a fire at to do something least. Here are some thoughts: 

1. Will I get tired of that wallpaper? Does that even matter? Do I sound like those people on House Hunters hung up on the paint? I made this board and meant to post it about three months ago. Since then, I've seen that paper all over the world wide web. I think I need to find another solution, but I like that this is the twist to my traditional. 

2. I just like I am also not sold on the capiz chandelier - but it's from our wedding and has been sitting in our basement for two years so it could act as a place holder. Right now we have a ceiling fan and it haunts me every night. 

3. I'm also looking for the perfect headboard. I want something rather dramatic and big since everything else is pretty expected. 

4. Those linens have been in my dreams for FOREVER. I just want to roll around in that prettiness. 

6. That sweater-looking thing at the end of the bed? That is a rug. And it arrived yesterday, and it is like stepping on clouds in heaven. 

5. Not shown, a little sitting area with pretty white chairs and comfy throws and a fab reading lamp and expensive candles and pretty books. Right now there is disproportionate armoire there. Not as glamourous. 

 Thoughts? Suggestions? Sympathy for Mr. C? Would love to hear it all...

P.S. I will probably end up wanting to change all of this tomorrow. 

I'm back! (I think).

Everyday I tell myself to open this little blog and type a few sentences. Every.single.day. Mainly because it's good for the soul, and even though I'm pretty sure my readers think I will never return - I know there is this little place in the world wide web where I can say whatever dorky thing I want to say. And I like that.  Lately life has taken a front seat to blogging (as it tends to do), and by the time I am ready to open up a new tab (aka tab #1,343) on my browser and type in this lonely address at the end of the day...I am beat. But I still keep wanting to come back -  because I just feel like I need to get all these pretty thoughts out of my brain or rainbows might shoot out of my ears or something. Not really, but you get the visual. Because y'all, there is SO much pretty floating around right now. Seriously. For instance, this is the last pin I pinned on pinterest....

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I literally just grabbed the last thing I lusted over - and counted about 100 things I loved about it. This is what my brain does when I see a pretty picture. First that chair sent me into a blue velvet-loving tizzy. All of the sudden I wanted my entire house draped in velvet...

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And then there is that gold beauty of a mug. Heavens to Betsey that would make your daily cup of jo feel fancy. All of the sudden I needed everything I consumed beverages gilded immediately...

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And that's all from one picture. No wonder I am beat by the end of the day. Anywho, I'm back for a bit. And now that the winter is upon us, I am hoping that means days spent hibernating in front of the fire. Where I can actually settle for a minute (this summer was crazy pants busy - in a good way - but a busy way), and since I don't really know how to settle...that means blog. Wish me luck.

Sweet Summer Time

Eek. It's been a month since I've posted. That could be a record. And honestly, I am not ashamed one little bit. Because I've been soaking up that summer sun (properly sun-blocked of course) and enjoying everything this fabulous season has to offer. I've closed the computer, not answered emails, ignored phone calls so I could sit outside with Mr. C & Otto to enjoy a mid-week cookout (complete with cocktail). We've crossed off numerous tasks on our "must do this summer" list...and it's been splendid. It's been beautiful. And there is still so much more to enjoy. So pardon the silence, I'm just out making my days beautiful...

Jose Villa via Once Wed

P.S. Follow me on instagram (abbyblairecapalbo), where I post WAY too many photos of Otto and sailboats.

xoxo, Abby

Happy Weekend!

I hope it's fantastic and full of things worthy of a good story later on. Also, let me just say, the fabulous version of myself would totally float around in my super sweet pool fully dressed in pumps on a swan float - except I would be even MORE fabulous than this little lady, because I would have a cocktail in one of those hands. Watch out.

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Happy Weekend! Make it fabulous lovelies! xoxo, Abby