my apartment reveal

Better late than never....
I meant to post pictures of mine and Heather's new "Retreat" apartment this past summer as I worked to finish several furniture redoes and decorating, but then the new school year happened!  And it's been non-stop ever since!  It's been a blessing to live with Heather and it's so nice to come home to a bright, cheery apartment that reflects us!  Not all of these pictures are taken during the day, but my favorite part of our space is all of the large windows and natural light!

Entry way with a great built in desk, shelves and storage

Living room! 

$20 garage dresser repainted with an antique glaze and sprayed the brass pulls venetian bronze

My favorite french arm chair...still looking for the right size lumbar pillow to replace this green one that's too large. 

 

 I have really enjoyed cooking and baking in our spacious kitchen!

 Heather's beautiful new dining table from Pier One

 Our "china cabinet" in the dining area

My shabby chic bedroom

 My Bathroom

More bright colors outside on the balcony!  

                           

The reason our apartments are called The Retreat!  Hope I get to enjoy this pool next summer too! 

Summer hydrangeas from my sweet boyfriend. 

 Fall table setting....still loving mercury glass and found these Pottery Barn look a likes at TJ Maxx for cheap!

luke turns 3.

Luke turns 3!!!

These pictures Ame took capture his adorable, fun loving personality...perfectly!  He is a true joy.

So my sister Ame has a gift and talent for decorating and party planning! I keep telling her she needs to create a portfolio to document and show off all of her parties and showers she has thrown and hosted! So, I just had to share Luke's birthday party decor with you.  Wish I could have been there to see it in person.  Also, check out the adorable homemade bunting banner birthday cake!

vintage transportaion theme. 

DIY bunting banner.

LOVE this cake.

Happy birthday Luke Stephen!

party favors.

lovely little details.

Lovely Little Details...

mercury glass::bunting banners

I LOVE love mercury glass!!  Don't you?  It's so pretty and unique and it's popping up in just about every decorating store.  I have to tell myself to stop buying it at this point. We have mercury glass accents in just about every room of our apartment...living, bedroom and bathrooms!  The pot is from Pottery Barn and was on sale for $13, the beautiful candle is from Anthropologie (little splurge for my bedroom night stand), two of the votives are also from Pottery Barn for $3 each and the other two votives are my roommates and I believe she bought them at Maggie's in Market Street.  

So pretty! 

Easy DIY bunting banner made from scrapbook paper... dresses up a boring mirror (which still needs to be painted)

Also dresses up this antique window frame that I hung on a wall in my bedroom.

I found the perfect turquoise tray to accent my coffee table and throw pillows from Target-$17.99.  I planted some beautiful succulents which do so well indoors and on our patio. They are low maintenance!  this perfect size tray is my new place to display magazines.  The brass top jar is an Anthro knock off I found for $5.50 at TJ Maxx!  At Anthro they are between $24-32. Woohoo!  I filled  the jar with white and ivory buttons.

(btw this issue of Cooking Light has some delicious recipes)

Makes me happy when the little details come together!  Soon our apartment living room will be complete when I pick up my newly reupholstered antique french arm chair on Friday!  YAY!                I will post the pictures soon.

"pintastic" recipes.

Liz LIKES to bake y'all...and thanks to Pinterest I've tried many new recipes!

Here are a few of my favs...

dark chocolate comfort cookies. amazing. will make again and again.

do you like banana bread?

banana bread bars with brown butter frosting. to die for.

our birthday cake. chocolate, reese's and peanut butter. clearly.

double chocolate chip muffins.  super moist.

chocolate chip cookie birthday cake. yum.

funfetti cake.

 (not from scratch bc my boyfriend asked for the box. sad face.)

cinnamon rolls with coffee maple glaze (christmas time).

snowflake loft house cookies.

peppermint meltaways (christmas time favorite).

four ingredient nutella cookies.

 nutella pumpkin muffins.  fall favorite.

ooey gooey chocolate chip cake.

inside out carrot cake muffins with cream cheese.

You can find these recipes and many more by following my "cookies and cakes" board on Pinterest!

http://pinterest.com/liz_aubuchon/cookies-and-cakes/

To support my baking hobby/addiction:: I run...and yep, that's why!