#goodnights, every night.

This month, {cv} and I faced the dreaded four month sleep regression headfirst. With the exception of what I will affectionately refer to as the "daycare cough", {jv} is slowly but surely getting the concept that he sleeps in his room and we sleep in our room. When The National Sleep Foundation approached me to do a #GoodNights Spring Cleaning Challenge, I didn't hesitate for a second. With as much as we have been focused on our little one's sleep, it was time to pay attention to our own. 

I never struggled with sleep before the 38th week of pregnancy. I'll admit I was one of those lucky "head hits the pillow" sleepers. When baby {v} arrived, my sleeping world was rocked -- and I don't mean in the glider in our nursery. When we made it out of the fog of the first six weeks, I started paying closer attention to {jv}'s sleep but neglected my own.

Thankfully, the National Sleep Foundation came to my rescue. If anyone knows sleep, it's them. I did a little research before we began our "spring cleaning" and I learned so much about the importance of a good night of sleep. I loved these design tips and worked to employ many of them in our space. It makes perfect sense, but clutter is a subtle sign of chaos. Making a few adjustments to your nightstand can be particularly impactful. (Pro parent tip: we added a basket below each of our nightstands to collect the miscellaneous baby items which end up in our room.)

In looking to improve my sleep, I found out that much of what we were doing to help {jv} learn to sleep through the night would also work for us. I also made a concerted effort to stop using my phone after a set time; if I needed to use it, I made sure the brightness of my screen was dim. After this challenge, I determined my bedtime should be roughly 45 minutes earlier than I had previously been hitting the hay. I am no longer half the night owl that I was. Let me tell you: those extra 45 minutes of sleep are crucial when you're a working mom (or anyone!).

SOURCES: Stacked Crystal Glass Lamp - Exotic Angel Plant - Planter - Candle (no longer available, but similar here) - Rope + Glass Ball - Wicker Basket - Marble Coaster (DIY -- see more info here) - Nightstand (no longer available via West Elm) - Headboard - Bed Linens (no longer available via Matouk)

As an added benefit in this challenge, I received a few eye-opening products from PureCare and Exotic Angel. These National Sleep Foundation partners provide thoughtful solutions for better sleep. Before the #GoodNights challenge, I never thought to swap out our mattress or pillow protectors. Adding a bit of aromatherapy created a calm environment to ease into a deep sleep.  I loved that the lavender scent wasn't too overpowering, as it sometimes can be. The eucalyptus scent also helped with my intense seasonal allergies. All in all, this simple switch made a big difference.

Unfortunately, we couldn't keep the gorgeous Exotic Angel plants out at night -- or else our deep sleep was interrupted by curious kitties. Even still, they brought a burst of life in our tranquil space when they did grace our nightstands.

Decluttering our nightstands and keeping technology at bay wasn't the easiest, but it definitely paid dividends in our sleep. While I know they're not 100% accurate, my Jawbone UP24 band showed a vast improvement in the soundness of my sleep at the conclusion of this challenge. (I'll take it!) I don't want to give it all away, so be sure to check out my post with Sleep.org for the results of my #GoodNights challenge. Regardless of your life stage, sleep is the cornerstone of health and happiness. Our nights may not be perfect with a baby in the house, but we are making the most of the quiet hours we do get ;) If you're spring cleaning, don't forget that your nighttime routine might need a little dusting too. xoxo {av}

P.S. The whole "sleep when the baby sleeps" thing is bogus. Am I right?

This post was sponsored by the National Sleep Foundation. On occasion, I will partner with brands and organizations to bring fresh and relevant content to {long distance loving}. I chose to partner with the National Sleep Foundation because sleep is such a crucial part of the first year of parenthood. All opinions are my own.

patio style challenge -- revealed!

I am so excited to finally reveal the results of my Patio Style Challenge post with The Home Depot! Turning our empty deck into a backyard oasis was just what the doctor ordered after the brutal New England winter. {cv} and I hadn't invested much thought in our outdoor space. When The Home Depot offered me the chance to work on this project, I jumped on it! I spent a good deal of time at three of my local stores during this challenge. Their staff amazed me with their expertise and patience. Though the cold weather threw things off a bit (and subsequently killed my basil -- boo!), we were able to capture the patio on the one nice day in a very long string of rainy days. Here are a few teaser images from the day...

The "placemat" below is actually a marble tile cut to 12" x 14" by a friendly Home Depot employee. I added a few felt pads to keep the scratches to a minimum. These beauties won't blow away and they'll survive in any weather. I am just a little bit obsessed.

Since our home is in the Ocean State, we had to pay homage to its nautical roots. I created these rope coasters, which could be made in a number of sizes, to use under pots of plants on the deck and under hot plates on our patio set. They add an extra splash of color and definitely gave the space a nautical vibe! (If you want to make your own, you only need rope, a glue gun, some masking tape, a utility knife and a lighter. For all the details, check out my post for The Home Depot here.) 

I must give BIG props to my sweet friend, Bree Hester. She took the photos for this post and completely knocked it out of the park! Bree was an absolute lifesaver the day of the shoot -- I seriously couldn't have done it without her. Credit must also be given to my dear friend, Meredith, for whipping up my chicken scratch designs into those nautically inspired pillows. She is a rockstar. Last but certainly not least, I am so grateful to The Home Depot team for making this post possible. We cannot wait to share this space with our friends and family in the coming months. I hope you love it too. xoxo {av}

Want to see more photos? Click here to see the full post + sources!

This post was made possible by the generous support of The Home Depot. They provided me with the patio set and a gift card to cover some other costs associated with this project. All opinions are my own. Many thanks for your support of brands that support long distance loving.

we made it!

Hello there! Remember me!? I apologize for dropping off the face of the planet... we were just moving into our house! While there are a few odds and ends which still need to be completed, {cv} and I are officially in our home. The build itself only took six months, but the project was three years in the making. With so much to be grateful for this year, it was only appropriate {cv} and I were handed the keys the week of Thanksgiving. 

Time is of the essence to get settled in the house before baby {v} arrives. I'm officially 39 weeks and on baby watch. As evidenced in the photo above, my bump is in full force! While I thought maternity leave would give me a bit more time to blog, the final push to finish the house and pack up our apartment stole that down time. I decided to forgo the conventional gift guide posts for a few pages devoted to special sets of people in your life.

From your best girl friend to your sweet Aunt Sally, take a peek for a few ideas to make her holiday extra special. Take care of the men in your life with a quick look here. For ideas across the spending spectrum (under $25, $50 + $100), these cost-conscious ideas are for you. Finally, if you have a new mom or tiny tot on your gift list, get the ball rolling here. You can also click through below to find these gift ideas lickety split!

If baby {v} arrives a few days before his or her due date, it may be a few weeks before you hear from me again. It goes without saying that my new little family must come first. I want to soak up this special time to the nth degree (and I hope you'll understand). Instagram, Facebook and Twitter are the best ways to stay in touch for all the latest updates from yours truly. I promise little peeks of the house (and baby!) in the coming weeks. Many thanks for your patience and understanding -- I can't tell you how much I appreciate it. This holiday season is sure to be one for the memory books :) xoxo {av}

P.S. I'll continue to add gift ideas to the above pages between now and Christmas, so keep checking back if you're stumped with your shopping list!

barton build: an overdue update.

With fall only a few days away, I can officially say that this summer passed in a blink. The craziness of the last few months has prevented me from sharing updates on our #bartonbuild. Aside from an occasional snap on my Instagram feed,  I apologize for keeping you in the dark. We have made some serious progress since my last official update two months ago. I'll do my best to get you up to speed with this post!

First, a disclaimer: you will see plenty of miscellaneous boards, buckets, and dust throughout these photos. As much as I would like to make these glimpses picture-perfect, the reality is that we are in flux. I keep telling myself that the final product will be that much more exciting once the dust has lifted! Moving on...

I wish I could give a bulleted list of all that has been done in the last few months, but you would be reading a book {not a blog post}. From the street, the most visible change from my last update would be a completed exterior: the roof is on, the cedar shingles are installed, and the windows are in place. My favorite feature? THE PORCH. I'm already counting down to next spring when we can enjoy it!

Moving inside, it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see we are well beyond the framing stage. You can no longer see through our walls! Sheet rock was installed last week and it finally feels like a house when we walk in the front door. The picture above is a look from the edge of the kitchen into the living room. You can see space for built-ins on both sides of the fireplace {!!!}. I just can't get over all the yummy light.

Don't worry -- there will be railings on these stairs; they just aren't in place. The photo above is a look from the second floor down into the foyer. One day soon, there will be pretty light fixture suspended here. {We have to choose it first...} We really focused on creating an open space when you first walk through the door. Until the drywall was installed, it was hard to get a feel for the space. It is amazing what a difference it makes!

This photo was taken from the landing on the stairs, looking into the open concept living room and dining nook. The kitchen is off to the left, but the island will be visible from this view in the coming weeks. While there is still a fair amount to do, we have made some big decisions on the hardwood floors, appliances, and kitchen cabinets. Those aren't the only decisions we've made, but they are the ones which stand out the most.

Over the weekend, I made a pilgrimage to Benjamin Moore for paint samples {after all of your wonderful help!}. I still need to grab a few others, but we should hopefully have those choices nailed down later this week. We have some of the other finer details to choose as well, but we are on our way! Everyone warned us that the stress of building a home would be tough to juggle with a baby on the way, but we are taking it in stride. Since it is truly out of our hands, I don't ask about our move-in date. Our builder has been on "schedule" thus far, so we trust him to make it happen before baby {v} arrives. While we are taking it one day at a time, a mid-November completion would be quite the treat. 

As always, I am open to any and all bits of wisdom on homeownership. Are there any "little" things which might make a huge difference for us--while we still have the chance to make it happen? I promise more frequent #bartonbuild updates here on the blog, but follow along on Instagram for the most timely updates! xoxo {av}

choosing the right paint.

Building a house from the ground up isn't all roses. While {cv} and I agree on most everything house-related, we are at a bit of a crossroads with the overall color scheme of the house. As my #bartonbuild board would attest, I gravitate heavily toward the white and gray tones. {cv} isn't opposed to this vision; he has simply expressed some concern that it could be too "basic". I think it's clean, but that's just me. These four examples only brush the surface of why I like these soft and subtle tones...

{top left: Gaylord Designs | top right: S.R. Gambrel | bottom left: abode love | bottom right: Terracotta Properties}

Since marriage is all about compromise, I realize I may have to bend a bit on this gray and white dream. I simply want to hear all sides of the story before the construction crew goes to town with a paintbrush. With sheet rock going in next week, our builder has encouraged us to get the ball rolling on our paint colors. We are a few weeks away from the final call, but I would love to get a few opinions on how you handled paint choices in your home. 

• Did you do the same "base" color throughout your house? If so, how did you go about choosing that one color? It seems like an incredibly daunting process to pick just one! With the light a bit different in all corners of the house, I feel like it would be difficult to choose one that is universally wonderful. {If you know of any such universally wonderful colors, help a lady out!}
• If you chose to pick colors room by room, how did you make those decisions -- especially in advance of other big decisions like furniture? Since we currently live in a two-bedroom apartment and will be moving into a two-story home, we will have to furnish the house over time -- not overnight. While I wish it was in our budget to just get it done in one fell swoop, it isn't a reality. I want the house to have character, without regretting the choice when we finally do have the chance to add pieces of furniture over time.
• What tips would you give for deciding on colors? Did you paint a small section and look at it over the course of the day? True story: I have chosen the paint color for one room in my entire life. I failed miserably with a horribly dark caramel color in an already dark bedroom. It felt like I was living in a cave the entire year I lived there. I know paint can be easily changed, but I would rather not have to do much changing once we get in the house with a little one. 

While this post seems to prompt that I know what I'm doing here, I can only anticipate that your comments will be the backbone of this post. {I just ask way too many questions!} One thing is for certain: I can always count on my readers for the best advice. I sincerely appreciate your lifeline to sanity during this house-building process. You're the paint on my paintbrush -- in other words, absolutely essential to the final product. A big thank you in advance! xoxo {av}

P.S. Have any favorite grays or whites? Be sure to share them below! I want to round up a few fan favorites! Merci :)

choosing the right tile.

A few weeks ago, I shared the little excitement going on in our corner of the world: we are re-engaging the build process! When we went through the motions last spring, it felt very real. However, we've learned this spring we only touched the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the decisions to be made. I find the process extremely exciting but daunting at the same time. {cv} and I are aiming for the most timeless look our dollars can afford. It is proving to be quite the hunt!

While we haven't chosen the exact tile we plan to use, {cv} and I did make the rounds of a few tile stores over the weekend. We noticed some common--and pricey--themes with the tile we liked. We definitely need to do some digging to find options which look like what we love but have a smaller pricetag. We have repeatedly heard that it is worthwhile to invest in tile for your master bath and kitchen. Other rooms like the kids' bathroom {no, we don't have those yet--just in preparation!} and the laundry don't require the same investment. We can always "upgrade" in the future, but we are trying our best to choose something which wouldn't require us to have builders back in our home three years down the line.

For all you homeowners out there, what tips would you give on choosing the right tile for your space? Which rooms (in your opinion) deserve the investment of nicer tile? Whether you built or bought your home, your advice and expertise are very much appreciated! xoxo {av}

how to furnish your first home.

I lied just a little bit when I titled this post--will you forgive me? Here's the truth: {cv} and I are feeling pretty clueless as we look to furnish our home this fall. I know it may seem like a long way away, but time is flying. {It's already the end of January...when did that happen?} We're doing our best to budget for what will be an inevitable blow to our savings, but it's much easier said than done. Most of the furniture in our loft will not translate into our future home, so for all intents and purposes, we're starting from scratch. Writing that again just gave me the jitters, but I digress...

We've been told a few things:

1) Don't try to furnish the house all at once...

2) Empty rooms are ok in the beginning--it will come together over time!

3) Focus on the rooms where guests will be; there are doors for a reason.

Homeowners {of any variety--be it a house or condo}: please give it to us straight! How long did the process really take? {Does it ever really end?} Where did you find some of your favorite pieces? 

We need all the advice we can get. 

In the future, I'm hoping this post can help other first-time homeowners in their quest to furnish their first homes. The best part? {cv} was the one to suggest this post because you have all been such a fantastic help in the past. Rock on, readers. My husband believes in you--just like I do! 

Many thanks for your help :) xoxo {av}

light up your life.

With the holidays all around us, I can't help but think of little ways to keep the season shining well beyond December 25th. In this post, you'll find 12 bright examples of candle holders to help you keep the light on all year round. Starting just shy of $15, there is something for every budget below...

Like this picks? See more of my housewares addiction on Houzz or Pinterest!

{find these beauties here}

left column from top: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 

center column from top: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4

right column from top: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5

Though I love candlelight, something about it makes me weary in our very old loft apartment. I must admit I am always on the look-out when I have a candle burning. Please tell me I'm not the only one!

How do you keep the ambiance going all year long--not just at the holidays?  xoxo {av}

the desk diaries.

Last Friday, Carly did a fun round-up of desks--and asked me to be a part of it! I have to admit I was a bit anxious at first, considering how "normal" my desk is. {Read: I don't have one of those desks you lust after on Pinterest.} Until we move in our house next fall, I vowed to {cv} not to make any drastic design changes in our apartment. Since our days are numbered here, I have shifted my attention simply to getting things done--rather than worrying about having a desk which could be the next Pinterest sensation.

{photo from my Instagram feed}

As I prepared my desk for its debut, I realized just how many hours I have spent sitting in those few square feet of our apartment. I got nostalgic for all the little moments my desk got to "see" firsthand, be it the day our wedding popped up on Martha or the day I finally saw all the elements I designed working on Spike the Punch. As lame as it may sound, this little desk knows me as well as one of my best friends.

Since my desk is such a special place, I like to treat it with care. Though I am an office supply nut, I try my best to keep things uncluttered. I plan on keeping function in high regard when choosing my desk for our new place. Most of all, I would love for my new office to be prettier than my current set-up in our very industrial loft. It begs the question: do you have a "pretty" desk or a functional one? xoxo {av}

P.S. Be sure to check out the other desks Carly featured!

it's getting real.

It's been a long day coming, but...

Though we won't get to walk into the doors of our new house, we will officially become landowners in the Ocean State! Since {cv} and I have never been homeowners, it all feels pretty surreal. We have been drawing up plans for months now and this is one {big} step toward making that dream home a reality :) {cv} and I hope to break ground early next spring, giving us plenty of time in the winter months to pick out some of the smaller details. While it will be a labor-intensive process, it will be worth it to finally walk across our wrap-around porch into our front door for years to come.

For those of you who have done this before: how dressy do I need to be for the closing? Does it take a long time? Give it to this girl straight ;) Many thanks for all of your encouragement along the way--the process is really just beginning and I'm so excited to have you all along for the ride!

P.S. Don't forget that Friday's Fancies is all about costume prep tomorrow...I'm so excited to see what you make! I have mine ready and I'm itching to share it ;) See you at midnight!

metallic mash-up.

Happy Thursday! I don't know if you've discovered it, but Houzz is one of my ultimate home resource websites. Every month, I pull together an ideabook of gorgeous goodies. It may be the Olympics fever in the air, but I find that metallic touches help give some major some va-va-voom. I created this metallic mash-up for the month of August. In my opinion, these eleven pieces would bring plenty of flair...

from top left: mirror - bowl - lamp - chair - vase - brass urchin

tray - bar cart - pillow - bookends - coasters

Don't you just love that little piggie? ;) Since we're in savings mode to build our first home, these ideabooks are getting me in the right mindset for decorating our future pride and joy. Until then, I might just grab a few of those coasters to bring a little flair without breaking the bank or being tough to move. I'll see you all tomorrow for a fun + gingham-filled round of Friday's Fancies!

the tub debate.

Once again, I'm here to ask your opinion for a very important room in our future home: the master bath! We're now in the final design stages before our build begins next spring. One thing I simply cannot decide upon is what to do about the bathtub. {cv} and I aren't jacuzzi people, so we're opting for a more traditional tub.

top row: left + middle + right | middle row: left + right | bottom row: left + middle + right

While I know the clawfoot tub has reemerged in the last few years, I want to know that when we go to sell that it won't date our home. The clawfoot does feels classic to me--so does that matter? I do like the enclosed look because I can picture cold winter evenings tucked cozily in the tub. Decisions! Decisions! 

I can't wait to hear what side of the fence you're on in this debate :)

thistle vs. sisal.

Back in the late 1980s, I had peculiar ways of saying certain letters, among them: V, F, and S. The first of which is somewhat ironic since I earned a long Italian last name starting with V through marriage ;) In any case, the humor in the title of this post is that when I first said the word sisal, I said thistle. Oops! My mispronunciation doesn't discount how much I have been admiring sisal-lined stairs as of late. Maybe it is the New England influence, but I simply cannot imagine the stairs in our future home without a sturdy sisal runner. Here are a few of my favorites...

{left column: top - middle top - middle bottom - bottom | right column: top - middle - bottom}

My first eleven years were spent in a ranch style home, so stairs were a new commodity when we moved in a Cape style home in my teens. The stairs in our Cape were carpeted and I never thought of having them any other way. When I got to Georgetown, the gorgeous rowhouse I shared with five of my best friends had bare staircases. Since I noticed this commonality between the staircases I've been pinning, I realized I should re-examine what would be best for the home we're building next spring.

Tell me: do you like staircase runners? Or do you like stairs au naturel? I want your opinion here! I certainly want a crisp looking staircase, but do I want to lug a vacuum behind me a ton? No. I want to know what you think is most attractive--and easiest ;)

beyond neutrals.

Surviving this spending drought is much easier when I think about the purpose behind it--our future house! Plans are progressing nicely for our yet-to-be-built home. With each draft we get from the architect, I find myself mentally decorating each room. {cv} and I opted to have a large great room, so we have a slight challenge ahead in figuring out the couch situation. After looking at my pinterest boards, I discovered an interesting trend: I clearly love neutral couches, mixed with fun accent pieces.

{left column: top + bottom | right column: top + middle + bottom}

The nice and neutral couches pair well with a pop of color, provided by these fun accent pieces. 

My current research points toward getting those bold bursts in pillow or chair form...

{left column: top + middle + bottom | right column: top + bottom}

Since we've called a loft apartment home for nearly three years, we're lacking on "real" furniture. Though I can't wait to fill the home, I find myself starting the budgeting process now for the big pieces--like a fabulous couch ;) I would love love love to hear your learnings on the couch + accent front. 

Any advice as we look to navigate the process? Did you find the couch first--or the accents? I seriously don't know how I would have ever survived this process without all of you ;) Many thanks for all your help! I can't wait to share the final product with you as it comes together! Have a happy Thursday!

P.S. Don't forget to get your posts together for tomorrow's Friday's Fancies--I'll be sharing an outfit I'd wear to a sweet spring picnic! My post will be up at midnight EST, so you can get your post linked up for all to see :) If you have any questions, please email me--or join the Friday's Fancies mailing list!

happy little nooks.

Hello again! I promised to keep you in the loop about our building process, so here is the latest update: I am happy to report we are now on round two of the floor plans for our new home :) From these early drafts, I know one of my favorite spaces in our future house will be the nook right off of our kitchen. {cv} and I are debating what purpose this precious space will serve. With the sizable island we have planned, part of me would like for the nook to be a cozy place to read in the morning light. {The nook will face the east, so it would be perfect!} Here are a few pieces of inspiration I found for the eat-in option: 

{top row: left | right ~ middle row: left | middle | right ~ bottom row: left | right}

I have fond memories of mornings spent eating cereal in my grandparents' breakfast nook down in Hilton Head. It had a sweet window seat, plenty of windows, and hydrangeas outside the window. In a word, it was perfect. Needless to say, however we decide to use the nook, I can't wait for it! Little peeks at our house plans definitely make my operation spending freeze much easier to bear.

Leave a comment below or vote on facebook! I can't wait to see the consensus :)

I am so excited for another round of Friday's Fancies! If you want to join in, the theme for tomorrow is March Madness, though you could really create any outfit you'd like without worrying about the pricetags. Should you have any questions, please email me :) Many thanks for all your input today! You make this overwhelming building process much less scary with your encouragement and advice, so thank you.
Until tomorrow...

built-in beauties.

With Operation Spending Freeze in full effect, the light at the end of the tunnel {our house!} is what makes this void worthwhile! We had our first meeting with our builder last Saturday--and I am itching to get back his first draft of our humble abode. When we met with him, I printed my dream home and fanciful features pinterest boards to share a little of our taste. The builder picked out one common theme from my pins--my absolute adoration of built-in bookshelves. Here is a collage of my favorites...

psst: If house talk isn't your thing, don't fret...I've got something else on the docket for you today:

{top row: 1 - 2 ~ middle row: 1 - 2 - 3 ~ bottom row: 1 - 2 - 3}

Be it in a hallway, staircase, or nook...you name it, I love a good built-in. Though our builder informed us they do take up some square footage, I see them as automatic furniture ;)

Can't wait to see you all back here tomorrow for a spring fever edition of Friday's Fancies--if you want in on the fun, just email me and I'll add you to the list! Enjoy your Thursday, friends! 

shining light.

{cv} and I will be embarking on the home design process soon, so I have been engrossed in finding inspiration. My pinterest is quickly filling up with cheery, sun-filled photos of homes I would love to call my own. One common theme {cv} spotted after peeking over my shoulder at my pinterest boards is my love of bright and happy spaces. Here are a few of my favorites...

{discover here: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8}

I know it's not necessarily realistic to have lots of light in every room, though it would be amazing if it was. My goal is to find places in our design where we will attract the most light. If you have any advice on that front, I'm all ears. For those of you who are already homeowners, I'd love to hear about your favorite sun spots in your home. I know I have a lot to learn, but I'm excited to do it! See you back here for Friday's Fancies tomorrow :)