Foxley Farm

The first thing I thought when driving up to Foxley Farm was, "I could have those wedding photos I drool over if I was married here."  I had high hopes for Foxley Farm when first invited to tour the venue.  I'm hesitant to call it a venue, because it is so much more than that.  They offer accommodations for up to twelve people and even have a separate spring cottage for the B&G.  But back to my high expectations... I was hoping for a farm that took my breath away and that was going to be hard because it was a cold and grey Pennsylvania day.  I wasn't aware the farm was under total renovations before we got there, but even under those conditions I was in "awe".

When we arrived we were greeted by one of the owners who actually lives on the property.  The Foxley Farm basics include; 58 acres located in the middle of fox hunting country, an early 1800's colonial farmhouse, a grand 2-story ballroom, a spring cottage, and many more amazing features.  A feature I found to be stunning were the French doors in the ballroom that came from the Mellon building in downtown Pittsburgh.  Fun fact: the Mellons actually owned Foxley Farm at one point.  The owner pointed out all the great renovations they were doing.  We started in the kitchen, which held it's colonial charm.  Following the kitchen was a tour of the guest rooms and the many bathrooms.  I was very impressed by the closet space in the house! 

After a tour of the house portion, we walked into a jaw-dropping ballroom complete with a catwalk balcony once used as a gallery.  This was when I first realized the true potential in this place.  The floors were recently replaced with a gorgeous dark wood but everything else was original.  The molding around the property is incredible.  There was a photo shoot going on during our visit so we were able to see the ballroom with some decorated guest tables.  The place is really a blank slate with character and can be transformed into anything you want. 

 This is the staircase in the main ballroom, which leads up to the catwalk balcony and another tier that has room for additional guests or a live band!

Above are photos of the interior.  You can see a lot of elements that make Foxly Farm unique.  In the lower right hand corner is an example of beautiful molding throughout and on the far bottom left are doors from the Mellon building downtown!

Next stop was the barn.  Still needing much work, the barn was fantastic.  It was large enough to accommodate guests yet small and intimate at the same time.  They are even adding a catering area to make it easy to hold dinners or even receptions in.  The barn is where you really envision a rustic/antique wedding.  And the best part?  The whole property is yours for the entire weekend and you can utilize every building for whatever you choose.  You could have your rehearsal dinner outside as a fun BBQ, your ceremony in the barn, your reception in the ballroom and there is no end time!  The property is all yours and your bridal party's for the weekend.  However, the owners do live on the property, they have a private entrance and exit and are there just incase you need anything! 

My favorite part of the whole visit was getting to see the passion in everyone's heart for Foxley Farm.  It was a pleasure to make the drive up the turnpike to get a tour.  With all the renovations and work being done, they will be up and running May 3^rd of this year!  They are already booking weddings, which shows people have a lot of faith in Foxley Farm!

Nail Polish Love

I love finding a new nail polish that I can obsess over.  There was a time I literally re-painted my nails three times just because I couldn't settle on a color!  But now I have that under control... and I am obsessing over one color at a time!  Last night while getting my nails done I decided to try something different.  Lately, I have been reaching for purples and matte colors but  I went for a sparkly magenta color; OPI Designer Collection, DS Extravagance.   I only put it on my toes considering my fear of coming off as a Barbie wanna-be but I love it!  And I would now make the decision to also paint my finger nails with it.  Here's what it looks like:

The polish blends the color with the glitter really nicely.  So I am excited to try all the other pretty colors in the collection!

Idea for brides: Wear the sparkly blue on your toes for your wedding as your "something blue"

Not only do I love finding the new "in" color but I also love finding cool ways to do your nails!  Thanks Pinterest for opening me up to all kinds of pretty nail art!  My faves (click the picture & see it from the Pinterest source!):

Pretty gold splattered nails!  Are you from Pittsburgh?  Splatter gold over black for your next tailgate party maybe?!

I'm obsessed with chevron, for everything.  So, of course I am going to love it on nails.  I attempted this, and as I am no nail artist, it didn't turn out perfectly but I was also really impatient with it.  I still love this and am planning on doing this to two nails on each hand in the near future!

I LOVE this look, and I was capable of doing a pretty good job at it!  It's pretty and sparkly without being "Barbie", which is a look I always aim for.  You have to be patient and let the bottom coat dry but it lasts a little longer than just a color because of all the layers!

This is one of my favorite looks.  But like most things on Pinterest, I haven't gotten around to trying it... I think it's cool and different.  I even like the base color, it looks just like newspaper!

Spring 2012 Wedding Gowns I Adore!

So many new and unique dresses are making their debut this season and I am loving them!  There are new colors, and not black like last year... Vera Wang!  But pinks and beiges and champagne colors are filling the bridal world and I am a fan!  Here are my review on some of my favorite dresses for this upcoming season. (You can click on the photos to go to the designer's websites!)

I absolutely love this Jenny Packham wedding dress.  I know it's not your typical wedding gown but there's something so glamorous about it, I just want to wear it.  The lace cap sleeves give it a classic feel with a sexy neckline and what resembles a lace bustier.  I also love the small amount of bling on the belt, which synchs in at the perfect spot.  It even has a train and the fabric is flowing and luxurious looking.  Probably not your first choice for a big chapel wedding or a military wedding but definitely for a smaller more intimate affair.   

Here's another stunner from Jim Hjelm Bridal Spring 2012.  I think it is so simple yet perfectly detailed.  The silver belt makes the dress very modern but doesn't loose its classic feel.  The asymmetrical bubble skirt is interesting and new and I don't hate it!  And who doesn't love a sweetheart neckline?  And to top it all off, there is a sparkle tulle skirt layered over the tucked skirt.  Simple and still fun and girly. 

In case you missed it, Reese Witherspoon wore a gorgeous pink wedding dress in her wedding on March 26 of last year.  And now we have some exciting pink options from Vera Wang’s 2012 Spring Collection!  I love the above pink dress with a corset stitched top and a mermaid skirt full of ruffles.  I also love the belt in a different color.  It would take the right body type to pull this off but we can all dream!  The pink is sweet without screaming wedding.  Very romantic!

This Badgley Mischka Bridal Spring 2012 dress is simply beautiful!  It's so interesting and different yet very feminine.  The color is interesting too considering there were a lot of pink dresses this season.  I find the placements of the embellishment to be new and interesting to the eye.  This dress would be stunning in ivory!  This is not an over the top wedding gown but it has it's own dramatic flair with the sheer sleeves.  

This Monique Lhuillier gown from her Spring 2012 collection is one of my favorites.  The whole collection is stunning but this one sticks out to me.  I am a suck for anything that is reminiscent of ballet and to me, this screams ballet.  The tulle skirt, the drop waist and the delicate belt and detailing are all elegant.  I am usually not a fan of drop waists but this one looks so perfect!  It falls to exactly the right place.  Gorgeous!

Why I Love Epsom Salts & You Should Too

One thing that I have been trying to do this new year is adding little things to my day that are healthy but also easy.  And one of these healthy things is to take Epsom salt baths!  That's right, I resolved to take more baths.  But seriously, this cheap “medicine cabinet must” does a lot of really good things for you.  I spent some time Googling and reading all about it and I was surprised with what I found.  Not only does Epsom salt help with the inside but also the outside.  But since I'm not writing a science report all about Epsom salts so here's the deal:

Epsom salt for crafts

Epsom salt is a cheap craft supply!  Use it in Christmas centerpieces and it looks just like snow.  You can mix in some glitter and make it sparkle.  It's a very inexpensive vase filler so instead of buying expensive foam shapes, just try Epsom salts.
 I found this great little craft on Pinterest using Epsom salts.

Transforming wine bottles in pretty vases:

Click the photo for a how-to guide from the original creator!

Epsom salt & beauty
Epsom salt baths are probably one of the best ways you can utilize them.  You will receive a lot of benefits just from dissolving some of this into your bath water.  

Here's how to properly take an Epsom salt bath:

• Add 2 cups Epsom salt to hot water (not too hot!)
• Add bubble bath if you want
• Light candles in your favorite sent
• Play some music; whatever floats you boat!
• Dim the lights

After at least 12 minutes of soaking in a tub of salts your skin will feel really smooth.  You can scrub a handful onto rough spots to really see a difference.  It also helps to  heal any little cuts you have.  One of the best benefits of these baths, and a great reason to try them before bed, is how much Epsom salts help reduce stress.  Not only does the hot water help to sooth your muscles but the Epsom salt literally works to pull the toxins out of your system.  It will reduce any bloat or swelling you have also allowing you to relax better. 

You can also use Epsom salts as a hair volumizer 

Either saturate your hair while soaking in your Epsom salt bath and wash your hair regularly or you can add it into your condition like this:

• Combine condition and a few table spoons of Epsom salt into a sauce pan
• On the stove, heat up the mixer enough for the Epsom salt to dissolve into the conditioner

Now you will have an amazing and inexpensive hair volumizer! 

Health Benefits

Epsom salt is a fantastic source of magnesium which most Americans are actually deficient in.  A lot of the time people don't absorb magnesium when it is in a pill form but by actually bathing in it you can take more in.  Epsom salt also help to reduce stress and relax muscles.  On top of all that it actually helps to reduce swelling and it actually pulls toxins from your body!
Magnesium is actually used in over 300 bodily functions.  Magnesium also helps with depression, insomnia, migraines, diabetes, helping to reduce cardiovascular disease and help prevent or reverse osteoporoses.  Magnesium is a source of energy and a detoxifier.  All this sounds pretty good to me!

My First Post!

Finally  starting my blog, which is something I have wanted to do for so long now!  In the past two weeks I somehow caved into Twitter, so I figured, "why not"?  I'm a little "all over the place" so I am guessing my blog will end up the same way.  But I'm ok with that!  I hope to somehow inspire people to explore what they love and not be afraid to just "do".  I am always finding inspiration in the oddest places, I also find a lot of meaning in the seemingly unmeaning-less.  I am one of those people who wants to share the things that inspire me! (Thank you, Pinterest) I love to learn and evolve and find ways to improve myself. .. I think this is sounding a lot cornier than I mean it, because I am not all loves and hugs either!  I can have a serious attitude problem when I need to!  So many things annoy me and I think I need a place to vent it out and just poke a little fun.  For example.. I live in Pittsburgh, Pa.  Ever been?  Well, the weather is psychotic.  Like now for instance; it's snowing and last night the roads were bad, today there is a winter weather watch... BUT after the weekends over we have a few 50 degree+ days coming our way... Sometimes it rains and sometimes it is so hot you think you're going to sweat your clothes off all in the same day.  And although Pittsburgh has always been a place with ridiculous weather, local Pittsburghers seem to always need to complain about it.  As if they expected it to be different this year...

Ahh.. I feel a little better now after getting that out! (See ya in Cali sometime in the future!)