the balcony



rachel's balcony.


the balcony - where it all began.  so many warm afternoons, sipping coffee and eating pastries from our favorite bakery, and crisp evenings, enjoying good conversation over a glass of wine or scotch, have been spent here.  it was actually one of these very evenings that the idea for this blog was born. 

a beautiful view and a nice balcony are non-negotiables for me when it comes to my home.  in fact, they were what sold me on my current place.  i knew i would be spending a lot of time on my balcony, whether on my own curled up with tea and a good book or amongst friends with good food and drinks.  so, i decided to turn it into a cozy little nook that anyone would want to spend time in.  the couch is from ikea and is the perfect spot to curl up with a blanket.  the beautiful mums are from my good friend mel.  the chairs, table and rug are from target.

it's a little too chilly to be out on the balcony right now, but i'm enjoying the view from my Crate & Barrel Simone Daybed as i type.  more to come on that later - t and i are both obsessed.

nook of books

a little nook of books.

i am still unpacking from my move, but one of the first things i did was put together my bookshelf.  yes, it is overflowing, and yes, it is color-coded.  the bookshelf is ancient and falling apart.  but i love this sunlit corner i've made for myself - it just makes me so happy to see all of the physical books displayed in my apartment nook.  (speaking of nooks, i still don't own one.  or a kindle.  i like printed books.  i think it stems from my childhood - i grew up with books all over the house.  my dad is a voracious reader.)  on the wall, i have a collection of prints: a poster from the first concert i attended in minneapolis more than 3 years ago with my good friend v; this print from jane mount's "ideal bookshelf" series; and a postcard of this sculpture from the walker art center that i picked up with my parents when they were in town.  oh, and the design*sponge at home book because the cover is soo pretty and anchors the whole coral-red thing i have going on.

neighbors

hello, we are here!  rachel and i conceived the idea for this blog on her balcony about a month ago, and it's finally here.  we are excited.

confession: this is from a year and a half ago.  and we are all fancified for rachel's birthday.  but the typical formula is here: drinks in hand, big smiles on faces.

a little nugget about me and rachel: we met at work, but we are friends outside of work.  we bonded over our love of eating, photography, and really cool dance moves.  we recently became neighbors.  we decided to combine our passion for all of the small (and sometimes big) things we get excited about and collect them into this blog.  sometimes we go crazy for little pleasures like a good cup of coffee, or a simple gold bracelet.  other times, we get all inspired to tackle some crafts or make a really solid meal.  (and we are totes impressed by ourselves when we do.)  no matter what, we know that life is full of sparkly, happy moments that are worth savoring.  and we want to celebrate more sparkly moments with you all.

so here we go!