#Wifey Diaries: Gallery Wall Update

Last year, Ant & I put up a gallery wall above our fireplace.  We decided it would primarily be photos of places, rather than people.  This was the original wall:

After our vacation this past spring, we had so many new pictures of amazing places - we decided it was time to update the wall!  We chose a number of photos, and I went a little crazy online shopping at TJMaxx {who knew you could buy online @ TJMaxx?? I didn't! Talk about dangerous.} One afternoon after work we popped a bottle of bubbly, took the whole wall down, and redid it.  I had "the vision" for layout, and Ant did all the measuring to ensure it actually came together okay! 

Franklin discovered he could get a better view from the stairs.

This shot includes two of my favorite pieces - the custom home watercolor I gifted Ant on our anniversary, and a painting his cousin did for us based on a photo Ant took while we were in San Fran.  

I love that the updated wall makes better use of the space, and includes a more interesting mix of colors and detailing on the frames!  It helps bring together the space, and is a great reminder of some of the travel we've been lucky to do.  What house projects have you been working on?? 

xoxo

#Wifey Diaries: First Anniversary Gift Guide

Okay - Ant & I are not necessarily traditional gift givers.....a majority of the time our gifts to each other are things we can do together.  This started VERY early on in our relationship - our first Christmas presents to each other were a trip to NYC and tickets to see Chris Brown in concert.  We're not usually "stuff" people.  Not that we haven't gotten each other very nice "stuff" gifts - (I LOVE a new purse just as much as the next girl) - but they're less common.  Anyway, the point being....we decided that for our anniversary gifts, we were going to stick to the traditional anniversary gifts as a loose guide.  So I hit the internet and started brainstorming....and had a VERY hard time deciding what I was going to do for our paper anniversary.

I did come across some good ideas along the way!  So I thought I'd put them all in one place - maybe it will help you as you start shopping for your first anniversary gift.

For reference: here is Hallmark's official list of anniversary gifts by year - there are two versions, traditional & modern.

Personalized wedding venue portrait - Letterfest.com
I think these are just the sweetest!  You send in a picture of the place you got married - if you had a church ceremony you can include the reception location as well - and they create a custom sketch of it for you!  I absolutely love this.

Concert Tickets:
Is there a concert coming up your hubby would just LOVE to go to??  Concert tickets are printed on paper - and you've created another newlywed date night! Win win :)

Photo Book:
Ant & I LOVE my publisher for photo books.  Last year we used them to make wedding albums for our parents, and we're in the process of making one for our last vacation.  Make a book to remember your first year of marriage!!! They are SO easy to use and the quality is amazing.  They always have great deals too, if you sign up for their emails!!

Coffee table book:  Does your husband/wife have a particular passion?  Do you love travel, or art?  Find a coffee table book that could become a conversation starter with guests in your home!  When I was looking through this list - this one jumped out at me.  We love travel and are always talking about what our next adventure is going to be!

Customized Travel Map:  My roommate from college has a scratch off travel map, and I love it!  This version I found through mapyourtravels.com is absolutely perfect!  You can customize the plaque on it to say "Mascia family adventures" or anything else you'd like.  It includes four different colored markers to distinguish where you've been and where you dream to go.  

So what did Mr. and Mrs. Mascia give each other for our paper anniversary?

Overnight trip!!
Ant presented me with printed out reservations for a night at the Christopher Dodge House in Providence RI with a copy of the schedule for waterfire!  We have been talking about going to waterfire together for years and never made it - and after our B&B stay in Victoria he wanted to give us a chance to do that again!  So he booked a night in Providence so we can enjoy waterfire without worrying about driving all the way back to CT afterwards.  See?  Technically paper, but oh so much more.  His timing is perfect too - it's in early November, right before I give up my life to the holiday season in retail!

Anniversary Card:  This one sounds oh so obvious - but it fits the criteria!  In this case - my anniversary card to Ant included a surprise that we were going to get massages together that afternoon ;)

Personalized House sketch: - Ant & I have talked about getting a drawing/sketch/painting of our house done to add to our gallery wall above the fireplace, but never actually made any real progress.  When I saw the personalized wedding venue portraits it motivated me to get our house done to surprise Ant.  I found Rita Marie Weddings on Etsy and they were absolutely wonderful in getting me the portrait on time.  The final product was absolutely beautiful!!!  We've been in our house almost two years now, and I thought it was a fitting way to celebrate our first year as an official family.

What did you give your hubs for your first anniversary??  I'd love to add new inspiration to this list!!

xoxo

#Wifey Diaries - Living Room Inspiration

Ant and I have been talking about what home improvement projects we want to tackle this spring/summer.  This is finally the year we're going to do some outdoor landscaping, and there are a million other little things I would love to check off our list!  One is our living room.  We have a brightly colored accent wall {Bali Bliss is the official paint color} and beautiful built ins, but I've been wanting to spruce it up a bit!  The other day I went on Pinterest to get some inspiration, and here are a few of the ideas I came across.

Our built ins are in need of a paint job anyway, and I LOVE the way these are painted with a lighter color in the background.  I think it would go a long way to brightening our living room, which isn't huge to begin with!  The room is all shades of blues and neutrals, so the lighter blue would go nicely, and just add a little bit of a pop!  Luckily, Ant is totally on board, and that's an easy enough project to do even now, while spring is still refusing to join us!

What's on your DIY list currently??

xoxo

#Wifey Diaries - Sister Trip '15

Ant and I travel, a lot.  Often together, sometimes apart.....both are equally important!  Last week, I left the boys at home and traveled to the Dominican Republic with my sisters for 4 nights of fun, sun and relaxation.  Sara is a senior {!!!!} so this was her last break, and Ally and I happily joined!  It was the saddest thing to leave Franklin, but I knew him and Ant would have the best time {I imagine a boys weekend filled with video games & star wars, if we're being honest}.

This was the goodbye I got early Friday am....be still my sad mommy heart.

We flew out early Saturday AM and were checked in at our hotel, the Majestic Colonial by 2!  I had booked us a room in the Colonial Club, the adults only upgraded portion of the hotel.  The hotel was BEAUTIFUL.  We were greeted with champagne, and the Colonial Club had two separate pools and a private piece of beach that were exclusive to club members.  Fancy stuff!  The beach the hotel is on is absolutely stunning - the water is perfect and there are plenty of umbrellas and beds to stay out of the sun!  We commandeered beds on the beach each day to have plenty of space to relax and get shade.  

One day we ventured off the resort for an excursion.  We snorkeled with sting rays and sand sharks, paddle boarded and kayaked, and drank smoothies while getting massages!  Not a bad day :)

On our last morning we got up early to watch the sunrise.  There was no one on the beach....it was perfect.

As sad as I was to leave, I was also ready to get home!  The fabulous flight attendant on our way home gave me a huge glass of free first class wine, and when I finally dragged my butt into the house at 230am, this nugget was awake and waiting for me!  There is no better feeling than puppy love, and it felt so good to be home.  He is a MONSTER, and had grown so much in just 5 short days!  This emotional tired-from-traveling mama almost cried when I saw how big he'd gotten!

I was a huge fan of our sister trip, and definitely think it is something I could get used to doing every few years!  The next time I travel we will be North Carolina bound for a family wedding, and it will be our first time leaving Franklin!  Luckily, he has loving grandparents who are willing to watch him for us :)

Did you go anywhere fabulous for spring break??  If so, tell me where!

xoxo

#Wifey Diaries: Valentine's Day

I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine's Day!!!  I wanted to share with you a few "things I'm loving" in regards to my Valentine's Day holiday this year....

Mix and Match Mama: 

Does it again!  We had a bake sale at work over the holiday weekend to raise money for the American Heart Association.  I was off on Thursday last week and spent ALL DAY baking.  My pistachio Kitchenaid and I were besties for the day.  I used three recipes I found on Mix and Match Mama's website! Two of them I LOVED, one I probably won't make again.  But let's focus on the ones I loved, since that's what this post is about!

Strawberry Buttermilk Cupcakes:

Okay - mine looked nothing like these (I need to practice my frosting skills) - but they tasted AMAZING.  These are perfect for dessert, or breakfast....and the fresh fruit was just the best thing ever.

Recipe found here!

Chocolate Banana Muffins:

I sense a theme here.  My favorite baked goods are ones that can be eaten as dessert and also justified as a breakfast food.  These chocolate banana muffins were SO simple and absolutely delicious!  I left a few extras at home knowing my husband would like them.

Recipe found here!

Valentine's Day on Feb 15:

Ant and I had our Valentine's Day dinner on Sunday night, since I worked on Saturday evening.  To me, this was a HUGE win/win.  A few year's ago we went to a restaurant we LOVED on Valentine's Day, and had the most disappointing time.  It was too crazy, too crowded....not our scene.  We like a nice relaxing meal - our favorite environments are those where we can share a bottle of wine and just chat....so celebrating on February 15th has sort of become an unofficial tradition of ours.

The Guilford Bistro is our favorite local spot, and Sunday night did not disappoint.  It was SO COLD, like negative degrees cold, and some reservations had cancelled, so the restaurant was more quiet than usual...perfect for a romantic Valentine's Day date!  It's BYOB, so we always stop across the street for a bottle, and they had our FAVORITE appetizer.  It was perfect!  If you live on the shoreline, you need to check this place out.  Just make sure you make a reservation, no matter what night of the week!!

Aquinnah Jewelry:

Hubs did good.  We don't typically exchange gifts on Valentine's Day, but this year he insisted since it was our first one as husband and wife.  He surprised me with a necklace from Aquinnah Jewelry.  Kelley, the owner and designer is the sweetest, and helped me design all of my bridesmaids earrings! I LOVE all of her things, and have gone back to her a few times for various gifts.  The rolling wave necklace is simple and stunning - he put so much thought into picking a piece he knew I'd love.

My Valentine:

Last but not least, I'm LOVING my Valentine.

xoxo

6 Months as Mrs. Mascia

Happy Sunday!

Ant and I just got back from a long weekend in D.C. - we had SO much fun and I can't wait to share all the details of the trip with you!  But today - I just want to wish my handsome husband a Happy Anniversary.  We've been married for 6 months!!

I know, I know....it sounds silly, especially when you think about what 6 months means in the scheme of a lifetime.  BUT, I love any reason to celebrate - especially with this guy, and this is just as good a reason as any!  You're only a newlywed once ;)

He is my partner in crime, adventure, life and love...I am a lucky lucky girl.

xoxo

#Wifey Diaries: airbnb on the PCH

I have always loved to travel.  I can thank my parents for that!  We always traveled a lot growing up, usually because of the various conferences and meetings they had for work.  That travel bug has only grown as I've gotten older - in college my roommate and I took a road trip across country....a whirlwind 10 days that was basically the best thing ever.  Every must see attraction - we saw it!  My junior year of college I studied abroad in Granada, Spain for a semester.  That officially solidified my love for travel - I would go back to Europe every year if I could!

Luckily, I married a guy who also loves to travel.  While I was in Spain the crazy kid came out and spent a week with me! {We had been dating a whole...5 months maybe?} Our first anniversary we road tripped to Niagara Falls - we celebrated our engagement with 2 weeks in Switzerland and Italy - etc. etc.  More often than not our gifts to each other involve travel over "things".  The perfect example is this Christmas - I got Ant concert tickets to see Sam Smith in Philly, so we spent 2 nights in the city....and in a couple weeks we'll be headed to Washington D.C. for my Christmas gift from Ant!

Long story short, the Mascias LOVE to travel.

We don't discriminate on big travel vs. small travel - as long as we are seeing and experiencing new things, it's good for me!  We are usually planning at least two vacations out.  Not FULLY planning, but talking pretty seriously about what we think is up next.  In this case, "up next" is Costa Rica 2016!

But first!!! This year our big vacation is a two week West Coast road trip!! 2015 has unofficially become our year of domestic travel.  We will fly out to San Francisco - enjoy Napa Valley and visit our friend Ryland in San Fran, then spend 10 days traveling north, through Oregon and Washington, with a quick detour in Vancouver!  There are SO many things we want to see and do while we are out there, we are planning on this being one of those vacations that you need a vacation from when you get home!  We want to have a good general plan of major things we want to see and do, and then leave some up to chance.  I don't want to be too scheduled on a timeline, so that we have the freedom to just stop and enjoy along on our way.

One thing we know for sure, is we will be using airbnb for 10 of our 12 nights! {Thanks Ryland for the futon to crash on!}  We used airbnb for our entire EMoon in Italy, and had the best experience!  We LOVE how you get such a unique and personal experience.  We've always had amazing hosts who give you great recommendations for food and can't miss spots!  For this trip especially, the trip is more about the places we see than the places we stay - so we are not trying to drop a lot of money on a bed where we're going to crash for maybe 8 hours!  Airbnb is perfect for that - we can get great options for a fraction of the cost....especially in some of the more well known areas {ahem, NAPA}.

We've already started doing some research - but our goal is to buckle down today and get at least 2 or 3 spots chosen and booked!  Below are a few of the places that have jumped out to me so far....

This one is NOT where Ant and I will be staying on this trip....but in the future with some friends and less financial constraints?  Yes please.

To me, this is the epitome of airbnb uniqueness!  Staying in Portland you can stay at a hotel....orrrrr you can stay at an Urban Garden Studio!  How cute is that???  Again - when we only have 1 night in Portland we will probably be more worried about a cheap spot to crash than a unique experience...but this is absolutely the coolest.

This one might end up being our Vancouver spot.  35th floor, parking included....you can't beat it.

I'm not sure if the location will end up making sense for us with this listing, but I wish it would!  Less than $150 for a night here.  ON the water.  

Have you traveled the PCH?? Do you have any recommendations for places to stay, or things we can't miss??  Please share!

xoxo