Sunday, August 28, 2011

Bilodeau Design & Décor is finally here!

Hi everyone!

I want to share the exciting news with all of you that Living a Beautiful Life has finally found it's home in a brand new web site.  Bilodeau Design & Décor houses all the fabulous things that I am passionate about and live every day of my life doing, along with an amazing shop section that will soon be filled with custom graphic pieces and an array of found and refurbished items for the home.

The new site is still in it's baby stage but I wanted you all to be along for the ride as it grows...  Check it out today and be sure to follow and subscribe to keep being a part of all the exciting changes that are happening!

Thank you to everyone for all of the amazing support and encouragement that you've given me along the way.  I could not have done this without each and every one of you!

http://bilodeaudesignanddecor.blogspot.com/

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Random pretty photos

Happy Thursday everyone!







Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Super chic house tour with a link that works!

Sorry everyone!  I was so excited to share this with you guys that I forgot to make the link actually work!

I'm literally obsessed with the photos of this gorgeous house tour.  I'm particularly inspired by this photo and have decided that the interior doors in our next house will most definitely be painted black.  Which will go perfectly with the pale grey and white color scheme we already have planned (for whenever we move...NO idea when that will be.)  So I'm REALLY crushing on these pics right now.

I'm already in love with black exterior doors so it's only natural to be able to look at something I love so much all the time right?  I think so!

Check out the house tour on Apartment Therapy and let me know if there's anything about it that inspires you!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/boston/rich-amp-emilys-somerville-surprisehouse-tour-154380

Monday, August 15, 2011

New artwork project!

Hi everyone!

So here's a picture of the next project I have planned.  I love all the old train station signs out there but really wanted one that had some sentimental value for us.  I decided to use our most favorite vacation spots and made one of my own, now I just have to decide what medium I want to have it printed on! 


Canvas is my first choice but it can be very pricey.  My friend suggested having the text printed on vinyl and painting a salvaged door or piece of wood black then placing the letters on.  LOVE that idea too so I'm not sure yet which direction I'll head in!

Let me know if you have any other cool ideas for this piece, I'd love to hear from you!

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

My current source of inspiration

Happy Wednesday everyone!

So sorry it's been ages since I've written!  My schedule has been super busy lately with new ventures, developing plans for the future and quite a bit of travel.  Things are finally starting to feel somewhat calm so I'm taking the opportunity to share a little beauty with you.

I decided to use the photo of this kitchen as my computer's desktop wallpaper so I can feel inspired by it throughout the day (even if it's only for a few seconds at a time when half of my usual 12 open windows are minimized.)  I'm so in love with it.  I find so much beauty in it's simplicity and I love the balance of masculine and feminine, which I strive to achieve in our home all the time.
















The only aspect of this room I would change is getting rid of the entire wall on the right.  I'd have this room open to the rest of the house like ours is set up now (so much more perfect for entertaining.)  I'd also swap out some of the top cabinet doors on the left with the glass ones for a more airy feel.

My 3 favorite pieces are the chairs, window treatments and pendant lights.  I would add all of these to my kitchen in a heartbeat!  Perhaps in our new place?  Once we finally find it that is... I'll keep daydreaming until then!

Cheers everyone!  I hope you're all having a wonderful week!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Guest Blogger Post: Dining in Boston...

Today we are going to take a little trip to Boston…..

I am in Boston very often and for those that love food, we know there are more then enough restaurants to choose from depending on your mood.  My fiance and I have developed a love for Florentine Café’ on Hanover Street in Boston’s North End. 

The menu offers a great variety and they have a great bar selection.  We usually stop in for lunch but both know their dinner menu is just as delectable.  Here are a few of their selections of the menu:

Veal Alla Crema – Veal scaloppini with shrimp, onions, mushrooms and roasted peppers in a sherry wine cream sauce over linguine.

Chicken or Veal Marsala – Chicken breast or veal scaloppini with prosciutto, mushrooms, Marsala sauce and choice of pasta.

Carpacccio – thinly sliced carpaccio of beef sirloin with asparagus, arugula, aged balsamic extra virgin olive oil and Romano cheese.

One of my favorite dishes and very easy to make at home is pollo con ziti – sautéed chicken with garlic, olive oil, garlic, white wine, broccoli and parmesan over ziti.

Vesuvio – sweet sausage, tomatoes, caramelized onions, smoked mozzarella, zucchini and parmesan.

Florentine Cosmopolitan Martini
Equal parts Orange and Citrus Vodka with Orange Liqueur, Fresh Lime Juice and a splash of Cranberry Juice

Wines
2006 Maso Canali, Pinot Grigio, Trentino $10
2004 Rocca della Macie – Chianti  $16

Bon Appetite!
  






Wednesday, March 23, 2011

Some of my favorite packaging

I'm currently doing trend research for two long days of marketing meetings, and have come across so many different beautiful and interesting designs for bags and boxes.  From everything to small bags shaped like conversation hearts for Valentine's Day to gorgeously wrapped nesting boxes for Christmas or everyday. 

Below are some of my favorites, especially the eco-friendly kraft products...just love the simplicity of them.  I've also included some of my favorite retail packaging as well!!

Enjoy!










Sunday, March 20, 2011

Today's Beautiful Room





















So I had made up my mind to switch over to a cooler palette in our new home, and I've really been loving grays, purples, blacks and whites together for a while now. 

However, while flipping through my new Pottery Barn catalog I absolutely fell in love with the feel of this room.  It's so warm and cozy and I can't ignore the fact that I've always been emotionally drawn to that.  It makes me think of long, warm summer nights with windows open, jazz playing and candles burning and the smell of delicious food that was cooked on the grill. 

No idea what we'll end up doing but I already know which end of the color spectrum Jay's always on... super warm :)

Happy Sunday!  Hope you all had a beautiful weekend.

Friday, March 18, 2011

For Japan With Love

My heart goes out to everyone who is involved in this awful disaster.  My thoughts and prayers are with them all.

Bloggers Day of Silence

Monday, February 28, 2011

FINALLY!

Happy Monday everyone!  If you're far enough away from the East Coast to not be caught in this horrible icy weather I'm super jealous!  I'm so grateful for telecommuting which is keeping me safe and warm inside today.

Well I have some very exciting news to share!  Now that I have told my parents, siblings and girlfriends, I can finally share with everyone that Jay and I will finally be moving into our second home!  We are purchasing another 2-family that is amazingly 7 houses away from where we live now which is great.  The move will be a lot easier and maintenance and any emergencies that arise will be a piece of cake since we're so close. 

Of course I've been a busy bee collecting all sorts of inspirational photos for decorating purposes and here's my collection so far!  I don't love every aspect of these rooms, but will be pulling bits and pieces away from each to put our brand new look together.

Enjoy and keep an eye out for my revamped version of the exterior which will be coming soon!

Have a beautiful day everyone!












Sunday, February 20, 2011

Current source of inspiration

I must apologize for being away for so long....the stress and germs of the season finally caught up with me and had me sick in bed and on the sofa for the last few weeks.  But I seem to be on the mend (finally!) and I'm anxious to share this gorgeous room with you!


It's a guest room at the Elysian Hotel in Chicago, (photo courtesy of ELLE DECOR) and is my current source of inspiration to reference when we decorate our next home (whenever we finally purchase one.)  My goal is to incorporate gray furniture and carpeting because my whites and ivorys are proving to be very high maintenance with a house full of pets.

I love all of the crown molding here and the black door is just stunning.  The purple flowers and large wall mirror complete the look and make it feel polished and comfy at the same time.

So in love with it!! :)

Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend and is staying warm wherever you are!!

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Chic & casual beach living

I have to share with you one of my all-time favorite interiors...Meg Ryan's home on Martha's Vineyard.

When it comes to color palettes this is my #1 pick.  I love all the whites, neutrals, metal, dark wood and pops of purple.  Some of my favorite items in her home are the pendant lights in the bathroom, the numbers she uses on the guest bedroom doors (someday I'll have that many!) the metal Flowers sign and of course, the doors on the sliding tracks.  Also love her bathtub too!  Okay, the entire bathroom :)

All pics courtesy of ELLE DECOR.

Enjoy!










Saturday, January 22, 2011

A tiny corner of Paris...right here in Boston.

New England Home is one of my favorite publications, and I fell in love with this Paris style apartment in Boston that was featured in the Nov/Dec. 2009 issue. 

The feel of the home is so rich and luxurious, yet still very welcoming and relaxed.  The perfect balance of comfort and beauty. 

Enjoy.