Friday Pinspiration | Our DIY Kitchen Refresh

Over the summer, Chris and I decided to 'refresh' our kitchen. It all started because of a kitchen cabinets picture that I pinned. They were just like ours - original to the house, plain, but had potential! Once our summer bonuses came, I decided I wanted to add a dishwasher, so we figured it was a good time! We only did a few things to our house (like tearing out ugly carpet) when we moved in. The kitchen was a whole other monster we weren't sure we could tackle. I am so proud of all of the work Chris did. I may have agreed on the items going into the kitchen but he did all of the work. The counter top was his baby. He sanded an Ikea countertop, stained it and sealed it multiple times. It was a labor of love and it looks SO good. He even made a matching top for an older island cart that we had, so we refreshed that too!

Our update includes - hanging new shelves, adding a dishwasher (FINALLY!) trimming and painting the cabinets, new countertop, sink, and faucet. And while I was shooting a wedding, Chris and his dad made a new opening in our living room wall. Don't you think they should be house flippers? Now you can walk the whole way around the house and its ah-mazing!!

THE BEFORE: Just so you get the complete idea of what we were working with. These are when we first toured the house. Eek.

Construction underway. Ugly yellow tile gone and painting in progress!

New, amazing hole in our wall!

New sink and counter top! Then time for the subway tile! Did I mention how Chris did all the work?

THE AFTER: Ahh, in love!

Counter top, Sink, Faucet, Runner: Ikea

Cabinet Hardware and Tile: Home Depot

Gold Planter: West Elm

Marble Baking Slab: Crate + Barrel

Chelsee + James | Oakland Engagement Session

While this Pittsburgh weather can be unpredictable at this time of year, it didn't stop us from traipsing around Oakland and Mellon Park for Chelsee and James's engagement session. When Chelsea and I settled on a location, she said they would be stopping at Dave + Andy's before hand. Immediately, I knew they would be a fun, easy going couple. Anyone who starts their engagement session with food, in this case ice cream, is my kind of couple! Lucky for us all of the Pitt students had headed home for the summer and campus was quiet. I think the .5 seconds of sunlight we saw near the Cathedral of Learning are my favorite photos. We ended our session at Mellon Park before the clouds totally took over. Chelsee + James, I can't wait for your wedding this September.

Beau | Pittsburgh Lifestyle Newborn Session

No better way to kick off Mother's Day weekend in Pittsburgh than with a fresh out da oven, newborn session. Beau was literally an angel baby and didn't cry once! That is unheard of during a newborn session. He is so relaxed just like his mom and dad and that always makes my job much easier! My poor future children are going to have more photos of their toes than their faces because I love baby toes so much. Take a look at Beau's lifestyle newborn session!