Best of: 17Apart in 2016

Today we've compiled a list of the most visited, liked and shared projects & photos from 2016. While we have our personal favorites, it's just as exciting to see what you found most interesting in the past year, so in the spirit of tradition, scroll down to see just what our top reader favorites from the last 12 months were!

Merry & Bright! Our 2016 Holiday Recap

Now that the holidays are beginning to wind down, we're taking this week to rest a bit and reflect on all of the busyness that can easily be considered what we call the holiday blur. Today we're rounding up a few of our favorite events, decorations and family photos from the last few holiday-heavy weeks.

Let's Go Get the Tree!

This time last weeked, we were listening to holiday tunes on the radio, driving about 45 minutes outside the city to look for this year's Christmas tree. We ended up bringing home a sparse Norway Spruce that we find to be quite charming paired with memories from the day together with Basil out on the Christmas tree farm. Today we're sharing a few of our favorite snaps from the big adventure if you care to see...

RVA Eats: Secret Sandwich Society

A few weekends ago, we had a chance to stop in the newly opened Secret Sandwich Society down on East Grace Street. I'd heard good things and seen even better snaps from friends who'd already stopped in so we were eager to check it out...

Dec-Etsy: Our Monthly Etsy Edit

December is a time for making spirits bright, cozying up indoors and here in Virginia, a secret wish for the first snowfall as the holidays draw near.

By day, you'll find me scouring the depths of the Etsy marketplace discovering new shops and emerging trends — this time of year is a personal favorite, filled with unique gift ideas, cozy touches and a bit of classic vintage charm. In the spirit of sharing, every so often it's fun to round up a few of the finds that are catching our eyes — here's what we're digging this December!

Our Thanksgiving on the Farm

This past Thursday, we packed up the car and headed about 40 minutes outside of Richmond to spend Thanksgiving with family on my Aunt & Uncle's horse farm here in Virginia. The day coincided with my birthday this year so it ended up being an extra special way to celebrate — today I've rounded up a few of my favorite snaps from the day if you care to see...

Start Planning Your Trip: CJS Sales' Liquidation Sale

Right around 3 years ago Tim and I stumbled across what we can only describe as a hidden gem in the world of creatives and treasure hunters alike — CJS Sales, a warehouse of vintage jewelry supplies (and well-kept secret among designers) in the middle of Manhattan. While they have an online presence, you can only purchase onsite in wholesale formats — so it's quickly become one of our favorite regular destinations to stop in on when in the city.

Fish en Papillote

When it comes to fish, Mary and I are both a bit picky about anything outside of your typical tuna steak or salmon fillet — it's got to be fresh, the consistency steaky, and it absolutely can't have a hint of fishiness once cooked. I know, I know — we're a bit tough...

Nov-Etsy: Our Monthly Etsy Edit

I have said it many times before and celebrate the chance to say it again — I am a November's girl. Winter seems inevitably close, we welcome home longtime friends, linger a bit longer with family over the extended weekends, and the Sagittarian traits in my blood prove just a bit stronger this time of year (hello hopeless optimism, wanderlust daydreams, honest to a fault & promising more than I can deliver).

By day, you'll find me in our front office behind the computer screen gladly exploring the depths of the Etsy marketplace and in the spirit of sharing, every so often it's fun to round up a few of our personal favorites — here's what we're digging this November!

Autumn Traditions: Off to the Pumpkin Patch!

This weekend we took our younger nieces and nephew to one of our favorite local pumpkin patches to spend some time together with family, let them pick out some pumpkins and perhaps a few for ourselves.

Over the past few years we've enjoyed rounding everyone up at Gallmeyer Farms — it's a big open space with a farmer's market, flower garden, ample play area, hay maze, hayrides and of course an expansive field filled with varying sized pumpkins and varieties of gourds. The kids have started referring to this location as "Aunt Mary & Uncle T's pumpkin patch" since they associate visiting this one with us...

Training our Wisteria: DIY PVC Pipe Garden Arbor

Right around this time last year, we'd returned back home from our Italian vacation on the grounds of an olive grove and unreal stone farmhouse in the hills of Umbria we'd found on AirBNB. Filled with leisurely sips of local wines and cooking dinners over open fire with simple ingredients — it was an incredible trip and one we think back on often as one for the lifebook. Oh, to return.

How To: Simple 3 Ingredient Natural Applesauce Recipe

One weekday last month Tim came home with a basket filled with fresh red apples. Taking advantage of the extended weekend, we spent the better part of Labor Day making and canning a new season's worth of homemade applesauce and apple butter.

Octob-Etsy: Our Monthly Etsy Edit

On this first day of the new month, Anne of Green Gables couldn't have said it better — "I'm so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers." There's a coolness to the air, a deepening in hues and just a slight touch of the unexpected with Halloween just in reach.

By day, I spend the bulk of my time deep in the depths of the Etsy marketplace — and it's these days that I'm re-inspired and continually amazed at the new seasonal collections and emergence of autumn goods from creative entrepreneurs all over the globe. In the spirit of sharing, every so often it's fun to round up a few of our personal favorites — here's what we're digging this October!

Hanging onto Summer: How to Make Sun Tea

With 90 degree days in the forecast this week, the heatwave around these parts sure does put new meaning into "hanging onto summer." It's been a particularly hot season here in Virginia this year and hot summer days call for southern traditions, like sun-brewed tea.

Such a simple pleasure, sun tea is quick to make, requires minimal ingredients and puts the sun's rays to work instead of heating up the kitchen during hotter summer months.

Over on eHow: How to Clean & Season a Gas Grill

Hello, Labor Day weekend! We're spending the long weekend at home, enjoying the extended break and have plans to fire up the grill for one last summer feast to bid the proverbial season adieu.

Sept-Etsy: Our Monthly Etsy Edit

It's no secret I spend the majority of my days deep in the depths of the Etsy marketplace uncovering emerging shops, hidden gems and new gift ideas to introduce across the site. That paired with our love of vintage and rescued junk drawer oddities oftentimes has us finding ourselves down one rabbit hole or another in admiration of all the creativity there is to be found on our very favorite site.

Every so often, it's fun to round up a few of our personal favorites — here's what we're digging this September!

Summer's Close in Nags Head

Last week we skipped town, driving down to the Outer Banks to spend a few days with family at the beach in honor of savoring these last few days of summer. A quick getaway turned out to be just what we needed and today we're rounding up a few of our favorite snaps if you care to see.

Before & After: DIY Antique Pallet Coffee Table

If you follow us on Instagram or Facebook you may already know we took advantage of the three day Memorial Day weekend to tackle a project we've had on the list for quite some time — a tiered coffee table...

Wedding Memories & A Third Anniversary

Three weeks ago today, Tim and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary. I took the day off from work and we spent the day together pretty low key with a couple fun stops including Pearl's Cupcake Shoppe and dinner (aka 2 artichoke moussakas) at Stella's.

July 4th Patriotic Desserts: Cherry Firecracker Cupcakes

Decorate a batch of these cupcakes with seasonal fresh fruits to add a patriotic focal point to your next summer table spread or bring along as the crowd pleaser to that 4th of July party on the calendar. Reminiscent of bursting fireworks, these cupcakes are simple to make and combine fresh blueberries with ripe bing cherries.

Szia, from Budapest!

View of Budapest from the Budapest Castle Hill Sikló

"Szia," hello there!

Today we're checking in from Budapest, Hungary, where we'll be vacationing with family over the next several days. This trip is one from the bucket list, with plans taking shape over the past few years. Now flipping open the laptop to preview photos from our first full day — it's hard to believe the time is finally here.

Cocktail Trick: Thyme Infused Simple Syrup Ice Cubes

Summer weather and long weekends call for the appearance of seasonal cocktails around here — the added flavor from fresh garden herbs is what really gives them that special twist. As with the return of lavender, thyme is having a big moment among our perennial herbs right now:

How To: DIY Dried Lavender Bunches

Late spring has us eager to be back in the garden, tending to our growing collection of perennial herbs and starting a few new annual varieties.

Our Mother's Day Fig Tree

We spent Mother's Day this year down at the farm with both our mothers and extended family. While the true gift that day was spending time together, we did decide to gift Mary's mom with a fig tree to plant on the grounds.

Over on eHow: DIY Geometric Brass Table Lamp

It's no secret we're fans of clean lines, geometric shapes and a touch of shine — which is why I've been such a big fan of the geometric brass lighting options popping up lately (like this one & this one). It wasn't until a recent trip to our local Habitat ReStore that inspiration struck for creating a budget-friendly version of our own...

Mother's Day Brunch: Sweet Potato Waffle Recipe

With Mother's Day celebrations in full swing this weekend, I wanted to pop in to share one of my favorite waffle recipes, which happens to make for an all-around brunch crowd pleaser.

Bits & Snaps: A DIY Bridal Shower & Etsy Weddings Event

It's been a busy start to spring and one of my favorite parts of this time of year is the return of wedding season — the celebration, the happy spirit & general inspiration of it all.

We have a few weddings in the family coming up this year and last weekend my sister and I hosted a bridal shower for our cousin. I've been eager to share some of my favorite pics from the party along with a few highlights from the Etsy Wedding event in NYC if you care to see...

Vacation Photos: Cancun Mexico

A couple weeks back we broke for spring as tradition has it, spending a week in Mexico to soak in the warmth. Now settled back home and rested, we're ready to take on the rush of spring activities — if only the season will make a lasting appearance. Today we've rounded up a collection of our favorite vacation photos and memories from our week in the sun if you care to visually walk along...

How to Wall Mount a Turtle Shell

Earlier in the week we shared the newly complete corner gallery wall in our front office. Amidst the collection of art and photos are a few natural curiosities, for instance the ivory colored turtle shell that adds a little dimension into the mix:

Corner Gallery Wall: How To Hang Art on a Curved Wall

We recently introduced the addition of a small gallery wall to our office decor. While our home decor is in a state of continual evolution, we're loving how this newly-filled wall of personal art makes this front room of ours feel complete (don't mind the missing turtle — you'll see him make an appearance further down in the post).

How To: Bird Nest Shadow Box Art

Over Thanksgiving, I brought back a treasured find my Aunt had given me from the land on their horse farm — this small bird's nest made almost entirely from horse hair. It made for the perfect little weekend art project!

Winter Thaw: Recipe Roundup

With the cold lingering around a little further than we'd like, the bright spot has been all of the wonderful winter aromas lately filling the house. Having a food photographer husband certainly has its perks and it's truly been a season of comfort foods — one-pot soups, stews and warming sides.

Weekend Project: DIY Marble Tile Serving Tray

In a recent project collaboration with Lot18, I shared a simple DIY for making this Carrara marble serving tray using little more than a few basic materials from the hardware store. Perfect for serving cheese, charcuterie or other snacks, this cheese board is uncomplicated to assemble and makes a nice gift idea for housewarmings or holidays.

Weekend Calm: A Late Morning on the River

This past weekend, we made a quick trip down to my mother's house on the river. We took the chance to spend an hour down on the shore, where collecting shark teeth has been a longstanding favorite pastime.

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

With hearts and flowers abound, love is in the air. This time of year with Valentine's just around the corner — we're digging the bright pops of color and feel so ready for spring to make its return. Today we've rounded up a handful of sweet ideas for the sweet ones in your lives, along with a few favorites for cooking at home & staying in (our favorite way to spend the holiday).

January Bits & Snaps

January — a time for reflection, getting organized and looking forward. A winter month where we yearn for spring not to wait much longer and balance nestling in at home with venturing out to try new things. It's been a full month for us — sips of tea with a blanket by the fire, trampling through the first fresh snow with Basil and venturing out beyond our same old same old.  In the spirit of our Weekend Basics series, today we're here to share the bits and pieces from over the past month...

Grateful: Coming Home

We're headed into this new year feeling optimistic and in a good place. With one of Richmond's largest snow storms in recent history behind us this weekend, Tim and I thought to ourselves — this is the first year we didn't need to worry about how the weather may have affected our second home just across the river...

A Fresh Start: Our 2016 Goals & Resolutions

Fonti del Clitunno, Italy

Though getting back into routine after taking an extended holiday break, we're peering into the New Year this Monday morning with bright eyes and a fresh outlook (case in point). January is a classic time we like to take a deeper look back into the year behind us and make plans for the year ahead.