Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Advice for New Moms: Odi et Amo

Come join me over at Averill's incredibly resourceful series, Advice for New Moms, as I share my favorite items when I was a new mom.  If you don't follow Averill's blog, Odi et Amo, I strongly encourage you too - she is a fabulous blogger with a keen eye for design who is expecting her first child. 


Photobucket

Monday, November 29, 2010

Before & After: My HomeGoods Bedside Mirrors

I was able to cross one project off my list this weekend - hang mirrors above our nightstands in our bedroom.  If you remember, this is what our bedroom looked liked before the mirrors.
Before:
Obviously, we needed something above our nightstands, but it has taken me a long time to find the exact mirrors I was visualizing for this space.  I was on a hunt to find something similar to the Lilly mirror from Ballard Designs.  This mirror, unfortunately, is no longer available and costs $199.00.  Even if it was still available, there is no way I could afford that.
So, I waited and waited and regularly checked HomeGoods.  And, then one day, while browsing HomeGoods down in Danbury, I found the perfect mirror for only $19.99.  The only thing is that it needed a paint job.  No problem!

A little white (gloss) spray paint and I was good to go.  Here is how our master bedroom looks now. 
After:


So, what do you think?  It's unbelievable how similar the mirrors look like the Lilly mirror from Ballard Designs.  You gotta love HomeGoods!

Saturday, November 27, 2010

Eddie Ross: Tips for Decorating your Entryway for the Holidays

Check out Eddie Ross' tips for holiday decorating!  Here is his video on how to decorate your entryway, but check out his videos on how to decorate your mantel and tree as well!  He is also hosting a $250 giveaway from Sears or Kmart right here!

Kayce's Giveaway!

It's not too late to catch the tail end of Kayce's week of giveaways!!  Check it out here!

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving

To all, I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving.  Last night, knee deep, in chopped fennel, carrots, parsnips, etc. I would occasionally glance over at this
and it would make me smile.  I was planning on using this elsewhere in the house, but when my husband heard me 'stressing' out last night, he brought it in the kitchen and placed it on the counter!  He's the best.  I also finished my thanksgiving tablescape (flower arrangement and all)!



Lastly, I want to thank you for taking the time to stop by and reading my blog!!  Every time each one of you leaves a comment, it makes my day and I'm just thankful that I have found a passion, a supportive group of readers and an outlet in which to enjoy it all!!  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!  I wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving Day!!  Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

This and That

I've been busy.  With what you ask?  Oh the typical - prepping for Thanksgiving (we're hosting), working, cleaning, joined a gym - trying to get into shape, play-dates, and trying to finish up some overdue home projects.  My favorite part?  I actually took some time to create a Thanksgiving tablescape this season which I plan to post pictures tomorrow! Yay! In the meantime, I hope to use this long weekend to finish up some home projects.  Here is a hint on one such project I'm working on:
Do you notice a trend?  I also plan to get a head start on our Christmas shopping and decorating this weekend.  This year we will choose our Christmas tree from a local farm and have it tagged.  When we're ready to have it cut, we just call them in advance and they cut it.  This way I can guarantee NOT to see a pile of needles on the living room floor before Christmas Eve!  

Lastly, I plan to take some time for me.  A good friend and mentor gave me this book in which she wrote, "I love how in a very gentle and uncomplicated way the book encourages self-love, dreaming, imagining, creating, playing, exploring and nurturing your spirit, dreams, passions, curiosities and desires."


I couldn't have said it better.  Don't we all need that from time to time, particularly during the crunch of the holidays?  I'll see you tomorrow to wish you a Happy Thanksgiving!

Friday, November 19, 2010

Off the Wall Beds (Literally)

I am completely impressed by this DIY boy's room - 3 off-the-wall hanging beds in one room.  Who would've ever thought of this?  Brilliant!!  I would love to copy this idea!  Although, first, I need to have a couple of more babies! :)   

I love the color palette she chose - navy, yellow and gray and all her Ikea touches.  To see how this amazing blogger accomplished this, go here.  

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Canvas Photo Wall

This past weekend I saw a great deal over at 6th Street Design for canvas photographs.  It's $55 off any canvas.  I seized the opportunity and bought a 16x20 canvas which will be of our family.  I really like the look of large canvas photographs as a gallery wall.  
You would have to pay a small fortune to do something like this immediately (the canvases are 16x20 and 20x24 which would be very expensive).  But, if you committed to buying one or two canvases a year (taking advantage of special discounts and deals), you could slowly build this gallery over a couple of years.  I would love to do something like this for our family.  So stunning.  
And, don't you love the dog??  I want him too!! :)

Friday, November 12, 2010

Plum Cushion: Deck the Halls

For the past week, I've been searching for some new Christmas stockings and lo' and behold......my prayers  were answered!!



Plum Cushion to the rescue....and now, all I have to do is to convince my husband!! ;)  Have a great weekend!!

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Annsley Interiors


Every once and a while, I like to profile an interior designer's work as a way to capture my favorite designs and designers.  Annsley McAlleer is no exception.  

The styling of these bookcases are perfection.  Notice the small nesting lucite tables?  How about the fabric on the chairs?  Looks like Albert Hadley's Fireworks for Hinson & Company?  Love it.

Who doesn't love a banquette with a zinc pedestal table and a chippendale chair?  Oh, and of course, french doors!
So relaxed, adorable and functional!  
I love the blue & green color combination! 
So serene!  Blue and yellow - I love it.  I'm curious as to what fabric she used for the curtains?
I love the sconce she chose for this bathroom!
I can't tell if the color palette is blue and green or black and green.  Either way, I love it.  Very dramatic.  All the above pictures are from Domino where they featured Annsley's home in Boston.  
Do you spy a blue ghost chair, David Hicks La Fiorentina pillow and I believe Alan Campbell's zig zag fabric on the chair?  I do!!  Hope you enjoyed her portfolio as much I did!!  To see more, go here.  

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

See it to believe it...

Can you believe those are Ikea's shelves?  I had to take a second look to believe it.  Looks like expedit has done it again.  To see more, go here.   Absolutely fabulous!

Friday, November 5, 2010

Friday's Favorites

Don't you love it when you have a great inspiration day or as is my case, a great inspiration week?  I can't begin to tell you how many times I was inspired this week.  Here is a little sampling....
So inspired by Modern 24/7's apartment.  It's amazing.  Check out more here.  I'm loving that tree in the corner.  What kind of tree is that?  Anyone?  Next up, if you haven't been introduced to Abbe's blog Studio Ten 25, go introduce yourself!  A fantastic designer and her master bedroom has been stuck in my mind for days!!
Who doesn't love a good before and after?   Well, I certainly do and both of these B & A's are kitchen related.  Casey, from Loft and Cottage, does a great play by play of her kitchen upgrades on a tight budget.  Go here for more.
Amy Meier also had a great kitchen before and after.  A true gut job, but with a warm and inviting finish.  Check out more here.  
Iomoi's lucite trays are on my christmas list!  Have they expanded their product line?  So much eye candy.......check it out!

And, speaking of Christmas, I leave with you this!!  I know it's early, but this definitely makes me excited!!  So colorful and happy!  
I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!  

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Erin Bell Photography

This year I wanted to have professional photos taken of our family.  Having never gone through this process, I was a little nervous - especially since friends have described unpleasant experiences.  But I forged ahead and struck gold.  
When I found Erin Bell Photography, I immediately fell in love with her portfolio.  Her style is to capture candid, interactive moments.  She produces photos that genuinely capture the way people relate to one another.  
Working with Erin far exceeded my expectations.  She and her team are so "on it".  It's incredible.  Everything was perfect, from the responsive and pleasant email exchanges to our photographer's (Lisa's) efforts to make the photo shoot fun and relaxing.
Seriously, I cannot overstate how talented and professional Erin and her team are.  If you're looking for a photographer in this area, I highly recommend her.  Thanks Erin!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Blue & Green

I am taking an e-Color course that I won as a giveaway and it has opened my eyes to the world of color.  Every time I look at an interior shot, I immediately notice the color palette.  I've been enjoying pinpointing the color combos so much that I've stared saving my pics by the room type and by the color palette used in the room.  
Domino
Domino
Domino
And, did you notice the variety of accents used - pink, orange, yellow, etc.  So, any favorite color combos you've been loving lately?  

Note:  Thank you all for your incredibly sweet comments about our new house paint job - seriously, I was overwhelmed by the response!!  It made my day!