Fashion Friday : I Want!

Not sure if I shared with you guys but the month of March I decided to ban myself from shopping- no clothes, no shoes, and no accessories.  All month long I've been pinning away at all the things I've been dying to get my hands on so in honor of it almost being April 1st- here is a little round up of what I've been eyeing up!

1.  Etsy- Littleglamour- Three Gold Initial Necklace

2.  Clare Vivier Flat Clutch Leopard

3.  Stowe Street Belle Modernist Cuff

4.  Zara Striped Jacket

5.  Karen Walker Perfect Day Sunglasses

6.  Anthropologie Textured Peplum Tank

7.  Gap 1969 Sexy Boyfriend Jeans

8.  bkr Glass Water Bottle - Bubble

9.  Tory Burch Amanda Leather Tote- Black

... looking at my list it's not very "summer"

oh well!

New Pillows for the Family Room

For the past few months I've been thinking about new pillows for the couch in our family room.  I want the sofa to feel "light and bright" and right now it's feeling "bleh and blah".

Ugh- sorry about the unflattering pic!  

Anyways, I fell in love with this floral pattern from P. Kaufmann- St Thomas in the colorway Parott

And from there I started pulling together some graphic patterns in complimentary colors.  I liked this combination best.  

Schumacher - Bleecker - Absinthe    Schumacher- Betwixt- Water   Thom Filicia- City Square- Limetree


All of the pillows are from the Etsy Shop - Spark Modern.  They have the best selection of throw pillows!

What do you think of my pillow choices?

Home Office Update

Exciting News!  Remember the chair that got away?  My countless trips to Homegoods paid off because I found it there this weekend!  (it's actually not the exact same one but I actually like this one more)
What better time than now to give you an updated tour of my home office!  Here's where it started.

My gorgeous Cynthia Rowley chair in all it's glory

World Market Josephine Desk | Target Crystal Ball Lamp (similar here)

InStyle Modern Molded White Plastic Rocker ( I won it from CopyCatChic!)

Ikat Throw Pillow from Homegoods

Ikea Kassett Storage Boxes

Etsy Love Print from LucaDesignz in Ikea Ribba Frame

C.Wonder French Bulldog Chevron Plate (similar here)

Here's the Question

Do I paint the legs white or are you ok with the black?   I'm thinking about leaving it as it is.

Gallery Wall Update

Over the weekend the prints I ordered from Mpix came and I was able to complete my gallery wall that I started a few weeks ago- check out my tips for hanging the frames here!  I'm so excited to share it with you all!

Ta-da!

They're mostly photos from our wedding and honeymoon.  And of course our furry daughter Olive!

Did you spot my new garden stool in those photos?
I was so excited to find this cream ceramic garden stool at Homegoods last weekend.  I think it's perfect as a little accent table but can also be brought outside when our outdoor lounge is complete.

Fashion Friday : J.Crew Liberty Collection

I'm changing things up this Fashion Friday with a current fashion trend and how it can translate to home decor.  J.Crew recently collaborated with the British print house Liberty.  Liberty is all about small, colorful floral prints.

via What Would Jen Wear

Here's a really great board from the super stylish fashion blogger Jen of What Would Jen Wear!  She actually did a whole post about the Liberty line here.

I'm always interested in how fashion and home decor influence each other.  Fun floral prints are a great way to bring some spring into your home!  Here are some of my favorite floral pieces inspired by Liberty!

Target Threshold Batik Shade | Zara Home Sophia Tray | Pottery Barn Jocelyn Duvet | Pier 1 Floral Stemware | Target Threshold Watercolor Floral Pillow | Victoria Upholstered Wingback Chair | Furbish Paule Marrot Flower Tray | Society Social Orangerie Rose

What do you guys think of floral prints?

Current Obsession: Bar Carts

Ok guys.  Current Obsession... Bar Carts.  I am completely obsessed with them- especially ones in gold faux bamboo!

via Society Social

There is something so classy and chic about a bar cart while being super functional all at the same time!  They can serve as an accent table like these beauties...

via Devon Rachel

via Mabel and Zora

In the current issue of HGTV Magazine, Roxy Te Ownes of Society Social's (one of my FAV online shops) home was featured and I love the way she used her Sedgewick bar cart as a side table to make the most of her small space.

via HGTV

via HGTV

So have I convinced you guys the amazingness of the bar cart?!

Mantle Styling

The mantle is the focal point in a room and can really make a statement about your space and how you want the room to feel.  No matter what your personal style there is one no-fail method to styling a mantle and its all based on a single shape- the triangle.  Keeping the objects on your mantle within the shape of the triangle will create a nicely balanced look.  

First start with a larger, focal piece- a mirror or art.  You can place it centered or slightly off center and it can be mounted to the wall or resting on the mantle- just make sure its your tallest piece, closest to center.  Next work your way out with smaller objects, they create the other two corners of the triangle.

In the photo below by Centsational Girl- she works out to the larger potted plant and apothecary jar then two smaller pieces at the furthest corners and then works her way back into the center with small pieces again- but never going above that center point made by the mirror.

Centsational Girl

 The mantle below from refresh restyle follows the same triangle shape but in a different style.  You'll notice with both mantles they used a mix of textures which also helps to make it interesting.

refresh restyle

 This mantle keeps it simple with minimal pieces but achieves great balance from the triangle- keeping it interesting by placing one vase on the left and two vases on the right.  It sounds backwards but unbalancing items will give a more balanced end result.

Here's my parents mantle that I styled a few weeks ago using all Homegoods items.  I started with a large mirror at the center and then went out to the sides with a candle stick and topiary and then created some layer by place the bird figurine in front of the mirror.

Keep the triangle in mind and you'll be styling your mantle like a pro!

Trina Turk at Macy's

Did you guys know Trina Turk has a home line at Macy's?  Was I the last to know?  I recently stumbled upon her line at Macy's and I gotta say I'm a little bit in love!  And even better- it's all on sale right now! 

If the warmer weather has got you craving color this is the line for you!

Some of my favorites...

Tangier Stripe

 Blue Peacock

Ikat

Trellis Coral

Fashion Friday : Saucy Glossie

This week's Fashion Friday features super talented Lindsey Calla of Saucy Glossie.   She has an amazing blog and best of all she styles outfits for a "real girl budget"!  I've been craving spring badly so when I saw her In the Air outfit I immediately got inspired!

I used her painted floral t-shirt as my inspiration for the color and kept everything soft and light!  I gave it a color punch with two yellow moroccan poufs- similar in color to her purse.  I love to use moroccan poufs to add color to a space.

West Elm Window Headboard White

Macy's Trina Turk Santorini White Bedding

Furbish Studio Fuschia Ikat Silk Pillow

Etsy Blue Dive Pillows Hand Painted Floral Pillow

Overstock Paradise Treasures Gold Garden Stool

Furbish Studio Everett Chair

Pottery Barn Park Mirrored Bedside Table

Lamps Plus Double Gourd Blue Lamp

Etsy Bazar Berber Set of 2 Moroccan Yellow Pouf

RugsUSA Tuscan Trellis Rug Sand

Make sure to check my Pinterest for other little gems that didn't make it onto the board!

Outdoor Lounge Design

I have a small deck in the back of our house and last year we had a dining table and 6 chairs.  We only used 2 of them and rarely ate outside.  We did however sit outside to read, hang out, and have "happy hours".  This year I decided I wanted something different so after selling our current set on craigslist (love you craigslist!) I am planning our new deck furniture and we're going lounge!  I didn't think we could afford to do a lounge set since they tend to be really expensive.

I love the Ventura Set from Crate and Barrel but really didn't want to spend the money.  The configuration we needed was going to be about $2,400!!  Yikes! 

When I was at IKEA a few weeks ago I spotted the ARHOLMA set!  It's perfect style, size and price!  Of course the quality is going to be far different than the Crate and Barrel set but I'm not looking for a forever outdoor set- just one we can use for the next few years or so.  

From there I started pinning some great outdoor lounge photos to get inspired.  I looked through dozens of outdoor fabric but kept going back to the indoor/outdoor fabric Trina Turk- Peacock.

Here's my design so far!

I love the cobalt blue and soft whites.  They make me feel like I'm on vacation at a trendy beach club!  The ottoman has an optional cushion so it can be used as a table or extra lounging space.  I chose a white ceramic garden stool so I can use it in my home during the winter months.

Ikea Arholma Sofa Combination with Cushions  $610

Ikea Karlso Umbrella $99

Etsy Shop 3BModLiving Trina Turk Peacock Pillow $50

Etsy Shop ArtisticCotton Navy and Cream Lattice Pillow $18

Etsy Shop Anyarwot Designs Blue Greek Key Pillow $17

(3) Amazon Indoor Outdoor Pillow Inserts $12

Overstock Paradise Tranquility White Ceramic Garden Stool $118

Zara Home Ranam Tray $60

Total Project $984

Can't wait to show you guys the finished space!

Kitchen Refresh

The warm weather this weekend got me in the mood for some spring cleaning.  My kitchen has been packing on the clutter pounds over the winter and it was time for a refresh.  I hate to have too many things on the counter top especially when I don't use them very often.

Here are the before photos

I rarely use the mixer and I felt like the dark purple utensil crock was bringing it down.  I love the look of the white kitchen trend but as you can see my kitchen is far from it.  I decided to clear the clutter and add some white to the mix!

The white utensil crock looks much better and I'm sure you can't tell from the photos but when I was making dinner last night I felt like I had a bigger kitchen with all of the counter space.  Adding some fresh tulips from the grocery store is an inexpensive way to brighten up a room.

About the photos on the side of the fridge- I'm sure you'll never see pictures in magazines with photos on the fridge but I really like to see them.  They don't feel that cluttered since they're not visible from a straight on view and I think it gives it a sense of family because after all this isn't a showroom- real people live here!

I'm on the search for something decorative to go in that corner behind the sink- it's a little dark back there without any under cabinet lighting but I think I'll stick with the white theme.   I'm also thinking about a runner and really love the Crate and Barrel Olin Grey Runner.

I have a major stripe addiction- can you tell?  But isn't it nice?!  It's just the right amount of modern for the kitchen.

Emily A. Clark is hosting a Link Up Party of "Working With What You Have"- head on over to see my link and a bunch of others!!