Friday, June 28, 2013

Friday Five


  1.  This pineapple skirt from J Crew pretty much made my entire week. I never post outfit
selfies so that should tell you something.

2. I have been doing some major summer reading. I just started this collection of essays from David Sedaris and it does not disappoint. 

3. I have been helping a good friend with her kitchen renovation.  It is finally finished and pretty much the most jaw dropping kitchen I have ever seen in real life. 
They are still getting settled in but I hope to share THIS amazingess with you very soon!

4. Everything from Troubadour is 40% off right now with the coupon code SUMMERSALE40. 

5.This giveaway is almost too good to be true. 
For more details, check it out on Kelly Market.



Thursday, June 27, 2013

Blogger Business


So if you did not already know, Google Friend Connect will no longer work as of Monday.  Thanks to Alex for reminding me. I am kind of devastated because that is the only way I know to follow blogs. I am not a huge fan of change BUT there is an easy way to keep following the blogs you love...

I am going to try and go through and add my favorite blogs today. What are some of your favorites? I am always looking for new blogs.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Decorating with Basil

"I'd rather have flowers on my table than diamonds on my neck."
-Emma Goldman

I have come to realize in my older age that I prefer little luxuries to big purchases. 
I will take flowers, candles, wine and good cheese any day over a new car or fancy house.
I went to a wedding a couple of weeks ago and they had basil in vases. I love the idea of greenery in the kitchen, not to mention it is handy for cooking and cheaper than flowers.  It's the little things...

Monday, June 24, 2013

Feeling Inspired | Mark D. Sikes

            This mix of old and new designed by Mark D. Sikes is haunting me.              


It is a combo of all the things I love. Mark D. Sikes + Gracie paper +blue and white chinoiserie.

That is all.


Weekend Recap: Poodle Party and some Chintz

 So this happened this weekend...
Long story short, I have been searching for a chintzy sofa for a while now. My blog friend Alex sent me a picture of the most amazing chintz sofa I have ever seen. I looked into getting it shipped from Chicago and quickly realized, the shipping was going to cost as much as the sofa. Last week my friend Jessica sent me pictures of some sofas on Craigslist that looked almost identical to the one Alex was selling. Our house literally looks like an episode of hoarders. There are sofas, chairs, poodles...EVERYWHERE.

 We had a full house this weekend. We ended up keeping my in-laws poodles and lucky for them every dog had a sofa.







 At this point, I need to rearrange my entire house to find a place for my new sofa. The stripes, leopard and floral  is a little aggressive, even for me. Our back den is my husbands only somewhat neutral room and I am afraid a floral sofa is going to send him over the edge. These are real life problems I am dealing with- chintz and poodles. I cannot complain.

Wednesday, June 19, 2013

Favorite One Piece Swimsuits




I am on the hunt for the perfect one piece. I need a little boost in bust area and something that can cover ever growing tush. This is the start of my hunt and I promise to let you know when I find the perfect suit. Recommendations welcome. 

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Anatomy of a Gallery Wall | Affordable Artwork




After 3 years I am finally starting to love my gallery wall. It is not something you can put together over night and the best ones are usually made up of pieces you cannot live without. 

Our gallery wall
_____________
Bad Taste Quote Print  $25 | Prada Palazzo Italian Landscape $28 | Oil Flower Painting thrifted $25
"Window of Innocence" Pastel Nude available in affordable prints upon request
Draw the Line Fashion Illustration $28 | Italian Painting painted by Doug's grandfather
Lulie Wallace Print $45 (sold out)

The federal mirror is from one of my favorite stores in Raleigh called Studio 123 in Seaboard Station. They have a ton of wonderful investment pieces that will not break the bank.  The sconces are thrifted from Habitat Restore. 

Some more of my favorite pieces...








My favorite place to find affordable, original artwork is searching local thrift stores, estate sales and the flea market. What are some of your favorite spots for affordable art? I am always looking for new sources and artists. 




Thursday, June 13, 2013

Wallpaper Wednesday


Some of my favorite fabrics from Spoonflower are now available in wallpaper. 
This mud cloth design reminds me so much of Anna Spiro's for a fraction of the price. 

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

Wedding Season | Favorite Dresses


| BASICS | Amanda Uprichard Shift | DVF Fleurette (this dress is so chic in person, it is my go to)
| DVF Cutout Dress (almost sold out)

 MAXI | Amanda Uprichard Maxi (i saw this at the wedding I was at this weekend and it is so cute on)
| Annie Griffin Mod Maxi | Black and White Tibi (on super sale)

PRETTY PRINTS| Tibi Shift | Shoshanna Seely | Mara Hoffman Shift (my BFF has this and I would like to steal it)

Like I said yesterday, I am a professional wedding goer lately. I am working with a budget and when it comes to spending $300 I would much prefer to spend it on a rug vs. a cocktail dress. I have finally broke down and started buying one really good looking cocktail dress each wedding season. Like home decor, I am always attracted to bright colors and playful patterns. What is your wedding style?

Monday, June 10, 2013

Wedding Weekends

We have been going to weddings this spring/summer like it is our job! 
I swear, all of our friends have taken things up a notch this year. This weekend we went to The Haw River Ballroom to celebrate our friends Dan and Stephanie. This is the second wedding in a row that ended up in a late night dance party. Not only did they throw one hell of a party it was the most genuine, heart felt weekend. I am so lucky to call you both friends. 




I am hoping to get some blogging in this week. Last week was my first week at the new job and I am still trying to get settled. 



Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Wallpaper Wednesday

Wallpaper belongs in bathrooms (or every room).


Monday, June 3, 2013

Bedroom| Decisions

Our master bedroom has made a lot of progress in the past couple weeks. I have always been a pillow person. I usually have anywhere from 6-8 pillows on my bed. It started to get exhausting so I wanted to simplify. I am trying to stick with the theme of working with what you have. The only new purchases included a quilt from HomeGoods and some monogrammed shams from Zhush. They made a huge impact in a neutral room. 



Now comes the part where I need your opinion. I have a pretty serious aversion to neutrals. I want to be neutral so bad but deep down I get bored. I contemplated putting my most recent flea market find over the bed to add some color.  (Excuse the art placement. I am too lazy to take down the mirror.)

Also, while I have your attention we really need to discuss these shams. I have been in the love with these since the day Luxury Monograms started, circa 2011. The picture on the website really does not do them justice. Personally, I thought it looked like the fabric was thin and cheap. I was so pleasantly surprised when they arrived. The fabric is thick and crisp and the monogram is very Leontine- esque.  I actually ended up ordering them through Zhush because she had a coupon code and I think Sue is cute. 


Cornices -  DIY
Panels - Ikea
Lamps - Nate Berkus 
Campaign Desk - Craigslist
Quilt - Homegoods
Duvet - Pottery Barn
Mirror -  Crate and Barrel 
Monogrammed Shams - Zhush 

Thoughts on what should go over the bed?

Weekend Snippets|Around Our House

During the summer months it is hard to find a free weekend to hit up the flea market. I scored a pretty painting and planter on Sunday. 

We finally painted our house. I am waiting on my husband to move his boat of the driveway to do a proper before and after. I will make sure to add some details about paint and a recommendation if you are looking for a painter in Raleigh. 

The world's slowest bedroom makeover is in progress. New additions include some Luxury Monogram shams. Pretty impressed with my ability to go beige.