Mad for Plaid

Oh, Monday.  Why do you have to roll around so quickly?  Don't you know that I want to sleep in?  I didn't get to this weekend.  Not at all.  Saturday morning Alli ran in to my room at 6:47 and woke me up, warning me how late it was, and that we had better hurry or we would be late for school/work.  It took me a minute to convince her that there was no school, as it was Saturday.  And that was that.  Sunday I had to be up and out of the house early too.
So anyway.  New week.  New set of things to do and get done.  I recently ordered some stuff for Alli from Forever 21.  I had to make it up to a certain amount for free shipping (this makes buying more things totally justifiable, yes?), so I went ahead and bought something for myself: a cute little pair of plaid shoes.  I thought they would be a fun way to work the plaid trend into my wardrobe without going crazy.  I also want to add the necklace below; I almost bought it when I bought the shoes, but decided I could just go to the store and see it in person to make sure that I like it just as much as I liked it online.  I still haven't made it to the store yet, but there's still time!

Mad for Plaid 

Blouse / Hive & Honey military coat / Forever 21 flat / Forever 21 necklace / Forever 21 hair accessory / Joie Day Dreaming | Piperlime / FOREVER 21 GIRLS Rodeo Plaid Shirt (Kids) / Sperry Top-Sider Lola | Piperlime

Oh- the shoes I got are the bottom ones.  And how great is that jacket?!
I hope your week is off to a great start!

Sunday Sweetness

My little Gwenna is all decked out for Fall!  I got her this faux leather jacket at Target (not available online) and also the black lace-up boots buy here.  The polka dot sweater was from Forever 21 similar here.  I love this trendy little look on her.  She is more ready for the season than I am.  Isn't that just the way, though?

 The weather here has been so perfect!  It's cool in the mornings and evenings and warm in the afternoons.  The best part...no wind.
We are headed to the park.
Have a really beautiful day today!

 

Inspiration: Kitchen Islands

So last weekend Rebecca and Ty came over and worked on my island and my kitchen table.  My homework was to figure out what trim I like for the island, which is getting an update.  I trust Rebecca completely with these decisions, so I trust when she asks me to find what I like.

Houzz.com

Traditional Kitchen by Lititz Kitchen & Bath Designers Kitchens by Eileen

Rustic Kitchen by Edina Design-Build Firms w.b. builders

image via Cavanaugh Design Group

Are you seeing a pattern with all of these islands?!  I will be happy with whatever Rebecca and Ty do, but there does seem to be a definite trend in what I am liking- simple (now, I don't know how "simple" it will actually be to recreate!), classic, and gorgeous.

image via 

This last one is not because of the detail on the island; I just love this space.  It is gorgeous.  I am love, love, loving the black island.  I love it.  I can't stress that enough.  I think it looks gorgeous!

Hope you are all having a great weekend!

Current Obsession:Sideboards

There is this one spot in my dining room, under a large mirror, that desperately needs to be filled.  You got it--I need a sideboard or long console table.  I have needed this intregal piece for years but haven't found the right one or the right one has the wrong price tag. Also, I'm not entirely sure what I am looking for: Is it white or wood?  Anyway, I've really become obsessed with the hunt for this piece that will complete the look and function of my family dining room.

housebeautiful.com

simplifiedbee.com

sarahrichardsondesign.com

Below are a few options that are currently on the market:

sideboards by desertgirls featuring walnut furniture

Walnut furniture / Restoration Hardware sideboard

Which would you choose?

Have a wonderful day, because it's Friday!!

Feeling Foxy

Feeling Foxy

Threshold™ Fox and Floral Appetizer Plates Set of 8 : Target / Bar tool / Serveware / Fox home decor / Home decor / Office supply / Threshold Container Candle / Country home decor / Christopher Fischer cashmere sweater / Joules animal intarsia sweater, $110 / Three quarter length sleeve top / baby shower card - gold foil foxy mama letterpress card / Huge Running Fox Primitive Style Trade sign Kids room Decor, Bar,... / Festive Fox Cocktail Napkins in Sale SHOP Kitchen+Dining at Terrain / Threshold Fox Figural / Threshold™ Fox Figural : Target

Just thought I'd share some of my foxy loves.  I have a couple of the items above; my sister picked up the tan sweater for me (on the left) for a steal at jcp; the two wooden foxes I got the last time I was at Target.  I want that tray; I love it in person, and I am addicted to trays.  I also happen to love that wooden fox sign by Vintique & Co.  And I love the pillow.  Oh, that's right; I made this little collage, so I think it's safe to say that I pretty much love everything on it!

New Fall Pillow Covers & DIY Preview

 I have this amazing mom who has always helped me with sewing projects.  When I say help, I really mean that she does them for me.  Well, finally I am learning to sew!  She stepped me through the process, but I did a lot of these pillows myself and learned so much.

I thought I would do something very different for pillows this fall.  I chose this black antique velvet, buy here ,and a subtle multi-color paisley buy here.  I plan to make more pillows in the black velvet for my wing chairs.  Usually I do a mix of fabrics so that every pillow cover is different but coordinated, a la Sarah Richardson, but this time I thought I would do them mostly the same.  I think the black is enough of a design statement in my light living room.

 I'm really happy with the result!

 Okay.  A neighbor gave us this antique armoire for free--wasn't that nice--and I have big  plans for it.

I'm thinking that we will fit the inside to be an entertaining station: appetizer plates and forks, wine glasses, napkins, table clothes etc.  I think we will also retrofit wine storage in here.  Anyway, I think the exterior will be a soft grey and the interior, well, I'm thinking something a bit surprising and dramatic.

I'll keep you posted!  This should be fun.

What I Got: Oval Back Chairs

Rebecca and her husband came over to my house on Sunday to work on some projects for me.  I'm not kidding when I say I am extremely lucky to count these two as friends.  Ty is working on updating my kitchen island by enclosing the stucco side in wood and finishing it out in trim (and attaching my wood counter top!), and Rebecca was finishing up painting my thrifted table that I got for a song at a local thrift store.
They are good people, and I am one lucky girl.  My house is coming along so nicely, and it is going to be even nicer with the addition of the chairs I picked up at TJ Maxx and Marshall's.

Medallion Oval Back Dining Chair
Kathy Kuo Home

Originally Rebecca and I saw some of these chairs in a gorgeous blue, almost the exact same color as the walls in my formal living room, and we thought they would look so great in the kitchen eating area.  They pull the wall color from the adjacent room into the kitchen and family room area.
They were $100 each and they only had 2 of the blue and a bunch of the linen (like above).  I waited, unsure, until Rebecca convinced me that 2 blue and 2 linen would look great too.  So I headed over to the store and picked up the chairs- each marked down to $70.
When I got them home, I discovered that I also really loved the linen ones in the formal dining room, so I headed back to TJ Maxx to pick up the other two they had had in stock.  Only one was left.  I bought it anyway, hoping that Marshall's still had these chairs.
I went over there after work and they had a blue one.  Rebecca and I had been talking about how great it would be to have all blue, so I snatched it up.  I then asked Kim H., a Marshall's worker whom I now love, if they had any in the back.  She was so sweet and said she would check for me, and would bring what she had even if she had to walk down stairs with it cause she liked my outfit.  (I told you that I now love this girl, right?!)  She came back with another blue chair!  I was ecstatic!  I could not believe my luck.  I now have a complete set of blue chairs for my kitchen table, and am only one short in the linen color for the dining room.
My fingers are crossed that my good luck will continue!
This was such a great way to start the week!

What I Love: Tassels

I love a good tassel be it leather, chain, horsehair, or whatever.  Tassels have such a glam 20's vibe that still feels current.  I at least need a leather tassel key chain and a gold tassel necklace.  Well, I need some tasseled loafers too.  That's all!

What I Love: Tassels by desertgirls featuring a black fringe purse

Prada loafer / Jack Rogers leather flat shoes / Henri Bendel black fringe purse / Necklace / Rachel Zoe curb chain necklace / Bracelet, $18 / Rachel Zoe jewelry / Brahmin / Accent table

Are you into tassels right now too?

Time for a Classic: Coach

I remember a few years ago when Coach bags were EVERYWHERE.  Do you know the ones I am talking about?  I mean the ones that said COACH all over them.  They shouted it.  Announced themselves to the world.  I will admit, I wanted one.  I really did think that my life would be complete if I could just get my hands on one.  And I did.  And I did really love that bag.  But then a little time passed, and I realized that that bag just wasn't really me.  I have never been a huge logo kind of girl.  I don't like walking around looking like a living billboard.  I might find a piece of clothing that I love, but if it has the designer's name emblazoned across the front, it does not come home with me.
Now, there are exceptions, of course.  Louis Vuitton's iconic monogram and the Chanel name are two brands I would gladly carry!
Anyway.  Back to Coach.  I love that they have reissued some of their classic designs.  They are chic and timeless, and I love the twist on some of them, with their updated colors.

Coach

Coach handbag / Coach tote bag / Coach structured satchel / Blue satchel handbag / Coach felt purse / Coach handbag / Coach handbag / Coach handbag

Always Classic: Ralph Lauren

When I think of timeless style and design I think of Ralph Lauren.  When you take a look at the spaces he has created over the past 35 years, it can be difficult to tell which ones are more current and which are older.  Lauren began his career in 1967 with the design of men's neckties.  He broadened to a full menswear line along with a women's line.  After that he turned to interior design.  Everything he did was a success (he even knew Cary Grant, and this fact alone makes him okay with me).  I absolutely love his interior creations.  They are always a great mix of opulence, British Colonial flare and American rusticism.  They are also cozy and intimate; which makes me think of Fall.

niagaranovice.blogspot.com

designsavvyofnj.blogspot.com

housebeautiful.com

saffronmarigold.com

contentathome.com

hauteindoorcouture.blogspot.com

stylebeat.blogspot.com

ralphlaurenhome.com

decorology.blogspot.com

lairdmackintosh.com

Ralph Lauren is so inspiring to me.  I hope he lives forever.

Have a wonderful weekend, and smile--It's Fall!

Friday Funnies

Friday is almost over, but I thought I would try to get one little post in.  Last night instead of going to bed, I decided to stay up and watch some youtube videos.  Some of them are pretty hilarious.  They are definitely worth checking out!

It's pretty funny stuff, and it doesn't hurt that the actor playing the student is pretty. damn. hot.
Enjoy!
Lori

Black and White

image via Glitter & Pearls

I just thought I would leave you with this one image of a rather perfectly done black and white room.  I love the gold accents, don't you?
Happy Thursday!
Lori

Blue Elephant Cocktail Table

At a local antique shop, I have often walked by this elephant planter and thought about buying it.  I really didn't need another planter, though.  I wondered if I could turn him into a little table but what would I use for a top?  On my latest trip over to said shop I again walked by Mr. Elephant and had the same buying impulse only to continue on by.  In another part of the shop lay a round piece of marble for $18.  Done.  I brought them both home and put them together, never to be parted.  I thought I would paint Elephant white so that it looked more like one piece with the top but...

My friend Ryan challenged me to go bold.  My first impulse was to paint him hot pink to contrast with my blue accents.  Nothing would start a conversation like a pink elephant cocktail table--but I couldn't find the right shade of pink.  I settled for the same blue as my accent planters and the gates in my backyard ("Homecoming Blue"by Valspar).  He blends in nicely now.

I think a blue elephant table is just what my patio needed:)  Although, I'm thinking he will be many different colors throughout the years.  

Have a wonderful day!