Oh Joy! I woke up this morning feeling great knowing that it's Friday and the weekend is almost here. And because I was finally able ...
It's all about pops of color and bold prints & patterns this year. I, for one, am one happy gal about this trend in fashion and home decor. I've always been a fan of bold, statement-y pieces so this trend definitely makes life easier now that every retailer is offering products with eye-catching colors and prints. These are just a few of the items that I've come across that I think make a statement. I'll be doing more of these boards since they're so fun to create. Hope you like what I've found!
{ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 , & 8 ,} It's all about pops of color and bold prints & patterns this year. I, for one, am one hap...
I'm sure most of you have noticed that I am a big fan of Jayes Studio. I didn't know about them until they had a sale on One Kings Lane a while ago but I'm glad I know about them now. I picked up one of their lovely cachepots (the yellow scallop design one) during the OKL sale and will be putting it in the nursery as a mini catch-all of sorts. Now I've got a reason to get something else from them because they've got this big sale going on until March 31st where they're giving you 20% off your entire order! Use the code MM2012 at checkout to apply the discount. Hurry on up to grab your favorite goodies!
And as if this sale wasn't good news enough, on April 5th (my 30th birthday, eek!) I will be hosting a Jayes Studio Giveaway so make sure to check out Proper Hunt that day so you can find out how to win the giveaway item.
Happy Tuesday!
I'm sure most of you have noticed that I am a big fan of Jayes Studio . I didn't know about them until they had a sale on One King...
$99.00 – $499.00
Ever since we signed up for baby registries, we've gotten all sorts of emails and catalogs from kid retailers. Not that I mind one bit since I can get ideas for the nursery, but I will say that most of the time, its all the same kind of stuff that they're trying to sell you. Well, the other day I received the Pottery Barn Kids catalog and figured it would have the same 'ol things I've seen online, but I just thought I would glance through it while eating lunch. SO glad I did, because I came across a very good find, not just for nurseries but for any room in your home. The Chevron Dhurrie Rug that PBKids offers is so affordable and comes in adult-friendly colors, I still can't believe how affordable it is (an 8"X10" for $499!). This rug could go anywhere. I would use it in an entry way or in the kitchen if I had extra money to spare. Hurry and get yours before they're backordered completely (they've already started backordering for some of them).
Happy Friday everyone!
Chevron Rug in Navy $99.00 – $499.00 Ever since we signed up for baby registries, we've gotten all sorts of emails and catalogs from k...
Boy, what a productive day yesterday was! It initially didn't start out that way. I didn't wake up feel like my perky self because yesterday morning was rather gloomy – I guess I was really getting used to waking up to sunshine! Strange, I know, but I am all about sunshine every day, all day and when I don't get it, I somehow lose all sorts of motivation and energy. The plan for yesterday was to sand and paint the spackled part of the nursery closet (Project 'Wall Stencil') and just leave it at that, but it turned out that the paint dried much quicker than I had anticipated so I was able to start the stenciling process a day early. Like I said before, I initially had no motivation whatsoever yesterday to do anything, but I wanted to prove to Steve that the amount of effort going into the wall stenciling project would be worth the beautiful result. And as usual (I kid, I kid) I was right! The stenciling turned out even better than I had expected and I honestly prefer it over the wallpaper that I had originally chosen for the nursery closet.
The whole process from start to finish took me almost 4 hours to complete. I expect it could've taken less than that, but I'm 34 weeks pregnant and can't really move around as quickly as I used to. Those of you who are not pregnant could probably finish this in under 4 hours for sure. Also, I would not recommend 34 week pregnant women to attempt this unless you have crazy motivation and a strong desire to prove your husband wrong! I chose Martha Stewart's Precious Metals Paint in Tiger's Eye:
My weapons of choice for the project included a painting mask (so I don't inhale paint fumes since I'm pregnant), painter's tape, repositionable spray adhesive, stencil brushes, a mini roller, and a fan. I know what you're thinking, it's not safe for a pregnant woman to paint especially if the paint isn't low or no VOC paint, but I am too stubborn and impatient to have my husband do it (plus he really didn't want to at all). So I made sure that the window in the nursery was open the whole time and I had the fan on to circulate the air. I also made sure to leave the room as soon as I was done painting one coat at a time. And yes, I had the mask on the whole time I was in the room.
It was a bit back-breaking to say the least, but SO worth it. I would highly recommend wall stenciling if wallpapering is not in the cards for you. Even though it took me a while, it was nowhere as difficult as I thought it would be, and it's instant gratification so you can't beat that.
And the reveal...
We'll be adding the closet shelves this weekend so I'll be sure to post photos of that next week!
Rockin Roses Boy, what a productive day yesterday was! It initially didn't start out that way. I didn't wake up feel like my perky...
Last night, I had a bit of a mini panic attack. There's only 2 weeks left before my baby shower (feted by my 3 besties & family) and we still have so much left to do to get the nursery completed! We're hoping to have it done by then since people will be coming over and will probably want to see it, so that has been our goal ever since we knew the date of the shower. But I'm starting to wonder if we'll get everything in order by then - the crib still needs to be built, the carpet needs to be steam cleaned, the ceiling light needs to be installed, and the list goes on my friends.
I did receive the wall stencil for the nursery closet last week, but because we had to pull out sinkers (there are 5 holes in the closet wall right now, eek!), the wall stenciling project has been a bit of a pain in the arse to say the least. I will be spackling today as well as letting it dry, and then hopefully tomorrow we can sand it down to paint it. Then after that, I can start wall stenciling the beautiful rose pattern I found on Etsy. Pain in the arse, right? But I know it'll be worth it so I'm just thinking of the outcome, not so much the process.
We did, however, make some progress this weekend, which was that we spruced up our deck. Why the deck and not the nursery you ask? Well, the weather was so amazing this past weekend that we were finally inspired to install flower boxes to the railing of our deck. Oh, it only took us almost 4 years since we moved in to do this, but we finally added some color (and privacy) to the deck with the flower boxes. We live in a townhouse and our deck is surrounded by our neighbors decks on both sides and across the way, so adding the flower boxes has really improved the deck experience. Check out Steve's handy work!
Last night, I had a bit of a mini panic attack. There's only 2 weeks left before my baby shower (feted by my 3 besties & family) a...
$24.99 - $34.99
West Elm is having a Flash Sale on some of their bedding items, but only for today so hurry on over to their site (or store) to get a great deal! Things are already starting to sell out pretty fast!
$9.99 - $34.99
$24.99 - $34.99
Organic Carved Circles in Maize/White $24.99 - $34.99 West Elm is having a Flash Sale on some of their bedding items, but only for today ...
Are any of you mommas heading over to the BabyGap/GapKids today? Or have you already shopped online to snag some of the cute Diane Von Furstenberg Exclusive Collection goodies? I'm already purchasing a few things online, but definitely plan on heading to the mall after my prenatal appointment today. DVF is one of my all-time favorite designers (although I can't really afford her goods at all) and so if I can't get my hands on her clothes, at least I can indulge my little girl!
DVF ♥ BabyGap Are any of you mommas heading over to the BabyGap/GapKids today? Or have you already shopped online to snag some of the cute ...
On days like today when the weather is absolutely gorgeous (mid 70s, blue skies, lots of sun, & a light breeze), it just reminds me so much of the weather in Nice, France. We visited Nice (with side jaunts to Avignon & Monaco) last April. It seems like such a long time ago, but I definitely remember how perfect the weather was. And since we live in a waterfront town, when the weather is nice like it is today, it really feels like I could be in Nice instead of Annapolis. Though with today's weather I am one happy camper, I still fondly think of the short time we spent in Nice.
I know that when we got back from Nice last year, I showed you a few photos from the trip but I don't think I ever shared with you the photos of the amazing apartment that we stayed in. We were lucky enough to stay (for free!) at my brother-in-law's childhood friend's apartment for a week and boy was it chic! It's funny cause when we got to the apartment building and started our ascent up the 4 story stairwell, we got a tad worried because it literally looked like the building was starting to crumble and fall apart (actually, the building was built in the 17th century I believe). But the minute the door opened to the apartment, our jaws dropped because the apartment was modern, chic, and just absolute perfection.
Here's to hoping that one day we will return to Nice for another lovely trip!
Those leather chairs made me a believer in leather furniture.
Recognize those light fixtures? They're in Chuck Bass' apartment on Gossip Girl.
Our view from the kitchen/dining room windows. Gorgeous, no?
On days like today when the weather is absolutely gorgeous (mid 70s, blue skies, lots of sun, & a light breeze), it just reminds me so ...
Oh, where do I begin? Jen Ramos of MadeByGirl, is an entrepreneur, artist, & blogger, and is just one cool gal. She seems to do it all, and with such style and ease. It almost makes me Kelly green with envy. Okay, it totally makes me Kelly green with envy.
I was lucky enough to receive one of her 8"x10" paintings for Christmas last year and I am hoping to get one of her larger ones sometime soon. They are absolutely gorgeous and the color combinations she chooses are impeccable. Just last night I received an email from her at 10pm letting her subscribers know that she had added more paintings (including 2 large ones) to her site. Sadly for me, by the time I checked her site out at 10:46pm, the 2 large ones had already sold out! I know, I should've checked my email earlier but I was getting ready for bed and totally didn't hear my phone buzz. Lesson learned though because I will be on high alert the next time she announces that she is about to add more paintings to her site. To soothe my frustrations on missing out on the 2 large paintings, I purchased another original art offering of hers - Painted Notecards. They're just as gorgeous as her paintings and have a lovely Bible verse printed on them. I think I will definitely frame one and place it in the nursery.
Cocoa and Hearts Oh, where do I begin? Jen Ramos of MadeByGirl , is an entrepreneur , artist , & blogger , and is just one cool gal. ...
Yup, that's right! I've decided to start a new feature on Proper Hunt. I come across so many good deals & well-priced home products out there that I've just got to share them with you as often as I can. I'll try to keep this feature to a weekly basis, but don't be surprised if I find more than one item a week.
And to start things off right, I think this Home Decorators Intertwine Area Rug would look great anywhere. It's offered in 2 other colors (Terra and Light Brown) and is on sale right now ($159 for a 3'6" X 5'6" rug). I could see it going in a beach house or in a white-walled room to add some color to ground the space. The possibilities are endless and at this price point, why not try it out in your home?
Hope you guys enjoy this new feature and let me know if you have any comments or ideas to add to make it better! Happy Monday everyone!
Blue Intertwine Area Rug Yup, that's right! I've decided to start a new feature on Proper Hunt. I come across so many good deals &...
I bet you've definitely seen the image above before. It epitomizes what we all think (or maybe just what I think) the perfect office would look like. Chic, organized, and having just the right amount of color & pattern to get its occupant's creative juices flowing. I decided to explore who was responsible for creating such a fantastic office space - they clearly know how to interplay color, pattern, and texture in a harmonious way - so that I could admire and be inspired by their other designs.
Drumroll please. The image above is actually the office of Burnham Design. Principal designer & founder, Betsy Burnham, is my kind of designer. She infuses her LA sensibility of approachability & warmth into her designs, all the while keeping them sophisticated and fresh. As different as some of the images below may be, I love every single one of them. Each image has within it a design element that I love: whimsy, eclecticism, pops of color, a sense of quietness, warmth, sophistication. It's pretty amazing when one design house can accomplish all of those characteristics in their portfolio, wouldn't you say? Which is why I just had to do a Bulletin Board feature on them. Which of the images would you say represents your style the most?
Another white-walled office - I think the universe is trying to tell me something... I bet you've definitely seen the image above befor...