Inspiration + Weekend Reads

This is a really beautiful and simple centerpiece idea you might want to try for your next gathering. The frames could be painted to work with any party or flower theme!

I thought this was pretty good advice on building a wardrobe on a budget!

I wanted to arrange the flowers I got for Valentine’s Day like a pro and followed these great flower arranging tips.

These simple and straight forward tips on Managing your  Energy versus Managing your Time are right on target!

I just discovered this incredible crafting blog !

If you missed the looks presented during New York Fashion Week this video will live you a good recap.

Have a smashing weekend!

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Pattern Trend: Vintage Florals

I’ve seen vintage floral patterns everywhere I go.  No longer do they look outdated to me but instead they look fresh and nostalgic.  I love the romantic sense they can add to a space or an outfit and the happy feeling they convey. 

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So what’s not to love about vintage florals?!

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10 (little) Things to Love about Summer + 1

Boy is this year flying by at lightening speed.  The first day of summer is tomorrow and with that comes some of the best things life has to offer.

No matter how busy your schedule is, this summer take  time to enjoy a few of these fabulous summer luxuries…

Making S’mores over an open fire!

Carrying a bright and cheery summer beach bag (even if you’re not at the beach)!

Tart and tangy old-fashioned lemonade!  Try this classic recipe!

A fun and unexpected nail color!  Paired with a bright, bold handbag!

Outdoor dining!  Somehow food taste better when enjoyed under the summer sun.

A bike ride around town or just around the corner.  I promise you’ll feel like a kid again.

Fireworks on the 4th of July!  And, I dare you not to say “ooh” at least once!

The sun setting!  It’s always a magical sight.

Summer fruits!  I haven’t picked up my first watermelon of the season yet but word on the street is that this years crop is super sweet!

 

Fresh Flowers!  One of the easiest ways to brighten your surroundings.

Taking a road trip to someplace you’ve never been before! 

 

I’m so excited about the summer ahead.  I have lots of things I want to do and experience but above all I want to enjoy each day to the fullest and soak up the glorious sun!

 

So now that Summer is here, what luxury of the season do you have on your to-do list?

all images via pinterest

 

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A Party Inspired by Kim Seybert

Are you familiar with Kim Seybert products?  If you are, you know how incredibly beautiful her pieces are.  If not, I’m happy to introduce them to you!

Kim Seybert is one of the leading textile and tabletop designers in the US.  Her products are bold and dynamic and her use of color and textures is breathtaking.  I have a few of her pieces and love to use them when I  have a special dinner or intimate party.  Given that we are in the midst of party season, indoors and out, I thought I’d create a few party inspiration boards inspired by the Kim Seybert line to get your party planning kicked into high gear! 

Be inspired and Enjoy!

If a Summer Soriee is on your calendar, why not make it as bold and bright as the summer sun? 

 Inspired by the Kim Seybert Caviar Collection  with round placemats in bright colors, graphic print napkins and pop rock napkin rings your summer bash is sure to be a lively one. 

 Add in a few iconic elements of summer like ice cream cones as flower vases or paper popsicle invitations and the tone for your party will be set.  I love the idea of hula hoops wrapped in decorative tape, metal folding chairs painted in primary brights and colorful treats to feast on.  Create a quick and easy tablecloth by painting wide stripes on a canvas drop cloth and you’re ready to go! 

Let the festivities begin!

 What is summer without a fun BBQ party??  I Love to BBQ and adding a little style to a casual outdoor party can be so much fun.  Paper Tassel Garland is a fun decorative touch and grouping colorful flowers in a metal sand pails (available from the dollar store)  will keep the decor festive!  To really make your table stand out use plaid melamine plates along with Kim Seybert Seersucker Napkins–how fun!  And, no summer BBQ is complete without lemonade served in mason jars with festive straws, popsicle with champagne (bubbly cider for the young ones) and cupcakes in the color of the rainbow! 

Get the grill going and have fun!

Tassel Garland DIY Tutorial for all you crafty type. 

Plaid Melamine Plates source!

For the celebrations that call for a bit more sophistication, the Kim Seybert Gold Collection is perfect.  I love the Nail head and Capiz Placemats, the Crochet Edge Napkin and the Pearl and Super Nova Napkin Rings.  For an elegant centerpiece, spray paint a clear glass thrift store vases gold and scatter iridescent pink and white balloons around the room.  Overhead, hang a grouping of gold paper fans and top of the table decor with a stunning gold and pink tiered cake and Kim Seybert ed Paillette drinkwear embellished in gold. 

 Gold is a surefire way to add “glam” to your gathering!

Gold Paper Fan Garland can be found here!

So now that I’ve got you thinking about the decor for your next party, head here to check out the full line of Kim Seybert products. Items are sold at Neiman Marcus, Barney’s, Bergdorf Goodman and select specialty stores across the country.

 

So, what’s the theme of your next big bash????

 

 

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Blooms

This week is going to be a hectic one, so I thought I’d start off the week with some beautiful flower images.  Florals are a hot trend right now and with spring in full swing, it’s the perfect time to infuse a few blooms into your wardrobe, decor or everyday life. 

Happy Monday!

Leather Bouquet Necklace by BijuBrill via Etsy

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Congratulations to the winners of my Birthday Week Giveaways! 

 Clipboard winner–Dorothy Bare

Ribbon Sampler winner–Susan Dean

Handcrafted Journal winner–Deborah Milo

Diamond and Baratta Book winner–Allison from fabrehabcreations.blogspot.com

 all winners have been notified by email

{all winners were chosen at random using random.org}

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Room(s) of The Week

Since most of the country is having unseasonably warm weather now, I know that many of you have your outdoor living spaces on your mind.  During the warmer months, I love nothing more than to spend time outside with a glass of  tea and a stack of magazines.  And, I especially love it when the outdoor space I’m in has as much style and flair as an interior room.  Check out these fabulous outdoor spaces and a few tips I have on making the most of yours!

I love the idea of using outdoor furniture styles that look as though they are meant for the inside.  No longer do you just have to settle for wicker or wicker-like furniture for your outdoor space. This space is stylish, elegant and oozes of comfort.

• Look for weather resistant metal tables or how about outfitting a round fire pit with a wood or metal top to create a table.  When the fire pit is needed just remove the top and you have instant ambience.
• Check on-line specialty stores like Bellacor.com which offers a great selection of outdoor table and floor lamps which have all the style and quality of indoor lighting. 
• Go bold and bright with your pillows.  There’s not better way to energize an outdoor space than with fun and vibrant pillows.  I love the selection of indoor/outdoor fabrics from Calico Corners (just a sampling in the photo below).

via Calico Corners

 

I love the cheery feel that this small but impactful outdoor space has.  Bright colors, lots of flowers and a mix of textures add to the personality of this space.

• When it comes to flower pots and containers, mix and match.  Use a variety of colors, mix metal with ceramic and add pieces with detail.
• Garden Stools are one of my favorite outdoor pieces.  Not only are they practical but there are so many styles and colors to choose from.  Two of my favorite sources for stools are  Wisteria and Home Decor Direct.  And here are a few of my favorite styles…

Turquoise Cane Pattern Garden Stool–Home Decor Direct

 

Carved Stool–Wisteria

• And finally, every outdoor space needs a beautiful serving tray.  I’m loving the large acrylic tray (monogram available) from The Zhush!

And while you’re at it, add in a set of these “oh so cute”  acrylic gingham plaid Salad Servers to serve up your spring salad.  Also available from The Zhush.

 

Now’s the perfect time to take advantage of the warm weather and get your outdoor space together, just in time for the weekend!

 

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Table for Two–Valentines 2012

I mentioned last week that the hubby and I have decided to make Valentines a quiet evening at home.  We’re planning a special dinner so I created a pretty Valentines tablescape just for the occasion.

Since I don’t typically decorate for Valentines and don’t have much of anything in the way of Valentines decor, I decided to use elements I already had and see how I could dress things up with decorative scrapbook paper.

To create the centerpiece, I gathered together several glass vases and wrapped a band of Valentines themed paper around each one.  I purposely used several different sizes and shapes of vases to give the entire centerpiece arrangement more dimension.  Four of my vases hold flowers and the rest, including the small votive holders are all for candles.

My place settings were really simple to pull together.  Red cloth napkins placed on the diagonal are used in place of traditional placemats.  I placed additional napkins to the left and right to add more color to the table and to frame the vases.  I placed a square white plate ($3.00 from HomeGoods) on top of the napkin and added a red and white floral plate on top.  The floral plates were purchased from Target for $1.62 each (yeah SALE)!

The napkins are folded accordion style and wrapped in the center with a band of the decorative paper.  A King and Queen playing card are used as placecards.

The view from above…

Close up of the flowers…

I used a mix of flowers, all red and white of course and especially love the fluffy white hydrangea stems and the red tulips.  Most of these flowers should hold up until next Tuesday, but if not, I’ll add a few new stems to keep the table looking pretty.

 

I am so happy with the way my Valentines table turned out.   Lots of fun patterns, beautiful flowers and  the perfect setting to share the day of love with MY LOVE!

 

Do you have any special plans for Valentines?

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Are You Ready?

While it’s only September 5th, I’m ready for the temperatures to drop and the leaves to change. While we may not be able to control the weather, we can begin to make changes within our home to usher in Fall. 

Infusing a bit of Fall into your decor is as simple as this…

1. Add in a few warm, spice tones.  Changing out pillows on the sofa is a quick and easy way to transition for one season to the next.
2. Add layers with throw blankets.  Pull out a textured, plush throw and drape it across the arm of a chair or the foot of the bed.
3. Change out some artwork.  Replace bolder pieces of art for pieces with warmer, richer colors. Try framing decorative fabric, wrapping paper or scrapbook paper in inexpensive Ikea frames.
4. Look at replacing a white or neutral lampshade with a black, dark brown or linen shade. 
5. Change out your area rugs or add one if your floors have gone bare all summer.  Rugs will make a space feel cozy and more intimate.
6. Paint–while time-consuming, painting your walls or just one accent wall in a fall inspired color will add instant warmth.
7. Light the candles and use beautiful bunches of fall flowers to enhance your tabletop arrangements.

For those of you like me, ready for summer to fade away and those of you that may not have embraced the idea of Fall yet, I think these images will add fuel to your fire. 

Enjoy and be inspired which ever side of the fence you’re on.

Love the orange pillows and how easily they work with red accents.

This room is pure warmth and coziness.  Love all the textured pillows on the sofa and that fluffy rug.

The orange accents really give the space added style, while making the color palette rich and warm.

So simple, but so cozy!

So beautiful how orange, brown, citrus green, off-white and a pop of red work together to give this space depth.

Love all the textures!

Cool colors and warm colors create a beautiful look!  The orange pillows tie it all together.

All it takes is a single pop of color.

Such an eclectic mix of color and pattern–stunning!

A single color carried throughout the room–lovely!

Love how this small corner was turned into a stunning art display, set off by the pumpkin walls.

Even a play room can have a sophisticated fall feeling.

Love the rug.  I can see a sisal for spring/summer and this gorgeous pattern for the fall/winter.

Texture, color and layers…it’s that easy!

 

Are you ready for Fall?  What changes will you be making with your decor?

 

all images via pinterest.  For more inspiraton check out my Pinterest boards here!

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