Monday, January 31, 2011

Monday Color Moods: Beechwood

I have been inspired by these....

J.Crew's beechwood Corrine booties.
Is it me or does it seem that neutral is making a big hit for 2011? I am really feeling a love for this color...or color tone, because neutral comes in MANY shades.

Here's what these amazing tones have to offer....


(Look at that ceiling!)


(Neutral with pops of pink)

(Notice the plank ceiling? And the beautiful olive colored cabinets)




I think metallic can be considered neutral.


Images via Rue, xJavierx, Frank Roop

Are you feeling the love for neutral?

Saturday, January 29, 2011

Blog Love: YOU + ME* Equals

Miya and Elisabeth have got it going on...they've put their creative brains together and came up with their Lifestyling business..catering towards individuals and small businesses. They founded
YOU + ME* Equals.... and they just recently had a spotlight in Rue magazine! Their blog offers great ideas for gifting, stationary, their personal endeavors in cooking (they look SO tasty!), and all things festive.

They are my new favorites....






Shot from Rue (latest issue)




How creative is that shot?! They're so talented!


Have a wonderful Saturday!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Product Reference: To soothe your January blues

Why do we start a brand new year in such a cold dreary month?! Imagine if New Year's took place in the spring... the year ahead would just seem so much more exciting, wouldn't it? 
I've found some ways to add a little cheer in the mean time, while we wait on spring.

Fresh flowers and clean scented candles (no more seasonal pumpkin spice or sugar cookies!)





Will asked me the other day why I'm wearing so much gray and black.  I started noticing after that, that we dress so dark this time of year, so I started adding pops of color to my attire and it really does lift my spirit! Try it!




Oh...here's some more cheerful news....Polomaria (the handmade paper jewelry I posted about recently) is offering 10% off for you my sweet friends, until V-day!



Monday, January 24, 2011

Color Moods: Burst of color for your January blues


I read somewhere recently about how Turquoise is a good color for winter...not just for spring! I kind of like that..when youre in the midst of this (in my opinion) awful doldrums time of the year, its nice to have a bright color to bring up your spirits.



 via Room Lust











Trying to find some ways to add it into my home!

Sunday, January 23, 2011

It pays to recycle!

While looking through my Traditional Home magazine I came across some lovely handmade jewelry that was just too good not to share. Palomaria is an etsy shop created by Meilina Szapiro. Melinia makes all her handmade jewelry out of newspaper clay and recycled paper. These would make great Valentine's gifts ladies...so show your husband's this post!











They all average around $30! Have a wonderful Sunday!

Friday, January 21, 2011

Craigslist City Search: Greenville

This is my first Craigslist City Search post. I hope you like it. My plan is to search cities all across this great nation and find some of the amazing vintage things that Craigslist has to offer. If you're anything like me your heart flutters at the sight of an old untouched piece of furniture...and you would admit that its pretty much an addiction. 
My first city of choice is Greenville, SC.  A little selfish of a choice, but if you travel anywhere in between Charlotte and Atlanta, Greenville is right along the way!

Here's what I found....


Old Antique Dairy Canisters. Great vintage accessories for any room. $25 each!


All this bench needs is fresh coat of paint and a beautiful greek key fabric!


This lovely little lady is from a three piece bedroom set..$100. (for all 3!!)


You could give it a look similar to this one! So much potential, if only I had room.

Two leather wing back chairs..$125. I want them! I would reupholster them.


Similar to these....

Love this stool. $75.  


Tell me how you feel about this Craigslist City Search idea. I'd love to hear it!

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Stylist Designer Spotlight

Okay...Mrs. Lilien. I really like this girl. She's not a "designer" as in interior designer, but a style designer. She makes things look good...really good! You can learn A LOT from a good stylist. Colors that look good together, textures that add visual interest..they are magicians at putting a beautiful picture together.

See...

Thats her.
Apparently this is her home from CasaSugar 



Rings or broaches mixed with ornaments....like this idea.

Monday, January 17, 2011

It's in the bag and Blog award

Kickin' off the week with a little house keeping. I'm not good at getting things done. I'm honestly surprised I've been able to keep up with this blog this long. Really...it's bad. I blame it on...my husband...no, really, I always have a lot on my plate, I usually do, and I like it that way. It just takes me a little longer to get around to things, I know I'm not alone in this boat. Right?

Recently, I have been truly honored to receive stylish blogger awards from Sharry Hart at
 Design Indulgence, Kelly Krugh at 1551 Transformed, and Cassie Stocker at Reuse Reinvent Redesign.
This is where the procrastination kicked in....I knew that the awards involved a little bit of work on my part...like writing about myself. Gulp. I've got to get it done, so here goes.



7 things about me....

1. Im about to get personal. Oh, Lord. I've been married for two years, to this really sweet guy, Will Merrell. He laughs at me and adores me and puts up with a lot! I'm not CRAZY about having babies, but it would be nice to have them. So my most recent endeavor has been discovering that I have endometriosis, and having surgery to remove it so that we can have kids. It's WEIRD starting this part of my life..out of the college life, engagement, marriage...babies (fingers crossed!) So thats where we are right now.

2. Things that make me SO happy: music, oops interior design was supposed to go first, really good creatively cooked food, beautiful colors, the coast (any coast will do as long as its warm), blogs, my cat Dip when he puts his paw on my face (in a loving way),  shopping when I actually have money, Scott's antique market (thats a BIG one), J. Crew, a really good hair day/ hairstyle, a weekend spent with my girlfriends, big trucks, college football, an old piece of furniture tucked away in an antique store thats crying out for me to take it home and paint it...I could go on.

3. I'm happiest when I'm busy... some would say I'm never satisfied, that could be true. My husband joked recently that I would make a good Governor for SC, because I wouldn't let any one just sit around...EVERYONE would be working. I think my pet peeve is laziness.

4. I am completely and helplessly in love with all things related to interiors. The smell of the wood of a newly framed house, the sound of hammers and saws, white walls before they've been painted, granite, marble, wood, paint, travertine, any natural stone, fabric, sisal, jute, oh don't get me started on the decorative aspects! This is my passion...I want to do it forever! I'm an art teacher now, but my goal is to be a full time interior designer.

5. I was born in Portsmouth, NH at an airforce base. My parents joke that I only cost $12.75. (Its not too expensive to have a baby at an airforce base!) We moved to Griffin, GA, this is generally where I grew up with my sister, Katie, and my parents. I went to Clemson, met Will, and now we live in Laurens, SC.

6. Working out, exercise. We've done P90X the past few years. Love that feeling of being SO worn out, and your muscles burn, and you feel like rubber...thats a good workout.

7. I would have to say that my two nieces, Lily and Lucy need to be on this list. Can't put into words how great they are... melt my heart! There's always a funny story to share... for instance, Katie (my sister) was holding hands and praying with Lily and Lucy while I was having surgery, and after the prayer Lily gets up and puts her hand on Katie's shoulder and says very seriously "We're going to get through this." Hilarious. Love them.


(Yes, they're in the dryer, they were hiding from Katie)

So thats it. I feel exhausted. That took two hours to write. See why I procrastinate?!

Now let me pass this on..... Blog's I've enjoyed visiting lately...

Laurel at Abode Love
Caitlin at Caitlin Creer Interiors
Paula at Two Ellie
Vanessa at Lady Grey
Gina at Willow Decor
Melissa at Seagrass Interiors


I also contributed to the It's in the Bag that was started by Ashley from A Hasty Life



So here's what I've got in mine....man, Im getting personal today!


Not the clearest shot.....I'm a two bag kindof gal. One small bag that holds my important cards and my lip gloss and chapstick addiction, and a larger bag that holds my fold out wallet, my design sketch book, glasses, ipod, and sparkly business card wallet.

Now you know ALLLLL about me. Have a good one!