Over the Thanksgiving holiday I had a much needed break from work and my "everyday" to-do list, which gave me time to reflect on all that I have. While spending quality time with my family, I thought about how so many people are in need.
That said, take a look at this list of ideas for giving this holiday season. I found these (and many more!) in Glamour magazine and am re-posting. Which ones will you contribute to?
1) Pay a Student's Bus Fare. Contribute just $40 to artistsforpeaceandjustice.org, and you will help get a child from the slums of Haiti to a new school for two months.
2)Buy a Counseling Session for a Solider returning home after serving in Iraq or Afghanistan with a $17 donation to www.giveanhour.org
3)Pick up the Grocery Tab for a Senior. There are 3.5 million Americans over the age of 50 that don't have enough to eat. Just $18 to www.drivetoendhunger.org feeds one of them healthy meals for a day.
4)For $25, you can help needy children grow produce, both for their family's fridge and to sell at farmers' markets. www.whyhunger.org
5)Make a difference in your zip code via www.volunteermatch.org, which connects you with ways to improve your neighborhood.
11.29.2011
Giving Back... 5 Ways to Make a BIG Difference This Holiday Season
Featured Fab Website-- Haymarket Designs
Over the holiday, I got my fill of home decor and holiday entertaining reading and came across this cool website, Haymarket Designs, while reading Southern Living. I fell in love with the chic designs--morrocan, bamboo, chevron and more. Pick a color and pattern and voila, you have a custom tray, cell phone case, tissue box, or frame to name a few. Add a monogram and you have a very unique gift!
Here are a few pics from the website that I love (I'm thinking about buying the yellow one for my office):
11.28.2011
Addicted to Decorating? There's a New Home Decor App For Your iPad
Just wanted to share a little tidbit for all of you who are addicted to looking at beautiful homes and spaces. House Beautiful recently announced its new Flipboard--a new iPad app which features home tours, designer interviews, color advice on more. Available in the App Store on iTunes. Worth checking out!
Fabulous Finds Under $50 from Unique Gift Website
I was reading O Magazine the other day and came across an advertisement for Gifting Grace, a website that sells different and affordable gifts and thought I'd check it out. Very cool site...so, here are some of my top picks for gifts or little somethings for yourself under $50.
1. Kids' Alligator Blanket $28
4. Carved Wood Vases $50
5. French Bull Cake Stand and Knife $40
6. Stackable Storage $32
11.25.2011
West Elm & Etsy Team Up for the Holidays -Local Workshop for YOU
I wasn't planning on posting anything until Monday, until I heard that West Elm and Etsy, two of my favorite shops, are teaming up this holiday in all West Elm stores for a HOLIDAY WORKSHOP. I had to share with you!
On December 1, from 6-9pm, West Elm is hosting a Holiday Workshop and Mini Market with Etsy in all West Elm stores. There will be drinks and snacks to enjoy while you shop from local Etsy sellers. You can also make ornaments with Etsy to help decorate a tree they are donating to a local non-profit. Contact your local West Elm store for more information.
11.23.2011
Happy Thanksgiving!
I am away for the holiday and just wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! I will have a new post on Monday.
11.22.2011
Baby, It's Cold Outside...Amazing Outdoor Spaces To Warm Up To
The leaves have already changed colors here in Virginia and it is starting to get colder as winter nears. While summer remains my favorite season of all, fall and winter are becoming more enticing as we spend time away at my family's vacation home and make s'mores outside by fire.
Take a look at these gorgeous outdoor spaces that make you just want to curl up with a good book, a glass of wine..well, you get the point!
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| Pic from Decorpad |
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| Pic From DecorPad (by HGTV) |
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| Pic from Architectural Digest |
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| Pic from DecorPad |
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| Pic from Architectural Digest |
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| Pic from Decorpad |
11.21.2011
iPad Dock... Victrola Style!
I simply could not resist posting this cool new gadget for your home---the iVictrola, which pumps out music from your iPad via old-style. Truly unique. Price is $985. http://www.dwr.com/product/ivictrola-for-ipad.do?from=Search **UPDATE: the DWR site lists it as sold out - I do not know if more will be available. **
Got Kids? I've Got the Scoop on the Best Fabrics For Families
I have an all white kitchen--and two children under the age of 6--so I have to clean, a lot. BUT, the beauty of my kitchen is that I have wipe-able, vinyl (faux leather) chairs that can take the lasagna that is smeared across the seat by tiny fingers and the brownie crumbs that get smashed.
That said, here are some of my favorite indoor/outdoor and vinyl fabrics to use throughout your home that are durable and beautiful. Whether you have kids or not, these fabrics can be both the "brains and beauty" of your home!
1. From Calico Corners, this gorgeous green trellis indoor/outdoor fabric is just $26.99 a yard and also comes in 3 other colors.
http://www.calicocorners.com/product/designer+fabrics+for+the+home/indoor+and+outdoor/shop+all+outdoor+fabrics/slick+outdoor+palm.do
4. Perennials' Origami in Chai is 100% acrylic.
http://perennialsfabrics.com/pdetails.php?topcat=171&subcat=178&pid=269
5.Crypton Fabric in Colburn is a great neutral, without being "beige" $38.99 a yard
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat3261&PRODID=xprd881511
6. LOVE this white vinyl from JoAnn Fabrics $24.99 a yard (This also comes in a bright yellow)
http://www.joann.com/joann/catalog/productdetail.jsp?CATID=cat3261&PRODID=xprd760391
11.19.2011
I'm Addicted...To Gray Rooms
It may be Saturday, but I had to share some great inspiration pics for gray rooms... I love the color gray and recently I've seen a ton of gray rooms, with splashes of yellow or fuchsia or blue in them. Regardless of accent color, I love them all. In my own house, I have a dark gray-ish, brown-ish dining room and I adore my light gray linen drapes from Restoration Hardware. In any case, here are some beautiful inspiration pics for gray rooms.
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| Pic from DecorPad |
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| Pic from DecorPad |
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| Pic from Fox Nahem |
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| Pic from Apartment Therapy |
11.18.2011
Mirror, Mirror On the Wall
Mirrors can make a big impact on a wall. Put up a large or ornate one in a small space and you have yourself a winner. If you have dark colored walls, try a light finish mirror to make a statement. Take a look at these beauties and see if one might be worthy to grace your walls!
Viva Terra's Lotus Petal Mirror $229 is gorgeous!
http://www.vivaterra.com/accessories/wall-decor/lotus-petal-mirror.html
If you are looking for a statement piece and have some money to spend--this mirror is it!
From High Fashion Home $524 http://www.highfashionhome.com/1378-p-contemporary-puzzle-mirror.html
This "Restoration" mirror looks like something from a well-known high end furniture store and has a very budget-friendly price tag of only $179
http://shopurbanhome.com/shoppingcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=56_71&products_id=1880
I adore the geometric shape of this mirror from High Fashion Home $349 Two of these would look fantastic above a long console or sofa. http://www.highfashionhome.com/ethan-mirror.html
Anthropologie's Coat of Arms mirror is a stunner at $198 . I'd put this in a powder room http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/catalog/productdetail.jsp?navAction=jump&id=670424&parentid=SEARCH_RESULTS&color=one
11.17.2011
My Favorite Finds On Etsy
I admit it...I am addicted to Etsy. This "sell everything" site has anything a girl could want. There are so many talented artists who sell handmade home decor items and usually at a reasonable cost. I am eyeing several chairs that are so unique...just need to figure out where I would put them.
Here are some of my favorite finds:
From Painted Dog Furniture $294:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84935878/custom-listing-for-wrh-charlie-brown?ref=v1_other_2
This pillow cover caught my eye right away! LOVE LOVE $38
http://www.etsy.com/listing/75679170/gray-and-yellow-ochre-ogee-on-white?ref=sr_gallery_15&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=pillows&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
LOVE this animal print seat at $94
http://www.etsy.com/listing/84639910/kiki-retro-tufted-bench-seat
From Lab Designs $150
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82960603/vintage-white-chair-zimba-chartreuse
This would be great in an entryway $125
http://www.etsy.com/listing/82187134/wood-steel-bench?ref=sr_gallery_4&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=bench&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
From This would look awesome in a home office (the chair swivels!) $250
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85857884/recylced-parts-black-and-white-swivel?ref=sr_gallery_37&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=reupholstered+chair&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_ship_to=US&ga_search_type=all&ga_facet=
For all you Shabby Chic fans, check out this pretty chair at only $125
http://www.etsy.com/listing/85582039/french-chairs?ref=sr_gallery_31&ga_search_submit=&ga_search_query=chair&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=handmade&ga_facet=handmade
11.16.2011
Book: "The Imperfectly Perfect Home--How to Decorate and Live Well"
For those of you design junkies like me, years ago there was a fantastic home magazine Domino. It was my favorite shelter magazine--eclectic and fun and always listed where I could buy the items shown in its glossy pages. Fast forward and the shelter magazine industry drastically lost many publications including my much beloved Domino.
On the bright side, former founding Domino editor, Deborah Needleman, recently came out with her new book, "The Imperfectly Perfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well." This is on the top of my Christmas List. Buy it now for your favorite friend!
It is available on Amazon :
http://www.amazon.com/Perfectly-Imperfect-Home-Decorate-Live/dp/0307720136/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1321370601&sr=1-1
You can also check out Needleman's interview regarding the book here on CasaSugar: http://www.casasugar.com/Deborah-Needleman-Interview-Imperfectly-Perfect-Home-20260497
11.15.2011
CUSTOM SLIPCOVERS FOR IKEA FURNITURE!
I just came across this fabulous website www.knesting.com which sells custom slipcovers specifically for IKEA furniture! Tired of your white, brown, blue, red or whatever color IKEA slipcover? Check out knesting.com and buy a new one in a cool design for a fraction of what it would cost to re-upholster. Happy shopping!
Affordable, Gorgeous and Fun--These Rugs Will Add A Lot To A Room
My three favorite items to pick out for a room are Lighting, Fabric and RUGS! Today's post features some of my favorite rugs--and of course these are affordable rugs. Now, that's not to say that I don't like many of the fancier designer rugs, like those of Jonathan Adler, Madeleine Weinrib, and Kelly Wreastler; however, affordable is the name of the game here. So..enjoy these beauties! Maybe one will inspire you for your home!
This gorgeous gray blue rug from Overstock.com would look fantastic in a family room or living room with white or cream upholstery OR perhaps an orange sofa to spice things up! I'm hoping to purchase this one for my own house!
http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Hand-tufted-World-Classic-Bluish-grey-Wool-Rug-5-x-8/4817426/product.html?rcmndsrc=4
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| 5x8 Rug $150 |
I adore this IKEA rug for a child's bedroom or playroom. Mix it with Navy or Yellow or Fuchsia, depending on the look you are going for. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80172262/
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| Approx. 4x4' $29.99 |
I never tire from a classic chevron pattern. This rug from Overstock definitely brings the "wow" factor to a room. http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Alexa-Chevron-Vibe-Zebra-Rug-53-x-76/5712087/product.html?rcmndsrc=2
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| Approx. 5'x8' $80 |
This bold floral rug from Home Decorators could be used anywhere with its playful floral pattern. http://www.homedecorators.com/P/Woodstock_Area_Rug/910/
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| 5x8' $499 |
Inexpensive and super cool... this IKEA fuchsia rug stands out. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80203602/
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| 8x10 $399 |
Dash and Albert sells cotton weave and wool rugs and I love their large selection of fun patterns. I fell in love with this beautiful raspberry sorbet color. http://www.dashandalbert.com/product/view/yacht-stripe-terracotta-woven-cotton--RDA208#
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| 6x9' $208 |
One of my all-time favorite patterns, this rug from Surya comes in a variety of colors and can work well in both traditional and contemporary spaces.
http://www.rugs-direct.com/ShopDetail/Details/150377/Surya/Frontier/FT40/BlueIvory
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| 5x8 $330 |
11.14.2011
"Manic Monday"--Send Me Your Decorating Questions!
Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend.
11.11.2011
Fabulous Furniture Finds --Spotlight on Dining Chairs
I don't know about you, but I like it when I find a great piece of furniture at an affordable cost. Unlike purchasing "sets" of furniture, I like to mix and match too.. it adds an element of interest to a room.
That said, I'm starting a weekly "Furniture Find" post which will highlight one particular type of furniture piece, examples of that item, and how to use.
Take a look at these fabulous finds for dining room chairs!
1. I have always LOVED the original Philippe Stark Ghost Chair which retails for approximately $350-400 EACH. However, if you are on a budget, you can find a reproduction chair at a fraction of the cost...how about only $99 at this website: http://www.kardiel.com/home-accessories/philippe-style-ghost-chair/?gclid=CJrGg7K_qKwCFU1x5QodsisYDQ
Here's one example of how to pair it with a rustic dining table:
2. Upholstered Dining Room Chair: Below is one that looks very similar to Crate & Barrel's gorgeous Collette side chair, but at a less expensive price--only $129 EACH. http://shopurbanhome.com/shoppingcart/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=53_74&products_id=1577&zenid=602a1833202f5c759e186d559d16ff89
