Shelter Loves

Here is this week's round up. We are in need of some serious pretty and color up in here!! The snow, don't get me started on the snow!! The 100+" (no joke) of white stuff we have around here is starting to get to everyone. I've been trying to keep a very positive attitude this winter. In fact, I've been beginning my day with a few daily affirmations. They actually seem to be helping. With that said, I could STILL use a little color and warmth in my life right about now! How about you??

1. Loving Tory's latest spring bag collection. Look at all that color!! These would pair well add the perfect pop of color with a neutral outfit..
2. This yellow trench from J. Crew is adorable! Yellow is a hot color this Spring. You'll be seeing lots of it.
3. PEACE - we all need a bit more of it...
4. I am going to a fund raising gala next Saturday night and am going to wear my hair up. I want to incorporate a braid into the look. I feel younger in braids. :)
5. Kelly Klien's Palm Beach house is gorgeous and yes peaceful.
6. My skin can't get enough moisture this winter. I wash my face and moisturize every night...I thought I'd give this Dior cream a try! I tweak my routine every six months or so. It has great reviews!!
7. How about this watch? The tortoise is pretty cool!!

Chocolate + Caramel

If I can't have a chic getaway this winter then I'm craving warm, cozy + rich...I love the idea of caramel, cream and chocolate anything at the moment..layer old and new elements with lots of texture to perfect this look. The chocolate cupcakes are filled with a salted caramel. Yum. Find the recipe here.

Kelly Wearstler

White Juju

I adore the sculptural quality and texture of African Juju hats, especially in creamy white! How fun is this little boy's room? via Adore Magazine. Purchase Juju hats here.

Second row, left image via: Lonny Magazine

Inspired: New Home

image via

Hello loves, So I've sort of put my house hunt on hold for a few reasons; one being that everything in my price range in the towns I want to live in are absolute DUMPS. Holy shiz it's depressing. I'm trying to stay positive, but this single mama can only afford so much if I want to keep my sanity. I need to maintain a bit of a social life! Yes, in a perfect world I'd just stay in with my hubbie and sip cocktails as we painted walls after the kiddos have drifted off, but that's not the case and TRUST me right now I'm okay with that. I'd rather lose a creep of husband early on than spend twenty miserable years with him. I mean don't get me wrong I wasn't a fool, I didn't marry a creep (he had us all fooled), some guys just can't keep it together after you have a family. They stray and become detached in every way possible and that's precisely what happened to me. So in all honestly if Santa could bring me anything in the world it would be a charming little house at a reasonable price. I'm OKAY with a little elbow grease I just can't buy a money pit nor can I live in a money pit with two kids under the age of six. Anywayyyyy onto my post! :) I've shared this top photo before. (My apologies because I don't remember the source, but I'll find it and link back, promise). A little cape like this would be perfect, I'd even be open to a little house that I could eventually add on to. I love the glassed room off of this home and adore the classic simplicity of the black + white facade and the beautiful bucolic approach. This would be my little dream pad. See??  I'm not asking for much am I? A little pretty like this would cost quite a bit in the Boston area. I've been collecting images via the web and started a pinterest board, new home, it's full of a bunch of dis-jointed goodies, but I guess they all make sense to me. I've assembled a mini-inspiration board below showing the overall feel of the space. It'd be fairly simple with graphic details, patterns and pops of brownish-grey, pink, tan, cream and white. And of course splashes of other accent colors like emerald green, brass and yellow. The agate stone was really the impetus and inspiration around the color palette. I love it! I like fresh clean kitchens and bathrooms, and am undecided on white or black cabinets but I guess I have some time to think about that!

This marble wrapped counter, brass hardware and glass door cabinet are beyond amazing! I will absolutely have ALL of these in my kitch! image via 

A little sunny, happy banquette would also be perfect and makes such efficient use of space in a small home. I'd switch out the fabrics and colors and would plump up that seat cushion a bit but you get the idea!

I'd love to have comfy seating area and a lounge worthy sofa like this!

My daughter's room will be a mix of pink, yellow and charcoal and no matchy, matchy concepts here.

I can envision my son's room but I have yet to find a photo that comes close to my vision. A little reading nook like this would be dreamy though! I read multiple stories a night to my children, they love it. I think it's one of the most important things you can do for your child besides smother them with hugs and kisses!

I can't deal with a big yard but I would love a small garden path and patio area for outdoor cocktails and alfresco dining. 

Anyway, that's all for now, it's way past my bed time.... I just wanted to keep dreaming...and share my thoughts and ideas. I'll make this all come true and promise to share it with you all on my little ole' blog! 

xx

Cottage Love 4

I guess I'm cheating a wee bit because architecturally speaking this isn't a cottage, but it still has a bit of chic cottage feel to me with it's mix of high and low - old and new vibe! Either way I like the graphic quality (I'm actually about to shoot a project where I used a similar Kelly Wearstler rug), color use and the overall look of this home by designer Maria Barros. It's featured in the October/November 12' issue of Adore Magazine. 

These dining chairs are killer.....I need to find the original designer but for a similar look: Milo Baughman originals pop up on 1st dibs now and then. You'd have to search for a correct dining height.

If I ever need them in my life, these bar stools are on my wish list. They also come in cream leather,  which would be my first choice! Find them here.

Inspired - Ruthie Sommers

There's no doubt that Ruthie Sommers is one of my favorite designers, so when fresh, new images of her work pop up in a magazine I'm a happy girl. Here's a recent article in Veranda magazine of Ruthie's advice on being a decorator/interior designer. Her design details are feminine, unexpected, colorful and perfectly executed! 

 All images by Francesco Lagnese via Veranda magazine

Runway to Room

Good Morning. I'll admit, I'm fried. I've been packing for my move all weekend and don't have much time or brain power for a post today. I've definitely decided after tossing and donating a boat load of stuff that living simply is the way to go from now on. Don't get me wrong, I'm in the business of making things look beautiful and I love living in and love helping others live in gorgeously furnished and designed homes but be sure to just make smart, long term purchases that are both gorgeous and functional. It all goes back to the William Morris quote for me: "Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful." and that goes for your wardrobe choices too loves. 

I'm loving all the colors of Fall right now as pictured below. 

These shoes (on Bee's feet above) are popping up everywhere. Aren't they gorge? Find them here.

image top left: Atlantic-Pacific blog

Plum Yum..

It's funny how quickly purple comes and goes, but I'm loving this color moment for Fall and Winter of 2012-2013! Buying a small item like a scarf or a throw is a great way to mix this hot shade into your home/closet!

Evergreen

I never tire of this fresh, fabulous shade! Hoping your holiday season is shiny and bright so far! I spent the weekend in Vermont, it was beautiful there this weekend. I snapped a quick snowy photo of my little ones. {not easy with a three year and ten month old}. I'll share it once my cards go out. How precious is this simple little tree?

Elva Fields, Any of this designer's necklaces are at the TOP of my wish list!

The benches, rug and credenza are all so gorgeous! Very my taste right now!

I just used a yummy velvet chesterfield sofa on a project! I will own one myself someday. This sofa literally envelopes you but is so chic at the same time!

Images: via City Sage, Elva Fields,  Celerie Kemble - Lonny, via Desire to Inspire, Tods - Image Vogue,       J.Crew

Deck the Halls..Room of the week!

I can't believe the holiday madness is right around the corner! I actually enjoy the holiday madness! I'm opting to keep my decorations simple, natural and clean this year. I love the feel of Canadian House and Home editor Suzanne Dimma's home. It's a beautiful blend of warm traditional and clean, masculine modernism.

 I love the idea of hanging an oversized wreath on the inside of the door. I also love the natural looking table top tree and all the pretty gifts surrounding it. I may go with another table top this year. I was very pregnant last year so I had a table top tree. It looked adorable. This year I may do the same. I am trying to make my home environment feel a bit different then what I've done in the past! I'll go all out next year, when my life is a bit more sane. Have a great weekend!!!

Images: Nov. 2010 Canadian House and Home. Photo: Michael Graydon

Think Vertically

My life has been a whirlwind this month..for reasons I can't even begin to get into I may be moving within the next year. I actually want to move in next year, to a smaller, cozier home. I will need to refine my belongings, {my kids toys}, and get creative with storage. Thinking vertically is key to using space efficiently. I love how tall bookshelves can house most of your books, magazines, beautiful art and objects. I prefer to mix all of these. Built in books shelves are even better then free standing shelves but if you're living in a temporary space or renting you can still mount free standing tall bookshelves to the wall for the same effect/storage.

Images: I Suwanee, ?, ?, Elle Decor, I Suwanee, Domino,