JUST FRAME IT ALREADY!

One thing that has been on my “to do” list for a while now is getting some of my family photos up on the wall. It’s not that I don’t want to do it, because believe me, I do. It’s just I tend to overthink things. I like to plan out exactly where I am going to put everything and how it’s going to look. While it is good to have a plan it’s important to not let that hold you back from getting started. If you don’t have all the pieces at once that’s ok. Start with what you have and build from there. I have some frames from our wedding and plan on getting some more in the coming weeks. In the mean time, here are a few walls of inspiration I have been admiring.

Here Pottery Barn displays a nice layout. I particularly like the greyish-blue wall behind the black and wooden frames. I also really love the letter and numbers added to break up some of the frames and the lighting used to highlight them. This is the type of wall you could build upon over time!

I really love this hallway wall I found on Martha Stewart. It's great because it makes the hallway become a destination instead of a place that generally gets overlooked. Here you would simply draw a line horizontally down the hallway and place the frames above and below the line. I'm a big fan of symmetry so this one is particularly appealing to me.

Since small frames can sometimes get lost on a big wall a great alternative spot to hang them in the cozy inside of a book shelf. If we actually had bookshelves I would do this.

Using the frame risers from Pottery Barn you can create a multidimensional look and overlap some of your frames if you are running out of space. Very clever idea!

I'm a fan of making the office feel like home. I LOVE the framed inspirational message! I also am really digging the fretwork like ceramic lamp!! I'll have to look out for something like that. This is a nice example of mixing personal pictures with artwork.

I found this beautiful white framed wall on Pinterest. I need to work on my entryway area next and I am envisioning a small (possibly half circle) table with a lamp and pictures so this one jumped out right at me.

MAD ABOUT MUSTARD

Happy Friday! I have a slight obsession with the color yellow mustard lately. I'm not really sure where it came from. I bought a sweater recently in this color and have been getting tons of compliments on it. So naturally I am looking for more ways to incorporate this color into my wardrobe, and of course my home! Here is a look I put together care of J.Crew and a couple of rooms that inspired the look. I'm off to enjoy the weekend...

Color Blocked Striped Tee

Minnie Pant in Stretch Twill

Miansai Rope Bracelet

Edie Atache Bag in Natural

Evie Fleurette Peep-Toe Pumps

Are you feeling brave enough to wear mustard this weekend? Drop your comments below.

MIRROR MIRROR ON THE WALL

Mirrors are said to be a reflection of the soul. People probably first started to look at their reflections in pools of water, streams and rivers which were the first mirrors. Some of the first man made mirrors were found in Anatolia (modern-day Turkey) dating from 6,000 BC. As ElleDecor puts it, mirrors can serve many interior-decorating purposes. Here are a few interesting finds I came across on the internet for your enjoyment:

This gold vintage mirror is so adorable, I would love to have one like this in my dressing room. I love the touch of femininity with the draped pearls and flowers over the top and the notes tucked in at the bottom, I'm all about personalization!

Genius way to create an interesting entryway space. I have a rule to always check myself before I go out the door, you know make sure the hair is in place, no lipstick on the teeth and whatnot. The placement of this mirror couldn't be more perfect, it's so convenient!

What a great way to make a dining room wall more interesting besides the predictable rectangular wall mirror or framed art.

If you are a fan of the more rustic look this is pretty neat. It's a great way to add some pop to a wall where you don't have a lot going on. It instantly draws you in. And for only $1,695.00 you can have your very own Cathedral Wood Mirror here.

Since I live in a coastal town I am a big fan of sea shells and starfish. This mirror is so eye catching and can be the focal piece in a room with plain walls behind it. 

If you are going for more of a Moroccan theme in your room, this one if for you! I love the subtle orange calla lilies at the bottom which contrast nicely against the teal blue. If I ever open up a bed and breakfast (a dream of mine) this will be the theme of one of the rooms!  

I like this oval mirror placed between the two rectangular windows. It's a great use of space and I wouldn't have thought to place the couch in front of it which covers the bottom but I am totally digging it.

I am obsessed with geometric patterns. I think it all started when my friends Mom Margaret Holden who would babysit me when I was younger would hand make pages of different geometric shapes and have us color them in. This laser-cut white mirror against the grey wall really pops.

Two words...statement piece. If I had a room big enough in my house I would have this. This works better with high ceilings. How did they get that in the door?

I believe this is two mirrors stacked  on top of each other. I am really liking the old rustic, distressed, wood frame makes it look antiqued. I am a fan of vintage.

And finally here is a beautiful bathroom mirror. It's a pretty simple pewter mirror but the hammered texture is what makes it so stunning.

I don’t know about you but when it comes to a home accessory like a mirror I like to scout those items out when I am on my travels whether it is at a boutique store in Newport, RI or a craft fair in our very own town it’s fun to find something unique that will get people talking about it when it's on display in your home and then you can tell them the story behind where you found it!

DECORATING YOUR HOME WITH FLOWERS!

Yesterday’s Valentine’s Day gave me my inspiration for today’s blog post…decorating your home with flowers! Flowers are a great way to brighten up your home. They can give your home an instant facelift and they don’t have to cost a whole lot either. If I had it my way I would have fresh flowers in my home all the time like my friend Jackie but it can get expensive so I try to save it for special occasions and/or if I am having company over. Since flowers and plants are living things they promote health and well-being. It’s nice to have outdoor elements inside the home to keep us connected to them and to realize how interdependent everything is. That’s probably a little too deep-thinking for a Thursday I know but I am an Aquarius after all, I overthink everything!!


I received a Barefoot Contessa book at my bridal shower back in 2009 which included a ton of amazing recipes and to my surprise, floral arranging tips! I learned that the vase should be filled up about ¾ of the way with warm water except for more voluptuous blooms like hydrangea, which should be filled with hot water. You want to cut the stems at a slant and then also slice the center of the stem in half to allow the flower to absorb the water more easily. Did you know that bleach could be used if you don’t have any flower food? I sure didn’t until I read this book; you know how many times I’ve used it since? The water should be changed out every couple of days, and if you take of them your arrangements should last for about a week or more.

These large blooms above were cut in inch from the top and were simply dropped in this beautiful bowl to float around the top. I am planning on doing this arrangement next, I just have to find a cool bowl like this!


Here are a few of my favorite lush blooms that I like to incorporate into my floral arrangements:

My all-time favorite flowers are luscious hydrangea. I am not quite sure how I first fell in love with them but when I was planning my wedding a couple of years back I KNEW my bouquets would have hydrangea in them, and they did.  Here is a picture of my bridal bouquet from my wedding day; it is a combination of white hydrangea, calla lillies, and creamy roses:

 

In order to get you in the mood for your next floral arrangement project, here are a few of my favorite arrangements from Martha Stewart, Country Living, and Better Homes & Gardens:

Single peonies on a tray in individual small vases like this with candles make a huge impact!

 I love the table this hydrangea arrangement is sitting on. Very natural and simple.

I have always dreamed of having a garden dinner party with a few of my closest friends. As soon as I am finished with my back yard project in the Spring (I will post on that soon) I intend on hosting something like this, maybe over the summer. I will be sure to take pictures to post.

 I always love the simplicity of a mint julep cup for a case with just a few flowers.

 The colors of the ranunculas in this one are beautiful, they remind me of Spring.

Floral arrangements are not just for the dining room as you can see above they can be used to brighten up your work space, kitchen, or even in the bathroom!

 I just love the colors and textures in this arrangement above, stunning!

I think what I like most about this arrangement is the contrast between the feminine, pink, soft peony's and the rough, natural, wood bench they are sitting on. Gorgeous!

 Red for Valentine's Day <3

Here single roses in individual vases greet you in the bathroom after you first wake up in the morning, love this idea!

The bright orange vase that holds this bold purple and orange arrangement is so sunny and bright, it instantly makes me cheery.

In dreaming about Spring and wanting Winter to be over these yellow calla lilly's remind me that it is not too far away.

These are actually tulips that someone pushes inside out with their fingers. I can't believe what a difference this makes, they look like a different flower completely! I am going to try this in the Spring!


I know you are all dying to run out and get some flowers. I have just a few tips for you before you do...you don't have to spend a ton. You can grow your own flowers and use those in your home, or you can shop wholesalers like Costco they have extremely great prices on flowers! I also really like Trader Joe's. They always have a really nice selection of different flowers. Sometimes they don't look so exciting in the store but it's what you do with them when you bring them home that makes all the difference just like the inside-out tulip example above. Even the vase can make all the difference. Sometimes you don't have to use a vase at all. I like the excitement of using a watering can, a large bowl, a 99 cent mason jar from WalMart, or whatever I can find that is different and unique! Happy floral decorating!!