::it's summertime!

We'll just make this an opinion week ;) What are your favorite sunglasses?

Do you like the Jackie-O (hide-all-my-imperfections)?
The newer, trendy cat-eye?

The perennially classic aviators?

Or the risky business Ray-Bans?

Right now I'm using my aviators the most- though I think I'd like a pair of Ray-Bans. Hmm...

There's a great post from Design*Sponge on pendant lighting under $100! I saw several that I'd Love to put in my kitchen. Now just to decide which one.

::trendy

So what do we think about rompers? Something best for the younger girls or something you secretly want to try? ;)

::weekend finds

So, I didn't end up going to the Cooper Young garage sale as it was a mere small parking lot not even filled with mostly junk. Decided to pass. However, I did go to an estate sale on Sunday and walked away with a vintage milk bottle, vase, a couple of milk glass candy dishes and a wooden drying rack for $1! Gotta love it. Also found some jean shorts (finally) on sale for $10 and a scarf for $5!

Went to the farmer's market on Saturday and got some of the best veggies I've ever tasted. Small cucumbers, Ripley tomatoes, fresh bell pepper and more. My mom bought me a loaf of fresh sourdough bread that's to die for. I hope they're back this Saturday! This weekend brings about the first of a couple of birthday meals/parties! Let the festivities begin!

::happy weekend

Enjoy the time off. Try and stay cool! I'm headed to the Cooper Young garage sale tomorrow! Hopefully I can find some cute stuff. What are you planning for this weekend?

::more rugs

Still thinking about that entryway rug...hmm...

These are all bigger and more the size I need. Thoughts?

::publicity

Design*Sponge did a city guide for Memphis! I didn't actually think we'd make it on their blog. Check it out. If you're like me, you'll hear of a couple places you weren't familiar with!

::i want. i love. i have.

I want:

This dinnerware from West Elm. I've always wanted just plain white dishes, but the shape of these are so unique.

I love:

Moroccan wedding blankets used as your comforter. Now if I could just find one that doesn't cost $600, I'd be set!

I have:

Bought a hydrangea plant and now can't find a spot to put it. We might end up redoing the front flower bed now *_* Well that just wasn't the plan now...

::restless and wishful

This weekend was jam packed. Helped my friend move all day Saturday. Her room looks So cute! She did a great job picking out all her stuff. It was blisteringly (real word?) hot outside! Sunday brought the family over for a father's day lunch. I was good and got all of my laundry done on Friday. Now I'm just exhausted and trying to recoup. Should've tried to get more sleep than I did...but oh well.

Tidbits:

- Tried the new Sobe lifewater. It's ok. I don't imagine I'll buy it again.

- Picked out most of my birthday party ideas. It's going to be So fun!

- Thinking about doing this to my nightstands....

Did you have a nice weekend?

::eye candy

How much do I want this chair?

Not enough to spend $3125...but it's sure pretty!

Happy Weekend everyone!

::old things

You remember a long time ago when I was saying I wanted this star shade for my kitchen light? Well...I never did get it because it was going to be too big for the space. But I'm now contemplating putting it in the hallway. The $39 price tag just carries a little more weight than the $224.99 for the johnathan adler light. Hmm...

::it's the first!

So, I've got a fun DIY project that was done by one of my coworkers. We have really similar taste in things, so it's always fun to see what she's got going on. She was nice enough to send me some pictures of an end table she spruced up to use as a nightstand in her guest bedroom. It's SO cute...check it out:

Before:

And After:

Isn't that SO cute. She got the little knobs from Anthropologie. What about you? Do you have any DIY projects you're proud of? Send me an email and I'll post them here! Why not brag on yourself a little bit. You know it's hard work!

::bad news, good news

Bad News: Didn't get the patio furniture from the estate sale. They wanted $1000 for that set!0_0

Good news: I found this 50 lb., solid wood mirror at a church garage sale for $2.50!! I am SO excited.

Other good news: Even though we walked away with no patio furniture, I did score a couple of really old editions of King Arthur, Madame Bovary and Robinson Crusoe. They're all in excellent condition! We also got a vintage, glass, gallon-sized milk jug which is now sitting pretty on my kitchen table. =)

How was your weekend?

::estate sale

I'm signing out for the weekend. Wish me luck! My friend found a great estate sale and we're going tomorrow. Hopefully I can score some Awesome patio furniture. *crosses fingers*

::carpets!

So I ran across this online retailer. The green garland rug just Calls out to me. I'm becoming extremely fickle about my choices in this matter. This rug is now 25% off And if you sign up for their emailing list, you can get $20 off your purchase. Hmm...

But do I like it better than this one from West Elm....?!?! I can't decide!! What do you think? It's for my entryway?

I think I should just get both and periodically switch them out. =)

::coming soon

I'm trying to catch my breath a little bit after this weekend. I wish I could say it was all fun...but it was mostly work. Here are some tidbits:

- Discovered the Home & Garden channel on Hulu. This is completely the reason we don't have cable. I go into hiding and watch all these makeover shows and Aaron doesn't ever get to see me.
- When I speak of work this weekend, I mean I painted the dining room. Yes! It only took me a year to motivate myself. Can't wait to see what it looks like when I get all the furniture back in the room
- There will be a first ever (to a hopefully, soon-to-be installment) of a guest's DIY makeover. My friend Kim is redoing a desk for her room and it will be featured here!
- Went to the farmer's market this weekend. This will quickly become a weekend routine I think.
- If I need to call you/facebook message you and haven't, I promise...I'll catch up this week!

How were your weekends? Productive like mine or lazily wonderful?

::I'm an aunt!

And I will be again come November. This time around, though, it's a girl!!



Congratulations Josh and Lee. Aaron and I are beyond excited for you! Yay for little girls!

::take some time

Everyone can use a little encouragement now and then:




in whatever form necessary ;)

Have a great weekend you smart people, you!

::design your space, Part 5

Now that all my parents are empty-nesters (all of us are graduated and married), my mom said she's finally going to start "refreshing" the house a little bit. Some of what she's doing isn't necessarily decor-related....but I figured I'd thrown in my $0.02. I'm the outspoken daughter, after all. So, mom...if I had to start from scratch and design your space here's what I'd do...

Let's just start with the entryway.

I love this vignette. Take a lovely weathered dresser and add a vintage map over it instead of a mirror (though I do love a good mirror in an entryway) Maybe you could set one on the dresser! ;) Then we'll walk into the den. I can see the panic in her eyes as she sees the rug in this picture. No, you don't have to use it. But it totally works in this space without being too WOW. Keep everything a clean white for your paint, some dark furniture and then have some fun with the seating. You entertain enough to keep things a little lively. Plus, the grand kids would think the red chair is cool. (Take a peak at the desk chair...who would've thought to use a white, blue and brown fabric in this room but it's so cute!)Then we'll turn back around and head towards the dining room:

This should stay understated and classic. I like the colors of the first picture. Her dining room table is sort of that dark wood like in the coffee table. I would upholster the armless chairs in that tan leather and do fun accent chairs at the ends of the table (like in the second picture) in that green color. So pretty. I like the chandelier in the first picture as well. (I think hers already looks something like that). Then I would finish with a coat of that dark tan/almost with a hint of olive paint in the second picture. Onto the 1st guest room:

She'll be using her bedroom furniture (currently in use in her master bedroom) into this room. This is a dark wood, somewhat antique looking, kinda Louis XIV. Keep it dressy and simple. I would actually use a paler green paint than this to avoid a green overkill. Her current guest room is the perfect pale green. Instead of the upholstered headboard, use a print like that for your wall hangings above the bed. Keep all the accessories light colored and the drapes luxurious.

Guest room #2:

I don't believe the pictures are from the same house..so don't judge the same paint color! We're assuming she's going with the lighter green for Guest room #1, so this would be a great compliment. If you wanted to go in a whole other direction, a yellow or even certain shades of a brownish-rust-orangey color would look great in this room as well. Tie in some white accessories but make your accent color a rose pink. I love how put together this room looks. I also like how everything is covered in fabric, the table, the ottoman...

Last but not least, the office. Keep all furniture, paint and accessories in a neutral palate. Bring in visual interest to the room using texture. Corduroy futon cover, linen curtains, fur pillows. Let subtle patterns be the wow factor instead of color...like the rug and curtains. Let this be your peaceful, reading room.

I kept the kitchen and master bedroom off since they were both just redone. But if you want my opinion about those, I'll be happy to share! :)

::who knew?

Did you know that Bed, Bath & Beyond sells Amy Butler bedding? I didn't. I've been on the hunt for some bolster pillows for the fouton in our office and just happened to stumble across these this past weekend:

I think I'm leaning a little more towards something like this so it doesn't seem quite so "this is my fouton". Plus they're only $30 a piece!

Other options though, include:

Or I could make the covers myself....Or...have someone make them for me (*cue Grandmother) Any great ideas for where to get a bolster pillow? I guess I should decide on what colors I want in the room first? ;)

::the results

The fabric came in and I've finished the dining room chairs! *drum roll



(Don't mind the screwdriver in the second picture *rolls eyes*) My friend luckily already had a swatch of this fabric (she was thinking about making curtains) so I was able to see what it would look like before ordering. Yes, you can order a swatch...but who feels like waiting a couple days to get a $3 piece of fabric? So yay for friends who have the same taste *high five*

What do you think? I was already leaning towards this fabric, but when all of you voted it just confirmed it more. Thanks for the input! I'll have more fabric choices soon as I have some ideas for my office. Stay tuned!