essentials in blue

The Summer is short lived around these parts. Blink and you may miss it.  If you are a New Englander these Summer hours are precious ones that don't come around too often. So making the most out of every hour is essential. 

Here is a blue inspired round up of Summer things

farmers market basket - I want nothing more than to come home from the farmers market and put my fresh berries in this ceramic basket

Turkish-T towels - for the beach, lake or at home I love these colorful towels

blue acrylic tumblers - a beach party is no party without some acrylic tumblers filled with your favorite beverage

Yes To Blueberries Towlettes - perfect to pack in your bag to give your face a refresher during those hot Summer days

Maine Blueberries - best blueberries in the world, hands down. 

elephant bracelet -  well this is an easy one. elephants and blue, this is perfection.

blue leather clutch - I have this in orange, but I think my closet needs the blue one too.  Bonus, you can get it personalized.

essie Bikini so Teeny - my little piggies are feeling special with this color on them right now

I'm loving...

...the eclectic mix in this little space. 

The mid century orange chair,

the large ornate gold frames with the mountain and ocean artwork,

the lucite side table,

the crystal chandelier,

the crisp white paneled woodwork,

 and treatment-less windows.

I could totally spend an afternoon reading here, could you? 

(Photo of Ally's Living Room as seen on her blog, From the Right Bank)

I'm loving...

1. I'm totally loving rose gold, this little heart bracelet is so cute

2. Loving this mint green color lately- I think I need some new ballet flats

3. The colors in this throw pillow are perfection

4. Reusable bags are essential for those farmers market trips.  I think I need a few of these Baggu bags for this Summer.

5. An instant pick me up tan- love these TanTowels

6. I got a pair of these Turkish T towels recently and I'm hooked- they are light, colorful and perfect for a day at the beach!

7. C Wonder has such cute accessories, I love the monogrammed plates

8. Any desk would be instantly brightened with this colorful Japanese Washi tape

9. At only 10 smackaroos you can't go wrong with a little neck bling

Rock it

It's no secret I love color.  So when I think of ways to bring natural elements into a space without taking away color I go right to using polished rocks, geodes and agate. 

Just look at the ways you can add color AND natural elements into a design or your wardrobe

gemstone magnets

rock box

Alison's DIY agate lamp

my own rock pulls

beautiful natural lamp in this Chad Eisner bedroom

(from House Beautiful photo by Dominique Vorillon)

ring

LOVE the idea of putting something besides wood in a fireplace.
(John Loecke)

add sparkle to any bookshelf with these Geode Bookends 
(as shown on Sequins and Stripes)

Agate Ice bucket from Knight Moves

Matthew Studios Agate Lamp with matching finial

Matthew Studios table- holy HOTNESS!

love the agate sconces in this Lauren Stern
(and check out that art by Nicole Cohen)

Agate counter top from Apartment Therapy

I'm obsessed with these DIY knobs from Christina at Full House

A geode inspired wedding by Kate Miller Events

agate coasters add sparkle to a side table

I love all of these- I think its time to bring some more colorful, natural elements into my family room!

Last Sliver

I do love that Fall is upon us, but I'm savoring that last sliver of nice weather we have here today.  This beautiful pink and white home let me do just that.

Get in those evening BBQ's- before you know it snow will be here.

Happy Friday!

(photos from Hamptons Cottages and Gardens by Michael Grimm)

More Wild

I just love seeing a nice leopard-print carpet in a rather traditional home. Its a reminder that animal print is a classic and can be mixed in with most styles.


(photo from Style at Home, photography by Virginia Macdonald)

Hot Damn!

It's not often that I can look at a magazine or website and absolutely LOVE everything about one home. I am always delighted when that is the case though, and it was most certainly the case when I was browsing the internet last night before bed.

I found this kitchen and then started clicking on the pictures of the rest of the house and DAMN, I fell head over heels.

It all started here:


I don't even know where to start! The tile backslash- divine. The lighting- obsessed. The chairs with the nailhead design- genius. The white cabinets and dark floor-heavenly. In short this photo is FOR SURE going in my "future home" file.


Again with the dining room- love the table, chairs, that chandelier- ahhh!


wallpaper, swoon!


I would die to sit here with the BF every night and just chat, drink wine and have a lovely dinner. The large framed art/chalkboard is my favorite- its such a statement piece.


Two words...Madeline Weinrib. The rest just falls into place around that black and white beauty.


I spy my favorite Company C Pagoda pillows in green.


I'd have 500 kids if they could all have a nursery like this one...ok not really but I love this space- the wallpaper and lighting fixture just make it go from snooze-fest to more babies please!

Total decor porn at its best. See why I love it now?



Photos from Style at Home. Design by Samantha Farjo, photos by Donna Griffith

i love...

click to see the whole photo

Totally loving Mary McDonald's new website & this hot family room!!

I love the...

David Hicks fabric pillows

the horns

the curtains

the zigzag rug

the Asian side chairs with shiny red cushions...swoon

the bookcases

the coffee table

the painted brick fireplace

the Bourgie table lamp

the wood basket

What do you love??

(photo from Mary McDonald)

Loving This...Steele Canvas Baskets

I am totally in love with these industrial looking canvas basket on wheels thing! They are from Steele Canvas Basket Co would be awesome to have around for sorting laundry. If I had the room I would order three- one each for whites, colors and cold wash.

I think I'm going to order one and replace our ugly laundry bin...this one is so much cooler looking, and its all about being cool right?

They were featured in Martha Stewart this month, check out more HERE

Loving This...Wallpaper

Shopping online at Target today I came across this wallpaper and immediately thought it looked alot like something that we all know and love- you be the judge

here is the wallpaper (coloring is off)...


...and here is what it reminded me of. Anyone else see it?



Of course one thing led to another and I found myself browsing the selection of wallpaper that Target carries. Not being a paint/wallpaper/fabric store I was surprised to see some great papers, ones that I kinda want to try out in my apartment.

Since I cant afford all the fancy schmancy to-the-trade ones yet and I'm only a renter, these fun ones might do the trick for the time being.

We'll start off with my favorite- then in no particular order are the rest

I'm looking to do something different and dramatic to the BF's office and this paper is great! I love the pattern and color and since his office is small but has lots of light this could be just the punch I'm looking for.

Love this pink one...would be great in my closet- not sure the BF would let it go anywhere else in the apartment :)

This is my second favorite choice for the office- its kinda Kelly Wearstler feeling to me

Comes in blue too

I'd love to do a small powder room in this black and white zebra. Paired with a chunky ornate gold mirror, hot pink ceiling, a small crystal chandelier, and maybe even a gold toilet to totally go over the top- ahhh someday I'll have my own place to decorate.

Pretty birds

This pink wallpaper would be cute in a little girls room- a la Stella's room from Tori and Dean with a little more white and a little less pink, pink, pink

Lots more where these came from at Target- some of these are even Graham & Brown designs too. Meaning you get the fancy schmancy name without the fancy schmancy price tag, score for this apartment dweller :)