Category Archives: Decor

2011 Gift Guide: His Edition

Posted on December 2, 2011 | Leave a comment

Listen, I know, sometimes it can be nearly impossible to shop for guys.  I get it.  They don’t make wish lists, or drop hints, and generally if they want something they get it.  Oh man, men!

So my rule for shopping for Mark, the man in my life, is to just have fun with it.  I listen carefully to the things he mentions, the articles/songs/books he gets excited about, and otherwise I am left with my own creativity.

For this “his edition” of the gift guide I was extra playful, a little old school and hopefully a lot of fun.

2011: Gifts for Him

Shop: Beer, Soda, RC Helicopter, Pac-Man, Coffee, Batman, Tie, Parking Ticket, Shirt, Breaking Bad, Atlas

When I found a lot of these gifts it was with Mark in mind.  What I really like about them is that they straddle the gap between grown up and kid – and if there is ever a time to act or feel like a kid, it is definitely at the holidays.

A lot of these gifts are food/drink related – and I think that’s great for a guy – they’re consumable and don’t require much thought.  Check out microbreweries, coffee roasters, beef jerky makers, etc, for cool monthly or weekly gifts.  I also really loved the old school favorites from yesteryear that are now updated like the modern movie posters, RC racers, and Pac-Man.  If your guy needs some grown up gear nothing beats a perfect fitting shirt, crisp tie, timely reading, and a kitschy tray to catch all.

What is your favorite gift to give guys?  Tell me in the comments!

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2011 Gift Guide: Home Edition

Posted on November 28, 2011 | Leave a comment

With Thanksgiving officially behind us all that remains is some leftover pies, a renewed commitment to working out and a big holiday shopping list!

At some point when you’re a “real adult” the joys of the holiday season extend beyond gift receiving into gift giving.  I have found a collection of favorite gifts for hopefully everyone on your list, at a variety of prices, and this week I will be sharing them all with you.

First up: gifts for home.  If your home is your castle, than the holiday season is the perfect time to gift people with little treats and trinkets that they might not ordinarily splurge on for themselves.

2011: Gifts for the Home

Shop: Napkin, Bowls, Bottle Stop, Throw, Coaster, Candle, Snuffer, Poster, Ornaments

When I found a lot of these gifts it was with a new homeowner in mind.  They are special items that can’t be picked up at Bed & Beyond or IKEA, and can make even the smallest “starter” apartment feel like home.

Great gifts for the new homeowner include art to celebrate the home, ornaments for their first tree or a real menorah, a ultra soft throw blanket to upgrade from their college fleece, luxe kitchen and entertaining trinkets for when the parties graduate from kegger to cocktails.

What is your favorite gift to give for the home?  Tell me in the comments!

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Dream Home: Mediterranean Edition

Posted on November 21, 2011 | 1 comment

Last time we talked real estate I shared with you, you’re welcome, the best big city loft.  The loft was fabulous, obviously.  But, my true favorite style of house is a cross between Spanish and Mediterranean.

This style is fairly common is South Florida and California.  It should not be confused with “Tuscan” and should not feature an abundance of gold, marble columns, etc.  It should never be confused for “inspired by Macaroni Grill” not should it have any resemblance to anyone’s home on the Real Housewives of New Jersey series.  It should be natural, open, airy, organic – and obviously, fabulous.

I haven’t found “the one” but how fabulous are these details?

Curved and Iron Windows via Design Sponge

Great Great Room via CocoCozy

Curved Entryways via Design Sponge

Backyard via Pinterest

What I love: There are a few consistent details that always call out to me on this style of homes.  I love the tiled roof, the natural stone floors, the pastel kissed stucco walls, the curved  entryways and windows, irons details, floral vines, I could go on forever.

The other benefit of this style of home is its ability to play nice with others.  Because it has a world-traveled aesthetic it perfectly cool with making friends with other new and old and far and near accessories.

Do you have a city home/apartment style?

*Also, it is my birthday this week, so expect for more “my favorite things” style posts than usual!

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Dream Home: City Edition

Posted on November 14, 2011 | Leave a comment

Being married into real estate – Mark is a developer – I look at houses all the time.  At first I only looked at homes in the city where we live and work, but then my imagination got the best of me and began “trolling” real estate in other cities and began to identify what I like and where.

I have a really clear sense of what I like in most settings and over the next few Mondays I’ll be sharing them with you, but first up, the most perfect (in my opinion), city loft apartment.

This is the New York City apartment of Devon and Phil Radizwill as featured in Vogue.

Living Room

Shared Office and Library Space

Fun and Games

Time for Rest

What I love: the clean lines, the enormous original panel windows, the exposed brick, the wood and cement floors, the mix of masculine and feminine design, and the pops of color through beautiful art installations and fresh flowers.

I think of liking real estate in the same way as shopping for a wedding dress, when you know, you know.  There is something about it that just fits better than all the rest.  The other good thing, like a wedding dress, it only has to fit for a short while, not the rest of your life as you know your needs and tastes change.

Do you have a city home/apartment style?

 

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Tea (or Coffee) for Two

Posted on November 2, 2011 | 1 comment

I am not really a tea or coffee drinker.  I grew up in the age of Clueless, and at an impressionable 10 years old, I believed Cher Horowitz when she shunned coffee because it would eventually stunt her growth.  I’m 5’9 – so you tell me…

Anyway, while I don’t get buzzing over a cup filled with coffee, the same cannot be said about coffee cups.  As the weather turns cooler how lovely would it be to plop down on an oversize sofa cushion with a fresh cup of coffee, or cocoa in one of these charming little cups.

Cup of Letters at Anthopologie

A Kissed Cup by Reiko Kaneko

Heartfelt Cup by Yedi Drinkware at Macy's

I think these would make a great cup for your own home, or as a gift.

A few years ago I used the letter cups for small Christmas gifts and housewarming presents.   They were a great hit, and a very affordable way to send a personalized token.

The heart cups are just dreamy for a ladies – only tea party or shower.  So if you buy housewares for a future event, consider them.

The lipstick kissed cup is perhaps my favorite.  I love the touch of sparkle, the dripping gold (or platinum) and the idea of a more glamorous morning cup.  Besides, who really wears lipstick to the breakfast table?

 

How do you take your coffee?  On the run, in a fancy cup, with cream and sugar?

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Posted in Breakfast/Brunch, Decor, Her Home, Her Kitchen, Holidays

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Sparkle for Fall

Posted on October 10, 2011 | Leave a comment

I recently got my West Elm catalog and I was delighted!  West Elm, Pottery Barn’s more modern and affordable sister, is offering a Fall and Holiday collection that I am swooning for.  It has everything I could hope for, some whimsy, some metallic and lots of sparkle.

Here is what I am loving for my home for this fall.

In the living room:

I love the texture on these pillows.  The sparkle is a luxe touch to the natural linen and canvas bases.  How fun would these be on our couch?  (hint, hint!)

Sequin Pillows

These frames, also match a set of small boxes, they have a fabulous pebbled texture and could look sleek and fresh at home.

Shagreen Frames

For the table:

These plates were a guaranteed winner: letterpress and gold?!  Sold.

Letterpress Plates

Is anyone else thinking what I am thinking?  Appetizer and dessert party for the holiday season?

Dessert Banded Plates

Do you decorate for the season with color or more traditional touches?

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Haunted Houses

Posted on October 4, 2011 | 1 comment

Welcome to October, it is nearly the bewitching hour and time to start thinking about All Hallow’s Eve.

There is something about Halloween, maybe the chocolates, or the “bloody” Mary’s that brings out the kooky and creepy in us all.  So, I started thinking about decorating for a spook-tacular Halloween.

There are lots of ways to decorate for Halloween, my three  favorite: the spooky, the sparkly, the seasonal.

The spooky:

Martha Stewart, Halloween 2011

Jack-O-Lantern Fireplace

The sparkly:

Wendy Addison with West Elm

Glitter Pumpkin from Sweet Paul

The seasonal:

Fall Harvest Mantle

No Carve Pumpkin Decor

Which of these are a treat for you?  And which are just a trick?

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50 Nifty Ways to Decorate

Posted on September 26, 2011 | 1 comment

Do you decorate with patriotic flare or geographic influence?  I got to thinking the other day how everything in fancy design books and catalogs are all either Tuscan or French inspired and how very often that is just code for big, and distressed leather and wrought iron.  Don’t get me wrong, it can be fabulous, but I was thinking a little closer to home.

As a Florida girl I can barely resist this print found on Etsy.  I don’t know if it would totally ridiculous in a home outside of Florida, but I do like the cheekiness of it all.

State Print from Etsy

 

Everyone I know who is from NY truly lives in a NY state of mind and this vintage-y and faded print could be perfect for them.

State of Mind Print

 

We have one of these, for DC, not Boston and I love it.  It is a cool way to see all of your cities neighborhood and towns.

Boston Print

 

I have been a fan of this print set for a while now.  It is pretty summery feeling and of course tied to the wonderful song by the Beach Boys but a fun way to show your coastal allegiance.

Beach Boys Print

 

There are no shortage of subway signs, clearly, and while is a super pricy version of that look, it is still “trendy.”   If you’re looking for this style for a lot less, you can definitely DIY it or find a similar style at discount shops or Etsy.

Subway Sign

 

Would you decorate with maps, and city/state inspired art?    My favorite is the Beach Boys print it is so playful and fun.

Which would you choose?

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Missoni for Target, a Budget Fashionista’s dream

Posted on September 13, 2011 | 1 comment

If you are so lucky to be able to access the Missoni collection on Target today, consider yourself very lucky and get to shopping.  I am a documented Missoni fan, and to date have only been able to lust over that multicolor chevron knit.

But, if the Target server’s cooperate, this is what I want…  (Italian drum roll, please)

Just the skirt, Missoni for Target

Just the pants, Missoni for Target

Makeup Kit, Missoni for Target

"Silk" Scarf, Missoni for Target

Espresso, Missoni for Target

Martini, Missoni for Target

Martini, Missoni for Target

Art, Missoni for Target

Will you be braving the crowds and shopping this collection online?  Fingers crossed for the Target server (and cashiers!)

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Posted in Budget, Decor, Her Closet, Her Home, Shopping

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Fall at Home

Posted on August 29, 2011 | 1 comment

Believe it or not, this post has nothing to do with my clumsiness, we’re here to talk about capturing fall (the season) at home.

In a post-Earthquake, and post-Irene Monday the air was a little bit cooler, the sky a little bit more overcast, the realization that fall is near that much more real.

This fall, in addition to some swoon-worthy fashion pick-ups, I am thinking about decorating at home.  I am trying to strike the right balance between being seasonal and looking like I decorate for each season.  There will be none of the following: scarecrows, jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, candy corn welcome mats.  Come on, people, don’t we know each other at all by now?

This is the idea:

Pottery Barn

For the kitchen I am loving these lovely screenprinted tea towels.

Studio Patro Tea Towels

I love that these textiles really convey emotion and a tactile sensory experience.  Hi, I’m Veruca Salt, and I want all of them and would love to give these as gifts.

I think this is a very clever idea for lighting a Rosh Hashanah table:

Apple Core Candles

And at the end of the day, I’ll cozy up with this to keep warm:

Cashmere Throw Blanket, Williams Sonoma

Fall just seems like such a lovely, cozy season.  Are you getting anything new, or hoping to, for your home?

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