Restoration Hardware Baby

It was only a matter of time before Restoration Harware picked up on the baby and child trend. I mean everyone else is doing it, right?)

The website says the line should be available in June, so I guess we'll see. I do have a weekness for all things RH!




Thank you Amy for the pictures

Just fabulous

I simply cannot get over how much I love the Julianne Moore Layout in last months Domino Magazine. I think the blogging world has already blogged it to death, but I can't help but to rehash it in all it's grey and yellow goodness.



What really gets me is the bedroom with the lovely yellow gold drapes. It seems so rich and so bright and sunny at the same time. It might be time I made over my bedroom!

High Fashion Home Blog also did a great story on the apartment which you can find here. Thanks for the inspiration!

Obsession Du Jour: Lighting

Yesterday, the lovely couple at This Young House posted a deal too good too pass up. I had to pass this along as well!

Run, don't walk to West Elm to pick up this fabulous Capiz Chandelier.




Seriously, at $59.99. You HAVE to pick it up!!

Go Pam!

I just wanted to give a shout up to my friend Pam. Her nursury was featured on ohdeedoh.com today, and it's just fabulous. So bright and festive!


Pam has a ton more pictures on her personal blog HERE. Check it out!

Less Theme-y Nurseries

Can I just say how much I love the modern nurseries? And by modern - I don't necessarily mean modern design, but just the newer, less theme-y designs that the big box furniture stores have come out with.




These two by Pottery Barn are CLEARLY gender themed. The fabulous pink wallpaper still allows mommy to have her little princess room, but it's not over the top obnoxious. I love it.



This one is gender neutral - but still so cute. (I have such a thing for animal prints...)

Someday I'll actually have a nursery to plan!

Swoon!

I've shamelessly stollen these inspirational pictures from TheScoop.com I can't even express my love for this apartment!! (And the fact that it was all done on the cheap...)









*Le sigh*

Randomness

I apologize for the lack of posts lately, would you believe I had the flu... again? Nothing says fun like loads of snot.

Anyhoo, clothing is off topic for me, but I can't pass up posting about my fabulous JCrew wedding season find.

JCrew doesn't normally carry their special occasion dresses in the store, so I was pretty excited to stumble in there this weekend only to find rack upon rack of colorful goodness. They really should start sending these beauties to the store, because I would NEVER have ordered this dress if I hadn't seen it in person. I promise you all it doesn't resemble maternity wear quite as much in person.



I picked it up in a shimmery brown color which will get me through all my summer and fall weddings.


And really, does it get better than fushia heels?? I also picked up these lovelies for good measure in both the gold and the fabulous green.

I adore being a girl.

DIY - TV Frame

Yes, yes.... It's been a week since my last post. Bad Meg. ;)



Anyway, I stumbled upon this TV frame in Pottery Barn's sale section today, and felt like it warranted a post. PB is charging between $400 and $600 for this beauty (on sale), which frankly intrigues me.

I always tend to lean toward hiding a TV. I don't really want it to be the centerpiece of our living room, but, if I'm going to display it, it needs to be pretty. And what better way than to frame it?

However, why on earth would PB charge such a fortune for what is essentially 4 pieces of crown moulding?


I do, however, think I might pick up this light for above our dining room table.

Chairs vs. shelves

So, I mentioned in my last post that I was contemplating painting my Dining Room chairs a nice bright white color. The Lovely Bryn, posted this picture earlier this week and it really got me thinking. Could my dining room handle the white?

I pretty much adore everything about this West Elm picture. The green walls, the dark table, the white chairs. Such a striking contrast. Of course, then I remembered that I don't have green walls, I'm lacking the streamlined table.... and basically, I'm questioning initial excitement.

Please take note of my actually dining room. Although, try to refrain from noticing our horrible off center chandelier that I'm pretty sure the previous owners picked up at a Home Depot liquidation sale. We'll be replacing it soon with a chandelier similar to this.

Anyway, our dining room 'corner' is pretty dark. Two years ago when we bought the house, I really fell in love with the dark wood with mixed with black look. Now, I'm pretty sure it's contributing to the black hole that is that corner. And while I LOVE our PB entertaining shelves, I wish I'd look around a bit for a better way to hang them. (However, those things were a NIGHTMARE to hang... so I'm hoping to avoid moving them too much.)

But, what if I painted the shelves white and left the chairs? I could pick up three square pictures to replace the old college era picture I currently have hanging on the adjacent wall. It wouldn't nearly measure up to the loveliness of that is Sherry and John's dining room... but maybe it would come close?

And the big reveal

Just as a reminder, that is what my fireplace used to look like. It was a horrid lovely red color that was disgusting dirty beyond repair. I'm not kidding when I tell you that no amount of hard work, soap or acid could get it clean. In fact, it took two coats of some weird spray-paint smelling substance and an hour of scraping with a putty knife to even be ready for paint.

And here is my masterpiece post paint job:


I'm not 100% convinced I love it. It's quite a shocking difference, and I wonder if it looks too sterile. Below is the same perspective I used in my last post.

What do you guys think?

And, since I'm in a sharing mood today... here is the other half of the world's oddest shaped room (And a peek at the always super chic Lola the bean dog.)

*Le sigh*

Someday I'll come up with a way to make this room look better!

Painting Complete!

Doesn't it look great?

Ok, ok, that's not my house. But, I'll be back to show off the pictures tomorrow. (Photo by Chris Everard)

To paint, or not to paint...

For two years I've been debating painting our fireplace. I just can't decide. Originally, we decided no - because of the brick along the floor, it seems a little too high maintenance for us. Then, we decided no because we were going to replace our current surround with one similar to this when we replace our wood burning fireplace with a gas fireplace.

Since then, a few new projects have come up that pushed back the fireplace. So, it's time to decide if we should paint, or not paint. (Please excuse my serious lack of photoshop talent!)




What do you think - Should we go white?

Off topic..

This is my random post for the month. Forgive me. :)

I posted a while ago about my little smooshy faced pup. What I didn't mention is how excited I get when a similarly cute dog makes it into one of my daily reading blogs.

This guy looks to be a French Bulldog, and not a Boston Terrier - but he's still cute.

Thank you Jose Villa for taking such fabulous photos!

Babies on the brain

I think it's fair to say that I've been fairly obsessed with all things "baby" lately. And it isn't helping things that Baby Gap launched it's new Nursery store today. I had to take a peek! I don't know what I was expecting, but I'm pleasantly surprised at what the Gap is offering.

I just love the options in the mix and match organic bedding section. Not overly cartoony or pastely. (Ok, they aren't real words, but you know what I mean.)




Fabulous turtle blanket
This looks like a knock off of the much more expensive Bla Bla Kids version...


All in all, I like it! It's not quite up to par with Land of Nod or PB Baby... but I have high hopes that it will be there eventually!

The "You Make My Day" awards

I've been lacking for writing inspiration as of late, so I wanted to take a moment to recognize my favorite design blogs and bloggers! I'm a horrible blog stalker - and rarely have the opportunity to leave comments. (Bad Meghan!) So, I'm hoping to make up for it!

The following 5 blogs really do make my day.

1. Newlywedisms by Bryn

As a semi-newlywed and fellow first time homeowner, I really love reading Bryn's blog. Plus, she changes her mind almost as often as I do! It's fun to try and keep up.

2. This Young House

This young couple has enough DIY creativity for all of us normal people to feel seriously lacking. I keep hoping it will rub off on me!

3. Newlywed Diaries

Jennifer has some seriously fabulous taste. I keep holding my breath to see what inspirational pictures she posts next. It makes me wish our tiny rancher had a few more rooms in need of decor.

4. Inspiration for Everyday Living

Amy takes Urban Chic to a new level. I'd trade my left arm to have her apartment!

5. Copy Cat Chic

The title really says it all. It's fantastic reading - and a wonderful place for inspiration.

Thank you for making my days more fun!

So, it's pretty well known now that I have a thing for office supplies. But, I think this might take the cake.



It's like a cross between an adult coloring book, a planner, and an inspiration binder all in one. Pretty freaking neat. You can pick one up here.

Exciting Times...

Thanks to Kate at Girl Meets Glamour I am seeing a new addiction in my already overcommited life... The Brocade Home Blog

(Designed by : Tord Boontje)

Obsession Du Jour: Camera Bags

I'll be the first to admit - I'm a bag lady. I love me some hand bags. (Right now, I'm actually coveting these satchels by Marc Jacobs and Cole Haan.) Seriously, I just don't think I girl can have enough. But lately, I've really become obsessed with finding the perfect camera bag.

Let me back up. Two years ago I indulged myself and picked up a cute little Digital SLR as a birthday gift for myself. (The best kind of gift, right?) I picked up an average grey Lowepro Bag to carry my camera, 2 lenses (my favorite and my second favorite ), and I've been try to find something cuter - and more feminine ever since. It's NOT an easy task.

(Image courtesy of shootsac.com)

Jessica Claire sells the fabulous Shootsac - and this bag quickly topped my list of must haves. But, it's not really a camera bag. It's more like a lens holder for pro photographers and I'm FAR from pro. I needed something that would not only be cute and fabulous, but would also close.

(Image courtesy of Tracyjoy.com)

Everyone, meet Kristine. I stumbled upon Tracy Joy's Etsy Site last year in my frantic Pre-Paris bag search and am just now getting a chance to pick one up. I can't wait to get it in my hot little hands. And at less than half the price of the shootsac, I feel like I got a deal.

(Image courtesy of Tracyjoy.com)

Look at all she holds!

Obsession Du Jour: Custom Jewelry

I think I might have a thing for jewelry. I just can't get enough.

(Picture from Hostess with the Mostess)

I noticed this morning during my daily blog stalking that Hostess with the Mostess was running a fantastic giveaway deal with Christina Ashley. I'd seen a few of her pieces at a local shop in my area - and it's fabulous.


She also has some of her designs for sale on her Etsy site. Check her out!

Project Dresser

I spent most of the weekend browsing all of the loveliness on HGTV, DIYnetwork, and all the other project centric home decor websites. And I think I'm finally ready to tackle the giant project that is refinishing our bedroom furniture.

My mom bought me this Pier 1 dresser set when I was still in high school - and it looks a little outdated and frankly - sad. Since reading Holly's post on Decor8 a few weeks ago - I've been kind of obsessed with how I could update the look.

Here are some of the before pictures of our dressers with all of their "rustic" charm...

I just love the pulls featured in the Real Simple Article. There are also a few more beauties over on Anthropologie's website that I just love.

So, wish me luck! I'll be sure to post the results... even if they are disastrous!