Window shopping...

I wish I was one of those fierce bloggers...the ones that walk through stores, snapping pictures of their favorite pieces in stores and posting them for all to see...I just can't bring myself to walk through a store snapping picture after picture...maybe one or two, but one or two photos does not a blog post make. So I am doing a little online window shopping until I get the balls to snap pictures in the actual store... Zgallerie...my favorite, my haven. Here's what I'm lovin'...

White ceramic deer head...$50.00...My love affair with these white ceramic animal heads started long ago, yet I still don't own one. MUST HAVE WHITE HEAD...hmm...that sounds funny...

Astair Nesting Tables...$199.00...In gold...I dream of these tables adding some serious sophistication into my home somewhere. I love the simple lines and classic, but glamorous color. I'm definitely looking for tables of a similar shape that I can hack into something similar to these.

Chalice Accent Table...$399.00...I imagine this table in a two story entry stacked with books around the edges in flowers in the middle...or as a dining table with sleek black chairs.

Eddie Accent Chair...$1299.00....These chairs are the perfect mix of classic (the classic style and shape) and modern (the fun color and brass nail head). Two of these in a study would be amazing...The price kind of hurts, but isn't too surprising for this quality and such a statement piece.

Lazo Throw....$59.95...I of course love the color...but let's talk about that texture...and being wrapped in it...in the winter...in front of a fire...drinking hot chocolate...so luxurious.

Easton Sconce in Gold...$39.95...These sconces would add classic elegance to any space.

The Aris Vases...$19.95...I have loved the gold Aris Vase for awhile...I've even used it in a couple of clients spaces' but have still yet to purchase one myself. I imagine three of them across a dining room with branches flowing out.

The Timber Mirror....$799.00...I love the idea of this mirror leaning in a grand entryway. Love the rusticness (not a word) and grandiose size.
Also, my birthday is coming up, and any or all of these will do just fine....Don't go to any trouble...

I'm Lovin' It August...

Here's what I'm lovin' in August...

Hiking...For the past week or so we've had P.E.R.F.E.C.T. weather...It was almost like fall, with the exception of a few 85+ degree days. On the nicer Saturdays we went out to Lawrence for a hike, the farmer's market, and coffee...The perfect day in our opinion.

Quite obviously, this is not what the views on our hikes look like, it would be nice though...Work on that, Kansas.

The Environment...We bought the Lorax last week, only because it was a 3-d movie, and we just bought a 3-d television...plus let's be honest Dr. Seuss was a genius...but it really got us thinking and talking about the environment and whether we were doing our part. So we started recycling at home (or attempting to) and since we are currently car shopping, we started looking at hybrids (I would love any and all information anyone has on these because I've heard both good and bad environmental studies!) We are also giving up our beloved paper plates (yes I'm that person that likes to use paper plates 4 nights a week to get out of doing dishes)...

The lotus flush mount.........Found here...It's obvious that I've always loved lighting with a nod to vintage, but I seriously have dreams about this light...I imagine it in a little girls nursery with gray walls, a white crib, and subtle pink accents...I'm only slightly crazy...

Bella Couture...This is an online boutique I found from a friend on Pinterest, basically every piece they sell I'm obsessed with...There's a good chance my entire next paycheck might go to this online establishment. To be honest the website kind of scared me away at first, because the pictures don't show the full piece of clothing/accessory, which is stressful to me (I have a pretty easy life) but once you click on the gallery photos you can see the full piece. Check them out they have really cute stuff, such as these:

          

Click on any picture for a direct link...

What about you guys? What are you loving this month?........

Overwhelmed...the only description of how I have been feeling lately....Lots going on, including some pretty big news in our little world (no, once again....I'm not pregnant), that I will eventually be able to share with you. In the meantime, I feel like I don't have as many home accomplishments to share with ya'll as I would like. So please stick with me, because as soon as life gets back on track so will my home posts. I do have a few small changes in the meantime...maybe mundane changes, but changes in any case. This blog post is nothing if not exciting...sense the sarcasm people...This is how the wall in our living room looked before....

There was nothing wrong with this cheap Target bookcase, of course, but it was not right in this space at all...The scale and shape were way off (too small, and needed to cover more horizontal space.) This is what it looks like now...

This last one was included, simply to show how adorable my husband is....trying to decipher the Swedish Ikea instructions :)
This is the Expedit bookcase from Ikea...Only $70, and adds tons of storage, and is the right size I think. The styling is still not right, but eventually I'll get it. In case your wondering...the boxes are from Michaels and hold extra remotes/cords/probably some nail clippers (lets be honest)...the gold vase and white bowl are both from Nebraska Furniture Mart, along with the large "Live, Love, Laugh" frame, and the keys are keys from all our past homes, and the jewelry box my engagement ring was in (I'm nothing if not sentimental). The lamp is from Old time pottery, and is about to be retired. The husband/wife figurine was a wedding gift from my Aunt. The cute blue candle holders are Ikea. Like I said before, the styling is not quite right, but I'm working on it...Actually it's sat like this untouched for over a month, but now I'll work on it. For styling tips check out this old post, where I pretend to know what I'm talking about...Anyways, what's new with you? Any exciting news? Any mundane home changes?...Do tell...

A few reader questions...

So ladies and gents (actually I think all of my readers, except for my husband, who may very well, just read the titles of my posts and pretend to read it, are ladies) I have gotten a few e-mails and messages, asking random design questions. I've put off answering them, simply because I don't necessarily know the "right" answer. I could technically call myself a professional (I wouldn't because that would be weird), but am definitely no expert. Then I realized you aren't asking for an official answer, but just MY answer...so guess what here's some answers...

I noticed you and your husband have been together for a very long time. How do you guys make decisions on design related issues, with probably pretty different tastes?
We have been together for about 10 years, but have only actually lived together about 5, so I don't have it 100% figured out yet either. I'm super lucky in the fact that, Race usually let's me take the reign on styling our spaces. He actually is into interior design (as much as a man that also loves football and monster trucks can be), but generally trusts my taste. He does, however, retain permanent veto power, and has used it on occasion. Also, he has his own little "man cave"/media room, that he has decorated on his own (including his bat mobile collectibles, no i'm not kidding). My advice basically for any woman is to take into consideration your husband's feelings. Most guys don't care to an extent, but a floral chair and curtains (which btw, probably aren't a good look anyways) is super feminine, and probably not super comfortable for your man. And let him have his own space. You don't need the whole house, most people have a basement or spare room that can be allocated for the gent in the household, and should be. Basically, just be considerate before you paint your bathroom pink and yellow (not only to your husband, but to any guest that has to use that bathroom).

I love color, and I see you do use color, but in a really minimal but fun way. How do you choose how many colors can be used in one space?
A general rule of thumb is 3 colors. I generally don't count neutrals as colors but if you use a very dominant neutral (a deep gray or brown) I would count it. My living room has a lot of blue, green, and golds...along with several neutrals, but no one color overbears the others...I don't think...

What type of photoshop do you use to make your moodboards?
I actually don't use photoshop (because I'm cheap basically). I do have elements but I find the free online program Pixlr.com to be easier. I generally then just paste it into paint, so that it can be sent to clients, with no issues.

So there's some design answers for you...eventually I will do a personal question post, so keep those questions coming, I love hearing from ya'll! Peace out...

I've been thinking a lot about kid friendly spaces lately...no bump watchers, I'm not pregnant. I just love how fun, daring, and colorful you can go in a kid's space, or sometimes you will find them more sophisticated and simple, or just plain cute...Check out these spaces..

Ok, maybe I do have a little baby fever :)...Happy Wednesday!