Dirty Dirty Dirty

Trying to get my mind out of the gutter. . . but it's not that easy!

In case you needed a giggle today, here ya go!

Fantastic Teen's Bedroom

I needed to veer a little ways away from Christmas on this blog, just to remind myself why I am here, so I thought I would share this beautiful bedroom with you. I have seen the image above before, as it has been saved in my inspiration files for quite some time, but I had never seen the entire room until today when I spotted it on House of Turquoise (which happens to be one of my FAVORITE blogs!) It's designed by Margot Austin and photographed by Donna Griffith. I love, love, love the color palette, dreamy bed, painted furniture, cozy sitting area and functional work space. Perfect for a teenage girl! (Or maybe even me?!?!)

 

 

Holiday Decorating!

What do you get when you combine $10 worth of ornaments from the Dollar Store, a wire hanger, a little bit of hot glue, and these instructions?!

AN ORNAMENT WREATH!

 

SUPER EASY. SUPER CUTE. MY KIND OF PROJECT!

(Sorry these pictures aren't the greatest, I was freezing my butt off last night trying to take some quick pictures. Did I mention it snowed here in Northern California yesterday?! Something that hasn't happened in almost ten years!)

 

 Here's a close-up. (Please ignore the fact that I haven't finished painting the front door yet. . .)

 

Here's some exterior shots of our holiday decor. The boyfriend did a great job with the lights and garland. I was pretty impressed, it was all his idea!

 

A close up of the garland.

I got a little crazy with the bow making. . .

And here is an interior shot of our cozy (and by cozy I mean teeny-tiny) living room, complete with kiddies snuggled by the fire!

 I had to put the tree up on an end table, otherwise it took up too much space and we couldn't walk into the room. This is the first time I have ever had a front window to put a tree in, and gosh darn it, it was going to go there! This picture was taken last weekend, and since then I have covered the base of the tree with more fabric and propped presents up against it, so it looks a little less like a random tree on a table.

I hope you enjoyed taking a peak at the holiday festiveness around my house!

Ornament Exchange!

If you haven't already visited Slip Cover Your Life, do so now! Erin is one of my favorite bloggers out there and she continually provides inspiration and tons of eye candy for us design junkies. She is putting on her first anual ornament exchange each day until Christmas to thank other bloggers out there that have supported and inspired her. I was so excited to be included! Check out the super cute ornament that she gifted me (and it is SO me :)

Here's what I have picked out for you, Erin. I hope you like it! It's from Anthropologie and I thought it would look cute on you pink and white tree!! Happy Holidays!!!

Snow Day!

 image via flickr

I have to admit that I have been ignoring my little blog lately, but thats only because things are pretty hecktic right now in my life. After the first of the year I plan on going back to regularly scheduled posts, but for now, I might just be dropping by here and there to share a thing or two. Hang tight :)

I just had to post and let you know that IT IS SNOWING today. I know, I know, big deal to some of you, but for anyone that is from the Central Valley in California, you know that this only happens like every ten years!!! In fact, this is only the third time in my life as I recall that we have gotten snow here. I actually had to put a jacket on for the first time this year, and opted for Uggs instead of flip flops as I got dressed this morning :) I drove to work and watched the snowflakes fall onto my windshield. It was beautiful and totally put me into the holiday spirit! Hope you all are enjoying this time of year!

I'm dreaming of a. . .

Peacock Christmas!

image via HGTV

The colors of the Christmas season are traditionally red, green and white. Colors symbolizing green fir trees, red holly berries and white snow continue to evoke a Christmas winter wonderland.While these colors are always popular choices, that doesn't mean you can't choose an unexpected color - or combination of colors - to deck your halls!

Last year I went all out and bought new decorations for Christmas that consisted of a festive red and lime green color pallet. While this combination of colors is still very popular (and fun!) I wish I had had the time (and budget) to accommodate a new theme this year! I would love, love, love to deck my halls with the jewel tone colors reminesint of a peacock; brilliant blues and greens, including bright aquas, rich teals, vivid emeralds, lime green  and a splash of purple! Here's some festive eye candy for you to kick off the holiday decorating season!

image via hostesswiththemostess.com

image via hostesswiththemostess.com

 

 image via flickr.com

 

 

 image via amazon.com

 

 image via amazon.com

Happy Thanksgiving!

I hope everyone has a fantastic, stress-free holiday!!! I'll be back Monday (with hopefully Christmas deco pictures to share!) 

Guilty as charged

I did something yesterday that I swore I would NEVER do. . .

NO, I didn't actually commit a crime, but I did give in temptation!

 

 I put up my Christmas decorations lasts night. There. I said it.

 

I know, the guilt is going to KILL me!

I don't have any pictures to share with you yet, but I just had to get that off my chest!

I feel much better now :)

Day Dreaming. . .

While everyone is talking about prepping for Thanksgiving, there is nothing more I would rather do than curl up in bed and hideout for the day! I had a busy weekend and could use some more R & R. Oh well, I guess I should put that on the back burner until after the holidays are over! Until then, I'll be day dreaming of catching some extra Z's in one of these fabulous bedrooms.

via Belle Maison 23

via Decorpad

via Decorpad

via Design Sponge

via Little Green Notebook

via Phoebe Howard

 

via Point Click Home

via Truly Engaging

I spy. . .

The quatrefoil, four poster bed that  Thom Filicia used in the Designer Visions House that was featured in November's issue of House Beautiful. Since the moment I saw this bed, I couldn't get it out of my head! And low and behold, here it is again, used in a sophisticated girls room that was featured in Traditional Home! I love this bed and think it looks stunning in both spaces.

Dear Future Home,

I would looooooove for you to look a little something like this;

 Living Room 

 

Kitchen

 

Dining Room

 

 Office

 

Bedroom

Bathroom

 Backyard

That's not too much to ask for, right?! I didn't think so either ;)

What I learned from Maria today

If you aren't already familiar with Maria Killam's blog Colour me Happy, go check it out!

I have to admit, I have recently become obsessed with Maria's blog and the plethora of knowledge and advise she gives to her readers on color (or according to Maria, "Colour". Doesn't it just sound fancier when you add the "u"?!) In addition to her fabulous blog, she also has an email newsletter you can sign up for to receive EVEN MORE helpful advice and tips on everything having to do with color!

Maria is a color consultant in the Vancouver area and she is also a member of the International Association of Color Consultants/Designers and the Color Marketing Group. She also teaches Color Theory at the Vancouver Community College. This lady really knows her stuff! I just wish I had her as my instructor when I took Color Theory at FIDM five years ago!

Here's a very simple lesson that I learned from Maria today; 

Color can only be described in three ways, it is ALWAYS either;

1) Clean or Dirty

2) Light or Dark

3) Cool or Warm

Wedding Wednesday!

There are many reasons brides and grooms are foregoing wedding cake in lieu of something a little different for their wedding reception. Wedding cakes are expensive and while new shows like Ace of Cakes are stretching the imaginations of viewers, cakes can easily leave a lot to be desired, both in taste and design. Rather than spending hundreds of dollars, if not thousands, on a cake, brides and grooms may want to consider tasteful alternatives that are just as appealing as traditional wedding cakes.

Good things come in small packages, and that couldn't be more true with cupcakes! Cupcakes have become a huge trend as an alternative to the traditional wedding cake. Here's some inspirational pictures that will have your craving these scrumdiddlyumptious little desserts!