2.09.2010

{inspired} stripes

It might not be a huge surprise that I adore stripes. They're just so fun, I can barely stand it! From our front stairs, to our living room curtains, I am slowly incorporating them into our house. I'm a huge proponent for layering textures and prints. Stripes add great texture and give a great modern edge ... especially thick stripes.

Below are some pictures of my favorite stripes, plus some new stripes that are on the market now.

  
I've posted this before, but I just love this bedding. It's my ideal stripe.

  
And, this floor? Oh, swoon. I would love to do this to a room in my house. Maybe my back entry? Have you noticed that all the stripes I love, and have painted, are either been black or grey and white? I didn't notice till this post, but yeah, I see a trend here.

 
This scarf is calling my name. And the pink is a lovely break from black and white! 


 
Simply stunning. A whole new take on stripes!But, of course, I expect nothing less from these guys.



Fabulous example of stripes adding texture and visual interest.



Oh Kate. I die every season over your flirty, fun looks. And those shoes? Yes, please.


 
I adore the green stripes on this bed. So unexpected, yet just another layer in the amazing texture of this room.

Your turn! I would love to know if, and how, you've used stripes to add interest in your home!

2.08.2010

images of a lovely weekend

How was your weekend friends? This morning I'm having some trouble getting going, because I want to be back here:
  

Taking in more of these views:
  

While watching the sun set over the Pacific Ocean.
 

We had a simply amazing, relaxing weekend. 

Oh and to top it all off, on our way to get dinner last night we found TWO beautiful bentwood chairs in a trash pile. Of course they came home with us. Makeover and pictures soon!

2.05.2010

spice'n it up!

I noticed recently an underlying theme to all the projects I've tackled this year: reuse. Whether it was making curtaings, painting, creating an inspiration board, adding a little glam to my closet, or sewing a pillow, the majority of the supplies are repurposed from our home. If we did have to buy anything, the total hasn't ever come to more than $10. This is pretty huge step for me, actually. And it feels good to be things that might have been thrown away other wise.

Today's project is no different.

We're going to organize our spices! Before we begin, I have a confession. We can be honest here, right? Up until last weekend I had spices in my cabinet that were nine years old Phew. I feel better having confessed. It's so gross. Don't worry ... most of these spices we didn't use. In fact a bunch had never been opened.Yet, they still moved with me three times. Don't judge. :)

So last weekend I cleaned and organized my spice/baking cabinet. I love cleaning and organizing. And I love it even more when it results in such a great little project. See, the old spices came as a set in these great little spice containers, above. 

So I threw away all the old spices and removed the labels from the containers.

Then I wrote the name of all my currents spices on these cute little sticker labels.
 

 Stickers go onto the clean and sparkly bottles.
  

And all the spices are moved from their current mismatched bottles and baggies into these great little matching containers.
  

 And then into the cupboard they go!

Cute, no? And it makes the organized/ocd person in my very happy every time I open the cupboard. Best of all, it's really quick, if you're looking for something do this weekend.

Hope you all have a great weekend!

2.04.2010

ode to an ikea curtain

Oh IKEA. How I doth despise you at times, with your tiring expansive of inexpensive goods, and yet love thee when I find at item I love.

Oh IKEA. In how many ways can your perfect Merete curtains thus grace my home?

To beautifully frame my living room windows.

To make precious bags o'gifts to delight my loved ones.

And to create smaller curtains for a window in despair.


You know, I don't always love IKEA - mostly for the shopping experience - but wow, I got a lot of use from those curtain panels. I'm thinking of buying a couple more just to have the fabric on hand!

2.03.2010

{inspired} Nonpariel Magazine

If you haven't yet, you need to check out Nonpareil.It's gorgeous and so full of inspiration. This first issue is full of great budget-friendly tips. And has some really cute ideas, like the flower brooch below that they also use for a gift bag decoration. Adore!


If you aren't a bride, still take a minute to check out. Even though I've been married for a little over a year, I still find myself perusing wedding blogs and magazines for party and decor inspiration. Because really, a wedding is simply a beautifully planned and executed event. The ideas still translate to smaller events, gift giving and decor.


Plus, it's what's more fun than having a fresh new source for inspiration? Love!




**all images via Nonpareil**