January Guest Posting Recap.

As Justin recently asked me, can you believe 1/12th of the year is already over?  January was the month of guest blogging for me.  In case you missed it, I guest posted over at Honey We're Home about how I keep my magazines organized. 

I also shared our bedroom wallpaper panels and living room bookshelves over at hi sugarplum!  Cassie showed Riley and Zoey some love too (they are letting the fame go to their heads).

And last but not least, I shared my thoughts on design trends at Modern Jane. 

 

If you don't already read Honey We're Home, Hi Sugarplum!, and Modern Jane, you should definitely add them to your daily rotation!

 

Happy Birthday Puppies!

We celebrated two dog birthdays this past weekend (and my father-in-law's too)!  Riley turned six this past Wednesday.  What a sweet little puppy.  Who couldn't love that face?

And here is he (being wrangled by my mom) modeling his party hat over the weekend.  Let's just say that the dogs did not appreciate the party hats and getting them to stop pawing them off and pose for a picture is next to impossible.   

And precious Zoey turned one today!  This is her the first day we picked her up.  Could that face be any cuter?

She is a little mess, but getting sweeter by the day.  Just the other weekend, she "helped" with the laundry.  We were folding towels, and next thing we knew, she had jumped in the dryer! 

Since we were at my in-law's celebrating my father-in-law's 25th birthday, the puppies were able to run around with my mom's dog and my in-law's dog.  They all had fun celebrating and enjoying dog cupcakes from Sprinkles. 

And from the looks of things, the dogs enjoyed them . . .

Happy birthday to the two cutest dogs! 

Kate Spade.

I recently stopped by the Kate Spade store and there wasn't much I didn't like.  That didn't surprise me, but what stood out the most (well, besides these shoes) was the store's amazing gallery wall.

It's such an eclectic mix, but it all looks cohesive with the black frames.  (The arrangement nicely demonstrates Cassie's point over at hi sugarplum about the power of black frames!)  The pink peonies were the first thing that stood out to me.  (I love me some pink peonies.)  I am also loving the simplicity of the ampersand and the shadow boxes with dominoes and match boxes.  The configuration is well balanced and the overall impact of the collection is simply fabulous.  

Oh, and in case you're wondering . . . I didn't walk out of there empty-handed.  I snagged this little necklace.

Isn't it cute?!

(photos: justin's droid; kate spade)

Decorative Tray.

You may have seen these images before, but have you seen the details behind those great orange and white chevron trays?

(photos: martha stewart)

I would have never have guessed, but they are cookie sheets covered with fabric!  How great of an idea is that?  (And I love the greek key ribbon bookmark peeking out from that book.)

You can watch the how-to video on Martha Stewart's website.  It's super simple:  just use spray adhesive to cover the tray in fabric and then put a piece of felt on the bottom.  She also had a piece of acrylic cut to size to set in the tray, but depending on what you planned to put on it, you could skip that step. 

I have several baking sheets that have seen better days in the kitchen, but would look fabulous covered in fabric!

Better Late Than Never?

This post totally wins the award for being the most out of date post of all time.  I actually forgot about the holiday dresses I posted about here altogether and thought about not posting them (since it's the end of January after all), but I told you I would show you the winner, and I keep my word!  (I am sure you have been anxiously awaiting the results!)

{And I promise all of these looked better on than what they look like on the hanger.}

This one was the 2nd runner up (like beauty pageant style results).  I liked the cut, but it washed me out a bit -- I am super pale.  The fabric was a very cool texture and had a little shimmer to it, that you can't see in the picture.

When I originally posted about the options a thousand years ago, I didn't have the red dress because my Nordstrom didn't have it in my size.  But it was really the dress I saw first in the catalog and loved.  So they tracked one down for me.  The color and style was my favorite, but it was too big.  Boo.  It was the 1st runner up.

How great is Nordstrom's customer service?  Look at this sweet letter I received in the mail a couple days later.

And for the winner: 

It's pretty plain, but it looked better on and it had some fun detailing on the skirt.  It also had an exposed zipper in the back, which I liked.  I added a green necklace to add some interest up top.  I tend to settle on "safer" things more often than I would like to admit (especially when it comes to work-related things).

And yikes, this is not a good picture of either of us, but you can at least see the fun necklace I wore with the dress to jazz it up a bit.  It's from Anthro (I couldn't find it online anymore to link to). 

Craigslist Find.

I frequently search for good deals on craigslist. If you have spent any time on craigslist, you know there is a bunch of junk out there for sale. I always get a good laugh at some of the things people try to sell, the terrible pictures people post, and the price at which things are listed.

But I came across an ad today that was too good not to share:

The title of the post made me view the ad -- it's not every day you see a table referred to as "stupid."

I love how the seller blames the stupid table on his wife. And that he tells people that he is trying to unload it before she returns home from a business trip! But my favorite part, of course, is that he will reduce the price if you bring him a tall boy! This husband sure sounds like a keeper.

I can imagine the conversation when his wife gets home:

Her: Honey, where's my little table I've had since before we got married?
Him: I sold it.
Her: Why?
Him: It was really stupid.
Her: No it wasn't. How much did you sell it for?
Him: $13.00.
Her: $13.00?! It was worth more than that!
Him: Oh, and I got a beer out of the deal too.

Have you seen anything on craigslist that made you laugh?

5 things . . .

(It has sure been a while since I have done a 5 things list!)  Here are 5 things I am thankful for . . .

1.  My case settled!  I am kind of sad to see it go, but it does mean that I will have more time to take care of other things that I've had to put on the back burner for far too long.  So be on the look out for some home project updates.  But the fun won't start until next week because I have a big motion that's due next Wednesday.  If all goes as planned, I hope to take next Thursday and Friday off (knock on wood).

2.  The new Boden catalog.  There are so many fun things!  

  (photo: boden)

3.  That there is an all new episode of Community tonight on NBC.  Well hello there Jeff Winger.   

(photo: nbc)

4.  This chicken enchilada recipe.  It's so tasty.  Now if only I could find a way to get Chuy's or Cyclone Anaya's margaritas delivered.

5.  My sweet dogs.  Here is a picture of Riley laying upside down under my desk chair.  Puppy perfection. 

Happy Friday! 

Inspiring Rooms.

These rooms don't have much to do with each other, except that I came across them on decorpad and liked them.

I love the gallery wall with the silhouettes -- such an intestering configuration of frames.  The orange pillow combination with the wall color is different, but I like it. 

Bold wallpaper can really make a space and it is so pretty and dramatic in this dining room.  The blingy chandy is fabulous too!

And speaking of gallery walls, this one is great.  Love the mix of frames and art work.  But my favorite part has got to be the chevron wall.

 (photos: decorpad)

And I'm sorry for my absence here recently. I have been busy at work (I know, it's the story of my life). Anywho, I have been gearing up for a mediation on Tuesday, which means I don't get my day off tomorrow; but on the upside, the case may settle and I may have a part of my life back! My list of things to blog about (tell me I am not the only one that keeps one of those) and my house to-do list are growing and nothing is being crossed off either!

Oh, and in case you haven't noticed . . . I have a blog button now!

<a href="http://www.name5things.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" " src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z78/mikerin3/Premades/Button.png" /></a><br/>

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Guest Blogging.

Sorry for the late notice, but I am guest posting over at Modern Jane on Wednesday.  Come check out what design trends I am looking forward to in 2011! 

Smythe Designers.

I have blogged (many times) before about my love for Sarah Richardson, her sidekick Tommy, and/or Tommy's sister's jacket company (Smythe Jackets).  His sister, Christie, and Andrea Lenczer founded Smythe Jackets in 2004.

In addition to their jackets, I am smitten with each of their living rooms.  The blue chairs were custom by, who else, Sarah Richardson.  I could totally use a couple of those in my house.  I also love the pillows and the rug.  And how great are those windows?  The room is so fresh and clean feeling.  

This next room is definitely a show stopper.  I don't even know where to begin -- the dark couches, the ball fringe on the pillows, the fun pops of pink, the lucite coffee table, the chippendale style chairs (similar style here at Ballard Designs), the gorgeous lamp, the gray herringbone rug, or the glamorous antique mirror.  This room is pure perfection! 

(all photos: house and home)

Guest Blogging.

I am over at Cassie's blog, hi sugarplum!, today participating in her fabulous Best of the Best series talking about our wallpaper panels and bookshelves.  If you don't read hi sugarplum!, you are definitely missing out.  Cassie has wonderful ideas on her blog, and she is hilarious to boot! 

Vanity/Desk Lamp.

Back in my bedroom vanity/desk update here I mentioned that I was looking for a new lamp to replace the silver one seen below. 

 

This blue ceramic lamp from Lamps Plus was the one I had been considering for the space.

(photo: lampsplus)

While cruising around Garden Ridge, I found a little table lamp for $12.99 that I liked the shape of.  But the color was ugly . . . with a capital "u".  Here it is with the lamp shade from the previous lamp.

I figured the hideous brown color wasn't anything a little spray paint couldn't fix.  Here it is ready for its transformation. 

I first gave it a couple of coats of primer.

Then used Valspar's Gloss Mediterranean from Lowe's to give it some color.

And here's the after.

Even though it's not exactly the same as the one from Lamps Plus, it was a whole heck of a lot cheaper ($12.99 plus the cost of a can of spray paint). 

I am still on the hunt for a different shade (one that's not so tall), but the current one works for the time being.  

(Yes, that picture frame is still empty.  And I changed up which books to display on the desk.  I received some more of them recently and am still trying to figure out which color combos looks best in the bedroom and the living room!)

I like the fun pop of color it gives the desk area. And it's nice to know that if I ever want to change it out, a quick paint job will keep things fresh.

Guest Blogging.

I am guest blogging today at one of my favorite blogs, Honey We're Home, as part of Megan's Getting Organized for the New Year Series!  Come check out how I keep my magazine inspiration photos organized. 

Sarah 101: Update.

Sarah Richardson's new show, Sarah 101, premiered last night in Canada (lucky Canadians!). I am drooling over the pictures on HGTV's website. But with only the pictures, I miss seeing Sarah and Tommy in action. Aren't they so fun?

On to the living/dining room from the show . . .

(um, that chair needs to be in my house immediately!)

(love all the pink)

(how great are those patterns together? and check out the piping on the couch.)

Everything is just beautiful! If you are in Canada can I come over? and saw the show, what did you think?