Fabulous Lamps....For Less!

image via Sally Wheat Interiors on Pinterest.com

 Guys, Lamps are expensive. I'm sure you already know that,
but if not, you heard it here first.

Lamps that are actually attractive are even more expensive.
It's like retailers have caught on to the fact that you need more of this item than anything else in
your home.

With that in mind, I put together a list of pretty lamps under $250.

Take a gander.


 
 Regina Andrew "White Glass Ripple" table lamp, Macy's
Original Price: $300 Sale Price: $209.99

I love this white one, the shape is gorgeous and it's pretty, simple and glam.

 

Crestview "Starlight" Table Lamp, Macy's
Original Price: $160 Sale Price: $109.99

 19th Century Vintage Mercury Glass tall table lamp,
$175

Mercury glass lamps add an extra something special to your rooms.
I love their antique look and soft lamp light makes them look wonderful.

 Bronze Pharmacy Lamp, Furbish Studio
$175

This lamp, from one of my faves, Furbish Studio 
is so industrial and masculine. I love the bronze finish,
It would be perfect to add warmth to a room.

 Gold Gothic Revival Table Lamp, Shades of Light
$249

This gold leaf quatrefoil lamp is so fun and modern, however
I think it would mix with antiques really nicely.

Peacock Aqua Glass Ball table lamp, Shades of Light
$247

Turquoise is a universally flattering color.
This lamp would look fabulous no matter where you put it.

Ok, so now the frugalistas are rolling their eyes at me.
And they're all, "Lamps on a budget are well under $100!"

So here are a couple tips for lamp shopping under $100,
even under $50.


1. Scour your local TJ Maxx, Home Goods, Marshall's. They have great surplus stock of lamps that don't
sell in the department stores. I've found lamps for as little as $29.99. Sometimes they come with good shades, but if not, head over to Target and grab a simple white version for $15.

2. Look at antique malls, flea markets, garage sales, estate sales, etc for pretty vintage versions. If need be,
you can have them rewired, or find someone handy and have him grab a re-wiring kit a Home Depot.
Again, Simple White, Black or Flax Linen shades at Target work wonders.
Sometimes vintage shades are really cool, but more often than not they're stained and smelly.

 Happy Lamp Shopping!

Holiday Entertaining Extras


 Since every blogger and her mama is talking about Holiday Gift Guides right now,
I thought I'd do something a little different.

For a lot of people, the holidays aren't just about gift giving.
They're also about entertaining guests.

Anyone from your in-laws to your friends.
So I thought I would put together a list of five things to have on hand for guests.

The first is yummy smelling hand soap in a pretty container.
This seems obvious, but you go to so many people's homes where they barely 
bother to put a fresh bar of the 50 cent Dove out.

 via Anthropologie.com
I love the cute packaging that Savon de Marseille comes in.
I think the lavender scent is extra yummy smelling.


If you buy ONE item for yourself this holiday season,
GET A WINE AERATOR.

I swear they work.
Even on the cheapo $5 crap your stingy Aunt will bring over.


 Plus, they make a fun little sound with each glass you pour.


Pretty hand towels for the bathroom.
I love these two options from Leontine Linens.
 


 If you're not set to break the bank with Leontine,
try buying plain towels at your resident TJ Maxx/Marshalls
and having them monogrammed in a contrasting color for next to nothing
at a local monogram shop.
It's a cheap little upgrade and they make the towels just a bit more special.

 Pretty cheese knives.
I love this antiqued silver set from Pottery Barn.
They add a little glamour to your appetizer display.


I cannot stress this last suggestion enough.
Wonderful sheets for your guest bed.

You would not believe how many uncomfortable/scratchy sheet sets I've encountered at 
people's homes. It's the nicest surprise when you un-make the guest bed and the sheets are soft 
and lovely. It makes your whole experience better.
 
I love love love Serena & Lily sheets. They are so pretty and soft.
This new Carrot Diamondback pattern is darling,
and I'm a big fan of the Gobi embroidered sheets. I love the new coral colorway they come in.


If you're looking for a budget route, hop on over to the bedding section while you're picking up towels at TJ Maxx. They sell great inexpensive sheet sets.
The trick is to unzip the little plastic package they come in,
and stick your hand in to make sure they're extra soft.

Yes, I am the overzealous TJ Maxx customer that you've seen doing that.
Get over it, at least my guests are slumbering comfortably.

Happy Entertaining!

Wedding Wednesday......A big pile of random.


How does everyone feel about my Wedding Wednesday's posts?
I know it seems sometime they're the only posts I get to each week.

Partly because I enjoy them so much-----Sometimes I think I should give up and just start a completely wedding related blog. And partly because Wednesday just seems to be a day where I can blog every week. I feel like I'm over the "hump".

I don't have anything really specific to contribute for this Wedding Wednesday, so I thought I'd give you a peek at my latest wedding inspiration that I've been pinning.

I'm jonesing for a few things right now.

 The first is black and white stripes, mixed with pops of gold.
It's so French and chic to me.

Simplistic, yet glamorous.

And I love an unexpected use of really natural looking centerpieces.
Lots of greenery and organic florals.




Going with the natural florals theme, I'm loving an 
incorporation of lavender.

And a completely outdoor wedding, complete
with strung white lights over the lacquered dance floor.
Weather permitting, of course.



I'm loving the idea of a formal event in a natural and understated setting,
adding touches of glamour with white lights, gold accents, and pretty details.

Every time I think about my ideal scenario,
I find myself conjuring images of Marie Antoinette (the Sofia Coppola version with K. Dunst, natch)
at her summer house, throwing lavish, but understated dinner parties.



Happy Hump Day!

A Tour of Fredericksburg


Every couple has their "place".
If I had to pick one place that's special to Brian and me as a couple,
it would be Fredericksburg, TX.

We started going there shortly after we began dating,
mainly because we were looking for a place to go for President's Day Weekend.
We needed something semi-close since we were only planning to go for one night.

And that was it for us.
We haven't stopped going back since.
I'd been once before as a little girl, but I barely remembered it.

I wrote about our first trip here.
And a return visit here.
I love that it's a quaint little country town.
But there's great wine and food.

And since we're both German, 
we LOVE that aspect of it.

I usually start getting the itch to visit in the fall, 
because it's the best place to go when the weather is cool.
We have a little routine when we go there.


We usually leave Fort Worth around 7:30 am, which lands us in Fredericksburg
around lunchtime.
We'll check in to our B&B and then head to lunch at Silver Creek.
They have a great patio, usually with live music on Saturdays.
Yummy, and casual German food and great beers.


 After I've given Brian a couple German beers,
I can usually convince him to browse with me through red,
a fabulous little vintage-modern home and gift shop.

 

In the afternoon, we'll head to wine tasting at our two favorite vineyards nearby.


Grape Creek vineyards is first.
I actually prefer it to every other vineyard in Fredericksburg.
The wine is fabulous and the atmosphere is perfect.
They have the best outdoor patio.

 

We usually head to Becker Vineyards in the early evening,
right as the sun is about to set.
They have wonderful wine as well, and the perfect patio for a beautiful Hill Country sunset.

 

We usually have dinner at Der Lindenbaum, 
a truly authentic German restaurant.
You feel as though you've been transported to another time.
It's magical.

 

We usually end the night with drinks at either House. Wine. 
or Lincoln Street Wine Bar.

They're both awesome in their own ways. House.Wine is small and intimate with a carefully curated menu. Lincoln Street has a great patio, a wonderful cheese selection, and great wines.


That's our unofficial trip "itinerary".

One thing I place major emphasis on before we take each trip to Fredericksburg is 
finding a great Bed and Breakfast to stay in.
Of course they have hotels, 
but it sort of defeats the experience of being in a quaint Hill Country town.

I am LOVING this B&B I found on VRBO recently,
It consists of two little cottages which you can rent separately or together.

And just look how picturesque it is.













 
It reminds me of something you'd find in New England.
So fresh and charming.

What's your favorite vacation spot?

Wedding Wednesday......A Paris Fantasy

 
 They say it can be very hard to take your eyes away from
a train-wreck.
I have the opposite problem. I have a very hard time looking at awful things,
but when something is really beautiful, it's hard to avert my eye-balls.

Such is the case with my most recent discovery of wedding inspiration eye-candy,
on the One and Only Paris Photography blog.
It's amazing.

It's written/photographed by an adorable French/American couple 
that are engagement and wedding photographers in where else,
Paris.

Now, let's be real, most photographs are going to be pretty in
a backdrop like Paris.

But there's something about the easy, understated glamour that these artists bring 
to the mix.



Side note, How chic is this chick's outfit?
It reminds me of Anne Hathaway in Paris during Devil Wear's Prada
 



All images courtesy of One and Only Paris Photography

I've got to say, this blog immediately launched me into a pie-in-the-sky
fantasy about getting hitched in Paris.

If you are planning to get married across the pond, give this fabulous
couple a call.
If not, make sure you visit their blog so you can at least fantasize about a wedding
in Paris.

A girl can dream, right?

Ruthie Sommers------Genius in Human Form


I'd like to start this post by saying that I LOVE VERANDA.
I love it with all my heart and soul.
I really do. They consistently have the most amazing content.
And they play to southern girl's appetite for glamour better than any other magazine.

I also love designer, Ruthie Sommers.
Whom I first discovered in my past favorite magazine, Domino.
I've written about her genius in the past.

And when I tore open the pages of this month's Veranda, I literally could not
believe my eyeballs.


Because this project is beyond.
It's everything you want to be.

It's bright, happy and sophisticated.

It's glamorous and playful.


Obsessed with this high gloss black entry.
And I love how she pulled colors from the doors in the art and the bench.



I can't even talk about this situation.
It's fabulous. The antiqued mirror, the 1940's leopard bench.
The sconces.
I DIE I DIE I DIE.
Bless Rachel Zoe for allowing women to truely express their orgasms over great design.

And the bed treatments, OH, the bed treatments.

Oh behalf of ugly bathrooms everywhere, this single room makes up for it. I love the detailing on the cabinets. And I love the Murano chandelier.

This living room makes me want to never be afraid of color again.
It's living proof that risks are worth taking.
Love the rug and love the purple sofa.

images via From the Right Bank and Veranda

And this bedroom was the perfect girly finale.
I love the canopy.

Thank you Ruthie for treating my eye-balls.
And Thank you From the Right Bank,
for grabbing these images.

Dreamy Closet


I've seen alot of bloggers talk about closets.
Why? Because we bloggers like to talk about pretty, fantasmical things
and closets that are larger than the size of normal human's bedrooms
are fun to think and dream about.

The number one thing I think of when I think of fabulous closets?

Carrie Bradshaw.
Duh.

She spent 75% of Sex and the City in that beautiful thing.


And she told Mr. Big to just get her a really big closet in lieu of a diamond ring.
I mean, the guy was a bazillionaire---he probably could have sprung for both,
but we won't get into all of Carrie's bad decisions on the show/movies.


And let's not forget her beyond amazing closet in SATC 2


Are they ever going to make a third movie?
Because it's honestly never going to get old for me.

If they can make 37 renditions of Die Hard, can't
they throw our generation of ladies a bone?


Anyway, I got to thinking about a Carrie Bradshaw worthy closet for us mere-mortals.

And it goes something like this.

Luscious high-gloss walls in Farrow & Ball's Middleton Pink and Lucite and Brass Closet Rods.




With the addition of a small loveseat (or tufted bench if you're super short on room)
upholstered in a pink ticking stripe and adorned with grey linen and raspberry chinoiserie pillows.
The confetti like fabric? It's from Schumacher's Lula DK Child line.
It's called Jelly Bean in Pink Lemonade. How precious is THAT?

Dear Lord, Please make sure I have baby girls someday.

I can't help but think that with a closet like this,
it would make even the most stressful of days seem like they were going to work out.




Even if you just fell in Dior.

And who could resist this 1930's dressing table set for the closet?
To Die.

images via Schumacher.com, A Storied Style

The tufted Loveseat on my board is from Sparkle Barn,
a new discovery of mine.
They also just sold this amazing vintage sofa.
I cannot even tell you all of the wonderful possibilities it has.

What does the closet of your dreams look like?

Comon Knock on our Door....


Lately I've been thinking a lot about my front door.
Specifically the entry area to my home.

I'm always fascinated, particularly in cities like London and New York, with beautiful door ways.
It's not just the beauty of the door, but the whole set-up. The perfectly potted plants, a lovely door knocker. All of these elements create the perfect first impression of your home.

Right now my doorway is kind of a snoozefest. It's plain black, with a little window and white trim.
It needs some jazzing, that's for sure.

I wish I had room for a symmetrical situation with boxwoods on either side of the door, but alas, I really only have space for one awesome looking plant.


I LOVE the idea of a mint door. And I think it would look pretty perfect with my current house.
The exterior is light grey with white trim and black shutters. Mint might just be the perfect pop of color.

More treats for your eyes.








I LOVE these side by side pink doors.
Ombre is my fave.

After I settle on a paint color,
I'll be settling on a fun vintage door knocker.

Like this pineapple on Etsy


Rahr.

images via Pinterest.com

Which door is your favorite?






Green is the New Black.


I'm in love with dark green.
And it's all Tory Burch's fault.
 
Because she makes beauties like this.

 

Or perhaps it's Michael Kors' fault.





 Or Yves Saint Laurent


 I can't get enough of this rich, delicious color.
So dark that it's almost black.

I love this montage of Joan (Christina Hendricks) in Mad Men wearing my favorite hue.
In my mind she can do no wrong....much like Tory.


As I often love in interiors what I like in fashion,
I'm super into dark greens in rooms.

Love this Farrow & Ball paint color, Studio Green


I love the dark green on walls.
The deep color is so dramatic and beautiful.
 And it's gorgeous on exterior doors.


And although I'm a die-hard "light" nails girl who refuses to follow the shiny black nails trend,
I might have to try on green nails for size.

images via Pinterest.com

Really, this green is a neutral.
Use it as you would use black....See what kind of fabulousness ensues.

Reasonable Rugs----The Urban Myth.

 

I was talking to a friend today about how hard it is to find reasonably priced rugs.
And reasonably priced, attractive rugs are even more rare.

So I thought I'd make a few picks.

Now, if you're on a major budget, a good sisal is really the way to go.

 
This one is at Pottery Barn--- $199 for a 5 X 8!

But some people need a tad more pizazz injected into their lives.
So here, my friends are my Five Rugs under $500

 
LOVE this Safavieh Martha Stewart Kalahari Grey Rug----$425 for a 5 x 8
I love that it's an animal print, but still ultra-neutral.
via Rugs-USA.com


These two are techinally the same rug in two different colorways, but they were too 
good not to show both.
I love the whimsical feel of the dots and the graphic quality.
The black and white version is so classic and sexy.
It's yearning for some gold and piano lacquer----just sayin'.
They're $299 for a 5 X 8
via PBTeen

Love the mid-century mod quality of this one from West Elm
$349 for a 5 x 8

 

This one is actually from Restoration Hardware baby & child.
$379 for a 5 X 8
It's a good secret to buying rugs. 
The "baby" versions are the same size and typically A LOT cheaper.
 
Most of the other rugs are relatively neutral.
But if you need a real shot of color in your life, go with this stunner from Ikea.
$399 for a 6'4 square.

Which one is your favorite?


Light or Dark?


I used to be a "light" paint color girl, all the way.
I like to add color with furniture, accessories, and art.


And I do love the look of light walls with dark floors or bright window treatments.


 

But lately? I've been seduced by the glamour of dark wall colors.

 images via LeSueur Interiors

 I love the drama and the sophistication.
And really, if it's done right, they can provide just a much contrast in a room.




images via Pinterest.com

What's your preference? Do you love light walls with bright accents?
Or deep dark walls?

Wedding Wednesday----Choosing Vintage

 

 I left work on time yesterday and I decided to troll around my favorite mid-century antique mall
for a little while before making the drive back to Fort Worth. 

They always have the best sets of vintage hi and low-ball glasses in there, usually with gold and colored designs on them.

And I had the most genius idea.

I'll save my rant on wedding rentals for another day,
but I genuinely feel that rentals are generic and often downright offensive looking 
as of late.

So I thought, why not collect vintage glasses for the table scape and cocktail hour at a wedding?

Of course, this would only work if you're having 150 people or less.
And of course, it's dependent on how imperative it is to save money on your rentals,
because this is probably not a money saving tactic.
But if you've been following my Wedding Wednesdays for a while, 
you've picked up some moola-preserving techniques and you should have some surplus with which to get creative.
Right?


My friend Kaitlin did something similar for her wedding in Breckenridge last summer.
She collected tons of vintage napkins in different patterns that she placed intermittently at the place settings on her tables. It was beautiful and made the aesthetic really lovely and personal.

photo taken by Stone Crandall Photography

I perused Etsy to find a few examples to illustrate my point....



I love the idea of mixing and matching colors and styles,
and keeping the theme centralized with the gold accents on all the glasses.

Etsy also has a great selection of vintage napkins.


To really make an idea like this work, and be cost effective, you would probably have the 
most luck perusing your local flea markets, antique stores and thrift shops.

This idea is not for the lazy.

Happy Wednesday!

images via Pinterest.com & Etsy.com

A Masculine Office.



I'm trying to remember to make this blog a bit more personal.
So today I wanted to talk about my boyfriend, Brian.

Brian is an entrepreneur and a couple years ago, he opened a car dealership.
He's moved offices a few times since the start of the business, 
and now he's settling into a location that he anticipates being in for a while.
And therefore, he is ready to really decorate. Which just makes my heart sing!

My inspiration for his office is a sleek mid-century modern feel with deep, masculine colors and handsome retro furnishings.

The offices shown in Mad Men are a major inspiration for both of us.
And it's really important to me that he doesn't fall into the typical guy pattern,
where everything is beige/brown.




 
images via Pinterest.com

I put together an inspiration board to show B what I was thinking,
and I thought I'd share it with all of you.

I'm envisioning a deep hunter green paint with a hint of teal, this Benjamin Moore color, Mallard Green would be perfect!

You may remember that we found a fretwork desk at the Fort Worth flea market a few months ago.
The desk on the board is very similar to the one we found. I'm obsessed with the leather channel back 1940's office chair that I saw on 1st Dibs. The chrome and pinstripe guest chairs round out the look. Brian has been dying for mid-century cork lamps for his office. I love them paired with a sleek mid-century credenza with brass hardware. I'm not personally a huge Persian/Oriental rug fan, but Brian has always wanted one, and at least I wouldn't have to stare at it in my house.

 
Cork Lamps 1940's,  Leather Desk Chair, Paint Color, Antique Persian Rug, Red and Black Plaid Pillow, Sofa, Tartan Plaid Pillow, Pair of Guest Chairs, Brass Task Lamp

A navy linen retro sofa, tartan plaid pillows and a brass lamp add a masculine, but sophisticated touch.

What are your must-haves for a masculine office?


It's Friday and I'm in Love!


 via Pinterest.com

Here are my obsessions for the week.

I asked Brian (also known as the cheapest man alive) whether he would ever pay $3,000+ for a liquor decanter. And his answer was no. 

Until of course, he saw this cute corgi decanter that my friend Lauren of The Semi Designed Life 
sent me. We'll be needing this for our bar.
Now if Asprey could lower the price by like, $2,900, that would be just super.
 The newest Slim Aarons coffee table book.
It arrived at my office today,
and I'm already completely obsessed.
It will be gracing my Christmas list this year.

 I hear a cold front is hitting Texas this weekend and it's got me thinking about my number 
one obsession during the winter....COATS.

I have waaaay too many, and I don't plan to ever stop finding new amazing coats.
Why, oh why do I live in such a warm city?

Vintage coats are my favorite and I see so many amazing choices on Etsy.
I'm partial to the 1960's variety.
Obviously.



I'm totally in love with Restoration Hardware's new round Aero Dining Table.
Just the right mix of French Industrial chic and mid-century modern.

I love the new take on the classic tulip table shape.



Happy Weekend!

Go See It.


I've been a sorry excuse for a blogger this week.
You know the story.....busy with work, had the sniffles, blah blah blah.

Anyway. If you like Glee, or any tv show/movie where they randomly burst into song in the middle of real life scenarios,

Go see Pitch Perfect.


Saw it tonight and loved it.
It's got it all.
Music, Comedy, Cute love story.

via collider.com

Oh, and Skylar Astin (here with Anna Kendrick) is officially my new celebrity crush.
Go see the movie, you'll get it.

Happy almost weekend everyone!

The Dark Side....

 I'm always thinking about and researching "new" ideas for kitchens.
One of the things I've been lusting after lately are dark lower cabinets.

I think they look so fresh and I love the contrast and visual interest they add to regular ol' 
cabinetry.




images via Pinterest.com
What do you think about dark lower cabinets?
Do you love them as much as I do? Or do you prefer your cabinetry to be all one color/finish?

Wedding Wednesday.....Top Registry Picks



  
 image via Pinterest.com

I thought it'd be fun to give you my thoughts on Wedding Registry.

I've come up with my top few picks across the board, 
and I plan to get more specific in certain categories as I continue this series within a series.

Number One thing I'd register for?
A Kitchen Aid Mixer.

For two reasons. One, it's not something you'd typically buy for yourself.
And two, even if you're not a major cook right now, you'll use it down the road and it makes very pretty counter decor in the meantime.

image via sweetapolita.com
 I love the mint version.
I understand that some neutralistas out there may want to choose the white or stainless versions,
but really what else in your kitchen will add just the right pop of color?

The next things aren't in any particular order, but I love them all.

 
Linen Hemstitch Napkins.
If you're entering into married life, and in many cases grown-up life, 
you need to own cloth napkins.
Please oh please don't serve your guests and hand them paper towels.

These napkins from Pottery Barn come in a variety of colors and they're reasonable. I'd consider the ivory or white version and add a fun colored monogram to them.
Maybe a bright green or orange!
 

 I've been lusting after this everyday silver from Williams-Sonoma forever.
It WILL be mine.
 
Riedel Glassware.
Expensive wine glasses ensure that you can serve your guests the cheap stuff 
and they'll barely know the difference.

 
A Nespresso Machine with Milk Frother.
Saving loads of money at Starbucks will certainely ease the pain of merging finances.
 

 
Leontine Bed Linens

 
And a set of Leontine Bath Linens to fancy up your bath.

What are your top picks in the registry department?
Are you mad for linens or all into cookware?

The Addition of Fur.


 I've been contemplating adding a fur throw to my bed since last winter.
But spring and summer came quickly, and then it just seemed silly and like something
I'd have to wait forever to enjoy.

 I was originally inspired by the likes of designer Sally Wheat's bedroom.
Everything about it is SO warm and cozy!

I like the depth a fur throw would add to my bed, since
it's currently so light and girly.






images via Pinterest.com
What's your take on the faux fur throw?

Longing for a Country Abode.


I've been lusting over a country house lately.
Something an hour or two outside the city.

Where I could go to relax.


 It's funny, because when I pin ideas for my non-existent dream country house,
I mostly end up with kitchens.






Maybe it's just my longing to spend lazy fall Sundays,
making a big pot of soup and curling up by the fire.

Something about stressful Mondays make you pine for lazy weekends.







Wedding Wednesday......In the Circle


So readers, I'm thinking that in this point in our relationship,
we're in what I like to call "A Circle of Trust"

And there is no judgement inside said Circle.

Therefore, I can tell you a little secret.
I have a Google Alert set for "Palm Springs Wedding".

Mainly because it brings me almost daily little tidbits, and pieces of inspiration 
from all over the internets.

If you're getting married (or in my case wanting to get married) somewhere special 
or just want to keep tabs on certain kinds of weddings, I would highly recommend setting a Google Alert.

Anyway, this little alert leaves me with tons of Palm Springs related inspiration.
That I thought I'd share on this glorious Wedding Wednesday.



 


 
via StyleMePretty.com

OBSESSED with this cake.
Everything about it is fabulous, right down to the sugar anemonies.



These last two are at The Colony Palms Hotel in Palm Springs.
Which is majorly my obsession right now.
That rusty-red and ivory striped tent is PERFECTION.


Happy Wedding Wednesday!