Fall Inspiration

I know this picture has been everywhere but I love SJP at the Burberry Prorsum show....Makes me happy it is early fall.

Image Huffington Post

The “O” Collection

I didn’t set out to collect O-The Oprah Magazine, I just kept keeping them:)  I don’t have every copy ever published, although I do think I’ve been a subscriber pretty much from the start.  In fact, I remember where I was when I read my first O Magazine.  I was single, living alone in a small apartment, while going to college for broadcast journalism, and about to enter law school.  I recall taking that first magazine to the complex’ pool to read one evening.  I loved O’s message of “Live Your Best Life” and still do.  

 

Until recently, these magazines were sitting in open storage bins in my office closet.  As I began pulling them out of the bins to organize them, I noticed that they looked pretty in similar color combinations, so I put them on display in the Container Store magazine holders in my office. 

Do you collect anything?  If so, how do you display your collection?

Half Way There - Kitchen Update

I am currently working on a kitchen that needed a little face lift. Really the before was not too bad but the owner wanted something completely different...You know I love wallpaper so needless to say I was thrilled when they went with this choice from Kravet...
So far we have painted, changed the counter top and backsplash, as well as the appliances. We still have some more to do- window treatments, new furniture, but I wanted to share the progress.

I Heart Blogs

I recently asked you what your favorite blog was and what you liked about it.  The responses poured in!  It was interesting to see which blogs top your list of faves and those we have in common. 

Here are some of your favorites, according to my very scientific poll:) In no particular order:

• Thrifty Decor Chick 
• Miss Mustard Seed
• Nesting Place {The Nester}
• Young House Love
• Centsational Girl
• House of Smiths
• Tatertots and Jello
• The Lettered Cottage

And some honorable mentions:

• Remodelaholic
• Knock Off Wood {Ana White}
• The Pioneer Woman

And since you shared your top picks, I wanted to share some of my new daily reads (that aren’t on my blog roll already, which I plan to update soon) and narrowed it down to five:

6th Street Design School.  I can’t believe I only recently found Kirsten.  I can see why she has over 1000 faithful followers.  Kirsten is an interior designer with a sense of style that I really admire and relate to.   She also features cool etsy finds and rooms to inspire.

A Thoughtful Place.   Although Courtney has only been blogging since September, her previous blog posts have me anticipating what she has in store next.  Just dying for more.

Enjoying the Small Things.  Kelle makes my heart swell.  Period.

Hi Sugarplum!  From the moment I “met” Cassie, we instantly clicked.  She has done some amazing DIY projects and makeovers around her house.  Those great interiors, coupled with her sweet sarcasm and wit, keep me coming back for more. 

Sixty-Fifth Avenue.  I just love Londen’s simple, stylish approach to decor.  I wanna be a houseguest at her place.  Would it be rude to invite myself over?!

 

well . . . what are y’all still doing here?! :)  ha!

Hi...Love You...Love Your Book

Besides meeting all the wonderful bloggers and hanging with my Dad, the best part of NY was the "What's New What's Next" event on Wednesday. I was in awe of the designers in different showrooms. There were many notable people, however, these designers I not only admire, but their books are either favorites of mine or soon to be favorites. Starting with Vicente Wolf...(me, Vicente, Camila and Nicole from So Haute -who is not only gorgeous but had on the coolest shirt)

I have admired Vicente's work for a while now and I am really looking forward to his new book coming soon. His talk in the Benjamin Moore showroom was funny, shocking and really inspiring, a breath of fresh air. I wish he could have stayed much, much longer.
Another handsome man I was excited to see was Barclay Butera...
I do not have his book (yet) but I love his work, especially his line for Kravet.
Then there was the lady who I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE. (remember my camera was on the outs and this is unfortunately what came out). Suzanne Kasler...I love your work. Really, really love it. Your book is worn from all times I have flipped through it. I think you are a insanely talented in a refined way.
If you don't have this book you need it...now, just saying.
Finally there was Jamie Drake, master of color.
I could go on and on about his boldness with color and design. I was so happy to meet him because when I first really started looking at design, rooms, etc. the room on the cover of his book grabbed me. It is the first picture I clearly remember seeing and having a reaction to and it has stayed with me for years now.
I love leaving a place with the feeling of new inspiration, new wind in your sails. After this event I felt inspired all over again. Any time you get to interact with greats in your field it is impossible not feel the creative spark growing stronger. Thank you to all of you above and everyone else who was there, it was fabulous.

Our Breakfast Room

When designing our home, I dreamed of a little breakfast room with a window where we could enjoy our weekend mornings, lingering over the table with a cup of coffee and the paper or a magazine.  The room would also double as a place for casual dinners and easy get-togethers with friends. 

The logical location for our breakfast room was just off the kitchen, adjacent to the living room.  We ended up with two windows, plus the glass door, so lots of natural light. 

  

After moving in, the breakfast room sat empty while I struggled to find the perfect table for the space.  Because our kitchen counters are marble and we have to be careful with them, and our formal dining room table, is, well more formal, I wanted a kitchen table that was a little rustic and did not feel precious.  With a baby, and lots of family and friends hanging out (especially now with football season) I didn’t want to have to worry about the table getting damaged or have our guests feeling like they had to be uptight about setting a drink down.

Initially, I thought a round table would work best in this small, rectangular space and considered these options:

Pottery Barn- Montego Pedestal Dining Table.  Image via Pottery Barn.

Restoration Hardware- Camden Round Extension Table.  Image via Restoration Hardware.

Crate & Barrel- Orion Table.  Image via Crate & Barrel

The Pottery Barn table, while pretty, was dismissed as too formal; the Restoration Hardware is the same as what we have in the formal dining room (but rectangular); and my husband thought the Crate & Barrel was too modern.  We ultimately decided on the Benchwright table and benches from Pottery Barn. 

Benches and distressed wood conveyed the casual feeling I was going for and I love the look of the metal support brackets and oversized bolts.    

The rectangular table actually ended up fitting the room perfectly.  I added the same rug (Crate & Barrel- Island Honey Chevron) that we have in the living room in an effort to unify the spaces.

So far, we’re loving this little area and table.  I agonize forever before buying furniture and am so happy when I’m ultimately pleased with the purchase! 

New York Recap

I am still smiling from my great trip to NYC with my Dad. While the trip started with an e-mail from Camila saying, "you can't miss your boyfriend (Nate)", it turned into so much more than that. The best part really was getting to meet so many fellow bloggers. It is crazy how you meet everyone for the first time but it really is like you are old friends.

Unfortunately my camera was on the outs so my pictures are blurry or just didn't come out so some of these are borrowed from others (thank you). Everything started Monday night at the Rue Launch Party. The ladies of Rue are so sweet and I was inspired by what they have accomplished.
Above: Jade Flip Flops & Pearls, Camila High Heeled Foot In The Door, Emily Emily A. Clark
Jade and Camila
Lovely bloggers with Eddie Ross
Emily and Cristin Simplified Bee
I should say my week actually began with this sweet blogger Rhoda (Southern Hospitality). I was boarding my plane in Birmingham when I heard my name and there she was. We were able to sit next to each other and I was having such a good time talking to her it might have been the quickest flight of my life!
The next day it was off to breakfast with bloggers (I don't have any pictures) and then to Nate.
This was taken while we were waiting- Stephanie Sabbe Spot, Lindsey Everything LEB, Emily Perfectly Put Together, Carlee Deliciously Organized, Jenny Little Green Notebook, Camila. I now consider myself an honorary Boston resident now, I LOVED my Boston bloggers.
Janell Isabella & Max, Jade, Beth Hello Lover
The next day I went to What's New What's Next at the NYDC which was so much fun. While I was there I met some amazing designers (more on that tomorrow). Camila was blogging from a showroom there, I am so proud of everything she has accomplished. While there I was able to visit with the wonderful ladies of Nesting Newbies- Lea (pictured above) and Natalie. I actually met them the day before at breakfast and I can't tell you how wonderful they were. They gave me some great advice and I really appreciate the time they spent with me. I will have another post about the rest of the day tomorrow but the trip ended in Little Italy with Camila and my Dad enjoying some great food. I have to thank my Dad for being such a great traveling companion, experiencing all of this with him was very cool.
Meeting everyone last week was an experience I won't soon forget. It was great to get to know so many talented and sweet people. I owe it all to Camila who got my behind up to NYC! She was the first friend I made blogging and we have been in touch on a weekly basis for the last 2 years. I can honestly say she is now a very close friend and I so, so thankful we got to spend so much time together. Thank you Camila for everything!!!!

**Update: I have been asked what I thought about the whole Nate experience. I do think there are some valid points that other bloggers have made but all in all it was interesting to see. I do wish the show had been more blogger oriented knowing everything that went in to the trip before hand, but I am still thankful I was able to be a part of it. Also, the Q&A after the show with Nate was great, I wish the whole show had been that!

Good Morning

I hope you all had a wonderful weekend! After being gone for over a week I am in the weeds! NYC pictures coming later. On this Monday morning I can't help thinking about this quote from Perfect Sentiment...

Image Country Living

Welcoming Fall

Ahhh, the first cool morning here in a long, long time.  We were so excited to open our door and be greeted by a temperature not in the 90s.   Fall, you are so welcome here!  Come on in and stay awhile.  You amaze me with your rich, warm colors. 

And have me ready to get cozied up in

while enjoying a hot cup of

and then it’s off to

When I get home, I’ll bake

And as for our house, I’m welcoming fall to our table with a few simple additions.

I’ve also added some fall to our kitchen.

*I’m sharing this post with Kate at Centsational Girl.  You can join the party too!

Source List

• Placemats (2009), napkins, napkin rings, & candles- Crate & Barrel
• Wreath (embellished with a bit of metallic spray paint), ribbon, glitter vase filler, & Harvest sign- Hobby Lobby
• Pine cones/acorns & table vases- Target
• Decorative glass jars in kitchen- Home Goods

Photo Credits

• Fall leaves-  iStockphoto
• Cappuccino- swisscan
• Pumpkin patch- Southbrook Pumpkin Patch
• Pumpkin pie- Delaware Online
• Sweater- Shopaholics Anonymous

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I’m sharing this post at these fabulous blogs:

{M} Between Naps on the Porch * Making The World Cuter * The Girl Creative * Sumo’s Sweet Stuff * The DIY Showoff * Thrifty Decor Chick * Skip To My Lou * Keeping it Simple * Mad in Crafts * Super Stinky Boys * C.R.A.F.T. * Tools are for Women Too {T} Tip Junkie * Today’s Creative Blog * All Thingz Related * Sugar Bee * New Nostalgia * I’m Topsy Turvy {W} Blue Cricket Design * Me and my Bucket * Someday Crafts * Domestically Speaking * My Backyard Eden * The Thrifty Home * Women Who Do It All * Gettin’ Crafty on Hump Day {Th} House of Hepworths * Somewhat Simple * The Shabby Chic Cottage * Beyond The Picket Fence * Life as Lori {F} Serenity Now * Infarrantly Creative *Just a Girl * Chic on a Shoestring Decorating * Decor Mamma * Remodelaholic * Fingerprints on the Fridge * Fun to Craft * Miss Mustard Seed * The Shabby Nest * The Inspired Room * A Few of My Favorite Things * My Romantic Home {S} A Vision to Remember * Funky Junk Interiors * A Little Lovely * Tatertots and Jello * Be Different Act Normal {S} I Heart Nap Time * Under the Table and Dreaming