It's Just Another DIY Monday

While browsing my current obsession, Pinterest, I came across Remodelaholic and a guest post by Nancy of Owen's Olivia showing step-by-step instructions on how to make AHHHMAZING ombre painted chevron striped curtains. Oh Nancy, how brilliant are you? And that cutie pie baby boy of yours, how precious.

If I can muster up a full free weekend, I will absolutely give this DIY project a whirl. I currently have a ten foot wall of wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling white IKEA curtains that with this technique could add a bit of pizazz to my all white bedroom.

Image via Remodelaholic

Fresh Start

Its been way too long since Ive last blogged and Ive decided to give it another go! My goal is not to blog everyday and turn this into an all consuming hobby, but instead, post a few times a week whenever I feel inspired or stumble upon something I want to share/database. I dont really have a specific direction I want to take this thing, but you never know how everything will fall into place once I get in the groove. Im not an expert in anything (well, except for drinking wine, sleeping in, eating delicious food, wearing pastels, watching trashy reality TV...), but a lover of a lot of things! Will this be a design blog? Kind of. A style blog? Maybe a little. An entertaining, cooking and foodie blog? Somewhat. Travel? Ill include it. Shopping? Theres no way around that one. Basically anything that makes me smile will get mention. I hope you enjoy my attempt at round two. Id love to hear from you.

Mad for Plaid

Who doesn't love the warm and cozy feel of plaid, especially Tartan? Its classic color combinations and symbolic pattern embody regal elegance, so it’s not surprising it has long been associated with British aristocracy. Tartan is everywhere these days, from fashion to home furnishings, and is the perfect addition to your Holiday decor or winter wardrobe. Or makes for a festive gift for everyone on your list. I would be happy to get any of these Tartan goodies under the tree.



1. Tartan: Romancing the Plaid by Jeffery Banks Coffee Table Book
2. Burberry Giant Check Scarf
3. Pendleton Silk Taffeta Plaid Dress
4. Comme de Garcons Tartan Coin Purse
5. American Eagle flats
6. Pendleton Tartan Dessert Plates
7. Dooney and Bourke Plaid Shopper
8. Eddie Bauer Down Ice Scraper Mitt
9. True Religion Trapper Hat
10. Williams-Sonoma Home Tartan Table Linens
11. Ralph Lauren Home Tartan Chair
12. Bagatelles & Co. Etsy  Shop Highlands GiGi Coin Purse
13. Ralph Lauren Home Tartan Party Collection Bedding
14. MAC Cosmetics Tartan Tale Chapter 1 Eye, Lip and Face Kit
15. Lauren by Ralph Lauren Ronson Ruffle Holiday Tartan Shirt

Drink, Craft and Be Merry

Three things that fit quite nicely together: wine, decorating for Christmas and making fun craft projects. Combining them all in one evening makes for a very merry time. Here’s what I’m working on tonight.





Image and Video via Recyclart.com

Coastal Christmas

Although summer is over and warm weather is long gone, at least for the next several months, your coastal decor doesn't need to be put away until Memorial Day. Creating a coastal Christmas is the perfect way to give your holiday a sunny twist. 



Image 1 via ef eDesigns | Image 2 via iStockPhoto | Image 3 via Nantucket Noel | Image 4 via Brett Woodvine | Image 5 and 6 via Coastal Living | Image 7 via Martha Stewart

Sweet Surprise

Oh how I love the Holidays at work. Everyone decorates their office or cube, days seem to go by much faster and my office neighbor starts his annual month-of-festive-ties. On the down side, the office fills with goodies from vendors; everything from fruit baskets to cookies and candy. Not that I'm unappreciative, but with all of the eating that goes on between Thanksgiving and New Years, goodies are the last thing I need more of. Most of the time these gifts go straight to the kitchen for everyone to share, but not today! Much to my surprise, a beautiful pink box of Georgetown Cupcakes showed up from my favorite vendor. I thought I had died and gone to heaven. They are the most delicious cupcakes and are absolutely adorable.



If you don't know about Georgetown Cupcake, then you’re missing out. You can stop by one of their two stores in Georgetown and Bethesda, order online for nationwide shipping or catch their TV show, DC Cupcakes, on TLC.

Image 1 via Washingtonian Magazine | Image 2 via The Washington Post | Image 3 and 4 via Georgetown Cupcake | Image 5 via Real Simple Magazine

Couture Closet

When I think of wallpaper I think of many things…my Grandma’s house,  messy to put up and impossible to take down, never again, you can do so much with paint, requires way too much patience and many other thoughts that probably aren’t appropriate to say, but guess what? Wallpaper is back with a vengeance! It’s everywhere and I hate to admit it, but I’m considering giving it a whirl. These days you can get wallpaper in graphic oversized prints, crisp modern patterns, bold bright colors, fun textures, glam metallics and so many other styles that your choices are almost limitless.

I'm still overwhelmed at the thought of tackling an entire room and risking not liking the outcome, so I've decided to start small and wallpaper the inside of my closet. If nothing else, it’ll be great practice and I’ll get a sexy closet out of it. The only problem is, I don’t know if I’ll be able to narrow it down to just one wallpaper pattern. I love so many of them. If any of you have tried this, I’d love to hear how it went and see pictures of the final product! I’ll post mine when I'm finished.



Image 1 via Houzz | Image 2 via Live Like You | Image 3 via Apartment 123 | Image 4 via Decor Pad | Image 5 via Peppermint Bliss