sparkle power?

So I spotted this pillow and kind of got stuck on it.

I think I like the sequins. They seem to be having a moment right now.

I have been a fan of chevron (zig zag) for years but wonder if this pillow is just a bit much.

Can't decide. I do think that it'd probably be an easy DIY.

So what say you? Do you like the sequins?

a lived-in look

I keep coming back to this Design*Sponge sneak peek of the home of Liz Demos. Maybe it's just how well she mixes different pieces that, to me, seems so effortless. I also like how casual and comfortable it looks, very lived-in.

p.s. The postscripted shop is now OPEN! Go take a look!

blog hunt

image via marta writes

I love the idea of a blog hunt from m. writes.

so I thought it'd be fun to play along. Feel free to do the same.

link a blogger who...

makes me smile: you are my fave
makes me go ooh la la: stephmodo
posts charming photos: a little sussy
features pure eye candy: a creative mint
i adore: hooray
has incredible taste: a room somewhere
posts fun finds: the coterie
is a new-to-me blog: good life (for less)
discusses deliciousness: cannelle et vanille
is downright darling: fryd + design
blogs life beautifully: AshleyAnn
is completely creative: twig & thistle
is a daily must: 6th street design school
has a new baby: young house love
i've bookmarked: inchmark journal
has an online shop: armelle
takes fantastic photographs: fly through our window
is a storm of style: uber-chic for cheap
blogs 'bout brides: once wed
is oh so unique: angela hardison
is a new favorite: in honor of design
is an old favorite: design mom
has an eye for design: bryn alexandra
features fabulous tips: high-heeled foot in the door
posts prettiness: fabulous k
makes me laugh: the city sage
recently subscribed to: the brass petal
inspires me: say YES! to hoboken
features sweet downloads: creature comforts
is awesomely artistic: oh happy day

postal birthday party

My sister in law had a birthday recently and since we couldn't be there to help celebrate her birthday, we thought we'd send a little something her way. That little something morphed into a birthday party in a box.

I had so much fun putting this kit together . I don't scrapbook but I do like pretty paper so I found some papers that I liked and took it from there. I sadly had to take this picture at night so I don't think the colors came out very true but I thought it all looked pretty together. If I'd had more time, I think I could've kept adding more things to the kit...

The kit included: paper bunting banner, set of note cards, birthday party in a box "instructions", cupcake toppers, candles, cupcake liners, a mini birthday card, and a pair of handmade earrings. {Not pictured is a cake mix.}

What is your most favorite things you've ever received or sent in the mail?

shop talk : postscripted designs

I've known about Malerie's shop, postscripted for quite some time but have been a bit stingy in sharing it. I'm sorry about that, such pretty things need to be shared! Here are just a few of the gorgeous handmade metal and gemstone pieces that are currently in her shop.

shop

*I own the above and LOVE!

great idea : marshmallows as cupcake frosting

I saw this idea in September's Real Simple and thought the suggestion sounded good enough to try next time I bake cupcakes.

When your cupcakes have about three minutes left to bake, pull out the tin and place one marshmallow on top of each cupcake. Return the tin to the oven for the remaining time or until the marshmallows are slightly melted but still fluffy.

{photo - Jim Cooper/Real Simple}

laid-back beach house

We are still in the throws of summer here in Texas so it's no wonder this crisp and cool beach house is calling my name! I am loving all the pops of color against the white, especially the orange Le Creuset cookware in the kitchen.

{photos via}

vintage aqua + red room

A while back I was visiting with my sister in law Jamie and we were discussing her desire to decorate her three year old's room. My niece's room also functions as a play room for herself and her two brother so there is need to keep it somewhat neutral. Jamie mentioned that she was thinking to use turquoise/aqua and red accents and when I came across this sweet room in House Beautiful designed by Krista Ewart I thought it was perfect inspiration.

I thought I'd play and have some fun by finding pieces I thought would be great in an aqua + red bedroom/playroom.

Since the room is on the smaller side and is also used as a playroom, I tried to keep things simple and basic but fun so my thoughts for this room are as follows:

• This inexpensive Target Aqua Table Lamp rings in at about $20 bucks and would be great for a kid's room. 
• A sweet Cavallini ABC "poster" for $4.50 echos the colors and vintage feel I was after (I posted about Cavallini here).  
• I included these Charlie Harper bird prints that would be fun to hang on a gallery wall. (I hestitated to use these because they are no longer available for download from Cincinnati's Contemporary Arts Center but I thought if anyone was interested, feel free to email me and I'll send you the files.)
• This Red Stripe Sofia Fabric at $8/yd would be great as a simple valance for the lone window in the room.  
• I thought the Minnen Bed from Ikea was too cute and adds to the vintage feel (check out the bed in action here in last pic). 
• Lastly, I loved this easy DIY Fabric Garland from me oh my that would be fun to hang pretty much anywhere in the room.

mashup

Whew...it's been one of those days and I'm certainly glad that it is friday! Not much planned this weekend except hopefully some sewing projects and maybe a movie.

Better late than never, here are a few things from around the web that I liked and wanted to share. Happy Weekend!

:: Cute clothes from Talbots. What? It's true, look at these great fall looks.

:: Love this mod beach bathroom reno.

:: A clever comic strip inspired baby book.

:: Tips for outdoor (party) lighting.

:: I really want to try making this salsa soon. Yum!

{photo via}

honey & lime grilled salmon

Due to family fishing trips in Alaska we have an abundance of salmon. I'm always looking for new ways to cook the fish and came across this recipe. We thought it was a good mix of flavors and the fact that it contains lime and cilantro earned it extra points at our house.  

Ingredients

• 2 whole salmon fillets, skin removed
• 1/2 cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 cup lime juice
• 1 tablespoon honey, or to taste
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
• 1 tablespoon minced fresh garlic

Directions

Mix all and dump in gallon-sized Ziploc baggie. Marinate fish in baggie for no longer than 15 minutes (or else lime juice will cook the fish). Grill for 5 minutes per side.

{recipe & image via}

Words of wisdom from Miss Julia Child for your kitchen.

 from Kantan Designs.

seeing stripes

tented.

Krista Ewart Design

house beautiful

horizontal.

melissa warner

mary mcdonald

elle decor

vertical.

elle decor

What are your feeings on wall stripes? Would you ever use them in your home?

I think I would like to try them, perhaps in a playroom or kid's bedroom for starters.

Michelle is a great example of someone who used them and in a fresh way too.

DIY Framed Handkerchiefs

Such a sweet and charming idea, finding and framing vintage handkerchiefs. 

I will have to remember this next time I'm thrifting and look for handkerchiefs.

on my wishlist...

I haven't shopped at the GAP in quite a while but browsing through their website I found a couple things that I'd like for fall.

1. Suede tote  2. Plaid cap-sleeve dress  3. The city flat  4. Moto knit blazer

flora

One of my goals in the next year is to take a floral design class or even a semester course just for fun. I love trying to arrange my own florals. So much so that my sweet husband has taken to buy me flowers in bulk instead of a pre-made bouquet just so I can do the arranging myself.

I've scouted a few local shops that offer classes but if I were anywhere near NYC I'd love to take a class from Little Flower School. The classes are taught by the talented Sarah of Saipua and Nicolette of Nicolette Camille Floral Design.

And because I love good design, how great is the Saipua shop/workshop?

Any skills you'd love to learn, just for fun?

{photos 1, 2-4}

currently loving...

There is a plain little side table sitting in my living room that is just screaming for a bit of a makeover. I'm not quite sure what direction I want to go color and paint wise but I've found a couple options for the knob replacement from anthropologie that I am currently loving.

Do you have any good sources for fun/good looking/funky/pretty knobs?

hello!

I'm back after a little blogging break. I hate to admit that I was a bit over my head with school finals and just needed to focus. Anyway...I'm happy to say that they are done!

Thanks to Jackie for her great posts! I made the chocolate cranberry crisps the other night and they will definitely be in heavy treat rotation here at our house. This could be both a good and a bad thing.

So I won't be the first nor the last to post the new Lonny goodness but I can't help it. Such a well done and inspiring design magazine. Here are a few of my favorite images from the new August/September issue...

{via}

cooking up organization

{A guest post by Jackie Norris}

A few months ago I found myself buried in recipes! 

It seems I find so many great ones online and in magazines. 

I would print or clip them out but they were just a mess. 

So... I devised a little organizational system for myself, and maybe it will help you out!

First I went to my local craft store and picked up an album that holds 4x6 photos. I designed some of my own recipe cards and had LOTS printed! 

Now when I find a recipe I'd like to try, I print or clip it out and put it in the clip in the back of my binder. When I'm planning meals I'll go through and choose a few I'd like to try that week. Those recipes move to the front where I can easily access them... because as you can see the pile under that clip is huge!

If the recipe is a winner, then I copy it down onto one of my recipe cards and file it away by type {appetizer, bread, main dish, salad, dessert, etc.}. 

As a little treat for you, I'd like to share the recipe card I created. It's nothing fancy, but it works!

{click to enlarge...prints a 4x6 card}

How do you organize your recipes? I'd love to hear your ideas, too!

Chocolate Cranberry Crisps

I am excited to have my friend, the talented photographer Jackie Norris guest blogging here while I am away.  She will be sharing a few things with us over the next couple of days. Please help make her feel welcome! Take it away Jackie!

----------------------------

Hello all! I'm so excited to be guest blogging over here this week!

I've known Heather for a couple years now and just love her style.

I'm going to share one of my favorite treats with you. 

It's so simple... 4 ingredients and no cooking required!

Chocolate Cranberry Crisps 

1 bag chocolate chips 

1 cup dried cranberries

2 1/2-3 cups rice krispie cereal

coarse sea salt 

Melt the chocolate chips {I like to put them in a glass bowl over some simmering water}, then add the cereal and dried cranberries. Mix well. Drop by rounded tablespoons onto parchment paper, sprinkle with coarse sea salt if desired and freeze until set.

Voila! See, I told you they were easy! 

You can mix these up... use different dried fruit, add nuts, whatever! Make it your own, that is what is so great about cooking!