Clean or Traditional?
I love my place in DC and think its got the right mix of traditional touches and on trend pieces to keep it current, but as I think about moving I know I want to change-up my home decor aesthetic a little. I know there are a few things that I am going to need to buy for my new place (e.g. the pieces I have now which are not going to make it into the moving van!). For example, I will need a new couch, a new dining table, and new area rugs. I also want to invest in some new lighting. I hate using the built-in overhead lighting in a rental so I want to try to use all floor and table lamps in my next place. As I mentioned, I am likely to be down sizing, so the idea of pieces that can double as storage is also really attractive.
I find I am most attached to clean lines or a more warm, traditional look (pictured above) and these are a couple of the inspiration boards I have been compiling. (Click the images to see sources). Do you like to change-up your style when you move to a new place?
Image Credit: Courcy Inspired Design
I love this Tina Fey quote, and have been seeing it a lot latey, probably because I have been thinking about some big changes that would require a big leap of faith. Last year, right around this time I was offered the chance to go to India, and although I took that plunge with lots of safety nets in place, it was absolutely the type of decision Tina’s quote is made for and it worked out great. Here’s to saying yes and figuring it all out later. Safety net or not.
Here are some links, have a great week!
These photo’s for Sheridan French’s Fall Line are really beautiful.
I loved this dishwasher facelift DIY. Great way to make a basic kitchen a little chicer.
I loved (and related to!) Erin’s post about getting older.
I am loving the built-in bench trend in breakfast nooks, and tufted benches are a little less country and a little more modern and sophisticated option, in my view.
Would you wear a crop top?
Beach Reading
Happy Friday! Are you headed to the beach or out of town this weekend? It’s definitely time to start thinking about summer reading. I got to do some while recovering last week, but there is not much I enjoy more than sitting on the beach with a good book, below are some recommendations and some that are on my list for this summer. What are you planning to read?
ONE: Revenge Wears Prada: This book was released the day of my surgery and I pre-ordered it. The long-awaited sequel to the Devil Wears Prada doesn’t disappoint and was a great read cover to cover./ TWO: The Summer We Read Gatsby: Haven’t read this one yet, but as soon as I read the description I knew I wanted to read this tale of two opposite sisters who come together at the cottage left to them by their dear Aunt Lydia./ THREE: The Shining Girls: This thriller centers on Kirby the would-be victim of a serial killer who goes on to try to bring him to justice./ FOUR: Where We Belong: I am a huge Emily Griffin fan and like Something Borrowed and Something Blue, this book doesn’t disappoint with a special meeting of two women,18 years in the making.
Small Wonder
As I have mentioned many times over the last few months I will be moving to Boston this Fall. I am very excited but the apartment search over the last few months has made me face the reality that I will be living somewhere quite small. But I am willing to give up space for amenities like a full kitchen and washer and dryer. To get ready for smaller living arrangements I have been pinning some spaces I like for inspiration.
I like the way Nikki positioned her couch on the end of the bed like this. It’s a nice use of space and gives the illusion that the bed is separate from the sleeping area. If there was room, you could also put a room divider at the end of the bed to break things up too.
Speaking of room dividers, I liked how this room kept the two living areas separate, as well.
I don’t think I will be getting a new bed, but I like the idea of using a canopy bed to create a way to hide the bed when entertaining or having people over. The blues in this room are so pretty.
These are some of the ideas I am thinking about for my place. I love this IKEA shelving unit that is inexpensive and easy to spray paint and can be used for a bookshelf or other storage. I also loved this Mason Jar DIY. I am anticipating a tiny kitchen so something like this would be a great space saver. I also loved these vertical bookshelves for saving wall space.
Do you have any tips to share on small space living?
Feeling Loved
Image Credit: Courcy Inspired Design
{Great friends are hard to find, difficult to leave and impossible to forget….}
Good morning! It’s been almost a week since my surgery and all is going well. I feel really blessed that I am fortunate enough to have so many friends who came by to visit and brought food and flowers. It really made things so much easier to deal with. Having my Mom was really nice too. While I would have much preferred we had spent our time hanging out eating and shopping, it was nice to be together and so nice to have her taking care of me. I guess you never really outgrow needing your Mom for that kind of thing. Back to work tomorrow, which I am dreading, but it’s time to get back to reality and my post injury life. Have a great week!
5 decor items that may seem like a faux pas, but you may want them anyway.
New issues of Matchbook and Rue are out now!
Some great white pieces for summer.
These DIY bunk beds would be great for a cottage or kids room.
Expectant Momma’s, how to pack for the hospital.
Summer Blueberries
I love blueberries and look forward to summer every year when they are in season and taste the best. Growing up we had a blueberry farm down the street so there was no shortage of them around our kitchen and my Mom used to make blueberry pancakes, muffins and my very favorite, Blueberry Slump (recipe below). I have been picking them up weekly at the store or farmers market. Here are some recipes for eating blueberries all day long.
Morning. I made this Apple Blueberry Oatmeal over the weekend and it was fantastic! I made some adjustments to the recipe, since I didn’t have apple juice I used a mix of water and almond milk. I also added a tablespoon of brown sugar and used walnuts instead of pumpkin seeds. Breakfast perfection.
Noon. I thought this Mango Quinoa Blueberry Salad would make a great summer lunch. I am always looking for ways to add more quinoa to my diet.
Night. Last but not least an old family favorite, Blueberry Slump. This recipe is the closest I could find to the one we make mostly by memory every summer. My Mom saw it in a newspaper or old cookbook and wrote it down (long before the Pinterest days!). The blueberry sauce and yummy dumplings served with some vanilla ice cream is seriously addictive.
What is your favorite way to use blueberries?
Images: Dash of East/ Courcy Inspired Design
Black Beauty
It seemed fitting to write about beds this week since I will be spending a lot of QT in mine for the forseeable future. I just love the look of a black bed in a room. A couple of years ago I bought a wire bed, but I have since kicked myself for not getting what I really wanted: a dramatic four poster black bed! Here are some rooms I loved and will Pin since I am confident I will someday have one in my home. I think 3, 4 and 6 are my favorites, which do you like?
Heavy Heart
Image Credit: Courcy Inspired Design
Yesterday, through Facebook, I learned of the very sudden death of a classmate from high school named Sue. Sue was one of those people who was wise beyond her years even when we were young and immature high schoolers. She was genuine, had a style all her own and was born with that big sister quality that people just gravitate toward. She leaves behind a husband and a young son, making this all that much more heartbreaking. Her Facebook page was flooded yesterday with people posting about her life and how much they loved her and seeing those words didn’t surprise me at all. I loved today’s quote and it seemed fitting for Sue. It’s not fair that she is gone, but I think she lived her years loving and being loved. Donate here to help her family.
Here are some links to start the week. Have a good day!
Funny take on the trials and tribulations of picking out a baby name.
Loved this summer style bargain round up from Liz.
Cute wine topper DIY, would be fun for a party.
I think I could get into the jumpsuit trend…
In the market for outdoor chairs? 12 cool options.
Friday Snapshots
Happy Friday! Hasn’t this week felt looong?? I know by now I should expect for a short week after a long weekend to feel long, but it always seems to surprise me. What are you doing this weekend? I am going to a jewelry party a friend is hosting (she made the jewelry!) and getting ready for Mom to visit next week. Here are some snapshots of some things I am loving lately. Have a great weekend!
Last weekend I visited Eastern Market and couldn’t resist picking up a bouquet of lilacs. We had a lilac bush in the yard while I was growing up and the smell brings back memories of summers long ago.
This coconut chocolate chip bread recipe was easy and good. I added some flax and chia seeds for good measure. I bought some shredded coconut recently and have been using it in everything!
DC-ers, there is a great new game store on the Hill called Labyrinth. It’s owned by a friend of a friend and stocks games and puzzles for all ages and is perfect for finding a great gift. I couldn’t resist buying this cute Pocket Posh puzzle book. I think I play games on my phone way to much when I am bored. This chic little number seems so much more dignified, and makes me feel less like a 7-year-old!
I roasted my first Cornish game hen last weekend using this recipe. It was such an easy dinner to prepare. I have a feeling I am going to be on a roasted chicken kick for a while.
Secret Garden
Image Credit: Courcy Inspired Design
I love gardens and am really looking forward to having a pretty one someday. A few weeks ago I went to Home Depot like I do every year to buy some annuals to dress up my tiny stoop, which gets very little direct light, with some greenery. This year I wanted to add a little something so I used a little brass table I found a couple of years ago to add some additional plants to the mix. Some parsley herbs and a coleus, as well as my usual begonias that always do well. I am pretty pleased with the results.
Anyway, I was inspired by some great stuff I saw on Pinterest below. I love the standing palette garden and using a table to put a bunch of stuff is a great idea. I also think hanging planters are genius if you don’t have a ton of space.
If you are looking for ways to create a pretty space for yourself, there are some great resources, that you can find anywhere. For example, I loved these hanging planters from West Elm. Home Depot sells palettes for really cheap and a common household item like a wine carrier can be used for planting multiples, like herbs, and looks great.
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