Summer Vibe–Weekend Wrap Up–Vol. 7

June 23, 2018

Happy weekend friends. It’s going to be hot aS blazes this weekend so I’m planning to enjoy a summer sip or two while I’m in Oklahoma. If you need a little cooling off, here’s a great line-up of Fresca Cocktails that will keep your refreshed. Cheers!

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SUMMER VIBE

** I’m loving the new Draper James + Crate and Barrel collaboration. This sun hat and these napkins are two of my favorite items.

** I recently started shopping at The Loft and absolutely love this swimsuit coverup. FYI–Loft has a great sale going on right now with lots of items 50% off.

What Every Bedroom Needs!

** I still can’t believe the death of Kate Spade. I own all of her books and will forever be inspired by her style. Her books Style and Things We Love are treasures.

** I found a new Etsy shop for stylish pillows. I love this Antelope pillow in grey.

** Instagram has become a real driving force for bloggers and influencers. I’m still a novice at Instagram and am always looking for ways to grow my instagram following. I came across these tips on building and growing your Instagram feed. It’s a good read with lots of valuable information.

** Zara Home is having an amazing sale. If you’re in the market for new bedding check out the sale items here. This tablecloth would be amazing as part of a 4th of July tablescape. And this tablecloth has me swooning.

** In case you missed it, here’s a little summer entertaining inspiration for you.

Weekend Wrap Up: Vol. 4

May 26, 2018

Greetings friends!! I hope you enjoy the long weekend and dodge the rainy weather that’s plaguing most of the country this weekend.

As you read this, the hubs and I are in Florida getting ready to set sail on our cruise. I’m so excited for a little down time with friends. While I’m soaking up the sun, I hope you have an amazing weekend and find a little time to enjoy the roundup of links I have for you.

Bon Voyage!

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OMG! This Highlands, North Carolina home designed by Carole Weaks is breathtaking. As you scroll, pay attention to all the little details that make the rooms special.

I’ve been struggling with an over flowing to-do list so I’m going to give The Big Three a try.

Such a brilliant (and inexpensive) Ikea DIY hack.

This is the next book I’m going to purchase. If the cover is any indication, it’s going to be fun.

So many cute things in the new Hearth & Hand Collection at Target. This tumbler, this umbrella stand and these adorable serving trays are my top picks.

Have you ever thought about launching an online business? If so, you’ll want to read this. Great tips!

10 Things the French Always Do When Decorating

H anyone tried Amazon’s Prime Wardrobe? It allows you to get a selection of clothing and try it on at home before you buy it. Whatever you don’t like can be returned for free. Sounds pretty enticing, right?

I’m planning to take the week off from blogging but will be over on my Instagram feed sharing bits and pieces of our trip. I hope you’ll join me.

Floral Fiesta–A Spring Soiree Blog Hop

May 24, 2018

Well friends, it’s an exciting day around these parts. I’m participating in a virtual progressive dinner blog hop with a group of blogging friends. We came together to bring you a Floral Fiesta dinner party, with each blogger hosting one element of the dinner.

If you’re coming over from Atta Girl Says, welcome and thanks for stopping by. Amy is one of my favorite bloggers and her dessert recipe has me chomping at the bit–yum! For those of you just now jumping in, no worries; I will provide a link to the other party stops at the bottom of the post so you won’t miss any of the Floral Fiesta fun.

I’m the last stop on the blog hop so I get to share a fun party favor and hostess gift idea. I feel one of the most important elements when hosting is leaving your guests with a gift at the end of the evening. It such a personal way to thank everyone that attended. And of course if you’re attending a party, a hostess gift is definitely in order to say thank you.

Gift baskets make great hostess gifts so to fit with the Floral Fiesta party theme, I created a flower garden gift basket.

HOSTESS GIFT IDEA: Garden Themed Gift Basket

My goal was to make the basket colorful and festive and I think I succeeded.

Instead of a traditional wicker basket, I used a black and white striped container that as the basket. The container has six divided sections inside so I was able to tuck different gifts into each section. The next time you make a gift basket, think outside the box and come up with a unique option for the container. Wine buckets, vases and serving bowls are great options and will make the gift extra special.

So the items wouldn’t fall to the bottom of the basket, I put a handful of shredded paper in each section. Then I added flower seed packets which set the tone for the theme and added a pop.

Next I added a garden tool, garden gloves, hand lotion and gardenia scented candle. The last item I added was a few circular garden stakes that were a quick DIY project.

This garden themed gift basket is definitely a gift that will keep on giving long after the party is over. The party host can plant the seeds and enjoy the flowers for years to come.

PARTY FAVOR GIFT IDEA: Garden In A Jar

For our Floral Fiesta party favors, I pulled together this cute gift which I’m calling Garden in Jar. It’s similar to the hostess gift garden basket but on a smaller scale.

I started with a glass jar I picked up at Hobby Lobby. The jar has an attached rope handle making it easy for party guests to carry their treat away

To create the jar, I placed some shred in the bottom and used a few flower seed packets to line the inside of the jar. Then I filled the jar with garden themed gifts just like the gift basket but added smaller garden stakes. A silk bow in a vibrant color combination gives the jar a fun finishing touch.

And once the jar is empty, it can be used to hold a small bouquet of fresh flowers on the kitchen counter or a tabletop.

Be sure to pop over to each stop on the Floral Fiesta party train–from the cocktail to the dessert, were serving up everything you need to host your next spring soiree.

Cocktail Hour–M. Jones Style
Appetizers–Home On Poplar Creek
Party Tablescape–Positively Southern
Main Course–Viva La Vintage For Your Home
Dessert–Atta Girl Says
Hostess Gift & Party Favor Ideas–yours truly

Black and White Container // Garden Gloves (Dollar Store) // Garden Tool (similar) // Crabtree & Evelyn Gardeners Hand Cream // Flower Seed Packets // Gardenia Candle // Fun Garden Stakes (similar) // Glass Jar // Two-tone Silk Ribbon // Yellow Grosgrain Ribbon // Paper Shred

** posts contains affiliate links

One Project At A Time: Outdoor Decor Plans

May 7, 2018

One of the many projects that I’ve been slowly working on around the house is our deck. I’m excited to get this outdoor space completed so we can enjoy the beautiful (and hot) spring and summer weather here in Atlanta.

We live in a three level townhouse so the deck is located off the second floor at the back of the house. It’s not a large space but spacious enough to create a cozy lounge and entertaining space.

One of the first things we’re working on is adding privacy. When you walk out on the deck, you’re looking at the neighbors behind us on one side and at the street on the other. For the side facing the street, we’re going to add a privacy fence to match the one between us and the house next door. And to give us some privacy facing out, we’ve added some potted trees. We purchased the pots from At Home and after quizzing all the garden pros in town, we decided on the JJapanese Privet, Ligustrum. We’ve also purchased an outdoor rug, umbrella and a few lanterns. Now the hard part–selecting furniture.

Just like when I’m working with design clients, I decided the best way to envision the space was to create an inspiration board (or three). If you’re working on decorating your house, I highly recommend creating an inspiration board. Having a visual reference will allow you to see the space in totality and make the best decorating decisions.

Here are three inspiration boards I pulled together with the furniture sets I’m considering. And at the end of the post I’m sharing a few outdoor decorating tips in case you’re decorating your outdoor oasis too.

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OUTDOOR DECOR–THE VISION

The vision for our outdoor space is to create a space that is conducive to lounging, entertaining and socializing. I want to maximize the seating as much a possible while still keeping the small space open.

Option #1: Neutrals with a pop of red since its my favorite color. The overall look is classic with the red and aqua color combo adding energy and spunk. The only downside to this plan is the seating is a bit limited unless I add an additional chair or two which could be an option.

Option #2: It’s no secret that I love blue and white so that’s what inspired this inspiration board. This look is subtle without being flat or lifeless. There are two downsides to this plan– 1) the design of the furniture is not my absolute favorite–I prefer furniture with a square frame versus rounded. And second, the blue furniture cushions are more limiting when it comes to switching out accent pillows.

Option #3: This third inspiration board is a nice mix of classic and transitional styling. I love the dark, rich colors in the pillows and also the metal garden stool. The only downside here is the color of the furniture–I’d love it if it were a little darker.

I really can’t go wrong with any of these designs, it’s just a matter of going with the one that feels the most like us. If you have a favorite design board, leave me a comment and let me know which one you think I should pick.

Here are those decorating tips I promised…

I’ll share updates as I work on the space over the coming weeks. My goal is to pull it all together right after we get back for our cruise in early June.

Spring Entertaining: Tablescape Styling {plus tips}

March 20, 2018

One of my favorite color combinations is black and white with pops of bold color. It’s a classic statement with an edgy vibe and I love the energy that these colors create when used together. And it’s the perfect color statement for spring entertaining.

To celebrate the first day of spring, I pulled together a bold and bright spring entertaining tablescape to share with you. And I added a couple of Easter elements in too since Easter is just a few weeks away.

SPRING ENTERTAINING: BOLD & BRIGHT

Spring is the season when trees are blooming and flowers are budding so I created a beautiful flower arrangement as the centerpiece for my table. I used this gorgeous yellow chinoiserie planter that I scored at an estate sale and filled it with a mix flowers from Trader Joe’s.

Flower Arranging Tip: Use florist’s foam to keep flowers in place and constantly hydrated so they last longer. Soak the foam for 15 minutes before cutting it to fit the container. Water the foam every couple of days.

Tablescape Styling Tip: Creating contrast is a great way to give your tablescape dimension and depth. Combine colors that are opposite on the color wheel; mix matte and shiny finishes; use a variety of patterns for visual interest.

I know I’ve said it over and over, but one of the key elements of a beautiful table is the layering. I layered different plate styles to give the table a ‘collected’ but elegant look. And the black and white striped placemats add a modern and dramatic edge. Instead of using colorful glassware that would have competed with the flowers, I used clear crystal to add a touch of sparkle.

** I’ll let you in on a little secret. Those beautiful scalloped white dinner plates with the silver rim are actually plastic! Don’t they look amazing? Until you pick them up you have no idea they aren’t real china. If you want to pick up a set, I found them at Tuesday Morning.

I layered each pacesetting with my thrifted red salad plates and black and white accent pieces. The small rectangular black and white plates came from C. Wonder (I miss that store) and I got the black and white bowls through a trade resource. My red diy monogram dinner napkins add yet another pop of color.

Tablescape Styling Tip: don’t be afraid to mix different materials in creating your pacesetting. There are tons of beautiful melamine plates at HomeGoods and they can make a great layering element when combined with china.

Whenever I create a tablescape, I like to use candles as part of the centerpiece statement. The tall crystal candlesticks are from Tiffany’s and were a gift when I left Eddie Bauer to move to Atlanta. They add height and along with the stemware give that table some shine and shimmer.

I shared my newly upholstered round ottomans on IG and love the way they coordinate with the centerpiece on the table. The floral fabric is one of my all-time favorite budget fabric finds. You can purchase it here and you won’t believe the price.

To give the table a nod to Easter, I nestled two ceramic bunnies on each side of the centerpiece and tied a pink bow around their next. The bunnies were a Target dollar spot find from last year.

There you have it–lots of spring tablescape inspiration, and a few styling tips to help you pull your table together.

Cheers to spring and happy entertaining!

Christmas Gift Wrap | Creative Ideas & Tips

December 24, 2017

Hi friends. The last few days have been a struggle. I’ve been working on this gift wrap post up for days but my photos weren’t loading so I haven’t been able to publish this post. I think I’ve got the bugs fixed now so here’s the long-awaited post, just in time for a weekend gift wrapping marathon.

**disclaimer: Reliant Ribbon sent me some amazing ribbons to use for my holiday gift wrap post, but all words, opinions and gift wrap inspiration is mine.

I’ve had a passion for wrapping gifts for years and love to go the extra mile when creating beautiful packages. If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I have somewhat of an obsession with pretty wrapping paper and ribbon. And a fun embellishment is usually part of my gift wrap formula too.

Today I’m going to share a few Christmas gifts that I wrapped along with some tips to help you give your holiday wrap a little extra pizzazz!

May no gift be too small to give, nor too simple to receive,
which is wrapped in thoughtfulness and tied with love. ~ L.O. Baird

When I started planning my Christmas theme earlier this year, I knew I wanted to keep my holiday gift wrap simple. This year it was going to be all about the ribbon, paper and fun accents.

FYI–I use my DIY Gift Wrap Crate to keep all of my holiday wrapping supplies organized and in one place. And after the holidays I’ll switch out the paper and ribbon for spring and summer gift giving. ***Need a last minute Christmas gift? The gift wrap crate is a simple project that would be great for someone who loves to wraps.

Ok, let’s get into the details of my wrap…

All of the wrapping paper that I used this year is from HomeGoods. They have an awesome selection of holiday wrapping paper and you can’t beat the price. When I’m shopping for gift wrap, especially at Christmas, I like to buy patterns and colors that can be used year-round. Polka Dots, stripes, plaids and subtle patterns are what I shop for. With non-seasonal wrapping paper, I use inexpensive embellishments to reflect the season or gift-giving occasion.

My ribbon this year is from one of my favorite ribbon sources, Reliant Ribbon. Reliant Ribbon is a family owned wholesale ribbon company that sells a wide range of craft and floral ribbon. They have over 15,000 different ribbon styles so there is literally something for every gift wrap and decorating need.

♦ CREATIVE HOLIDAY GIFT WRAP INSPIRATION ♦

One of my favorite gift wrapping tricks is to combine two or more ribbons to create a layered look. Here I layered a narrow red and white striped ribbon on top of a wide solid red ribbon. The embellishments are mini red and green mercury glass ornaments I bought at Steve McKenzie’s. These ornaments are great as a package topper but can also be used to decorate a small tree or wreath. p.s. all holiday product at Steve McKenzie’s is 50% off through 12/31 with code: MERRY50 so it’s a great time to stock up for next year!

free printable gift tags

Another fun way I like to jazz up my holiday gift wrap is by tying a double bow with pretty satin ribbon. To do this you will want to cut the ribbon extra long. Wrap the ribbon around your box, tie the first bow then know the ribbon on top of that bow to secure it. Now you can tie a second bow and add an embellishment.

I love using unexpected materials to wrap gifts. This year I had the idea of using faux fur as a ribbon substitute. I headed to JoAnn Fabric and found this gorgeous white faux fur trim which was sold by the yard. I cut a piece long enough to wrap around my box and secured it with a satin ribbon bow. tip: a brown or black faux fur is a great ribbon alternative for a men’s gift.

Did you know that a lot of woven ribbons can be curled using the blade of your scissors. #oldschooltrick Curls are a great way to make your gift wrap more festive. And don’t be afraid to combine and curl multiple ribbons together which can create a really fun topper.

faux boxwood garland from Target Dollar Spot // Merry Christmas gift tags

When it comes to holiday gift tags, I use traditional Christmas tags as well as items I find in the craft aisle at Michaels. The JOY tag below is part of a 60 piece Holiday Chipboard Quote Set used for scrapbooking. The tiny tags are perfect for adding a little whimsy to your gift wrap.

holly leaf embellishment from Hobby Lobby

Using ornaments as an embellishment is not a new idea but how you use them can be. Instead of tying this wreath ornament to the ribbon, I tied a knot in the ribbon and bunched the ends in the center of the wreath. I love the way this looks on a round gift box.

free printable gift tags

One of the tips I share when I teach my gift wrap workshops is to to never throw away scrap pieces of wrapping paper or ribbon. Scrap ribbon can be used to wrap a small box or combined with another ribbon for layering. On the box below, I used a piece of scrap ribbon along with a left over Christmas card to decorate the box.

Creative gift wrapping is equal parts the items you wrap with and how you use those items. All it takes to create beautifully wrapped gifts is thinking outside the box (pun intended).

I hope you found these wrapping tips and my Christmas gift wrap inspirational. Be sure to stop by my Instagram feed tomorrow because I’ll be sharing a few last-minute wrapping ideas.

My Favorite Things | 2017 Holiday Gift Guide

December 15, 2017

I know I’m not the only one that loved watching Oprah’s Favorite Things segment on her talk show. It was always thrilling to see which items made her list every year. And so fun to see the audience go crazy when they received one of everything. To celebrate the season of gifting, I’ve created my own Favorite Things Gift Guide. From fashion and function, to inspiration and little indulgences, my favorite things list is guaranteed to bring joy!

p.s. today is Free Shipping Friday so it’s a great time to do a little shopping and get many of these items shipped for free.

1 // Ryobi Cordless Glue Gun–if you’ve ever used a hot glue gun you recognize the genius in this item. No more cords to limit where you can take your glue gun or what you can use it on. This is a crafters dream! $29.97 from Home Depot.

2 // These black and white Emalina Ball Drop Earrings from BaubleBar are too cute. I can see these dressed down with jeans and a tee or worn with something a little more fancy. $38.00!

3 // I wear a lot of MAC cosmetics and this Eye Compact kit contains a nice assortment of colors and is a great value. $29.50 from Nordstrom.

4 // I shared this book earlier this year and have to do it again because it really is one of my all time favorite books. In The Company of Women is a must for women that wants amazing business and life inspiration at their fingertips. $35.00.

5 // Philosophy body care products are some of the best on the market. This Grace Gift Set makes such a nice gift and is a great price–$18.00.

6 // The Nest Holiday Candle is one of my favorite holiday candles and I’ve even been known to burn it at other times of the year too. Votive–$16.00/ 8 oz jar $40.00.

7 // Blue and White Ceramic Ginger Jar Vase Set–If you know someone who loves blue and white this is the perfect gift for them. $24.99.

8 // Malibu Beaded Necklace–I love how bold and dynamic this statement necklace is. Its available in fuchsia or turquoise blue. $48.00.

9 // I decorated my Christmas tree in my favorite colors of pink and red so it’s kinda hard for me to pass up my a fashion piece in these colors. This Checked Infinity Scarf would definitely brighten up a cold winter day. $48.00 from Anthropologie.

10 // Glass Jug Vase–I can’t tell you how many times I’ve looked at these vases from Chip and Joanna Gaines’ Hearth & Hand collection at Target. The color is so rich and pretty and I so tempted to buy one for myself. 3 sizes–$16.99-$29.99.

11 // There are tons of great gifts at Steve McKenzie’s but one of my favorite items is the Blenko Water Bottles. Handmade and mouth-blown, Blenko water bottles are made in West Virginia and have been produced for over 75 years. They are available in a mini ($45) or larger size ($55) and come in a range of colors. This is the perfect gift for someone who loves to entertain. FYI–if you can’t make it to the Steve McKenzie store, you can order online and have it shipped.

12 // I have several of these Monogram Mugs from Williams Sonoma and love them. They are a great gift for men, women and kids and are currently on sale for $7.96.

13 // Glamorous Wash in Katina–This laundry detergent is specifically made for fine washables and linens and smells amazing. I also use it when I’m washing out sleepwear. The DIVA scent is pretty fabulous too! $28.50 for a 32 oz bottle.

14 // There’s nothing more luxurious than waking up on a cold morning and slipping into a cozy robe. This Pottery Barn Faux Fur Robe with Chinchilla trim was made for cold mornings. $90.

15 // Monogram Address Labels make a great gift especially for that person that’s hard to buy for. I love the selection of labels from Zazzle and recently ordered this classic blue and white design. $3.30 for a sheet of 18 labels but you can save 25% with the code 25OFFSITEZAZ.

16 // So I had to include a splurge gift on my favorite things lis and this Olive Leaf Band Ring from Tiffany is it. This beautiful ring is designed by Paloma Picasso and crafted of sterling silver and is definitely meant for someone special. $325.

MY FAVORITE THINGS 2017

Stop by the blog tomorrow where I’ll be sharing my holiday gift wrap and lots of gift wrap tips.

Ornaments On A Stick | An Easy Christmas Craft

December 14, 2017

Happy Thursday friends. I’ve got a super easy Christmas craft to share with you today and I think you’re going to love it. These are what I call Ornaments On A Stick!

Years ago when my home decor store was open, I carried a similar item and they were a top seller. Since I haven’t at market in the last 5 or 6 years, I decided I was going to make my own.

I’m almost embarrassed to share the easy DIY steps to make these but here goes. You only need a few supplies:

Shatter Proof Ornaments–Wal-Mart, At Home and Hobby Lobby are my go to sources for shatter-proof ornaments in different color, shapes and sizes. I used an assortment of mini and large styles from At Home to make mine. (note: this craft will also work with glass ornaments)

Wood Skewers–you can find these at Hobby Lobby and even at the grocery store. I used long skewers for my ornaments but you can also use short cocktail size sticks as well.

Hot Glue Gun–a glue gun is a great tool for everyone to own even if you’re not a crafter. I have this cordless glue gun on my Christmas wish list.

And now the hard part….

Using your skewer, punch a hole into the cap of the ornament and insert the skewer into the hole a couple of inches. Add a few dots of hot glue around the hole and skewer to secure it in place and let it dry. Ta da, you’ve got a fun holiday decor piece to decorate with.

Ornaments On A Stick are great to add to a Christmas tree or mantel garland. And if you use a short skewer, they will also work on a wreath.

Another fun idea is to add them to a flower bouquet or plant that you’re giving as a holiday hostess gift.

Or you can make a holiday door cone like I did and insert a few sticks to dress it up.

And if you really want to go all out, make a super sized version of Ornaments On A Stick to use in your outdoor planters. Just use oversized ornaments and replace the skewers with wood dowels.

P.S. This is a fun craft to do with kids.