Cheers

Six years ago, I was on a beach in Islamorada, Florida, marrying the smartest, funniest, most hard working man I know. Thank you, Sam, for being an incredible father and a great mentor. Thank  you for believing in me and encouraging me. Thank you for making me a mother. Thank you for choosing me. I love you. (PS- Sorry I forgot to get you a card, but does this count? :) ) 

Favorite new blog

I wanted to share with you all a blog I recently discovered called Copy Cat Chic. Maybe I'm late to the game with this one, but wow, I instantly became obsessed and may have stayed in my pajamas til nearly 11am scrolling through post after post (pathetic, I know). It's one of those "look for less" blogs, and since you know I love a good deal, I was instantly hooked.

The most exciting thing it led me to was this gold flatware from Target. Pretty similar to West Elm's, no? I don't need gold flatware, but I really want at least 2 place settings, for Sam and I. Perhaps it'd motivate me to make something other than spaghetti during the week? Let's be real though- I just want to stick a gold spoon into a huge bowl of ice cream. It somehow makes it less sad. ;)

Anyway, you should definitely check out her blog if you have a chance. Tons of good finds. I promise you'll like it.

Happy tax day! Hope you're done filing, unlike poor Sam who is on the phone with his accountant father as I type this, trying to get 'em done. As we frequently say in this family, if it weren't for the last minute we wouldn't get anything done :)

A few of my favorite things

Sometimes it's frustrating when you want to switch things up, but can't exactly afford (or your  husband won't agree to) a new sofa or pair of chairs. I think most of us are in that boat, and for me the redecorating itch really hits at springtime. Luckily, just a few simple changes can really alter the entire style and feel of a space.

These are a few of my go to's that work basically anywhere:

/ / Blue and white ginger jars/vases/lamp

I obviously have a thing for blue and white, but these truly look good in every room, with almost any style: coastal, Hollywood Regency, traditional. I am always on the lookout for more (I could literally have 100 and still feel that wasn't enough) and desperately NEED some blue and white lamps for my living room. I want to move into each of these spaces:

McGill Design Group

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Shea McGee

/ / X Benches

These can be pretty pricey, but luckily Target is offering a relatively inexpensive option for the second year in a row. I want a pair. BAD. They work well as a coffee table, side table, under a console or at the end of the bed.

via Coastal Living

Style Within Reach

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/ / Moroccan poufs

I've wanted one for several years, despite my husband's disdain for them, and finally ordered one with part of an Amazon gift card. Absolutely no regrets there, except for the fact that I now want several more. Serena and Lily's isn't cheap by any stretch of the imagination, but this one on Amazon is only $95. They're perfect as an ottoman, especially in nurseries, but work nicely in living rooms too for extra seating. Isla really loves sitting on hers and scoots it all over her room (so it's kind of like a toy, right?!). Ok, it's settled, I'll take 5 more.

Shea McGee

Via Lil Sugar

Via House Beautiful

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Jillian Harris

/ / Garden stools

These are similar to x benches in that they work as extra seating and side tables. They're perfect for outdoor spaces and bathrooms, and you can usually find them at TJ Maxx for $40. How can you say no to that? 

Jana Bek

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Via Decor Pad

What are your favorites? I am really itching to get to TJ Maxx now...

Be our guest

Or not…cause our guest room is pretty pathetic. We are so fortunate to have family and friends that are willing to travel to see us, and it's not uncommon for us to be "booked" 4 out of 6 weekends. While this is amazing and keeps me from getting homesick, it's also stressful because of the construction zone that is our house. We literally have a project going at all times, with random tools and materials scattered everywhere. I'm almost always embarrassed to have company, but know by now that our friends and family don't care. They just want to see us (this is a great read for those like me who have anxiety welcoming guests into our imperfect homes). Still, finishing this space is a top priority for me. Knowing that our guests have a comfortable and nicely decorated room to retreat to would make me so much less stressed about the disastrous state of the rest of the house. The room is small, so it shouldn't take too much. I just need to come up with a plan.

The current wall color is a yellowish cream, and the trim is unpainted/natural. Sam has agreed to let me paint it white to match the other bedrooms. Cue the confetti and balloons! So what's taking me so long, right? You'd think I'd be all over that. Here are my excuses:

/ /  we've had a lot of company this winter, like sometimes 4 weekends in a row. Super fun, but not enough turnaround time to get much done.

/ / doing stuff with a toddler is hard. Isla has never been a great napper, and most of them are 60-90 min max. Basically enough time to throw in some laundry, go through the mail, pick up, and vacuum.

/ / I have major design ADD and can't make a decision on color scheme

/ / Pillows, headboards, nightstands, lamps, etc aren't cheap. If budget weren't an issue, we'd all have awesomely decorated homes, right?!

I've been looking at things I already have, and am trying to use those as starting off points for the room. Use what you've got, right? First up, this adorable Serena and Lily striped coral/melon fabric that my sweet sister-in-law gave me after she used it as a backdrop for my baby shower.

I've always loved that color, but especially after seeing it all over Caitlin Wilson's Philadelphia penthouse. Have you seen the pictures? They're all over Pinterest and are some of my favorite rooms ever. Don't you want to move right in?! So dreamy…

all images via

I read once that Caitlin considers coral a neutral, and I must say that I agree. Look how nicely it plays with navy, berry, gold and pink. And how badly do you want a coral couch now?! 

So my starting off point is to have a few Euros made from the striped fabric. Then I'm thinking one of Caitlin's gold pillows (busted- totally have a design crush on this woman). They're all gorgeous but I kind of love this one:

I have this side table and mirror, both from Target, in the room already:

The room is starting to get a little gold heavy, so I think another color/print is necessary, just not sure what yet. I'm also undecided on a headboard and wall color, which are both pretty major elements of the room. Any suggestions on wall color? Cause I needed to get on that, like, yesterday. I'm leaning toward something super light, almost white. I feel like white walls are all the rage these days, but they really do provide such a nice blank canvas for colorful art and accessories. 

With any luck, this room will start shaping up soon. Wish me luck, and keep the suggestions coming. I obviously need some help! 

Dragons and zebras and ostrich, oh my!

The other day I was looking through some of my pins, as I often do when I'm feeling scattered design-wise,  and I realized I may be going off the deep end. I've never considered my style to be whimsical or eclectic, yet I am oddly drawn to all fabrics, wallpapers and pillows with an animal motif (we'll save my love of bird fabrics and wallpapers for another post). Perhaps I'm veering away from the traditional style I once identified with, and starting to take more risks. Or maybe I'm just jumping on the bandwagon, since these prints seem to be popping up everywhere lately. Have you noticed?

Dwell Studio Ming Dragon

Emily Clark

Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon in Aquamarine

Caitlin Wilson

Life in Grace

Schumacher Chiang Mai Dragon in Indigo

Me

Sarah Richardson

Lilly Pulitzer for Lee Jofa 

(also available in navy and sea foam colorways)

Abby M. Interiors

Lilly Pulitzer Home

Scalamandre zebra

(available in a whole slew of colorways)

Via Traditional Home

Meredith Heron

Beware the Moon

Via Lonny

I doubt I'll ever get Sam on board with an ostrich or zebra wallpaper (nor could I ever in a gazillion years afford Scalamandre anything), but I think they're fun in small doses. As I've said before, pillows give you a big bang for your buck and you can easily swap them out, so I think that's a really practical way to incorporate these wild and crazy prints into everyday (and husband approved) decor. I've been eyeing the hot pink Lily Pulitzer for awhile, so I just might have to find a place for it. Doesn't every room need a little dragon?! I could definitely incorporate the Schumacher into every single room of this house. It's just so beautiful and vibrant and looks good in every application I've ever seen. 

What do you think? Love? Hate? Repulsed? Let's hear it! 

Judging a book by its cover

One of my favorite trends right now in nurseries and kids rooms is open shelving. It's not only a great way to keep books from collecting all over the floor, but I love that it's an opportunity to display pretty books like pieces of art.

Daffodil Design

Alisa Burke Redefine Creativity

decor pad

I'd love to incorporate this into Isla's room, showcasing some of her favorite books, and of course adding a few more. Here are my tops pics. Luckily these are not only lovely to look at, but the content is pretty good too ;) 

Flora and the Flamingo

This Little Piggy Went to Prada 

Birds of a Feather Shop Together

Miss Lina's Ballerinas and the Wicked Wish

I Had a Favorite Dress

Extra Yarn 

Olivia and the Fairy Princesses

IKEA sells these inexpensive picture ledges that look just like Pottery Barn's, making this a super simple and affordable way to create a reading nook for you and your babe. I think I'll add them to the list for my next IKEA run.

What are some of your favorite pretty books? There are so many out there- I could drop a few hundred dollars like that. Luckily someone I know has a birthday in a couple months :)