Friday morning.

 Off to a craftastic weekend- kicking ass, and taking names. Have a great weekend everyone.

Style Parade 7.29.10

I'm so excited for the weekend. I have absolutely no social obligations. Really I think I'm most excited about having large blocks of uninterrupted time all to myself. I have so many projects that I've been wanting to get done. Plus it's been nice just relaxing with my husband. Obviously we see each other every day, but it's nice to have those days where you have nothing planned and just see where the day
takes you.

Okay, onto the outfit. Working off a monochromatic blue palette, I put together this relaxed preppy look. All cotton and really comfortable.

I picked up this skirt at Ann Taylor Loft on sale last season. It's probably the only paper bag skirt that's ever fit my shape in a flattering manner. It's a great basic, and came with the cutest ribbon tie belt...although I'm not wearing the belt today because it would look weird with the front tied shirt.

 I'm wearing my new necklace from Super Duper Things. So cute!

Pinstripe top: TJ Maxx. White cami: Old Navy. Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft; $30ish. Bow flats: Payless; $6 with BOGO. Headband: Claires; $3. Hello necklace: Super Duper Things on etsy; $16.

Illustrated botanicals

Today I share with you inspiration designed by nature. I'm smitten with these pen & paper renderings of leaf and bloom. Enjoy.

dried botanical art
mini leaf stamp set
allium table lamp
vintage botanical magnets
spider mum vase
botanical 2010 calendar
modern sunflower pillow
anemone hook

Favorite things: Super Duper Things

I have a new favorite etsy shop - Super Duper Things. These are some of my favorite items from Louise's shop. I was very tempted to get the stripe ruffle necklace, but I opted for the 'hello' one because it's just so darn cute. Many of the pieces are nautical inspired (love!). Definitely worth checking out.

Laundry room: the reveal

It's amazing how much time a tiny household project can take. But in the end, it's worth it. Before...

 And now here's the revamped laundry room:

I contemplated painting that gorgeous turquoise shade in here, but decided to pull the color in through accessories instead. This is in fact a very small room and I wanted to maintain a clean crisp look. Perhaps if there was a window in here I'd change my mind (not saying I never will...I'm fickle that way).

A note on organization - baskets are truly the way to go. I separated all the cleansers, detergents, etc so I no longer have to sift through everything. Plus it looks pretty. Mr. Poli is a big fan of this as well (being the more organized one).

Okay so this was my first time ever working with cabinets or paint for that matter. I must admit, I'm pretty darn proud of myself. It was pretty simple. I'll be posting a tutorial on how I did the cabinets very soon.

I have a modest apron collection, four to be exact. All were gifts and I love wearing each of them in the kitchen, but I think they look way cuter hung up in here. The laundry room is only a short distance from the kitchen.

Mr. Poli was sweet enough to install this new light for me. The old light was another ugly gold fixture with a missing cover. I added some paper butterflies to the shade using earthquake putty (love this stuff).

Breakdown:

Light: fixture from Lowes; $17. Shade is from Target; $15. Added butterflies from cut cardstock.

Art wall: ledge from Target; $5. Patterned candles from Cost Plus World Market; $8 each. Vintage glass soap dispenser also from Target; $12ish. Chair prints from Melissa Bryant on etsy; 3 for $30. White frames from Ikea; $7-12. Printed frames from Liberty of London for Target; $2 each (clearance)

Misc: Wash tub from Target; $12. Flower wall hooks from Urban Outfitters; $4 each. Baskets from Burlington Coat Factory (Waverly brand); $8-$12. Iron board cover from Home Goods; $9

Entryway

When it comes to entryways, our house doesn't have much in terms of space. That's one (of the many things) that I miss about our old apartment, where we had an entire foyer. But I think these tiny additions make for a good impression and a functional use of the space.

Again, I love the typography of this wall clock which yields a more modern feel while the coat rack brings a touch of vintage.

Breakdown: Wall sconce: Lowes; $18. Wall clock: Home Goods; $9. clip 9-hook coat rack: CB2; $30

Plans: laundry room

This is our laundry room...

Such a nice luxury in a home. Although it's looking pretty drab - no frills here. So little time is spent in this room, but I can't help but spruce it up a bit. Enter the inspiration...

 sources: top & bottom left via Decor Pad. top right image. bottom image.

I think I'm just smitten with this minty turquoise shade right now (it is the official color for 2010 you know). Mixed with black & white.

My plan is to apply this cool textured wallpaper to the face of the cabinets above the washer.

Anthropologie knob; $8. Wallpapered cabinet by Centsational Girl

Then, I'm going to add wood trim to frame the edges of the wallpaper, finished off by these adorable knobs from Anthropologie.

I'll be sure the post the results...so stay tuned.

Friday link love

 source

Here's some amazing stuff that I've been meaning to share. Have a good weekend everyone!

My friend Melinda & I are planning a visit to The Edison in the coming weeks. I'm definitely digging this speakeasy eye candy for outfit inspiration.

Book me a ticket to Slovenia!

Drooling and swooning over this bathroom makeover. I haven't shown you our guest bath yet, but I'm entertaining the idea of black paint!

Pretty table. I really need to try decoupaging housewares.

I love the idea of capturing couples at home. A great idea for an anniversary shoot!

If you're not a fan of Ikea, have you seen this? More incredibly chic styling using items from Ikea here.

Pink parasols. Brilliant DIY.

Reader question

I woke up at 5am today (on my day off, no less) and couldn't fall back asleep because my brain was pondering projects around the house. Geez brain, take a load off! I keep getting stuck on big decisions - like I know I want our staircase banister to look different. Darker. But for some reason I can't fully visualize it and I'm terrified to start because I can't see the end result clearly. You know what I mean?

So I ask you - Are you good a visualization? What do yo do when you're struck with indecision? Inspiration boards? Ask others? Comments please.

Style Parade 7.22.10

Today's ensemble falls on a classic note. Ivory lace with a high-waist skirt.

Simple accessories today. Just this cute little bow ring I picked up only yesterday. Like my little chalkboard in the background? I used another blogger's tip & spray painted a stretched canvas. Smart. I enjoy drawing little pictures on it, even though I'm not much of an artist.

Lace blouse: Forever 21; $20. Skirt: H&M; $30-40ish. Flats: Target. Bow ring: JC Penny; $17.

DIY fisherman's orb

Supplies:
Twine
4" bubble ball (available at CB2)
glue gun
scissors

Instructions
-Cut (8) 25" strands of twine.
-Cut (1) 20" strand of twine.

-Fold each strand in half, making several knots throughout the strand.

-Gather all 8 of your finished knotted strands. Tie together in a large knot.

-Using your glue gun, place a generous dot of glue on the large knot and press firmly to the ball.
Note: these orbs feature a small opening, making it possible to fill with something fun. Sand perhaps? Just make sure you don't cover the opening with the knot.

-Wrap the ball with equal distribution of the strands, gathering at the top.

-Use your remaining 20" strand to bind the stands at the top. No need to be neat here, the more random the better.

Add your lovely creation to a sea inspired vignette.

Style Parade 7.20.10

Sunday we attended yet another birthday celebration - Bob's niece, Zena. It was outside, so I opted for a nice cool dress. This dress is perfect for warm weather. I wore it on my honeymoon in Hawaii too.

Look at me, it's so balmy out my skin is glistening. I pinned up my hair so I could show off these fab earrings. I found them at a boutique up in San Francisco a couple years ago. I've seen similar ones since, but never the same bright blue & yellow.

Dress: Hurley; $45. Earrings: Boutique in SF; $20. Woven bag: Old Navy; $14ish. Bangles: Forever 21. Sandals: Payless.

Dinner & drinks

Meet Bob. He was the best man at our wedding. As I said earlier, we went out Saturday night for his birthday. We started the evening celebration with dinner at a fabulous steakhouse - Stubrik's in downtown Fullerton. Then we moved over to The Continental Room, one of my favorite nighttime spots for drinks. It's always a good time. It's got that retro lounge atmosphere & there's always a band or DJ. There was also a large group of guys there having a bachelor party. They rolled up in a DeLorean, totally modified to match the one from Back to the Future. Awesome.

Sadly, I had to call it an early night. I've been sick or allergies (not sure which) and going out just sucked all my energy! Not too smart on my part, I'm still recovering today.

Style Parade 7.18.10

Last night we met up with friends for dinner & drinks to celebrate our friend Bob's birthday. It was still really warm - like 86 degrees so I opted for a dressed up shorts look. I love late summer nights.

These shorts are awesome. They are made of a silky rayon blend and fit loosely. Perfect for a warm night out. I just got my hair styled on Friday. I went with more choppy bangs again, and had my stylist add more fringe to the layers. Love it.

My auntie Colleen was sweet enough to gift me this fabulous vintage brooch from her collection. It was the perfect addition to this rosette clutch. 

Blouse: H&M. Shorts: I heart Ronson available at JC Penny; $30ish. Necklace: Forever 21. Clutch: Old Navy; Brooch: gift. Bangles: Forever 21. Sandals: Payless.

Damn.

Sometimes you're just not fast enough. Someone beat me to it while I was pondering these. Instant frame collection. Love it.

Some inspiration...

source

source

I know, I know. I've already posted this. But I'm doing it again because I'm revisiting the idea in a I'm sort of more serious about it kind of way. And I really can't think straight right now because it is sweltering (yes, at 10:20 at night) and I'm sick (in July!) with the sniffles and an awful headache. Okay, enough complaining from me. But seriously, I'm searching for old cheap frames to spray paint so I can hang in my hallway.

Style Parade 7.14.10

I snapped these as I was leaving work today. It was a little tricky since I was without a tripod, but tree branches worked well. It's been ridiculously hot this week, so less is more. I received my first fall catalog in the mail the other day. Boots & tweed never looked so....unappealing.

I don't think I've worn this dress since my bachelorette weekend in San Francisco. It's fancy without being fussy. I just adore the rich purple jewel tone.

There's just something magical about golden hour. When the sun makes everything glisten. I drove home listening to The Sundays's Blind album. One of my all-time faves.

Dress: Converse for Target.

DIY Woven hurricanes

Here's another simple idea to create warm, textured candlelight. Can you guess what I made these from? Placemats! I found some round cream colored PVC ones at Home Goods, but you can create virtually the same look with these woven natural ones from Ikea.

SNAR placemats

You will need...

-Woven or PVC placemats

-Glue gun

-Scissors

-Tall cylinder vases (I found mine at Michael's Crafts)

Instructions:

-Trim the round edges from your placemat

-Using your glue gun, line a strip of glue along the length of the cylinder vase

-Firmly press the edge of your trimmed placemat to the glue

-Wrap the placemat around the vase and secure the edge with another strip of glue

You're done!

The carousel dress

I love this dress from Spotted Moth. The candy cane print. The bodice detail. The fact that it's long and theatrical, but still a summer dress.

It's bold...let's see if I can pull it off. Enter coupon code BELLE at checkout and got 15% off, courtesy of this blog.