Urban Chest Giveaway

A big thank you to Urban Chest for offering up an amazing giveaway today for this lovely cake stand! 

There are a few things I l love about Urban Chest, one being that they are great with customer service and quality! Secondly that they have buying guides. If you need a little help figuring out what to fill an empty space with or how to use your favorite purchases to enhance your room, take a quick peek at some of the things they offer!

Not a cupcake person? That's okay - we've found multiple ways for you to find the perfect use for it via pinterest:

Use it for food at a party! Serve up some amazing snacks or appetizers for your friends to enjoy!

Use it as a jewelry stand! Lay out your most worn items for quick and easy access but also to show it off!

Use it in your home decor for a lovely centerpiece! 

How are you going to use this cupcake stand if you win it?

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cameron Diaz's AMAZINGLY GLAMOROUS Manhattan Apartment by Kelly Wearstler

Your style or not, it's hard not to appreciate the sumptuous, textural and lustrous quality of Diaz's stunning Manhattan abode. The materials used are EXQUISITE.  I would love to just walk around and touch everything..

I was surprised to read that Diaz is a professed design freak and will even be taking on the role of artistic director for fashion accessories for Pour La Victoire.  She owned the 2,400 sq. ft. prewar apartment for several years before deciding on a designer, and had been gathering inspiration and tearing out magazine pictures for years.

Diaz and Wearstler decided on hues of burnished metals and lustrous minerals: malachite, onyx, rose gold, silver, and copper to use throughout the home.

I love that the space is glamorous but not so cluttered with baubles that there is no restfulness to it.

The brass backsplash is amazing.  Weastler's mastery of jewel tones never ceases to amaze me.

The master bedroom. "Drawers are lined in raw black silk, the back sides of doors are clad in hammered metal, and the interiors of closets are covered in custom wallpaper or in vivid paint." Can you imagine?!?!

The master bath.  Definitely fit for a screen goddess.

I prefer the guest bedroom to the master.  It's lighter but still elegant.  The four poster bed is custom made, the light fixture 1960's Austrian.


What do you think?

Read more and see more at Elle Decor

Vanity Eye Candy!

Every Monday could use some eye candy to start us off, right?! Lately I've been scoping out ideas for bathroom vanities.  Ours is soooorrrryyyy. It's chipping and cheap looking and I hate. Vanities are one of those things that should look great, because they are such a focal point of a bathroom, but also be functional because most of us need all the storage we can get in our bathrooms.

HELLO beautiful backsplash!

2 above via BHG

Finding the perfect vanity for your space is more than just picking out the style. Measure out how much space you have and find something that looks amazing but also fits in well with the rest of the room.  Consider what you will need to store in the vanity, and what you will be using it for.  Modern Bathroom is a great resource for finding a vanity that suits your needs.

via houzz.com
Love the dark walls contrasting with the white and seriously considering this for our master or guest bath.

A little character in your choice is good! Even though most vanities come in white, brown, or black, mixing it up with a nice color can make any bathroom have a little more personality. A toned down color like the one below really makes this bathroom clean and crisp but also adds a little something extra to the space.

This gorgeous weathered piece adds character and beauty.
via BHG

via houzz.com

Carrying a material throughout, like on the vanity top and floor as seen below, always adds a luxe and elegant look in my opinion.

via Elle Decor

via House Beautiful
LOVE that mirror!

this post is in partnership with modernbathroom.com

A Necessary Mattress Primer (with a little eye candy to make it more interesting)

So obviously I'm a huge believer in the necessity of a beautiful bedroom, and I could loose hours pouring over inspiring bedroom photos.  Mattresses are something that maybe aren't the most enticing topic of study, but they are a vital one.

So I've done a little bit of research for you so you don't have to...

via Lonny Mag

Pillow top
Most people these days are in love with pillow top mattresses, and I am a recent convert myself.  Their initial comfort and relief of pressure points is above average. As comfortable as they are, there are some things you want to keep in mind. That extra pad of cushion can make you feel like you are floating on a cloud, but they "they are at least two times more likely than non-pillow top mattresses to have durability / longevity problems"- SD 

If you sleep hot you may want to consider forgoing a pillow top. Before making the investment of a mattress, you could always get a pillow top topper for your current mattress to see if it's the mattress type for you.

via aliciabdesigns

Memory Foam
 Memory foam mattresses are also a top seller these days. These are fantastic because they form to your body and most people will say that having one has enhanced their sleep. One con I found again is that they tend to retain heat, so they won't be the best option for hot sleepers, and another is the initial off-gassing and odor complaints seem to be higher than with other mattresses.

The pros are movement isolation (so your tossing partner won't disturb you as much), long life span, and superb pain relier. - via SD

Latex
Latex mattresses are something I've been hearing about for a few years now.  They have many advantages of memory foam mattresses, but not the cons that come with them. The can also be "all natural" which appeals to green consumers.  The cons are that they can be hard to find and therefore hard to test, as well as find reviews for.  Natural Latex mattress tend to be more expensive than other mattresses of the same size, but tend to have longer lifespans.

Innerspring
Innerspring mattresses are the most popular mattresses.  They are the most widely available which makes them easiest to try out because showrooms always carry them.  Due to the fact that they've been around so long also means you'll have many different variations to try, and many different price points to shop from.  Pros are ease of movement on the bed and that they're good for those who sleep hot.  Cons are that they tend to wear out after 5-7 years, and coils and padding wear down.  They also aren't the best for reducing motion transfer.

via BHG

Pocket Sprung
Pocket sprung mattresses may not be something you've heard of but one of it's great features is that the springs move independently to support your body.  The independently moving springs also helps with not transferring movement from your partner.  Not so great features are that it's a heavy mattress and not great for those with allergies do to all of the filling.

via countryliving

Hopefully this review can help you narrow down one or two types of mattress you'd like to shop for.
Whatever type of mattress you choose, be sure that you've done your research since mattresses aren't a cheap purchase and tend to stick around for a while.

this post is in partnership with zsleeps.co.uk

Ben's Garden Coaster Giveaway!

Today we are doing a wonderful giveaway thanks to Ben's Garden!

Ben’s Garden is a gift and décor retail store specializing in decoupage art, custom gifts and upscale paper collection, vintage-inspired pieces among many other home decor items. He has locations in Oyster Bay and Huntington Village. Since opening his first store in 2004, 29-year-old founder Ben Busko has expanded distribution to a world-wide audience through top retailers and his online store www.bensgarden.com. He has opened a main studio & offices in Brooklyn and plans to open a new stores in Brooklyn & Manhattan.

Today we are giving away one set of these coasters to one fabulous winner!

The Ornament Of A House Copper & Glass Coaster Set

Handcrafted with 4" square glass and antiqued copper with plastic bumpers, to protect the tabletop. Wrapped with charming pewter grosgrain ribbon in a set of 4. www.bensgarden.com   PRICE $42.00

Interested in entering this giveaway? Comment below on your favorite item from Ben's Garden and then collect your point on the rafflecopter! Remember if you don't leave a comment or forget to add your point on the rafflecopter your submission won't count - remember to do both!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Living Room Must Haves

Our living room is the first thing one sees upon walking through our front door. Since moving in in June, we've made some progress making it ours, but it's slow going since we're still trying to decide exactly what it is we're going for. We have a small sofa now, which I like, but I've been considering a sectional because our current sofa isn't really comfortable for those late nights snuggling on the couch. I used to not like sectionals at all, but more and more you're finding them in smaller sizes with cleaner lines.

 Love that coffee table too!
via Pinterest via Houzz

via SoHaute

Some of my favorite sofas are the ones that look clean and modern but still have a great comfort factor!

I've also been faithfully searching craigslist every day for a worn leather chair.  I think they're so beautiful!

via Pinterest via Keltainen Talo Rannalla 

via One Kings Lane


A coffee table that is both useful and stunning is another must have, though we've been living without one for 3 years, so I guess they're more like a "should have". I've been looking out for one that I like for a while now.  A coffee table is something you don't need to splurge on, and there are so many creative ways to create your own coffee table.  Just search on google or pinterest "DIY Coffee Table" and you'll see hundreds of ideas returned!

via Pinterest

via Pinterest

Lighting is also extremely important. A lot of natural light is ideal but unfortunately might not be a reality for you. Since the living room is the main gathering room at most homes, you want it to be the most well lit when occupied, so make sure you have plenty of lamps.

via hometalk.com

Overhead lighting makes me sad.  Table lamps are pretty and cast a more relaxed glow so use those on end tables instead, or place a floor lamp behind a couch for the nights you curl up with a book.

via Joss and Main

this post is in partnership with scs.co.uk

Setting up Shop

Whether you are working from home or have your own shop as your business location, the fact is that your working hours are being spent in an environment that you can organize and decorate as you see fit! Of course, if you are trying to welcome customers, there should be a bit of science and study behind how you arrange and present your goods and wares. A friend of my just recently opened up a shop and I was shocked at how much is involved in a successful shop opening.  They ended up gutting and remodeling the entire space!

As passersby a store only has a few seconds to get our attention and convince us to take a peek inside, so more or less everything falls on the window or store front to get us in the door.

Here's a few enticing storefronts:

via Flickr

via Fabulously Broke

Want to feel like your shopping in a French flea market? (albeit a very $$$$ one), Anthropologie has your number!

via Apartment Therapy

A whimsical Hermes display
via the bwd.com
However, if you have a shop that is open to the public there are lots more things to take into consideration than purely decor or interior design issues. Here are a few things to think about:
When setting up shop you need to consider the location very carefully. You want as many potential shoppers as you can find so make sure you are easy to see and in a great walking path! Being tucked in an alley way might not be a great spot if you need to catch your shoppers eye.


via Pinterest

Parking is also a great advantage! Having dedicated spots for your clients makes it a more pleasant experience getting into your shop. In some places, like cities, there isn't parking available for many of the shops but there is local transportation! Make sure people can get to you - there have been many instances where I don't shop a certain spot because I know I won't be able to park.



via etsy.com

If your business is primarily online than it may be better off for you to find a cheaper space in the alley way where you can still be seen but don't need the foot traffic. 

Another thing to look for before finding your space is the local competition as well as your neighbors! You don't want to be competing with a larger store that sells similar items as you but you also do want to be near neighbors that don't fit in with your typical buyer!


via domestikatedlife.com

It's a good idea to find out what kind of clientele you have and figure out where they would go shopping! That's where you need be!

Sometimes it's better off to have the right kind of help when you are looking for that perfect space. Fenn Wright are specialists in finding retail premises in Suffolk and having that type of local knowledge an experience that they provide can really make a difference in finding the perfect space for your shop.


via Pinterest

Make sure you have room to grow! Your location can be a big part of the success of your business and changing your location can make it really hard on your customers as well as you! Think about the space and place where you'd want items to go. Then try to think about your space when you expand. If you have options for both, then the space might just be the perfect one!

this post is in partnership with fenwright.co.uk

Fashion Forward Apartment

When it’s time to find apartments, you probably think about the size, location and available amenities, but what about style? How can you make your apartment unique and represent you, rather than looking like the boring, cookie-cutter versions that everyone else has.  It’s easier than you may think.


via interiordesigning.net

Here are a few tips to find that perfect apartment:

One of the best ways to design a fashion-forward apartment is to start with the best possible unit. You will find apartments that are better than others when it comes to unique features or modern upgrades. For example, apartment communities like BRE Properties include amenities such as dishwashers, washing machines and updated kitchen appliances. If the unit looks nice from the start, half of your job is already done.


via ghoofie.com

Before you sign a lease to the apartment, it would be a good idea to figure out what the lease will allow you to do. Can you paint the walls or hang pictures? Find out what you can do and ask if there is any process you'll need to take to make any changes!


via lifearts.blogspot.com

While a splash of color on the walls will go a long way in making the apartment unique and stylish, there are plenty of things you can do even if you can’t paint. Start by hitting the magazines and online sites like Pinterest.com. You’ll find the latest apartment fashions and design ideas.


via Pinterest

If you’re on a budget, it’s time to hit the thrift stores, swap meets and online classifieds. You can find furniture, decorative pillows, pictures, shelves and more if you keep your eyes open. Some colorful throw pillows, well-placed decorations or table centerpieces can help transform a lackluster room.


via bhg.com

Consider getting crafty as well. It’s quite easy to make curtains and other decorative items that will give your apartment a sense of individual style. You can even recycle items for an eco-friendly touch. Wine bottles turn into flower vases and milk crates turn into side tables. There are lots of ways to repurpose everyday items into distinctive decorations.

via Pinterest

Even if you can’t find apartments that are stylish, with a little creativity and imagination you can still create a space that suits your sense of style.

this post is in partnership with breproperties

House Tour: A gorgeous island house full of pattern and texture

Taylor Borsari's Coronado Island home isn't your typical light and airy, white-washed and pastel abode, it has depth and soul.  All the same, it's use of eclectic pattern and texture keeps it upbeat and inspiring.  I've got a bit of a crush!

This family room is where I would read at night.  The wood and seagrass keeps adds warmth, but the cream upholstery and white walls still feels fresh.

How can you not smile in this kitchen?  Makes me feel like I'm back in the Alhambra!

ADORE this bedroom - the wallpaper, the bed...all of it...

I'd like to refinish my dining room table to look like this blonde wood.

The living room.

This bedroom is fun and pretty, but I'm not brave enough for that wallpaper!

Read more and see it all at TradHome