Inspiring Rooms.

These rooms don't have much to do with each other, except that I came across them on decorpad and liked them.

I love the gallery wall with the silhouettes -- such an intestering configuration of frames.  The orange pillow combination with the wall color is different, but I like it. 

Bold wallpaper can really make a space and it is so pretty and dramatic in this dining room.  The blingy chandy is fabulous too!

And speaking of gallery walls, this one is great.  Love the mix of frames and art work.  But my favorite part has got to be the chevron wall.

 (photos: decorpad)

And I'm sorry for my absence here recently. I have been busy at work (I know, it's the story of my life). Anywho, I have been gearing up for a mediation on Tuesday, which means I don't get my day off tomorrow; but on the upside, the case may settle and I may have a part of my life back! My list of things to blog about (tell me I am not the only one that keeps one of those) and my house to-do list are growing and nothing is being crossed off either!

Oh, and in case you haven't noticed . . . I have a blog button now!

<a href="http://www.name5things.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt=" " src="http://i190.photobucket.com/albums/z78/mikerin3/Premades/Button.png" /></a><br/>

Hope you all had a wonderful weekend!

Guest Blogging.

Sorry for the late notice, but I am guest posting over at Modern Jane on Wednesday.  Come check out what design trends I am looking forward to in 2011! 

Smythe Designers.

I have blogged (many times) before about my love for Sarah Richardson, her sidekick Tommy, and/or Tommy's sister's jacket company (Smythe Jackets).  His sister, Christie, and Andrea Lenczer founded Smythe Jackets in 2004.

In addition to their jackets, I am smitten with each of their living rooms.  The blue chairs were custom by, who else, Sarah Richardson.  I could totally use a couple of those in my house.  I also love the pillows and the rug.  And how great are those windows?  The room is so fresh and clean feeling.  

This next room is definitely a show stopper.  I don't even know where to begin -- the dark couches, the ball fringe on the pillows, the fun pops of pink, the lucite coffee table, the chippendale style chairs (similar style here at Ballard Designs), the gorgeous lamp, the gray herringbone rug, or the glamorous antique mirror.  This room is pure perfection! 

(all photos: house and home)

Guest Blogging.

I am over at Cassie's blog, hi sugarplum!, today participating in her fabulous Best of the Best series talking about our wallpaper panels and bookshelves.  If you don't read hi sugarplum!, you are definitely missing out.  Cassie has wonderful ideas on her blog, and she is hilarious to boot! 

Vanity/Desk Lamp.

Back in my bedroom vanity/desk update here I mentioned that I was looking for a new lamp to replace the silver one seen below. 

 

This blue ceramic lamp from Lamps Plus was the one I had been considering for the space.

(photo: lampsplus)

While cruising around Garden Ridge, I found a little table lamp for $12.99 that I liked the shape of.  But the color was ugly . . . with a capital "u".  Here it is with the lamp shade from the previous lamp.

I figured the hideous brown color wasn't anything a little spray paint couldn't fix.  Here it is ready for its transformation. 

I first gave it a couple of coats of primer.

Then used Valspar's Gloss Mediterranean from Lowe's to give it some color.

And here's the after.

Even though it's not exactly the same as the one from Lamps Plus, it was a whole heck of a lot cheaper ($12.99 plus the cost of a can of spray paint). 

I am still on the hunt for a different shade (one that's not so tall), but the current one works for the time being.  

(Yes, that picture frame is still empty.  And I changed up which books to display on the desk.  I received some more of them recently and am still trying to figure out which color combos looks best in the bedroom and the living room!)

I like the fun pop of color it gives the desk area. And it's nice to know that if I ever want to change it out, a quick paint job will keep things fresh.

Guest Blogging.

I am guest blogging today at one of my favorite blogs, Honey We're Home, as part of Megan's Getting Organized for the New Year Series!  Come check out how I keep my magazine inspiration photos organized. 

Sarah 101: Update.

Sarah Richardson's new show, Sarah 101, premiered last night in Canada (lucky Canadians!). I am drooling over the pictures on HGTV's website. But with only the pictures, I miss seeing Sarah and Tommy in action. Aren't they so fun?

On to the living/dining room from the show . . .

(um, that chair needs to be in my house immediately!)

(love all the pink)

(how great are those patterns together? and check out the piping on the couch.)

Everything is just beautiful! If you are in Canada can I come over? and saw the show, what did you think?

Getting Organized in the New Year.

Getting better organized is always on my to do list, but I tend to tackle more "major" organization projects at the beginning of the year.  Thankfully, Container Store always puts their elfa on sale this time of year.  I got Justin on board, and we headed over to Container Store on New Year's Day -- nothing like getting the New Year started off on the right foot!  Here is the back of Justin's car loaded up with our goodies.

We went back to Container Store a couple days later to pick up some additional things.  Stay tuned for what all we've organized around here!  

And you don't know how excited I was when I walked into the kitchen the other day and saw that Justin had made a list!  He is not much of a list person (gasp!).  I love lists and am thrilled that my husband finally got in on the list-action!  Of course, I couldn't resist adding a few items myself. 

(excuse the blackberry pics)

I'm happy to report that he has crossed off almost all of the items on the list! 

While I'm telling stories about Justin, we were on our way home from grabbing dinner tonight and the song Paul Revere by the Beastie Boys came on.  Since we were almost home, he proceeded to drive around longer just so that he could rap/sing all of the lyrics.  Very impressive!  :)

Trader Joe's.

My obsession with Trader Joe's is like my obsession with Joel McHale -- it's slightly out of hand and no secret.  Knowing my love for TJ's, my best friend gave me one of the best Christmas presents ever (besides her coming to town) . . . 2 bags full of TJ goodies.      

What a sweet friend Lauren is to carry all of this from San Diego to Houston!  I haven't tried everything yet (because that's going to take a while), but everything I've had so far is delightful!  Thanks, Lauren!        

Happy New Year!

(photo: endless)

I can't believe how quickly 2010 flew by.  Wishing you all a wonderful 2011!  Cheers!

Cheerful Spaces.

Maybe it's because I am still thawing out from my quick trip to cold Kentucky, but I am really liking the bright and cheerful colors in these rooms.

(all photos: decorpad)

And speaking of inspiring spaces, Megan from Honey We're Home posted an amazing collection of her favorite bloggers' rooms.  Check it out here.  Like her, I love looking at "real" people's rooms and the spaces she compiled are truly inspiring.  (And I am flattered that our master bedroom made her list!  Thanks, Megan!)   

Dylan Brown Foundation.

Good friends of ours, James and Lauren, recently started the Dylan Brown Foundation to raise money to support research for children with brain injuries. 

Two years ago, they welcomed sweet Dylan into the world.  Dylan was perfectly healthy and such a happy baby.

    

In October 2009 (when he was 10 months old), Dylan caught a common virus, but for unknown reasons, it attacked his brain stem. Since then, Dylan has been on life support.  He is not able to blink, show facial expressions, speak, or eat without a feeding tube.  I can't even begin to imagine what James and Lauren have gone through over the past year. 

Through the foundation, they are hoping to support research and clinical trials to help children with brain injuries. Their hope is to increase awareness for acquired neurological injuries in children and draw attention to the lack of known methods for repairing damaged areas of the brain.

Check out their website to learn more.  And if you're thinking about making some year-end charitable contributions, consider donating to help support such a wonderful cause.  Please keep Dylan, Lauren and James in your thoughts and prayers.  And keep hoping . . .

Christmas Recap.

What a great Christmas weekend!  We had an amazing time with our friends and family.  But I have to say, I am worn out.  On Friday, we did our Christmas Eve festivities at my mom's house.

Then on Saturday we hosted Christmas dinner at our house.  Justin made a delicious prime rib.  I was so worried about getting pictures of the table before people sat down, I forgot to turn on the lamps, set out the place cards, and put out the knives before snapping the first couple!

The tablecloth is from Target (and fits in perfectly with my silver holiday-decor theme).  I just bought 3 single stem white hydrangeas and some mini-red carnations and made simple arrangements in vintage-looking glasses from Anthropologie.

Justin purchased gorgeous paper from Paper Source to wrap my presents (isn't he the best?), and I used the extra to make simple place cards.  Looking at these now, I should have used a thicker sharpie, but the names were darker in person!     

On Sunday evening, we had some friends over for our annual Christmas party.  I was regretting that decision during my 10:00 a.m. meeting this morning!  But we had a blast.  I'll post the recipes from the party later.  I am headed to Kentucky tomorrow, so I am off to pack (the high there is only going to be 31 - yikes!).

How was your holiday weekend?

Merry Christmas.

Wishing you a very merry Christmas!

I will leave you with a few inspiring "Christmas-y" spaces:

(photos: Ideal Home)