light my fire

the simplicity and eccentric design of this fireplace draws me into this room. i think the white walls are where design is moving these days. it's not about the color on the walls anymore, but about the splashes of color in the decor pieces. what is this picture missing? a latte and an afghan to keep me warm.

(image via ninainvorm)

look of the week: decor

i love this decor style from fifilynn's photostream on flickr. she has incorporated reproductions that have a mid century vibe into a vintage/mid century modern home. i like how she has kept some of the original features of her home and how she has made some new noteworthy changes.

look of the week

model, isabelli fontana, looks darling in these knee high boots and fitted leather jacket. and the messy braided side ponytail goes perfectly.

(image via elle.com)

heart-shaped cookies

don't these look so yummy? these valentine's cookies are so well done and you can find more of these delicious treats at whipped bakeshop.

wall of frames

i think it's such a fun idea to put a few random frames and photos and wall hangings all together to make a wonderful wall collection. and part of the excitement is finding random pieces that draw you in, be it color or just an ornate frame that strikes your fancy. i love this one pictured just below, such an eclectic group.

(image via modern kids)

i love old photos, especially of people i don't know! it makes for a great story.

(image via our pix)

white hardwoods

it seems to be getting more and more popular...white hardwood floors. i have been wanting to do this for quite some time but i have also been trying to muster up the courage for quite some time. it seems to brighten up any room and looks so chic. i love these examples i found below, their cozy and eclectic feel.

(image via brook deetta)

(image via the style files)

(image via design sponge)

pink design

it's so fun to see what a designer will come up with when the theme for an entire room is a color. i think it can be pretty challenging to design a room by just a color but if you have the right touches here and there, it can totally work.

i like the different shades of pink here and of course the bright pink wall!

(image via rol.vn)

clothing designer, betsey johnson is known for loving the color pink, she has even decorated her whole house in pink

(image via momoy.com)

i really like these little splashes of pink; couches, pillows, draperies

(image via love my earth)

look of the week

doesn't she look like such a lady in those light pink tights? i love the over sized dolman shirt and the cut-off jeans look (not to mention the braided headband!) what a fresh yet colorful outfit.

upcycled plate hook

aren't these plates just lovely? a little shop, called postroadvintage, found these plates and upcycled them by adding a ceramic white knob. wouldn't these be great to hang your jewelry and knick-knacks around the house? how sweet...

big window challenge

three interior designers give it their best for this years big window challenge at new york's bloomingdale's. they have all done such great work. go to this site and check out the competitors and vote for your fav!

i love this design done by apartment therapy's, Maxwell Gillingham-Ryan. titled, "the writer's romantic supper".

look of the week

how cute is she? fashion icon and director of Vogue Pelle and Vogue Gioielli, Giovanna Battaglia, looks darling in this v-neck, poofy-sleeved dress and lace-up heels.

(image via swide)

valentine's bunting

isn't this a fun little v-day decor piece? made by blue moon studios and priced at $20, this would look very sweet hanging in a window for passersby to see and smile at.

the butchart gardens

growing up in Seattle, we were very close to Canada. so every now and then my grandmother would take me to the beautiful butchart gardens on Vancouver island in the summer. it is absolutely stunning; flowers, trees and water everywhere. if you are ever in the area, you should take a visit.

image via bctravel

image via gerald brimacombe

image via virgo merry

the bun

i think my hair is the longest it has ever been, about mid back, and i am loving it right now. after i had our baby, i cut it shoulder length and soon realized that was a mistake. i missed my hair way too much! since then, i have been growing it back out and love the top bun i can put it in. the bun is so classy and is looking very good on the runway too.

i wonder what these girls are up to... can i join?

(image via culture of cute)

this side sleek bun with side part is so darling, yes?
(via msn lifestyle)

a how-to of the messy bun can be found here

(images via experience parisienne)

bridal veil

my best friend alyssa just announced her engagement to her boyfriend of a couple years! he actually went to high school with us and they ended up going to the same university after graduation. it wasn't until after college that they started to date. her wedding is set for august and she asked me to be her maid of honor (she was the maid of honor in my wedding).

it made me think about how beautiful weddings are and what a beautiful bride she will be. they are having it at a local Seattle area winery. i just can't wait to see what she will look like and how it will turn out. only gorgeous, i bet.

blusher length veil (via wedding all about)

i love this birdcage style veil (via one little dove)

the feathers on this add a simple touch of elegance
(via unveiled bridal designs)

chicago modern

a newly renovated home in chicago offers a light-drenched modern appeal. this was orignally a townhome in lincoln park (an area of chicago) and was completely rehabbed by architect Sig Froelich of Froelich Kim. there are more and more homes here in chicago going the modern route rather than the traditional (yay!)

love the light marble paired with sleek stainless steel

side view of kitchen leading to the stairwell

(via chicago home magazine)

cheese pairings

a little chef-based company in Brooklyn called Sunday Suppers ,which can be found here, helps the novice or elite chef with all kinds of food fancy. a recent blog entry of theirs featured a how-to on the pairing of cheese and food. although i am a huge cheese fan, i don't necessarily know which cheese might taste well with what food so i found this entry to be fun and useful!

doesn't this cheese scape look classy (and tasty)? ...and i LOVE the milk glass cake stands

craft spaces

my hubby recently bought me a book that I have been dying to get, Organizing Your Craft Space. the book has so many great ideas to get that clutter-of-a-room (which i think most of us have) organized. sometimes i think we feel it will cost us an arm and a leg to be clutter free, but there are ways to get organized at a relatively decent price. i, personally, have found some great organizational pieces at the second hand store!

how very peaceful!

(via craft blog)

i like the bright personal touches added to this space and it looks like this desk may have been repurposed with a bright white paint
(via craft blog)

this center unit is such a great idea! makes it easy to get to and useful for those odd shaped pieces that normally take up so much room

(via the project girl)

this room has such a great simplistic danish modern appeal

(via rachel leonard)

the modern and clean feel of this room would set my mind at ease. i like to have a clean work space before i start any of my art.

(via craft blog)

earth inspiration

the occurrences in Haiti lately have really made me think about our surroundings and how precious they really are. here are some beautiful earth inspired pictures i found from a few fellow artists.

"my favorite river" (via blissfulimages)

moss terrarium (via fantastic creations)

"autumn in the dell" (via country dreaming)

rainbow cake

for any of you that have kiddos, this cake will defintely do the trick. if it makes me excited to want to make/eat this cake, then I think the little ones will go crazy over it too! it looks like it might leave a big mess for clean up but way worth the effort put in.

directions found at omnomicon

spun cotton

i stumbled upon a little site called vintage by crystal. she makes these adorable little creatures/people out of spun cotton. these whimsical creatures make such a great collection when they are all put together too!

seattle cabin

a couple near Seattle, Mac Dunstan and Linda Grob, built this traquil and modern cabin in 2004 for $500,000. it spans a decent 1,600 square feet with stunning views of trees and mountains. what a fantastic retreat, or home! i am originally from Seattle and this definitely fits right into Washington's natural landscape.

(via travelinyourmind.wordpress.com)