Monday, December 31, 2012

Love it in 2013 and Leave it in 2012

Hi again...See me and a number of tastemakers over at La Dolce Vita blog today sharing my thoughts on what I'd like to leave behind in 2012 and what I predict will be hot in 2013!

What I learned in 2012 + Cheers to a Happy, Healthy 2013!


I often try to sum up my year with what I've learned and accomplished. So here it goes...

In 2012 I learned:

1.  Change is a good thing. If you don't like the direction your life is heading, change it! Take a risk, move, leave your job..etc. there's nothing worse then doing nothing at all!
2. Time heals most wounds. My thoughts go out to all of those who have suffered tragedy in their life this year. If you have your health and a warm home most everything else will fall beautifully into place.
3. If something good comes along, grab it and hold on tight! I'm trying not to over think my life, it's a waste of time, just go for it.
4. Some things do happen for a reason. I'm pretty excited about the new opportunities in my life right now. If my ex-husband had not cheated on me and our babies, and I had not ended our marriage, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't feel as happy, empowered, strong and at peace as I do today.
5. I've learned that after I speak my mind, letting it go is really the answer.
"Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else, you are the one who gets burned." Buddha
6. Think positive, think positive, think positive...it works!

Have a safe night, I'll be lounging in an outfit like this with my sick children, and dining on a dinner of sesame chicken and crab rangoon..

Cheers and repeat after me...
Wishing all my readers a truly happy, healthy and prosperous 2013!! I love fresh starts and new beginnings! Cheers


xx,
Julie

Friday, December 28, 2012

Shelter Loves 12.28



I took a much needed day off from blogging and working yesterday! It's amazing what one free weekday will do for the soul! I'm back today with my "shelter loves" series. I'm all about clean color, spaces and design right now! I love the holidays and have had a great 2012 but I love the cathartic feeling of a fresh start and new year!

1. I'm not jetting away this winter, I need to save, save, save but I still love all the inspiring, colorful resort lines. These sandals would work with almost any look. I'll have to keep them in mind for summer!
2. Yes please to fresh white, lace details and tassel sandals. I love everything about this photo.
3. Loving Ankasa's ikat print for Beacon Hill.
4. + 6 A brass vintage lotus leaf lamp is certainly on my new home wish list. Look at these stunners.
5. A recent client pick for a teenage girl's bedroom. These extra cozy blankets come in an array of colors.
7. A little bling for New Year's Eve and 2013. I predict you'll continue to see the dynamic mix of lady like details with an edge in 2013!
8. I wear scarfs all year round. This new Tory Burch one with the pom pom detail is adorbs...
9. How pretty are gold tasseled balloons? They're perfect for almost any festive occasion. Buy them here, or make them yourself!!

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

Random Loveliness

 I hope you all had a peaceful but jolly holiday! I'm pretty spent myself. Here's a round-up of some visual, audio and healthy goodies for you.  I'm getting pretty excited for an exciting 2013 filled only with progress, positive energy and creative endeavors. I vow to follow my heart, and head and say what's on my mind next year!! Wishing you all the same! Cheers!

Here's a quick snapshot of my Christmas Eve outfit. I ended up going with sequins and faux fur instead of what I pictured below on Monday's love the look post! I've posted about this jacket before (plus it's seriously marked down right now) I love it and you can't beat the price. The boots are old, similar bracelet here, and the cords are from The Gap, (also on sale) the sequin tank is J.Crew.
Slightly obsessed with Lulu Frost jewelry right now. Here's how she stores her vintage finds.
Adored this photo shoot and classic look on Atlantic-Pacific this week. Always such great fashion inspiration Bee!
Hello Lovely...Bunny Williams knows how to set a table doesn't she?
Because who doesn't need a good detox right now...ugh if i don't fit a run in today I may lose my mind.  via A House in the Hills.
We're starting my sister's 40th birthday celebration off right with The Roots tonight!! Whoo hoo.

Hope you have the rest of the week off!!

xx,
Julie

Monday, December 24, 2012

Love the look: Casual Christmas Eve

No need for me to dress up too much tonight but a bit of festive attire is in order, especially my red skinny cords. Here's about what I'll be wearing and drinking! I'm also going to make a little holiday sangria. I adored the look of layering in a tartan plaid shirt with the leopard, but I don't own one and the tartan I liked at J. Crew is sold out! I also love the Hermes belt (don't own one of these either but will be placing one on my pinterest wish list) the brass fox from C Wonder has sort of won me over for now. Have a wonderful holiday everyone!!! Wishing you all things peaceful, merry and bright! xx 

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Sunday, December 23, 2012

Candy Cane Chic

Pink and red, pink and red. I love stripes in pink and red! They're so graphic and fun!
Find this adorable dress at Kate Spade. I may need to try pink and red stripes in my new home! They would be fabulous in a mud room with oversized brass hooks! 



Friday, December 21, 2012

Holiday Happenings....

 So like you I've been running around like a lunatic all week, client meetings, conference calls (good things only going on!!) and of course getting ready for the holidays. I wanted to do something special for the teacher's who take care of my daughter. I was inspired by this idea and decided to try it myself. I'm happy with the results, plus after a long day who doesn't love a little spiked hot chocolate? I think I'll have one this weekend, myself. Hope your weekend is merry and bright!
 On another note. I actually don't know how to sew, sad to say, I'm sure I could figure it out but in all honesty don't have much time. I'm more likely to be seen wildly spraying furniture or creating a new painting. But I wanted to share the latest stocking that my Mom made for my sister's little baby boy. My mom began making these stocking for us when I was a baby in the 1970's. She has since made one for all the new little ones in the family. They're made from felt, we worked on this polar bear design together! Turned out sweet didn't he?

And FINALLY. It's high time, I need to invest to a great camera, so I can take amazing vignettes and details shots to share with you! I'm going to do a little research on a Canon EOS, I had a 35mm Rebel and I've heard only great things about this model.

Thursday, December 20, 2012

Inspired: New Home



image via
Hello loves, So I've sort of put my house hunt on hold for a few reasons; one being that everything in my price range in the towns I want to live in are absolute DUMPS. Holy shiz it's depressing. I'm trying to stay positive, but this single mama can only afford so much if I want to keep my sanity. I need to maintain a bit of a social life! Yes, in a perfect world I'd just stay in with my hubbie and sip cocktails as we painted walls after the kiddos have drifted off, but that's not the case and TRUST me right now I'm okay with that. I'd rather lose a creep of husband early on than spend twenty miserable years with him. I mean don't get me wrong I wasn't a fool, I didn't marry a creep (he had us all fooled), some guys just can't keep it together after you have a family. They stray and become detached in every way possible and that's precisely what happened to me. So in all honestly if Santa could bring me anything in the world it would be a charming little house at a reasonable price. I'm OKAY with a little elbow grease I just can't buy a money pit nor can I live in a money pit with two kids under the age of six. Anywayyyyy onto my post! :) I've shared this top photo before. (My apologies because I don't remember the source, but I'll find it and link back, promise). A little cape like this would be perfect, I'd even be open to a little house that I could eventually add on to. I love the glassed room off of this home and adore the classic simplicity of the black + white facade and the beautiful bucolic approach. This would be my little dream pad. See??  I'm not asking for much am I? A little pretty like this would cost quite a bit in the Boston area. I've been collecting images via the web and started a pinterest board, new home, it's full of a bunch of dis-jointed goodies, but I guess they all make sense to me. I've assembled a mini-inspiration board below showing the overall feel of the space. It'd be fairly simple with graphic details, patterns and pops of brownish-grey, pink, tan, cream and white. And of course splashes of other accent colors like emerald green, brass and yellow. The agate stone was really the impetus and inspiration around the color palette. I love it! I like fresh clean kitchens and bathrooms, and am undecided on white or black cabinets but I guess I have some time to think about that!


This marble wrapped counter, brass hardware and glass door cabinet are beyond amazing! I will absolutely have ALL of these in my kitch! image via 
A little sunny, happy banquette would also be perfect and makes such efficient use of space in a small home. I'd switch out the fabrics and colors and would plump up that seat cushion a bit but you get the idea!

I'd love to have comfy seating area and a lounge worthy sofa like this!
My daughter's room will be a mix of pink, yellow and charcoal and no matchy, matchy concepts here.
I can envision my son's room but I have yet to find a photo that comes close to my vision. A little reading nook like this would be dreamy though! I read multiple stories a night to my children, they love it. I think it's one of the most important things you can do for your child besides smother them with hugs and kisses!
I can't deal with a big yard but I would love a small garden path and patio area for outdoor cocktails and alfresco dining. 

Anyway, that's all for now, it's way past my bed time.... I just wanted to keep dreaming...and share my thoughts and ideas. I'll make this all come true and promise to share it with you all on my little ole' blog! 
xx

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Vest Round-up

I whole heartedly admit I have a slight obsession with vests, (a fairly mild obsession really, compared to the wild west mentality I've been reading all week on face book!) it seems come October I start rotating my vest collection, about ten and counting out from storage. I wear them and mix them with just about everything. In fact I have a vest on right now. I'm always chilly and I love layering so they're a no brainer. Here's a round up of some of my favorites. That Lulu Lemon number is definitely on my wish list and I own the cherry read J.Crew pretty #1.

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Tuesday, December 18, 2012

Holiday Table

I can't drop gobs of money on holiday decorating but I adore a gorgeous holiday table. I find if you take a great idea and multiply it by many the effect is fantastic! Case in point is the idea below which I discovered on Design Love Fest and was devised and created by the Bash Please girls. This idea is
simple, creative and impactful! Read more about the details and how to pull it together yourself here. 
This would make a perfect piece for a buffet table and at a smaller scale and lower height the dining table. If you weren't up for or didn't have time to paint the holiday balls with color, I think it would look just as snazzy with various sized silver or gold balls!



Monday, December 17, 2012

Color Me Pretty: Christmas

The holidays are beautiful in almost (key word here) every way and entertaining for the holidays is fun and festive. Below I've shared some fabulous holiday greatness and goodies! 

1. The drinks! Shown: Ginger Fizz Cocktail + Affogato (peppermint ice cream and hot cocoa)
2. The display
3. The table: layer silver and gold balls in bowls over a plaid table cloth,  finish it off with a mix of white blooms.
4. Carolina Herrera Pre-Fall 13' dress. image via Style.com for a more casual look layer beautiful baubles with a hint of red. Image via Erica Cook, Moth Design. see J.Crew for similar necklace
5. Yummy treats. I think I need to make these cupcakes..I'll share a pic, if I do! (Image via Rue Magazine.)

** Today I'm sharing my Home For the Holidays Wish list on Jamie Meares' fabulous blog I Suwannee, be sure to pop over and check it out!


Saturday, December 15, 2012

Happy Shopping

 My heart is heavy. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone in Newtown, CT.

I'm finishing up my holiday shopping today. Here's about what I'll be wearing. Most stores are having great online sales today and there's still enough time to have the goodies arrive in time for Christmas. Wishing you a peaceful weekend.  
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Friday, December 14, 2012

Cocktails Anyone?

Come Friday I'm usually ready for a heady cocktail. Oh, don't get me wrong I hit the red wine mid week. ;) All kidding aside, I love setting up a home bar. They're sexy and functional plus I'm a sucker for a stylish vignette. Read on for my bar cart round-up. Whether you want brass, nickel, black, white or something in between there are a slew of bar carts out there. I also love the idea of lacquering a vintage bar cart in a fun color like say, hmm emerald maybe.



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Loved this segment on One King's Lane, the ever glamorous Mrs. Lilien share's her tips for setting up your bar. Read it here.


Or maybe you're not up for a bar cart, any great table top will do! Here's a great, styled one by Ruthie Sommers.

Happy Weekend, Happy Cocktails. xx


Thursday, December 13, 2012

Love the Look: Emerald




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'Tis the season for pretty pieces and shades of green. The look above is all about girlie subtleties and simple layering. Emerald has long been a favorite color, so I was thrilled to hear it's Pantone's color pick for 2013. Here's their thought on Emerald: 
“Lively. Radiant. Lush...A color of elegance and beauty that enhances our sense of well-being, balance and harmony.”


I couldn't have said it better myself!

And a peek at the J.Crew pant on the model!

Phony Pony Winner!





Congratulations to Melanie, she was commenter #25. The lucky number was drawn via random.org. You're going to love this bag, thanks for entering the giveaway and Enjoy!  A huge thank you to the ladies at Oughton Limited for supplying the gorgeous bag for the giveaway!

Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Holiday Hostess

I appreciate a good party and I love to entertain so I enjoyed seeing Ivy and Piper's Holiday Hostess segment in this month's mini magazine edition. Check it out here, it includes tips and tricks for entertaining..I actually have a little entertaining piece in the works myself, I'll look forward to sharing the deets with you all! Happy Wednesday!

ooh lala this flat ware is divine and certainly on my wish list!! Purchase it here!!


Tuesday, December 11, 2012

Peek: Project Photos

Here's a little peek at a job I finished up this Fall. The clients were fabulous to work with and the job was located in the Back Bay of Boston. We also had an amazing foyer planned with this mirror, a round decorative table and an over dyed rug but they had to move unexpectedly to NYC. I'm so happy we finished up what we did! The cubes and two off white chairs were custom designed by moi. I'll soon be offering both through my Shelter furniture line on my website. Don't hesitate to email me for any information on them.



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