Posts filed under 'Home'
I have finally awaken from my carpet nightmare! After almost 2 months of lost orders, mis-orders and disorder, my master bedroom has recovered from its injury. In August we had a little flood in our master bath that seeped into the bedroom and even better down the floor into our kitchen below. Worst day ever to come home and find that, but that’s all behind us now! Our new shag carpet with its premium pad is amazing! It’s so cushy and gorgeous. After walking around on scraped up base boards (the emergency crew pulled up our old carpet) this is like walking on clouds and I have to run upstairs and feel it under my feet every now and then just to make sure it’s really there! Anyway, since my bedroom has a new lease on life and looks prettier than it ever has, I sauntered into my master bath this morning and felt a little disappointed that it looked the same! Basically, this is just my excuse to do a little sprucing up in there! My decor style is a little eclectic, a little contemporary and heavy on the world import vibe. So I’m thinking these graphic paisley towels from Cost Plus in espresso as well as antique bronze accessories and fixtures. I have some extra carpet from the install and since it’s shaggy and plush, I plan on making a long runner to lay on the tile beneath the vanity. And I might even paint my walls a deep red to spice it up a little bit! What do you all think? Any suggestions?
November 7th, 2006
nicky
One of the easiest ways to change your home decor with the seasons is by adding subtle accessories that you change out every few months. My favorite trick is to purchase a big, beautiful glass vase in whatever shape you love. Then, fill it with little goodies that reflect the time of year. For instance, in autumn, drop in some colored leaves and mini gourds. When the holidays are approaching, trade those in for pinecones, Christmas ornaments or fake snow. Don’t be afraid to get creative! For warmer months, I might fill it with fruit like lemons and limes or seashells and sand. Just remember to stick with the color palette you already have in your home and add your personal style! For a gorgeous array of vases, try Pottery Barn. They also sell many items that can complete your seasonal centerpiece as well. Hope this helps!
October 30th, 2006
nicky
I remember when I was a little girl and my mom would dress me in this monogram sweater from Lands’ End and I hated it. What’s funny is now I see those little sweaters and think, “how cute is that?!” Since we all know that everyone’s favorite word is their own name, monogram gifts are a sure thing for almost any occasion. A wide variety of items can be personalized beyond the traditional sweater. Instyle magazine’s website has a feature this month on personalized gifts that are perfect for birthdays, anniversaries or the upcoming holiday season. A few standouts from their selections are a set of 25 customized Post-It notepads (I use those things like crazy!) or decoupage trays made with keepsakes like old letters or photos (great anniversary idea!) If you want an even bigger selection of personalized gifts, Red Envelope has an enormous collection from home accessories to jewelry. Have fun shopping!
October 16th, 2006
nicky
The room in my house I most dread entering is my home office. What’s funny is it used to be my favorite room with its cranberry red accent wall, reading chair and large black bookcase…Not so anymore, it’s now been taken over by an enormous drum set! Not that I don’t love my husband’s incredible talent because he really is amazing, it’s just that the office was the only room in our house that we could put it and now I hate it! Doesn’t help that I have probably only entered the room a handful of times since the drums made their home in there 6 months ago. So it is now both drummer’s paradise and messy web developer land (my hubby’s job.) I have the itch to reclaim the beautiful space it once was and restore it to its former glory. I am going to clean like mad and also organize like a professional. The Container Store (I cannot wait until they build one in Arizona) is like heaven for organizing freaks like me. I plan on buying stylish storage solutions for the array of discs, papers and files that are cluttering the desk. They have really cute storage accessories made of recycled fiberboard in a ton of colors to match your home decor, and also a huge selection of bulletin boards so you aren’t limited to the dorm room standard corkboard. I am crossing my fingers that this will help my husband and I stay clutter free and help me get over the monster that is lurking in the corner of the room!
October 9th, 2006
nicky
I am so happy because today I hung my fall wreath on my front door and the high is now below 100 degrees in Arizona (98 isn’t so bad), welcome October! Since I have to create the feeling of autumn in the sunny desert, I am making a stop at my favorite candle retailer, Illuminations, tomorrow and picking up fall fragances to fill my house. I love the smell of their pumpkin pie candles and on their website they have a few new scents such as oak forest, spiced orange and cinnamon sugar that I am excited to try! Illuminations is great because they are not too pricey (I would love to buy Diptyque and Jo Malone candles but can’t justify spending $60 on something I will burn!) Large glass jar candles are around $20 and burn up to 100 hours, they also have tons of pillars and votives with very stylish holders. Besides the great price, they are very well made and smell so good you’ll want to eat them! (okay maybe not) So even though I cannot bake a pumpkin pie, my house can smell like one and that makes me smile.
October 4th, 2006
nicky
My friend Amber is the crochet queen and you know what? I’m getting jealous! Her myspace page is filled with pics of her and her cute creations, from cozy beanies to comfy scarves. I think I need to join the competition and learn the fine art of hooking! Crocheting has been a popular pastime for ages but is now becoming a trendy hobby with a celebrity following including Madonna, Julie Roberts, and Sarah Michelle Gellar. Unfortunately, I am not the most crafty girl in the world and I have been know to be slightly clumsy. To help get me started, I am buying the Cozy Crochet Kit by Melissa Leapman, it’s a instructional kit for beginner’s like me and includes five hooks, a ball of yarn, and 25 patterns to learn. Another popular crocheting must-have is the book, Stich n’ Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker, by Debbie Stoller. It’s a fact-filled, witty bestseller perfect for the novice to the best hooker on the block and you gotta love the name! I’ve heard crocheting is both relaxing and addictive so I am ready to get started- Amber watch out!
September 27th, 2006
nicky
For this week’s Friday Favorites, I wanted to highlight my favorite city in the U.S. to visit for a quick weekend vacation. I love love love going to San Diego. Not only is the weather always perfect but it is a great city for relaxing or entertaining. Nothing beats a lazy day on the beach with a picnic lunch and a great book to read (I recommend Silver Strand Beach on Coronado). San Diego has the beautiful, historic Balboa Park to explore, awesome shopping at Horton Plaza, and tons of great restaurants. And if you want more things to do, there’s always The San Diego Zoo, Sea World, and fun sports to watch. My husband and I try to go a couple times a year, it takes 5 hours to get there from Phoenix and with music, some magazines, and snacks- the ride goes super quick! Recently, we stayed in La Jolla to the north of San Diego and loved it. It is a gorgeous beach community with shopping, eating, and sunbathing all within walking distance! Now it’s your turn, leave a comment below with your fav getaway location and why it is so special to you!
September 22nd, 2006
nicky
I am on a quest, a very serious one. And I’m sure I’m not alone. I am on a mission to find the perfect accent pillows for my sofa and I’m not having very much luck (my dog ruined my last ones!) My house is decorated in tan, garnet red and black. For some reason, I cannot find any stores with black pillows! Brown is very in right now and that is all I see when I am out and about shopping. To assist my fellow pillow hunters, here is a list of links to websites with awesome pillows sections in an array of colors and designs:
West Elm
Crate and Barrel
Pottery Barn
Anthropolgie
Garnet Hill
Horchow
Restoration Hardware
Room & Board
Z Gallerie
The Silk Trading Co.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Target
I hope if you are looking all your padded dreams come true! And if you are shopping and see any pretty pillows made with black fabric, I hope you think of me and give me a heads up!
September 21st, 2006
nicky
Some people may disagree with me but I love Rachael Ray! The Food Network queen is the host of 4 different TV programs, author of a dozen cookbooks and even has her own magazine, Everyday with Rachael Ray, which I highly recommend! And starting today she has her very own daily talk show (to use a Rachael-ism- how cool is that?!) She may be extra perky but she is like the everywoman’s Martha Stewart and I love that she is always down to earth, relatable and focuses on things that I can actually accomplish (unlike Martha’s origami picnic basket!) Rachael’s website describes, “Rachael Ray will present simple solutions for everyday issues offering viewers unique take-away information as well as entertaining ways to squeeze just a little more out of life every day.” I don’t know about you but my Tivo is ready!
September 18th, 2006
nicky
Sometimes there is nothing better than getting a handwritten letter or card from a friend. I am a sucker for pretty papers of all kinds, I even make my own cards for fun! And I buy journals just because I think they look beautiful and then I never write anything in them! I know, I need to get out more. Seriously though, one of my goals is to send my friends and family more “just because” notes. I think these matchbook notes from Kate’s Paperie are simply gorgeous. They have a great selection of stationary, blank cards, and paper for all your writing needs. Now if only I could find a pen that I really like…if anyone has any suggestions let me know!
September 11th, 2006
nicky
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