Every season I think about getting into hats – and I sometimes even buy one. But I never wear them… Not sure where all the hat angst comes from, but one of these might do the trick:
Find more of these babies at Piper & Paisley!
Have you see John Derian’s new line for Target? I found a few items that I wouldn’t mind picking up…
I especially love that last one – the marbling effect has kind of a Klimt thing going on, don’t you think?
The designer lines for Target are so much fun! I just perused the new one for Tucker the other day. Need to go back without kids…
Hello pretty things blog! Has it really been almost two weeks? You have been sorely neglected… But I do have something lovely to make up for the absence.
I found the Carson & Co. site on Annechovie last week and I would just love to own one of their lamps. How gorgeous are these:
They also make beautiful furniture and accessories:
I’m sure I could find a spot for any one of these treasures.
Happy Monday!
Sorry about missing Thursday and Friday last week. Or did you even notice… Anyone there? Anyone?
Anyway – it’s been a little hectic with Oliver’s every day therapy (we’re currently in the middle of “two weeks on” – looking forward to “three weeks off”!), 24/7 summer days with the kids and preparing for my solo trip to NYC on Thursday (yeah!)…
So I feel like my life has been taken over by “making arrangements.” I’m going to take the rest of the week off here. Just so you know (again – if anyone is actually out there reading and not having my same – or a similar – summer…)
In the meantime, here are some lovely arrangements courtesy of friend and Etsy favorite, Anne Harwell:
CHINA
CHAIRS
QUOTES
And how cute would these notecards look in frames?
Have a great week!
Visit Annechovie to see more (Etsy shop HERE).
Ever since I picked up a Kate Spade bangle on Ebay (totally random green one I never thought I’d wear as often as I do), I’ve acquired a bit of a thing for enamel bangles.
And how cute are these Charlotte Moss bangles for Halcyon Days?
I don’t like to go TOO Lily Pulitzer with the pastel preppiness (I live in the DC area, which in certain circles can go a little overboard with this summer look) – but that pink one is so sweet.
Looks like I have a new Ebay search item…
Do you remember this Martha Stewart craft idea from last year?
I’m not really into crafts, but this is one that I actually like and think I can do.
But I’d have to buy an infomercial product to do it. Which doesn’t really bother me since I HAVE admitted to being brainwashed by informercials before… But the name really bugs me: the KnitWit.
And how about these old patterns?!
Martha can make anything look good.
We’ll see how it works out. If all goes well, the ladies in my family will be enjoying some fancy KnitWit fashions this holiday season….
I was paging through the recent issue of Elle Decor and saw a picture of these gorgeous pale yellow linen pillows:
Like little pats of butter with spun sugar flowers. The taupe tones down the girliness a bit and makes them just about as close to perfect (for me) as they can get.
And I was shocked to read that they are from Pierre Deux! Nothing against the old school French country decor shop…but when I think of Pierre Deux, I’m hit by a nostalgic wave of quilted handbags and cosmetic cases in their famous Provence prints (a staple for girls in my 1980’s DC past). In fact – the first time I saw quilted Vera Bradley bags, I had to do a double take, as the styles were so reminiscent of the PD styles I remember.
Anyway – I checked out the website, and it seems that PD quilted bags are not quite as prolific as they once were… And these pillows are a collaboration with Ankasa based on an 18th century toile.
I love them.
And while I was there, I checked out the rest of the pillow selection. So if delicate embroidered linen isn’t your thing, here are some bonus images of peacocks I found quite charming:
I don’t think you can ever really go wrong with peacocks – at least not tasteful ones from Pierre Deux.
I’m on vacation this week and asked a few friends to fill in for me. Today’s guest is Karen from I Don’t Think Prada is the Answer They’re Looking For… I’m not sure where I first found her…but I do know that I loved the name of her blog (even if I didn’t immediatly recognize The OC quote). Karen is a “real” interior design professional and she always calls me on my uneducated criticisms of other real designers. Love that – thanks for keepin’ it real, Karen. Plus she’s funny and finds good stuff on YouTube, including clips for great shows I might have missed due to an already full television viewing schedule. I owe my love affair with Modern Family to Karen…don’t know what I’d do without her.
Welcome Karen!
Hello Wishing True readers! My name is Karen and I was thrilled when Kate asked me to fill in on Wishing True while she took a well-deserved break! I racked my brain for what would be a fun topic to discuss with her design-savvy readers — decided to stay away from any discussions of Twilight, the World Cup, or Beiber fever, hope you don’t mind — and really, it comes down to two topics: shopping (especially virtual shopping!) and design.
Have you ever noticed that designers or celebrities will have really great home accessories, like an antique vase or a collection of mercury glass, and they’ll casually mention they got it at a flea market in Paris, or they picked it up during an impromptu trip to Morocco? Who does things like this? I don’t know about you, but the flea markets near my house don’t have 19th century crystal chandeliers for $60. Some of us have to be resourceful in regions with more Costco’s than shops spelled like ‘shoppe’. And while my day job as an Interior Designer gives me access to wonderful high end accessories, my real life attempts to decorate my apartment (plus a friend or two!) has sharpened my shopping skills on a real life budget. So if you’re thinking about freshening up your home on a budget, here’s a list of places to check out first …
1) Home Goods (or Marshall’s or TJ Maxx)
Here’s the thing about Home Goods: you have to be in the mood to sift through alot of junk to find your treasure. But it’s worth it, and many designers and home stagers don’t want the secret to get out. In addition to accessories like vases or bookends, you can also find great linens, mirrors and lamps for less than department stores.
2) 20 x 200
Finding art for an ‘average’ person’s home can be depressing at times … like when that $99 Art Show rolls into your local convention center, shilling oil paintings of fruit baskets. Or those giant black and white posters of a random dock on a lake from Ikea. 20 x 200 is a nice alternative: it features art starting at $20! So whether your thing is kites, big yellow taxis, or a vintage-ish beach scene, they’ve got you covered without dipping into your savings.
3) Etsy
You can find anything under the sun in Etsy’s stores, and support small business, too! Talk about a win-win situation. My favorite Etsy shops include Katie Armour Home – a great place to score milk glass – and littlebrownpen, who’s got adorable photos of Paris.
4) West Elm, CB2 & Z Gallerie
Although it’s a bit of cliched HGTV advice, changing out throw pillows or adding an object to your bookcase really can make a big impact with a small amount of cash. Profiles are both current and classic (although this is also screaming for DIY if you’re crafty!) and this blue vase is the perfect summery accent!
Many thanks to Kate for inviting me to stop by! And if you have a favorite place to shop for inexpensive treasures, share them in the comments!
Do you remember the post I wrote about Mariska Meijers back in March? She’s an artist in Amsterdam who charmed me with her paintings of interiors, like this one:
In addition to her paintings, Mariska also has a designer pillow line.
IN BLOOM is her first pillow collection inspired by a tropical garden she once had in Singapore.
It’s like displaying a painting on a chair. I think they would work equally well in brightly painted and wallpapered rooms and those that are more subdued. In one they would contribute to the vibrant aesthetic and in the other they could add a splash of color and interest.
You can purchase these in her online shop, but U.S. residents can also use interdecorations.com.
Love the look but prefer something to hang on the wall? What about a print? Or if you’re not able to commit to the expense right now, you could always frame some of her note cards or greeting cards as miniatures.
See more on Mariska via her blog, I Used to be Snow White but I Drifted.
Krystal’s Fringe Shoulder Bag
What is Reality Anyway
I mean seriously. Dream. Come. True.
I first heard of this through the impossibly beautiful and stylish Emily of Cupcakes and Cashmere and I have to say, I think hers is my favorite. It’s so elegant and feminine. As luxurious as her blog name. But I do really love the others too. I don’t think I could work the black fringe into my own wardrobe (I’ve never been very Rock ‘n Roll) – but the rest would be welcomed with open arms.
And since I’m now into noticing coincidental name trends…how about the bloggers almost all having names that start with K? I wonder if Coach considered asking Emily to change her name to Kemily for 100% participation…
Anyway – love this. Which one would you pick?
