My Obsession with Initial Mugs

I have a little bit of an obsession to confess to...I am obsessed with initial mugs. I don't know why- I don't even own one but I get excited every time I see a new version and I wonder who I can buy it for. I imagine using it to host my other obsession...Sharpie markers...Hint, hint...if you are on my Christmas list this year you just might be getting you an initial mug.

Here are some of my faves... 

 Williams Sonoma Gold Monogram Mug $9.95

Anthropologie Initial Mug $6

 Anthropologie Home Grown Monogram Mug $8

C Wonder Monogram Mug $10

 

C Wonder Alphabet Cabana Mug $7.99

C Wonder Alphabet Mug $3.99

Rosanna Initially Yours Mug Letter J 

What is your fave? Too many to choose....Happy Shopping!

C Wonder...I see it!

So yesterday I did make it over to one of my favorite shops, C Wonder. They have so many little yummy trinkets that I had to share some of my faves. Too bad for me- I got so overwhelmed by the prettiness and the long list of Christmas gifts I still had to buy- I left with nothing....but I came home and shopped on line:)

Good thing, because they are having a sale for the next two day which will get you free shipping and 40% off sale stuff! Hurry and shop because this stuff is selling out! Here are some things from their sale page prices do not reflect the 40% off yet....Procrastination pays for once! (BTW- use code SALE40)

Bamboo Nesting Bowls- $44.99- Holla!

Lace Salad Coupe Plate for $5.99! Pair it with that formal china you never use!

 

 

 

 

 

Ikat Tablet Case for $34.99

For $4.99 so cute for jewelry...plus 40% off- seriously??

 This may have gone into my cart.....

Continental Wallet $74.99 and then 40%

BTW, if you have a moment, I would really appreciate it if you could vote for my little ole' blog over at Modenus- they are rating the top 100 Design Blogs. I am currently #223 on the list- maybe I'll move up the list with your help! Go here to vote!

Holiday Book Gift Guide

Anyone who steps foot in my home understands my obsession with books. One of the first projects in my home was to put built-in bookshelves to hold my collection of books- which also reside in my office, more in a box in my garage and some in the attic. I am a book-hoarder so it is very natural for me to put together a gift guide of the books I have on my Christmas list!

My first collection of books for the gift guide are from one of my all-time favorite designers, Kathryn Ireland. I am so inspired by her ability to mix patterns, color and texture and I think she is just so much fun to watch on Million Dollar Decorators. I had a little encounter with her which I blogged about here. I love that her rooms are gorgeous but so live-able and functional which I think is so important in design...no one lives in a magazine! Here are three books by Kathryn Ireland which I think would be amazing additions to any collection!

Kathryn Ireland Timeless Interiors

Creating A Home

Classic Country (pb)

I have also been loving this book for a while but haven't added it to my collection yet. This mother/daughter duo inspire me to endlessly beg my daughter to be an interior designer....I don't think I'll be as lucky as these two who share the passion for design....although my daughter would relish the idea of being my boss one day!

Good Bones, Great Pieces: The Seven Essential Pieces That Will Carry You Through a Lifetime 

I am a daily reader of the design blog decor8 by Holly Becker so I just have to include her beautiful book here...

Decorate: 1,000 Design Ideas for Every Room in Your Home

Or how about this from an iconic designer of our time, Barbara Barry...

Barbara Barry: Around Beauty

Why don't I own this one already??


The Perfectly Imperfect Home: How to Decorate and Live Well

And truth be told, I need my Nate fix now that his show has been retired....boo hoo!

The Things That Matter

Did I miss any? Let me know what some of your "must have" design books are as I'd love to add them to my wish list! Hopefully Santa is listening!



Also, today I am heading over to one of my favorite stores, C Wonder- I think they have some amazingly stylish stuff at pretty good prices! I hope to pick up lots of last minute gifts for some people on my list (aka me) Also, if you head over to C.Wonder and shop today through the 13th they are having an amazing sale: 40% off sale items and free shipping over $100! Use code SALE40. I'll share some pictures of what I find there tomorrow!

I'm Back and 2013 Color of the Year

I'm back! I know, I know, you probably didn't even miss me in your in-box because if you are anything like me- you are flooded with 6,000 emails a day from retailers trying to get a piece of your holiday shopping!

Anyway- for the past week I was doing a little bit of this in Naples, Florida....

and a little bit of this with these babies...(I understand there are no babies in this picture...but I'm having a hard time letting them grow up!)

along with this guy.....(good thing I un-subscribed my hubs from the blog email...he wouldn't be happy about this...he is quite private and shy...ok, not shy....at all....but he'd ask for royalties so I am doing it on the sneak!)

and now coming back to reality I feel a little like this...

Oh, and Pantone announced the Color of the Year for 2013.....it is Emerald! Aka a fancy green! This works for me since my logo is a green chair....and although I don't think I can rock Emerald in my daily fashion (not sure with my skin tone....) but I can definitely dig it in interiors!

Patone Color of the Year 2013: Emerald!

 Talk amongst yourselves....we'll be back to discussing interiors again next week!

For the Love of Framing

I hate love doing art installations for clients. 

No really, I hate love it. 

I find it to be a total pain in the a$# joy. 

When working with clients on art installations, I usually love to get some beautiful art from Etsy and then have it professionally framed.

Of course, when we get to the 'professionally framing' part of the project I warn them that it might cost them their first born and a kidney just a bit to get a good quality frame and sophisticated mats. Insert nervous smile and glare from client as we hear the budget crashing.....

One of the reasons I poke my eyes out with bamboo shoots jump up and down for joy when I get to do an art installation is because it is a bit of a hunt to get a good quality on a budget...if only the ready made frame options were a little more sophisticated.


And then I stumbled upon this post by Emily Henderson: Best Ready Made Picture Frames and How to Frame Them. The girl is brilliant. My clients should hire her....just kidding. I do actually use a lot of the Pottery Barn and West Elm ready-mades but Emily does such a good job of reviewing the whole lot of them so I thought I would share. You have to head over there to check out her list....

Here are some I am digging right now for some projects...love the burlap mat- nice bit of texture on the walls...

Pottery Barn Multi-Mat Frames

I tend to love me some square frames....but those are not that easy to find....especially with standard size mats-at AI Friedman they have 8x8 frames with mats for 5x5 but it is tricky finding art or photos that work in that size.

Here is one Etsy artist of Images of This and That who does work in 12x12 to accommodate the Ikea Ribba Square Frame...brilliant, right? I actually won a contest for one of her photos and have not yet decided...they are all so lovely! Check them out....they'll be easy to frame!

   

Ok, that is enough ranting for today...once I finish taking down the window treatment industry for making 84" panels standard (no one should buy 84" unless your house is built for a gnome!) then I'll tackle the frame industry.......one soapbox at a time!