Tablescape for a Chinese New Year Party

Tomorrow is Chinese New Year and the Year of the Rabbit!  I was excited to see a modern tablescape for a Chinese New Year Party by Apples & Onions (featured on Daily Candy).  

I love the floral arrangements placed in colorful tea tins as well as the menus slipped into red envelopes at each place setting. See Daily Candy for the complete slideshow and Apples & Onions for party recipes.


-Lana

Deep Winter Decorating

It’s always around this time of year, when the holidays are over, the weather is crummy, and comfort food becomes my daily diet, that I feel kind of blah with my house.  Don’t get me wrong, I love the seasons. They help frame memories and I enjoy the hope and anticipation of the next season. But I seem to do much better with summer vignettes in my house, and always struggle with how to use my decorating accessories for winter use. 

So I’ve been flipping through design books and magazine to inspire myself –and you!

Inspiration one; Sweaters!  This chic and cozy pillow cover is handmade (and authentically English!).  The Etsy store has lots more options and colors.  I have a pair (just ask the owner for a set and she is happy to oblige) of ecru cream pillows and love snuggling up to them on the couch for my daily Aran sweater fix.
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ACrookedSixpence

Inspiration two: Cashmere!  It inspired a Seinfeld show and has been a luxury item for centuries.  I love looking at the Atlantic Blanket company website.  It’s as relaxing as having a glass of wine.
http://www.atlanticblankets.com/throws/plain-cashmere-throws/plain-cashmere-throw-190x140cm-cream

Inspiration three: Sleigh Rides!  Jingle bells –the essential safety precaution of yesteryear’s transportation looks great on a decorative plate, or piled up in a glass apothecary jar.  Either new and shiny, or old and weathered, safety like this is always in style.

Inspiration four and five:  Walks in winter woods!  If you stroll in an area that has deer year-round you may spot a shed antler or two laying about.  Take it home, clean it up with a few drop of bleach in a sink of water, and it looks great on a mantle or table next to some candles and books.   The bare branches of the trees are also another great source of inspiration.  Their sculptural quality is equally captivating in a vase or basket inside.  Best of all you can arrange your ‘tree’ to suit any size space.  Use long branchy-branches near a winter on the floor if you want some height in your ‘sculpture’.  Or put snap twigs in a julep cup for a super simple ‘bouquet’.

Inspiration six: My wardrobe!  Layers are essential for my winter dressing.  Likewise I’ve applied the dressing concept to my sofa and chairs by layering my throw blankets and pillows (in some places three deep).  This way I can enjoy them all at once!

Happy 2011!  Love, Lauren

Colorful scarves - Handmade from Etsy!

With the east and midwest locked in snow right now, I am sure you guys are craving anything warm yet stylish.  For those of us in the California sunshine, we may not always need it for warmth, but love a colorful scarf as an accessory.  Here are a few great options on Etsy that have caught my eye recently...especially since I am teaching myself to knit and crochet (thanks to youtube), and realize how much time goes into these items!

For those looking for style but not necessarily warmth, look how much fun you can have with these loop scarves from Nitca.  Here is an image of 7 looped together:

Have you been craving something bright to combat the cloudy skies?  Look at the great colors in this design from karmelidesigns:

I also love the color mixture and design of the pieces available on MisMisoDesigns.  Yeah for Wisconsin artists!

What is your favorite?
-Katie

Kate Spade Spring 2011 line

Kate Spade does not disappoint with the colorful clothing, shoes and accessories in her Spring 2011 line.  

Iris top

Tutti Frutti necklace

Clume wedge

Date night solid ring

-Lana

Laurel Leaf Farm

I have been stalking Laurel Leaf Farm for over a year now.  They have the coolest vintage finds and farmhouse antiques both of which are oh so trendy.  The best part is their pricing, it's so affordable!  The thing here, you have to act fast.  I am under the suspicion that interior designers stalk them so things move quickly.  You can check them out here.  Some things I love......

Those vintage croquet balls in the galvanized steel basket!  Ball jars used for a wedding to hold flowers as aisle decor.... so many possibilities!

- Tina

Weekend Project: Closet Office

As I might have mentioned before, we have a very small house, so finding space to do work at home usually involves taking over the kitchen island, dining table, or the couch.  None of these are very organized options, as they end up making the entire house look messy. 

I love the idea of transforming a closet into an office, since you can shut everything away (out of sight, out of mind, right?).  Here are a few cute ideas from some great DIY blogs.  Weekend project, anyone?

Shelterpop is a fun blog, with some great ideas for your home.  Now you see the office...

And now you don't!

Sunset is a great magazine for any of us living in the West that needs garden, home, travel, or recipie ideas.  Here is their spin on an office closet:

What if  you live in an older home, with that random, tiny closet that barely fits anything?  Well, jazz it up and get some use out of it!  Thanks for the great idea, Real Simple Magazine.

Does your closet have double doors?  Well, use those doors for storage and expand your workspace, as is shown on Country Living.

Do any of you have a great office space?  Please share!
-Katie

Winter Boots

As many of you may recall, I LOVE boots.  I also love shoes, but right now I am obsessed with boots.  You perhaps have looked at my post, The Classic Riding Boot, and also drooled over the beautiful leather.  Well, I am not on another hunt - stylish but warm winter boots!

I think this is a great pair from Shoes.com.  I just love the brown color!

You can also get a great pair from DSW, if you prefer the black with fur look.

Or, maybe you only shop at Target.  Well, never fear – they also have a cute option!

Keep those tootsies warm!
-Katie