Shake it off, Love is in the air!!

Shake it off!

Just when you're "getting down and out" about all of this snow, 

Valentine's day is the perfect excuse to spruce up your home and "shake off" those winter blues! 

We've rounded up a few cute ideas full of  romance and spontaneity, just for you! 

Parisian Pillows

La Carte, Knot Garden, and Lumiere pillows from Eastern Accents add the perfect touch of paris romance. Throw together these perfect pillows with some wine and fairy lights, and you've got yourself the perfect date night in paris. 

Kitchen Whimsy 

Fishs Eddy is by far my favorite place to find dish ware! These dishtowels have adorable ric rac ribbon edging, reminiscent of tiny doll clothes. The Heart cutting board would be a perfect platter to display your favorite cheeses, while the Admit One Tray holds your drink of choice. Pop in Roman Holiday or Love Actually, and you've got yourself a great night!! 

 My Funny Valentine 

These coasters from Etsy shop Bright Beam Goods are too funny!! Be a modern day John Cusack and present your love with these Misheard 80's song lyrics. 

Happy Valentine's Day from Lisa Davenport Designs!! 

Sisterhood of the Traveling Bedrooms... The Fab Fifties.

Every era has a defining characteristic, something that rewinds you to the days gone past. 

For me, it's a teenage girl's bedroom.  
Maybe I'm just missing having Ashley home!  


Really, if you want an accurate portrayal of the trends today,  you should just take a peek upstairs, after all aren't those beautiful babies (hardly babies ...) our future?

Over the next few weeks, Ashley (no longer my brilliant teenager) is going to take you on a journey through the decades via the bedrooms that shaped generations. 

Enjoy my guest blogger.... 
All my best,

Today, we're stating with the 1950's, a decade that often stands out as one of America's best. It was an era that was charmed by Lucy and the Cleavers, created the interstate highway system, and fulfilled the goal of the suburban dream house.

For the average teenage girl, this meant one thing.. PINK!! 

Milk Glass Lamps were 'hip'! 

Pastel colors were all the rage, gracing not only bedrooms, 

but also kitchens, bathrooms, and even tail-fined cars. 

Other bright, lively colors were also found on the floors. 

This new age brought designers to mass produced furniture. 

Plastic, glass, and plexiglass were all new materials that were introduced.

That's all folks! 

Tune in next week for the 60's!!

Hope

It's Hump Day again, and here in Connecticut, its a balmy 9 degrees this morning. 
Baby it's cold out there! 
Today's blog post is sure to warm your heart......

Hope.

I can't quite put into words exactly the feeling I have when I hear the word.  I know the core of my being is warmed, I can feel a smile wriggling it's way to my lips and in even the most dire situations, I find a glimmer of peace. 

Hope....
When I saw the word Jewels combined with Hope
..... I knew I had found a treasure.

A mother-daughter team, Sandy and Stevie of Jewels for Hope create affordable, fashionable and classy works of art all in the name of charity.  What started out as a small way for Sandy to give back to Hospice after her Mom's passing, has exploded into jewelry gracing the average Joe to Hollywood's Red Carpets.  These dynamic, self taught artists are not only full talent but personality too, which clearly shines through in their 'Statement Necklaces'.  Sandy and Stevie have committed a portion of every sale to charity, which includes close to 25 organizations.  Interesting the more they give, the more success they seem to enjoy.....talk about paying it forward!

Grey & Fuchsia Pearl Necklace 
This gorgeous twisted necklace is one of a kind!

Made with a mixture of Swarovski Pearls, Freshwater Pearls, and Crystal Pearls. The Fuchsia pearls thrown in for a pop of color! Portions of Profits donated to American Cancer Society 

Not Your Grandmother's Pearls

This gorgeous twisted necklace is one of a kind! Not Your Grandmother's Pearls!Made with different cream/white shades of Swarovski Pearls and Swarovski Crystals thrown in for some sparkle. A vintage pendant is worked into the front of the necklace. Portions of Profits donated to Caregiver Fund.

It's so much fun talk shop as one designer to another.  Stevie and I chatted like old friends, I had to know what she thought of the 2013 Color of the Year, Emerald.  A color I'm honestly having some difficultly warming up to!  My feeling is small doses of this color are fine in interior design.....

 I guess great minds think alike! Stevie felt the same. 

She is predicting layering and stacking of bracelets will remain hot and big chunky necklaces are winners.  It's no secret I love upcycling, and Stevie and Sandy are doing their share of it too.  Many of the Statement Necklaces are old costume jewelry spun into beautiful works of art! 

Pink Wire Necklace with Vintage Pendant
Portions of this beauty are donated to Paint the Town Pink 

Saturday I need to dig through some costume jewelery..... 

Stay tuned and see what Sandy & Stevie create for me!