Sunday, August 28, 2011

BUSY & Pinteresting

Ok, sometimes I get my plate a little full around here....right now happens to be a time when my plate is heaping.  It also happens to be a time that I've never felt so blessed... remembering that helps me keep my busyness complaints to a minimum.  Anyway, along with agreeing to help out with our kid's choir at church {which I am SO excited about!}, getting 4 kids off for their first week of school, a plethora of dental and doctor appointments that were scheduled months ago, and other odds and ends, I took on a high school and middle school volleyball coaching position at our church's school.  Ummmm....yes, I am crazy, but I'm loving every minute of it!  Lucky for me, volleyball is a short season, but until this season is over it's going to be a bit busy.  {on that note...my kids have eaten more fast food in the last two weeks than they had probably in the whole year....it's either fast food or no food some nights. ; ) }

Because of this new level of craziness, I thought I'd start doing a little series called "Pinteresting" showcasing some of the fun and "pinteresting" things to be found.  It's fun {and mindless which is right up my alley right now!} browsing through my friend's pins and just some of the popular pins as well. 

Here are some of my latest finds....most of these are fall related because I'm doing all I can to will it here. {It's been over 100 for like 60 days or something insane like that...I'm ready to be CHILLY!!}






I'm definitely seeing this DIY faux mecury glass lamps in my future.

Would love this aspen pic on canvas...gorgeous color.
If this entryway doesn't welcome you in, I'm not sure what will....love this!
Love this Indian Corn wreath...totally hackable.

This is such a classy take on Halloween...also totally hackable.
Frye's....sigh.  I managed to get my hands on some Frye sandals a little over a year at DSW for $30 (yeah, I basically stole them) and they are so comfy....now to find that same sale on these boots.
Perfect for anywhere...classics.
Love the mums.
These painted pumpkins are FAB and will probably be making appearance around here.

Well, that's it for today.  Hope you enjoy and have found some inspiration as I know I have! 

Thursday, August 25, 2011

Restoration Hardware Catalog

So, back when I did the post on the store "cousins"?  Well, I signed up for Restoration Hardware's catalog while I was on their site, and it did not disappoint.  This "catalog" {that name does it NO justice} is about 2 inches thick.  Not only does it show their great products, but on a few of them there are artitcles about the designers and artisans that create these products. 

You can find out the story behind the amazing trunk collection...which includes this beauty of a desk.

One article talks about Jefferson Mack, one of their ironwork artisans. 
Besides these features, the catalog also is just an idea book for every room in their house.  The simple, industrial, but yet luxurious style makes them a unique brand.  Take a look....

You can sign up for their catalog here....trust me, you won't be disappointed in the FREE inspiration!

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Giveaway winner & a little weekend inspiration

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Just had to share this room.  I think it pulls off sophisticated with a personality so well.  The floors, the color scheme, the off white walls and almost sheer curtains make this room one of my all time faves.

Also, the winner of the design board giveaway is.... Laura!
Laura...you can email me at 23designco@gmail.com and we can get to work!  If anyone else is interested in this service just email me for more info!

Have a great weekend...this is our last weekend of summer so we are busy trying to live it up! : )

Monday, August 15, 2011

Birds of a feather

Has anyone else been crushing on this trend as much as I have?  The rich colors, the "nature" aspect, the unique shapes...I think it's pretty spectacular. 
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Just make sure you don't confuse your beautiful peacock with something that says "gobble, gobble".....



Sunday, August 14, 2011

Sunday


Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.  
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;  
where there is injury,pardon;  
where there is doubt, faith;  
where there is despair, hope;  
where there is darkness, light; 
and where there is sadness, joy.
 

O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;  
to be understood as to understand;  
to be loved as to love.  
For it is in giving that we receive; 
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;  
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
-Prayer of St. Francis
 My blog friend, Marriane, over at Haven & Home posted this today and it was exactly what I needed.  I thought I'd pass it along with y'all too.  
Happy Sunday!

Friday, August 12, 2011

Thank you

This is my 100th post.  I'm obviously not a super star blogger, but I'm not looking to be.  I've had over 20,000 hits to my site since the end of January and I'm beyond grateful for that.  In fact, I'm in disbelief.  Thank you to ALL my readers for helping ignite this fire in me to keep writing and to keep exploring this world of interior design.  I'm so grateful to my new "friends" out in blog world that follow me and comment. I'm so thankful to my friends and family who have sent me little notes telling me they read every post I write....it has encouraged me more than you know.  I'm so thankful to my husband for believing in me and helping me take the first step and putting myself out there {just a nerdy math major trying to act like I know how to write}.

To say thanks to all of you, I will be giving away one design mood board to a randomly chosen winner.  This will be for the room of your choice {valued at $45}.   We will have a consultation and you will get one set of "redo" for your room as well.  Contest begins tonight and goes through next Wednesday at midnight.  Just leave a comment telling me what room in your house/apartment you'd like to give a makeover to!  You can also receive and extra entry for becoming a follower on my blog. {just make an extra comment saying so}


Cousins

Have you ever walked into a store and felt like you've been in some place similar?  Like Gap, for example, it has it's fun younger cousin, Old Navy,  and it's more upscale and mature cousin Banana Republic.  Yet when you walk into any of them, there's kind of a theme...basics, industrial decor, trendy but not over the top.  Well, the same is true with some other stores that you may not have realized...maybe I'm the only nerd who thinks it is interesting.

1.   Did you know that Williams-Sonoma is the parent company to everyone's favorite home store, Pottery Barn?  Besides their famous kitchen store, William Sonoma also owns their namesake line, Williams-Sonoma Home, which is amazing {and quite pricey} and the fun and hip West Elm line as well.




2. I'm guessing you probably realized this one...if you've had a child in the last decade.  The Gymboree line has also reached all price points in kid's clothes.  First, Gymboree brought the head-to-toe matchy-matchy look to the "mall" price point.  Then it released the Janie and Jack line which is more of a boutique look and price.  Then, in the last few years came along Crazy 8.  I like to call it the Old Navy of Gymboree {I'm obviously not on Gymboree's payroll with that one}....it still has the Gymboree look but more of an Old Navy price.



3.  This one may be my favorite "family".  The actual brand name is Urban Outfitters, but they own some amazing companies you might have heard of.  Anthropolgie is definitely it's older {and yet still very cool} cousin.  Both UO and Anthro offer clothing lines, and household items.  Some of them as you may have noticed are very similar....so if there's something you love at the wrong price at Anthro, it may be worth your time to check Urban Outfitters too.  They also have the brand Free People, which is a great clothing line.  And if you haven't seen the company's wedding line, BHLDN, it's pretty amazing if for nothing but inspiration.



4.  Another more common one is Crate & Barrel and it's family of stores.  Crate & Barrel not only has CB2, which is a more affordable and fun side to Crate & Barrel, but it also has the uber cute kids line The Land of Nod.


5.  The last one is near and dear to my heart for many reasons, but it actually is not a "family" anymore...still thought I'd mention it.  Everyone loves the Target corporation...I mean what's not to love...great products, great service, and it's just plain fun to shop there.  Did you know that Target and Marshall Fields were under the same ownership for quite a few years?  I actually worked at a Marshall Field's {technically it was Dayton's in Minnesota, but it was the same store} one summer while I was in college. For the record, I worked in the Ralph Lauren department and made exactly $0, but I still have some of the great clothes. ; )  Anyway, this company had amazing customer service which ran from their high end store all the way to the lower end.  Marshall Field's ended up being bought out my Macy's...which was a step down from the great service and style that this company had.


There are still others I didn't mention...like Sears owning Restoration Hardware and Lands End & others.  I find these relationships fascinating for a few reasons....sometimes as far as products go, you can find similar products in many different price points.  I also love finding a company that has good customer service from the top all the way down.   That way if you have a problem or issue, you know it will be taken care of.  What are your thoughts?  Company loyalty or anything goes?
Penny Lane Designs