TOP 5 : : design websites

I realize there are a gazillion design websites out there.  Trust me, I've spent hours getting lost in them {and enjoying every minute of it!}.  I thought I'd let you in on some of my faves...some of them may be familiar because I've referenced them before.  Hopefully, next time you are in need of a little inspiration, this list might help get you where you need to go just a bit quicker. ; )

1.  The Nesting Place.  The Nester {she chooses to go by this name to add a little security to her family life} was probably the first design blog I ever read.  She's a mom to 3 boys and you will fall in love with her ideas, her transparency, and her fun style.  She's the originator of the window "mistreatment" and the idea that it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful.  Her family has gone from owning a beautiful home to becoming renters and she chronicles all about it here.

2.  Caitlin Wilson Design: Style Files.  This is the total opposite end of the spectrum.  This is a website I love to come for pure inspiration.  Caitlin is a high end designer [featured in many magazines} whose budgets are far beyond mine, but she has a great style and I love what she puts together.  Her husband's job has moved them oversees {from Dubai to China and they are on their way back to the US} so seeing what different parts of the world do to her style is interesting.  She also is working on her own line of pillows and possibly other textiles.

3.  Young House Love.  This site chronicles a fun, young couple {and their new baby girl} as they fix up an older home.  I love their tutorials and willingness to try something new and think outside the box.  They've done an amazing job with their place and I kinda think they may have missed their calling to be interior designers. : )

4. Decorpad.  Lots and lots and lots of pictures.  You can name a color or a room and there will be pages of pictures that people have submitted from the extravagant to the do-able.  This is a great place to start to help narrow down what you direction to go.

5. Emily A. Clark.  This is yet another mom-turned-interior designer, but I think she has a very achievable but polished style.  She'll take an ugly Craig's List find, add a little paint and transform it into the centerpiece of a room.  She also writes an occasional column for her local Goodwill blog with some great ideas as well.

This is definitely not a comprehensive list, but I would have to say that these are the 5 I hit the most when I need some ideas.  What are yours??  I'm always looking for new places to find some great inspiration and I'd love to hear what sites you can't get enough of!

**Don't forget to become a follower over here at my new site! : )

Top 5 : : nail polish

It's that time of year again...you know, when you have to make sure your toes look decent since they will be showcased every day by your flip-flops instead of the closed-toe shoes of winter.  I'm pretty simple in my beauty rituals, but it never ceases to amaze me how much better I feel with a little polish on my toes {and on my fingernails, if I'm lucky}.

Here are my top colors...and while I love me some OPI and Essie, I love trying out new colors from Revlon or Sally Hansen as well and have had pretty good results overall.

1)  Classic red.  I especially love wearing this with black or white clothes...it just seems to pop.  I've currently got OPI Deer Valley Spice in my collection, but I also just picked up Sally Hansen's Something New at Dollar Tree and I love it too!

2) A good fuschia.  This is what I currently have on and it seems like you just can't go wrong with this color....you can wear it with or without a tan and it can really go dressy or casual too. OPI has some great choices in this shade, but right now I've got Revlon Oh My Magenta and it is great!

3)  Light pink....like almost white.  I love this look especially when my skin has some color.  It's neutral too so it will go with just about any type of clothing.  Essie's FIJI is amazing!

4)  Coral.  Another great summer color.  I love this with turquoise jewelry.

5) Black.  I had Essie licorice on for two weeks and didn't want to take it off!  I love the edge this has, but with it's great gloss, it still can be dressed up and look great.

6)  Ok, I know I'm only suppposed to have 5, but another one of my go-to faves is a a sand taupe color...I had the perfect OPI version forever until it broke...ugh. : (  I can't remember the name, but I don't think they make it anymore after searching through their website.  Here is a great alternative...great for all seasons, outfits and occasions.

Ok, I'd love some feedback on this one....what is your favorite tried and true color? Now that my toes are showing, I think I need some new ideas! {Also, I just realized that Amazon is a great place to get nail polish...Essie and OPI both retail for about $8-$10 and all my choices where around $4 and under}

Top 5 : : Jewelry

I LOVE jewelry.  LOVE, LOVE, LOVE.  I used to try to buy just the good stuff...which meant I couldn't have very much of it, but now I've learned a few little secrets that let my jewelry selection be a little more current and funky.  I think you can make such a statement with just a single piece...and it can honestly make or break an outfit.  So here goes my second edition of TOP 5...

1.  Forever 21.  Is this little secret out yet?  If you haven't been to one {I do understand that it isn't quite the comfort level of walking into LOFT}, but you need to RUN to the nearest location or just hop online.   They have the greatest selection of accessories I've seen in a while and what's even better is that you can buy your statement piece for less than the price of your latte many times.  Their prices are unbelievable!  I can't tell you how many times I've bought something here and as I shopped the rest of the mall I find similar pieces at Anthro, LOFT, etc.  And to boot...they have John 3:16 on their bags.  I think it's another good sign. : )  Here are just a couple of my current faves...

$4.80....bought a similar pair after seeing these I featured from Anthro

Love the turquoise and gold....so pretty, $12.80

I think I could work this one into the regulars, $7.80

$6.80...love this blue

At $6.80, this gives a lot of bang for your buck

2. Sam Moon/Charming Charlie.  These stores are definitely not for the faint of heart...this should translate do NOT bring your boyfriend, husband, or small children.  I can almost guarantee that you will find what you are looking  for because their selection is incredible.  You can shop Sam Moon online (selection may vary from what's in the store though) but Charming Charlie is not available for online sales.  I love these stores for some of the basics (it also helps me keep focused when I go in).  I love their light-weight gold/silver earrings for every day use.  I know they are cheap, but they've worn great for me!

I have these and wear them all the time, $3.95

Love the design of these, $6.50

Have a similar watch and ADORE it, $9.99 

3.  The past.  Whether you take this as re-examining the jewelry that your grandma gave you or hitting up a garage sale...there are so many great pieces out there waiting for new owners to wear them.  I recently inherited some gorgeous silver clip earrings that I cannot wait to have made into pierced.  Knowing that there is so much history to them, only makes them more beautiful to me.  I've also found some of my favorites second- hand...some have been revamped, but many are just ready to go as-is.

{unable to upload personal pics...will do asap}

4.  James Avery.  Classic silver jewelry.  My husband introduced this company to me before we moved south and I've always loved their quality and background.  They have a great customer service and I love doing business with them.

My husband gave me this in my birthstone...wear it daily under my Tiffany ring from my sister

I'm loving this...probably because I've  got spring fever

I love these keys on a simple chain...saw a ton of these at Tiffany's in NYC last fall

5.  My wedding ring.  You might think it's a cop-out, but it's my favorite piece of jewelry.  Mine is an antique that comes from my husband's side of the family and I adore it.  I love the looks of it and I love the meaning it will always have to me.  Definitely one of my most prized possessions.

{pic to come}

So, what does your list look like?  Similar to mine or completely different...I'd love to hear....especially if you have any more "secrets" to share with me!