Exposed Bulbs

I've had light fixtures on the mind, and of course the simple and do it myself options are the most appealing when I look at prices and style. But right now, West Elm is having a lighting sale, so I illuminated my morning with some browsing. Yet, still, my favorite looks even when browsing West Elm's sale are the simple and bare bulbs mixed with metallic cords. The simple just draws me in! If it looks like it could have been around in the 1920's, or on the set of Downton Abbey in the maids quarters, I will probably like it. 

I am a huge fan of mixing the elements, especially when it comes to light fixtures. What about you? Seeing as my decorating style is a bit more matte, its nice to have a copper pop in a light fixture, when I dream of future light fixtures in my future home full of simple vintage-modern styling. 

The great thing is, there are so many do it yourself ways to get this look from the most basic to adding in up cycled wiring and branches even (like HERE, HERE and HERE) or you can just hop on with West Elm's Lighting Sale and stock up for future projects (top photo HERE, copper cord HERE).

Gold Gifting // Round Up

I definitely grew a gold crush a long time ago. I think it began for me in the aisles of antique shops. More of a muted, brushed, or rusty gold, but gold none-the-less. It's just so timeless. And this time of year, the metallic hue just seems so fitting -- for home decor, personal style, and festive gifts. So I bring to you just a few of my favorites from around the web, after checking out a few sales going on today. I definitely have that lamp on my wish list. I'm needing better lighting for late night writing at our new desk, and I'm a fan of the industrial look. (It's really quite pretty in nickel and hunter green too).

The Diamond Whisp Bracelet // 31 Bits. The beads are made from recycled paper, can you believe it? This company is so great. Women in Uganda are given business opportunity through 31 bits. You can learn more about it here.

Vintage Oversize Watch // Le Mer Collections. Don't you just love this feminine combo of aqua and gold?

Laqueur Tray // West Elm. My cousins gifted this tray to me on my birthday. It is so much larger than I would have thought, and the gold is slightly muted compared to the photograph. It is where letters and papers collect on my desk.

Essie Good as Gold // Target. An affordable but fun little gift idea: nail polish ;)

Monogram Mug // Anthropologie. Who doesn't like a gold monogrammed mug?

Knitted Ear Band // Anthropologie. I really like the thickness of this head band. I own it myself, and the hints of gold are really subtle and pretty. Its perfect if needing a bit of sparkle when still trying to keep warm.

Metallic Print Glassware Set // West Elm.

Copper Cook's Tools // West Elm.

Olive You // Lindsay Letters Print. What a cute print this is, and would be perfect over a bar cart or hanging in the kitchen.

Industrial Task Table Lamp // West Elm. My dream lamp right now. And we know how nickel ages--beautifully.

Gold Knit Print iPad Case // West Elm.

Autumn Wishing List

Even frugal girls have wish lists. So here is mine. If I were to pick a few things that would fit into the season and my current style, both for wearing and decorating, these are what you'd find me wishing for.

one // Oh this bag! Madewell gets me.

two // West Elm trophy hooks from the New Heritage Collection.

three // Furniture Makeovers (I've flipped through this book so many times I really should just get it at this point...)

four // What's not to love about this Corduroy puffer vest at Anthro? (I shouldn't have tried it on the other day...I really didn't want to take it off!)

five // Patterned headband trio (those prints!)

six // This pillow cover from West Elm (the chartreuse and heathered grey speak for themselves).

Pillow Case Round Up

West Elm is having their end of the season sale! I swoop in on West Elm sales during summer and winter. Mixed with all our handed down and vintage Christmas items most of my holiday decor is from West Elm's clearance. They know how to throw a good sale. Right now they have 70% off select home furnishings. And, you guys, their pillow cases are a steal! Whenever I'm in a design funk, and need some change up, hand me a new pillow case, and problem solved (CASE and point). Prints and new colors can definitely change a room. And give a girl the feeling of a revamp. These are my favorites over at West Elm, on super sale right now (while supplies last, of course!):

1 // Embroidered Puebla Cover 

2 // Plaid Sham 

3 // Batik Ombre Silk Cover 

4 // Outdoor pillow

5 // Arrow Cover

6 // Embroidered Mar Cover

7 // Textured Dot Silk Pillow

8 // Braided Cable Pillow Cover

Bargain Hunting Round Up (premier!)

Snowflake flurries have kept me inside today. In lieu of the storm, I've been doing a bit of sale spotting on the interwebs. Below you can find a round up of a few favorites of mine from my go to design stores. All of these finds are mark downs and affordable for the designer on a budget and (which, who is not on a budget these days?! Budgeting means more pennies saved and more travel funds available...). 

1//  West Elm's Perpetual Fox Calendar

2//  World Market Nico Arch Mirror

3//  Anthropologie Foil Dot Napkin Set

4//  Kelly Green Half Dozen Egg Crate

5//  Natural Histories: Extraordinary Rare Book Selections 

from the American Museum of Natural History Library

6//  Formosa Chartreuse Tray Table by CB2

7//  West Elm Silk Pillow Cover 

(I fell in love with the apricot tones HERE on little green notebook)

8//  Alyson Fox Stencil Wool Rug 

I am noticing a trend of gold, chartreuse, and green. It must be spring time! That Natural Histories Book looks amazing by the way. The illustrations would make beautiful framed prints. Not to mention the coffee table interest factor if this book ended up in your home. What a neat piece! 

My bedroom tour.

Before the boxes arrived our bedroom looked like this.

Still a work in progress (the walls still need significant help), our room is beginning to look like this.

Still needing some curtains. I'm waiting for a bargain.

Sale pillows: PB polkadot, West elm king shams in cacoon print

Ikea Euro sham.

Matt's nightstand: Table from UO, Ikea glass sea foam lamp

Bedframe: Living spaces

Makeshift dresser until I thrift find a tall one for this space.

Ikea Hamper.

  

My grandma's vintage dresser. 

This was a red tag lamp at HomeGoods. One of my favorite finds.

Comb plate, West elm, $2. My bridesmaids on our wedding day.

Framed: The boutonnière Matt wore on our wedding day.

The books on my dresser are shades of red and mint to aqua. I felt the color combo complimented the other accessories.

Baby me, with my dad, soaking up that California sunshine.

DIY jewelry cabinet.

UO rug find:$10. Origianlly $$$$$. 

Instead of a side table I have a side dog bed. I plan to take an old quilt I have and make a duvet cover type thing to go over her bed. That way it is functional yet eye catching and pretty.


What makes your bedroom comfortable, functional, and uniquely you?

Toothpaste, towels, and a tour.

Nobody has seen our new place except for people in Denver. So, the house tour posts I'll be putting up this week are...

1. For all my family and friends back in California to look at and pretend they are actually here visiting (Since we can't really have an official housewarming party with all of you. Although, could you imagine that? Best. Housewarming. Ever.)
2. To serve as "works in progress" photos because I am still figuring out where everything needs to go  and the over all design details of the house.
3. If we have not met, and you are reading this, for you to see my at home design (thanks for visiting!) and decide if you like my taste.

In the meantime though, I hope you feel welcomed in our new home by these photos even though we are miles apart, most of us.

The smallest room in the house is where this tour begins. Our bathroom is deprived of storage space, so we make due! It is also a tricky space to work with because it is so small. I don't want it to be packed with clutter, but bathrooms are notorious for being full of everything we need in our daily routine, meaning tons of stuff (and I don't even have kids yet, which I hear ups the amount of bathroom items ten fold). I have a set of three mirrors in the plans to be painted the put up in this space (think sprig of celery and orange sherbet as the color inspiration....) The walls are pretty barren right now. More on that project later, let's get on with photographs.

Jars are a great way to organize. Ones with lids are especially useful for keeping things dust free. The antique looking jar in the back of the tray is filled with makeup brushes and other beauty essentials.

This monographed tray I just found yesterday at West Elm. It helped me cope with my need for cobalt at a cheap $2 and keep tiny clutter off the counter top and away from water splashes (like bobby pins, chapstick, glasses, etc.)

Matt gets all the credit for putting up this Ikea shelf, and pinterest gets credit for giving me the storage idea. I will paint ithe shelf eventually. I need to let it settle in the room for a bit and I can contemplate colors each time I visit the bathroom. Any suggestions? Maybe even a nautical stripe?

Take note: Hardly any storage (I'm not even going to show you what it looks like under the sink, sheesh!) Another plan is to makeover an over the toilet storage cabinet I bought on craigslist last month. Sadly, the dimensions of the storage unit are slightly off, so it needs some tweaking and a new paint job before making its debut. A project to keep an eye out for!

Opted for a new clean waffle white linen curtain from Cost Plus World Market.

Now you know where I brush my teeth morning and night.