Score!

During our recent trip to Tybee Island, Georgia, we visited a bunch of our best friends in Savannah (where we lived for 3 years before moving to Richmond).

Former neighbors of ours recently moved into a much bigger home and they were showing us around their gorgeous new digs.  We sauntered into the HUGE walk-in attic, and I saw a set of bar stools that I have always loved and complimented them.  And she said, “Oh, you can have those, they are too short for our new bar counter.”

I put up a half-hearted fight and then Mr. Spark! quickly loaded them up in the Suburban before she could change her mind!

Check out my new bar stools….FO’ FREE (oh and my cute little chair model too)!  Teaches me the power of a compliment!  :)

You may remember from this post, I have been coveting these bar stools from 24E in Savannah for a while.

At $189 a pop and $378 (+ shipping) for the pair, I think I will stick with my free knock-offs for a while!  :)

Happy Friday y’all!

Seasonal Stocking Sampler

It’s almost time to deck the halls!  In our house, each year we hang a hodge podge of stockings that include our childhood stockings and various newer stockings that we have picked up along the way.  I like the nostalgia and “vintage” look, but everytime Christmas rolls around again, I am tempted to buy a set that all match.  Here are some of the best around:

I love the muted colors of these stockings from Garnet Hill ($38 each).  How about those ruffles — adorable!  Free monogramming too!

The Scandinavian feel of this Colossal Sweater Stocking from Anthropologie ($148) is fabulous.  I love the pom poms too! 

Sorry for the small image, but you should check out these shell stockings from Horchow ($148).  They would be great for all of the snow birds who flock south for the winter.  The detailing is amazing and I love the neutral color scheme. 

Speaking of a tropical Christmas, aren’t these Lilly Pulitzer stockings so much fun?

[From WeLoveLilly on Etsy, $29.99]

[From HickityPickity on Etsy, $22]

[From HickityPickity on Etsy, $22]

These Vera Bradley stockings are unexpectedly preppy and fun too ($22).  I like the little pocket in the front for a bonus stocking stuffer!  (sorry for the blurry picture).

If you are looking for something more traditional, I like these knit stockings from Pottery Barn Kids ($29 each).  The fair isle sweater vibe is Christmas cozy!  Oh, and free shippping too. 

These patchwork stockings from Pottery Barn ($24) are pretty too and would look great hung on any mantle.  Monogramming is available and free shipping again!

I like the homemade feel of these unique stockings from Unica Home:  

[Cool Pointsettia Stocking, $50]

[Birds Holiday Stocking, $42.50]

And I am loving this retro reindeer stocking from Bebesniklefritz on Etsy ($22):

And last, but not least, my favorite stockings of the season are from Plum Cushion on Etsy ($40 each).  I found these when Plum Cushion was featured on Little Green Notebook, and fell in love!

So, which are your favorite?  Are your stockings matching or do you have a hodge podge of different stockings hung on your hearth? 

Merry merry!

Kate Spade at One Kings Lane

Extra extra, read all about it!  Kate spade dinnerware and gift items are on clearance at One Kings Lane.  If you need an invite to OKL, leave a comment with your email address and I will send you one.  Check it out!  Here are some of my faves:

 

 

 

Happy Bargain Hunting!

 

I’d Like to Thank the Academy….

A humble thank you to Aspirations of a Southern Housewife for awarding Spark! the Kreativ Blogger Award,

and Small & Chic in Cville for honoring Spark! with the “Your Blog is Over the Top” Award.

I would like to pass the Kreativ Blogger Award on to:

1. My Little Happy Place.  I love Alison’s adventures in home design, motherhood and life.

2. Caitlin Creer Interiors.  Everything Caitlin designs, I simply love.

3. Rex and Regina.  Beautiful blog by an event planner with a great eye and ingenious ideas.

4.  The Glam Lamb.  Fabulous eye candy and great taste.

5. Good Life for Less.  Much of my Fall wardrobe has been inspired by Jill’s “Good Looks for Less.”  She is a talented stylist!

And Matters of Style is Spark!’s choice for the “Your Blog is Over the Top” Award.  This tireless blog is a constant source of inspiration — I am amazed by their impeccably fabulous posts day after day.

Per the rules of the Kreativ Blogger Award (that I googled!), you must share 7 facts about yourself.  Per the rules of the OTT Award, you must answer the following set of questions.  So, I am going to answer the questions and then you will certainly get more than 7 facts about me!

1. Where is your cell phone: In my purse, with plenty of unheard messages on there, I am sure.

2. Your hair: Brunette.

3. Your mother: Attorney, stay at home mom, avid NCIS watcher.

4. Your father: Attorney, golfer, class clown.

5. Your favorite food: Mexican.

6. Your dream from last night: Unsure of the subject matter, but always contains a fight between my conscious and subconscious about whether it is really a dream or not.

7. Your favorite drink: Expensive red wine, preferably a cab or pinot.

8. Your dream/goal: Satiety and contentment.

9. What room are you in: My family room.

10. What are your hobbies: Blogging, reading, running, cooking.

11. What is your fear: Becoming shallow.

12. Where do you want to be in 6 years: Still enjoying motherhood.

13. Where were you last night: On the way home from Tybee Island, Georgia.

14. Something you are not: I am not very good with make-up.

15. Muffins: Sure.

16. Wish list items: Lots of time to finish all of the design projects in my head, a shopping spree to Anthropologie, and Bob from the Biggest Loser as my personal trainer, oh! and to look good in skinny jeans.

17. Where did you grow up: McLean, Virginia.

18. Last thing you did: Put my 2 year old daughter to sleep.

19. What are you wearing: Nick and Nora PJs from Target.

20. Your pets: Annie, my 7 year old bichon frise.

21. Your friends: A perfect collection of people representing the times and places of my life thus far.

22. Your life: Perfectly imperfect.

23. Your mood: Relaxed for the moment.

24. Missing someone: Not really.

25. Vehicle: Silver station wagon.

26. Something you’re not wearing: Make-up.

27. Your favorite store: Probably Anthropologie.

28. Your favorite color: White.

29. When’s the last time you laughed: A few minutes ago.

30. When’s the last time you cried: I don’t remember.

31. Your best friend: Aside from my husband and my sister (who are really more like family), I have 5 close girlfriends that I can count on for ANYTHING.

32. One place you go over and over: Target.

33. One person who emails me regularly: My mother.

34. Favorite place to eat: Anywhere with good friends and great wine.

Thanks again for the awards — you made my day!

Playroom Perfection

Ever since I laid my eyes on this divine playroom in this month’s issue of Cookie Magazine, I can’t stop thinking about its perfection.  The playroom is enjoyed by the children of the one-and-only Miz Kelly Wearstler.

My favorite part about the space is that it is so tastefully designed that it can easily be transformed into an adult library by simply changing the books and adding some seating.  Wouldn’t you love this room for yourself?  With a beautiful overstuffed chaise and all of your favorite, beautiful hard-backed books surrounding you?

The wall color, chandelier (I DIE!), simple window treatments, unique low desk/coffee table, neutral rug and gorgeous shallow built-ins are so simple, versatile and functional.  The neutral background provides a lovely canvas for the bookcovers, which provide the artwork and color for the room.

LOVE.  LOVE.  LOVE.

[Image from Cookie Magazine via DecorArtsNow]

This Weekend I Will Be….

Staying in one of these….

Taking walks here….

And here….

Eating this….

And visiting here….

This weekend I will be………enjoying a mini-vacay at Tybee Island, Georgia!

Happy weekend!

Guest Blogging at the Good Life For Less Today!

Hey y’all — head on over to one of my favorite blogs, the Good Life For Less, where I am guest blogging today.  I have compiled a fun “Buy This, Not That” for some of the lastest Fall fashion trends.

Here is a little preview:

 

 

 

Let me know what you think and enjoy!

“That Is Sooooo 2000.”

I was reading this fabulous post entitled “Trendy Elements That Scream 2000″ over at Things That Inspire, and felt like adding my two cents to the discussion.  The post was inspired by an electronic forum on trends that will link decor back to the 2000s and cause a home to look dated in the future, as opposed to timeless.

Let me begin the discussion by agreeing with the author of the post and saying that I believe in decorating with what you love, so if some of these trends are “your thing,” please do not take offense!  If you read the original post, many people consider granite countertops, open floor plans and the chocolate and blue  color combination “out”.  I have all of the above in my house and happen to love them regardless!

So, here are my thoughts on the elements that will invite the comment, “That is soooo 2000s….”

1. Red Dining Rooms.

We bought a house in 2003, and every home we saw had a red dining room.  I think this was a Pottery Barn-inspired trend and it has had its heyday.

2. Lots of Toile

I really like toile in moderation but, in my opinion, the 2000s have seen a scary overuse of toile.  Look at this room above — toile upholstery, pillows, wallpaper and window panels, OH MY!

3. Sunburst Mirrors.

I really like a beautiful sunburst mirror, but I think they have been really overused, and in the future, they are going to be immediately identified with the 2000s.

4. Tray Ceilings.

I think this double tray ceiling is vintage 2000s, especially with the painted tiers, recessed lighting and Tuscan style ceiling fan.

5. Extra-Long Window Panels/Pooled Drapes.

Do you remember this trend?  It’s kind of waned in popularity recently.  I remember seeing the pooled drapes on the cover of Traditional Home a few years back.  I can honestly say that I have never been a fan of this look, mostly for practical reasons. such as dustball collection and more fabric equals more money!

6. Antlers and Zebra Rugs.

Antlers and zebra rugs can add an interesting design aesthetic to a room, but I am over them!  The antlers were really fresh when they first appeared in Domino Magazine, but they now seem to be a staple in all design mags.  Honestly, I have never seen either antlers or zebra rugs in “real homes.” These items may still have their place in a hunting lodge, or in the home of an avid hunter, but not in the living room.

So, do you agree or disagree with my picks?  What are the trends that you strongly identify with the 2000s?

[Images from: 1. House to Home, 2. Thibaut Design, 3. Tobi Fairley, 4. Here, 5. Flickr, 6. Dallas Child]

(Quick) Buy This, Not That — Bookcases and Bookends

The quest goes on for items to complete my home office update.  Bookcases and bookends are done!  Check out these finds:

LOVE THIS?

[Bourdonnais Bookcase, Ballard Designs, $599]

BUY THIS!

 [Delano Bookcase, Target, $199.99]

LOVE THIS?

[Dog Bookends, Restoration Hardware, $69]

BUY THIS!

[Jonathan Adler Dachshund Bookends, Barnes & Noble, $39.95]

I hope to give you THE BIG REVEAL on my home office update soon, but I am still searching for the perfectly sized ledge shelf for above my desk.

Happy Bargain Hunting!

 

Happy Halloween!

It’s been a busy week and this weekend I will have my guest room and play room full of house guests.  We are hosting our 3rd annual Halloween play date tomorrow morning and have 45 people coming to our house, 17 of whom are kids! 

So, I have been racing around this week to get ready.  Along with bagels & cream cheese and fruit (oh and bloody marys and mimosas!!), here is some of what will be on the table.  I took a lot of inspiration from my fellow bloggers:

Candy Corn Bark (found via The Picky Apple)

Heather’s Spooky Chex Mix (except I didn’t include peanuts and used corn chex instead of rice chex)

 

Spider Cupcakes (I found this recipe in a free magazine sent home from pre-school)

Can you say 17 kids flying on a sugar high?  Wish me luck!  I will take pictures to share next week.

Happy Halloween to all!