Hooooo Doesn’t Love Owls?

I can’t get enough of the gorgeous owl’s round little figure, inquisitive eyes, serene disposition and infinite wisdom. 

How adorable is this tea set from Viva Terra?

I love both colorways of this cute owl lantern from Urban Outfitters too.

A quick search on Etsy will uncover some gorgeous wall art and home decor items featuring owls, like this little gem:

This owl lamp from West Elm reminds me of Jonathan Adler, but it’s only $99!

I wouldn’t mind having this little guy underfoot!  (Owl Door Stop from Anthropologie)

Truth be told, this wallet ($9.99!!) was the inspiration for this post.  I couldn’t leave Target without him yesterday!

This trio from At West End would look great on a tablescape or mantel!

And finally, I just love these fluffy feathered guys from Z Gallerie.  I think they would look amazing sitting atop a bookcase or gazing from a console table in the front hall. 

My New Crush? Meet Purple.

I go through color crushes like Lindsay Lohan goes through rehabs.  (See here for yellow, and here and here for orange).  My newest paramour is purple.  If I didn’t have 729,391,182 other projects brewing, I would paint my dining room deep aubergine and use lots of linen and white with pops of earthy green (inspired by the picture below).  I just can’t get enough purple this season….

 

 

 

{Images: 1. Cerise Pink Blog; 2. Apartment Therapy; 3. Candian House and Home; 4. House to Home; 5. Coach Kristin Leather Pleated Sachel, $398; 6. London Amethyst Mini Hurricane, Crate and Barrel, $16.95; 7.  Hunter Wellies, Piperlime, $125; 8. Patinaed Pillar Holder, Anthropologie, $48; 9. You Are Love Print, The Love Shop, $29. 10.  Zambia {Faux} Throw, Z Gallerie, $99; 11. Essie, Damsel in a Dress, $8}

Buy This, Not That — Headboards and Beds!

So, I have been looking around for a new headboard for my daughter’s big girl room and am WOWED with Target’s selection of beds and headboards, and really impressed by the favorable customer reviews too, that I was inspired to do another bed/headboard edition of Buy This, Not That!  Enjoy and happy weekend! 

LOVE THIS?

{Camden Tufted Headboard, Ballard Designs, $461 for Queen in White Twill}

BUY THIS!

{Seville Tufted Headboard, Target, $299.99 for queen}

LOVE THIS?

 

{Coralie Bed, Anthropologie, $2,248 ($1,998 +$250 surcharge) for Queen}

BUY THIS!

{Coraline Bed, PB Teen, $1,149 ($999 + $150 delivery surcharge) for Queen}

LOVE THIS?

 

{Stevenson Nailhead Headboard, Ballard Designs, Danish Linen Oatmeal in Queen, $659 ($589 + $70 delivery surcharge)}

BUY THIS!

{Uptown Headboard, Target, $254.99 ($299.99 & 15% off) for Queen}

LOVE THIS?

{Linea Bed, Crate and Barrel, $1,178 ($1,099 + $79 shipping surcharge) for Queen}

BUY THIS!

{Jett Platform Bed, Z Gallerie, $599.99 for Queen}

LOVE THIS?

{Vintage Fir Canopy Bed, Viva Terra, $2,625 ($2,375 + $250 shipping surcharge} for Queen}

BUY THIS!

 

{Pavillion Canopy Bed, Crate and Barrel, $1,178 ($1,099 + $79 shipping surcharge) for queen}

LOVE THIS?

 

{Low Fairfax Headboard, Williams Sonoma Home, $1,050 in queen white brushed canvas}

BUY THIS!

{Blanc de Blanc Headboard, Target, $249 for queen}

Whew!  Happy bargain hunting, y’all!

Perfect Prezzies: 17 Days!

Sorry for the unexpected blogging silence!  Work and life has me hopping this month.  Not to mention that there are still pumpkins on my front porch….

Speaking of, YIKES — 17 days until Christmas!  Here are some  unique, fun and affordable stocking stuffer inspiration for all the great peeps on your list:

For Her

What gal doesn’t like fun, dotty accessories?  I love this belt from Boden (on sale for $32)!  It would look great with brown, black or any color!

And this dot scarf from Garnet Hill ($58) adds some fun to bundling up.

And speaking of accessories, this triple strand headband from Anthro ($32) would make a great stocking stuffer for any girl on Santa’s list:

I would love to hang these fabulous icicle quartz ornaments from Viva Terra ($44 for a set of 12) on little pine trees on either side of the front door.  Or even from a chandelier.  Gorgeous!

For the traveler on your list!  You would never overlook your bag at baggage claim or forget your passport with these awesome faux croc Ivana passport cover and luggage tag from Z Gallerie ($16.95).

 

For Kids

I just bought this Fair Isle Hat from Gymboree for baby spark! and we both love it (on sale for $11)!

For the chic-est baby on the block!  Check out these zebra booties from Layla Grace ($10).  So.Darn.Cute!

Wouldn’t this stag toothbrush holder ($8) from Urban Outfitters be so cute in a kids bathroom?  Gotta love useful antlers.

 

For Him

Can’t have too many of these.  And for $4!  Check out these nice fleece gloves from Old Navy:

This is totally random, but is your man as obssessed with shredding as much as mine is?  I thought of him immediately when I saw these shredding scissors ($8.99) from the Container Store.  No need for that bulky shredder by the trash can anymore! 

Check out this great off-season deal: 4 piece barbeque tool kit for $7.48 from World Market.

And of course, the good ole standby in our house for all stockings: Moose Munch by Harry and David.  Yummmmm.

I hope these ideas have inspired you!  Off to start decorating — merry merry!

The Ubiquitous Peacock

Are peacocks popping up everywhere you look?  From rugs to lamps to pillows and chairs and clothes, oh my!  Here are some fun peacock finds:

I just love this Round Peacock Rug from Urban Outfitters, and it’s only $58!  Wouldn’t it look great in a front hall or a library? 

Isn’t this peacock wastebasket ($50) from Layla Grace adorable? 

This peacock snowglobe ($29) from West Elm is fabulous — it would look perfect perched on a bookcase this winter!

Wouldn’t these peacock glasses from Z Gallerie ($27.80 for a set of 4) look lovely on your Thanksgiving table? 

A pair of these elegant peacock glass ball lamp ($249) from Shades of Light would be a lovely addition to any living room.

I die for these amazing peacock menagerie boxes from (of course) Jonathan Adler ($68).  Aren’t they delightful?

 

 

This cool peacock tote ($164) from Layla Grace is described as an “un-diaper bag” for the one-mom-does-all lifestyle.  Yes please.

Ahhhh, I love these sketched peacock plates from Anthropologie.  Wouldn’t dessert be that much yummier served on one of these?

And this stately little fella from West Elm is no longer available, but I just had to share him with you, isn’t he fab?

I think that pretty peacocks provide such a whimsical extravagance!  What do you think?

 P.S. This is the LAST DAY to enter the Lexy Lu hat GIVEAWAY!  Don’t forget!  🙂

Perfect Prezzies: 71 Days

I am starting a new series, Perfect Prezzies, that will run periodically from now until Christmas (71 DAYS AWAY!) to share some fun and affordable holiday gift ideas.  There are some years that I am brimming with inspiration for everyone on my list and other years that I am struggling on Christmas Eve to find ANYTHING for my family, friends, colleagues and neighbors. 

So, I hope this series will give you some motivation to get shopping early so that you can be sipping spiked cider and eating cookies in front of a roaring fire on Christmas Eve, instead of battling traffic and throngs of procrastinators at your local mall!

For Her

I love this delicate and understated bracelet ($95) by Kate Spade.  It is perfect for both work and weekends.  Isn’t she lovely? 

How awesome is this Guess Drop Waist Peacoat ($138) from Nordstrom?  It’s almost an outfit by itself — pair it with black leggings or jeans and head out the door.  I have been waiting for it to go on sale because it would be a perfect present for my 17 year old step-sister.   

 

 

I spotted this glam Nate Berkus Throw ($79.99) over at Matters of Style earlier this week and immediately thought that it would make a terrific Christmas present.  I could design a whole room around this beauty!

 

  

For Little Girl

A friend gave baby spark! one of these adorable Lexy Lu hats ($20) for Christmas last year and we wore it all winter.  They are soft and sweet and I love the “whale spout” of grosgrain ribbons!  (For Richmonders, these are available at Rattle & Roll too).

 

  

For Him

Aren’t men the hardest to buy for?  My husband, dad and brothers-in-law are always the last ones left on my list.  This masculine, black and white, matted and framed photo of a vintage jaguar ($69.95) from Z Gallerie would make a welcome addition to any man’s office or “man cave.” 

 

For Neighbors or Teacher

I have been eyeing Red Envelope‘s gorgeous oversized candles for a while and think that this Cherry Blossoms Candle ($49.99) would make a beautiful and thoughtful gift.

 

 

Acacia offers the most amazing sets of tableware.  These Japanese Botanical Bowls ($59.95) are so simple and elegant and could be used for everything from soup to cereal to serving snacks. 

 

 

For the Dog Lover

We are a family of dog lovers and this fun Buddy Pillow ($88) by Serena and Lily would be perfect for my in-laws who have an affinity for labs and golden retrievers.  It also comes in yellow with a white background and orange with a light blue background.

Go get shopping, friends! 

Oh, and time is running out, so please don’t forget to click on over to enter into the Shades of Light GIVEAWAY to celebrate spark!’s 100th post.