interior designer sharing her ideas and inspirations.
I’ve been a quiet blogger this past week. Its been quite a week with holiday happenings and lots of things on my seemingly large plate. But on the eve of a new day, its time to celebrate happy beginnings, ring in new adventures, and stash the past in a lifetime memory book. 2010 is going to be an amazing year!
Pink Confetti Painting by RobertArtonArt.com
I’m off to hit the slopes in January and freezing cold in this living room tonight. Lighting a candle can work wonders for your mood and warm you up a little bit while the wax melts. This one is too cute for words. Light on the budget, and pretty enough for a hard-to-please person, this Anthropologie candle tops my list as an after-Christmas wish.
Ski Candle Cap, $18 | Anthropologie
I have fond childhood memories of decorating a rather large oine tree with really old strands of large colored glass bulbs. The bulbs tended to break or burn out by the end of the holiday season and each year, we found ourselves checking each strand and unscrewing the dead bulbs and screwing in perfect new ones. My dad used a long yellow yellow pole (looked almost like a stretched pencil!) to hoist up these heavy green lines of wire into the tippy top of this tree so the entire neighborhood had its holiday beacon shining bright. The tree has since been cut down and new owners now up take residence there, but I continue to remember the wonderful and festive times we used to share in that house on Brook Drive. It being a night of wrapping gifts and last minute decorating, I wanted to share Design Public’s blog post on a new twist in hanging those colored lights we’ve all come to love. Tinsel garland and multi-colored bulbs create a wreath with vintage qualities and eye-cathing appeal. The santa and reindeer tchochke is a nice vintage touch, dont-cha think? =)
I’m off to Steamboat in mid-January for a ski adventure that’s been a long time waiting! Aside from the exercises I need to do between now and the day I snap those boots tight, I had to assess my ski gear situation to see what still fit and what I had to go out and buy. In preparation for this four day adventure, I pulled out my old stuff, tried everything on, and immediately exclaimed “I need a new jacket and pants – these are huge and so dated”. So, the shopping junky that I am, the search was on for some cute apparel that was neither black nor too baggy. I went to the local Dicks Sporting store and Sports Authority. Found a nice white jacket by the cold weather apparel company Spyder (love that line) and a pair of glossy white goggles by Scott. Then I hunted online for coordinating ski pants at Peter Glenn and I Ski Shop. I just got a blue pair in the mail from WinterDivas.com, and although they are a little baggy, I think I can deal – the weather is going to be chilly and the last thing I need is frostbite! The adorable result? Check out my new look (thanks to my mom for giving me such a cool Christmas gift!). I hope these pieces are as attractive on a black diamond slope in five years as they will look in January in Colorado! Swoosh SWOOSH!
Love this fun hat!
A sleek profile with glossy white frame. So cool!
Tried this one at Dicks and had to buy it! SO warm!
I have a small frame so I swim in ski pants - however, these are too cute to boot!
White jacket needs waterproof white gloves.
Ergonomic and lightly padded ski socks. Hope these keep painful shins away!
We got slammed! Record snowfall covered every part of the Washington, DC area this weekend! Almost two feet deep! I LOVE IT! Although I had a hankering for creating super snowmen, roomy igloos, and the most beautiful snow angels, I managed to only get in some fun and tiring walks with my dog, lots of hours shoveling out completely covered cars, and a few photos snapped here and there while holding a leash, hot coffee, and my balance. Here are some photos I captured around town!
Clark would be proud! You have to check out the Holiday House Contest on TMZ.com. These homeowners must have large electric bills… and occasionally, interesting taste. What do you think?
Just one of the many homes shown on TMZ gallery of lights! Click here to see the whole gallery!
Its not the first fabric of choice when we think of comfy pillows and cushions, but felted material can make for a durable statement piece in any setting. Leave it to two entrepreneurial spirits to come up with the line of abstract and super cute felted good by Marfa Interiors. Designers Lorna Leedy and Adrin Adrina met in the mid-’90s in New Orleans, and after a decade of traveling the world and studying fashion, reunited to launch a new line of handmade felted wool, mohair, and alpaca products. The felt is handmade in Marta by a local textile artisans and each cushion, bolster, ottoman, and/or blanket is made to order. To top it all off, Marta Interiors supports independent women artists, a community-based textile workshop, and one of the last yarn companies in the USA. Thanks Daily Candy for sharing this company with your subscribers! I felt happy to hear this!
It’s mid-December and I’ve already lapped in the luxury of sitting in front of a crackling fireplace. It’s a past-time I just can’t live without. Gas is great – but good wood is even better! I love wood burning fireplaces and look forward to cozy nights warming up after a long commute home from work. Here are my draft picks for the coolest firplace screens to start off the Winter season. Bbbrrr!
SIlver leaf circles are always crackle snap chic! 40"W x 28"H | Cyan Design
Classic metallic designs are sure to stay hot! I love this one! 48"W x 37"H | Laszlo Custom Metal
Turn up the heat with a tri-fold Greek Key Design. 48"W x 30"H | Ace Hardware
Find coolness with this crystal spark screen by Conmoto 37"W x 22"H | EmmoHome
Here the fire roar.. less is more! 40"W x 31"W | FireplaceScreenEtc.com
Arts and Crafts are always way cool. 41"W X 32"H | Indigo Iron
Add an small spark of glamour with antique gold! 32"W x 28"H | eBay
Sit back and relax with movable mesh screens. 40"W x 32"H | Plow & Hearth
Gloves are a perfect accessory for any outfit so why not add some flair to your wardrobe with humorous hands? Earlier this month, I posted one of my favorite attention grabbing gloves from Kate Spade but today Daily Candy introduced me to designer Koi Suwannagate’s Him and Her Cashmere Fingerless Glove. Am embroidered cigarette here and a grosgrain ribbon attached there and you’re ready to walk out the door – hand in hand.
Him and Her Fingerless Glove by Koi Suwannagate, $285
Wait, don’t paint those walls just yet. Hold off on the new bed linens. It’s getting cold in DC and I find my thoughts wandering off to warmer vistas with turquoise waters. So shoud you. Right here at home. Pantone has just named its 2010 color of the year! The global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, selected the luminous color Turquoise based on its juxtaposition of tranquil blue notes and energizing green tones. Way to go Pantone 15-5519 TCX and Pantone 15-5519 TCX. In the essence of color therapy, the color house says that the hue should evoke soothing, serene emotions, while restoring vigor, zest, and motivation. Its motivating enough for me. Wonderful against saffron yellow, deep begonia pinks glossy black, and the whitest of whites, this color never fails to please.
