Keeping up with the seasons

I can't believe it's time to throw away the tulips and replace them with mums and flowering kales.
This is my first year living in my own house - so the first time I have all the say of what goes into my pots.
Pots can be done by professionals but the prices tend to be very high - so I say have fun with it you cant go wrong as long as you stay in season
Put together flowers that you feel look good together or you can buy a ready to go arrangement

these potted flowers all together cost $15 at home depot

When women invade man caves

My basement was a man cave - theater style chairs, big screen plastered on the wall, foosball table...you get the picture until the basement turned into a swimming pool!
Our basement has finally been restored - new walls, carpet and paint - but the furniture was all ruined.

My husband is slowly starting to redo the basement
So, I obviously browse through Etsy.com finding cute accessories that he most likely will not allow me to put down there...

Alcohol Bottle Lamp:

you can buy this for $30 at etsy.com

Throw pillows - completely necessary?

you can buy this for $44 on etsy

He will probably be more interested in buying

you can find this for $14 at etsy.com

Find of the day..

Fun match boxes that work with your decor

Match boxes are from Abbott around $3 and come in different patterns

The power of the flower

I like to buy flowers once a week for my house - they add a fresh feeling to any home
The only problem is they add up and last not even for a week!

To save money - use what you have! Cut flowers from your garden and put them in a vase
Truly bringing the "outside in". This is a HUGE money saver!

Instead of using the classic simple glass vase - try... anything!!!
Ideas: tea cups, tea pots, jugs, jars, chachkas - think outside of the box your flowers will stand out more

Flowers only last so long - so why not try out a plant?

I am loving hens and chicken plants - I have them in a pot in my kitchen they are low maintenance and have quite the presence

Another cute and useful decor idea is to grow herbs in jars and pots and display them in your kitchen This helps when you are cooking as well as completing the perfect look

Outdoor Dinner Party

I love hosting dinner parties - I think the way the table looks is almost as important as the taste of the food. It's always fun for me to find new ways to present the table and the food

If you and your guests are sitting outside I recommend PLASTIC glasses - we are not talking about the red plastic throw away cups - we are talking about glasses that your guest will think are glass  (ok.. maybe with a glass of wine in them)

Place mats - these paper place mats are cute and fun and set a tone for the party to be more laid back
I absolutely LOVE them

Place mats can be purchased at Teatro Verde $39.95
While hosting a dinner party the last thing you want to be doing is running back and forth from the fridge to get drinks you should always have a cooler/ice bucket outside.
I like the Pottery Barn Woven Rattan bucket

Bucket can be purchased at Pottery Barn $136
Dinner may be over - but the best part is always dessert! Set up a smore station outside at a firepit or a fire table
Contemporary:

Rustic:

Both fire tables can be purchased at Restoration Hardware
Contemporary - $1495
Rustic - $1995

One of your favourite artists may be in your cellphone

Many stores sell paintings that are priced as low as $20 - they are great finds as long as they don't give off the staged look

One of my favourite paintings was done by my friend Jill - this painting was lying on her floor for months - now it is framed over my vanity

Having a one of a kind piece is so special - it looks unique and makes a room feel a little more personal
This is a very inexpensive way to have beautiful art on your walls and to share your friends talents

So, if you are lucky enough to have an artist as a friend ask if they will make you something - let them know what room you want it for so they can match your colours and theme.

 

I'd do anything for this bed at the cottage

Imagine hanging this in a gazebo by the lake...

PETA

The mounted deer - This look is perfect for a cottage or a man cave however I can't picture myself watching tv with a deer doing the Mona Lisa to me!

I found an alternative at Urban Outfitters - that I am thinking of buying for a wall in my family room!

My family room has a masculine feeling to it and is beyond comfortable having one of the "deers" mounted on my wall would give the room a fun alternative twist

You can buy one online  for $52 at http://www.urbanoutfitters.com

Another look for the more abstract and daring sense of style

This would look amazing in a room of all white- the pop of colour immediately makes it a statement piece
This can be purchased from etsy.com for $245 

Tea Cups are not just for tea....

My 93 year old Bubie was moving apartments - while helping to pack her up my sisters and I found a collection of mix matched tea cups. I absolutely loved them - they were all so different in both the shape and colours. She gave all of the female cousins 4 tea cups - and my collections began...
As you will notice I easily get hooked on basically anything relating to tea cups
I found myself searching in antique stores for unique and beautiful looking teacups
When I moved into my house I decided to add my teacups to the design of my kitchen - it helped to shape the "french country" look I am slowly achieving

If I didn't have pot lights in my kitchen I would buy this chandelier in a heartbeat!!
I think my husband would leave..

My Little Obsession

I love walking into my friends and total strangers homes   (open houses - they are my guilty pleasure) to look at their choice of decor.
I truly believe you can tell a lot about a person on how they live and what they like to surround themselves in
I find myself at home decor stores probably 3-4  times a week - you will be able to see my special finds
I am a hoarder in decor who likes to switch things up at least once a week!!
I'm excited for you to take a look at my style and pieces I LOVE!