HOSTING AN OUTSIDE GATHERING: CREATING A TABLEWARE LOOK

This past weekend, we had a couple of friends over for a BBQ.  It was an intimate gathering; my husband's best friend was introducing us to her fiancé.  It was a great chance to meet him, catch up and hang out.

Even though this was a small gathering, it gave me an excuse to create an outside tablescape.  I decided I wanted to cover the outside table but didn't want to spend a lot of money on a tablecloth.  A runner wouldn't work on our square table.  So, I hit Jo Ann's store in search of fabric that would go great outdoors; something causal but fab.

I found this taupe/brown and white checkered pattern.  Only problem: I needed to do some alternations to fit on my table.  Let me just mention, I don't own a sewing machine and I can't even sew a button (nicely).  But, if you're like me, they make a great no sew product.  It's fabric tape that you iron with.  Works great!  I have rolls of it.  To finish off the look, I added some ribbon as trim.

Fabric and ribbon purchased at Jo Ann's fabric. 
The image on the right is a better depiction of the color tablecloth and ribbon.

Have any mason jars?  Why not dress them up. 
Here, I added some striped string, tags and alphabet stickers to create a personalized look. 
 

Create a summer drink like the one above.  Found this drink recipe from BHG (lemon thyme, peach nectar).  We added a little Capitan Morgan white rum to spice it up.

 

 

 

 

It was so much fun creating this look and sharing it with friends.  I hope I've inspired you to create your own look for the outdoors.

xo,

INSPIRATION COLOR OF THE WEEK: BROWN

For this week's color inspiration, I'm talking about the color brown.  I have to give credit to Mr. D.  I asked him to pick a color (not knowing what I needed it for) and he said brown.  I decided to run with that color because I immediately was inspired by this color and wanted to share with you.

Now, brown may sound boring and dull but brown is a color that doesn't get enough credit. 

When I think of brown of I think of nature; the earth.  What do some of us do this time of year?  I'll give you a hint . . . it requires us being outside . . .

For the Home

Planting . . .

Our new River Birch Tree planted in the front of our home

Dirt pathway and mulch beds @ Eisele's Nursery, Paramus, NJ

Gardening . . .

Brown mulch adds a nice contrast to our plantings (image from our backyard)

Even though brown is a dull and dark color, it's a very rich color and contrasts beautifully with lighter colors.  Let's take a look:

Oh, how I love a brown shingle house!  (image via Home Bunch)

A dark wooden desk, brown lamp and brown leather chair go nicely
with all the white trim in this room (image via Home Bunch)

Carry About Vase/Global Views via Interior Homescapes

 

Image Wooden floors

 

How about a nice cup of coffee?  A rich, brown French roast or espresso are my favorites.

 

Coffee bean image via Huffington Post/Porcelain and gold plated coffee mug via Etsy

 

Beauty and Fashion

 

Brown hair and brown eyed beauty, Penelope Cruz (image via Wanderlust Salon)

Bobbi Brown Raw Sugar Shimmer Brick Eye Palette in brown tones

Signature Gucci logo ballerina flats - Neiman Marcus

 

Classic Brown and White Henri Bendel logo

 

Cameron Diaz in a classic summer look . . . white outfit with a brown leather belt
(image via Design Darling)

WRAP AROUND IN DONNI CHARM

 

image via donni charm

 

One fashion accessory that I love to wear and layer with are scarves.  I'm always on the hunt for a new scarf.  In my search I came across Donni Charm.  Besides their amazing styles, I love the story behind the line.  A daughter lost her father, who's name was Donny.  To channel her emotions, she created a unique line of scarves and attached to each scarf is a charm (the daughter was considered a good luck charm to her father).  You can read the rest of this beautiful story here.

I plan on ordering a Donni Charm scarf but I can't decide which one!  Thankfully, I was able to narrow some choices down because a lot of the ones I like are sold out.  Here are the ones I've narrowed down:








donni together touch double.  love the taupe and gray combo




donni basic.  loving this white scarf for spring/summer

donni luxe

donni swank

donni air.  love this color!

donni share

xo,

MY COLOR CRUSH WITH BLUSH

Happy Thursday blogger friends!  Let's discuss my crush . . .  the hue blush color I'm seeing advertised.  Even though we are still in the winter season (ugh), I thought I would cheer myself (and others) up by talking about this light, wispy color. 

This color doesn't scream masculine (sorry fellas).  But this pastel color and its soft tones, adds such a pretty and sophisticated touch to any neutral space. 

One could argue, you could get away with this color for both a male and female shared space; if the blush was subtle and paired with male inspired fabrics for accent pillows and black & white photography or cityscape artwork.  You can also pair it with darker colors, like navy, black, brown or grey. 

For me, it's the finishing touch that completes the look of the space.  Honestly, I would probably lose this argument (lol).  Mr. D would torture me and demand to put a male item to his liking in the space; like a hockey poster or something horrific!  But, to all you masculine guys out there who are sporting pink and lavender shirts, you understand me, right??

Other pastel colors, like blues, yellows, creams and greens and light greys are also gaining popularity.   Take a look at the inspiration pics.  So pretty!

Basset Furniture.  I'm loving this room.  I'd probably paint the walls a lighter shade of blush.

Sarah Richardson design - LOVE!

This blush headboard really makes a statement in this bedroom . . . CALM and SOPHISTICATED

Restoration Hardware

Crate and Barrel Hue Blush dinnerware

Image via Domain Home

PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR 2014

 

 

Radiant Orchid

image via Pantone

A new year welcomes new beginnings.  For me, Pantone’s new color for 2014, Radiant Orchid (Pantone 18-3224) is surely something new to discuss.  I was a bit surprised by their color choice.  It got me thinking . . . why this color? 

Pantone LLC, (subsidiary of X-Rite, Inc.), is the global color authority and provider of professional color standards for the design industries.  Pantone studies how color influences human thought process, emotions and physical reactions.  They help professionals get a better understanding of color and to use color more effectively. 

Pantone is a company that influences industries such as fashion, home and industrial design.  They influence product development and purchasing decisions.  The color, Radiant Orchid has already been seen on runway fashion shows for Spring 2014.

So, let’s talk about this color.  Radiant Orchid is described by Pantone as, “An enchanting harmony of fushia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health.  It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm.” http://www.pantone.com/pages/pantone/pantone.aspx?pg=21128&ca=10

Picking a color of the year is no easy process. It takes careful consideration and influences from all over the world.  A press release article from Pantone talked about the color of the year.  This is what was said:

“The color of the year selection requires careful consideration and, to arrive at the selection, Pantone quite literally combs the world looking for color influences. This can include the entertainment industry and films that are in production, traveling art collections, hot new artists, popular travel destinations and other socio-economic conditions. Influences may also stem from technology, availability of new textures and effects that impact color, and even upcoming sports events that capture worldwide attention.”

My color scheme for home tends to be in monotone colors (soft colors).  My fashion choice in colors tend to be your basic colors of black, white, navy, gray and beige.  But, as I was searching for inspiration pictures of Radiant Orchid, I can see myself adding this color as an accent color.  Maybe a new nail polish, a scarf, a blouse, a flower arrangement or a home accessory.  It’s a bold yet soft color but not overpowering.

Here are some of my favorite inspriation pictures using the 2014 color of the year.




Accent color used in this room adds just the right amount of pop (image source)

Z Gallerie artwork

Mara Hoffman Maxi Dress




image via lover.ly

One word . . . Cartier.



Marc Jacobs runway fashion show (image source)



Etta suede pumps - J Crew





Estee Lauder Pure Vivid Shine lipstick in Mirrored Orchid



Paddywax Black Fig & Vanilla candle

image source
 



Anthropologie blouse with hints of the purple and pink undertones



This artwork makes a statement in the neutral room (Sally Wheat Interiors)

xo