Fall Favorites @ Crate & Barrel

I really wish there was a Crate & Barrel close to me (I also wish there was a Costco & Penzey's spices right down the street too). Such a fun place to go on a weekend just to look at their displays and wander the aisles. There is one, but it is about 20 miles away. I know, just being lazy, but it takes the spontaneity out of it to have to plan a trip.

Perusing their Best Buys catalog; I saw this Four piece Bowl Set - $26.95 and it just said FALL! Now that the weather has cooled down slightly, it feels like the season has changed. We don't get a lot of autumn here in N. Texas, so any change, is a welcome one.

Just thought I would share some of my entertaining favorites from their latest issue. Granted, all of my dishes are white and I stick to the basic pieces in white. However, I love to throw some seasonal color in with inexpensive entertaining pieces. I liken it to changing out your pillows seasonally, etc. Also, some of these would make great hostess gifts, and I am so into practical and fun gift-giving!

Set of 12 Twill Cocktail Napkins - $19.95
Dinner Napkins - $39.95

Ona Pitchers - $16.95 & $26.95

I love the idea of the smaller one, in multiples for entertaining to hold water.

Set of 5 Multicolored Waffle Weave Dishtowels - $18.95
Set of 5 Dish Cloths - $9.95

Affordable Art: Parisian Pets

I am not going to mention names, but this post has a certain Bichon (& her owner) written ALL over it! I ran across this the other day when visiting Paris Breakfasts, a lovely blog.

Just send good clear photos, shot at eye-level (you on the floor, or your pet on the sofa) to artist Carol Gillot and she will paint an original watercolor of your pet, in a typical Paris street scene. Charges vary from $85-$100 depending on the number of pets and complexity of the project. Portraits can be commissioned by e-mail at parisbreakfast@gmail.com.

So many different scenes to choose from, I tried to give a little representation. All of them are c'est fantastique!

You can include yourself in the picture too!

A portrait for a mother, of her two cats in front of a Paris Boutique
(with her mom's name on it!)

Carol also sells other watercolors inspired by Paris in her Etsy shop.

Mmm, now I am craving some pastries...à bientôt (until next time)!

My Style File - Mary McDonald

Today is going to be a week full of inspirational pictures. More explanation to come later, but I am one BUSY girl!!

So, out of My Style File are these pictures of Mary McDonald's house from the now defunct Domino. Over the years, as I have been pulling tear sheets, some of my favorite (& colorful) spreads have been from her. From traditional to traditional-with-a-twist, she seems to have a strong instinct for color and a fearless way of using it.

Pink & navy is a color combination that has popped up quite a bit in my tear sheets from her.

I like the decorative molding around the fireplace to help break up the dark wall. The black shades and chair (in the first pic) provide focal points and help ground the room.

All throughout her house, she sets off rich colors with lots of white.

Very traditional. And I spy...an Hermes bag on the stool!

Don't overlook the ceiling, it is the "forgotten" fifth wall. Imagine how the light will reflect off of this ceiling at night...beautiful.

Love this vignette and the colors! If you notice, I patterned my logo color off of this teal green.

Horizontal stripes - now that is bold!

Continuity is established through the Greek Key motif on the mirror and on the trim of the sofa. Using garden stools as a coffee table, and they can double as extra seating and can be easily moved.

Blue & orange? As complimentary colors (exact opposites on the color wheel), the opposing colors create maximum contrast and maximum stability.

I admit it - I felt better about buying my IKEA table after seeing hers.
I would love a Saarinen, but right now, I could not justify the price.

Another way to tie a room together - use colorful mats to pick up a color in a picture, then add accessories in the same color.

So that is what I am hooked on this week. See what is happening with Julia at Hooked on Houses.

Down With Love

Have I mentioned that I adore Hooked on Houses? Julia really is one of the nicest people, and has such a wealth of fun things on her blog. I was looking for treasure there the other day and stumbled into her section on movie houses and found the sets from Down with Love. I know it did not get great reviews, but I think is a fun movie, and love great sets. Also, great music, great costumes and Ewan McGregor!

Here is Barbara Novak's very curvaceous apartment, complete with Saarinen Womb chairs and a semi-circular sectional. Notice all the bright colors contrasted with lots of white and lots of light.




Then we have the ultimate playboy, Catcher Block, and his bachelor pad. Lots of dark wood and rich jewel tones.




This makes me want to watch it all over again.

Friday Find: Fabulous Fabric!

I recently signed up on the Facebook page for Calico Corners and found some great ideas there!

Frame some prints like the above picture, perfect for those spaces where you want something graphic, but don't want to commit to a bold color on the wall. Or, if you are like me, you love to change things around!

Fall is coming, and the days are getting shorter and darker. However, in Texas, we still have plenty of sunny days ahead. Either way, these graphic prints might just be the thing to add some color through those long days, whenever they come to your part of the country.

so modern...


Here are ideas from their photo album: Flea Market to Fabulous

Reupholstered in a Thomas Paul print

Slubby Linen on a Duncan Phyfe

Chair & ottoman in Tango-Popsicle (love that name)!
But I think the wood should be black or white. Agree?

Be sure to visit Calico Corners for fabric savings up to 50% off during their Fall Sale. Great savings on fabrics, furniture, window treatments, reupholstery and more. Sale ends October 3.

See what Julia is hooked on this week (Painted Doors) at the Hooked on Houses blog party.

Entertaining - The Barefoot Contessa

As I read through magazines, I love to highlight words of wisdom from experts that I want to remember for future reference. My feeling is that since they do this professionally, I can benefit from their experience. Today's wisdom comes from Ina Garten, talking about entertaining:

"It can be stressful to entertain, so I do everything I can to make it easy and familiar (earlier referring to serving buffet style, making is simpler for the host). I never do a recipe for guests that I have never done before. If you open my drawers, you won't see a thousand different posts and pans. I have a set of All-Clad and Le Creuset, and I'm really comfortable with them. I know how they work, so I know what I'm cooking is going to come out well."

So simple, but how many times do we decide to try something new when guests are coming over, and completely stress ourselves out? I have done that quite often.

The current issue features the "Kitchen of the Year 2009", where they recreated Ina's East Hampton kitchen in Rockefeller Center. You can also watch Ina's video tour of her kitchen. I have always like her "earthly, yet elegant" style in both her recipes and decorating.

The current issue also has 50 Ideas from The Barefoot Contessa. Here are my favorites and ones that I have implemented.

18. Organize wood and stainless-steel utensils into separate crocks.
29. A big basket holds large items (cutting boards and other pans) that don't easily fit into cabinets.

27. The secret to display is to group like objects, such as these Hotel silver coffeepots and teapots.

32. Keep serving spoons on the counter, so if something needs a stir you don't have to open a drawer.

38. Forget fancy centerpieces. Keep it simple and monochromatic -
the drama is in the abundance.

Some days, it feels like all I do is clutter control! I think I love pictures like these, because it makes me happy to think that an organized house exists (even if it is just out of my reach).

Seriously, it is only 2 of us (plus 2 adorable dogs); I can't imagine what it will be like once we add children to the mix. Since many of you don't know me, here is a quick back story. I quit work about 3 years ago, so I could have some time off before starting a family. I didn't get married until I was in my early 30's, and we didn't start trying for about 4 years. When we did start trying, nothing. So, after a couple of rounds of infertility procedures, we decided that we had reached our limit of what we were comfortable doing and spending, and decided that our time and money would now be spent pursuing adoption.

So, we are looking to adopt a sibling group through the foster care system. That means we won't just become parents, we will become instant parents of multiple children! We have said we would take from 2-4 kids, ages 0-10!! That is why it is imperative to get my house organized now! It also explains why I love lists like this one that I found on Martha Stewart. I hope you find inspiration in this too; I may print it out and stick it on my wall.

100 Reasons to Get Rid of It

Because You Have Too Much Stuff
1. 1.4 million Americans suffer from chronic hoarding & clutter.
2. People burn 55 minutes a day looking for things.
3. 80 percent of what we own we never use.
4. 1800GotJunk.com
Pay someone else to take out the (big, cumbersome) trash.
5. Publicstorage.com
Lock it up in more than 2,100 locations around the U.S.
6. redshield.org
Schedule a pickup with your local Salvation Army.
7. earth911.org
Find local recycling and reuse programs for all kinds of household items.

Because It's Fun
8. 127sale.com
Set up shop at the World's Longest Yard Sale, August 2-5, along 450 miles of Highway 127 in the southeastern U.S.
9. Or peddle your wares in your own front yard on National Garage Sale Day, August 10.
10. Swaporamarama.org
Attend nationwide clothing exchanges and do-it-yourself alteration workshops.
11. Wildzipper.com
Watch as a pile of your favorite old T-shirts is converted into a quilt.

Because Someone Else Needs It
Cell Phones
12. Verizonwireless.com
Put a refurbished phone (of any brand) into the hands of a domestic violence victim.
13. Eco-cell.com
Or let its sale benefit an environmental charity.
14. Care.org
Send a phone to the field staff of a poverty-fighting mission.

Digital Cameras
15. Operationhomefront.net
Help keep service members in touch with their families.

All Technology
16. Rethink.Ebay.com
Work with charities to find homes for consumer electronics.
17. youthfortechnology.org
Put scanners, computers, and cameras in the hands of deserving, impoverished kids around the world.

Air Miles
18. Redcross.org
For Red Cross staff and volunteers
19. Heromiles.com
For deployed soldiers
20. Marrow.org
For transplant patients
21. Childrenscancerassociation.org
For terminally ill kids

Furniture & Appliances
22. excessaccess.org
Match your household items with a local non-profit's wish list.
23. help1up.org
Furnish homes for disaster victims.
24. dressforsuccess.org
Give interview and work clothing to disadvantaged women.
25. makingmemories.org
Donate a wedding gown to benefit breast-cancer patients.
26. www.operationfairydust.org
Send formal wear to teenage girls who need help getting to the prom.
27. onewarmcoat.org
A free coat to anyone who needs one.
28. boulderrunning.com
Ship shoes and sportswear to struggling athletes around the world.

Other
29. Suitcasesforkids.org
Supply children in foster care with luggage.
30. Uniteforsight.org & givethegiftofsight.org
Send eyewear to men and women in underdeveloped countries.
31. Savethechildren.org
Convert American Express credit card points to cash donations.
32. Cartalk.com
Donate a used vehicle to support your local public radio station.
33. Booksforafrica.org
Give everything from storybooks to encyclopedias.
34. Cap4pets.org
Send towels and newspapers to animal shelters.
35. Goodwill.org
Fund job training programs and social services.
36. Freecycle.org
Post donations for charities (and regular folks) to claim.
37. Habitat.org
Donate leftover building supplies to Habitat for Humanity's ReStores.

Computers
38. Cristina.org
Technology and training for the disabled and disadvantaged.
39. Sharetechnology.org
Connecting donations with charities across the U.S.
40. Worldcomputerexchange.org
Send computers to more than 50 developing countries.

Because It Can Be Turned Into Something Else
41. Nikereuseashoe.com
Recycled footwear materials become sports and playground surfaces.
42. Patagonia.com
Donated Capilene base layers become polyester fibers for new Capilene garments.
43. Pangea organics' packaging becomes an herb garden when planted in soil.
44. Cargo cosmetics' PlantLove lipstick tubes come in plantable boxes that sprout wildflowers.
45. Pencilthings.com
Old newspapers become colored pencils.
46. Vivaterra.com
Rubber tires become sleek purses...
47. Passchal.com
...or rugged iPod covers.
48. Gaiam.com
Plastic soda bottles become durable hammocks.
49. Recycline.comYogurt containers become colorful plates, flatware, toothbrushes, and razors.

So that is just the first 50, here are reasons 51-100! And some inspiring photos to get you started.

I could blog about this all day, so if you want to see more organizing tips, just let me know!

Heaven on earth - an organized closet

Vitra's organizing system (pricey, but effective)

Wooden shutters in an entryway

Pegboard Organizing (Julia Child was way ahead of her time)

Friday Find: One Kings Lane

One Kings Lane, how did you know that I am a softy for dogs? This sweet pup greets you at the entrance to their website. I don't know how I haven't heard of them before, but lucky me, I happened to click on their ad and found this great site.

Their mission is that living well should be an affordable reality. So they bring designer home décor products and accessories to their members – at prices up to 70% off retail! All sales run for just 72 hours, so they are able to provide a variety of different product assortments each month.

Here are some of the highlights:
Designer Inspirations - bios and decorating tips from some of today's top designers.
OKL Must Haves - featuring their favorite discoveries. Right now you can find items from Harry Barker, Reidel & Henckels.
And, of course , great sales. Choose from manufacturers such as Barbara Barry Dream, Wedgewood and Vera Wang just to name few. I also thought these items from Wunderly and Madeline Weinrib were pretty.

Wunderly

Madeline Weinrib

Become a member here, and they will know I sent you. Then, in turn, tell your friends and get credits to apply to purchases at OKL. What a winning situation all around!

As always, join the blog party over at Hooked on Houses.