Current Inspiration (and Happy Weekend!)

Just a few thoughts that are going through my head this week...

(Do I have time to DIY this with a roll of garland?)

 

(Kate Moss in all black.  A no-brainer, insta-slimming outfit-- necessary after a week of Thanksgiving feasts)

 

(Victoria Hagan rocks.  Remember that shade of blue for a sofa)

(pull out bedside shelf, so genius)

 

(love the blue cabinetry, glass doors, and killer hardwood flooring)

 

(really great color combo...  can this translate to a bedroom?)

 

(cute little navy check-- remember this for a future accent chair)

(ARE YOU KIDDING ME?  This fulfills all kitchen fantasies...  including, living in a world without bugs)

 

(Love the tile on that shower wall)

 

(everything about this picture is perfect-- even that little shell chandelier)

 

(Where can I buy a fitted, super tailored plaid button down? Love this look)

 

Also, it snowed this week for the first time! 

 

our backyard on Tuesday morning

 

 

 

Happy Weekend, everyone!

 

 

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To & From Magazine

To & From Magazine-- I love it!  The premier issue launched on Monday, and I have to say, I think it's great.  Have you seen it yet?  The brain child of Katie Anderson and Meg Biram, To & From is the ultimate gift guide magazine.  140 pages!  Full of amazing finds!  It's fantastic.  Need a gift for Mom?  Dad?  How about your best friend, the perfect hostess?  Or, your college-aged niece?  I swear, you'll find the perfect, thoughtful gift within this issue.  These gals have rounded up a select group of remarkable bloggers, and they've done the legwork for us.  It's a great idea.

 

 

 

 

I'm also very VERY proud to see that many of our products were featured in this premier issue!  Below, I've included some of my favorite To & From gift guides (with High Street Market products, of course!)...  check 'em out.  And, visit the To & From website HERE for hundreds of additional thoughtful gift ideas. 

gifts for dad

featuring our Bicycle Matchbook and "Don't Give Up The Ship" navy pillow

gifts for the guys, via A Piece of Toast

featuring our Whitetail Deer Wooden Box

gifts under $100, via Gal Meets Glam

featuring our Gold Leaf Agate Bookends

budget friendly gifts

featuring our Black Ceramic Faceted Vases

gifts for the hostess, via Court & Hudson

featuring our Brass Fox Letter Opener

chinoiserie treasures, via Design Manifest

featuring our Petite Brass Bamboo Tray

gifts for the home

featuring our Gold Leaf Agate Bookends and our Springbok Gazelle Horns

 

 

 

Click HERE to shop the entire To & From premier issue!

 

 

The next To & From will be released in the spring, and it will include gift ideas for Mother's Day, Father's Day, Graduation, Weddings, etc, etc, etc! 

 

 

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Cyber Monday!

Today, this is happening in the store:

 

 

 

 

 

Happy Cyber Monday!  Today, we're offering an exciting giveaway to kick off the holiday season-- spend $25.00 and get a free gift (of your choice!).  It's that simple.  We've got brass letter openers, jewelry boxes, picture frames, coasters...  all FREE, with a $25.00 purchase.  Today only. 

 

Click HERE to start shopping.

 

 

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Happy Thanksgiving!

 

Happy Thanksgiving, dear friends!

 

I hope you have a wonderful time with your family friends on this special holiday.  Like I said earlier this week, I'm bringing the Thanksgiving centerpiece to my mother in law's home today.  This was my inspiration image...

 

 

 

SO, last night, I went out to buy supplies.  Nothing like waiting until the last minute!  First stop: Whole Foods (where I found the last decent heirloom pumpkin).  Cross that off the list.  Next up, flowers.  I really wanted something bright and white, and somewhat ethereal.  My dear friend Kate (who is gardening/floral/vegetable growing genius) suggested that I incorporate green amaranthus.  Such a great idea.  And oh, how I wish I could!  That would be beautiful.  But, waiting til the last minute means that I will be limited to whatever I can find at Trader Joe's.  :)

 

So, that's what I did.  I went to Trader Joe's and bought three white hydrangea stems, white alstroemeria, and red hypericum.  Done.

 

 

I carved and gutted the heirloom pumpkin.  Soaked the floral foam in water until it was good and saturated.  Then, I cut the floral foam into a cylinder shape to fit into my clear plastic insert (I bought this one at the craft store, but you could use any glass bowl you have in the kitchen that will fit the pumpkin).

 

 

Then, clip flowers and stick 'em into the floral foam.  Easy.

 

 

 

It turned out to be nothing like my inspiration image, but that's okay.  :)

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

 

 

 

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Fine Dining

It's Thanksgiving week!  And many of us are thinking about cooking turkeys, and when to start prepping the side dishes.  We'll be ironing linen napkins and tablecloths, polishing silver, and adding a leaf to the dining table.  It's a special holiday!  Let's bring out the best china. 

 

 

 

 

 

We'll be heading to upstate New York this week to have Thanksgiving dinner at my mother-in-law's home.  I'll be bringing dessert (carrot cake, pumpkin pie, and apple tarts), and breakfast for the next morning.  I'll also bring a floral centerpiece for the Thanksgiving table.  This year, I'm thinking of making something that feels fresh and classic, without the expected orange and red mums.  Something like this inspiration picture...

 

 

(I'll replace white tulips with either white hydrangea or white roses, but I think the feel of the piece will stay the same.)

 

 

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Cannonball Beds

The Cannonball Bed.  It's a classic that never goes out of style.  Featuring the iconic ball-shaped finials and scrolled headboards, these beds are whimsical and sophisticated.  I like them because they work with traditional interiors as well as modern.  You'll never get sick of them, and you'll never regret buying one.  A little history...

Cannonball beds first became popular during the Federal period (circa 1780 to 1830), and are easily recognizable due to their unique designs which feature ball-shaped caps or finials on the top of the bedposts. During this time, the cannonballs on the posts were said to symbolize patriotic enthusiasm after the Revolutionary War.
 

Isn't that a fun bit of history?  The ball-shaped caps represent American patriotism!  It doesn't get any better than that, if you ask me.  :)

 

 

 

antique twin cannonball beds

reproduction, with the rams ear scrolled headboard

 

 

via 1st Dibs

 

 

 

 

If you're interested in buying an antique or vintage cannonball bed, I recommend visiting your local antique stores or checking Ebay on a regular basis.  There are great finds to be had if you stay diligent! 

 

However, if you're looking for a cannonball bed with a fresh look, check out the colorful options at Ethan Allen!  Their Quincy Bed comes in a variety of great colors and wood finishes (thanks House Beautiful for the heads up).

 

 

Quincy Bed in turquoise

 

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