Best of 2014 Golden Globes Fashion (According to me...)

So, as always, there were several hits and several misses when it came to fashion at the Golden Globes on Sunday night.  Several of the "talked about" gowns were kinda blah to me, so I've crafted my own "best of" list for you.  Here are my personal favorites...

Amy Adams in a daring but gorgeous red color combo.  As long as you have plenty of back-up double-sided tape on hand, this one looked almost comfortable to me.

Emma Roberts looks so beautiful and all-grown-up in this statuesque black gown.  The gown is a very pretty shape and I love the turquoise earrings with it.

 Julie Bowen is in a bit of a wild card, but I'm loving it on her.  Not everyone could pull this off as it looks a little 80s brides-maidy to me, but with her glowing smile and cute little figure it's a win.

Olivia Wilde was the prettiest pregnant lady last night with this emerald green shimmer gown.  She looks so lovely in it - it fits her perfectly and the color is beautiful with her skin coloring.

Taylor Swift was lovely in this very classic looking black and red gown.  A sweetheart neckline is always so flattering on her and the red color is such a sweet almost-but-not-quite pink shade.

Julianna Margulies' gown choice was bold but I think the cap sleeves, gold detailing, full skirt, and deep v-neck on the dress are so beautiful on her.  Her make-up and hair were very pretty as well.  I think this may be my overall favorite this year!

(All gown photos were found on Buzzfeed - so many more to see {here}.)

Does anyone else have a favorite gown from this year's Golden Globes that I didn't mention?  Or, do any of these featured dresses strike your fancy??  Do share!

Nice and Neutral

I don't know if it's my recent visit to IKEA or just a diversion from my normal draw to everything colorful and patterned, but lately I've been inspired by an almost Scandinavian style - neutral tones, clean lines, natural elements, and zero clutter.  I'm digging spaces like these, where all the textures really stand out.

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I feel like this design style works best when you have some really special architectural details to highlight like original wood floors, intricate moldings, ceiling details, beautiful windows, etc.  You almost need an old house, or one built to look old, to really pull off the look.

Whether you have an old home filled with character (lucky you!) or not, here are some pretty home furnishing that can give you that simple, neutral, clean-lined aesthetic.

sources: shelf / white chair / leather pouf / console / task lamp / clock / table lamp / gray chair

While white upholstered furniture isn't really practical for our lifestyle right now (hello toddler!), I have decided to make a "neutral" new year's resolution when it comes to decor.  I've decided not to add any more furniture or accent pieces with pattern or color.  My only exception is art - as long as the frame is neutral.  

I'm going to focus more on texture...leather, woven materials, wood, metal, metallics, clear elements, etc.  I think it will be a good way to temper all my color and add some depth and simplicity to my decor.  

What do you think of neutral spaces?  Are you a fan or do you prefer lots of color and vivid patterns?

Tee Pee Time & Framed Postcard Art

Do you all remember this quirky but totally fun room I shared a while back?

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Well, guess who has their own personal tee pee in their living room??!  That's right, this girl!

You're jealous, right?  Ok, the tee pee isn't mine...it belongs to a special someone under 4 feet tall in our household.  It was a much-loved birthday gift from some dear friends. 

Did I ever imagine I'd have a tee pee in my living room?  Nope, not ever.  Has it given me some decorating challenges?  Um, yes.  A lot.  But those are welcome challenges because some things are just worth workin' with when they make you smile.

Other new additions?  You can see we added a little "Fun had here {insert arrow here}" lettering to our chalkboard (to the right of the window), and I found a box of some great postcards on clearance at Anthropologie the other day and popped them in a frame I had bought on clearance at Kohl's (to the left of the window).

The frame came with the nine 4"x6" openings in the matte which made it perfect for postcards.  I'm always falling for colorful modern art on Etsy, so this was a nice way to integrate the look I love without spending more than $20 total.  And, I can switch them out as desired because the postcard set had over 100 different prints!

What do you think of our jovial living space?  I'm always afraid it looks like a circus with all the colors and toys (i.e. giant tee pee), but I guess I'm OK with that as long as it's a tastefully decorated circus!

My Thing For Black Ceiling Beams

I think it may be the Snow White in me...the girl drawn to the quaint (but modern) little cottage in the woods. Something about these ultra hip black ceiling beams really draws me in.  I always love an exposed beam in a house, but the highlighted black beam is just so edgy in a classic sort of way.

This first house is just so gothic cool.  I love the layout, the ladder, the old stove, the pendants, the blue velvety couch.  And the black moldings and ceiling beams are awesome!  I'm totally moving in...

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This playroom is super sweet but still rustic cool.  The rest of this home must be great too.

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I LOVE this living room.   The light coming in through those windows (ahhhhh), the colors, the living edge coffee table...so well done.

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This kitchen has dark wood beams (not black) but it's still a very similar look with the black cabinets.  It's so pretty with the black casement windows, the brass pendants, the up-to-there backsplash, and that welcoming window seat.

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This place just gives off the relaxing lounge vibe.   I like how all the walls and shelving are bright white, and then the black ceiling grounds it all - keeping it from looking too lofty.

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I've had a crush on this living room for a while.  I think it's because of the mid-century mod rocker and that stripe rug, but I'm also digging the black beams.  It's a lower ceiling but the beams add some great interest to it.

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What about you?  Anyone else out there digging the black ceiling beams?  Is it a look that will be dated, or is it a look that's here to stay?  Do tell!

Happy New Year! 2014 Calendars to Get Your Year Rolling

Happy New Year everyone!  I hope you each had a wonderful holiday season filled with love, joy, and celebration.

Now that we're up and running again, I thought I'd share some fun calendar options with you for 2014.  I have wall options, desk options, planner options, and more...all of which are both functional and pretty to display!  Here we go...

First off, we have the wall calendars.

1) The one-sheet mid-century mod option.  Pro: you don't have to remember to flip it each month.  Con: no space for writing in details.

source: etsy

2) A more classic flip calendar featuring US cities.  Pro: you get a new fun graphic to grace your walls each month.  Con: you have to remember which column goes with which day of the week. (column 1 is Sunday...)

source: Rifle Paper Co.

Next, we have the day planner.  

Pro: this is made for details, details, details and it's oh so pretty.  Con: the far more pricy option when it comes to calendars.

source: etsy

Our surprise entry is the calendar tea towel.  How cool?!

Pro: it's so unique and could be famed for your wall or used as a towel.  Con: once 2015 rolls around, it may be harder to part with that a paper version.

source: anthropologie

Now we have the smaller desk calendar option.

1) The black and white minimalist.  Pro: such pretty classic lines and such a dear little stand.  Con: I'd worry about the paper falling off with the slightest of breeze.

  source: Sugar Paper

2) The desk-top flip.  Pro: it features cities of the world that would induce world travel dreams.  Con: can't think of one really...a travel theme hooks me every time.

source: Rifle Paper Co.

Lastly, I found this great FREE desk calendar for download on the Finding Nana blog.  

They're 3"x4" cards you can print on card stock and place in an open-end business card holder like this one...

source: Athens Art & Frame

Or this cool acrylic one...

source: Source Supply

Aren't calendars fun?  They're like art that keeps you on track.  Guess which one I settled on for our home??

Merry Christmas from our House to Yours!

We're off to visit family for Christmas in Colorado.  Nothing like being in the mountains for Christmas!  I'll be "off" for the next week until Jan 1st, but I wanted to wish you all a very merry Christmas and the happiest of New Years!

See you in 2014!!  (Can you believe it's almost 2014??)

Get The Look! Contemporary Bungalow Style

Do you ever find yourself browsing through real estate websites for design ideas?  I often find decorating inspiration this way.  It allows me to dream of living in a home with period details such as hardwood flooring, pretty mouldings, brick fireplaces, and original built-ins (which is sadly foreign to me in a newly built home).

Just the other day, I found this pretty living room in a character-filled 2-story bungalow for sale in the heart of Cathedral Village in Regina, Saskatchewan.  The inviting space is perfectly decorated with deep neutrals and just a few tasteful pops of color, texture, and shine.

This charmingly layered room inspired me to create an inspiration board just in case you'd like to replicate the look of this warm and welcoming living space.  (Sources and source links can be found below.)

Sources: Blue Linen Fox Pillow ($22) - Etsy // Teal Pillow ($20) - Pier1 // Orange Velvet Lumbar Pillow ($25) - Pier1 // Indigo Paisley Pillow ($30) - Pier1 // Capiz Sunburst Mirror ($89) - Target // Plush Curtain in Indigo ($40/panel) - Pier1 // Urn Table Lamp and Shade ($239) - Shades of Light // Seismic 3 artwork by Ashleigh Ross Ninos, 16"x16" ($162 framed) - Artfully Walls // Possibilities 84" Queen Sleeper Sofa, Lindy Fabric in Charcoal ($1345) - JCPenney // Steel Polyhedron Planter, shown with orchid ($50) - Etsy // Chrome Glass-Top Hexagonal Table ($175) - Overstock // White "SALONG" Vases ($8 and $10) - Ikea // Tuscam Perma Grey Rug, 8'x11' ($725) - RugsUSA // Wall Street Coffee Table in Espresso ($122) - Target

I love the traditional patterns, fabrics, and lighting, mixed with the modern lines of the art, tables, rug, and accents.  It's the perfect blend of old and new!  Which decor piece is your favorite in this bungalow inspired design?

Christmas Tour of Jennifer Worts' Toronto Home

I was introduced to interior designer Jennifer Wort's beautiful home in November's issue of Canadian House & Home and I've been waiting and waiting for images to pop up online so I could share it with you...well, they never did.  So, I decided to take action and scan them in for you.  Homes as gorgeous as this one simply must be shared among friends!

Get ready for some fun...

How about some fuchsia as a playful pop of color??

Isn't that over-dyed rug just dreamy?  The woven rattan stool is super cool too!

That David Hicks diamond print fabric on the throw pillows is the perfect jolt of pattern in the space.

The lighting above the table is a cluster of West Elm's Globe Pendant lights!  Truly one of today's most popular and wonderfully affordable lighting choices.

Don't you love the American flag hanging in the stairwell?  Too cool!

That brass sconce from Circa (above the bed) is on of my all-time favorite light fixtures but it's pricy!  This Schoolhouse Electric sconce or even this West Elm task lamp are more affordable but very similar options.

Isn't that floating rustic wood vanity beautiful?  I love the way Jennifer has mixed sleek modernity with the warmth of natural elements.  And, that tub and moroccan star light?  ADORE!

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE all the modern white with pops of black and color.  And, I can't help but swoon over the geometric patterns, playful fuchsia, and the black window frames!  My very favorite thing, though, is the open concept main floor with the kitchen, dining, living, and sitting room all in one big happy area.  This is pretty much my dream house!