Random Chanel Item No. 169

This faux but fancy egg is a regular tradition around here. Speaking of traditions, we celebrated Passover and are now gearing up to host Easter here as well. Wish me luck:)

Have a great weekend!

xx,

Minor Obsessions

  tumblers | lighting | bowls | art | plates

I finally feel like we are in the home stretch with our vacation home (thanks for the sweet and encouraging comments yesterday) Oddly enough, we still don't have any real plates or bowls in the place...just paper!  My plan to never cook on vacation in Florida, might be foiled by my newest obsession, these charming plates! Plus, I can't resist the nubby texture on these cool bowls (or the great price).  Despite the lack of kitchenware, I did manage to style up a little bar cart down south and these chic little glasses would make a great addition.  My mission to get the walls zhushed continues, I'm currently eyeing this funky piece. Finally, I think these beaded fixtures would look great almost anywhere! Don't you?

Progress On Our Florida House

I've finally sorted through the majority of the zillion images that I took of our Florida place.  This most recent trip was our first time seeing our new staircase (and bathroom) in person, and it did not disappoint!  We are so happy with the way everything came out and how it literally transformed the whole space. The layout of this house is wide open and basically built around the stairs, so getting this element right was pretty crucial.  I searched everywhere for the "before" image of all the black iron railings and I'm thrilled to have finally found it (from two years ago when we first closed on the house).  Originally, we thought we could get by with just painting the railings white, but that ended up not really working.  Once I saw how great the new rail looked, I re-zhushed the console in this photo to work better with the space.  We also got some dining room pieces delivered and happily that space is finally coming together as well.  Next week I'll post a few more updates on some smaller projects we're working on down there. For the first few updates on Florida, click here, here, here and here.

And these are the "before" shots:

sources:

silk orchid: Diane James Home
Baies Candle: Nordstrom
blue and white jars: Wisteria
sea urchin box: zhush.com
black sunburst mirror: Jonathan Adler

dining room table: Zinc Door
wishbone chairs: Overstock.com
slip covered chairs: Restoration Hardware
dining room chandelier: Zinc Door
dining room rug: ABC carpet
tray: Target

quatrefoil mirror: Restoration Hardware
blue and white jars: Wisteria
zebra tray: zhush.com
basket: Ethan Allen

Wednesday Wants

This is our guest bedroom in Florida. The whole house is finally really coming together...but as I sort through all our photos from our most recent trip, it's becoming very clear to me that we need to start thinking about hanging some stuff on the walls.  The other day I spotted this "porcupine quill" inspired mirror over at Horchow (really loving the mirror selection there) and now I can't stop thinking about it.  It also comes in a really chic all white version, which might be perfect for this...the tricky over the bed spot. Which one do you prefer?

mirror

sources: 

bedside tables: Ethan Allen

head board: Ethan Allen

ceramic lamps: Wayfair

large brass flower/urchin: zhush

bedding: Serena and Lily

pom pom pillow (similar): PB teen

It's All In The Details (part 2 of 4)

Further to last week's post, where Target contacted me about shopping it's new products in the Threshold home collection, I'm excited to share this week's find with you.  Having had enough of this cold, gray winter and all the extreme super storms that came along with it, I literally can not wait to welcome spring into my home.  When I spied this over sized vase at Target, I knew right away that it would make a perfect addition to my foyer, adding just the right amount of height and drama that was needed on this table top vignette.  It still feels like winter here, but I was able to find these Forsythia branches at my local supermarket. Not only are they the perfect height and color for the space and new vase, but Forsythias are of course renowned for ushering in spring. I love how the foyer looks now.  One little change made such a positive impact on the whole space.

 pedestal taper vessel 20"

This post is brought to you by Target. Expect More Pay Less.

Snippets

Hello. I'm back! If you follow on instagram, facebook or twitter, you may have noticed that my family and I have been at our home in Florida on an extended spring break vacation (17 days to be exact). And, now we're back and facing the cold, hard reality of Monday morning here in New York, the land that spring forgot....

I'm hoping to get my act together (once I emerge from a mountain of bills, invoices, emails, etc.) and be able show you the progress we've made on our Floridian vacation home, maybe later this week.  I'm also hoping that once the literal dust settles around here (we had some work done on this house while we were away) to have some images of this as well! Spoiler alert: The blue cabinet backs are gone...

At any rate, while I was happily lounging around our friends' beautiful home this past weekend (they designed it with the help of Phoebe Howard) I realized I didn't have a blog post lined up for today...quell horreur! After some persuading, my friend was sweet enough to let me take some quick i-Phone snaps of her breathtaking home.  I love every inch of this house, and only regret not sneaking into my friend's closet, because it is just beyond! Well, at least I snapped that chic silver wishbone;)

Monday's P.O.P.

pavilion purple

Image via: Veranda

Random Chanel Item No. 168

Some weekends are all about plans and running around like crazy...but the key to this weekend's success will be trying to relax and do absolutely nothing. at. all.  I can't wait!

xoxo,

Minor Obsessions

planters | door knocker | mat | umbrella stand | umbrella

It's officially spring! This time of year always makes me want to spruce up our outdoor spaces as soon as possible, so that we can fully enjoy every second of warm weather once it actually, finally gets here.  I think a new door mat, some spiffy bright planters and possibly even a new door knocker are in my home's immediate future.  Even the entry inside could use a good spring clean...

Off The Beaten Path

The other day, I took a brief cyber jaunt outside of my usual internet stops, and landed here at this charming abode, fittingly entitled "A House In The Woods."  Sometimes it pays to explore outside your comfort zone and be re-inspired by interiors (or art, fashion or food, etc.) that are not your typical norm.  Obviously, that's one reason why travel can always be so invigorating...

Wednesday Wants

top-mixed metal | middle-tom boy chunky | bottom-personal fave;)

A trend that's been going strong since last fall (and shows no signs of stopping this spring)..."I.D." bracelets. Spotted on some of the chicest wrists in New York, I love how these fun baubles come in so many different shapes, sizes and price ranges.  Here are just a few of the ones I've been stalking lately...

 left | middle | right

It's All In The Details (part 1 of 4)

When Target contacted me about shopping and writing about it's new home line, Threshold, I was happy to participate.  I already frequent Target, for a variety of products, including home decor.  I love to score quality items at a great price. Having a mix in your home of both high and low purchases is really where it's at.

I wanted to give my son's bathroom a quick and inexpensive update.  Inspired by the seaside, I thought the beach would make a great theme for a boy of any age.  When I spotted these fun green and blue global hand towels, I knew they would work perfectly by adding the dash of color this neutral room needed.  I added another solid hand towel in "trout stream" underneath, to give it a little bit more oomph.

I also got this great looking soap dispenser. At only $9.99, I couldn't resist replacing the Sponge Bob Square Pants plastic bottle of hand soap, that was previously there.  Finally, I grabbed this cute little tumbler, just to complete the whole look.  I really like how these small purchases (only about $31.00) added up to such a stylish upgrade for my son's bathroom vanity.

This post is brought to you by Target. Expect More Pay Less.

Formal Meets Fun

We've all heard the design mandate, "form follows function" but what about "formal can be fun"?  Not something that you run across everyday, but this chic pool house in the Hamptons designed by Alessandra Branca (a "pool house" by its very nature, suggests at least some type of a good time) seems to have both the fun and the formal thing down...and quite stylishly too I might add. 

Monday's P.O.P.

pretty purple porcelain

Image via: Carolyne Roehm

Random Chanel Item No. 167

Have a magically delicious weekend!

xoxo,

Minor Obsessions

 beaded bracelet | cuff | stick earrings | necklace | earrings | left top | right top

Even though I'm not Irish, I always like to get into the spirit of St. Patrick's Day by wearing something green.  Some years this is more of a challenge for me than others, but this year, the challenge will most likely be which green items to wear.  Between the fashionably fatigued outfits and the emerald green color of the year pieces all looking so chic, I find myself reaching for some shade of green most days now, whether it be accessories or clothing ...especially as spring approaches.  How about you? 

Obsession Du Jour: Brent Darby Photography

It's been a while since I've been so completely transfixed by one site. Take a peek at some of my favorite images from Brent Darby Photography.  Crisp, compelling vignettes and loads of natural light... these photos really stand out. I'm officially obsessed with this New Zealand born, UK based talent.