Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Tis the Season of Giving!

I put together a little gift guide of things for a girl who is into fashion and decor.  Most everything I've included is super affordable and would be great for a mom, sister, friend or hostess.  You name it.  So just click on the guide below to get all of the product information.  I tried to embed it in this post for you but the formatting was all messed up.

Books and More

I was inspired by the book collection from Anthropologie. They have the most fantastic selection of coffee table books.  I can't get enough books, btw, so for anyone who is at a loss for what to get me. ;)))))))))) 

Throughout the next couple weeks I will put together more gift guides for you, including ideas for moms, dads, guys and girls.  Any other requests, leave a comment or shoot me an email!

-MLL

Monday, November 29, 2010

Holiday Decor

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and enjoyed a few days off (if you were so lucky)!  My weekend was full of celebrating with family and friends and eating A LOT.  I also had a chance to do a little holiday shopping, which included buying a few holiday decor items for our house.  Yippee!  I'm holiday obsessed and I might go a little overboard this time of year...Christmas music is being played 24/7, etc.  I thought Peter might kill me when I walked in with bags and boxes from Michaels (a great resource, btw) full of goodies.  But everything turned out super cute and I got his approval.  Here is what I have so far.

 I arranged this cute tray with a holiday berry candle and a cloisonne vase filled with berry stems.  The vase was my grandma's and the candle and berry stems are both from Michaels.

Close-up.

 I'm also IN LOVE with these table top trees that my mom got for me.  She got a set for herself as well.  How cute are they!?!  Also from Michaels, FYI.  They come with lights, but I couldn't reach the plug to get a picture for you.  The ornaments are sold separately and they have a ton of color choices.  The P, M and K are bell ornaments that Peter actually suggested I put on the trees.

Pretty cute, huh?


The last holiday-ish thing I have is this cute "gift" that my mom picked up at a holiday fair her school was hosting.
It is a glass box that you use for basement windows and such.  The person who made these just filled the box with white holiday lights and tied a ribbon on top.  So cuuuuuuute!

So, anyway, I thought I would give you some more ideas for decorating your home for the holidays.  I actually found a ton of great images and ideas from Country Living...

 Fill any kind of pretty vessel with ornaments in any color you like.  Easy peasy and so pretty.

 Grab a large, clear glass vase and fill it with cranberries.  Then stick your favorite flower right into the cranberries.  They will actually help with arranging your bouquet so it looks perfect!

 I'm completely OBSESSED with this idea!  Get a simple wreath and hang it with a striped ribbon.  Peter suggested getting a wreath instead of a tree this year and I'm so doing this with it!

 Add garland and berries to a desk, console or dresser...

 This garland is so pretty and very classic hung around the door frame.

 I like those mini trees in the trophy cups.  Michaels sells mini trees just like these!  This is potentially an all year round greenery idea, yes?

 The garland and tree are beautiful with the silver, lime green and glitter accents.

 Just a hurricane filled with ornaments!

 Swag for the door.

 Cutie pine cone tree!  Country Living suggests starting with a foam cone and some floral picks (wires).  Just attach the picks to the pine cones and then attach the cones to the foam.  This is a good alternative to a Christmas tree.  Hmmmmmm.

 Have a petit four tray hiding in the kitchen?  Place different ornaments on the various levels for a modern take on holiday decor.

 More mini trees.

This compote filled with white tulip buds is to die for!

 Glitter and gold makes me happy and I think it will make you happy too.

 Hang a wreath in the center of an empty frame!  You could put this on a blank wall of the back of a door and it would be oh so cute.

Wreaths galore.

So many ideas what is a girl to do???

-MLL

*images courtesy of myself and Country Living Magazine.

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving!

I just wanted to wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!  Lots to be thankful for, family, great friends, health and happiness.  I want to send a huge thanks out to my readers.  Thank you, thank you for checking in each day.  I'll be back Monday!  xo


-MLL

*Image courtesy of Knight Moves

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

The Rug Report

 I am FREAKING out over my latest rug discovery!  A refined collection of some of the greatest rugs EVER over at The Inglenook Decor.  Why oh why are they only in 3'x5's??????  I would take any single one of them in about twice that size.  So for those of you who are lucky enough to be searching for a rug that is 3'x5' I'm SO SUPER JEALOUS, but take a look.

Love the colorway.

I want this one...


Or this one in an XXL, OKAY?

Chevron

More Chevron

Reminds me of Jonathan Adler aka My Jonathan

Happinesssssssssssss in a rug






Oh and did I mention they are all incredibly affordable?  From $95-$176...UGH!

-MLL

Monday, November 22, 2010

Sneak Peek: DVF's Home Line

Last January we found out that fashion sensation Diane Von Furstenberg was expanding her portfolio to include her first full freestanding home decor line.  For those of you who are familiar with Diane's designs in the fashion world, you know very well that they are fabulously packed full of patterns, prints and color.  Well, lucky us, this home line is no exception.  House Beautiful gave us a peek at a few items that will be included in this collection that is slated to be released this coming February...

Take a close look here because the flatware, glasses, plates, place mats, napkin rings, votives, vases and even the corkscrew are all part of the Diane von Furstenberg Home collection!

 Glassware - $80/set of 4

So FUN!  Coasters - $25/set of 4 

 You can never have too many trays.  Lacquered Wood Tray - $36

This yellow plate would be a perfect pop of color to any table.  Powerstone Dinner Plate - $20

The collection will also include bedding, bath and home accessories.  I can't wait to see more!

-MLL

Friday, November 19, 2010

Jeans Friday {For the Men and the Ladies}

I had a great Friday night last weekend catching up with many close friends, as we celebrated the engagement of a best friend of mine (more to come on that - diamonds, wedding ideas, etc!).  Anyway, I got a lot of feedback regarding this very blog, which was awesome.  I received many requests, mostly dealing with fashion.  One in particular was from both the guys and the girls and it was for causal Friday attire ideas. Now, for the ladies, it's pretty easy for me to throw something together.  But in regards to the men I'm no expert. I do have to say that though, that I have one very well-dressed boyfriend.  And to give myself a little credit - I have selected a few things for him that remain staples in his closet.  

MEN
So, for jeans Friday on the mens end, I would grab your favorite pair of jeans to start.  J.Crew has a great selection, as does gap and if you want to splurge for a designer pair, head over to nordstroms and take your pick.  I prefer a dark wash to something lighter.  Pair those with a plaid button down and a pullover sweater or cardigan.  Again, J.Crew is a go to for casual stuff for both Peter and I.  Also, Canvas here in Madison has excellent stuff for men.  Top your look off with a pair of ankle boots or suede boat shoes.  It's hard to get away with leather boat shoes as the temperatures drop.  And if boat shoes are too casual, throw on a pair of loafers and you're set.  So here you go guys!


 LADIES
Now on the the ladies look. Personally, if I worked in an office where suits or business casual attire was the norm, I would take casual Friday as an opportunity to wear something more creative as opposed to something super casual.  So I would take my go-to jeans - J.Crew toothpick in midnight wash - to give my look the perfect refined base.  Then I would choose a silk cami and a cardi of some type.  You can change this up from week to week, but I paired a silver cami with a gray cardi in my example here.  Throw on some booties (always ones with a heel for me!) and play around with a few accessories.  Top it off with a killer bag and your ready for the day.  AND lucky you, you have a date after work today!  Or your meeting your boyfriend, whatever... Well take off the cardi and switch into a pair of pumps that you've thrown in your bag and you are ready for night!


I hope this helps.  Now take this weekend to get your staples ready for your next jeans Friday!

-MLL