From Traditional to Coastal...

The first thing Husband and I learned about decorating a home is that you have to have a flow color.  One accent color that flows from room to room and ties everything together.  Red has always been that color for us.  We've decorated with pillows, vases, accent rugs, paint, pictures etc. and etc. from the dining room to the bedroom to the living spaces.  I guess you could say our home has always been decorated very....well, traditionally, for lack of a better term. 

We've started to get a little tired of the red and are ready for a change.  We're ready to indulge in the brighter and more coastal colors that we've grown to love over the past twelve years of living in coastal south Florida.  Blues and yellows and lime greens (okay, Husband's not so much for the lime greens, but if tasteful, he's up for it).  We also want to start working some more beach items into our home without going over the top in coastal living (we'll save those decorations for our beach house....when we own one....in the future).

If you look above, our kitchen was already decorated in a blue-gray color when we moved into the house 3.5 years ago.

At the same time, we don't want to give up our traditional styles either and we certainly can't afford to change out entire rooms of furniture!  Maybe one of our couches and a coffee table, but that's the extent.  We're thinking of changing out the accents, along the lines of new area rugs, pillow covers, bedding, drapes etc.  Small, inexpensive details.

We could also pull out the LOADS and LOADS of knick knacks and baubles hidden away in various closets and drawers and use them.  And the pictures, paintings and mirrors in the closets and on the floor of my bedroom (see picture above)....I guess we could find places to hang them as well.

Here are some lovely rooms from Pinterest (mostly House Beautiful....I LOVE that magazine).  I love elements in these pictures and not necessarily the rooms themselves.  I like the traditional elements of each room mixed in with the coastal themes (a traditional coffee table or a piece of coral).  I like the pops of bright yellows and greens with the use of flowers and pillows next to antiquities.  These are just a few of the rooms I've found that give ideas for our home.  I especially love the tall drapes in the last picture and the French Country blue (cornflower blue, rather).  We have two story tall windows and these would look beautiful against our paint color with our Bahama style interior shutters.

I love the denim couch with the pillow accents and more traditional coffee table in the picture above.  The picture below shows a piece of coral among traditional elements, so it can be done!

Source: housebeautiful.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: nowserveme.wordpress.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

 

Source: coastalliving.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: housebeautiful.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

What are your thoughts about decorating with blue?

Happy Friday Y'all!

Lil & Kalle Discount Code

Well, well....just when I think I'm free to get back to blogging about family and life in general, I get busy again!  I have four Junior League meetings this week in preparation for the upcoming fundraiser.  Next week will be less busy (I know, I know..... I say that "but!")

Plus, I'm getting sick.  This is not good....no sir-ee!  Not good at all.  I do have lovely pictures from this weekend, but that will have to wait (plus I left my camera at home).

In the meantime, remember Lil & Kalle?  One of the lovely Etsy shops I posted about on Friday HERE?

Well, today, and today ONLY, they are offering an 11% of discount code to ALL their customers in honor of 1/11/2011!  Use code 01112011





Uh oh, I sense a shopping spree coming on.  Hey, it'll take my mind off my stuffed up nose! :-)

Latest Fabulous Etsy Finds

I love to "pounce" on Etsy and find great new shops with unique things to sell.  Have you ever pounced?  If not, you should try it, it's a great way to surf etsy for fun and you just might run across something unique, that might already have needed.  It basically shows you shops that have recently had a sale.

Here are my latest faves and finds.

First up is Lil and Kal.  I have been following them on facebook for quite some time and I'm about ready to purchase one of their adorable personalized art portfolios for Lallie.  It's always a struggle to figure out something to buy a child for a gift or for a newly expecting parent.  I love the tooth fairy pillow, custom dress and baby basket.

   

I am a sucker for primitive country shabby chic, cottage type things.  And sometimes, they can get quite expensive.  Well, I LOVE this shop....Chunky Monkey Luv

My favorite is the mason jar wall shelf!  For $22.50, that is a deal!

Chunky Monkey Luv also has adorable gifts as well.  Lallie would LOVE this little personalized baby doll sleeper as she is very much into taking care of her "babies."

Sticking with primitive, these handmade decorations for Valentine's Day, St. Patrick's Day and Easter would look adorable on my antique drop leaf table at my entry.  I have lots of wooden bowls in this style that I've collected over the years.  These are from Homespun Annie.

I love to make little dresses for Lallie and several of my blogger peeps have bought some of my dresses.  Wouldn't these adorable appliques be a great addition to a little dress?  An extra pop of color?  And you can't beat the price!  I will be purchasing from Two Angels Supplies soon!  I adore the apples!

My toddler is no longer napping at school (sadly....as it can make for interesting evenings at home!)  I wish I had run across these Kinder Nap Mats from Annie's Pinking Shear, how perfect would this have been, the blanket and pillow are always together, eliminating the last minute seek and find!

Last but certainly not least, are these goat's milk soaps from Ariel's Secret Garden. 

A perfect excuse to run off and have a party in the bath tub...I'll take it!  Plus, I love goat's milk soap, so soft and nourishing.  I have to say, these designs are so pretty, I don't know if I'd use them, but keep them for decor!  They would also make fabulous gifts.

Hope you enjoyed this new finds!

Happy Friday Y'all!

All Things Pink, Southern & Handmade

I love pink, I am a modern southern belle and I love all things handmade.  So today, I'm featuring some of my favorite new pink finds from Etsy sellers!

First, the cable knit pink pillow.  I just love this throw pillow.  Perfect for a little spring/summer color, and even though it is knit, brings a little southern summer charm to any living area. 

$48.00 by Strikk Handknits.

These pink chrysanthemum earrings are just adorable.  Thinking southern, I often think of movies such as Steel Magnolias, Big Fish, Driving Mrs. Daisy or Fried Green Tomatoes.  When in their Sunday best, you often see large flower clip-ons or large pearls.  These smaller, daintier earrings remind me of such southern movies.

$10.00 by Adrienneaudrey.

Thinking modern southern belle, I love this damask decoupage bowl! In fact, this would be perfect for summer in my shabby chic white dining room!

$14.00 at Juliesadorabowls Shop.

For $5.50, three vintage lace and linen blooms scream southern.  This would be beautiful in the damask bowl above, don't you think?

$5.00 for three at Sweet Vintage '78.

Moden twitst on a southern housewife apron.  This is just so bright and airy for spring/summer.  Who wouldn't want to cook in this?

$32.00 at Sugar Pie Chic.

You know me, the mommy of a mini southern belle in the making.  So, have to include the toddler dress.  I love this simple pink dress with embroidered frogs.  So cute and the style definately reminds me of a mini southern belle.

$60.00 at The Classic Baby.

Everything Turquoise!!

Ever since Lilly debuted their new line of bed linens through Garnet Hill, I have been enamored by the color turquoise. 

I've never paid any attention the color before then.  I've always known that turquoise colors looked good on me because of my blue eyes, blonde hair and pale skin, but other than that, I've never considered decorating with it.

Recently, I ran across the blog Everything Turquoise.  I LOVE this site.  Every day, a new turquoise item is posted and described along with information on how and where to buy it.  Anything from KitchenAid mixers to towels and lamps is included in this blog.  Even better is that everything posted is usually of reasonable price.

For example, yesterday they posted this adorable dress from Delia's which is only $44.50!  It's perfect for a summer wardrobe.  Delia's has LOTS of cute dresses out, including other turquoise dresses.

The other day it was this blender (so cute considering my kitchen is blue).  Found at Amazon.com.

As an accessory, I love this necklace.  Would look great during the summer with a white outfit for a little pizazz don't you think?  Can be found HERE.

And, can't forget my little minnie.  How adorable is this mini bathing suit from Janie and Jack?  Lallie is in need of new swimsuits, so this just might be on my list of "thinks to get."

Have a great day!

You've Got Answers, I've Got Questions!

You've got answers, I've got questions. Everyone seems to be doing the Q and A however asking the blogg"er" the questions and then they answer. Well, I'm the opposite, I've got the questions and I want YOU to answer. In the meantime, if you want to ask me a question...go for it, I'll answer in future posts! I look forward to your Q and A's!!!

1) Where is a great place to buy fantastic bed sheets with high threadcount for a reasonable price?

2) What cleaner do you use on your white Corian sink to keep it nice and white? I'm struggling with this.

3) Lallie's hair is so long compared to most kids her age. We love it and will never cut it! Ever! But, I'd love some great ideas of something to put in her hair besides just ribbons and bows. Know of any great tutorials or etsy shops?


4) I really want to go back to wearing some of my closed toe heels and pumps now that my hip is feeling a little better, but I can't walk in them, my feet slide and my toes crunch. What insert do you all recommend? (like I assume Dr. Scholl's foot pads? - I don't know the name).


5) What Twitter texting app do you use for you Blackberry?


6) What pens do you use for your Mom Agenda? I don't like the ones I bought at all! Need something bright!


7) I'm going to be starting the Couch to 5K soon. First I need a jogging stroller. Any suggestions for your runners with kids?


8) In regards to running, running shoes???


9) I need a GREAT website or cookbook for easy crock-pot meals. Lallie n
eeds to eat more veggies, we need to eat healthier, but as a working mom, I just don't have time for full meals and we need to spice things up.


10) Under the eye dark spots. My mom let me try some Oil of Olay regenerative eye cream for the daytime the other day, it worked great, for the one day. But, before I go out and buy, any other possible recommendations or reviews of the Oil of Olay?


11) What is your absolute "must read" of the season? Lately, I've read, Overnight Socialite, reading The Help, American Wife, loads of others!

Lilly P. and Garnett Hill

I know, I know! I have so many other things to talk about but I couldn't resist posting about Lilly Pulitzer and Garnet Hill teaming up to make absolutely gorgeous bedding!!

Have you seen it yet? If not, you must run over to Garnet Hill and check out these lovely pieces. I think I might switch from my staple pink/green combo and change to turquoise/pink. Seiously, have you ever seen a turquoise color more beautiful!
I am loving these green sheets! Maybe I'll be turquoise/green now. I just don't know, so many options!

I do know one thing, as soon as I can re-do the upstairs guest/Lallie bathroom, I think I'll be going with these bathroom staples. The bathroom is currently palm tree decorated, perfect for those who come visit since we're in Florida, but it's dark green, gold and brown - ick, ick, ick. So how about these!