Dream Home do or don't: Oversized photos

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So, what's the verdict on oversized photos? We have the above two framed prints adorning the ends of our hallway. It's sort of funny because I don't even remember when or where we got them; I just remember them always being a part of our home decor, and they make me smile every time I roll past them. Here are a few more that are making me fall in love with the trend...

Kitchen photos...

Living room photos...

Vacation photos...

Well, friends, what do you think? Is this a home decor do or don't for you? Do you have many photos in your home? How do you display them? What's your favorite type of photo to take? Do you take a lot of personal photos? xoxo

Found: 6 beautiful soap stones

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Quick, what do these look like? Would you believe they're actually soap stones? Brooklyn-based design team Jean and Oliver Pelle turn the simple, everyday objects into works of art. Although they're a bit out of my price range, it would be neat to display one on a bookshelf, wouldn't it? Or add a pop of color to your desk? xoxo

P.S. Part Two of our Arizona adventure is coming up this afternoon! :)

Summer Project #2: The Great Clean of 2013

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Here's the deal, friends: I've been procrastinating. For quite some time, actually. It's not something I'm proud of, to say the least. You know that feeling you get when you let things pile up, and eventually, you just get to a point where you're like, "I just can't anymore. I can't look at this. I can't even deal with it."

So you don't deal with it because it all seems, well, a bit too overwhelming. And things continue to pile up. And pile up. And -- you guessed it -- pile up. You know you need to take control, which is why I've deemed this summer The Great Clean of 2013. My everything-needs-to-be-organized mind just can't take it anymore -- and neither can my mother and sister -- so I've made it my mission to go through everything. And I won't lie to you, friends, it's not going to be pretty or easy -- we're talking at least three bins filled with assorted papers, magazines (some from 2011) and books. I've even let piles take shape around the house...

But! No more! This is it. By the end of the summer, I will have everything squared away (consider the shots above the "before" photos...). I can do it, if I just keep at it, and that's where you come in, friends. I was reading an article about clutter in Family Circle a couple weeks ago, and professional organizer and author Dorothy Breininger suggests getting a purging partner -- a friend or family member -- to "hold you accountable." I love that idea, and it really rings true and makes so much sense.

And that's when I got an idea: Will you be my partners, friends? Here's what I'm thinking: Every week or so, I'll post an update on the progress I made during the course of that week. And if I didn't do anything? Well, I'll have to be honest and report that, too. How does that sound, friends? AND, if you're determined to tackle any projects this summer, post about them in the comments. We're all in this together, right? xoxo

P.S. And with that, I'm powering down for the night...we've got a tornado watch in the area! Oh, no!

Dream Home do or don't: Color blocking walls

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We still haven't found the time to do any sort painting around our house, and my mom has this habit of reminding us of all those little spots that need a touch-up. The bathroom. The baseboards. That rather large dent in the wall in the hallway where I had a rather unfortunate encounter when my wheelchair suddenly slid into it head-on -- though, in my defense, my sister had just finished washing the hardwood floor before I did said little wheelchair dance on it.

In my grand attempt to add lots of pops of color to our stark-white walls (every wall in our house is white...this saddens me quite a bit), I've been lobbying to paint our front door neon pink. My mom isn't on board with the idea yet, but maybe she'd go for color blocking our walls? It would definitely add a pop of color!

Would you ever try this, friends? Have you? What colors would you choose? Any you'd definitely stay away from? xoxo

[Via Simply Grove]

Dream Home: Velvet pillows

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These velvet pillows are wayyy out of my price range, but they've got me daydreaming of sleeping on a cloud this morning, especially on this rainy and chilly Monday. They're hand-dyed in Englad with a "welcoming layer of plush velvet and smooth linen." Ahhh...which is your favorite color? xoxo

P.S. The first Blog Redesign Week post is coming up SOON!!!

Bunny nightlight

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I'm having lunch with an old friend today, but before I head out, I couldn't resist sharing this adorable bunny nightlight, just in time for Easter. I can picture him watching over everything at night. Fun fact: I kept glow-in-the-dark stars on my bedroom walls wayyy past what is considered age-appropriate -- we're talking into my early '20s, here! xoxo

 

P.S. Are you ready for Easter? Here are 10 creative Easter egg designs, Cadbury creme eggs and an analysis of Mr. Bunny to get you in the hippity hoppity spirit... :)

Dream Home: Citrus chandelier

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Here's a fun idea to welcome spring: Wouldn't this citrus chandelier full of lemons and oranges be a nice touch on a porch or in a garden? It would make everything smell sweet and fresh. Are you ready for spring, friends?

 

P.S. A new MEMO TO MEN is coming up this afternoon! :)

Dream Home: Indoor plants

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So, I was minding my own business and working at the kitchen table this morning when I looked up just in time to see the swirl of a blizzard begin to take shape. It reminded me a bit of the snowstorm we had a couple years ago, and it made me want to bust out a few of these tips.

Lately, I've even found myself daydreaming about those wonderfully warm early days of spring, and these indoor plants are giving me some serious wanderlust. Are you excited for spring, friends? xoxo

 

P.S. A new MEMO TO MEN is coming up this afternoon! :)

Dream Home: Interactive world map

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First, there was world map wallpaper for the bathroom, but how fun would it be to take things up a notch with this world map mural? We have a huge world map in our kitchen, but this looks so much more fun. You could put it in a guest room, and have your guests mark where they're from! Or, you could could just lie on the bed and daydream about faraway places... xoxo

Sponsor Spotlight: Fabricadabra

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I'm so excited to share interviews with a few new faces as we move into the New Year. First up: Donna of Fabricadabra, a beautiful line of decorative pillows, covers, throws and inserts (doesn't the name just make you smile?). Donna's story is an inspiring one: Wanting to get out of the corporate ho-hum, she took a risk when she was 40 and left her job. Now, four years later, she's running her company -- all by herself. Read on to learn more about her journey and take a peek at her gorgeous designs! xoxo

Keep in touch...
Official Web site: Fabricadabra
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So tell me about you and your shop. What's the inspiration behind its launch?

I went live with Fabricadabra four years ago this month after six months of developing product, sourcing vendors, building the inventory and getting the Web site up. I have always worked in textiles and knew that I wanted to bring home-textile products to the market that were relatively affordable and reflected my personal interest in globally inspired, handcrafted and non-toxic home textiles. I was bored and uninspired with poor quality, mass-produced textiles. I finally decided to just do it when I saw these outrageously priced (but beautiful) pillows using a certain ancient weaving technique all over the shelter mags. I found it offensive that the company was trying to claim design ownership of timeless, classic motifs and charge 25 times the cost as its sell price.

What are your tips for people looking for great online shopping deals?

They are everywhere, thanks to the Internet and our global marketplace. Etsy, ebay and fair trade web-based companies have so much to offer. If you want a Moroccan rag rug or boucherouite, look for a seller based in that country for the best deal. Just be careful because not all E tsy and ebay sellers are established businesses. To minimize the risk, make sure that you investigate the person or company and read the feedback from previous buyers. If you want to pay top dollar, then go to any brick and mortar store that ends its company name with the word "Gallery."

What are some of your winter style tips?

I live in New England and winter is truly the longest season, so I just try to get through it practically. Wear layers of breathable, warm wool. Top it off with a crazy wool poncho, scarf and clashing hat and mittens. Tuck your cords or jeans into your broken-in Frye boots and -- voila! -- you are a beautiful disaster.

What is your favorite item in your shop and why?

I love the Hmong Hilltribe hand embroidered, patchwork fabric throws. They are stunning, and the images need to be re-shot to reflect this. They are handmade in Thailand and Vietnam from scraps of hemp and cotton indigo batik and printed fabrics that the Hilltribe people use to make their clothing. I am fascinated by the Hilltribe culture. After the throws, the West Ghanan Africa indigo-dyed fabrics that I use for pillows are a personal favorite. They look beautiful against a white or natural upholstery fabric. It is a very crisp, coastal look.

Dream Home: 6 creative wallpaper designs

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Remember when my mom created a wall of family photos in our hallway last year? Well, she has two weeks of vacation for winter break this year, and she's bound and determined to tackle another home improvement project. This time, she venturing into our two bathrooms with a can of paint and a dream. I call it a dream because, well, we've had those little cats on the wall, above, for almost a year now, and there's no paint in sight. Me? I've always thought wallpaper would be a nice touch. Here are six beautiful designs I've got my eyes on...

Wall-to-wall wallpaper...

Seascape wallpaper...

Book page wallpaper...

Ombre wallpaper...

Lisa Congdon's fern pattern...

And just for fun, interactive wallpaper, like this framed wallpaper from Graham & Brown that lets you leave your mark -- literally!

Still, as gung ho as my mother is about her potential painting endeavors, I fear the entire experience may end up like one of my favorite scenes from Frasier...

We shall see what happens, I suppose. What painting tips do you have, friends? What works? What doesn't? Any tools of the trade you'd like to share? I'd love to hear them and pass them on to my mom! xoxo

P.S. Did I mention she also ordered a new dresser for her bedroom that also requires assembly? This should be interesting...

P.P.S. A special holiday-themed family photos and a new Letter To My Future Husband is coming up shortly! :)