2011 Design Resolutions

1. Appreciate what I've got.
Instead of being paralyzed by the fact that I'm not starting with a blank canvas, I'm going to find a way to make my home beautiful by working with what I've got. This means appreciating my 1980's floor plan for what it is, and working with it. Appreciating the comfort of our two old sofas and working with them. Get the picture? Like Tim Gunn says, I'm simply going to "make it work."

2. Use color.
I'm always drawn to black and white and grey. I'm phasing out beige, but I'm still ok with greige. I'd like to add at least one well-placed splash of honeysuckle pink. Plus some other colors... I'm thinking orange and turquoise.
3. Focus.
I like to start things. I dive in with a ton of enthusiasm and energy. But finishing the projects that I start can be a challenge. I'm going into the new year with a plan. I think I'll set a few design goals per month and make sure I accomplish them. Sounds easy, right? I'll keep you posted on how it goes!

4. Build an awesome inspiration file.
A "Fabulous Design File" perhaps? When I started this blog, I intended it to be a place to organize all of my bits and pieces of inspiration. I ended up blogging more about my own personal projects. In 2011 I'm going to organize and improve the inspiration file.

5. Be Me.
Let my personal style evolve. Trust my instincts. Stop overanalyzing and comparing.

Here's to a new year filled with fabulous design!

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad

A Big Shout Out

 via
2010 is almost done, and I want to give a big thank you to everyone who takes the time to read my blog.  Whether you are a 'lurker' or a 'commenter' I appreciate all of you!  

When I started my blog this summer, I was super shy about it.  My sister mentioned it on Facebook and I almost died!  I was excited about starting the blog, but for some reason was nervous for people to know I was doing it!  So I blogged every day for my 7 readers (mostly immediate family members!)

Eventually, I decided to get brave and put my blog 'out there' more... and wow!  I have been amazed at how much fun it has been!  The community of design bloggers is so fabulous.  I talk about my 'blog friends' all the time!!!  Anyways, wanted to give a special shout out to a few of you:

First, to Cristin @ Why it Doesn't Take a Heartless Multinational Corporation to Raise a Child.  I started blogging because I enjoyed reading hers so much!


Next, to Shannon @ What's Up Whimsy because she was my first 'stranger follower.'  I don't know how she found my blog, but I'm glad she did because she's been awesome... always willing to answer my rookie blogging questions!



To the following amazing blog friends who have been super supportive... I am so inspired by your blogs, and am thrilled that you take time to read mine!
Inspire my house pretty   

 danielle oakey interiors   

Bijou and Boheme   

A Chi Chi Affair   Ada and Darcy
JAX does design  Stylish Bird

flourish design + style

And to some of my 'new' friends who have already proved to be super awesome!

   



      

 Lovin That!   name 5 things.   

Chattafabulous

Happy New Year everyone!  I can't wait to see what you all have in store for 2011!

Giveaway Winner!

Thanks to everyone who entered the ALLMODERN.com giveaway!  And thanks to ALLMODERN.com for providing the prize!

The winner of the $35 gift certificate is:

The 19th comment was from Sarah B:

Congratulations Sarah!  I'll email you the details.

To everyone else... this giveaway has been so much fun!  Stay tuned... I'm planning another one to celebrate reaching 100 followers!  As of today, I'm up to 89... only 11 to go!

ALLMODERN.com Giveaway

Hope everyone's Christmas weekend was as wonderful as ours was!  We were at home, which was such a treat.  I think my boys were at the perfect ages this year for appreciating the magic of Christmas.  It's so fun to see it through their eyes. 

I am really looking forward to this whole holiday week.  Jeff will be at home all week, which will be awesome!  He can keep the boys busy playing hockey in the basement while I learn how to blog from my new iPad!!!  YAY!!!  (Yes, I know... I'm super spoiled!!!)

Anyways... I want to remind everyone about my ALLMODERN.com give away.  It's my first one, and I'm super excited!  Have you entered yet???  I'll make the draw on Thursday, so make sure you take a minute this week to check it out!  

ALLMODERN.com really does have some cool modern dining furniture.  I spent some time scoping out bar carts today.  New Years Eve is right around the corner.  Wouldn't one of these be perfect???




Go here to enter!!!

Happy Holidays Giveaway!

I know I already signed off for the holidays... but I'm back!  It's the season of giving, and I get to do a giveaway!!!  I'm super excited because CSN Stores has generously offered to give one of my readers a $35 gift certificate to use at their ALLMODERN.com site!  CSN Stores has over 200 online stores where you can find anything you need whether it be modern dining furniture home decor accessories, or even cute cookware!  And... note to Canadian readers... CSN Stores ships to Canada! 


Here are some of my favorite picks:
French Bull Splendida Round Tray

French Bull Mosaic Lazy Susan

notNeutral Brown Season Serving Plate

iitala Origo bowl

iitala Alvar Aalto Sand Mini Bowl

Here's how to enter...
1.  Follow my blog (with Google Friend Connect) and leave a comment to tell me
2.  Go check out modern dining furniture and other fun stuff at ALLMODERN.com
3.  Leave a comment to tell me what you'd choose with your $35
4. For an extra entry tweet or facebook this:
Enter the ALLMODERN.com giveaway at  ... the prize is your choice of fabulous modern dining decor!
 then leave a comment to tell me

I'll choose the winner by random draw next Thursday, Dec. 30th.
Merry Christmas!!!

Wishing You...


Merry Christmas everyone!

I have so much left to do... LOTS of unfinished projects... shopping, cleaning, baking... overwhelming.

So I'm signing off until after Christmas.  I'm planning to get the shopping, cleaning, baking tasks checked off my list a.s.a.p. before I completely melt down!  Then I can spend this week enjoying time at home with my two precious boys, my husband, and the rest of our family!

Hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!

C

Iconic Inspiration

Had to post something in honor of the 2011 color of the year:

The Red Dress in Action!

I'm off to the party...

Nothing like posing for your husband to take a photo of you in your new red dress to make you feel awkward!

But I do like the hair style Roxanne gave me... very "Mad Men"!


Happy Weekend!