Mantel Inspiration

Since slathering our fireplace wall in Dragon's Breath by Benjamin Moore, I've been dreaming up ways to further beautify the space. Here's what has been on my mind...

Would love to do something rustic like this for the mantel, and I'm loving the fresh flowers bunched together in simple little vases.

{milk & honey home}

I think the antique gold of this mirror against the new deep charcoal gray paint would look beeeautiful.

{anthropologie}

This guy would add a little personality, and he might add a masculine touch for the Mr. There's no way his real version is making an appearance in our living room. He's lucky to have found a spot in the garage.

{urban outfitters)

I like how the giant monogram is the same color as the wall behind it. Subtle. And I want this book. Real bad.

{amazon}

One or two of these throws would look super cozy draped across my new/old wooden ladder antique store find. It's currently leaning up against the fireplace wall, but it looks a little naked.

Pretty little jar.

{anthropologie}

I love lamp. I mean lanterns.

{pottery barn)

Pinning. Please do not disturb.

Currently scheming a way to make pinning my full-time job. I know I'm not the only one. Baseball season is over, and I have a lot more time on my hands. But there are few things I would rather do with my time these days...does that make me lazy? I don't care. Time for yoga? Sorry, I'm pinning. 10 minutes late for dinner? Well, it'll be at least 20 more. It's a half hour past happy hour? Yeah...that one might win.

Anyway, while I've been slacking on the blog front, I have been quite ambitious on the pin front. If you're not following me yet, what the heck are you waiting for? Check it. www.pinterest.com/mrslw

You'll find awesome pics like this that inspired me to surprise attack my fireplace with a gallon of paint 2 nights ago...



Request an invite today. You'll love/hate me forever.



3 things I love today...

This style blog is lovely - weddings, interiors, design. Erin is a girl after my own heart.

Love this look. And Rachel.

Kate does it right everytime. This would be a lovely anniversary gift...HINT, HINT.



And the winner is...

Sabah!

And the best part? It was a mutual decision by the Mr. and I. It was a truly shocking moment. I laid them all out in front of him, and he picked this as his fave before I even had a chance to force my opinion upon him. Now if I could only change his mind about an exposed brick wall...I'll take what I can get.

The only downside is Sabah is back-ordered until a yet-to-be-determined date. Kind of annoying.

On another note, I bought these shoes:

Aren't they amazing? Just wanted to share. They're Classiques Entier from Nordy's.

On yet another note, have you watched Design Star winner Emily Henderson's show, Secrets of a Stylist yet? Love. Her. And her show. It is really inspiring. I just watched all 5 of the DVR'd episodes and fell for some custom curtains {among other things} she did for one couple's living room using a ticking stripe fabric. I think I might copy her.

image via Pottery Barn
That's all I have for you; a random compilation of the things I'm loving right now. Have a lovely week!

You know it's baseball season when...

...you get one post a month out of me! That's right kids, baseball season is in full swing - lame pun intended - and I am a busy little bee. I haven't had a day off since sometime in early February, but I'm loving every minute of it! I'm traveling a ton and getting to know the state of California on a whole new level, speaking of, could you Californian's order some sun?! That's why we come to visit you! I'll be back again on Wednesday so go ahead and take care of it by then,  please and thank you.

Anyway, while the job is a blast, I have had some serious design cravings over the past few weeks. For example... it was a Thursday. We had returned home from a trip the previous Sunday, and I had been working furiously in the office preparing for the next go around. At approximately 1:30 p.m., I had this vision of our master bedroom in a darker paint color... and I could not shake it. Seriously. I wasn't getting any work done because I couldn't stop thinking about the perfect taupe-gray-with subtle hints of brown that needed to be on my wall right that instant. So I acted very professionally/rationally and waited to go home until my work was done...

OK fine, no I didn't. I packed up my things, strutted to the parking lot, headed straight to the paint store, made a bee line home and slapped 3 different shades up on my bedroom wall...and none of them were freaking right. I have been very upset about this since last Thursday. But I realized about an hour ago that I probably shouldn't pick a paint color before I pick fabric for the headboard anyway, so I ordered some swatches...about 15 minutes ago. This impulsive behavior is not normal for me! The cravings are taking over. Anyway, here's what I purchased:

bedazzle

carmen



kamala kilim

sabah

spicer hvy basket

villa medici

I can't wait for them to show up! All are from Lewis & Sharon Textile Co. I'll post some pics when they get here, but you might have to wait another month...fair warning ;)

Vavavooom

It's almost Valentine's Day... some love it, a lot of people hate it. I'm not too opinionated about this certain Hallmark holiday, but I do love one thing that comes along with it...lingerie. Whether you're happily married, dating, single, or maybe it's complicated, don't you just feel prettier when you're sporting a cute pair of panties?? Even if you're the only one who sees them?? You know you do, sassy pants.

Anyway, I came across the Frou Frou Fashionista blog while reading the lovely Rue magazine the other day, and just had to help spread the good word. Mother/daughter team Gail and Alison Rubke opened Faire Frou Frou in 2005, and I'm a little jealous. I would looove to own a boutique filled to the brim with lacy, silky, girly pieces. Take a peek at one of their rompers below, paired with some more v-day inspired lovelies.

Clockwise beginning with super-cute romper: {faire frou frou by Stella McCartney}, {chaise lounge from Urban Outfitters}, {Perrier Jouet via elitechoice.org}, {champagne glass from anthropologie.com}, {cocktail ring from Betsey Johnson)

Can't stop thinking about....

DIY headboards. I've been wanting to tackle one since I found this DIY not long after we moved into our home, last spring. Time to get on it.

This color board has been sitting in my "bedroom inspiration" file for a while now. I of course lean toward these neutral colors, but all of those textures and patterns make it interesting and lovely. And the wallpaper headboard? So crafty.
{http://www.designsponge.com/}

I really like the shape of this one, and the nail head trim. I've heard that stapling the fabric to the back while working around lots of curves can be the hardest part, so this seems less intimidating.

{http://www.inthefunlane.com/}

And this is the fabric I stumbled across last night. I like the modern ikat look, but the colors (or lack of) give it that rustic feel that I love. It is $49/yard on-line, but the upholstry fabric at Joann's is always on sale in store. Might try to fanagle a better price out of them in person.

{http://www.joann.com/}

Have a great weekend!