John Derian

Feeling inspired to decoupage some plates in the style of John Derian. Love his whimsical sea creatures, botanicals, and other nature inspired drawings.

Stacks

With a special occasion coming up I'm looking to add to my stack once again. All of the above are from overstock (not sponsored) and super reasonable, most in the $100-$200 range. I really hope one of  them makes its way to my finger.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4 

Tulle

It may be time to bust out the ole sewing machine. I'm in love with this assorted polka dot tulle skirt I spotted on pinterest.  Just need to add a simple lining to lose the jeans underneath.

Framed Fabric

A friend sent me the above image on pinterest , as the entry reminded her of my entry. What caught my eye however was the giant frame at the top of the stairs. I have a giant frame that I actually found in the alley, and it's so giant it's nearly impossible to find an affordable print large enough to fit it.
I LOVE the idea of putting some interesting block print or shibori fabric in there, so I started trolling etsy and ebay...made my selection and I can't wait to share a pic when it all comes together.

Anniversary

A few weekends ago Mr. W and I celebrated 7 years! Traditional anniversary gifts for year 7 are wool/copper, and while a set of Moscow mule cups would have been cute... I decided on suede. This lovely lil bag was on super sale from H&M making it all the more sweeter. Such a classic shape and design I'm sure it will be a favorite for the next 7 years.

Another...

Rugs USA has another 90% off final sale going right now, and I just couldn't help myself.
I threw this giant Moroccan beauty in my cart for $170, and I can't wait to see it in person.

I've been drawn to the black and brown Beni Ourain rugs for quite some time, but since my spare bedroom is so dark I figured it needed some color.

Below was my runner up rug...and looking at them together I'm still torn HA.

Fringe

How about some fringe this summer, here's a lovely tassel top to pair with the espadrilles below: on super sale right now at H&M

Espadrille

Yikes its almost 100 degrees today in Chicago, I think summer is officially here. One of my summer staples is the espadrille and I've been hunting for the perfect pair so here's a round up:

Lucky Brand / Ralph Lauren / TEVA / Vince Camuto

Coffee Table Essentials

What's on your coffee table? for me the essentials are some sort of tray to keep everything contained and from looking cluttered, and CB2 happens to be killing it in the tray dept.
Trays: high gloss square mint tray / stainless steel / copper tray
Once you've got your tray, go ahead and fill it! I love a mix of thrifted and travel treasures (that skull is from my first mexico trip)  Fresh flowers are always lovely, I usually try to pick up some inexpensive ones at trader joes...and you can't go wrong with finishing off your coffee table with candles, I'm pretty obsessed with smokey scents right now. I keep my matches in a a little glass bottle with a striker glued to the bottom (there are cute options to purchase or you can easily DIY one.
Accessories: HB Firewood Candle / match holder /  ceramic vase tall / short / brass crab / coffee table
...and voila, here's my coffee table. I love the striations in the marble and the simple brass legs AND the fact that this was another craigslist steal

This post was inspired by Chairish, head over to see even more coffee tables.

Summer Ready

It's already spring in Chicago and spring break is just around the corner! annnnnd while I doubt we'll be going anywhere beachy this time around I've ordered a few things to tide me over, and mostly on the cheap.

Scalloped Suit / Sunnies (not a bad take on those beloved Dior ones) / gladiators

On Deck

Finally it's spring so it's time to look at some outside projects while we wrap up things inside (antique mirror DIY, and half bath pics to come).  We've talked about doing a dream back yard from the second we moved in, so it's time to get started on the deck. First on the list are some bench seats, and a modern awning to let in a mix of sun and shade. Once these are built I plan to hit target and ikea since they are both winning at the outdoor decor game this season.

More to come!

New Blog Alert

Have you ever clicked on a pin and discovered a whole site full of goodness? I pinned this outfit and realized I've pinned quite a few things from the same spot, which happens to be a super awesome style/travel blog: COULD I HAVE THAT go check it out for TONS of inspiration. 

Neo Classical

Hmm I feel like my style is morphing away from Mid Century Modern into a more Neo Classical Victorian type thing. I've been pinning gorgeous modern brownstones non stop. Maybe my house needs a slight face lift.

HELP

All of a sudden I'm having a really hard time picking out a light for our little half bath!!! Usually I'm super decisive. Fortunately these are all available from Home Depot, so I've ordered my top 3 and we'll wait and see. Mirror is from here

Valentines Bijoux

Valentines is creeping up so why not a jewelry post. After all these years I still have a thing for statement necklaces, especially those that look like they belong in a museum full of ancient artifacts.
This lovely thing is by Walt Cassidy (orchid field collection), and at that price point I'm not expecting it as a valentines cadeau, but I'm certainly inspired.

Agate

I spotted some awesome agate slice art in the background of this Domino home tour. It inspired me to play around on Photoshop and put the above print together. I think it's just what my spare bedroom needs.

Christmas Leather

Christmas wishes really do come true! I found this Mango Leather Jacket under the tree all for meeee

half bath

I'm starting to pull together some ideas for the first floor powder bath. It's so tiny it's my one chance to splurge a bit. The "In The Bottom Of My Garden" Warhol prints are in there and I love them so they're staying. Currently the bathroom is a super in your face pink-and I'd like to soften that up to a barely there blush. The mirror is a gold oval mirror with a serious patina on it, I think I swap it for something more masculine.  A floating sink is for space, and I'm keeping my current faucet, LOVE IT SO MUCH, and speaking of love those 3" carrera hex tiles have already been ordered, can't wait.

Hey I'm Going to Riviera Maya Mexico

*Every once and a while I’ll get an e-mail from a friend, like hey I'm going to (Paris, Puerto Rico, NYC ect.) what do you recommend, so I think I'm going to try to turn these e-mails into some sort of organized list of suggestions/ideas for their trip...and yours too, so here is another installment.
 "HEY I'M GOING TO_____ SERIES"
________________________________________________________________________________
HEY I'M GOING TO RIVIERA MAYA MEXICO
Some things to know...
Riviera Maya is awesome...your vacay can be as laid back as beers at the beach, or as thrill seeking as "lets bike through the jungle, climb this pyramid then swim through these caves" . It's also going to be cheap to get there if you live in the mid west, east coast, or south east, AND the exchange rate is pretty rad.

Where to Stay-Cancun is not an option: Anywhere between Puerto Morelos and Tulum is however. You can go the all inclusive resort route, and there are a bunch to pick from, or you can just hop on Air B&B or even craigslist. I always stay in Puerto Morelos as it's slightly quieter than Playa del Carmen, and closer to the airport than Tulum. 

What to Do-first and foremost get a car, renting a car in Mexico is a bitch, the price never matches the website, there are all these extra insurance add on's, blah blah blah, but you don't really have a choice. Taxis are expensive and sure you may see the Playa Express but you'll also have to stand on the side of the highway waiting for one...in the heat... 

Driving here is just like driving in the states. So grab your car (make sure it's an automatic), pick up some cerveza+groceries, find your place, get your kini on and jump into the ocean. From here on out you've got alot of options.  Puerto Morelos is the best place to snorkel on the reef (Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, second largest barrier reef system in the world)

Tulum (ruins and beach) The ruins are impressive, and so is the electric turquoise beach in the background. Plan to get there early, at least before lunch time, hit the bathrooms before you enter. Bring a hat, sunglasses and sunscreen there is hardly any shade near the ruins or on the beach for that matter. Pack a lunch drinks everything because once you see that view and take the stairs down to the beach with the best waves ever you wont want to leave, but when you do take time to wander around the town. EL Camello Jr. In the pueblo has the most delicious ceviche, best fish tacos is Mateos along the beach road (plus 2x1 drinks-and they have a roof top bar) down the street from Mateos is Hotel Zamas you have to have a drink there at sunset it's amazing and right on the beach, lots of lanterns hanging from the trees

Coba it's about 2 hours from Puerto Morelos so get an early start, this is one of the few pyramids you can still climb, but a word of caution it's way steeper than it looks...hello panic attack.  I highly suggest renting a bike at the gate, it was super fun and I don't think I would have made it on foot to all of the sites. After you've conquered Coba I'd make a bee line to Playa del Carmen (or playacar as it's affectionately known) spend the rest of the day resting those tired calves (so many stairs on those pyramids) at the beach, then when the sun starts setting grab some dindin, and if it's your thing hit the clubs, or get some drinks at a swanky bar.

No matter where you go or what you do it's likely that you will pass signs for cenotes, or giant caves filled with fresh water.  Some are giant and cavernous, some are tiny and maze like but they are all creepy as hell and totally amazing at the same time. The best ones are going to be on the way to Valladolid (a cutie little colonial town about an hour and 45 from Puerto Morelos) We checked out X'keken (careful those stairs are slippery) Samula (Casey actually swam out to the tree roots, yikes) and speaking of Valladolid it's a good place to stop and explore if you are making the trek to Chichen Itza. There will also be cenotes near playacar and Tulum with signs just off the highway, I think Dos Ojos is one of the best in this area and there is a guided snorkel tour. If you're sticking closer to the coast then Gran Cenote is your best bet.

Chichén Itzá is probably one of the most famous sites in Mexico and on the weekend it can be PACKED, it's certainly something to see but I prefer the ruins at Coba, Tulum, or Ek Balam more, especially since in Coba and Ek balam you can still climb the pyramids for the most amazing views.

If you've seen and done it all in this area there's always the exciting option to skip town and go to Cuba for the weekend, most travel agencies have pretty cheap package deals to Cuba, and most of them will have you picking between Old Havana or the Resort towns on the ocean, CHOOSE HAVANA 

Eat Drink Be Merry- is it time to eat? In Puerto Morelos there is a quesadilla place that I never seem to have enough time to get to, this palce is #1 on my list for next time.  Above I mentioned the grocery store between the airport and Puerto M called Chedraui, this is the best place to stock up and it's attached to the mall with stores like Zara, Mango etc...  In Puerto M all the restaurants around the square are delicious, and there are some more stretching down Ave Javier Rojo Gomez, try the hurrachi, a giant flip flop shaped thick tortilla topped with lettuce beans veggies and cheese, or some amazing sea food at El Pelicano right on the Ocean and remember there is no such thing as bad Mexican in mexico. There is also a small market on the square but it's better to hit one of the mega groceries for better selection and cheaper prices.

Disclaimer...in Mexico the official language is SPANISH so please memorize the following:
Hola and say it every time you walk into a place, Gracias when you leave or you know...just to say thanks, and 
lo siento and no one will ever be rude to you
busco-I'm looking for
yo quería-I would like
cuánto cuesta- how much does it cost 

feliz viaje, have an awesome time!! 

Bundle Up

 Temps have actually been super mild, but it hasn't kept me from pinning tons and tons of lovely winter coats.  I'll certainly be checking out the coats next time I'm at the thrift. All pics via here