sun porch with a great view

This is one of my favorite spots to hang out.

Lucky for me it belongs to my father-in-law. 

This year he asked me to redesign it.  Keeping it fresh and comfortable, we recovered the sofa and side chairs, selected new dining chairs and a glass table to open the space up.  The striped outdoor fabric keeps us from worrying about spills.

The shadow box filled with shells and mini easels made by my daughter and I 

give the room a personal touch.

One of my favorite spots to hang out.

A little glimpse of the 'before'...in my same spot.

View of the gulf on Siesta Key.

Resources available upon request.

domino magazine's 'quick fixes'

I know what I will be doing this weekend in my down time, 

reading the new Domino Quick Fixes.

This magazine is missed by many, but they now will be publishing 

single issue special editions full of Domino's stylish one-of-a-kind decorating ideas.

ikea hogsten chair

Today we took a road trip to Ikea.

Since the closest is a 2 hour drive to Pittsburgh, I only get my fix every year or two.

One of today's great purchases were these outdoor chairs.

Of course I had to add yellow cushions to them...new favorite accent color!

Hogsten Easy Chair, $89.99, Ikea

Granat Yellow Cushion, $3.99, Ikea

fashion lookbook: can't get enough tuft

How can pom poms not make you smile?

They are dangling from handbags, scarves, jewelry and making a statement on shoes.

Have a ball and sport a few this season!

Click below to link

1.  Straw Pom-pom Tote, Victoria's Secret

2.  Jadetribe Cosmetic Bags, Juno & Jove

3.  Pom Pom Key Ring, A.D.Deertz

4.  Diane von Furstenberg Pom Pom Silk Scarf, Saks Fifth Avenue

5.  ASOS Eclectic Mixed Friendship Bracelet, ASOS

6.  Matthew Williamson POm Pom Chain Bracelet, SSense

7.  Red Pom Pom Key Holder, Feather & Find

8.  Pom Pom Necklace by 'not heidi', LivedIn Coogee

9.  Juicy Couture Clutch, Bloomingdales

10.  Pom Pom Coin Purse, Pier 1 Imports

11.  Miz Mooz 'Yona' Wedge Sandal, Nordstrom

12.  Mar Y Sol Baja Oversized Tote, Shopbop

vertical forest in milan

In Milan, 2 residential buildings called Bosco Verticale (Vertical Forest) are currently being constructed integrating vertical gardens in architecture.

The 900 trees it will support along with shrubs and flowering plants will control 

the building's climate by filtering the air.  

What a great contrast from the hard surfaces of a city.

Designed by the architectural firm Stefano Boeri Architetti

calypso st. barth bracelet bar

Eye candy!

I would love a bunch of these to mix and match.

click here to link

Calypso St. Barth

fashion lookbook: no more rules

I was in JCrew the other day wearing my perfectly worn-in leather jacket.

The saleswoman told me it would look great with white pants.  

When I replied 'not quite yet though', she said 'there are no more rules!'

So here's an outfit I'm ready to wear now, no more waiting for Memorial Day.


Getting ready for spring, leather looks great with white, 
but to make it season appropriate, mix it with rich, bright colors.
How about a little sparkle?  Not just for night anymore!
Loving the contrast of patterns.  Mix it up a bit!  No more matchy matchy.

click below to link

1.  Glass Bead Teardrop Earrings, Calypso

2.  Picta Scarf, Anthropologie

3.  Spun Star Loop, Anthropologie

4. Manu Blouse, Anthropologie

5.  My 5 year old Vince leather jacket

6.  Metal Bangle, H&M

7.  Tory Burch Ikat Scarf, Nordstrom

8.  Stone, Shell + Tassel Bracelet, H&M

9.  Ada Straw Clutch, Kayu

10.  Cebu Wood Sunglasses, Kayu

11.  Miz Mooz 'Yona' Wedge Sandal, Nordstrom

12.  White Denim Stretch Toothpick Jean, JCrew

13.  Reed Krakoff Atlantique Tote, Solar Print, Neiman Marcus

14.  Maria Sharapova by Cole Han 'Air Catalina' Sandal, Nordstrom

DODOcase spring colors

I love my DODOcase.

This classic book-look cover not only protects my iPad, it's easy to prop up when reading in bed and automatically turns it off when closed.

A company in San Francisco keeps the art of bookbinding alive.

I love my black cover with orange inside, 

but ooh these new spring colors makes me want another!

DODOcase

brightly twisted scarves

Here is my new favorite accessory that seems to go with everything I own.  

Most of my wardrobe can be pulled together with this scarf.  

Super soft, drapes beautifully, hand dyed...you've got to see these scarves in person.  

See a great selection of 'Brightly Twisted' at Knuth.

Check out their trunk show 
Friday, April 13 in Pepper Pike or Saturday, April 14 in Westlake

Knuth’s – Landerwood Plaza, 30619 Pinetree Rd, Pepper Pike, Ohio 44124 – 216.831.1116
Knuth’s – Jefferson Square, 26141 Detroit Avenue, Westlake, Ohio 44145 – 440.871.7800

artful arrangement

What makes this a great space?

A simple neutral sofa with the contrast of modern classic Barcelona chairs.

Shades of blue used throughout creating rhythm and balance.

These design elements against a simple white and wood backdrop 

keeps it from looking cluttered.

But the wall of art and photographs is the focal point of this room.

Although it may appear as if it were casually put together, 

surely a lot of thought went into the framing and placement.

pantone easter eggs

Happy Easter!

howaboutorange

iphone glam case

I've gotta get one of these glitter iPhone cases.

The question is

silver

 or gold?

Case-Mate

branch out with color

A sign that spring is here...forsythia in full bloom!

Such a burst of color...especially in contrast to the winter trees.

It's amazing what a punch of yellow can do to a room.

 Keeping the rest simple, one bright object can give a room the wow it needs.

Home in Copenhagen

 houzz

Industrial Pendant, West Elm

Billy Bookcase, Ikea

Here are some accessories I love that can give your home a pop of yellow.

1.  Spring Birds + Branches Wall Art Print Set, Etsy

2. Cosy Pendant, Urban Electric 

3.  Ceramic Lamp Base + Lamp Shade, Target

4.  Marimekko Pieni Unikko Bedding, Crate&Barrell

5.  Cell Yellow Tapestry Cushion, The Rug Company

6.  Moroccan Pouf, Jonathan Adler

7.  Capellini Ribbon Stool, ABC Carpet & Home

8.  Billy Bookcase, Ikea

shell wall at lilly pulitzer

A wall of shells in the typical bright colors of Lilly Pullitzer 

adorns a dressing room in their Sarasota, Florida store.
So very eye-catching and cool.

The opposite wall is detailed in shells with names.