{ tablescapes & flatware & such }

so you can't quite tell from my lovely iPhone photo (the good camera is currently without a charger - sad.) but i acquired these amazing (FREE) brass napkin rings and napkins over the weekend. i was so excited about using them that I made myself a fancy breakfast setting this morning so i could give 'em a whirl (are you judging me yet?).

sadly i don't have any brass/gold flatware to pair the napkin rings with so i settled for a set of silver, which was just fine. trevor and i have been going back and forth on investing in a set of good flatware just for when company comes over but we're having trouble deciding which direction we want to go in. 

gold is obviously lovely but it's feeling a bit tired. we've been considering this set of matte black flatware for a whiiiiile now:

i do actually think they're pretty baller, but then i think i'd miss the warmth of the gold (which this set also comes in) for occasions like thanksgiving and such (and ya know, in general). 

if only we could get both. thoughts?

happy monday y'all! lovelovelove.

-C

{ patio styling on a budget }

Nothing says summertime like cocktails on a patio. That being said, furnishing and styling an outdoor space can be a pricey venture for something that many of us only use a few months out of the year. But lately I've found quite a few budget-friendly pieces around the web that I thought I'd share with you.(Despite the fact that I do not have an outdoor space. i'll just have to live through you guys.)

Btdubs, those chairs are my current obsession. Can you BUH-LIEVE they're Ikea? Me either y'all. Read on for the rest of the source list - enjoy!

PATIO STYLING ON A BUDGET SOURCE LIST:

CHAIRS: Ikea // $99/each

TABLE: Ikea // $149

RUG: Target // $74.99 - $265.99

HURRICANE CANDLE HOLDERS: Target // $14-16

PAPER LANTERN: World Market // $16.99 for set of 4

NAPKINS: Target // $9.99

FLATWARE: World Market // $11.96 for set of 4

BOWLS: One Kings Lane // $39 for set of 4

WINE GLASSES: One Kings Lane // $39 for set of 6

WINE: Pomelo Sauvignon Blanc {my summer favorite!}

WOVEN BASKET: World Market // $59.99

ARTIFICIAL PLANTS: Ikea // $4.99 each

{ Wanting: Candlesticks for my coffee table }

I've been studying styling really closely lately, and when I came across this image on Pinterest I was totally head over heels in love with the coffee table styling. I must, must, must go pick up some candlesticks and lovely holders for them to live in ASAP. My coffee table now looks totally naked without them and she's embarrassed. 

How do you guys style your coffee table?

By the way, I am doing the COOLEST thing today. You'll just never guess what it is, but I can't wait to finally share! In due time. In due time. :).

Thanks for stopping in everyone! lovelovelove.

-C

photo source via 

{ how I spend my days off }

Tuesday's aren't entirely a day off because I do have morning classes, but it's the only day of the week that I no longer have to go into work, so I get to spend my afternoons with uninterrupted errand/homework/happy time.  Today I spent my free time restyling my kitchen, going through old issues of House Beautiful and burning a vanilla scented candle. Even though I'm definitely ready for Spring (though most days it barely feels like Winter has come) I can still appreciate these cozy days at home. Isn't that Pear picture just the cutest thing you've ever seen? My mom found it at a garage sale (or thrift store, I can't remember which) and I snuck it home with me when I drove back after Christmas. It makes my heart happy.

How do you guys like to spend your days off?

Thanks so much for stopping by y'all. 

lovelovelove.

-C

P.S. Don't forget that The Everygirl LAUNCHES tomorrow. I will be springing out of bed the moment my alarm goes off. No snoozing for me! Check out Alaina and Danielle's blogs for the links to all of the sneak peeks that hit the blogosphere today!

{ White & Gold }

When I was browsing through my Pinterest boards, I couldn't help but notice some similarities in color palette between these three photos. I've been lusting after a gold french press for many moons. One of these days I'm going to bite the bullet. In fact, I woke up this morning to a broken coffee maker (that was fun, by the way) so it looks like I'll be needing to purchase a new coffee making apparatus soon. Does anyone else out there use a french press on a daily basis? I would definitely like to have one, but I don't know if I'm ready to give up the coffee maker. 

Also, it's snowing here in Cincinnati. So I'm just crossing my fingers that I'll be getting an email any moment from my teachers canceling class :) Wouldn't that be amazing? I think I might just be dreaming, but all I want to do is cozy up on the couch and read my new book. I settled on "The Good Girl's Guide to Getting Lost" at the book store yesterday. I've only read the first chapter, but I love it so far! I'll keep you all posted.

Thanks so much for stopping by today, everyone. lovelovelove.

-C

photo 1, 2, 3

{ Styling Inspiration }

Sometimes the trickiest part of putting a space together is the part that comes at the very end, when you deal with the little chochskies and details.The tabletop in your entry, your bedside table, the books on the coffee table or the right throw blanket for your couch.

One.

Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Notes:

- I think the simplest thing to take away from all of these inspiration photos is the varying heights, textures and shapes of all the objects. I love the way the camera in that first photo is sitting perched upright to give it extra height. (By the way, if you haven't seen Danielle's Apartment Tour yet, you must go now-styled by the lovely Alaina)

-Conversely, one item in mass is typically much more beautiful than one all alone. Dozens of soap bars displayed together suddenly becomes something sculptural and beautiful as opposed to one lonesome guy perched on a bathroom vanity. A cup filled with number two pencils serves a greater impact than one lazily laying on the table. Ya catch my drift?

-Observing how we naturally use things is a great way to find inspiration for styling those tricky tables, desks, and kitchen counters. The second photo looks like an effortless collection of items strewn together that creates a lovely vignette. It doesn't have to look incredibly "design-y" or intentional. Isn't it interesting how that electrical cord from the lamp in photo three actually adds something to that photo instead of detracting from it?

-Groupings of odd numbers are your friend. If something on your bedside table or coffee table or any other surface area doesn't look quite right, you probably have an even number of items on it.

Okay lovelies, I'm off to work. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Thank you so much for stopping by!


lovelovelove.

-C