Grab & Go Emergency Bag

The 6 P's quote is a good segway to the Grab & Go Bag. I like to feel prepared. I have a fire ladder underneath my bed, because we had one growing up. I have a Red Cross emergency backpack, water, and enough food to feed all of Seattle for a few days weeks should there be a major emergency. And I just learned about a Grab & Go bag in case of a fire. It's a great place to store your passports, birth certificates, social security cards and some cash. Throw it in a ziploc and shove it somewhere hidden but easy to access. This also makes it really easy when you need these items for travel, kids sports, etc. If you're anything like me, you forget the "safe place" you filed these important documents away. Problem no more!

The Seven Dollar Solution

My friend Angela told me about this $7 hanging jewelry organizer sold on Amazon which has become phase 2 of my efforts to control the chaos in my jewelry drawer. Remember phase 1 with my necklaces? I love having jewelry hanging in my closet, easy to see and easy to grab. I'm so much more likely to throw some on as I'm running out the door if it's right in front of me instead of tangled and hidden. Get creative and have fun with it!

Cool Casual

My friend Jennie and I found these paper placemats and went nuts for them. They're genius, right?! I like to set a pretty table but I also love a casual vibe. What better way to accomplish both than setting the table with cute paper placemats?!

For Halloween I used a white tablecloth and some fun decorative pumpkins down the middle of the table. The pumpkins had little sparkly balls so they paired perfectly with the polka dot paper placemats. I had cute napkins from the same company (the ones with the fork, spoon, and knife) and that was it. No glassware - people always have a drink in hand anyway. No silverware - I put it by the plates for when people dished themselves up. No flowers. No frills. I thought the table looked really cute and it took me less than 5 minutes to throw together.

I love the different styles and can think of lots of ways to use them. Next time I'm going to use the last one and write in names so it's a placemat and a placecard. Super simple, super cute.

I think these make a fun and unique hostess gift as well so I grabbed a few extra sets. We'll see if I can part with them though.

You can find these at Stuhlbergs on Queen Anne (best gift store ever!) and The Paper Source in University Village.

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Sugar and Spice and Everything Nice

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Every year I head to Kmart for Christmas tree balls and ornaments. The selection isn't as good as when Martha Stewart created a line for Kmart, but you can still find some cute things.

My sister-in-law did really cute trees for her kids rooms last year with trees and ornaments found at Kmart. I copied the theme of my niece's tree for my daughter's room. My daughter couldn't have been more excited about picking out ornaments and having her own tree to decorate and admire, endlessly. Kmart had such cute cupcake and candy ornaments with garland to match. It turned out so cute.

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Profile in Style: Sarah Lavoine

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Quick read about "France's decorator du jour" - the Polish Princess Sarah Lavoine in T Magazine's Profile in Style.

Check out her website here to see more of her design work.

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Break the Rules

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Just because Mint Julep cups are supposed to be used for a Mint Julep beverage, doesn't mean you can't get creative with them. Here are several reasons to invest in a few....


As their original use... serve Mint Juleps at for your next cocktail party...

I never get sick of a Mint Julep cup as a vase for fresh flowers...

It's an easy way to store your makeup brushes for easy access on the counter...

And makes a pretty little holder for your toothbrush...

They even work with sedums or succulents...

What's not to love?

And as long as you're using containers in new and creative ways, why not use a pretty glass container as a toilet paper holder? That's what I did...

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The Pink Palace

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A few things to love about The Beverly Hills Hotel...

1. The original Martinique banana leaf wallpaper made famous by the hotel. Considered to be one of the most famous wallpaper designs ever. Seen here in Nicky Hilton's kitchen nook and Brian Atwood's office. Love the look.

2. The bright green or pink and white striped beach towels from the hotel. A fun and unexpected gift for a loved one this holiday season.

3. The food at the The Fountain Coffee Shop. If you're ever in LA, swing by and pony up to the bar for a delicious breakfast or lunch. I'm partial to the Corned Beef for breakfast or the Grilled Russian for lunch. Deeeeelicious!

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House Crush: Brooklyn Heights Apartment

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To borrow a cute saying from my friend Jennie, I have a "House Crush" on my friend Clare's apartment in Brooklyn Heights. Look at this place! It's amazing! More amazing than anything is that my friend Clare, with no interior design experience, did most of it herself. She's got a knack, clearly.

I love how it is so clean and crisp. I love that it's subtle but colorful at the same time. So much white, which creates a perfect backdrop for the great color palates to pop from. A perfect balance. I love the fabrics and how she brought them together and I'm crazy about the bookshelves. I'm a sucker for great bookshelves. Clare has such a great eye and did such an amazing job.

Disclaimer for Clare - the master bedroom and her daughter's room are not entirely done. I can't wait to see those rooms once completed. I know they'll be even more lovely than they already are.

Thank you to Jami Supsic Designs for all the photos.

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Love this Space

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via Stone Fox

Pretty Little Things

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For years my necklaces have been tossed in a drawer, getting tangled or forgotten. I finally decided to hang them in my closet so I could see them, and mix it up more often rather than wearing the same thing day after day. I figured as long as I was going to display them, I might as well make it look pretty. I used drawer hardware from Anthropologie to hang the necklaces and a gold Italian ex-voto heart for decoration (more on those soon). I was so pleased with how it turned out that I had to share.

I loved it so much that I went back for more knobs to display my chunkier pieces. Larger hardware or hooks would work great for displaying belts, purses, and scarves. Do you have any creative ways of organizing or displaying your goods? Would love to hear or see what you've done!

Too Cute for Words

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How adorable would this Schumacher Balloons Wallpaper be in a kid's bath, bedroom or playroom?! I'm loving it. Even considering for my kids bath because it would compliment the black and white tile so well.

If used in a bedroom or playroom, it would be cute to accent the room with one of these playful hot air balloons from Stuhlbergs.

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Print of the Day: Dorothy Draper Covered Couch

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Seen here: friends of friends, and founders of the chic line of accessories Meredith Wendall, photographed in their NYC home with the coolest couch ever: a couch from the Greenbrier Hotel and covered in Dorothy Draper fabric. Tres chic.

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Pattern of the Day: Pierre Frey Ikat Toiles de Nantes

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I almost used this Pierre Frey wallpaper in my master bedroom and I'm kind of kicking myself right now that I didn't. It's pretty fantastic now that I can see it on the wall. Found via Habitually Chic.

Photo credit: Elle Decor

The Dinder House

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"Family Style" is an interesting article from The New York Times Style Magazine about a couple who renovated a Georgian manor house in Somerset, England to work for their lifestyle and their four boys. I love how they dealt with the scale of the rooms. I could settle down in this grand manor with my familia, especially after reading about the rest of the house and gardens.
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Fresh Spring Scent

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Launch into spring with Anthousa's new fragrance - Violet & Black Currant. I love the bright pink packaging but even more I love the scent. It's fantastic. Anthousa is always a perfect gift for that special friend or family member or a treat for your own home. Who wouldn't love a bottle to brighten up their home and make it smell floral and fresh?! The question is never to buy or not to buy, the question is which Anthousa product and in which great scent. .

Wallpaper Envy

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I love this wallpaper spotted on House Crush. I want it for my kiddos playroom. Can't you just imagine how fun it would be to create a wall of artwork and photos?! Sadly our playroom is already on overload and any more clutter to the eye would put me over the edge. But in another life, in another house, I would buy this in a heartbeat!.

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Oh So Cute, Outdoor Entertaining

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I did not waste one minute after seeing the post on House Crush about all the adorable blue & white melamine dinnerware on sale at Target. I loaded up the baby and off we went at 9:30am this morning. There are so many cute plates, bowls and platters in different prints to mix & match. I also couldn't resist the plastic tumblers in smoke color for water glasses or mixed cocktails on the patio. Thank you House Crush! I could not be more excited to use all my new dinnerware for my first outdoor dinner party when the warm weather arrives!

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I Have a New Crush... A House Crush

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My friend Jennie just launched her blog House Crush. I've had a crush on it since she gave me a sneak peak and now everyone's going to have a house crush because she just went live. Jennie has an amazing eye for design and the details - color, pattern, texture, finishing touches and more. You should see her home!!!! It's A-mazing!

If you love home decor like I do, check out her blog and add it to your daily stops. I already have a crush on every photo she's shown. I just love her style and can't wait to see what else she has in store to inspire us.
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Miller Pollard Wingback Rocker for Sale

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I'm selling my daughter's chair in case you or anyone you know is interested. It's a Miller Pollard wingback rocker/glider with custom fabric. Please email me or call me (206.930.1235) for more info. Thanks!

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Military Chalkboard US Map

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I love cool maps and I've always thought it would be fun to design a little boys room around a huge map on the wall - either something artsy and colorful or weathered and antique looking. I just saw this Military Chalkboard US Map and thought it could even be cool, especially hung against a really fun wallpaper. I'm wild for wallpaper by the way.

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