Bon Voyage…

Spending the day packing and prepping for my trip to Paris, France…

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I leave tomorrow morning for a week long, dream trip to Paris! I am traveling with my friend Jackie Jordan to sight see and attend the Maison&Objet Design and Trend show…see more from my post here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I will be away from the blog for the week…but I will be back with tons of pictures to share!

For inspiration, I have been collecting and pinning lots of pictures to my Pinterest board Dreaming of Paris. Since it will be cold and wintery in Paris, I am packing lots of hats, scarves, and warm winter sweaters. Here are some beautiful winter shots of this magical city…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Although we may be a bit more bundled up, here is how I imagine Jackie and I will be spending the next few days…

 

 

 

 

Have a fabulous week…I know I will!

 

 

Au Revoir!

 

 

 

 

Are you a PC or Mac?

I guess I am a little of both. I have an i-phone – love it! – and a Lenovo laptop computer that I also really like. Last year, before I got my laptop, I learned to use our Mac desktop but don’t really use it much anymore. I decided to stay with a pc for several reasons including the operating system/software that I was already used to, and cost.

However, since Santa brought me this…

 

 

I need to learn to use the Apple software again! For the last several days I have been playing around on my new i-Pad and really like it. It seems to be the perfect mix of all the features I use on my computer, blended with the ease and portability of my i-Phone…but bigger and faster. I have already loaded several books and enjoy reading them on the large touch screen.

 

 

 

I still love holding a real book in my hands, but having a mini library on my i-Pad will be perfect while I am traveling this month.

I have found several helpful tutorials and tips online to walk you through just about any questions or problems you may have. While browsing through some of my favorite blogs the other day, I realized I do not have a Pin It! button installed yet! What? That needs to be fixed…stat!

I found a simple step by step tutorial on the blog “here’s the thing” written by Ben Patterson. This helpful blog is an excellent source for practical tips, advice, and how-tos about the gadgets we all use. Follow this link for his article on 10 must know tips for your new iPad.

Now on to the fun stuff…accessories for my new iPad! The sleek design of this gadget is nice, but it is almost too slick to hold securely! It feels like it could slip off my lap at any minute and that makes me nervous. I need to find a stylish/protective/functional case.

No shortage of options. From designer looks to more functional styles with keyboards that are attached or removable…

Kate Spade

 

Diane Von Furstenberg

 

Tori Burch

 

Etsy

 

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KeyCase i-Pad Folio

 

 

 

 

Zaggmate

 

Solid Line Products

 

As you see, I have some research to do to find the perfect option for my new iPad!

Do you have an iPad? How do you like to protect it, and what type of case do you favor…stylish, protective, functional?

Perhaps you have found the perfect combination of all 3...please share!

A client shares her Christmas décor…

It is always fun when a client is happy with the space you helped them create, and decides to open up their home and share pictures!

 

This particular client happens to be my “little-sister-in-law-by-marriage”. I have known Shelly since she was about 2yrs. old, as their family lived just around the corner from ours when we were growing up. Long story short…my older brother married her older sister, which makes her my “little-sister-in-law-by-marriage” right? Anyway, she currently lives just around the corner to me again, and asked me to help design her new condominium.

 

 

She has lived in this complex for a couple of years and just recently moved across to a bigger unit. This new space is light, and bright, with hardwood floors, and a charming spiral staircase that leads up to a loft. I helped Shelly select some new furniture, lighting, and accessories. I also helped her put together some of her existing pieces and art in new and original ways for her new space.

 

Here is a tour of her warm and welcoming home.

 

Sitting room with leather club chairs and her vintage Hollywood photos…

 

 

 

 

 

 

Across the room we hung her original Martini Art over a Ballard Designs console table with 2 zebra print storage ottomans tucked underneath…

 

 

 

 

 

Cute photo of her nephews…my 2 boys and my brothers son years ago in the snow!

 

 

When she invited me over to take some photos, I loved the way she had decorated for the holidays. In lieu of a tree, she decided to adorn her spiral staircase with garland and lights, which is such a clever alternative to a traditional Christmas tree…

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She used an aqua blue and silver holiday color scheme this year, to compliment the blue accents we used in her design…

The living room came together nicely with a new khaki twill sectional from Home Decorators Collection. It matched perfectly with her Crate & Barrel striped rug in neutral tones. We added some pillows, drapery panels, and a new lamp…

Shelly found this pretty blue velvet chair at World Market, and I love the nail head trim…

You might have spied the cute little faux fur pet bed on the end of the chaise…

This is Jackie-O’s favorite place to nap!

 

 

The stockings were hung in the loft with care…

 

 

A quick view of the kitchen nook. Shelly already had the round glass topped table so we added a couple of white leather stools from Overstock for seating. After I found the new overhead drum light, we had to re-position the placement so it was centered over the table…

Shelly and Frank love to travel, and even have another condo in Florida. She decided to add a gallery wall with clocks as a nod to their frequent trips across time zones…cute!

Thank you for opening up your home and sharing with all of us Shelly! I am so glad you are enjoying it and look forward to spending time with you in this fun new space!



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