Haul out the holly...

My husband just spent the better part of the evening schlepping all our Christmas decoration up the from the garage, and I was greeted with 32 years of holiday.  Hooray!

Although I never part with anything Christmas related, I have created some very specific rules around what goes on display- simply put, it has to be red or gold.  No silver bells and no green- unless its pine scented.  The only exceptions being our actual tree decorations- our tree is like a scrap book and I'd take the memories over the department store perfect tree anytime.

I was looking through the decorations and mulling over the dress your space philosophy.  I've mentioned it before, but I love the idea that thoughtful decor would reflect the same taste as a great outfit.  Well, consider this dressing your space in reverse... and check out these great holiday duds inspired by my fav decorations, and with an eye towards your budget, nothing over $100.

ps... can we have a moments pause for that red handbag from DSW?  $35- really?!  I'll race you to it.

Haul Out The Holly by substyle featuring a disco dress

Oasis crepe dress
$75 - oasis-stores.com

Moon Collection disco dress
$53 - modcloth.com

BKE top
$28 - buckle.com

Cropped jacket
£24 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Jersey pants
£19 - houseoffraser.co.uk

Nine West slip on shoes
$80 - zappos.com

La Regale metallic clutch
$30 - macys.com

Red handbag
$35 - dsw.com

The Big Purge

If you wonder where I've been lately, look in my closet.  Well, not my closet, but my guestroom closet.  In the four years we have lived in our house, we have had one room that has served as a catch-all.  Our guest room-cum office- soon to be a cotton candy pink paradise for a two year old.  That means getting rid of everything I'm not attached to, and finding a new home for all the keepers from photos to wrapping paper.

So... since I am currently obsessed with organizing my most precious possessions, here are a few of my top 5 space saving solutions.

1. Space Bags: I know, I know, right into the world of "as seen on TV" but I swear- I use these for everything- linens, baby clothes, sweaters... best of all they fit anywhere!

2. Wrapping paper storage: I dream of a wrapping paper station that looks like this

but in my mini house... I'm getting one that looks like this

 ...its actually a great solution with a spot for ribbon, tape and scissors as well as the bin space for the paper rolls.  Beats the heck out of propping the rolls up in the corner.

3. Bedroom office equipment: When my husband and I moved in together we agreed on a no TV in the bedroom rule.  I think TVs in the bedroom are the first step towards divorce...  But, with our spare room, we loose our home office which means all the bills and office equipment need a new home.  In the land of lap tops we don't need a n actual workspace, but we do need some equipment.  Enter the wireless printer- it communicates with my lap top in the living room and fits on a bedroom shelf without making me feel like I am sleeping in the office.

 4. Photo Storage: I have a million pre digital photos, and they aren't going anywhere.  So I love this 'Havana' platinum-grey medium photo box by Kolo - it's pretty enough to shelve (unlike the giant plastic bins I've been using) and made with archival paper to keep my treasures safe.

 

 5. Under the bed storage: This is my FAV- mostly because it make use of my vintage suitcase collection... currently taking up space in the garage.  And shamefully, I had never thought of it...  So much chicer than the plastic bins peeking out from under my bed now.  Thanks to Better Homes and Gardens for the idea!

And bonus- if I had no budget... and was in the market for some bonus storage, I'd embrace my Alice in Wonderland fantasy with this amazing shelving unit from Dust Furniture... to die for...

Thomas Paul Flash Sale

Today on Haute Look, New York fashion designer turned furniture visionary Thomas Paul is showing in an invite only flash sale- use this link as your invitation to view.  Great classic lines in big, bold prints and with the most modern color pallets.  This is a great change to embrace the "dress your nest" philosophy.  Here are some of my favs... and what I'd like to wear with them.

Dress your nest by substyle featuring plunging neckline tops

Zimmermann cutout dress
850 AUD - zimmermannstore.com

Mulberry print cocktail dress
$850 - mulberry.com

French Connection cotton dress
£69 - mylabel.co.uk

Missoni plunging neckline top
$552 - theoutnet.com

Flower top
$15 - kohls.com

Hobbs floral jacket
£179 - johnlewis.com

Tory Burch low heel boots
$495 - net-a-porter.com

Dress like your nest...

I have mentioned this theory of design that says decorate your house like you dress...  so I thought I'd flip in around.  I considered yesterdays fall design obsessions, and with the help of Polyvore created outfits inspired by the design... no piece over $100

I love this houndstooth skirt- I kept it ultra simple with a black cashmere sweater and added a pop of color with the red Naturalizer pumps (fashion and function!)

Then I took the warm camel and caramel colors and created this layered sweater look with luxurious gold tone accessories.  What do you think?

houndstooth and neutrals by substyle featuring patent leather pumps

Victoria s Secret cashmere sweater
$50 - victoriassecret.com

Cashmere top
£45 - flannelsfashion.com

Cable knit cardigan
$35 - kohls.com

Pencil skirt
$51 - macys.com

Billy Blues stretch pants
$88 - nordstrom.com

Nine west shoes
$90 - nordstrom.com

Naturalizer patent leather pumps
$69 - zappos.com

Steel bracelet
$89 - yoox.com

Alexis Bittar bangle bracelet
$55 - alexisbittar.com

14k gold jewelry
$88 - kylerdesigns.com

Fall Fashion At Home

To my husbands delight, football season started yesterday.  The unofficial beginning of Fall.  We were also met with the first cool cloudy day of the season.  It had me thinking about unpacking all the things that cozy-up my house for the cool days of Autumn and Winter.  I love LOVE fall fashion.  I love the deep warm colors and lux fabrics- I could live in sweaters and wool skirts.  This year I am on a mission to bring some of that great fall chic into my home.  Here are a couple of my favorite fall fashion trends reflected in great decorating accessories that you can layer into your own decor.

Hounds-tooth; nothing says chic like a crisp hounds-tooth... I wear it on shoes or in skirts.  I love it on this pillow for it's soft neutral color.  It will look effortless on any sofa or chair

Cashmere; what's not to love?  It's the ultimate luxury in scarves, sweaters, even socks!  I ache for this cashmere throw- it does not fall into my decorate on a budget stance at all... $400 on Overstock (but hey- its $420 at Saks...) There are less costly versions, even faux cashmere for as low as $40- but the cable knit of this throw screams comforts and luxury.

Rich fall colors; I love fall for red lipstick, darker hair color and the gorgeous warm tones of brown and gold.  Check out this amazing color pallet from HGTV.  My walls are actually a similar shade of brown, now I just need to bring in these rust and caramel colored accents.

...here comes the sun burst

Part of my desire to bust out of boring suburbia means buying more furniture from consignment and antique stores.  Honestly, it's more my taste anyhow.  But every once in a while I have to let that go and venture into a "big box store" (I mean Target, not WalMart, a girl has to have standards)

I  have to admit, with the rotating guest designers, and all Target is kinda living up to it's French name "Tar-jay".  One example is a gold sunburst mirror like this one for a cool $89.99

I am still obsessing over blue couches... imagine it with this amazing sofa at Danish Modern L.A.

...or these white leather chairs from Groovy Girls Etsy Store  (someone had the same idea with the sunburst)

Hi Groovy Girl, I noticed someone beat me to these, but have no fear... I'm sure I'll be buying from you in the near future...

Light it up

If I had to describe my design philosophy, I would probably say contemporary Hollywood regency.  I love the mid-century modern basics with touches of Chinoiserie.  My great-grandma gave me some of her furniture and housewares when we moved her out of her home.  I was in my early 20’s, and needed to furnish an apartment.  She needed a good home for a lifetime’s worth of belongings.  At the time they were just hand-me-downs with emotional attachment, but now I see them as mid-century treasures; a great china cabinet with solid clean lines, a leather ottoman and these fabulous lamps.  This is one half of a pair- the other one is tucked away until I have some tabletop space for it.  My husband thinks my attachment to these is a symptom of pack rat behavior but with new lampshades I think I have converted this into a centerpiece of our living room.

  My favorite part?  Check out how the base lights up- perfect to leave on if we are out for the evening, or a little mood lighting.

Does this make me a wallflower?!

When my daughter was first born, I found my self watching a lot of late night TV.   One of my staples was HGTVs Design Star- and ever since then I always stop when I see it on.  The 2010 Design Star champ, Emily Henderson, has a show called "Secrets From A Stylist."  The principle is that your wardrobe should inspire your decor.  Makes perfect sense, right?  The good news is, I think I've got this down- my home ties right into my wardrobe... the bad news?  They are both kind of boring; neutral color pallet, minimal risk, no surprises.  In this case I am certainly the before:

Not bad.  But not memorable.

Oh to be the after...

Check out that sapphire sofa... if I die and come back as a piece for furniture I want to be that sofa.  Maybe my husband can be the chandelier and we can live happily ever after together.

Okay, here is the plan.  I'm going to return the black sweater I just bought at H&M.  Its cute- kind of a funky sillouette.  It's also the fifth black sweater I own.  Then I am making a resolution to buy two somethings totally unexpected.  One for my home and one for my closet.  Maybe a little inspiration can give me a jump start.