320 Sycamore

Two weeks ago, Melissa at 320 Sycamore had a wonderful Bedding Style giveaway and I think you can tell where this post is headed... Out of 710 entrants, I won!  Believe me, I am just as stunned as you are.  My luck lately is undeniable!  I'm seriously considering playing the lottery for the first time in my life...  Naturally, this couldn't be possible without the lovely and generous bloggers out there, so I'm sending a major THANK YOU to Melissa!

via 320 Sycamore

The photo at the top left is actually the set I commented about, it looks so gorgeous!  If you've been reading my blog lately you know what comes next... my favorite 320 Sycamore posts.  So here they are!

Master Bathroom After - I love all the little details in this space!

How Cool Is This? - Pretty squeakin' cool! I always wondered how people did this.

Gallery Wall After - Beyond just picture frames, this one is interesting & beautiful.

Valentine Vignette - I'm not one for over the top holiday decorating so this is perfect.

Dollar Store Version of WS Glass Hurricane - The title says it all, watch out Williams Sonoma!

Thank you again to Melissa and her generous blogging!
What are your favorite 320 Sycamore posts?

Attitude of Gratitude - Week 4

Happy Monday!  How was your weekend?  So much has happened this week that I can't contain my gratitude to just 3 things.  So here are 5 things that made my week.

1.   If any of you have been reading my posts lately, particularly this one, then you know huge props are in order to Kirsten from Through the Front Door who made my day week when I won her first giveaway!  She has an amazing blog, that featured this fabulous giveaway below.  I can't wait to get my package in the mail. :)

 

via Through the Front Door

  

2.   Luck was really in my favor this week... I won another blog giveaway!  So Much to Smile About was one of the first blogs I started following because Liz always has interesting posts and she's from the DC area too!  She generously gave a gift card to The Limited, and just in time for when I needed a new suit!  Thank you Liz, you are fabulous!



via So Much to Smile About



3.   Squeaks has finally moved!  After months of anticipation, he is in his new place, so you know what that means... let the decorating begin!  It will be nice to be only 5 minutes away, cause, you know, 20 minutes is just soooo far...

4.   This past Friday was my mom's birthday, so what better time to be thankful that I have such a great one.  Growing up we didn't always see eye to eye, but as I've gotten older and moved out we have gotten a lot closer.  She's really been there for me when I needed someone these past couple weeks and I couldn't be happier that we've gotten to this place in our relationship. 

JMU graduation

5.   Losing my DVR capabilities due to the crazy storm last week made me realize how much I adore this thing.  It is a serious life sleep saver.  I follow way  too many television shows, and somehow the ones I like are always the ones that come on super late!  I'm forced into being an early riser for work so without my beloved DVR I would miss out on all the amazingness train wreck that is the Real Housewives and the amazing hotness that is Dallas, and that would be tragic. 

via TNT

Let me know what you are thankful for this week.  Have you ever won anything exciting?  Has your relationship with your parents changed once you left the nest?  Comment to share, I'd love to hear!



So Much to Smile About

What a fitting title!  Liz of So Much to Smile About had a fabulous giveaway this week for a $50 gift card to The Limited, and as luck would have it, the winner is yours truly!  I am beyond thankful for this gift card, which honestly couldn't come at a better time.  I am in desperate need of a new suit but lacking in the cash department due to some brand new brakes needed for my car.  I figured staying alive was at least slightly  important...  But thanks to Liz I can do both and will now be checking out The Limited asap.


via So Much to Smile About

If you like to smile, which I know you do, be sure to check out Liz's blog!  A few of my favorite posts are:

 Makeup Brush 101 - For those of us who weren't quite sure of proper brush etiquette.

The White Blazer - Cute & affordable, this girl's style is impeccable. 

October Style Essentials - I loved all her picks for my birthday month.

Style Crush: Rachel Bilson - Totally have a girl crush on her too.

Golden Globe Favorites - Love checking out Hollywood favorites.

I will admit, after Wednesday's post I do feel a little guilty.  But I am taking this as the universe's way of paying me back for working every day this week, even on the holiday.  And who am I to spit in the universe's face?  With that being said, I have decided not to enter anymore blog giveaways for the foreseeable future.  I want everyone else out there to have a better chance of the happy surprises from the blogosphere.  Everyone deserves a good squeak!

Have you ever had an undeniable streak of luck?  Comment and tell me about it!
Have a good weekend!

Design Rush: Jonathan Adler Top 7

via WSJ online

This past Sunday I watched an episode of Bravo's 10 Things That Make Me Happy which featured our friend Jonathan Adler, and he's just as nice as you would guess by his cheerful designs.  Every time I see his work, this potter turned self-proclaimed "maker" gives me a design rush.  So in honor of my favorite artisan I will, in a quite Bravo-esque manner, be rounding up 7 things of his that make me happy!

One.

Adler finally has a store in DC and I can't wait to visit!
Who knows, maybe in a few years I could even work there... (Dare I dream?!)

Two.

I have a severe love for elephants.
Which explains why when I saw these adorable shakers I almost started drooling.   
 

via Utilities

Three.
People's personalities play such a role in success.  If you're a nice and good person, chances are people want
to work with you more than the rude crook down the street, even if he is a little cheaper.  I love that despite
his fabulous success he still seems like such a fun, down-to-earth person you'd actually want to hang out
with.  Check out his About page on his website and you can see he has fun with what he does.

Four.

I want to high five all the well-known designers that create affordable collections for those of us that
don't make the big bucks.  Barnes & Noble carries a ton of JA's products that bring all the color
and joy without the price tag, like these awesome bookends.   

via Barnes & Noble

Five.

His use of bright colors is squeakalicious.  My roommate incessantly teases my love of bright,
multi-colored items and his designs are so in line with my own personal taste.

Six.

His wallpapers are so awesome I would run out of walls in my house before I could use them all!   

Syrie via Jonathan Adler

Seven.

As an aspiring interior designer, I continue to gush over this guy's quirky yet clean design style. 



Private NY Residence & Liz Lang's Country Residence
via Jonathan Adler



What about Jonathan Adler makes you happy?
Who else gives you a design rush?

Through the Front Door

via Through the Front Door




It's time for a Big Big Big THANK YOU  to Kirsten for giving away this very squeak-worthy basket of goodies on her blog Through the Front Door.  Yesterday happened to be a particularly rough day for me, so the news that I won couldn't have come at a better time.  I'm taking it as a sign that I don't have time to waste on being sad, and I have so many great things going on in my life that there's really no need!  I can't remember the last time I've ever won anything and all the items in this basket are home related so you already know they are perfect to cheer me up.  Squeaks all around!










So pretty, pretty please with a squeak on top check out Kirsten's fabulous blog!  A few of my favorite posts include:

Stone Surround - Because I can never get enough of stone fireplaces.

Twist on Your Traditional Headboard - Some really great, inventive ideas here.

Yellow and Gray - One of my personal favorite color combinations.

Wedding Wednesday: Brooches - Perfect for a bouquet or a bar.

Photo Arrays - Lovely pictures in this one to inspire.

Happy 4th of July everyone!

via Centerline Homes

Inspiration Pitstop: IKEA Home & Garden Show

This picture was so inspiring I just couldn't wait to blog about it!  There are so many elements that make this room fantastic I don't even know where to begin...

via Apartment Therapy

I had just finished reading a post at Honey & Fitz about having headboards against windows when I came across this photo.  To be honest with you, if I hadn't just read that post this bedroom may not have stood out to me much.  But I did, and it did, so as I looked at it further I realized there weren't actually windows behind those curtains.  I later discovered it's because this was part of the IKEA Home & Garden Show, but regardless I thought, Brilliant! Who says you actually have to have windows to hang curtains?  Maybe this isn't much of a ground-breaking moment to you, but for me it seemed like a radical revelation that opened up so many possibilities.  The ceiling to floor draperies make the space seem so grand and warm, while being more flexible and budget-friendly than regular wall treatments like wallpaper.  You can change the curtains out by season to give your space a whole new look in less than 5 minutes!

The dramatic curtains led me to notice to the bedsides, which were also so wonderfully chosen.  I am a big advocate of symmetrical balance with asymmetrical elements sprinkled in.  The matching tables and lamps create a sense of unity while other items bring in individual personalities, making the space seem real.  Add in the layered colors and textures in the bedding and the gallery style wall and this room hits all the high notes! 

What is your favorite thing about this room?  Have you ever been so inspired by a single room or image?  Comment and share!

Attitude of Gratitude - Week 3

Oh, Monday mornings, how you curse me so...  I wish I was still in my amazingly comfortable bed right now, but since I'm not it's time for today's list of things I'm grateful for.  I intentionally chose this series for Mondays because they are always the hardest day of the week, so here we go.


Alicante, Spain



1.     After the crazy storms this weekend and all the people who lost power, I am so very thankful that my apartment is safe and cool.  Thankfully no one I know was hurt!  Good luck to all those without power this week.

2.     The 8 Tracks app has helped me fall asleep many a nights recently.  It's incredibly addicting and there are so many good playlists!  If you're having trouble falling asleep, in need of a new workout mix, or in the mood to be nostalgic for the 90s (as I often am) then check this thing out.

3.   I'm starting to get the itch to go back to Europe again (I've gone the past two years in a row) and while it's not in the cards for me this year, I am so happy that I had the experiences I had there.  I've been thinking about my travels a lot lately with the beautiful weather and slow days at work due to the impending holiday.  Traveling around the world is unlike anything else I've done in my life; I consider those trips to be the most exciting and most rewarding experiences.  You learn a lot about cultures and even yourself when you visit new places, and I plan on keeping my wanderlust attitude for many years to come.



Aphrodite - The Louvre



How was everyone's weekend?  Is Monday the hardest day of the week for you too?

Comment and tell me about the shows and travels that excite you!