Attitude of Gratitude - Week 8

I am brimming with excitement this Monday!  Last week was so great so let's jump right into my 3 things.

My sister finally popped out her baby and I now have a niece!  Gabriella Elana is the newest and tiniest addition to our family.  She was born last Monday and I had to wait all the way until Friday to meet her, but it was so nice once I finally did.  She is so precious and I can't wait to watch her grow up.  Not to mention my 6 year old nephew, Donovan, who is already a wonderfully sweet big brother.  I am especially thankful to have such cuties in my life, even though I don't get to see them as much as I'd like.

Saturday my dad proved that even when you're in your 20s your dad can still be your hero.  I'm not sure how it happened, but I've cultivated an extreme fear of snakes over the last week even though I had never seen one in real life (except for at the zoo). Then of course what would happen on Saturday when I slept at my parent's house but a very long and slithery black snake comes after me when I'm trying to get inside!  I didn't want to wake either of my parents up since it was around midnight but I couldn't get myself to move so I was literally just standing there staring when my dad somehow woke up out of his sleep and came outside to rescue me!  I don't know how he knew I needed to be rescued, but a giant thanks and love you to my pops!

Lately, I'm also really thankful to have the passion for interior design that I do.  This blog helps me keep up my interest and I really feel like it helps me learn because it drives me to look into things I may have overlooked before.  I actually made a few (but impactful) changes around the apartment this week and it gave me such an adrenaline rush!  I walk into my room and I just instantly get happier.  It's a truly amazing feeling, and the one I hope to give to others some day.

via

How was your week?  What has excited you and spurred some gratitude?

Comment and share, I'd love to hear!

Chandelier, Darling

After Wednesday's canopy roundup, it got me thinking about other lofty eye-catchers so naturally I had a browse session on Pinterest.  Let me tell you, it is all abuzz over chandeliers!  This obviously produced some lovely picture inspiration so I have 11 of my favorites coming your way.  There's something for everyone in this post - traditional, modern, sputnik, bubbles, flowers, colors... You want it, you've got it, my faithful squeaksters!

 via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via, via

I just can't stop squeaking!  These lovely light fixtures seem to instantly glam up a space, no matter the size or style.  And with countless options, you're guaranteed to find something that fits your design style.  As much as I would love to have chandeliers all over my home, there are two main things stopping me.  One, affordability (haven't you heard, beauty comes with a price) and two, the lack of questionably the most important appliance in my home, my ceiling fan.  After doing a little hunting, I was actually happily surprised at the amount of affordable chandeliers that were available.  Don't believe me?  Check out two of many options below!



$304 via, $197 via


Unfortunately for me, the second hurdle isn't so easily solved.  I'm not sure what it is, but no matter how low I put my thermostat, I still end up boiling throughout the night without my trusty ceiling fan.  Alas, my bedroom will be forever chandy-less.  But in the other rooms, it's game on!

Are you as swept away with chandeliers as the rest of the Pinterest world?
Can you brave the trade of your ceiling fan for a chandelier?  Comment & share!
Enjoy your weekend :)

Thursday Thoughts - Plans

via Pinterest

Plans are a funny thing.  Everyone is always promoting the importance of planning, and failing to do so is planning to fail.... You know, all those motivational clichés.  But no matter how much you plan, life or fate or whatever it is you believe in gets in the way.

I'm a planner through and through.  I've never been a "let the chips fall where they may" kinda gal; it just didn't suit me and my worrywart personality.  As a close friend pointed out, I know what I want, which at my age is somewhat rare.  To know what you want out of life and your relationships is certainly not a bad thing and should never be apologized for.  Sure, my ideas and paths will change over time; that's inevitable.  But I will continue to plan, even if it means I have to lap the alphabet a few times!

What plans have you made lately?  Did they force you to make your
way through a few letters?  Comment and share, I'd love to know!

Canopy of Dreams

via Fanpop

Growing up all little girls dream of having beautiful drapes encompassing their bed like a Disney princess.  Ok, maybe not all little girls... But definitely this one!  Can you blame me though?  Have you ever paid attention to the bedrooms of Belle, Aurora, Jasmine, and Ariel?  Wonderful canopies for everyone!


Even though this type of drapery started out as an additional layer for privacy and warmth, it quickly developed into a new form of decoration, which is how we know it today.  So while this style can certainly be fit for little princesses all over, canopies can be done tastefully so that any adult could be proud to sport one.  See for yourself!





  

                         Phoebe Howard creates a clean yet warm bedroom that is dainty without being overly frilly.  And talk
                         about a royal feel... look at that intricate canopy top!  I could certainly lay in bed just staring at the
                         ceiling for hours.

via Atlanta Homes



This daybed from the Italian furniture artisan, Giusti Portos, provides the relaxed feel of a hammock while bringing a touch of luxury.  Top of the squeak list!

via DigsDigs

 As if I didn't love Jonathan Adler enough already, coming across this Parker Palm Springs room certainly did the trick.  Why stop at a bed when you can canopy an entire room?  It really completes the vibe of the space and the fabric choice is perfectly dreamy.

via So Haute Style

   This grand canopy takes center stage above the bed while working in the colors of the room.  With such an open room having the drapery knotted is a perfect way to avoid making the space feel smaller.

via Pinterest

I cannot get over this one!  The lightweight drapery mixed with the large, ornate frame on the ceiling is the perfect combination for an overall glamourous space. 


via Peace, Love, & Cowboys

 
This French room is gorgeous on it's own, but I especially like how the drapery is pulled out to make the bed an even bigger focal point.  Can you believe there's an entire blog dedicated to canopy beds? 

via Canopy Bed

  The rooms at Villa Walmi in Bali show that canopies don't have to be limited to a traditional or ethnic style room.  Their luxurious modern spaces are the perfect platform for the romantic drapery.  Let's go to Bali and check them out first hand!

via Villa Walmi



If you're looking to create canopy in your own home, check out these photos below for some inspiration.



via Design Sponge, The Colors of My Mind, & Better Homes and Gardens



How do you feel about canopies?  Comment and share!

Piled High - A Spotlight on Rugs

Several designers have suggested beginning the design process with area rugs.  By working from the floor up you can ground the room (quite literally!) and create a color palette all in one purchase.  Not to mention, a rug can easily imply the vibe of the room to guests.  How, you ask?  Picture a stiff, low pile rug next to a dense, plush one.  Which makes you want to kick your shoes off and stay awhile?  They each have their place in a room, as long as it's the right room.  If you're having trouble deciding, keep in mind the amount of traffic expected in the space so constant trekking through doesn't dampen your under-foot cushion.



via, via

The most common mistake people make when choosing an area rug is the size.  Small rugs can actually make a room feel even smaller.  By expanding the corners to include the furniture you can actually create the sense of a larger space.  When the pattern or color underneath is spread out it encompasses all the surrounding elements, making them look all part of a cohesive plan.  Reese Witherspoon's living room is the perfect example!  The opposite can also be achieved, as area rugs are also great to break up a space.  They create... you guessed it, areas!  Now, that reading nook can stake out its' own little territory.

via, via

Layering rugs has become increasingly common over the past decade and add another layer of interest to a room.  Designer Antony Todd uses this hip trend in his apartment shown below.  The bottom rug brings together all the furniture in the room, while the zebra throw separates the main seating from the window nook.  Twice the design for twice the fun!  If you're going for the layered look, remember to coordinate them each with the room, but also with each other, let only one be the showstopper, and avoid tripping hazards.

via

Now, what you've all been waiting for!  Here's a roundup of a few of my favorite rooms featuring beautiful rugs.

With neutral furniture, this Surya Aimee Wilder rug is allowed to make a statement, and boy does it!  Hello world, I'm awake and ready to go!   The interesting pattern and bright Pantone colors definitely make this space enviable.

via Pinterest

The black and white rug below calms down a very bright and cheerful living room.  Coordinated with the geometric art on the wall art and floral runner on the side table, this photo is the perfect example of how the space underneath can tie in elements throughout a room.



via Better Homes & Gardens



This geometric Madeline Weinrib wool flat weave rug is the perfect touch of interest for this monochromatic living room.  The contrasting rectangles underfoot create a enough of a focal point to keep away a case of the stuffies in this high class space. 

via Porch Light Interiors



Not only do I love the pattern of this rug, it is the prefect size for the room!  It encompasses both nightstands, the bed, and the ottoman with enough extension to avoid cutting off the space.  Between tying everything together and reinforcing the room's color scheme, what more could you ask from a rug?

 

via Pinterest

What is your favorite way to use rugs in your home?  Do you prefer neutrals or something that
stands out?  How about the layered look?  Comment and share your thoughts!

This post was inspired (but not sponsored) by Lulu & Georgia, a home décor e-commerce site launching this Fall.  You can register for updates on their site to learn more! 

Attitude of Gratitude - Week 7

Can you believe this is already week 7 of Just Squeaks?  I sure can't!  This summer is flying by without giving me the chance to take a breath and catch up!  But I am taking the time to send some appreciation over the blogosphere and throwing in a little bonus if you make it to the end!

1.   Home Goods is like mecca to the design obsessed.  It has to be my favorite store by far.  I stopped by my local store last week looking for things for Squeaks' apartment but naturally stuck around much longer than planned uncovering a few unrelated goodies.  Check out this very cool mirror I came across.  So interesting!

2.    One of my favorite things right now is my United Social Sports skeeball team.  It's basically a happy hour with teams competing in different sports.  This season we play skeeball and cornhole, the perfect mix of childhood and college.  In the fall we'll start kickball which I'm also pretty pumped for.  It's so much fun and a great way to meet people if you're new to the area.  And this past weekend we had a team bonding party which was just as much fun!

via Dealbreaker

3.    I fully recognize how much of a perk it is that my job serves food all day, every day (and no, I'm not exaggerating) which means all my breakfasts, lunches, and snack cravings are provided to me whenever I'm at work.  Granted this is a large test of my willpower because hearing people ooo and ahhh over Haagen Dazs every day makes it incredibly hard not to gain 50 pounds, but I certainly save a lot of money with this work benefit.

And for the bonus!  I definitely suggest checking out Well, That’s One Way To Embrace Color. The couple of Young House Love wrote this awesome post about partaking in Color Me Rad and a fun home decor bonus that came from it.  I'm not anything close to a runner by any stretch of the imagination, but this post made me want to run a 5k.  That is until reality set in that I'd most likely pass out of exhaustion before making it to the colory finish.

What are you thankful for lately?  Comment and share!

Do you have a random hobby that helps you make it through the week?

Don the 'Ron: Chevron Spans the Market

Earlier this week I was browsing Nordstrom's Anniversary sale and spoiler alert, way too many things are way too amazing.  At least with such huge discounts they're slightly more attainable.  Why I do this when I've already announced my credit card is on retreat I'll never know. Glutton for punishment, maybe?  But I digress... I came across this dress:

Look familiar?  As soon as I spotted it I knew I had seen the likes of it before...

That's right, Target shoppers!  They carry a duvet version of that couture dress in stores near you for a very affordable price.  Soak in the bliss...  Chevron is very in right now, as are teal and grey, so naturally this duvet stood out to me when I spotted it in the home aisle a few weeks back.

I considered using this chevron home line in Squeaks' apartment for about a mili-second before I realized it wasn't at all the look he goes for and is a little too young for him.  But when I saw that dress it took even more self control not to snag it, especially at a sale price of only $50!  And what do I do when I pass on owning beautiful things?  I blog about them so I can share them with you so you can own them and so I can  look back and remember them.

So whether you're a Target shopper or a Nordstrom shopper (or both), you can don the 'ron!

Which is your favorite, dressing or bedding?  Are you running to purchase one?
(P.S. Both is a totally acceptable answer!)