Feeling Artsy

If you've been keeping up with your fav lifestyle blogs lately, you've probably noticed a few of them doing round-ups sponsored by Fab. This is definitely not a sponsored post {I wish!}, but the other bloggers have inspired me to peruse the goods on the site.

Can't wait to have walls of my own to hang art like so:

Not even sure what I love about them so much, but I do... especially that last one. I could do a whole room around that baby!

All paintings are by artist Eileen Lang and can be found here on Fab. 

Check and Check

Last week got ca-ray-zay... and this week isn't looking much better! Sorry to leave my lovely readers hanging {I'm talking to you, ANNE!}, but I'll be back as much as possible. In the meantime, at least I've got good shoes and can handle doing my hair. Good old Iris seems to think I'm good to go with those couple of things checked off my list!

It All Started With a Rug

So I've been pinning the heck out of kilim rugs lately. 

left / center / right

Like I luff, lurve, love them. I think the colors are fantastic. I tend to lean towards the ones that have some pink in them {good thing I'm a single gal and don't have to pass my design decisions by a dude!}, a bright, vibrant magenta to be more specific. And a little navy/taupe/orange/yellow or combination thereof doesn't hurt either. These rugs are a fun way to incorporate a good dose of color! I want that one in the middle for an informal family room area. 

And if I could have one in my kitchen, too, I'd design my whole space around it, like so:

Rug: Sadly, no longer available, but a great inspiration for what I'll be looking for when I settle into my humble abode! {approx. $850}

Placemat: West Elm does a great version of the dip dye, but I've been itching to DIY something like this, too! {$14 for 2}

Copper Canisters: Loving touches of copper in design lately! It's a nice alternative to the traditional silver and gold. Plus, the texture of these guys is ahhh-mazing! {$90}

Table: Spoiler alert! I bought myself a kitchen table this past weekend. Who buys a kitchen table before she has a kitchen? This GIRL! It's not this one, it's better!!! But I'll save the big reveal for when it's parked in my place... soon! {$799}

Chair: Ya, no surprise here... love mixing in the industrial touch. My kitchen is meant to have these chairs {I've only talked about them here and here!}, although, I'm thinking the mint green is a must have for me, so I'll have to keep that in mind as I'm searching for my kilim. {$145}

Mia the Mixer: Of course she'll be front and center in my kitchen! {$450}

Art: Love the chalkboard look. Actually, I'm planning on incorporating a chalkboard wall in my future space, but a little touch on the inspiration board doesn't hurt! {$15}

Tea Towel: Pulling out some of the more understated colors in the kilim is a must. This little towel does just that! And it's a bargain. {$5}

Tea Cup: Of course I go for the polka dots. {$12}

So who wants to come over for dinner once this all comes together? Come one, come all!

Inspired to Write

It truly is my goal to become a better blogger. What do I mean by better? Well, for one, I want to be more consistent. For me personally, there is nothing better than starting my day reading my favorite blogs. It's like starting my day hearing from a friend. I feel like it just starts my day off on the right foot! I hope to be that place for others, someday. Secondly, I want to develop better content. I always feel like I'm cheating my loyal readers {which probably only consists of my Mom and sister... thanks fam!} when I throw together a quick post, instead of really putting thought into what I want to talk about. Now, don't get me wrong... everyone loves a good quote every once in a while and that may be all you need to get you through the day, so I'll still post those short and sweeties every here and there, but for the most part, I want this to be a place where I can keep the ideas I have for my wardrobe, my someday house, the parties I'm going to throw, the food I'm going to make eat... you get the picture.

There it is. Out in the open. Now I'm holding all of you accountable for keeping me to it!

Maybe I'd be a better blogger if I had a new desk to sit at when I write? Ha! Probably not, but it is a good excuse to take a look!

Many of my favorite bloggers have been featuring items from Target's new{ish} Threshold Collection and I am smitten. Target does it again! Love so many of the pieces and I think the desk collection is no exception. I'd take one or all of these in my house!

Bright and white: I think this one looks glam. Of course the ideas would just be flowing like crazy sitting at a spot like this! {Hamilton Desk $129}

Industrial: the love affair with industrial continues... at such an affordable price, this might be a must have. {Mixed Material Desk $99}

Campaign: I've seen so many campaign DIY projects that have been tempting to try, but this desk might just be a short cut. {Campaign Desk $149}

Not-So-Mellow-Yellow: this desk just looks happy! Clean, simple and bright! {Windham Desk $169}

Which would inspire you to write?

Bitches Get Stuff Done

Ya. I would totally support this campaign. But in all honesty, I posted this today for inspiration... I need to get stuff done. And it might just take being a b-word to do it. Whoa, Sir Crazy Busy! I'm ready for you to check yourself out of my life. Please and thank you.

On the bright side? It's Friday. And I am going to at least try and enjoy some of it before I start holding my breath and waiting for the next two weeks of work whirlwind take over! If I'm a little sparse here in the blog world for a bit, it's not you, it's me... wait - that's the wrong line... ha. Seriously though, I'm going to try and keep a little bit of sanity and this blog is where I keep it real, but if I'm gone a day here or there, you've been warned! 

Life Lesson

Easier said than done, but always a good reminder. I can be a full-blown worrywart and as many times as life has tried to teach me that worrying doesn't do any good, I still need inspiration like the above to remind me not to sweat the small stuff. 

You know what else is helps you not sweat the small stuff? WEEKENDS. Thank goodness the weekend is here! Hope you all have a lovely one!

Bows.

Just a little holiday party dress inspiration for you today! Your Christmas packages don't have to be the only things tied up with bows this year!

1 / 2 / 3

Pull Yourself Together

Man oh man! The winter cold bug has caught up with me... I am a bit under the weather today, so I apologize I don't have a great post ready for ya.

Days like this it's all I can do to just pull myself together and get to work.

It's a top knot/leggings/sunnies kind of day.

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Oh wait... that girl is 5... And she still looks more put together than me today! I think I should just turn around and go back to bed! {P.S. I wish this little girl was mine... she's so cute!}

I'll be back tomorrow for the final 2 gift guides of the season! Yep, 2 in 1 day! It's gonna be great!

Emerald Goodness

Pantone has narrowed down the Top 10 Colors for Spring and chosen the number 1 color for 2013... and I must say I couldn't have picked a prettier color myself!

www.pantone.com

Not only is green a favorite color of mine, it plays so well with good old leopard print. And we all know how much I love a good animal print... I may have mentioned it a time or two.

Here's how easy it is to pair the two together:

left / right

Plates 'o Plenty

When it comes to my imaginary future house, I've shared with you that I want fun pops of color, a great closet and leopard carpet somewhere {not everywhere}.

Here's another peak at what I want to incorporate into Casa de Katie:

Sorry, but I don't have sources for these great inspiration images. Before Pinterest was around, I treated my desktop like a personal Pinterest and would save any images I liked there. 

I have collected a variety of plates over the past five years or so. Mostly from Anthropologie and a few vintage finds. And I think I might need to be adding these dessert plates by Tracy Reese for Target + Neiman Marcus Collection.

Maybe I'll add them to my Christmas list...

Industrial Chic

If I had to choose one style for home that I generally favor it would be traditional... but with a twist! You already know I love to add a little pop to home decorating with color and pattern, but another style that has been catching my eye lately is a touch of industrial.

Whether you choose to incorporate it with a piece of furniture:

left / right

Or make a big statement in a small space:

left / right

Me oh my! I LOVE that bathroom on the left. House bucket list item: make that bathroom happen!!!

Hope everyone has a great week!

Gift Guide: BFF

The holidays are coming! Before you know it we'll be passing out presents under the Christmas tree, sipping hot cocoa while the fire place roars... wait -- that sounds a little too perfect -- somehow Christmas always ends up a little more crazy than that... and I love every minute of it!

I think one of the best parts about the holidays is finding the perfect gift for someone you love. Somehow I am always more excited to give the gifts I have purchased, than I am to receive gifts {not a huge fan of surprises... silly, I know!}.

What better way to countdown to Christmas that prepare with a fresh batch of gift guides? Since we have 7 shopping weeks left before Santa Clause graces us with his presence, I think that calls for 7 gift guides. Who might we be shopping for you ask...

• Your BFF
• For Her
• For Him
• Homie 
• The Tech-ster
• The Pup
• For YOU

So, without further ado:

Friends can be hard to buy for, but hopefully this little list will help you out just a bit!

1. This infinity scarf is both cute and cozy! The color combination would make a great compliment to any wintery wardrobe.

2. My favorite candle always makes chilly winter nights a little warmer. It's called "Aloha Orchid"... maybe I'm just dreaming of a warmer Hawaiian environment!

3. Who said friendship bracelets are just for kids?

4. It's always fun to dress up your phone and this is one of those purchases I hate to buy for myself! 

5. How fun is this two-tone clutch? Not only a great pop of color for a winter wardrobe, but versatile for year-round use!

6. Add a little sparkle to compliment her clutch! 

7. And of course, no holiday gift guide would be complete without some socks! I always wear fun socks under my boots... it's like a little bit of cheer each time I take my shoes off after a long and cold day!

Leap List: Art

Have you ever heard of a "Leap List"? It's similar to the idea of a "Bucket List," but rather that making a list of things you want to do before you die, you make a list of things you want to do in a shorter time frame... say by the end of the year. Starting this blog was on my Leap List. Check!

Another item on my Leap List is to get back to creating art. I wouldn't even dare coin myself an "artist," however I do love color {as mentioned here and here} and expression through creativity. I could spend hours at art fairs and in art supply stores! Recently, I wondered around an annual art fair close to my house, and I kept catching myself thinking, 'I could do that!' Now, it's just about actually doing that.



clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4

 clockwise from top left: 1 / 2 / 3 / 4


Here are a few inspiration pieces that I'd love to try and create for myself. Interesting that all of them seem to have a similar color scheme with a touch of metallic. I guess I know what I like.


Now the question is when will I find the time to do it? I'm going to have to make the time! I've been gone more than I've been at home for the past couple of months, so I think this would be a great project to do over the holidays when my travel schedule calms down a bit.


Leap List, here I come!

Happy Birthday Mama!

Today is a very special day! It's my wonderful Mom's birthday!!!

I don't even know where I'd begin to list all of the amazing things about her... she's a great Mom, awesome Mimi {her version of Grandma}, ultimate cheerleader, with my Dad an inspiring example of love and one heck-of-a shopping partner! She is the reason why I love fashion and why I write this blog. She always made sure my sister and I were dressed in the best of the best {I mean just check out the matching peter pan collars in the pic above, along with the white hair bows... a signature Mary move!}, even if that meant sneaking our mall finds in past our Dad. In fact, still to this day I feel guilty when my Dad catches me with a shopping bag, even if it's something I bought. Hello Catholic guilt! 

Thanks Mom for always being my biggest supporter and such a loving friend. You are truly the heart of our family... oh and the pups love you, too!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! I love you!

{P.S. Does anyone else ever go through old pictures and realize how few your Mom or Dad are actually in?!? Always behind that camera! Good think I found that gem above.}

House Happy

So I've shared my dream of someday buying a house, but I have to admit that one of my biggest motivations to buy is so I can decorate any way I want! I'm a renter right now, so at times, my vision can be limited to what my landlord and lease say are ok. 

A great way to add life to your design when you are limited by a lease or even a budget, is to add pops of color, just like you do in your wardrobe.

1 / 2 / 3 / 4

Ok, so I realize #4 probably wouldn't fly in a rental, but I couldn't resist sharing. How cute is that yellow fireplace???

My Inner Carrie Bradshaw

This may be a little odd to admit, but every time I start to picture what type of house I'll end settling down in someday, my mind always drifts to my dream closet. Now, don't get me wrong, even in my rental, I have an awesome walk-in that I'm perfectly happy paying extra for each month, but there is just something about a space that will be "mine" in a more permanent place that really makes my mind start to wander. 

My girl, Carrie Bradshaw says it best:

found on http://sannaw.blogg.no/

I even have an entire Pinterest board dedicated to this very subject.  By the way, hop on over to Pinterest and follow me... I'm almost as obsessed with Pinterest as I am with my future walk in. Here are  a few ideas I think I'm going to have to incorporate someday...

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Purses are one of my favorite things to buy and I definitely need a better way to store them so I can see all of them!

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And I'd also love to have my jewelry more on display... it's so pretty, why hide it away? I think I'd try to brighten up the space a bit more that this photo.

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Rolling racks are a must for outfit planning! I have a couple now, but I should have invested in more quality pieces. I think I'd like to DIY this guy! Industrial parts + happy color = WIN!

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And while we're at it playing this game of make-believe, why not just go all out? Two story walk-in? YES, please. 

It's like Carrie told Mr. Big... she didn't need a diamond, she's just needed a really big closet! Cheers, Carrie! 

1 Week Down... Many MORE to GO

http://www.etsy.com/listing/75141710/print-typography-inspirational-the-best

This is my motto and I believe it to be true for so many things. It's been a great first week being part of the blog world, and it's going to get even better from here! The best is yet to come for ella.bella.bea&flo! Hope you all stick around to experience the fun to come!

By the way... wouldn't this etsy print look cute as part of a gallery wall? I might have to order!

Happy weekend!