Ever since seeing that American Express commercial, the one with everyday objects made to look like happy or sad faces faces, I’ve become obsessed with finding ways to incorporate them into the design of my home. Here are a few inspirational things I’ve found. It’s just subtle enough to add a cheery, cheeky touch, don’t you think?
Flor Find a Face Rug, $179, Flor.com
Benthe Hoyer Hansen Gallery
Benthe Hoyer Hansen Gallery
Ishtar Olivera's Pin Cushion
Anyone remember what it feels like to be stressed?
Seriously – how adorable is the Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach, Florida? Dubbed “an easygoing beach hotel with a bohemian edge” by Travel + Leisure, room rates have now been slashed to $79 a night through March, with a few other sale days in April. There’s a central fire pit and patio, where guests can mingle amongst themselves, and then of course there’s the beach where you can sweep your cares (and winter chills) away.
To book, click here. And don’t forget to write!
Multiple Layers of Geometric Mirrors, $379.00
It’s not like I don’t love the appeal of browsing through flea markets and yard sales for unusual home accents, it’s just that I don’t have the patience to sift for treasures, nor can I bargain and haggle to nab the very best price. And I know I’m not alone in this plight; that’s got to be why Wisteria first launched. Filled with loads of different options for the flea market junkie within, you’re bound to find a little something to spruce up your space, without the rejection of an offer. Just look at my top picks from a quick browse through the website!
Pierced Diamond Lantern, $59.00
Louis XVI Chair, $379.00
Chinese Garden Stool, $129.00
A simple seafood meal for any chicskate is steamed mussels. At approximately $6 per pound, mussels are incredibly affordable and are widely available. Paired with standard ingredients like onions, celery, garlic, white wine, and olive oil, you can create a light, delicious meals in under 10 minutes! Soak up the delicious sauce with fresh baguette bread from your local bakery.
Click through to find the recipe!
Finally, there is something I can do with the sweaters I haven’t worn in years and that less-than-stylish sweater I was gifted for my birthday – the answer is Reknit.
Recently launched by graphic designer Haik Avanian, the company recycles old sweaters into an item of the month, changing throughout the year. This month, it’s scarves; next month she will take a vote to decide on what to make next. Go here to choose!
Here’s how it works:
Pretty snazzy, chicskates!
Lovely lashes.
I tend to save the va-va-voom effect for nighttime, opting for a much more subtle approach to makeup for the day-to-day. My choice of mascara for my 9-5? Neutrogena’s Clean Lash Tint. At $7, it’s a total steal, but it does so much more than just save me money – it darkens and lengthens my lashes, making them look super defined and, in the process, making me look wide awake, no matter how much sleep I got.
{Clean Lash Tint, Neutrogena, $7.00}
U.S. Wings, Snoopy, $34, USWings.com
Amelia Earhart‘s high-flying style has been all the rage for quite some time now. Aviator caps, sunglasses, and bomber jackets seem to be in vogue season after season. Check out our top picks from Hermes at $840 (top) and Alexander Wang at $1,925 (bottom) from their fall shows. For a more affordable approach, you can let your style take off for less than $40 and get your Snoopy-esque hat here from US Wings.
Daily Diamonds:
Hermes and Alexander Wang
Just when I thought I was digitally connected in every way possible, the wunderkinds at Apple slam me with another of their creations, and this time, I can’t wait to get my hands on it. The iPad, available in March and starting at $499, is the latest in a string of can’t-live-without products from the media giant. Revolutionizing the way mainstream consumers use technology, it now replaces the need for pretty much every else in your life (minus, of course, loved ones, food, and the like). Use it as an alarm clock. Read books on it. Cook while you read a recipe from it. Watch TV and movies. Use it as a digital photo frame. You can even take advantage of its WiFi capabilities and use it to connect to email, Facebook, and beyond.
So the question remains – should I start saving now or wait around for Apple to top themselves again?
{iPad, Apple, $499.00 and up}
Just like my childhood.
After seeing the above image of Enrico Bonetti and Dominic Kozerski at Manhattan’s Blue Water Flowers in the New York Times, I began to recall the days of leisure in my parents’ backyard. Located in a small coastal town of New Jersey, a family of birds (who knows if it’s the same family – I like to think it is) seemed to always return to the same bird house each year. They brought with them a sound of peace, happiness, and tranquility to the yard that I one day hope to have when I create my own suburban home. But until then, bird houses that are more like works of art will have to suffice.
Below are a few our favorite works of arts – and they’re affordable too!
Glossy orange earthenware Egg birdhouse, $135 at J Schatz (Image from New York Times)
CraftyGuys Canada License Plates Bird House, $30, Etsy.com
Folding Bird House Jesper Moller Hansen, Dorthe Weis, 2007, $50 non-members, $45 members, MomaStore.org
Artisan Salt Company Fusion White Truffle Salt
Artisan Salt Company Fusion Roasted Garlic Salt
Nadine Niznik, a dear friend of mine, gifted me with delicious gourmet sea salts from Artisan Salt Company.
Not your run-of-the-mill potent garlic salt, Fusion Roasted Garlic Salt has a sweet richness that warmly lingers on the palate, and tastes incredible with fish, potatoes and salads. The other, Fusion White Truffle Salt, with its musky, rich aroma, lends a gourmet touch of the northern Italian countryside to your dishes.
{Artisan Salt Company Fusion Salts, SaltWorks.US, $18.00}
