Stylist: Eva Lindh

So.....it seems that I have teacups, sweet treats and pretty place settings on the brain these days, but in my defense, can you really blame me when there's such excellent eye candy floating around? 

With the Memorial Day holiday weekend upon us, I can't help but think of outdoor picnics with family and friends, a break from the day to day rush of life, and most of all, the reminder of those men and women who have served and fought to protect this amazing nation we live in.  Traveling to different places around the world, I have discovered one undeniable fact: we are truly blessed to live here in America, and for that, I honor all those who serve to protect it.

....And for all of my blogging buds, here's some summery inspiration by stylist Eva Lindh to start your holiday weekend off on the right foot....



















Congratulations to this week's giveaway winner Carmen with comment #39 chosen via random.org.

I wish you all a wonderful, blessed Memorial Day weekend!

Ciao! 

A Simply Lovely Way To Start The Day

                                                 Design Guild via Haute Design

Hey, gang!  I've been out of the loop for the past few days hammering away on closings, piles of work and all that fun stuff, but I thought these images were just too lovely not to share with you all.  I think all of this pretty in pink goodness would be the most perfect way to start the day.  Throw in a cup of my favorite Earl Grey tea, and it's nearly heaven for me!

Thank you to everyone who has blogged, tweeted and entered Monday's giveaway.  Each and every one of your comments makes me oh-so-happy.  Gosh, you all are good sports!  If you haven't entered yet, there's still a smidgen of time left.  Have a wonderful and blessed day!

Ciao!

Giveaway: $40 Gift Card to CSN Home Stores

I know, I know, it's a placecard day, but I thought I would mix things up a bit this week and start the week off with a giveaway sponsored by CSN Stores.  Since I love all things decor, what better way to share my passion with all of my peeps here than by giving away a $40 gift card to any one of the CSN home interior websites.  They offer everything you would need to turn a house into a home, from all sorts of fun kitchen gadgets and accessories to fabulous bedding to all sorts of home decor to luxury sectional sofas for the whole gang.

I would love to spruce up my guest bedroom with this lovely and summery Rose Tree English Garden Bedding Set.  How about you?  Which of their items do you think would make the perfect addition to your home?

Okay, so now down to the nitty gritty. One winner will be randomly chosen by random.org on Friday, May 28th. There are three (3) ways to enter:

1. Stop by and check out any one of the following websites: http://www.csnstores.com/, http://www.allmodern.com/, http://www.accent-furniture-direct.com/, http://www.luxebycsn.com/ and leave a comment telling me which item you would put your $40 gift card towards.

2. Twitter about this giveaway.

3. Do a blog post about this giveaway.

4. Become a follower of this blog, become a fan on Facebook, or become a follower on Twitter.

*Please leave a comment for each entry. Also, pretty please include an email address if you are not a blogger or do not have your email included on your blog.

Happy Monday, gang!

Minnesota Photoshoot Giveaway by Sarah Elizabeth Photography

Happy Thursday, gang!  You may recall a couple weeks ago when I shared with you all a photoshoot that I did with Sarah Elizabeth Photography back {here}.  Well, the exciting news is that Sarah is giving away one free photoshoot and print over on her blog for one lucky Minnesota reader.  Yahoo!  You can find the details for the giveaway right on over {here}.  Be sure to stop by and check it out.  Here are just a few of my favorite Sarah Elizabeth photos...

Sarah Elizabeth Photography

Ciao!

Dressing Up The Office

Via Inspiration for Decoration

I love every, single detail about the snapshot of this little office from the white painted wood floors to the rest of the white overload throughout the room.  The little pops of red and the fabulous patterned fabric on the chairs and shades add a lovely, chic touch.  Did I mention that I love the handles on the drawers and that stylish reading lamp?  I could totally see myself sitting here for hours working away on one my crazy projects.  Gosh, it's all pretty great if you ask me!

Which brings me to the ever important question....why do I have none of these elements in my house?  Hmm...

Ciao!

"Up" Inspired Engagement Shoot

I've had this post saved for a little while now.  I have no idea why because I absolutely fell in love with these photos the instant we crossed paths. When I came across this engagement shoot styled after the Disney Pixar movie "Up" over at the Wedding Chicks, I knew I had to share it with all of my design peeps over here.

If you've seen the movie, you will recall the ever-so-sweet love story of a couple who meet as children, later fall in love and spend their lives growing old together, loving each other every step of the way.  Always planning on going on a great adventure together, they continue to save money only to have to put it toward unforeseen expenses, never fulfilling their dream of traveling together.  It's only after the death of his wife, that the old man decides to finally take that big adventure for himself and in honor of his wife, so he ties a bazillion balloons to his house and finally takes flight.  It's a wonderful story that leads to all sorts of adventures and little surprises along the way, and it is most definitely an excellent story to design an engagement shoot after.  Check it out...

Photography by Wildflowers Photography















For even more photos from this amazing shoot, head over {here} to the Wildflowers Photography blog.  You won't be disappointed.  Have a beautiful, happy day, gang!

Ciao!

Placecard of the Week: Black, Pink & Paisley

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but it was an incredibly beautiful weekend here in the Twin Cities.  The hubby and I got plenty of running in over the weekend.  We cooked loads of tasty food, and I even got to sneak in a couple cat naps.  All in all, I give this past weekend an "A".  To top it off, I created these stylish, little placecards to share with you all.  The black paper is actually iridescent, which makes them much prettier in person, and is leftover from my own wedding invitations a couple years ago.  I think the white ink adds a touch of a fun chalkboard feel, but overall, I'm pleased with the way they turned out because they are just so feminine and lovely. 

If I were to do it all over again, I think I would make placecards along these lines for my own small wedding.  What do you think?  What kind of celebration would you use these placecards for?  Happy Monday, gang!

Ciao!

Sarah Kaye Representation

God has a funny way of slowing me down....

Seriously, folks.

So........yesterday, my fancy new computer at work somehow got 120 super-bad viruses (I don't even know how that happens), which took our I.T. guy ALL day to fix.  Uff!  We're supposed to have a wicked awesome firewall...apparently, not so much. Note: this is why my personal computer is a MAC - not a single virus in six years of owning that baby.  Anyhoo, stress levels were at a max for little ol' me, considering I am currently in the middle of executing six closings on our different shopping centers, and I had no computer for the day [insert deflated "me" here]. 

However, today is a new day, the sun is back out, my computer is back up and running (yay!), and it's shaping up to be one beautiful Friday, so why don't we top it off with a little eye candy from Sarah Kaye Representation?  Check it out...

















Lovely, yes?  Happy Friday, gang!

Ciao!

Setting A Lovely Tablescape

I'm not sure why or what it is that makes me go gaga for a lovely tablescape, but I just never tire of seeing pretty dishes and linens, creative napkin holders, fresh flowers, cute vases - all in anticipation of celebrating the beauty of it all with loved ones over a warm and inviting meal.  Here are just a few tablescapes that make me smile...

Images 1-3 Via Style at Home

Images 4-7 via Pottery Barn

There's just one thing missing that would complete these gorgeous tablescapes....placecards! Wouldn't you agree? 

Ciao!