Happy Friday!

I hope that spring rears it's pretty head this weekend and that you may all indulge in some sweet sunshine, or some lovely flowers...

[ via ] hugh stewart

Lovely Living Rooms

I think I want to rearrange my living room today... give it a more open and airy feel. Here are some great living rooms to munch on...

[ via ] decorpad, elements of style

Spice and Tea Exchange

I love the opportunity to tout a local business that I love, and while I may discuss these locales with my friends, it is rare that I am so in love with one I just want to shout it from the rooftops. But, The Spice and Tea Exchange has got me singing its praises. Originally I thought it was just one little store here in Winter Park, but there are several other locations throughout the country..  I'm not lying when I say you will die and go to heaven in this store. Every single wall is jam packed with spices, herbs, teas, all different types of sugars and salts you had no idea even existed. The best part? They mix it all themselves. I literally could ramble on for the next four hours, but I will just let you see for yourself...

they have everything you could possibly need to go along with your blends, beautiful mortar and pestels, tea strainers, and containers to suit the masses.

If there isn't a location near you, call the one in Winter Park, or shop online. Bryan and Jeffrey who own the store are the nicest, most helpful guys and have a true passion for their unique little niche.  There is no question that the quality of their product is far superior to any other offerings.  I even brought in my own containers to create a tea basket as a gift, they helped me create and package it and the recipient loved it!

I have so many favorites here, how could you not love anything unique, fresh, and super yummy! My true obsessions are the almond cookie tea (a dessert in itself), tuscany and coastal blends, as well as Vik's garlic fix. The tuscany and garlic fix you can mix into olive oil to serve with bread.  I recently served this at a dinner party along with salmon seasoned with the coastal blend and it had my guests running out to get it for themselves. 

You are seriously missing out if you haven't already tried this, believe me, it is well worth the visit or stop by their website.  Here is the Winter Park locations email: winterpark@spiceandtea.com

The Design Olympics

If you know me... you know that I adore the olympics. I sit and watch every single night! One of my favorite things is the opening ceremony. I love watching all the different countries march in, so proud to be there, but my favorite part is to see what they are all wearing. Throughout the olympics... these outfits and colors distinguish who they are and where they come from. In the same fashion, so does design from some of these various countries. In an olympic ode, I will share with you some of my favorite (from my newly started over archive) design styles from around the world!

so in this year... I love the soft color palette, the beautiful natural woods, and indoor flora and fauna of belgian design

I so admire those who decorate with this much spunk, I prefer to keep this huge menagerie of colors in my outdoor spaces.

french design has such bind on my heart... if this post were only about french design, it would be 4 days long.

fresh, white, and bright!

as it is today, shabby chic has many inspirations, but its roots lay in the english countryside.

I hope you enjoyed this short trip around the world (mostly through Europe). Thanks to my lovely friend Sara for some inspiration! Have a wonderful day!

[ via ] omurtlak, cottage chic store, ikea, this is glamorous, house beautiful, valerie willis, jubella

Chocolate is in the Air

In the event that you're in the market for a yummy candle, you have got to try Godiva Chocolate's new line.  I was adamant at first, as I was originally in this store to buy my one true love (Seda France), I got suckered into this one and I totally don't regret it.  They come in 4 different scents, my favorite is the dark chocolate almond, and they are infused with whatever the chemical is that satisfy's your want for the flavor of chocolate. The dark almond doesn't actually smell chocolaty, just warm and inviting.

Luscious Lavender

I have a serious fear of using lavender . When I was younger, I had a bedroom that was painted in a light lilac. By the time I was 14, I thought it was atrocious and wondered whoever would decorate in that shade. Needless to say, I have grown up quite a bit since then, and my tastes have surely refined. Lavender is undoubtably a beautiful color, one perfect for spring.  Its got the soft quality that spring ushers in before the brights of summer. I'm so glad other people don't have the fear I do of lavender, because it is gorgeous...

I could see myself at a desk like this.. I feel like the eiffel town is just to the left out that window.  

[via] beautiful things to share, ada and darcy, house beautiful, traditional home

Warm and Cozy

Today has been such a lazy day... I really didn't leave the couch. If only I had this cozy nook, I'm afraid I would spend all day everyday curled up at home catching up on all my favorite blogs. Where is your favorite place to curl up and spend the day?

[ via ] this is glamourous

Life's a Circus...

Life can be a bit of a circus sometimes... but you have to enjoy the ride. I certainly would at this fair, lovingly captured by Alice B. Gardens. Her work is beautiful, capturing soft and embracing colors in her  shots of the prettier things in life.

[ via ] beautiful things to share

Happy Monday!

Hello my dears... it's Monday again! I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and are looking forward to the week ahead. Unfortunately for me, M and I were robbed of our computers and a few other items while visiting south florida this weekend, and all my stuff is now gone. (I know, I know, why didn't I back up!) My archive which I loved so much is now being restarted, so bare with me this week while I try to recover some of my lost favorites! 

[ via ] coco + kelley

Ruffles and Buttons and Lace, Oh My!

OK, I have to be perfectly honest with you. I was a little embarrassed about having gone into this store (as originally I was on a J.Crew mission), I know it can be pretty juvenile, but, this particular Forever 21 was so brand new, so well organized, so I went in. Pleasantly to my surprise, it was SO not juvenile. It was full of some great pieces (at really great prices) for the working girl.  And while I mulled over sharing this with you (I know, its just silly that I wouldn't) I couldn't not share some of their "Twelve by Twelve" line which is completely french inspired, so girly and feminine. 

While I loved pretty much everything I found, and was surprised by the fit, my favorite buy were the lace shorts (pictured center)  So. Maybe if you're going out shopping this weekend... its worth a look!

[ via ] forever 21

A Sunny Spot

In our new, smaller space, I'm all for utility. This sunny breakfast spot is light, bright, and so very cute. Its perfect for an odd little corner, or a in a small space for multiple purposes. I love the idea of whatever you need being so accessible. Want a breakfast smoothie? no problem, the blender is already there. Coffee? its all ready to go. I think the fresh flowers, plants, and limes really top off the look!

[ via ] lavender and lilies

Casually Chic

The new spring line from J.Crew is so casually chic. I wish I could look this effortlessly stylish this everyday. There is nothing outstandingly amazing. Just simple. Chic. I'm headed to J.Crew

[ via ] J. Crew

Modern Romance

I love romantic interiors. I think a lot of people associate this with shabby chic, or a single girls home, but this subtly colored home is all things romantic. With spring (hopefully) just around the corner, this sweetly detailed home has given me some fresh inspirations for my own home. Now, if only I could create that bathroom mosaic in my bathroom!

The gray next to the lilac is so calming, but the pop of color that the duvet gives the room the standout quality.

IN. LOVE... with this bathroom. everything. the mosaic. the sink. the tall floor vase. the pink chair... perfection!

One of the best things about spring is the fresh and bright flower colors.

I LOVE the idea of mixing chandeliers over the table.

[ via ] living etc.

Sending My Love

Receiving cards in the mail is so fun, doesn't everyone like to see something special addressed to them sometimes? I know I do, and I wish I sent more of these special little notes.  If only I had some fun cards to send...  These pretty things from essimar on etsy are just what I am looking for! The bunny if perfect for spring!

Queen of Your Castle

I would take a pink castle any day! This beautifully Brit styled (by Roberta Holm) spread for Residence Magazine by Philip Karlberg is dreamy. Couldn't you see yourself awaiting guests on that gorgeous sofa, riding your plaid adorned horse through the english countryside and ending at a lazy day lakeside picknick? Here you can clearly be the queen of your own castle!

The Classics + Red and Turquoise

I have been loving some of the classic colors paired with bright colors for this year! I have also been on a french inspired kick.. maybe the love for this candy sweet color combinations comes from. The turquoise so fresh, the red so passionate, the black and white so classic.  While I love a deep, beautiful turquoise, these lighter shades are essential to this look. One of my favorite turquoises is Ralph Lauren's Faded Seafoam.

[ via ] domino

Winey Monday

Happy new week! I hope you all had a wonderful, romantic, fun, sweet, valentines weekend!

One of my readers asked me if I had any ideas on what to do with left over wine bottles and corks. We all have them, and I thought that there were probably more than one of your wondering what you could do with these items other than recycling them! So, here are a few ideas, let me know if you try one!

[ via ] point click home

These are really kind of cool, and how fun would they be to use at a wine party or tasting for your other beverage offerings. I found this easy 3-step process that uses tea lights and cold water for cutting the bottle!

[ via ] design fetish

Using the same process from above, you could cut off the bottom of the bottle and make these pretty lanterns!

Looks pretty simple. All you would need is a large clamp from the hardware store, and a little patience to carefully place the corks together. I have friends that did this, and they look great!

Finally, one of my favorite center pieces. It's quite different, but really sets the mood!

If you don't have perfect bottles, or want them to all look cohesive as one color, you could pick up some high lacquer spray paint from Home Depot and paint them to fit your desires!