Mabel + Lola

Remember this?

2009-04-29T16:00:00.000-07:00

Stephanie over at Providence Handmade will be updating her Etsy shop tonight at 9pm EST with these GORGEOUS wall hangings! I am so excited to see what is in store. I know they will sell fast!

Pretty In Pink!

2009-04-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Image via Real Living

Image via The Rug Company

Image via Real Living

Image via Domino

Image via Domino

Image via House Beautiful

Image via House Beautiful

Image via Domino

Image via archive Desire to Inspire archive

Image via House Beautiful

Not only is Pretty In Pink one of my favorite movies....its one of my favorite colors! If its done right....then it brings such happiness to a room (and it makes you look younger). If its done wrong...then it looks like Pepto Bismol!...and did ya notice, I changed the music to the Pretty In Pink soundtrack?....all you 80's girls will understand my sick obsession.

I heart Etsy!.....Greens continued

2009-04-21T06:06:00.001-07:00

I love greens so much that I just need to do one more post! Here are a few items from Etsy sellers that will add a touch of whimsy to your space. I love the "keep calm and carry on" posters that cutpasteprint sells. You can get them in about any color and they look great framed in white. The little clay houses look so cute sitting in plants, they are sold by The Little Red Door.
I love modern chairs!!!!...the embroidered chair is by Byrd and Belle. I LOVE paintings of houses.....the one above is an original by Tangled Skye Studios.

Giveaway at Tollipops!

2009-04-17T07:49:00.000-07:00

Oh....I'm so excited! The Etsy seller Tollipop is having a giveaway on her blog. She is giving away the three framed prints pictured above. Are they incredible or what? I have been day dreaming all morning...if I win...where will I hang them? And of coarse, in the dream, George Clooney is hanging them for me {{sigh}}}. OK....back to reality! Be sure to check out her Etsy shop...her artwork is just adorable...and even if I don't win...I'm buying one anyway. Thanks Tollipop!

Oh how I LOVE greens!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-14T14:49:00.000-07:00

I love greens. My little girl once came down the stairs and said "Our house looks like a green nightmare"....which I took as a compliment ;) Whether it be soothing green walls or little POPS of lemongrass....green is always number one in my book!

Images via Domino, Country Living, Decorno
Wallpaper by Schumacher in Imperial Trellis

Some of my tried and true green paint colors

Lowes Australian Morning
Ace Celtic Sage
Sherwin Williams Svelte Sage
Restoration Hardware Silver Sage
Sherwin Williams Artifact
Sherwin Williams High Tea
Benjamin Moore Georgian Green
Sherwin Williams Wheat Grass

Aqua....continued

2009-04-13T12:32:00.001-07:00

Art by etsy artist naokosstoop.

Photography by theeye.

Coffee cozy (I adore this) by pinkdixie.

Is he adorable or what?! Artist TheVintageSister.

Aqua/olive fabric from Etsy seller scarletfig.

Here is the aqua/orange color combination that I love so much...with a tiny hint of red. This is by the Etsy Artist Soopajdelux.

A week in color......AQUA!

2009-04-13T07:55:00.000-07:00

This week my focus is going to be on color. One of my favorite colors to decorate with is a soft aqua. I love to use it with red, olive, lemongrass or burnt orange. As I have mentioned before...I AM OBSESSED WITH PAINT!!!!!!!!!!!! So, here is a list of my tried and true aqua paint colors...

1. Sherwin Williams Rain 6219
2. Sherwin Williams Sea Salt 6204
3. Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray 6205
4. Sherwin Williams Oyster Bay 6206
5. Benjamin Moore Smoke
6. Benjamin Moore Harbor Mist

Another aqua that is gorgeous the my friend Stephanie has used is Sherwin Williams Rainwashed...its such a happy color.

Images via Domino Magazine and Elle Decor

Oh! This is just Heaven!!!!!!!!!!!!

2009-04-07T06:51:00.000-07:00

SchubLaden (meaning drawers) is a company in Germany that makes new furniture using old drawers. Are these not to die for? I am so on the lookout for old drawers now. I am determined to find a way to make this myself.

Etsy Feature Artist

2009-04-06T19:50:00.000-07:00

I just love unusual artwork! Today's feature artist is another one of my favorites.....Art and Ghosts. Her work is so unique! This is where you can find her ArtandGhosts.

Easy and inexpensive way to fill up a wall

2009-04-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

Now that spring is coming I am wanting to change up all of my decor. One of the quickest and least expensive ways to fill a wall with art is to use vinyl wall art. These are from Etsy sellers Elephanie , TastySuite , Byrdiegraphics . They just stick to the wall!...how easy is that? Etsy seems to be the least expensive place to buy great vinyl art. I know that Pottery Barn has recently started selling it but, you would have to sell a kidney to buy it!

Recap of the HGTV "Green Home"

2009-04-01T16:42:00.000-07:00

Now that the sun is out and spring is here I am wanting to change color schemes and bring in more greens. Last years HGTV "Green Home" was one of my favorites. The use of greens was beautiful and the home had a calm and relaxing feel. The home really proved the beautiful can be eco-friendly. The focus of the Green Home is sustainable design and comfort. Nearly everything used in the building of the house came from within 500 miles of the site, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the use of non-renewable resources like gas and oil during transportation. Whenever possible, recycled and environmentally products were used. I was online registering to win this place daily!

Creating The Perfect Home Office

2009-03-31T07:16:00.000-07:00

For those of us who work from home, having a well organized and beautiful workspace is the key to creativity. I am currently redoing my home office and as soon as it is done...I will share it with you. My office was red....let me tell you what a pain THAT was to paint over! It took all weekend and several coats to cover it. RIP Benjamin Moore confederate red. If you are looking for a red....then THIS is your color. It took me several tries to get the perfect red...and that was it. If you know me, then you know that I am a "serial painter" When your husband comes home from work and asks what color the kitchen is today....then you know you have a problem. I am on a first name basis with the folks at Ben. Moore and Sherwin Williams...and have even gone as far as having a friend mail me paint from Restoration Hardware. I have paint swatches in my purse, in the car, in my bedroom....ect. I will be posting a list of my tried and true colors in the near future. Enjoy your Tuesday! American Idol is on tonight.....I just love that Adam Lambert and can't wait to see what he does tonight. Who is your favorite Idol?

The images above are from Living Ect
and Elle Decor

Some Style For Our Four Legged Friends

2009-03-31T04:38:00.000-07:00

This mornings post is for all of you animals lovers! Our pets should have great things too...right? Above are some great finds for your pets. If you REALLY want to go all out then you can build your entire house around your cats like in these photos from Elle Decoration South Africa. My cats would would LOVE that! The photo of the cream point himalayan is my sweet kitty Emmy! We adore her! Well, when I say we, I mean my kids and myself. My husband is not much of a cat lover...but he tolerates them. We have another himmie, her name is Francesca (I just don't have any good pics of her because she runs around like a lunatic!) The dot painted dog bowls
are from Martha Stewart Living. The link will take you straight to the tutorial on how to make them. Lastly, are these amazing little pet collars from the etsy shop Lucky Fiona.
Aren't they adorable?

I heart Amy Butler

2009-03-30T04:20:00.001-07:00

My favorite fabric designer of all time is AMY BUTLER! She creates the most fabulous mix of vintage/modern fabrics. I hoard my fabric in little stock piles...I hate to even cut it, its so beautiful. You can see some of her fabrics in my Etsy shop on my patchwork afghans. I have another patchwork afghan complete and will list it this week. I will give you all a sneak peak sometime tonight. My friend Stephanie and I will have a booth at this years Pumpkin Festival...and we will have LOTS of home decor that we have created using this fabric line (among others). So please stop by and see us if you live in the area. You can check out some of her creations on her blog Providence Handmade http://providencehandmade.blogspot.com/

Amy Butler Website http://www.amybutlerdesign.com/main.php?fl=1

Feature Artist....Amy Ruppel

2009-03-28T15:29:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone is having a good weekend. We are getting ready to get slammed with a storm. It has been rainy and yucky here...so I decided to stay in and paint. I will show you the painting I did today soon.....and may even have a give away if anyone likes it. With all this painting....it reminded me to check the Amy Ruppel site....and sure enough..she had a sale yesterday. There are still some paintings left for anyone who is interested. What really caught my eye were the state bird prints. I have to have the West Virgina print with the cardinal. I LOVE CARDINALS! I thought the New York print was gorgeous too. This is where you can find her great art...

http://www.amyruppel.com/

Spring Cleaning In Style

2009-03-27T04:25:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! Today I want to start a spring cleaning/organization series. I know that in my home, we accumulate piles everywhere. Piles of school papers in the kitchen, piles of magazines in my living room, piles of craft supplies in my office.....I could go on and on. Well, today I am featuring an Etsy seller who has solved this problem. Her shop name is Sewing Momma and she has created these amazing and totally stylish storage bags! They are perfect for storing toys, toilet paper, towels, remote controls, magazines....and for all you knitters and crocheter...YARN! These would also make the most amazing Easter Baskets! You could use them as a baby shower gift and fill them with diapers and baby soaps...or as wedding gift and fill it with towels and candles. Wouldn't they be great to put by the front door in the winter to hold all those sweet little mittens and scarves? I think her fabrics are GREAT...clean and fun....and a great price. She will also do custom orders. For anyone who buys one....drop me a line and let me know what you fill it with! Here is where you can find her.....

Sewing Momma

Feature Artist.....The Black Apple

2009-03-26T12:17:00.000-07:00

I am sooooo thrilled to post about my favorite artist today! Her name is Emily Martin and she owns The Black Apple. I have bought three of her prints so far....and they are just little pieces of heaven. The "Little Dunces" prints hang above my bed and I just ADORE them! These prints come packaged to perfection and are even more stunning in person. All images are via her Etsy shop which you can find here http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=991 She has been featured on The Martha Stewart show...wow! You can see her and Martha making Black Apple Dolls here http://www.marthastewart.com/article/black-apple-doll Would you not just die if Martha called you one day and said..."Come be on my show". Emily has the sweetest blog that she updates regulary here http://theblackapple.typepad.com/inside_a_black_apple/ . Head on over to Etsy and buy some Black Apple prints... you will not be disappointed...I promise you!

Beautiful Wall Hanging

2009-03-25T17:52:00.000-07:00

Is this gorgeous or what?! Its a wall hanging made by my friend Stephanie. You can find her over at Providence Handmade....and boy!....can this girl craft! She is an Interior Designer in the Charleston area....and when she throws a Christmas party, people show up with cameras....and I'm not kidding (shh! we kept waiting for her to leave the room so we could snap pictures, I still have them on my camera....when ever she goes out of town this summer, I'll post them for you!) Her Christmas decor this year was out of this world.

http://www.providencehandmade.blogspot.com/

Art Walls

2009-03-25T14:56:00.000-07:00

Images via Living Ect.

http://www.livingetc.com/

Rockin' Blog

2009-03-25T14:49:00.000-07:00

ok...so I am in a Led Zepplin sorta mood.....From time to time this happens....just roll with it.

I'll leave it up for this evening only...then change it in the morning to something a little calmer...and classier. What would you all like to hear?

Art Walls

2009-03-25T12:56:00.001-07:00

Images via Living Ect
http://www.livingetc.com/

Art Walls

2009-03-25T04:43:00.001-07:00

Images via Domino, James Merrell Wall Art, Living Ect and HGTV Green House

Art Walls

2009-03-25T04:32:00.000-07:00

Arranging art walls....especially over the sofa....is one of the things in decor that I find most difficult. Here are three simple steps to getting it right from our friends over at Wish....
http://www.wish.ca/

1. Gather pieces together.
Before starting, you need to know how much framed art you have to work with. It’s OK to start small (say five to seven pieces) and build a collection over time. Tip: Consider your frames. Combine colours, finishes and materials but keep the mix balanced. Variety is the key to a salon-style approach.

2. Map it out.
Measure your wall space and recreate the same sized area on your floor. Lay the frames down within these dimensions, moving pieces around until you find an arrangement you like. To be even more precise, borrow a trick from museums and art galleries – trace frames on kraft paper, cut out the shapes and use Blu Tack to temporarily attach them to the wall. Tip: Use space wisely. Surround bigger pieces with a few smaller ones, leaving about two inches in between each. If you have similar-sized pieces, hang them as a grouping with less space in between.

3. Hang it up.
Use a level and secure the corners with Blu Tack to keep your art from shifting. Tip: Create a focal point. Start with the largest frame centred above a key piece of furniture, and build out from there.

First published in Wish November 2008

March of the kitchens continues!

2009-03-24T18:55:00.000-07:00

These photos are from Southern Accents Magazine.

Isn't it amazing what a can of paint can do???

2009-03-24T18:01:00.000-07:00

WOW! A can of paint can do absolute wonders! This is my dear friend AnNicole's kitchen in her former house. She has such great style and I am always looking forward to her next project. You can check out her step by step process in painting cabinets on her blog Our Suburban Home.
http://oursuburbancottage.blogspot.com/

2009-03-24T05:24:00.000-07:00

Oh my! My friend Stephanie just forwarded me this kitchen....and I am drooling! I LOVE ghost chairs. These photos are from Feldman Architecture. If I didn't have things to do...I would be on this website all day!

http://www.feldmanarchitecture.com/

Bring on more kitchens!

2009-03-24T04:37:00.000-07:00

Photos from Elle Decor, Metropolitan Home, Domino, Dwell.

Kitchen Inspirations

2009-03-24T04:27:00.000-07:00

Today is going to be all about kitchens! Its the most used room in my home and I'm sure most of you can say the same. A kitchen can be beautiful on any budget and later on this evening, I will prove what a can of paint can do to completely change the look and feel of a space. All photos from Design Inc, Domino (rest in peace my dear friend), Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home, Cottage Living and Martha Stewart Living.

Bedroom Inspirations

2009-03-23T17:27:00.000-07:00

Before I start my "Spring Cleaning/Organization with style" series that I have been working on....I wanted to share some beautiful rooms with you. Again, these have been saved on my computer for a while so I am assuming they are from Elle Decor, Dwell, Metropolitan Home and Domino and Pottery Barn. If anyone knows otherwise, let me know and I will update this post.

Monday Morning Laughs

2009-03-23T04:24:00.001-07:00

Happy Monday!.....maybe that sounds a little too cheerful. If you saw me now, you would hear the sarcasm in my voice....as I sit here in my pj's hugging the coffee cup. So, I thought, lets start the day with a good laugh to get us all going in the right direction. This is a video clip from the Ellen Show and it sends me into hysterics every time I watch it. I hope you enjoy it.....as for me, I'm going to continue to sit here and chug down this coffee! It takes at least 2 cups to get my creative juices going. Be sure to pause my music player on the right hand side before you start the video.

Meet Miss Scarlet!

2009-03-22T10:10:00.000-07:00

I just listed another own of my throws today. I hope you like it and welcome all feedback. I adore it....and really want to keep it for myself! Its the perfect mix of aqua and red. I am obsessive about color and will not settle for something that I don't completely love. I am very picky about reds...this one is the perfect scarlet red...hence the name of the throw. I use 3 strands of yarn and a GIGANTIC hook to make them. Each throw has approx. 4 pounds of yarn in them....and I only use the best quality. So, they are a bit pricey to make..but worth it.

Anthropologie, I heart you...

2009-03-22T07:20:00.000-07:00

My most FAVORITE store in the world.....Anthropologie! Here are a some pics of my favorite items that are on their website right now. I about fell on the floor when I saw the number cups!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I HAVE to have them!

http://www.anthropologie.com/anthro/index.jsp

Its Spring!

2009-03-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

Since it is soooooo beautiful outside today...it has got in the mood to start doing some yard work. The daffodils are out, the tulips are starting to peek from the dirt, the willow trees are getting tiny little green buds. I want to do a total revamp of my yard this year, so I have been collecting pics to give me inspiration. I love how the boxwoods are lined up! As stated before...I have had these save for a while so I can't remember exactly where they came from. I am assuming Elle Decor, Domino, Dwell or Metropolitan Home. If any of you can recall, send me an email so I can edit this post. Happy Sunday! Take it easy and enjoy your families!

Beautiful Dining Spaces

2009-03-21T19:24:00.000-07:00

Well, since we have just had breakfast....lets move on to dining rooms. I have soooo many saved on my computer that I cannot recall where they all came from. I know they are mostly Domino, Elle Decor and Metropolitan Home. So, if any of you can recall let me know so I can edit the post and give credit where credit is due. I love a room with a mix of modern and vintage and soon I will take you step by step through the redesign of my own dining room....in which I have put my designer friend Stephanie in charge of. I am very excited about it!

Sunday morning.....whats for breakfast?

2009-03-21T05:44:00.001-07:00

One of the things in life that I truly enjoy is good food....and cooked the correct way. I love going to the farmers market and getting fresh fruits and veggies. I am very lucky in the fact that my family is not a group of picky eaters. In fact...my daughters favorite food is sushi! I happened across this youtube video about a year ago when I was doing a Gordan Ramsey search. I really do think he is a brilliant chef....tantrums aside of coarse. This is the correct way to make scrambled eggs...and I promise...once you make them like this...you will NEVER go back!

Feature Shop..... India Rose

2009-03-20T16:03:00.000-07:00

This little shop is to die for! The name of the shop is India Rose. Their items are sorta Anthropologie meets Amy Butler full moon dots. Does it get any better than that?! I ADORE polka dots so this place is right up my ally. Pictured above is 1) Canggu Laundry Bag $54 2) Ryoken Bathmat $58 3) Canggu Duvet $260 4) Lucy Duvet sold out 5) Canggu Shower Curtain (I am soooo drooling over this) $95 You can see the rest of their line on the website http://www.indiarose.com/shop/overview

A sneak peak

2009-03-20T05:51:00.000-07:00

This is a sneak peak at one of the throws I will be listing in my shop this weekend.....I ADORE IT! The color combination is one of my favorites....red and aqua! I use 3 strands of yarn for most all of my throws so that they are very thick and very soft. This throw is titled "Scarlet" because of the scarlet red pom pom polka dots.

How I got my shop name

2009-03-20T05:39:00.000-07:00

It just dawned on me that some may be wondering how I happened upon Mabel + Lola for my shop name. Well, to be quite honest.....we have two fairies that live with us named Mabel and Lola. They enter our home in the middle of the night through a tiny little fairy door and leave notes and small gifts for my children. My kids also leave their teeth in front of the door for the tooth fairy to come. Molly and Coleson's friends think this is the best thing ever! Molly is having a sleep over this Sat. and I have tiny little notes and a small gift for each little girl that the fairies will leave them. We have had soooooo much fun with this little door! Its kinda like Santa....all year long! If anyone is interested in having their own fairy door for their child.....they will be available for sale this October at the Pumkin Fest. My friend Stephanie who owns Providence Handmade and myself will have a booth there with lots of neat things for sale.

Friday's Feature Artist

2009-03-20T05:00:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday everyone! Every Friday I will feature one of my favorite Etsy artists. Today's feature artist is Danita Art. She is a self taught mixed media artist and illustrator who uses paper, beeswax, ephemora, acrylic, oil and pencil. This month she is featured on the cover of Somerset Studio Magazine. As soon as I heard this I RAN to JonAnns to see for myself, and YEP, there she was! I adore her folk art and hope you will enjoy it to. Her Etsy shop is http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=31041 and from there you will find a link to her blog. I am totally on the prowl for one of her original pieces. Cheers!

My Etsy shop is open for business!

2009-03-19T10:09:00.001-07:00

I recently opened my very own little Etsy shop...and I could not be more excited! My grandmother taught me how to crochet when I was 8 years old and it has grown into a wonderful hobby for me. I wanted to design an afghan that was more hip and updated as opposed to the usual granny squares. So I mixed some of my favorite things into one......big pom poms, Amy Butler fabric, and and patchwork. Something that was modern/vintage. I have three more throws that are complete and ready to list. Hopefully I will have those listed by Sunday. I will give you a little sneak peak later on tonight. It takes me about a week to make each throw....and I enjoy every minute of it. A special thanks goes to my sweet friend Stephanie who took the pics for me in her GORGEOUS home! You can check out her design blog/business called Providence Handmade. I will have a link to it soon. She is a designer in Charleston, WV and she just oozes with creativity!

Molly's Birthday!!

2009-03-19T09:08:00.001-07:00

Just wanted to share a couple more pics of my sweet Molly how just celebrated her 9th birthday. Happy Birthday Sister! I just love to take pictures of this child.

2009-03-19T06:01:00.001-07:00

Hello all! Welcome to my first of many blog posts. My name is Christy and I am OBSESSED with art, decor and all things beautiful. It started as a child when I used to watch the Smurfs and Flintstones just to see what the inside if their tiny little homes looked like. I love to create things and wanted to start my blog with the two most beautiful things that I have created....my two children! Molly Rose and Coleson Samuel.