Jayson Home & Garden: Who Doesn't Love a Sale?

Here is another one of my favorite online retailers: Jayson Home and Garden. I went on to their site to do my periodical perusing and saw that they are having a sale - oh how I love a sale! Some of their prices on furniture are really marked down. None of this $50 off hocus that so many retailers advertise. So if you are in the search for some interesting pieces, check it out. Also, if you are a true originalist and like to have something no one else does, take a peak in the rare finds section. But be prepared for what the term "rare" brings...much higher price tags!!

Design Tip: Designer Soaps on a Budget

We've all seen those beautifully packaged soaps that cost up to $15-$20 a bar. I love how they look, especially when they are grouped together in a glass vase in a bathroom. However, I just can't get myself to spend $100+ dollars on soap...that is just for decoration no less! So I came up with my own solution - buy some cheap basic bars of soap, buy some decorative paper at my local craft supply store and wrap them myself. I bought the soaps in a pack of two for $1.99 at Trader Joes, and then bought five sheets of patterned paper that I thought would look nice in our bathroom for about $1-$2 a sheet. After wrapping the soaps in the paper, I used some thin hemp twine as an extra decorative touch. And for around $15, I got some beautifully wrapped soaps customized to my very taste. Simple as that!

Casa Candles: Easy on the Environment, Easy on the Sniffer

My girlfriends treated me to a day trip over to Bainbridge Island on Sunday for my birthday. We always try and pick something different to do for each of our birthdays and this year for mine, a ferry ride and poking around Bainbridge was a lovely treat. We didn't do much in the way of being active because of the heat so we stuck to what we know and do best: shopping and eating. Dangerous combination!

Bainbridge has a few cute shops worth visiting and one in particular, Grace & Co. Paperie had a wonderful selection cards and gifts. They also carry Casa soy candles made by Pure Living. Normally scented candles are either to sweet, too musky or too something for me. So I was surprised when sample sniffing the Casa line, that almost every scent I smelled I liked. And an added bonus is that they are made from soy, which burns cleaner for the environment and for you than the normal paraffin candles. I purchased the Yellow Jasmine Tea candle, but really had a hard time deciding. So if you can't have fresh cut flowers from the garden in your home, this might be the next best thing!

Williams Sonoma Home: My Very Own Ginger Jar!

I received this white porcelain jar for my birthday from my in-laws and thought for sure I must have gone on and on at some point at how much I loved it when I opened it up. Apparently my mother-in-law saw and thought it looked like me so I must be pretty easy to read :) I just LOVE it though! I have been wanting one for some time now and felt like it was one of those things that I shouldn't splurge on for myself...same way I feel about expensive purses I guess. At any rate, I am tickled pink to have one of my own. It's such a beautiful and timeless piece that will always find a home.

I have seen these at many boutiques, but for those searching online, you can find it at Williams Sonoma Home.

Juliska: Elegant Glassware

I have been an admirer of Juliska glassware for a while now. I can spot it a mile away and am always drawn to it. It's defined by delicate details that almost look like water glistening on the outside of the glass. They have all sorts of products, from vases and votive holders to tumblers. Each one holds it's own beauty and could be left out as decoration no matter what it's intended purpose.

Many local boutique stores carry Juliska products, including other tableware goods. You can also purchase Juliska online at Sallie Home.

Bellisima!!!

Spoon Sisters: Party in a snap!

Here’s a fun idea for your next summer party! I was away in NYC for most of last week and weekend and was unfortunate to be there when they had record temperatures - Yikes was it hot, hot, hot!!! So if you are having a party in that kind of heat, the littlest effort possible is key. Available at Spoon Sisters, these “Everything You Need” place settings include the fork, knife plate, etc…even the name card and napkin ring! Just place these around the table and people can unsnap their utensils. What neat way to get your guests engaged and add a little quirk to the usual BBQ.

Emma Gardner: Rugs to Admire

So it's been a bit since I last blogged, but it was Memorial Day weekend and I took a break to get ready for all the wedding showers I have coming up. I tell you, when it rains it pours!! One of them is in NY so I should have a lot of fun stuff to report when I get back.

In the mean time, a textile designer I have been admiring for years is Emma Gardner. I LOVE her rug designs and wish that it were in my budget. Until that time, I occasionally peak at her site to get inspiration and just simply admire. Her clean and simple nature inspired designs are calming and inviting.

Oly Studio: Accessories You Say?

Oly Studio is largly known for their high quality uniquely designed furniture. What isn't as widely known is they offer some great accessories for both the home and personal. I love their shagreen clutches and purses. I have the grey clutch myself and it is great for an evening purse that can go with casual or dressy in a cinch. They also come in a mens and womans wallet. So chic!

Wisteria: Moroccan Nights

These are delightful little carved moroccan votive holders from Wisteria that will make your table a place to linger. They would also be wonderful in a bathroom, on a nightstand or where ever you find a little spot in need of bit of sparkle.

Velocity Art & Design: Santa's Helper

Here is something clever as a coat rack! The Ghost Antler Coat Rack, from Velocity Art and Design is cast in white resin (Santa's reindeer were not harmed in the process!) and is mounted on the wall as simple decor or as functional art. Use them to hang coats (albeit light ones), scarves, umbrellas, hats, etc. The designer, Erich Ginder, is a local Seattlite so I am all but happy to support a local! We have two of these mounted downstairs above the bench just as you come in from the garage. They are an unexpected twist that always catches one's attention.

Alena Hennessey: Back to Nature

The first time I stumbled across Alena Hennessey's design work, I was an instant fan. Her nature inspired prints, totes and pillows are soothing and delightful all in one. She has also introduced a new eco-line for those green conscious people out there and offers custom work if you want that unique piece no one else will ever have.

Belloccio: Chalk One Up

How fun is this stuff? Chalkboard oil cloth you can write on from Belloccio! I can think of so many uses for this!! A table cloth for a wine and cheese tasting and write all the respective names beside the plate, a table cloth for a kids party and they can have fun drawing all over, gift tags as you see in the photo, or you can use it in a shadow box and write on it with snippets of your favorite memories placed inside. The possibilities are endless! Have fun!

India Rose: Black Tie BBQ

You can never have too many napkins in my opinion. They set the mood just right for any dinner party, not to mention your table setting. I adore these Tuxedo Napkins from India Rose. They can swing from a formal affair to a casual gathering with the subtle ruffled edge without a hitch...just be sure you aren't serving red wine or anything red!!!

Velocity Art & Design: Get into Character

I believe every home needs a twist of humor - something to keep people curious and surprised. My personal style tends to lean towards the serious side, but I like to throw in an element here or there that is unexpected and makes someone smile when they see it. How can you not smile when you look into a mirror with antlers?! When we get to furnishing our guest rooms, I am going to hang this silly Antler Self Portrait Mirror from Velocity Art and Design (much to my husband's dismay). If antler's aren't just your thing, they have a pearl necklace or a sweet little song bird perched on your shoulder.

Anthousa: Scent and Scentability

What's better than a beautiful accessory that is also functional? (Ok, maybe world peace, a low carbon footprint and finding the bargain of the century is higher on the list). Anthousa is a stunningly packaged home ambiance line of fragrances and is expanding into lotions, candles, and perfumes. The bottle designs are simply gorgeous and they can spice up any little corner both visually and for your sniffer. I have one in almost every room of our house…(mental count)…yep, I do! My personal favorites are the fig leaf and bitter almond and the white gardenia. You can find them online on the Anthousa site, Nordstrom, or many other department stores nation wide.

Koo de Kir: And I Quote

How cool are these?! Book ends as quotation marks to hold all your books...why didn't I think of that? These are from one of my favorite home stores online I love to browse, Koo de Kir. If there is one thing I hate is a disheveled and cluttered bookshelf, so "say goodbye" to the sloppies with these cleverly quoted book ends.

And just between you and me, I secretly want to cover all my books in matching white paper, but fear that I would have stepped over the designer edge and will never come back. So for now I am holding back and keeping my bookshelf real.

Bella Muse: Sweet Nothings

I have the glicee print you see above in my guest bathroom from Bella Muse. They sell mostly wonderfully fanciful and simple greeting cards. Also on their site, they have some screen and glicee prints for sale. Such a reasonable way to display artwork around the house. I personally am a lover of art, but hate to pay the price for good "original" art. I secretly think I can just paint it myself, but I know I have elevated my artist status in my head. With that mindset, I have a difficult time filling my walls. I don't believe you need to pay out the yahoo to decorate your home. So I try to find creative and economical alternatives.

I purchased the Bella Muse 8x10 print for $35 and then bought an off white frame from Pottery Barn for...I think another 20 or so dollars. Not too shabby! So sweet and in the now. And if it goes out of style or no longer fits my ever evolving style, I won't be regretting purchasing a several hundred or thousand dollar piece.

Fringe Studios: A Little Bit of Whimsy

These trays have been popping up in a multitude of boutique stores of late and there is an endless array of designs. They are by Fringe Studios and are pretty economical compared to some other similar ones out there. They are made of glass with a screen-print underneath and simply whimsical in design. I like things that can swing modern to traditional and these do just that.

I bought the long rectangular version of the tray you see above when visiting my sister-in-law in Fort Collins, CO. They are just the ticket to hold little trinkets on your nightstand or dresser. I have mine beside my bed and it holds a small bottle of perfume, earrings and some emergency chapstick. And they make great gifts too!

You can find them in many places in Seattle (Liberty 123, Kirkland) if you are a local, or there are just a few of the designs online at: http://store.heliotropehome.com/fringestudio.html.