casa's 80% off clearance extravaganza!

One of my favorite retailers, Casa, is having an 80% clearance sale! I think I added about 20 products to cart because I got so excited, but finally narrowed down to only a few. I picked up Dwellstudio pillowcases for $16 (after discount), Jonathan Adler coasters for $13 (after discount), and a new duvet and sham set-- photos below! Check out the full clearance here, and tell me what deals you found! Remember the 80% off shows up at check out after you enter code CASACLRX80.

Some other things that were in my cart but then I realized I already had too many (and no room): Jonathan Adler zig zag throw, plate and bowl 5-pc set, cutlery set, this botanical pillow, this bake set, and this Jonathan Adler frame. 

fantasizing about a new place...

As I host more and more dinners and parties, I've been fantasizing a lot about redecorating -- sometimes I wish I could keep moving into new places just to start decorating from scratch again! Don't get me wrong, I love my current apartment with its Anthropologie-esque  bright colors and designs (yellow couch, striped carpet, etc.). But my next apartment will probably be a little more tame. I'm really in love with white, gold, and wood as the foundational look and warm colors as details. And as always, lots of other cozy touches. Here's some current inspiration.

(Photo sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

happy holiday my loves

Merry Christmas Eve!! So this year was the first year that I've ever had a REAL tree in my apartment and in my life actually (growing up, my parents would bust out the fake tree, sigh). I loved smelling its fresh pine scent every day this December. Below are a few photos of Abby's and my East Village apartment -- we put up some white lights and it's been feeling quite festive. I just left today to spend the holidays in PA with my family, and am now furtively last-minute wrapping presents and listening to Beyonce's new album. Enjoy this time with your loved ones!

Bird and Butterfly ornaments from West Elm

glossary of peonies

I'm really into flowers, but I never know any of their names... I can recognize roses, tulips, daffodils, daisies and carnations, and that's about it. (Botany is not my forte.) This glossary of peonies is actually quite helpful -- now I know that the bouquet my coffee table is a bundle of dark pink madylone peonies. And they are magnificent.

(glossary via Pinterest, instagram by Helen Hearts)

currently on my mind....

Happy labor day weekend! I'm visiting my family in the suburbs of Philadelphia... currently taking a blogging/inspiration break in between eating my Mom's delicious homemade Chinese food and walking in the woods. Here are a few things I can't stop thinking about...

Celeste & Jesse Forever. It's next on my to-see-in-theatres list and looks hilarious and sweet. I also definitely have a girl-crush on Rashida Jones and wish she were my best friend :)

Print shopping! Abby and I are putting together a gallery wall above our couch, and so I've been browsing Society 6, My Little Underground, and tons of Etsy shops for fun, inspiring prints.

Print by Tina Crespo for Society 6

Print by DearColleen via Etsy

Fall is almost here, hooray for September! Don't get me wrong, I love sunshine and vacation season, but Fall is without a doubt my favorite time of year. Cool weather is so soothing (and better suits my sartorial senses too -- I can't wait to layer and layer).

Photo of Veronica via Asos

Lana Del Rey. Okay, so not very original, but for the past month, I've been listening to her on repeat, every day. My favorite song is Carmen, which I have almost memorized. Love!

anthropologie home = abstract art! (do or don't?)

Noticing more and more home design pieces that are literally abstract works of art. While I'm all about rustic minimalism, I can't help but love the idea of these items transforming a home into a super eclectic, abstract art exhibit. Here are some of my favorites via anthropologie.com... what do you think? Abstract home design, a do or don't?

This Arlo Sofa has the dreamiest print of water and architecture 

The Vintage Books Boxed Set is custom made to fit those exact vintage books... groovy (and seriously pricey!)

This Crewel Abstraction Rug looks like it should belong in the MoMa

The Point Duchesse Pitcher's blue-green hues remind me of the ocean

collecting: do or don't?

I'm doing some massive brainstorming on my apartment right now, as my current roommate Alex is moving out and my new roommate Abby is moving in this week. Since we live in a typically modest-sized apartment in the East Village, organizing often has to be pretty strategic. Thankfully, I'm a strict minimalist and don't collect any doo-dads that take up space (other than books--although I wish I were thoughtful enough to keep all my cards and letters). Do you collect anything? Postcards? Stamps? What's your take: does collecting enrich one's life or is it a fine line away from Hoarders?

Loving these illustrated collections of vintage ticket stubs, flowers, cheese, icecream, and books. Would love to hang these prints on my wall! 

PS: Speaking of apartments-- what my bedroom looks like. 

Q

modern rustic

You guys, I think the term "modern rustic" is officially my interior design style. I feel so Swedish/Scandinavian! (No wonder I love Ikea so much...) Now to finally get my apartment to look like these pictures below... (Check out that incredible headboard! What a dreamy blue.) What's your design aesthetic look like?

(photos via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

PS: Congrats to Lauren (Lucky comment #7) for winning the TATCHA skincare giveaway! Will be in touch via email. Thanks for playing everyone!

rah rah apartment decorating!

Alex and I have been slowly but surely working on beautifying our apartment. We finally painted our living room walls a sparkling white (from an icky beige) and it looks so much improved. We're working closely to blend our styles together; she's a classic minimalist and I'm a quirky modern/antique blend, but we both love wood and pops of bright colors. And of course we both have a huge passion for design, so it has been a super cool artistic collaboration so far. We're really excited!

A few gorgeous interior design inspirations... I can't stop adding to my pinterest board!

Oh how I wish I could just crawl into these photos right now!

PS: Photos of my bedroom from this August, when we first moved in!

(via 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6)

west elm, you've won my heart

Wow am I gaga for this West Elm sale going on right now (up to 70% off + free shipping woot)!!! I always wish I could decorate my entire apartment with their furniture, but I've learned that I am just as happy purchasing the tinier details (that are conveniently less expensive). A few of my finds from 5 seconds ago...

Hearts on the inside, hearts on the outside. I got both bowls. LURVE. ($8 each)

Alphabet Mugs! A classic. I snagged the letter "H" mug to use at work. ($6 each)

These wool pillows are crazy amazing. Didn't get them, but they are on my wish-list! ($34 each)

Have you ever purchased from West Elm? They're my favorite :)

mad for maps

I am so into maps lately. My living room walls are still very bare, and I have all kinds of ideas on how to fill them. Modern or vintage, a map of New York or Pennsylvania (my two home states) is on my wish-list! Vintage maps are so deliciously cozy and full of history; and modern maps are aesthetically fresh and uplifting. I really love them all!

Maps not only make for tremendous art, they're also visual reminders of all the places we've traveled or lived. They add sentimental value. And for some reason, I always think a room with a map looks classier -- even a bathroom-- and also more interesting like the chalkboard painted map below.

I'll be looking on Etsy for some great deals... let me know if you see anything out there!

(via 1, 2, 3, 4)

wall decal inspiration

Since I discovered the power of a great wall decal, I feel like a whole new world of design possibilities has been opened up for me! I love the choices over at Blik (thanks Jacquelyn), and now I wish I had more walls and corners - more free space to cover! Wall decals are such an inexpensive and easy substitute for so many things...

A headboard...

Works of art...

Accent walls...

And alternative furniture (mirror and plant, whee!)

So many different choices, right? And all of them would make a living space so much more fun. See all the options over at Blik's online shop, and tell me your favorite!

PS: Blik was featured in Entrepreneur mag's "100 Brilliant Ideas 2010" list. Cool!