Decorating with a touch of Red

You all know that I am a fan of color. There really isn't a color that I don't like. Red use to be my favorite color. In our first home I even painted our master bathroom red. Like...red red. It took about four coats of paint and four people painting around doors, windows, tubs, etc.! I have learned over the years that in order to really enjoy color you have to interject it into your home little by little. Painting four walls red is quite a commitment and one I wasn't too pleased with after two years.

I truly feel that you get more of an impact when most of a space is neutral while adding color in accessories, accent walls or a piece of furniture. It creates a more cohesive/pulled together look.

Since Valentine's Day is tomorrow, I have pulled together some of my favorite spaces that showcase that "right amount" of red. You can take this same concept and integrate it with any bold color of your choice.

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So do you like decorating with red? Are you an all out bold Diva or a conservative lady when it comes to adding color to your home?

Have a lovely weekend! Hope you feel loved and appreciated on this Valentine's weekend.

XOXO

Last Minute Valentine's Ideas

Well hello! I promise I haven't fallen off the face of the earth. Who knew all the appointments, classes and tours that come with expecting babies!? Not me...obviously. I told my husband it is like having another full time job just keeping up with appointments. Y'all never warned me!

Well I am back today to talk Valentine's Day. My mom always made Valentine's Day special. She still makes a pot roast and her most delicious heart bread to this day. We will be gathering with family on Saturday night to celebrate.

Last year I hosted a Valentine's Tea for all of my sweet friends. You can see the details Here. I so wanted to do that again this year, but really at 28 weeks pregnant... I don't have the energy. So I have been searching some fun last minute ideas to share with all of you instead!


1. Peanut Butter Cup Rice Crispy Treats
Of course I had to start with something yummy! I think I might have to make this tomorrow and I can guarantee I will be eating half of the recipe myself! Stop on over to Inspired by Charm for the details!

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2. Free Printables:  Valentines Cards & Envelopes
These are absolutely adorable. I love that they can be interchanged and feel more personal than buying a card from the store. Plus they save big money! Have you noticed how expensive cards are now a days? Download this full set Here.

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3. 52 Reasons I Love You

What a fun and inexpensive gift idea! You could create this for your significant other or for your child. I started working on this one for the Hubs. We will see if I can finish it in time. All you need is a deck of cards, a hole punch and a ring clasp (which you can find at staples). You can either type the words or write them with a sharpie. Tutorial Here. 

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4. DIY XOXO Table Cloth or Runner

What a fabulous idea! If you are staying in for Valentine's Day this year or just want to make breakfast extra special for the kids, why not create your own table cloth or runner. It doesn't have to be expensive. Use an old sheet or left over fabric laying around the house. Add some black paint and presto......

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5. Donut Hole Breakfast Skewers

These would be so easy and so much fun for kids. And...the fruit counteracts the donuts...right?

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Also...do you need a little help on what to wear for Valentine's Day? My friend Megan put together two great outfits that are casual enough for a stay at home party or a night out at a friend's house. You can check out the sources here. If I wasn't preggo I would be buying that adorable Red Cami! And how comfy does that heart sweater and boyfriend jean combo look?

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So what are you all up to for Valentines this year? I am thinking we are going to celebrate tomorrow night and try to avoid some of the crazy crowds. Or...we are going to order pizza in with a movie. That actually sounds so delightful! 

XOXO

Tuesday Treats #9 {Inspiration from around the web}

Good Morning! I was hoping to wake up to some white stuff floating from the sky, but I guess the weather man was wrong again. No rest for the weary, normal day as planned.

Thank you all for the sweet comments from yesterday's Valentine's Tea post. It was such a great time and I am hoping to do it again next year.

As usual on Tuesdays, I have found some great inspiration and ideas around the web and I just had to share them with all of you. AND...if you ever find something you think would be fun to share with my readers, please email me with the link and I will definitely give a shout out! I am always looking for great ideas to inspire me and those around. Enjoy today's treats!


1. Don't be too hard on yourself
I love the quote below. It reminds me to not take life so serious, to enjoy the day! When I mess up I need to give myself grace. I am not perfect and neither is the person beside me. Good reminder..don't you think?

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2. DIY Cloud Mobile

Obviously I am in the decorating the nursery mood. I found this adorable fabric cloud on the Ikea's DIY site and fell in love. I am thinking I might have to make a few of these either as a wall hanging or a mobile above the crib. How easy would this be to make?!

3. Can you mix gray and beige?
I have gotten this question a lot from clients and friends. My friend Abby explains why those neutral colors can go well together. Hop on over to check her post out HERE.

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4. Kitchen Before & After

My friend Holly is a local blogger here in the Raleigh area and she is amazing with paint! She does custom work for clients on furniture and now has even taken to painting cabinetry. Holly just finished a neighbor's kitchen and what a transformation. With paint and new cabinet hardware she transformed this space into a whole new kitchen. It was quite dark before and I love the airy feeling white paint can bring to a space. What a cheap fix too! The client left the same backsplash, countertops and lighting. The Power of Paint! Click HERE for more details and what type of paint Holly used. 

5. Valentine's Round Up

Since Valentine's Day is this Friday, I have found some cute DIY ideas around the web for a quick project! I  especially love the dinner for two idea from TheEveryGirl.

One: Sequin Love Sign

Two: Embroidered Canvas Love Sign

Three: Vinyl Love Tray

Four: Dinner at Home for Two

Five: Eraser Stamped Valentines Cards

Hope you have a great day! I am getting ready to cozy up and get some home projects done while watching the snow fall. Yes...it is suppose to snow again in NC! Crazy Winter.

A Valentine's Tea

I decided to host a sweet Valentine's Tea for all of my fabulous friends over the weekend. I wanted to have time to sit, chat and pamper my friends as a way of saying "I love you." Life gets so busy and we never seem to be able to have girl time without kiddos running around or husbands interrupting our schedules. Do you ever feel like this? I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends and I am glad I was able to spend some time with these beautiful women.

There were ten of us altogether... a perfect number for a tea. Since I only had 8 place settings of my china, I had to borrow a few pieces from my mom. It worked out wonderfully and you would have never noticed that certain pieces didn't belong with my set.

It was so fun to be able to use my grandmother's china and silverware that has been passed down to me. My grandmother was a classy lady and I can only hope she was smiling down on our fun girly tea seeing all of her pieces being used. 

These pink napkins were actually part of the centerpieces at our wedding. My mother-in law monogrammed them for us. We have a totally of 22 and I have been wondering what to do with light pink monogrammed napkins over the past 9 years. They worked into the color scheme perfectly!

Ready for picture overload?? Enjoy!!

I really had a lot of fun putting the whole event together.
The Details:  I made the chicken salad sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, strawberry basil, honey & brie crostini and heart sugar cookies. I borrowed some jelly canning jars from my mom and layered some granola, vanilla yogurt & berries to create a fruit parfait. I also went to our local bakery to pick up the macaroons. The small desserts were from Trader Joe's and my mother made her famous heart bread topped with honey butter & strawberries. For tea we had Earl of White and Earl of Grey. Both were delicious! Making all of the tissue paper flowers was the part of the preparation that took the longest.  I made a few each night while watching television. Even though they were tedious, I am so glad I took the time to make them because I think they made the most impact in the room!

I really love hosting parties and since it was such a hit, I think it is going to be an annual tradition! Anyone else want to join us next year?

Throughout your busy week, try to focus on how you can make others feel loved! Isn't that what this holiday is all about!? Have a fabulous week friends! xoxo

Pink, Red & Gold

I am getting quite excited for the weekend. I have about 10 ladies coming over for tea tomorrow and I am primping my dining room out for the event! I will post some little updates over on Instagram as I prepare today & tomorrow, if you want to follow along.

Since I am decorating for a Valentine's tea, I have Pink, Red & Gold on my mind this week. I thought a little inspiration from my favorite stores would give me motivation to finish my prepping today.

1. Valentine's Garland; 2. Gold Polka Dot Pillow; 3. Heart Catchall; 4. LOVE sign; 5. Red Flatware;
6. Fuchsia edged napkins; 7. Love Pillow; 8. Gold Heart Pillow; 9. Fuchsia Ottoman; 10. MR & MRS Mugs; 11. Rug; 12. Heart Pillow; 13. Fuchsia Pouf



Would you ever add any of these items to your home decor? I am thinking that rug and pouf would look fabulous in a tween girl's bedroom. And..well I love anything gold, so I would totally add the Love pillow and polka dot pillow to my own bedroom!

Have a wonderful weekend! Hope to share some pictures of our Valentine's Tea on Monday!