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Archive for the ‘What Do You Want To Do?’ Category

Here in Boston, it seems we’re still trying to decide if it’s winter or spring. It was 30 yesterday morning and 50 by afternoon, and although we missed the Nor’easter that was supposed to hit us, nobody feels safe enough to store away the winter boots quite yet.

LeopardandRed

I’ve never been that adept at transition dressing — y’know, that winter-to-spring and fall-to-winter wardrobe conundrum — but I think I’ve finally landed on a formula.

NecklaceandNavy

Bright cotton skimmers + leather patterned flats + cozy merino sweater + fabulous statement necklace = warm enough for winter and colorful enough for spring. (The pants? Ridiculously flattering and cheap, but consider sizing up.)

TransitiontoSpring

Perfection.

TransitiontoSpringFull

All images by Paige Lewin.  

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Last week, I spent a few days with my mom at her home in North Carolina. Although I didn’t grow up there, it seemed that every time I opened a closet or cabinet, some object behind the door reminded me of my childhood. These great hobnail goblets — my grandmother’s originally — were such objects.

hobnailgoblets

I have loved these goblets for as long as I can remember, sparkly and fancy, filled with memories of my mom’s unsweetened iced tea with two lemons. In fact, if you were to say the word “goblet” to me (does anyone even say goblet anymore?), these glasses are what would spring to mind. When I became old enough to use such fancy glassware — twelve, maybe — I drank my milk out them each night at dinner. And even when I came home for breaks during college, they were the first glasses I reached for when I wanted to throw back an iced Coke with a bag of chips while watching a 90210 marathon (ah, youth).

hobnail

Lucky for me, my mom decided that she’d had enough years enjoying the glasses and sent them home with me this time. Now I’m hoping my boys love them as much as I do.

So, dear readers, is there tableware from your childhood that conjures up memories for you? And have you gotten to hold on to some pieces for your generation or the next?

All images by Paige Lewin. For similar hobnail lovelies, visit Etsy or ebay.

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As a mother of two who has dedicated nearly my entire professional life to aligning large organizations with causes, I am excited to be a part of Macy’s Shop for a Cause fundraiser supporting the March of Dimes!

Did you know that the March of Dimes was established in 1938 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, inspired by his own battle with polio? In fact, March of Dimes funded research for vaccines developed by Dr. Jonas Salk and Dr. Albert Sabin — the vaccines that ended childhood polio. In 1958, having addressed its primary mission to end the polio epidemic, the March of Dimes shifted its focus toward birth defect prevention. Today, the organization is focused on preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality, as well as advancing maternal and health research. For those of you who have had babies in the last decade or so, you’re probably well aware of both their folic acid and prematurity awareness campaigns, both of which have worked toward healthy, full-term pregnancies for all women.

Now’s your chance to support March of Dimes and get up to 25% off your purchases at Macy’s — all for $5. 

Simply buy a $5 Macy’s saving pass that will provide 25% off on regular, sale & clearance items,  including home items (please note that you will receive 10% off electronics, watches, furniture, mattresses, rugs/floor coverings), and Macy’s will donate 100% of the $5 cost of the savings pass to the March of Dimes to help give more babies a healthy start in life.

So you want to know the details?

From now until August 25: buy passes in-store (good for in-store purchases only)

August 25 only: buy a $5 savings pass online at macys.com (good for online purchases only)

SHOP, SHOP, SHOP on August 25! Use your passes online or in stores (depending on where you bought them). Two stores in Massachusetts will hold Shop for a Cause on Friday, August 24 AND Saturday, August 25 — Boston (450 Washington Street, Boston) and Berkshire (170 Old State Road, Lanesboro). So if you want to get shopping early, you can go on August 24 to either of these two stores, buy a pass, and shop.

Want to see my Shop for a Cause wish list?

Gold is having a moment throughout the house, and I’m LOVING this Marchesa by Lenox hostess set!

The shape, shade, and color of this table lamp from Pacific Coast are perfect.

My husband and I were given a single glass cake stand for our wedding 12 years ago, but I could find many uses for this one from The Cellar collection. Great for displaying baked goods or using as a tiered centerpiece filled with fruit and flowers.

Add texture to your living room with these faux bois vinyl coasters from Chilewich. (psst – they’re a bargain closeout!)

These Sandpiper tidbit plates from Kate Spade would be a great hostess gift, or framed out in shadow boxes and hung on the wall.

On a trip to Atlanta last year, I fell in love with a natural fiber cocktail table, but decided against it because the shape didn’t work with our sectional. This cocktail table is perfect!

With two boys and a mountain biking-husband, I use indoor/outdoor rugs throughout our home. This runner from Couristan is a beauty! (Please note that rugs are excluded from Shop for a Cause online purchasing, but are eligible for the discount in-store!)

Inspired? Purchase your pass, help babies, and get shopping! 

Image credit: all images from macys.com

Complete details about Macy’s Shop for a Cause fundraiser can be found here.

This post (+ my sharing on social media) was inspired by my participation in a compensated program initiated by Women Online/The Mission List to raise awareness about the March of Dimes/Macy’s charitable fundraiser. All commentary, opinions, and fabulous finds are, of course, my own.

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When it comes to my wardrobe, I like to keep things simple; clean lines, great colors, the occasional pattern. After spending my 20s purchasing cheap, trendy clothes, I’ve tried to move toward pieces that will last me the long haul. It’s not that I ignore trends all together (I did, in fact, buy a mullet dress this summer), but of-the-moment pieces are few and far between.

When it comes to accessories, however…mah lawd, I do love a good accessory. Classic, trendy, cheap, expensive, well-made, junky…I’ll take ’em all. Accessories are my THANG. Give me a Gap t-shirt, a ball skirt, and my collection of accessories and I could get you to the Oscars.

Oh wait, that’s been done already.

Anyway, you get it. Accessories. LOVE.

Want to see what accessories I’ve been wearing all summer?

  1. This leather-inlaid necklace is INSANELY beautiful, but more importantly, wearable with everything and in every season.
  2. The perfect studs. And the deal of the century.
  3. I felt a little bit guilty buying these sunnies, but given the fact that I wear them every day and answer to hey, movie star! now, it makes it all worth it.
  4. For Mother’s Day, my husband gave me a stunning gold-plated cuff. Having always been more of a bangle or link bracelet girl, I never knew how much I would love a gold cuff. I’ve worn it approximately 68 days since I got it. He got mine from a super cute shop on the North Shore, but here’s a similar one.
  5. I have coveted a white tote (and particularly this white tote) for a long, long time. But the dirt was keeping me from the move. Whatevs, that’s what leather cleaner is for.
  6. Turns out leopard is sort of like black, white, and navy — it goes with everything. Plus, these wedge espadrilles make your legs look awesome. (p.s. – they only run in whole sizes and they run big; consider taking a size down)

  1. I love nearly everything Kendra Scott makes, but I love these best. They come in a zillion colors and literally MAKE an outfit.
  2. If you don’t like attention, don’t wear strappy red-orange shoes. (p.s., again – sometimes J.Crew’s sales are better in store than online. Just sayin’.)
  3. I have a similar little bag in neon peach, but I love this mint version.
  4. The perfect cotton summer tote. My best friend gave this one to me (in a whale pattern) and it makes me happy every time I use it.
  5. When I’m not wearing my gold cuff, I’m definitely sporting a statement ring.
  6. Most fedoras don’t work on me because the brims are too small and the crown is too high, but this one is just right. Mine is sold out online, but you can find a similar one here.

  1. A few years ago I bought myself a pair of utterly classic light brown wedges from Clarks. Even as I was buying them, I was making fun of myself buying what seemed like total orthopedic sandals. But they are amahzingly comfortable, have stayed in perfect condition for years, and elicit compliments every time I wear them. Equally orthopedically-awesome ones can be found here.
  2. This super delicate necklace makes me feel sweet and strong all at the same time.
  3. When I’m not wearing my Kate Spades, I’m wearing Wayfarers.
  4. I got this tote in early Spring in a warm camel color. It’s simple design makes it a great work tote with more than enough room for a laptop sleeve or iPad, files, wallet, latest issue of House Beautiful, water bottle, and more. I never carry a purse when I’m using this.
  5. The upgraded summer camp friendship bracelet. Although it’s a pricey piece, it’s dear to my heart. Four of us gal pals got them last year to commemorate ten years of friendship. Sarah, one of us four, passed away in May 2011 and now her husband wears it for her.

So, friends, what are you wearing this summer? Do you love accessories too?

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It is cold, rainy, and desperately depressing here in Boston right now.

After a spring-tease in April, we’ve been treated to nearly nothing but clouds since May started.

Out went the kelly green shorts, coral blouses and peep-toe espadrilles from three weeks ago. Back in came the black cashmere and boots of fall.

And I am SO over fall clothes.

I didn’t think anything could jolt me out of my precipitation-induced coma, until I saw the designs of Madcap Cottage today.

Have you seen? They’re like visual antidepressants.

Candy colors! Stripes! Florals!

John Loecke and Jason Oliver Nixon, the talents behind Madcap Cottage, might as well have their M.D.s, ’cause I feel a whole lot better after an hour in their world.

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Image credits: Madcap Cottage

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{Love that pink and green}

I started shopping at the fabulous One Kings Lane more than a year ago and have scored some seriously fabulous deals. But even better than the deals are the home artisans, designers, and companies to which I’ve been introduced, and Pomegranate, Inc. is the latest in a long list. A couple of weeks ago when Pomegranate came up as one of OKL Sales of the Day, I was immediately attracted to the bold colors and block printing. The price was right, so I picked myself up a pair of much-needed oven mitts (yes, much-needed…our current singular oven mitt was given to us eleven years ago as part of a wedding gift), as well as a birthday gift for a girlfriend (the item and print shall remain nameless for fear of revealing the recipient!).

{Aforementioned much-needed oven mitts. Cute, no?}

The pieces arrived today and I love them even more in person than I thought I would, so I jumped on the company’s site and scrolled around to see what else they had to offer. In addition to the pretty aprons and table textiles Pomegranate sold on OKL, the company also offers inexpensive curtain panelsfun embroidered cocktail napkins and hand towels and sweet twin quilts that would be perfect in a child’s or guest bedroom. Have fun shopping!


{Quilt made in soft cotton voile}

And if you haven’t tried One Kings Lane, you really must! It’s by invitation-only, so consider yourself invited!

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Have you heard? Amy Butler’s husband, David, is launching a new fabric line! With three boys in the house (yes, I’m counting the hubs), I’m excited to see his new line of “guy friendly” prints. No website yet, but you can follow the winter introduction of Parson Gray on Facebook.

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When I first heard about Boston-based artist Leslie Graff from Design Mom, I instantly fell in love with her work. Tuesday night, while at Pivot Boston (an amazing event that brought together women who want to make or have made a change in their careers that bring them more joy/fulfillment/peace of mind/etc.), I squealed a little when I realized she was a panelist (actually it was more of loud WOOT! followed by a burst of clapping). After hearing her speak about the journey to her “pivot,” owning an original Leslie Graff shot to the top of my wish list.

I’m particularly fond of Leslie’s Domestic Series, a collection of paintings that features an unidentified woman (turns out they’re self-portraits) in fabulous heels running her household and raising her children. While the scenes could be straight out of the 50s or 60s, the clothes are just modern and sexy enough that I feel like Leslie has captured today’s working mom and honored her in acrylic.

Learn more about Leslie’s background, see her portfolio, and buy her notecards and prints here.

Image credits: Leslie painting from her blog Smart Mama; “Ironing it out” notecard from the Pivot Boston goodie bag

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I’m off to Vermont this weekend for a family wedding (congratulations Lauren and Justin!)…how about you?  The wedding is in the north country, so I’ll have lots of time to catch up on reading on the way up and back.  It’s been a really long time since I’ve spent hours getting lost in my favorite blogs, so I’m really looking forward to it.

See you soon!

Want to get lost in The Mudroom? Start with my most popular DIY posts:

An easy inspiration board

Making bookshelves pretty

Paint can lighting

Naptime? Makeover!

Image credit: Mary Sarah Holland

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Does it annoy anyone else that “Bed Bath & Beyond” isn’t “Bed, Bath and Beyond”?

Just me?

Okey dokey.

Anyhoo…in case you haven’t heard, Kate Spade has made her way to BB&B.  Maybe this is old news, but since I had a temporary absence from the design blogosphere, I missed the announcement until about three weeks ago.  She’s got some VERY cute stuff including dinnerware, crystal, and linens. But my very favorite piece in the entire collection is this little number…

One hundred percent cotton bedskirt perfection.

Love.

{And yes, I promise my next post won’t be about stripes. Perhaps I should add “stripe-obsessed” to my profile?}

Photo credit: Kate Spade Heirloom Roses Bed Skirt, Bed Bath &Beyond

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