Fall in Love (with planning a party)

One of the things I enjoy best is planning a party!  I love finding the ideas, planning the menu, decorating the tables and being a "hostess with the mostess".  My latest adventure has been putting together a couple's shower for my brother and his fiance.  They are getting married in February and we're so happy to have Katie part of our crazy family.  My sister and I are doing it together and we're having it in her amazing backyard.  She has a built-in fire pit and walk-out basement, so it's a perfect place for a party!

Having a party in November definitely screams pumpkins, burlap and warm drinks!  So, we are having all of that and more.  Because it's in the evening, we are doing heavy hors d'oeuvres with lots of fun stations scattered around to include popcorn, s'mores and coffee.  We still have lots of details to work out on the food, but here are some great ideas I found on Pinterest to inspire me.  I promise to post about the party and show you how it all turns out.

Here's the invitation we ordered from The Polka Dot Press.  I took one of their standard designs and changed it around some.  Kim always does such a great job!

I can probably think of a million ways to use a pumpkin as a bowl.

Not very practical, but I love the idea.

We are so going to do this!

If I can find inexpensive holders, we're definitely doing this.

This is a little over the top, but I like the idea of using wheat and flowers together.

Pumpkin doughnuts...we need something sweet on the coffee bar.

My inspiration for the popcorn bar idea.  I just need to find some of those baskets.

If I don't do this at the party, I'm definitely going to for Thanksgiving.

Another great inspiration photo.  I love the hanging lights.

 I can't wait until we can actually execute some of these fun ideas.

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer  

Powder Baths

The powder bath is usually the smallest room in the house, but it probably gets more use than any other.  Not only is it used by the family, but also by your guests.  I love to take advantage of this little room and fill it with as much character as possible.  Almost always, my clients end of loving that space more than any other.  That's because they usually took a risk that they wouldn't do in another room - bold paint color, wallpaper, interesting light fixture, etc.

Here are some great examples I've found out there and why I love them so much!

This bathroom featured on Houzz has done everything right, in my opinion.  From the large scale wallpaper, to the lighting and vanity cabinet.  Perfection!

This bathroom from home is where the heart is shows a unique way of using swing arm lamps on either side of the mirror.  I also love the wallpaper and round table in the corner.

I wasn't sure about the window above the sink, but they made it work by keeping the vanity style simple.  Plus, you have a great mirror to the side to check your makeup.  This comes from Style Carrot.  Oh!  I love the pendant light, too.

There are so many things I love about this powder bath featured on White+Gold.  The herringbone style paneling creates much needed architectural detail.  The blue grasscloth not only brings in color, but texture as well. 

If anyone knows where this vanity came from, please let me know as I searched for this after a client showed me this photo while designing her new house.  The open shelving provides much needed storage a pedestal sink can't.  This bathroom was featured on Better Homes and Gardens.

This contemporary example from Houzz shows how tile can make such a huge statement in a small space.  The neutral colors was the way to go and I love it in contrast to the dark cabinetry.  The glass bowl looks like just another accessory.  Lovely!

So, take a chance when it comes to decorating your powder bath.  Go bold or go home!

Thanks for reading,
Jennifer

Gift Giving...number four

It's been a while since I've done a post with my gift ideas, but honestly, I had nothing!  Then, it was time to pack for another weekend trip and I realized that I really needed a new bag.  Not too big, not too small, but something just right.  My little suitcase is just sometimes too big for a weekend or not big enough to hold my clothes, shoes and toiletries.  

Here are some great ideas I found while doing a little "research" on weekend bags...

Jack Spade

Rag & Bone

Studio Cherie

Baron Country

Thirty-One Gifts

Banana Republic

Fred Perry by 6pm

Happy Traveling and Thanks for Reading!
Jennifer

There's a Chill in the Air...Not!

I was hoping with October finally being here I would open the door this morning to cool air, but instead today has been a muggy disappointment!  I'm so ready for fall and since Tallahassee isn't exactly known for its seasons, I say "bring it on!".

Around our house, the biggest holiday of the fall is Halloween.  Wes starts talking about his costume in August and continually changes his mind until mid-October.  The costume du jour is a dementor from Harry Potter.  If you're not familiar, here he is.  As you can guess, I'm hoping we'll have a few more "costume changes" before we settle on the final choice.

I also love planting my fall flowers, putting out fresh pine straw and figuring out how to make my front yard not look like a haunted house.  It's a thin line, but I try.  Here are some great decorating ideas I have been pinning and honestly hope to try a few.  If I do, you'll be the first to know.  If you're interested, here's my Pinterest link to get more details on the photos below.

Wes would definitely be excited to see this in our yard!

So for now, I'll just keep my air conditioning turned way down and keep waiting for fall.  

Thanks for reading!
Jennifer