Pillow Talk

I love coming across photos of the different ways people use the same items I have. Ex: my Target Dwell Studio Peony pillows.

These still show up all over the blogosphere and it's always so fun to see how other people use them in their homes.

Here's my look. {Again...}

And here are some others.

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Trust me, there's plenty more where these came from. I guess this is the fun part about buying mainstream! Keep 'em comin'!

Two of a Kind

I was SO happy when I checked my new unread post from Centsational Girl today! Lookie here! She just finished her bedroom and it has the same look as mine! {OMG! Does that mean my BR is famous?!} Of course, mine doesn't really compare to her beautiful bedroom that has every finishing touch in its perfect place, but it looks like I'm headed in the right direction.

Hers:

Mine:

Gosh, that's a dark photo, but I'm pretty darn close huh?! She's got the real Devon mirror, but I'm so grateful for my knock off. Now I'm having a Color-Combo-Crisis. Everything in my BR has the same 3 colors: blue, white, and gray. I love that it makes you feel like you just wanna fall sleep with these soothing colors, but I need some contrast. Should I add a touch of a complimenting color like green or purple? Or should I go with something more bold, contrasting color like orange!? I wish I can ask Centsational Girl for advice! :)

Weekend Discount Finds

Came across some awesome unplanned mega discounts this weekend--so exciting!

First stop, ZGallerie. I didn't know about any big sale but just went on a whim with my mom and sister. This Biscayne tray table was marked 50% off because it was slightly damaged. I couldn't pass up the deal, so I need to figure out how to get it fixed ASAP. This faux crocodile awesomeness will sit in a corner of my family room with a cool bar set on top. Just wait.

Then I went to Border's because they are going out of business and the entire store is 40%-60% off. I picked up a Feng Shui  book {so that I can learn a little more about how to balance energy in the home}, a Miami Beach coffee table book {with lots of fun vintage photos}, and The Happiness Project {which I've been meaning to read for some motivation}. All half off!

Finally, I stopped at Crate & Barrel to use my store credit I've had in my wallet since the wedding! I would have never thought about buying a cheese board until I realized I needed a place to cut cheese {hee-hee!}. I also bought a potted plant that would look awesome holding up my new books on my bookshelf! ALL FO' FREE! woo.

Little Something to Make your House Warmer

That's what my bestie said when I thanked her for the super thoughtful housewarming gifts she gave us this past weekend!

Someone obviously pays close attention to me and my blog but I wouldn't expect anything less from her. Nicky & Andy gifted us the Un Homme/Une Femme vases from CB2 that I recently gushed about! So smart! And also the cah-utest Oliver Martini glasses that now come in so 3 really cute themes! (Lemon, Cherry, and Olive). Olive-You, Oliver!

I couldn't decide where to hang up the Man & Missy so the hubby decided for me and it's perfect. Naturally, these should be displayed in a bathroom, so the most used downstairs half-bath is where everyone can see it! I tried real hard to find artificial flowers that look like the ones in this CB2 pic, but had no luck. Instead I went with green dried leaf puff balls to act as their big heads. Aren't they funny?! This isn't a great pic because the don't look like they stand out against the white walls. {OMG a light bulb just popped out of my head! Maybe I should paint them!?}

Thanks again homies!

Proud Copycat

This beeeeautiful mirror is from Z Gallerie. One of my favorite stores housing one of my favorite decor pieces. Price tag is $199 and although that doesn't seem like a really steep investment, it is for me--this girl's on a budget! It's a good thing I follow blogs that lend the best shopping tips because when I saw that both A la Mode and Dwellings by Devore posted about this mirror at HomeGoods for half the price, I freaked. I got like how I always get...obsessed! Had to run to all the HGs in my area to find it. One small problem: HGs don't all sell the same merchandise in each location, and both of these bloggers live out of state. Then I heard angels singing when I found it sitting up all by its lonesome self at the second HG I ransacked!

They say that mirrors in bedrooms break all the feng shui rules. I don't care, this one was perfect for the look I was going for and all these other rebels are just fine.

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And here's another very similar version. See? Mirrors in bedrooms are A-OK!

Here's how it looks hung up in our bedroom.

Here's more Devon mirror inspiration.

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And other HG mirror finds! Go get 'em!

Bed Linen Snob

I'm sleepy and dreaming about being in my bed sheets. So naturally, it's the perfect time to share my 2 favorite bedding loves with you.

I used to be loyal to jersey sheets when I was young and naive. Then I met organic cotton and kicked jersey sheets to the curb. THEN, I met Egyptian cotton and let's just say it was extra hard for me to get up in the mornings. And then I met these. Nothing fancy, no extra frills, bells, and whistles. Just a yummy magical fabric that all sheets should be made of, in my opinion.

My mom gave us these Charter Club sheets in plain old white as a wedding gift, along with a fancier Ralph Lauren set. Sorry Ralph, but your sheets will never stand a chance. I actually waited and waited for the best sale of the year to get another set in the same color at a crazy price because you just never know... {Oh no, what if my dryer destroys my first AND second sets??? And then they become discontinued and I'll never be able to find them again??? Ok, I might need to get a back-up for the back-up ASAP!}

My #2 bedding love is this deelish blanket from Hotel Collection. Putting the whole comforter set on and off each day got old reeeal quick. Plus, my duvet comforter is heavy and hot, and these days we need all the air my A/C can crank! This little blanket is light and airy, yet cozy and warm at the same time. At first I froze my buns off, but I got used it and now I love it! Plus, it's zigzag and I'm obsessed. I also got this one in white but that gray is looking real tempting as another back-up. {Can you imagine what my linen closet looks like?! I've got more linens than Anna!}

X Marks the Spot

Ok, my last post and purchase got me crrraaazy! When I was hooked on the X-shape craze last year, everything out there was way outta budget. But after I found my X-benchy-bench this week, I did some research and now there are tons of pieces of furniture that fit the bill. I'm definitely not over the X trend but if I put X's all over my house, it will look worse than a pirate's map. So YOU get them, please! They're all too cool to pass up :)

These are all from my go-to place and all really affordable.

I'm still looking for a pair of x-benches to place at the foot of the bed or under a console table like so:

These images via here.

If you like this look as much as I do, check out these x-benches in which you can switch out the fabrics to complement your room.

If you see any others out there at a good price, please tweet me!

XOXO for my new X Bench!

Score!!! I can't believe I ran into this cute lil benchy-bench on my lunch break today. Stopping by my closest HG for an accent table, I ended up with this instead! Here it is already placed in the master bathroom. {Please excuse my cheesy iPhone pics.}

 {ha! tags are still on too! oops.}

I know, I know...here I go again with the same old X legs, the same old studs, and the same old chevron fabric. When I'm into something, I go full force. But how can I resist? It's perfect! I realized how important a vanity seat is in a bathroom when I'm standing in front of the mirror for an hour blow-drying my hair. {Girls, do ya feel me!?} A seat was necessary! This lil bench seat ties more green into the room and acts as a functional piece for laying out my jammies and giving my bum a stylish place to rest. Success!

The Big 1

Is this the cutest munchkin-face you've ever seen??? I had a fun-filled weekend living it up for my baby nephew's 1st birthday. I can't believe a year ago we were visiting my sister at the hospital while trying to figure out how to hold a real live newborn for the first time. (I never had much practice with babies before what.so.ever.) He's been the perfect addition to the happiest year of my life! :)

We spent the birthday weekend soaking up the sun at Marco Island and stayed at the Marco Beach Ocean Resort where we had a little Dr. Seuss themed party for the birthday boy with our family. (He actually had 2 parties--this is the one at his grandparents' house!)

Note to self: Some babies are NOT fond of smash cakes!

Happy birthday squishy-face! Your tia loves you!