Monday, December 26, 2011

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas Y'all!!


Saturday, December 24, 2011

1 Day Until Christmas!

Happy Christmas Eve Everyone! (Christmas to those in China!)  We're about to go to the largest temple in Beijing, but I wanted to share the top item on my christmas list today!  These Water Lilly Tea Light Holders from ZGallerie would look fabulous on each side of my entry table!  What's on your list this year?

Obsession of the Day: ZGallarie Jeweled Frames

My parent's house is filled with photos of our family and friends.  Everytime I go home, it seems like mom has managed to find room for another photo on every bit of remaining countertop.  While art is beautiful, nothing is more comforting then walking into a home filled with photos.  However, when I was home last weekend, I found myself looking at my mother's picture frames more than the actual photos.

My mother is a firm believer in having picture frames that are as beautiful as the pictures, and "given that I have three beautiful daughters, they need to be extremely beautiful frames."  The result?  Hundreds of Jay Strongwater frames scattered throughout the house.  I'm quite certain if there is a Strongwater frame, it resides somewhere in my house nuzzled on top of a dresser or next to her Herend in the china cabinet.  I've inherited my mother's love for all things picture related and adore Strongwater frames.  However, except for the few she's given me, I simply can't justify spending over a hundred dollars for a picture frame on my college student budget.  That's why I've become a devoted ZGallerie shopper.  Their Picture frames are 100% as exquisite as the Jay Strongwater frames, but cost a tenth of the price.  The best part?  They blend right in to my mother's Strongwater frames on my dresser.  Here are my ten of my favorite frames from ZGallerie.  Which one is your favorite?
1. Lilly Frame

2. Bamboo Frame

3. Peacock Frame

4. Bird Frame

5. Jeweled Frames

6. Marrone Frame

7. Dragonfly Jeweled Frame

8. Eternity Jeweled Frame
9. Infinity Jeweled Frame
10. Juliette Jeweled Frame

Friday, December 23, 2011

Inspired By: Mao

Inspired by Mao?  Ha! Perhaps I've been in Beijing too long!  It's hard to get inspired by anything Mao did.  However, I always giggle when I see this photo of Lauren Santo Domingo's living room.  I love her entire apartment for its perfect blend of amazing antiques and goofy knick knacks, but I especially love her original Mao Warhol pieces.  You can find replica's of Warhol's Mao paintings here and here!

Shades of Blue


There’s nothing quite as chic as cool dark blue tones and pops of turquoise throughout a room.  I have always been so inspired by the seating area display below.  Something about dark blue and turquoise always reminds me of the beautiful white and blue slopes of Santorini, Greece.   Take this seating area, for example.  The seating area is relatively bare, but the bold dark blue sofa and turquoise touches take the area below from a boring white space to an exquisite seating area.  What color palates inspire you?



Hello From Beijing!

My Red JHerring is blogging from Beijing, China!  I cannot wait to post all of the amazing photos from the trip!!  In the meantime, Happy Holidays!



2 Days Until Christmas...

There are just 48 hours before Christmas and I cannot wait!  I may be spend my Christmas traveling abroad, but that does not mean I've forgotten about my (now quite lengthy) Christmas List.  What's on top of my list today? These Beaded Silver-Plated Picture Frames from Pottery Barn.  I can always count on Pottery Barn to have classic pieces with a modern twist and these frames are no exception.  The beading gives the perfect aura of Waspy elegance and the silver plating provides the picture perfect blend of uptown chic.  The result?  Picture perfect frames that shout 'hip preppy home!'


What's on your list today?

Obsession of the Day: Monogrammed Seating

I always pull photos I find of beautiful decor I find online, and the picture below is one of the one's I've saved over the years.  I love the intricate decor in grand mansions from the early like the beautiful gilded ceiling in their photo.  The monogrammed red seating in this room is absolutely drool worthy.  Plush red fabric, wonderfully carved chair with gold leaf and monogramed with my initials?!  I could not imagine anything more perfect if I tried!  


Thursday, December 22, 2011

Inspired by: Van Cleef and Arpels Alhambra

This year I got the Van Cleef Alhambra necklace for my birthday from my parents.  I've been a Van Cleef devotee for as long as I can remember. I'm always lusting after their amazing pieces on 1st Dibs (um hello luvah).  That's why I love the Van Cleef Clover inspired chair below.  Its my personal opinion that anything inspired by Van Cleef is instantly fabulous, but I especially love these clover dining chairs.  They are the perfect blend of elegant charm and modern chic.  I would love to place one in my vanity like the one below or around a breakfast nook table!  What inspired by furniture do you love?



This beautiful Hickory Chairs piece would look fabulous around a breakfast nook.  I haven't been able to find the pricing, but its a must buy!


These two Mecox Clover Chairs are quite expensive at $1500/chair, but still a bargain compared to an authentic Van Cleef Alhambra Clover necklace!  Now this is my kind of savings!!


Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Macy's Sale

Macy's is having a terrific sale today and they have some ah-mazing bargains and steals!  Here are a few of my favorites!

 1.  All stand mixers are currently 30% off
 2. This precious candy cane cake stand would make a fabulous last minute decorating touch right before the holidays- and at $29.99 its a must buy!
3. I love these elegant discounted waterford crystal glasses

 4. This beaded American Bead 53 piece silverware is an absolute must buy.  I bough a set of this when I moved into my first apartment and they've lasted 3 years without scratching, denting, or tarnishing!
 5.  My mother changes out our china pattern at home for every holiday.  I cannot wait to surprise her when she sees that I've started my very own (budget friendly) Thanksgiving china set!


What deals have you found at Macy's

3 Days Until Christmas...

I can't believe there are only 3 days until Christmas!!  It seems like just yesterday that Starbucks put out their annual Holiday cups (my yearly judge on when the holiday season starts).  What is on the top of my Christmas list today?  This Reed and Barton Silver Plated Server Shell from the Peak of Chic Entertaining List.  The Peak of Chic is always a great source for elegant home inspiration, and their Amazon store is no exception.  Sure, $234.75 may be a lot to spend on one serving dish, but I've been extra good this year Santa!!

Green and Pink Ladylike Watercolors

I posted a few days ago about my beautiful new green and pink quilt and my love for ladylike design and wanted to share a fabulous Etsy shop I found last year.  Paris Breakfast's store contains gorgeous pastel watercolors that would look lovely in a ladylike room! Carol Gillet paints the beautiful pastries and teatime scenery around Paris.  I love the simplicity of the three stacked Laduree boxes and her precious storefront pet watercolors.  Which is your favorite?




Obsession of the Day: Pet Greeting Cards

I am in love with these Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Greeting Cards from Small Shoulder Bag. Two weeks ago, Andrew surprised me with the BEST CHRISTMAS GIFT EVER! when he gave me Mary Caroline Elizabeth Catherine aka Princess Muffie- my very own precious little baby Cavalier.  I already ordered Muffie her very own Louis carrying case and am admittedly one of those ridiculous pet owners.  And these greeting cards are an absolute must have for any dog lover!


4 Days Until Christmas...

With only 4 days until Christmas, what's on my Christmas List today?  I would love to get one of these precious canine portraits of Mary Caroline Elizabeth Catherine aka Princess Muffie for my dresser.  How cute are Jo Chamber's precious illustrations? Goodbye Mona Lisa, Hello Princess Muffie!!!




Muffie getting her Vogue on!  Sassy Lady!!
 Precious Angel!!



5 Day Until Christmas.....

Christmas is only 5 days away and Hanukah started today and everywhere gifts are in the air!  Whats on my wish list today?  This Large Coney Island Beach Print from Depuis' Etsy Shop.  I used to love visiting Coney Island on our family vacations growing up and this photo brings back all of my fond memories of spending summers at the beach! I would love to hang this above the tub in my master bathroom and imagine laying on the beach as I take a bubble bath!!


Presents Presents Presents!

This year my family and I are wintering in Asia, visiting my sister in Beijing.  One of the perks about going away for the holidays is getting to open presents early!  This year, I've had so many wonderful gifts, but my absolute favorite is the pink and green quilt I received from my boyfriend's mother.  Andrew's Mama has such a talent for making quilts and has made Andrew the most beautiful quilts over the years.  Not only did she make it by hand, but Andrew's Mama picked my two favorite colors: pink and green!  As many of you know, I have an unhealthy obsession with Neiman Marcus bedding, and could not believe that my new quilt looks exactly like one of the one's I've been ogling over at Neimans. I've been trying to figure out what colors to use for the guest bedroom in my house, and would love to do a precious ladylike pink and green bedroom.  I cannot wait to use my new quilt as the inspiration for my green and pink guest bedroom at home!  This will definitely be a gift I will cherish for years to come!!

Opening my beautiful new quilt at Andrew's apartment
Going to look perfect here!!


Monday, December 19, 2011

Narrow Kitchen Design

I've been searching for houses on Realtor.com for next year and have found some fabulous gems in the area in my price range.  I've been looking forward to having my own backyard and pool after spending four years in college apartments and love driving around looking for the absolute 'dream home'.  Beautiful as they may be, homes under 2.5 million dollars in my area simply do not have an acceptable size kitchen.  As I will be a college graduate, multi million dollar mini McMansions are out of my price range and I've been forced to get used to the idea of living with a smaller kitchen.  I was so excited when I found this old photo of a narrow kitchen in my archives (below top).  I love the marble countertops and use of custom cabinetry.  Saving by buying a house in your price range and splurging on a few elaborate wow pieces to jazz up a tight space really goes to show that narrow kitchens don't have to be the end all to buying a house on a budget.

 This homeowner left  the original cabinets and appliances but added a coat of black chalk board paint, a vintage chandelier, and a modern print to turn this previously drab kitchen into a sassy modern space. 
 A kitchen of any size would have room for an island or bar if it had this compact kitchen concept design model in lieu of a traditional kitchen!

Obsession of the Day: Ladylike Rooms

As a girly girl galore, I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate my favorite color (pink duh!) into my life.  New shoes, new bags, new clothes- if they're pink- I'm sold.  However, I've always been a little intimidated by using pink in the home.  Sure, pink can be beautiful in bedrooms, (see 1, 2, 3), but pink in other rooms of the house often borders on Barbie's Malibu Beach Pad, and not in a good way.  That's why I was shocked when I was looking through my old issue of Elle Decor and found a, gasp, fabulous pink entry way.  Could it really be possible for bold pink accents to fill a room without crossing the line into cheeky territory?  I love the photos below, because they prove that you can use a pink palate in a room to set a ladylike tone to the entire space.  Who knew Barbie Pink could be so refined?

I'd buy this barbilicious entryway in a heartbeat
this room shows that pink is a definite do
This living room has a pink french country aesthetic
Charlotte York Goldenblatt would be right at home in this seating area
Loving the pink vibes in this retro chic living room
Who knew pink could fit right in to this hamptons home!?
Obsessed with the pink and gold wallpaper backing the bookcases

Which pink room is your favorite?