Time to Celebrate.... With Free Giveaways!

Today, I finished my first final of the semester!!  I cannot believe this year is already over and I can't wait for all of the fun things coming up soon.  My final may have only been in my Geology lab, but it seriously rocked (ha!) my day to be finished with lab!  I came up with a really fun idea last night while I was procrastinating studying fault structure.  With the holidays coming up, its time to start the season of giving and what better way to do that then with the very first MyRedJHerring giveaway.  Whoot woot!

My friend Erin asked me for advice on how to do incorporate the blue and white into a table setting without having to buy an entire set of new dish ware.  I've been browing online during some of my study breaks and I found these precious blue and white paper butterflies.  I'm a huge scrapbooker, so I love collecting fun paper cutouts like this.  These paper butterflies would be the perfect addition if you're looking to incorporate blue and white into place settings.  Place on on top of simple white plates, white napkins, clear glassware and a simple white flower arrangement in the center of the table. Voila!  An easy and elegant place setting.  You can make your own with a butterfly cutout or enter to win this set of blue and white butterflies but commenting on this post!  The winner will be selected Sunday, November 27th randomly thanks to Random.Org.

Papier Royal Update!

As you all know, I am a huge fan of Papier Royal and their amazing marbled artwork out of Italy (check out my previous post on them here).  Up until recently, their Etsy shop, has only displayed scrapbook sized pieces.  However, I'm so excited to tell you guys that Papier Royal has now posted full size paintings on their Etsy Shop.  Now that would be exciting all by itself, but to top it all off, their beautiful pieces of artwork are reasonable priced! Um, hello jump for joy status?! The paintings cost $120.00, plus $13.50 for shipping, but considering each piece is an original signed painting its definitely a must buy.  There are so many beautiful options, I just decide which one I want to order!!    Check out my favorites below:

Obsession of the Day: The Future Perfect

I love looking at the Future Perfect's latest Versailles collection.  Their entire website is filled with truly unique pieces, but I particularly love the Versailles collection.The simplicity of the white ceramic with a single pop of color makes each piece stand out.  Plus, all of the pieces are under $250.00, and these are definitely worth the splurge.  Check out the photos below for some items that are really future perfect!

Dorm Room Chic Decor

Dorm room's are normally classified with the pervasive smell of Ramen Cup of Noodle, futons that are never actually comfortable to sleep in, and dirty laundry decorating the floor.  Thats why I've always been inspired by fabulous dorm room decor.  If they can make a dorm room fabulous, then I'm really slacking off!!  Freshman year, a girl in my building bought fabulous wall paper and tightly taped it to the walls.  Without the high gloss white paint on the brick walls, her room felt cozy and homey.  Plus, as she pointed out when I asked her about it, buying wall paper was pretty reasonable given the size of a dorm room.  Wall paper, curtains, carpets, lighting can all help transform a dorm room into a completely new space.  I think the key to avoiding a typical looking dorm room is to stray from the traditional potterybarn/ikea color pallets- no pastels/bright colors- and remember the accessories.  A good dorm space utilizes the room's limited amount of space and I love looking at photos of dorm spaces to help me think of ideas for decorating a smaller bedroom space in my current home.  Check out some of the photos below for inspiration.  

What was your dorm room like?

I would have killed to have this boys dorm room.  Check out the article about the space here.  This kid is seriously dedicated to decor- I mean he put the supplied dorm room furniture in storage?  Bananas!!

Easy vibes with this color palate 

Replica of FDR's Harvard dorm room.  Even at 21, he was displaying presidential decorating skills.  Ha!

This room manages to pull off a preppy rock and roll chic look, and I like it!

Loving this modern space with the wall paper

Fabulous before/after shot

Check this book out for more inspiration

Obsession of the Day: Opulent bedding

Somedays, when I'm feeling really down, I'll look through Neiman Marcus' bedding section.  Looking at beautiful bedding cheers me like nothing else... until I see the price.  Now, Neimans does have a lot of reasonably priced items, see my previous post for reasonable Neimans Holiday items.  Their bedding section, however, is not one of these.

I swear their bedding section is like my own personal drug.  Each time I look on their section, even if I promise its just for a few minutes, I get sucked in. I can't just look at the Ann Gish Willow collection, I have to look at all of the designers.  Before long, half an hour has gone by and I have 20 tabs open on my web browser with the linens I "absolutely must have."  By then, its a downward spiral.  My calculators out, and I think to myself, "If I save all of my money and don't go foodshopping for two weeks, I can definitely save up and by two sham covers."  I may be living off soup cans, but my bedding would be fierce!  Check out my two absolute favorite collections below. 

Today's Obsessions

1. Jane Wilner bedding set is absolutely amazing.  I love the tufts of silk on the duvet cover.  

 2. This Dian Austin Set is so luxurious.  I love the rich ruby red and gold colors.  It truly looks like its stitched with gold silk.  Unfortunately, at $1,400 it very well should be!!

Blue and White China: The Inspiration

I've always been inspired by blue and white chinoiserie.  Something about placing blue and white china in a room transforms it into a regal space.  When I began contemplating color palates for my first college bedroom, I loved looking through photos of blue and white rooms in Architectural Digest and Southern Living, but always though the design aesthetic would be unobtainable at my budget.  However, my mom and I were doing some after christmas shopping at the Ralph Lauren Outlet and I found the most fabulous Ralph Lauren blue and white duvet cover.  (Ralph seriously can do no wrong with his designs).  Off I went, picking up blue and white trinkets wherever I went. Quaint little blue and white vanity trays on sale for $4.99 at Marshalls, precious painted blue and white china shoes at Freeds and accent pillows on Ebay.      

I was browsing online for photos of fabulous Thanksgiving table settings (post is coming soon!) and I stumbled upon the most fabulous blue and white dining room.  I went through all of archived photos and was stunned at all the beautiful photos I've saved over the years.  Check out some of my favorite photos below!

Obsession of the Week

This week I cannot stop obsessing over this fabulous gold coffee table that was posted on This Is Glamourous. Lately I've been caught up in the rustic/nature decor trend- check out all the rustic goodness here, here, here and here.  Despite my new affinity for all things ranch chic, I can't help but give up my Louis/French decor roots.  That's why I'm loving this coffee table!  It combines the best of both worlds. Rustic wood base + glamours gold leafing  =  Perfection!!!!

Why, Hello Luvahhh!!  

Please magically arrive in my living room- please?

Sock Hop Into the Game Room

One of Andrew's favorite shows is American Restoration.  I love seeing how Rick and his team can turn an old rusted piece of metal into an amazing piece of restored vintage furniture.  I particularly love all of the Coca Cola products Rick does.  I would love to create a 50's style soda pop diner in my dream home- complete with vintage vending machines- in place of a traditional game room.  The best part?  Putting in a 50's style diner doesn't have to break the piggy bank.  Some great vinyl checkerboard tile saves lots of money compared to using hardwood for your game room floor.  Plus the internet and your local paper are great sources for discount vintage furniture.  Check out some of my favorites below!

 1. Soda Fountaintastic Barbie and Ken

2. Accessories to make your soda diner picture perfect! (Left) (Center) (Right) 

3. This cookie jar and popcorn maker are perfect for storing treats!

 4. This billiard rack and the dart board set would make any game room 50's chic

5. These car sofas are incredibly expensive, but oh so fabulous!!

6. Loving these retro style coca cola lamps.  (Left) (Right)

7.  These clocks will let you know when its party time!  (Left) (Right) (Below)

8. Reasonable Vinyl Tile from Sears

9. These Apothecary Jars are perfect for storing candy on your soda fountain counter!

10. I'm loving this soda fountain inspired art!  Finally a mess that doesn't require cleanup!

11. These vintage signs make for some fabulous decor!!

12. Tons of reasonable barstool options (Left) (Left Center) (Right Center) (Right) (Below)

13. Table choices!  (Left) (Center) (Right)

14. Perfect 50's barware (Left) (Center) (Right)

15. American Restoration wouldn't have any improvements on this fantastic cooler for $650.00

16. A Sodapop shop wouldn't be complete without a soda fountain!

17. Jukeboxes to play some tunes for a Sock Hop party!

18. Vintage Records would look amazing framed on the walls

19. Fashionable ways to hold your soda bottles (Left) (Center) (Right)

 20. Tableset items (Left) (Right) (Below Left) (Below Right)

The Inspiration