Inspired

An HHI Home Goods Trip (or Two)

May 23, 2013 2 Comments

So, as promised, I’m back for a second installment of what all went down during our family get away last week to Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Although I mentioned yesterday that an HHI Home Goods recap was “coming soon” and had planned to do my normal “All in the details…” feature today, I just couldn’t wait. So without further adieu, I welcome you into the always energizing, ALWAYS inspiring Home Goods off of William Hilton Parkway (which, yes, we visited not once but twice during our week-long vacation – who could blame us!).

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This first picture was snapped (oh, please forgive all of the iPhone photos in this post…) because I thought the smooth glass bowl would be super fun as a succulent terrarium. That side opening is really unique and would look fabulous perched on a bookshelf or coffee table. Plus, at only $9.99, it’s a STEAL.

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How cute would those patterned mugs above be hung from petite hooks on either a kitchen hutch or coffee station shelf. I was particularly taken with the mod bird motif – obviously.

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This aisle of vinyl tablecloths chalk FULL of color and pattern was like a magnet for me. I made a bee line over and was astounded to find that the pieces started at only $4.99 apiece. What would I do with one? I’m currently loathing our back deck glass table, with its dingy looking surface, and would love to add some Velcro to the edges of one of these fun tablecloths, wrapping it around our existing table top (think slip cover).

This little multi compartment dish was on clearance for only $7! I see it (obviously) as a chip and dip or veggie dish, but also as a fun place to corral paperclips and push pins in an office, or crayons and little plastic figurines in a kid’s room. Luckily, my mom decided to swoop it up for herself, so we’ll have to see what she ends up doing with it.

At only $19.99, the teaky type ladder pictured above would be so fun as a towel or magazine holder. No joke, if we hadn’t driven a small sedan to the beach, this baby would be sitting pretty in our living room right now.

Pretty storage is always an enticing buy for me, so these collapsible burlap baskets were calling my name with enthusiasm. I actually was more drawn to the plain ones believe it not, but only because they provide me with a blank canvas to add all of my OWN color and pattern. Plus, the $14.99 price tag for the large and only $9.99 for the small was a big sway factor.

Speaking of pretty storage, it was love at first sight with these hot pink and mustard boxes (at only $9.99 apiece). This was definitely the trip that I realized my immediate affinity for all things Cynthia Rowley. I already have a few of her pieces throughout our house, but I was drawn over and over and OVER again to her prints and shapes this trip. Love her.

No, I don’t NEED a designer white porcelain dog (especially since it was on clearance for $130), but that doesn’t mean I can’t dream. That said, someone needs to give Fido a bone – or 10! Those ribs…

We can’t take a virtual tour of Home Goods without talking seating – And again, I do apologize for the cruddy photography…I blame my shaky excitement over all the deals ::har har:: But anyway, while those adorable upholstered side chairs were major temptations, that little clearance Eiffel chair knock off above was “the one.” I loved it. Like REALLY loved it, but I had already ordered a brand new acrylic ghost chair for the only spot where I could have used an accent chair like this one, so I had to gloomily walk away…

Hello, odd conversation piece! This massive bust sculpture so reminds me of something Emily Henderson would use in a room. Undeniably quirky and totally WRONG proportionally, it would look so avant-garde in an airy loft space. Oh, and when I say “massive,” I mean it. It’s sort of hard to tell how big it is in that photo, but it was probably almost as tall as I am (use the side chair next to it as a point of reference if you haven’t already). Wow.

Notice more Cynthia Rowley? Aside from those pretty striped beauties, I was all but drooling over the gold frames they had on hand. Wouldn’t that cluster look so great filled with black and white photos on an entry console?

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The pillow section at Home Goods is always a pretty big draw for me. Great prices and they tend to outweigh places like Target by leaps and bounds when it comes to variety in texture and pattern. Is it just me or does that last one, the peacock, look like it could possibly be DIY-ed with a little felt and fabric paint?

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Sure, this plain natural fiber door mat is a little boring, but grab a stencil and some paint and you can have an entirely unique rug all your own – For under $20!

Those gold and glass side tables above take the cake for SOOOOOOO-wish-I-could-have-bought-them. Alas, I didn’t have the space to cart even one of them home with me, plus the $80 price tag (for the smaller one) would have swallowed my measly little $100 budget. Still a great deal though.

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The art section was yet another department that didn’t disappoint this go around. As I mentioned earlier this week though, I don’t have any business buying more art. So I had to again, walk away. Even from that SUPER cute moroccan pattern clearance mirror shown above – One $5 people!!

What to leave you with? Well let’s just say that I’ve got big plans for the one large piece I bought – Namely that majorly fun orange metal side table above. P.S. It involves a collaboration with an equally major brand. Details to come in June!

Now let’s play the guessing game – What do you think I actually bought? Or what do you think I SHOULD have bought?? I’ll be sharing all the details plus where they ended up next week.

Filed Under: Inspired, Products & Reviews Tagged With: Tips and Tricks, Tour, Big Box Store SCORE!, Organization, New Uses, Simplify, Gift Ideas, Art, Family

The Options: Gallery Wall or Gallery Ledge

May 21, 2013 4 Comments

Gallery Wall or Gallery Ledge

Option 1: The Everygirl | Option 2: Pinterest (source uncredited)

I adore art. Have WAY too much of it, in fact. At one point, it had piled so high in my studio closet that I literally gave up and hung everything gallery wall style in our upstairs hallway just to get it up off the floor! So it should come as no surprise that I would be particularly enamored with different exhibition methods. The age old question (at least it’s “age old” to me…) – Gallery wall or gallery ledge?

Option 1: Gallery walls can typically withstand a larger VOLUME of framed prints, so that’s score #1 for this particular methodology. The options are nearly limitless too when it comes to shape – Hang your prints randomly like the first inspiration image above, or hang them to mimic a round shape. You could even take the time to painstakingly line up your frame edges (think a rectangular puzzle with perfect 90 degree corners). No matter your arrangement, you can’t deny the impact of this first option.

Option 2: And yet, for the more calculated art connoisseur, there’s the gallery ledge. A sturdy thin shelf mounted securely to the wall allows your favorite framed prints to “float” in a more contained manner on the wall. The layered effect of larger frames behind smaller ones in the front is my favorite part of this set up. Plus, you have much more freedom to move the frames around or switch out the art when it suits your fancy.

Those are my thoughts, but I’m dying to know your opinion – Cast your vote!

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Features, Inspired Tagged With: Organization, Pins, The Options, Tips and Tricks

Pinspiration Monday: Travel Keepsake Box

May 20, 2013 6 Comments

Well, we are back safe and sound from the beach! “Safe and sound” but also more than a little depressed to have traded in our shorts and sandals for work appropriate slacks and flats…There is very little worse than driving back over the bridge towards home when it feels like we were just driving OVER it towards our island oasis. Yet, on a happy note, I’ve been reunited with my lovable hubby and our three furry kiddos so life ain’t all that bad.

I’ll be recapping our trip throughout the week, including a full tour of the house we rented and a review of one fun, HANDY new product I tested out, but today I’m sharing a little project I managed to whip up yesterday afternoon after everything was unpacked and I was ready to do a little reminiscing…

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Source: Martha Stewart

The inspiration image above (snagged from Pinterest, of course) caught my eye right away. I’m definitely the sentimental sort, saving everything from receipts and candy wrappers, to ticket stubs and those little cardboard restaurant coasters – Anything to encourage a little walk down memory lane. As I’m sure you can imagine, I came home with quite a few new pieces of memorabilia to commemorate our latest trip to South Carolina.

Although this is something like the 12th time we’ve visited Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, a quaint southern plantation my parents discovered on their honeymoon almost 30 years ago, we’re always discovering new places and picking up new treasures. Instead of tossing it all, I loved the idea of filing it all away in a special labeled box. Luckily, I was able to pick up all of my supplies pre-vacation and just had to set aside 15 minutes of my Sunday afternoon to put it all together.

As to those supplies, I bought two hinged wooden boxes for less than $5 apiece at my local craft store, one for this recent trip to Hilton Head and another for our honeymoon to Punta Cana last May. The stencil I also picked up cost next to nothing and helped my confidence to stay on point as I drew out the letters on my first travel keepsake box.

To label my box with “HHI” (for “Hilton Head Island”), I simply held the stencil in place and traced the shape with a pencil. Now here’s where I know a lot of you will think I’m crazy, but really I’m just impatient…I knew that black paint would have given me a cleaner look, but I had just finished cleaning up from a spontaneous closet purge and didn’t have the energy to paint my letters. So instead I grabbed a Sharpie pen and merely colored inside my traced lines.

Sure it bled a little bit but, since it only took me .5 seconds to complete whereas it would have taken me at least 20 minutes to paint it on, the uneven lines were worth it. I can always go back over with black paint to clean up the edges if I feel like it, but frankly, I don’t mind the drawn on look. This is one of those projects that’s just for me and my desire to remember a wonderful family vacation – Perfection was never my goal.

That said, my ultimate goal of creating a special sanctuary for all of my collected paper memories was easily met, and I can’t wait to move on to my second box reserved for Punta Cana memories!

How do you make the most of YOUR vacation memories?

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Features, Inspired, Life Tagged With: Tips and Tricks, Organization, New Uses, Simplify, Gift Ideas, Holiday, Pinspiration Monday, Family

All in the details…

May 16, 2013 Leave a Comment

Courtyard Pool

Source

Continuing with this week’s travel theme, I couldn’t help but chat about the fun, energetic poolside image above. While our own rented courtyard pool for the week isn’t quite as glamorous as this one, I wanted (nay, NEEDED) to spend a little time imagining the possibilities.

Let’s talk details…

1…I know our next house will never include such a decadent outdoor eating area, but that doesn’t mean that this girl can’t dream! Potted palms, a dining table that seats 10 and cushioned corners for reading in the shade make this the be-all and end-all of outdoor living.

2…I’ve never been well-versed in architecture, but thanks to being an avid reader and subscriber to Dwell magazine, I DO know how dramatic an extensive overhang can be. This one is a great example, with its dark stained boards and massive industrial windows underneath. The shade there on that upper deck must be hugely tempting come afternoon. Plus, can we please take a moment to admire the gorgeous curvy white detailing on the railings?

3…Who knew glass blocks would come back into style?? This patio is flanked on either side by what looks like twin glass feature walls. I can only imagine how gorgeous the lower INDOOR living area is with the natural light shining through the frosted surface of the glass.

What are your favorite details?

For past “All in the details” features, click here.

Filed Under: Exteriors, Features, Inspired Tagged With: All in the details, Family, Pins, Tips and Tricks

Living an Adventurous Life {with Anne the Adventurer}

May 15, 2013 11 Comments

So honored to have Anne, of Anne the Adventurer, here this morning to take over the blog while my family and I are off relaxing at the beach. I just KNOW that her words will inspire you as much as they have me. Enjoy, and thank you, Anne, for stopping by!

Hi everyone! Anne from Anne the Adventurer here. Carrie asked me to do a guest post while she was on vacation, and I am thrilled to join the Dream Green DIY community today! Thanks for having me!

On my blog, I write about finding intention and adventure in our everyday life. This theme has its roots in my deep desire for an adventurous life, to be a part of something bigger than myself. I am not a skydiver and I don’t travel the world, but I want my life to be rich and nourishing. I want to feel alive.

Each of us has a unique and valuable story to tell, and I believe that no matter what we spend our days doing, whether it’s hiking up mountains or going to the grocery store, we can live an adventurous life. Our stories matter.

I have this photograph sitting on my desk. It’s of a woman and her child standing next to a simple water well in Marsabit, Kenya. I’ve never been to Africa, and I don’t know how to build wells, but I helped bring water to that woman and her family – just by making a choice to ride my bike.

Here’s how it started: I was sitting in my dorm room. It was senior year, I was avoiding studying, and my college graduation was approaching. I was feeling antsy. I didn’t have a job lined up, and I sensed that I needed one last hurrah! before I signed up for the yawn-filled desk job I needed in order to pay my student loan bills. I remembered that an acquaintance of mine had rode his bicycle across the country two summers prior to raise money for a clean water project in Africa, and I wondered if I could do the same. I was not an avid cyclist. I had never been on my bike for more than 30 minutes. But deep down in my heart, I wanted to be a part of something that was bigger than myself.

Five months later, I was in San Diego, surrounded by 15 cyclists who would be trekking up the Pacific Coast Highway with me. Our destination: Seattle. Our goal: to raise funds and awareness for clean water projects and health initiatives in sub-Saharan Africa. Our fuel: a passion for adventure.

I’ve never done anything so hard in my life. I really didn’t know what I was getting into, to be honest. One moment I was in my dorm room, wishing for an adventure, and the next, I was sweating and pedaling up San Marcos Pass in Southern California, my lungs heaving for breath. And while the physical pain was tough, the personal refinement was even tougher. The lessons I learned about myself, about community, about hard work, about leadership – they’re burned deep into my soul. They’re never going away. Just like the scar from the road rash D got when he wiped out at the bottom of a hill in Big Sur. Or the love between Erin and Dan, who met on the trip, fell in love on the road and got married a year later. What I learned, and the people I met, are a part of my story forever.

Adventure isn’t just about zip lines in the jungle in central America or backpacking the Appalachian Trail. It is about making intentional choices every single day to live life with love and courage. To take on the daily challenges of our lives with vigor, to reflect upon them, to learn from them. Just as the landscapes of the world are different, so are the landscapes of our souls. An adventurous life is uniquely yours, and is always at your finger tips, always one step away.

What adventures are you living today? I want to hear your stories! Leave a comment below or email me at annetheadventurer@gmail.com. You can also find me at my blog, on Facebook and on Twitter. I can’t wait to hear from you!

Filed Under: Inspired, Life Tagged With: Family, Guest Post, Health

The Options: Beach or Mountains

May 14, 2013 8 Comments

Beach or Mountains

Option 1: Style Me Pretty | Option 2: Taylor McCutchan Photography

In honor of our family vacation this week, I’m shying away from home stuff JUST for a little bit. And since I know we all have our own opinion when it comes to a vacation destination, I want to know…Are you a beach bum when you have the opportunity to get away? Or are you more interested in a mountain retreat?

Option 1: I’m pretty picky myself when it comes to beach vacations. I can’t stand over-commercialized places like Myrtle beach (a biggie around these east coast parts), preferring a more secluded and relaxed vibe. But there’s also the idea of a super glamorous exotic vacation to somewhere like Punta Cana or Mexico. Even if I had all the money in the world though, I still think I’d choose our current location in South Carolina.

Option 2: If John were to vote in today’s post, I’m pretty sure he’d choose the mountains. While his excuse for not joining us this year was a lack of vacation time available at work, I have a secret theory that a beach vacation just doesn’t interest him much. He’d rather take off for a long weekend away in the mountains – a cabin, a fishing pole and a campfire are all he needs to have a good time. And I can definitely wrap my head around that notion…

I’m torn!

Filed Under: Features, Inspired, Life Tagged With: Family, Holiday, Pins, The Options

Pinspiration Monday: Top 10 Best Pinners

May 13, 2013 2 Comments

Try saying that 5 times fast…

Welp, SURPISE!! My family and I (minus John, who didn’t have enough vacay time…) are off to the beach for an entire blissful week. We are already a couple of days into it and having a blast. The house that we rented has this fabulous courtyard pool that my sis and I have been lounging around all day every day. Follow me on Instagram for ALL the updates, although prepare to be jealous!

And before you start feeling bad for John, I think he’s looking forward to a nice relaxing girl-free week. He’s not much of a fan of the beach anyway. Don’t try to figure that one out, by the way – I already have and am left cross eyed.

But now that that little sidebar is out of the way, I wanted to share a little something different this “Pinspiration Monday” morning. It’s high time that I give a little run down on my top ten pinners and why they made the cut. So much of this blog is made possible because of inspiration gleaned from this website, so I want to turn the spotlight on the individuals whose instincts keep my creativity on its toes.

Top 10 Pinners

Glitter Guide: The Glitter Guide has ALWAYS been an incredible resource for me, even before I started writing features for them. Every morning (and afternoon and evening) I jump at the chance to “bookmark” their inspiring pins on fashion, food and home design.
Apartment Therapy: My favorite things to pin from the Apartment Therapy board are (of course) the homes they feature. The small space pins are especially interesting to me as we work to decorate our OWN small space.
Lily /Birch + Bird: Lily (of the blog Birch and Bird) is definitely one my most repinned Pinterest users. Scrolling through her latest pins is like looking through my favorite magazine – A beautifully curated collection of photography and bookmarkable resources.
Bri Emery / designlovefest: This oober talented graphic designer is constantly keeping me on my toes with her glamorous throw back lifestyle and gutsy use of color.
N C (i.e. Nest Design Studio): I definitely feel like Natalie and I just repin each others pins all day. She and I must be kindred spirits when it comes to taste and style, because there’s hardly a pin of hers that I don’t file away for myself.
Tanya from Dans le Townhouse: This board is one of my favorites for mid-century inspiration and geometric patterns. Tanya has wonderful taste in vintage products and spaces, and I so value following her boards (especially her “DIY to TRY” board!).
The Everygirl: Like The Glitter Guide, The Everygirl Pinterest account is my go-to for all things fashion, food and decor. Their career features are some of my favorites to file away for future reference too.
Emily Henderson: Hands down my favorite designer/stylist, Emily Henderson has THE best taste in all things beautiful. She all but dominates my “Styling 101″ board, with examples of her own work and the work of those she admires.
Jillianne: John and I have actually known and loved Jill since high school. Her perky and whimsical personality is one of those that shines through so perfectly from her Pinterest account. I particularly love her taste in jewelry.
Better Homes and Gardens: Since this post is getting a bit overstated, I’ll keep my description for this pinner brief and matter of fact. One word: DUH!!

Who are YOUR favorite pinners?

Filed Under: Features, Inspired Tagged With: Blog, Pinspiration Monday, Tips and Tricks

All in the details…

May 9, 2013 Leave a Comment

Home Depot Patio

Source

I’ve recently become an avid fan of the Home Depot blog, The Apron – Specifically obsessing over their outdoor Style Challenge series. I think the series has come to a close, but feel free to click that link to see all of the posts in one place. Essentially, the idea is that The Home Depot contacted a number of bloggers throughout the community and asked them to review different collections from their outdoor furniture lines. While I really enjoyed the reviews (and am now hard core coveting new patio furniture), My favorite part was getting to know some new voices in the blogging industry. There is so much talent out there – I wish I had 8 hours in the day JUST to read blogs.

But anyway, let’s talk details about this particular outdoor Style Challenge space…

1…As I’ve mentioned before, I have quite a black thumb when it comes to gardening. Flowers almost NEVER take up residence at our house, at least not for long. Plain greenery is far more likely to stick around just because of its hardy nature in general, but there’s nothing very fun about greenery. And yet…One tip I’ve snagged from this space is the idea of color blocked gardening containers. I can have my color AND my live plants too by parking them in pretty neon striped pots like the ones shown here. Adding this to my (growing) list of things to do this season!

2…I recently wrote an article for Central Virginia Home Magazine (for the summer issue, out soon) all about indoor/outdoor fabrics, and ever since finishing up my research I’ve been obsessed with the idea. Modern weather resistant fabrics and rugs have come SUCH a long way, featuring tons of gorgeous, vibrant color and pattern. You can hardly tell the difference between patio pillows and living room pillows anymore – Sort of like these colorful beauties shown under the sunshine. Makes me wish, yet again, that we had a patio to speak of…

3…5 years ago, you would totally think that this punchy pink rug was pulled from the living room just for styling the photograph, only to be pulled to safety as soon as they got the shot – But that’s not the case anymore. This beautiful rug is likely one of the new polypropelene blends. UV resistant, bleach resistant and water resistant, these accessories can survive a hurricane – And look GREAT doing it.

What are your favorite details?

For past “All in the details” features, click here.

P.S. In case you missed it, I wanted to shout out to a DIY I published over on the Le Papier Studio blog. It’s a tutorial for watercolored DIY Silhouette Mother’s Day cards - If you’re running low on time and ideas, this could be the perfect solution!

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Exteriors, Features, Inspired Tagged With: All in the details, Big Box Store SCORE!, Pins, Tips and Tricks

The Options: Pallet or Container

May 7, 2013 4 Comments

Pallet or Container

Option 1: Etsy | Option 2: Martha Stewart

So, confession time. I have such a black thumb (and disregard for gardening in general) that I didn’t even fix the toppled topiary planter on our front stoop before BHG came to visit.

Yeah. I need help.

I wish that I had the time and energy for gardening, but it’s just one of those things that keeps getting pushed to the back burner. But for those of you who do know a thing or two about keeping greenery green, today’s feature is for you.

Option 1: I adore this repurposed pallet planter. The pop of green from the herbs plays so nicely with the rustic aged wood of the pallets. If I had the itch to get gardening, this project would be at the top of my list.

Option 2: But then there’s the simple idea of terra-cotta pots and a Sharpie marker. It certainly doesn’t get much easier than that, and it really looks so quaint and cottage-y. Now I want to add this project to my fantasy gardening to-do list!

Is it just me or would the two be really cute together…? Cast your vote!

P.S. I’m over on GalTime today with a fun DIY placecard holder tutorial, perfect for summertime party planning. Enjoy!

Filed Under: DIY Projects, Exteriors, Features, Inspired Tagged With: New Uses, Pins, The Options, Tips and Tricks

Pinspiration Monday: Yellow bench

May 6, 2013 6 Comments

Although I’ve completed my fair share of them, I’m actually not too big on major furniture makeovers. They require a TON of work and although it’s almost always worth it in the end, it’s definitely the type of project that tends to get put off until the last minute – Or it waits for a gutsy or adventurous whim. Yet, when I saw this bright canary yellow chair on Pinterest, it lit a fire under my bum and I couldn’t help but dive head first into a brand new furniture redo.

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Source: Better Homes and Gardens

While my “Pinspiration” project used a chair as the foundation, I didn’t happen to have one available. But I DID happen to have a pretty vanity stool in desperate need for a makeover. It had the same curvy silhouette as the chair, so I figured it would have the same effect when completed. As you can tell, my little thrifted bench (pre blog) was in desperate need of some TLC.

Between the paint stained fabric seat and scratched wood finish, it was time for new fabric AND new paint. As for the fabric, I picked up a yard of this adorable gray, white, yellow and black fabric from JoAnn’s for less than $7. Truth be told, I didn’t really have any plans for the fabric when I bought it – I just loved it too much to leave it behind on the shelf. But after deciding that the old vanity bench needed a fresh coat of yellow paint, it just made sense to break out the bird print for the upholstery.

The first step, obviously, was paint. I went with a bright yellow Valspar spray paint this time, which was layered on in two coats after I gave the entire frame a good sanding with our Black and Decker Mouse Sander. The wood was a little more beat up than I had anticipated though and I quickly ran out of sanding sheets, so it’s not as smooth as I would have liked…But it makes the piece look rustic, which isn’t the end of the world for me. It gives it character!

And the final step? Ripping the old fabric off the now detached seat cushion, and replacing it with the new bird print. I decided to remove the old fabric rather than simply covering it because the seat was looking a little strained and puckered around the edges because of the many layers underneath. This stool had seen one too many makeovers it seemed, so I simply took it back in time.

To “measure” my new fabric, I laid the bench seat upside down on top of the also upside down bird fabric. Then I just cut it down, leaving a good 2-3 inches on each side for wrapping. (Did you catch Ginny’s kitty paw photo bomb?)

A few quick pulls and staples around the edges and corners, and we were all done! I plopped the seat back on the frame, screwed it in and promptly styled it for its closeup downstairs in the entry way. It’s the perfect little spot for us to sit to put on shoes, or to drop purses, dog leashes and springtime scarves.