Modern Rustic Table Setting

Though I am not hosting a Thanksgiving myself this year, I could not help but to put together my dream table. I am feeling a modern rustic vibe. Black, white, wood, marble, and copper. Simple, yet unexpected. Maybe this will give you some good inspiration for your table this year. 

 Buffalo Check Runner / White Ceramic Vase / Marble Serving Bowl (obsessed) / Chalkboard Place Cards / Angled Stemware / Back Collins Glasses / Copper Flatware / Black Stitched Napkins (also obsessed) / Wooden Chargers / White Bistro Plates / 

xo

Erin 

Simply Decked Halls

Though I never really go ALL out with the decorations, I do like things to be festive around here. This year though everything feels better when it is simpler. 

The tree has only plastic ornaments that will not break. Kind of a bummer in the looks department, but this way the kids can decorate and undecorate the tree to their hearts content with no breakage. Which is really fun to watch. 

Then there are the mantels. Usually done up in garland and lights and this year I was just not feeling that. A more modern aesthetic and clean look was what I craved, so just a couple wreaths and twinkle lights surrounded by the usual suspects. 

Loved making this guy into Rudolph. 

And no, I do not have those fun, matching family stockings. But I love the ones we have.  

And outside, just enough lighting to make the house look merry. 

Of course there are some out on the column. But just like the blogs name, the imperfectness of the entire holiday is what makes it real and not a fantasy. 

I know my tastes in design will change on a constant basis, so it is fun to switch it up each year. Next year there could be a light show and tinsel on every surface. Who knows? 

And in other big big news. Baby girl had her first day of school this week and she rocked it. 

xo

Erin 

Time for Wreaths

I never go over board with the holiday decorating, just enough for our house. But what is always lacking is my wreath game. There is usually a scramble for a fresh Home Depot special that looks sad and can barely be salvaged with a red bow. So in an effort to do more in advance this year, I started my search. Almost all of these are dried, so they can be reused again and again. Which makes next year even easier. 

1. Simple and classic. One Kings Lane $99

2. Boxwood has always been a go to. West Elm (varying sizes)

3. Love the subtle glitter with the burlap. Pottery Barn $79

4. Pre lit wreaths are genius. West Elm 59

5. So pretty and girlie. One Kings Lane $99

6. Love the shine on the magnolia leaves One Kings Lane $99

7. This is such a fun way to use birch bark. Nordstrom $64

8.  I worship these LED lights. Makes lighting anything so easy. West Elm $24

9. This eucalyptus is gorgeous and would smell great. West Elm $59

Some of the One Kings Lane options are on a flash sale and only available for a few days.  

xo

Erin 

Gilted

How was your weekend? Our child-less one was unreal. So relaxed and fun, but it was great to see the kids last night. 

The temperatures are definitely on the way down and cozying up to the fireplace sounds so perfect. And though the actual fire is usually the star of the show, what is on top of it needs to make a statement too. My Pinterest has been filled with ornate and gilded mirrors on top of mantels and my gut says it is time for one at our house. 

Gold mirrors on mantels feels so Parisian to me. And while you usually think go ornate mirrors going in ornate rooms, the juxtaposition of a gold mirror in a more modern or traditional room can be awesome. Plus, there are options that are not so ornate, just gold and lovely. 

Love the height of this mirror and how it reflects the light fixture. 

 Blue grass cloth and gold is such a gorgeous statement

Eclectic yet modern 

Love the scale of this skinnier mirror in relation to the narrow fireplace. 

Plain and round is an easy option that would work in any room. 

And then there is what my apartment in Paris would look like. Swoon. 

These types of mirror are an investment, but could always be moved to another room or given new life in a hallway. But really, a gold statement piece over the mantel is so chic. Here are some options. 

1. I can't even handle this mirror, so in love with it. Chairish $455

2. A pretty scrolling shape by Uttermost Co. $199

3. Straight out of Paris apartment. Chairish $950

4. Love the lattice pattern of this Surya $459

5. This Uttermost Co. mirror has great line and great adornment on top. $509

6. A thick banded gilt mirror is so classic. Uttermost Co. $309

7. This is a gorgeous mirror by Howard Elliot, great for lower ceilings $545 

8. This bamboo mirror is such a gem and so fun. Zinc Door $530

9. The pretty line of this mirror gives it an ethnic feel, but simply Uttermost Co. $309

xo

Erin 

Kitchen Table + Chairs

I am so excited that my table and chairs have come! Thank you for all your feedback when I was deciding, it made ordering new things sight unseen a lot less scary. As you remember, this was the old set (and old wall color). It was a great set that we ended up selling on Craigslist (first time!), but the dark color was too much with the dark floors and island. 

The new set is so much more bright and cheery. It seriously lightens up the entire space. 

I love the style of the Boerum table from West Elm. It has a farmhouse feel, but is in a modern style of a Parsons. This is the natural finish. And you will not believe that a table this large and of this quality was only $600. 

The Serena & Lily Riviera chairs were worth my obsession for a year. I LOVE them. The navy is the perfect color woven with bright white. Again, the quality is really nice, which scared me given the price and the fact I had never seen them in person. 

Another bonus to both pieces is there are easy to clean and durable for the kids. The chairs wipe clean and the table does not show every finger print like a dark stained version does. 

Such a fun addition to the house. And a huge relief that it all worked out after only shopping on the Internet. What do you think? 

xo

Erin  

Recovered and Refreshed

No, I did not just return from a spa trip, I wish. But, I did just return from a trip to the reupholster man that I recently discovered. I have had two of the original chairs from our dining room set (from Matt's grandmother) for years with the original fabric. While the mauve plaid was really "vintage," it was not cute. I have looked at hundreds of fabrics trying to pick one. Why is fabric so hard??? My biggest concern was that the rest of the room was not done at all, so I had to pick something I liked, but was also neutral enough to be incorporated into whatever design decisions were made down the road. I came across Mally Skok and her fantastic fabric a few months ago. If I chose one of her fabrics, I could then use another pattern in the same colors for other options for the room later (drapes, other chairs, pillows, etc.) So I went with a simple stripe in shades of blue....

When in doubt, go with stripes, right? I think it turned out fab. My next move for the dining room is going to be paint. Or possibly wall paper. The darker navy in the stripe of the fabric is my inspiration and I am fairly certain I would like to do dark navy grass cloth above the chair rail and white below with some wainscoting. I found this photo for inspiration. 

If the grasscloth ends up being too pricey, I will go with a paint. Any favorites? Here is the room as is today. I really need to figure out how to use my DSLR, these are awful. ha 

Yep, that is a changing table in our dining room. 

I need to do something with that built in hutch as well. New hardware and a patterned paper on the inside possibly. 

Think I am headed in the right direction. We leave town for a couple weeks in April, might be a good time to do some painting. 

xo

Erin 

Baby Girl Nursery

I am so excited to share pictures of the finished nursery. Given that I had a boy the first go around, the girliness in me really came out. But, I did not want it to be too sweet and reflect a calming space that was also fun. I combined modern and classic touches so it combined different styles that I love. It came together how I envisioned and now I am excited to actually use it, hopefully soon!  

I love having a twin bed in Tommy's room for extra space for him to hang out, change his clothes, etc. So I kept one for her room as well. 

(Crate & Barrel Twin Bed, Land of Nod duvet, PB Teen rug)

I have always loved the Jenny Lind style crib and the combination of pink, navy and coral. 

(Jenny Lind Crib, Pottery Barn Kids Sheets, Crib Skirt)

I am completely obsessed with the dresser. The antique mirror was a thrift store find that was a steal. 

(Campaign Dresser,  Changing pad, Wallpaper)

My mom preserved many of my outfits as a baby and these rompers are too sweet to hang in the closet. She found some antique hooks to display them and they function well next to the changing table. 

These little prints are from my old room. They still have a note scrolled on the back to the original owner from Grandma. 

I really tried to edit down myself when planning the room. There are so many cute nursery prints and art, but a large gallery wall felt like too much and just one painting I loved felt right. I am trying to get a baby to sleep in this room and not go crazy in it. 

I love the modern prints, chair and soft rug paired with the floor lamp chandalier. 

(Ottoman, Room & Board Glider, Land of Nod throw, Restoration Hardware Lamp, Painting Artist)

It was so fun decorating this space and I hope it inspires you a bit. Now let's do this baby girl! 

xo

Erin 

Shopping with Friends

Another week has passed and we are inching closer to baby girl's arrival. 35 weeks and I am hoping that the weeks slow down just a bit so I can enjoy them with Tommy before her debut. We shall see. 

This weekend is going to be another chill one with pilates (still attempting, somewhat successfully), risotto dinner for two, pizza play date with friends, and hopefully naps for everyone. The weather is gorgeous, so maybe some pool time too. What are you up to? 

 It is always flattering when people ask for my advice on what to wear, what to cook, and how to decorate. I feel like a novice at it all, but it is fun to brainstorm for others and search out fun things. 

I got an email from a friend looking for a black dress for a black tie optional wedding. She prefers something that has a waist in classic lines and under $500. These are some options I pulled and figured many of you might be looking for the same thing since we are in the thick of wedding season. 

From Left: 1. Parker (All it needs is statement jewelry) 2. BCBG (Totally obsessed with this) 3. Jenny Yoo (For a little drama) 

4. ONE by (has an amazing open back) 5. ONE by (love the leather) 6. Tadashi (flattering and fun with the mesh)

I am also helping a friend redecorate her condo in the city. She wants help picking paint colors and furniture, which is so fun. She has very classic style and travels a lot for work, so she wants a chic but comfortable space to come home to. Here is where we are at with the design...

Paint Color: Sherwin Williams Lazy Gray

Pillows: Lulu & Georgia

Chevron Chair: West Elm

Brass Floor Lamp: Shades of Light

Coffee Table: Z Gallerie

Rug: PB Teen

Sofa: Restoration Hardware

Side Table: Crate & Barrel

Art: Art.com

Table Lamp: Lulu & Georgia 

How cool is that photo above the sofa? She was quite the tap dancer and this gives her something fun, but sophisticated to give a nod to her dance background. 

It was fun working on both of these little side projects this week. I have been cooking a lot lately too, so I am feeling pretty productive considering that I also just want to nap at all times of day. The nursery is still coming along, but will probably be a couple of weeks before I get the dresser. Hopefully it gets here before the baby! 

Have the best weekend. 

xo

Erin 

Weekend Wants

Great news, the baby turned! Thank you for all your emails and comments about getting her to turn and your encouragement. My worry about it, like most things, was for nothing as there is plenty of time for about a hundred different things to happen. Including her turning back, but hopefully not. 

I shared on Instagram the new wallpaper for her room. Can't wait to get the rest of the room together in the next few weeks. 

Baby boy has been sick with a fever, runny nose, and getting four teeth the last few days. Super fun for everyone, but I am enjoying the extra cuddling as that is usually not really his thing. 

Currently, these are my favorite finds of the week that I want to get my hands on. 

It may just be pregnancy, but I love this donut print for a breakfast nook: 

How cute is this idea for a first recital costume or sports uniform? Too cute. 

I have been making these sesame noodles a couple times a week. Don't bother making the chili oil, just use sriracha, bottled sesame chili oil, or garlic chili paste to spice it up. The tahini makes it creamy and so good. 

I think I might order this dress to have on hand when I can fit in my size again. Dangerous? Yes. But for $67 I think I will take the chance. 

How awesome is this party tent? It would be fun to set up for a summer soiree. 

Happy weekend everyone! 

xo

Erin