Hop on over...

to Jorjah-B to check out my list of "treat yourself goodies" for under $10. Seriously...$10.

You can check out my guest post here. Then leave me a comment telling me what you would buy (for yourself) for under $10 (pretty please?)
{Don't forget to enter this weekend's giveaway, click on the tea towel to the right!}

I like big hair and I cannot lie...

I need to put away my hair straightener and find some really good curling creme. Or maybe I could tease it relentlessly...

Because, really how sexy is this?
This is the more frazzled, come hither or I'll bite you look.
Did you know the rate of red heads is decreasing at an alarming rate? I wonder how many curly red heads there are out there...
via Federico Erra
It's hopeless, I'll never have big, fun, sexy hair like these women, but maybe I could find a comparable wig. Do you have a hair fantasy? (Don't be shy, you know you do.)

Giveaway: Handprinted towels from La Marquis de anges

Happy Friday everyone! Allow me to present (excitedly, of course) this weekends giveaway from La Marquise des anges .

The talented and kind Sabine is a designer living in France. Her blog is full of gorgeous photos from the French countryside and her shop is stocked with a variety of embellished, hand stamped kitchenware, shirts and other various items. One of which is a "Fresh writing slate" that I simply adore.
Sabine, (did I mention this is one of the kindest people ever?) is giving away, to one very lucky Down and Out Chic reader, one of the following towels...
This simple, sweet imagery would add a soft touch to any kitchen.
TWEET TWEET hand printed vintage hand towel
I really like the combination of the birds against the multi colored stripes.
Garden Bird Hand printed Towel
Wouldn't this be perfect to accompany you on your first summer picnic?
Cerise hand printed towel
Sweet flowers hand printed on vintage cotton...very shabby chic.
Old China hand printed French vintage hand towel
via La Marquis de anges
These are practical, machine washable, and totally unique. If you like the towels, I'm pretty sure you'll love Sabine's aprons.
How to enter?
1. You must be a "follower" of Down and Out Chic (giveaways are a thank you to my readers...if you're a new reader, great! Just let me know).
2. Tell me which towel you'd choose if you won and/or drop by La Marquis de anges and tell me what you think of this cute French atelier.
3. Leave your comment here...easy peasy.
Good luck to you and, as always, thanks for reading!
~Christina

Oh deer...

Is it possible that the deer could be the new cow? Wait, hold it...let me back up. Have you noticed the trend in deer imagery? It kind of sneaks up on you if you're not paying attention. Remember when owls were EVERYWHERE?! Don't get me wrong, I love a good owl, but it got of control for a second there...

Anyway, I'm all about keeping this deer/fawn/doe trend going so here are some Etsy deer (if you will).
Before, this covered dish was just a plain old covered dish but with a fawn on top, I all of a sudden want it to call my own.
yes, deer-covered dish $45
source: laura walls taylor
Combine a fawn with polka dots and I'm sold.
Linen Fawn and Lace Pouch/Wallet $16
source: Track and Field
Everyone needs a bottle stopper, why not one with antlers?
Brown glass deer bottle stopper $46
source: englerglass
I could see this sweet print framed in my bathroom.
Dear, Deer Bloom $25
source: Hadley Hutton
And this one could go on my art wall.
Deer in Yellow Vines Wall Hanging $30
source: little green frog
Of course you must have one to wear weather it be a male...
oh deer necklace $25
source: Postcards + Love
...or female.
Delightful Deer Necklace $55
source: tsai-fi
B (finally) asked for my birthday list the other day...but not I'm all gun shy and can't seem to narrow it down. Yikes.
So what do you think about the deer trend? Is there another animal you prefer?

Get your dress on straight and a Guest Post

So I finally got a full length mirror, I mean, what took me so long?! It's nothing special, but I assumed that in getting this mirror I would feel more confident that the bottom half of me looked good too. Well this morning in the elevator, a woman commented on my dress, "that is such a cute dress (insert Southern drawl here)." I look down at myself, which is some sort of weird habit I acquired whenever someone compliments me, and noticed my friggin dress was on backwards. BACKWARDS! Ugh, that full length mirror is SO not what it was built up to be.

Anyway, I'm honored today to be guest posting on the wonderful blog, From the Right Bank to the Left Coast. If you're interested in better digestion (yup, I just said "better digestion") than check it out here.

via flickr
Let me know what you think...oh, and a BIG THANK YOU for all of your thoughtful, and in some cases profound, comments yesterday. You all are some sage advice givers and I appreciate your kind words. (Can we do a group hug now?)

Give me a view of relief

I've made some big decisions for myself lately and I'm having to learn again and again to trust myself. I've decided to NOT attend graduate school in the fall...I know, I was so excited, right? I won't bore you with the ins and outs of my decision, but I will say I'm having to use my intuition and gut feeling and it's taking me in another direction (for now). I'm looking ahead, in a different direction, perhaps, and it's scary and uncomfortable but it's all mine, my way, my journey. How does this tie in to this post about rooms with views? Well, I'm not sure, but wherever I end up, I want the view to be as gorgeous as these...

I'll always have my doors open.
via Desire to Inspire
Maybe I'll live in a glass house in the mountains...
via Desire to Inspire
Or by the sea with the rhythm of the waves...
via Marie Claire Maison
Maybe in the forest canopied under the trees?
via Marie Claire Maison
Or maybe in a town where the high rises never get too high.
via Alvhem
Are you where you thought you'd be five years ago?
Next post will be less serious...promise.

Hump Day Spotlight: Dwellings and Decor + Design Lovely

For the fourth installment of Hump Day Spotlight, I'd like to talk about a blogger, Rachel Follett and her two blogs, Dwelling and Decor and Design Lovely (I don't know how she does it all). I couldn't pick one over the other because I read both religiously so they're intertwined in my mind.

Dwellings and Decor is a blog just about that... interiors and decor. Rachel is a designer living in (the beautiful) Maui, Hawaii. You can visit her design studio here. So what will you find on this blog?
Well, you'll find gorgeous inspiration boards...
Decor categorized by color...
and a plethora of gorgeous interiors...
I was lucky enough have guest posted on this lovely blog and, if you missed it, you can see it here.
Design Lovely focuses a bit more on art and design as well as fashion, styling, and trends.
Serious eye candy. Ok, let's see how Rachel answered my three questions...
Describe yourself in three words:
Creative, observant, daydreamer

If you could have dinner with five people (anyone from any time period) who would they be and why?
I think it's great when you talk to people who aren't too much like ourselves because you end up learning the most. I chose these 5 people because I think they bring a variety of conversations to the table.
1. Mata Hari (Beauty) - I want to talk to her about being a spy and seducer.
2. My grandfather (wisdom)- He was so easy to talk to you. Would love to say hi one more time.
3. Billy Baldwin (style) - He is one of my all time favorite decorators. I would love to pick his brain and chat about his decorating philosophy.
4. Albert Einstein - (Intelligence) I could learn a few things from this man.
5. Ghandi - (spiritual) He had a "great soul" so I think we could have some pleasant conversations.

How would you describe a "successful" blog and/or what make a blog successful, in your opinion?

I really like blogs with their own sense of style that provide inspiration but there is also a real persons voice behind the posts. I think communicating with your readers is key and I like when the writers are genuine and have a sense of humor and don't take things so seriously.
Thank you Rachel for participating. Check out her blogs and prepare to be seriously impressed here and here. Oh and a big congratulations to Rachel on her recent wedding! The pictures are just gorgeous and you can see some here.

I'm green with envy...

...over the winner of the Motou en Peluche prints giveaway. If I had to deliver these gorgeous prints in person (which I don't, of course) I would probably turn around and run away and then forever be known as 'that girl.' Humph. Alright, I'm going to stop wallowing in my jealousy now. B and I tried to think of a creative way of photographing the number of the winner which turned into me attempting to contort myself into into this said number which was kind of a disaster, and rather painful, thank you very much. So instead, I'm going to post some other prints and urge you to go this wonderful shop and make some purchases.

And the winner of this weekends giveaway is #24! That's you Kristin from BonBon Rose. Congrats my dear and I will be contacting you shortly for your picks.
I'm hoping that I will have my hands on some of my very own prints soon enough (ARE YOU READING THIS B?! MY B-DAY'S COMING UP!) Thank you Sam for all that you do...you're incredibly talented and it was an honor to have you on my blog. Speaking of blogs, you can keep up with Sam's art work and the lovely stories behind these glamorous women here.

Memorial Day DIY Part 2

As you know, Memorial Day was filled with some DIY fun and a bison meatloaf (ok, you didn't know that last part, but really, DELICIOUS). Some of my DIY plans got rained on, literally, but I was forced to take it easy and for that, I'm grateful. Ok, so let's get to the project.

Problem: Too many magazines and not nearly enough magazine holders.
Solution: Find some cheap ones and make them cute myself.
Here's what we bought...
Two sturdy magazine holders, on sale for $3.98 a piece at Target. Now if you like the sturdier magazine holder, you know these cost a little bit (around $12). I'm not a fan of the collapsible kind, but that's just my preference. I found a big pack of fun decorative paper at Target for $8.99. This paper is going to go a long way. I also used Mod Podge in matte finish, scissors, a pencil, small rolling pin (mostly because it's cute), foam brush, craft paper for protecting surfaces, and a beer (this part is optional but come on, it was Memorial Day!)
I meticulously cut the paper to fit each side (bigger sheets probably would have been a better option) but these worked fine. Part of the DIY fun is in the imperfections, right? Apply Mod Podge liberally and smooth out all of the air bubbles with your hands or with the superfulous but adorable rolling pin.
This project takes some patience and some precision but pretty much anyone could do it (I suggest not drinking too many beers lest you want a big mess).
I picked two different patterns for variety and opted not to line the inside because I'm not the most patient person you'll meet and they'll be magazines in there anyways.
Tah-Dah!
Now I have no excuse to leave my magazines strewn about in random places...or that's what I'll keep telling myself. Oh, and I think I might be getting kind of addicted to this decopauge thing so if you get tired of it, just let me know.
{Winner of the most recent giveaway will be chosen this afternoon around 6pm. Hurry and enter here.}

Memorial Day DIY Part 1

B and I have taken advantage of our day off (together!) to get some projects done around the house. I'll post two separate projects (both are super basic) in the next couple of posts, so as not to overwhelm (ha! Please sense the sarcasm).

Problem: Here is a corner of our living room. We were given this super comfortable (RED!) couch as a gift from B's parents. I love it because it's huge, but it is red, which has caused me a little bit of a headache. We have a ton of wall space and needed something to really make this corner come together. In case you're wondering, that is a dog crate in the lower left corner...I haven't come up with a solution to make that stylish.
We've been waiting on getting toss pillows until we could figure the corner out.
Solution: Frame fabric to add color and pattern to the space while spending the least amount of money possible.
Here's what we bought: two yards of Amy Butler fabric in different patterns but similar color palettes, spray adhesive which I had from a former project and 4 "gallery" frames for Michael's at $7 a piece, and fabric scissor (don't try to cut fabric with regular scissors, you'll end up with blisters and a lot of frustration). I used the spray adhesive to adhere the fabric to the cardboard backing which was, luckily, pretty sturdy.
The result: A grouping of pattern and color that I think really compliment the room and help alleviate the negative space...
I might need to work on a steadier hand for taking photos (sorry for the blurriness).
B and I are both pretty pleased with how this turned out...but there's more to come so stay tuned. I hope you're having a wonderful Memorial Day and/or Monday!
{Giveaway ends tomorrow at 6pm. To enter, just click on the illustration to the right!}

Weekend finds

I've treated myself to a few new things this weekend and I'm happy to say I'm pleased as pie with all three of them. One of them I already shared with you here but as a refresher:

via greenergrassdesign
They were $5.95 at a local shop and I don't ever want to go back to regular, ugly pens. Then I used my 40% off coupon for Borders (are they going under?) to buy this book...
source: Amazon
I'm pleased because I've already learned some pretty interesting tips on basic decorating principles. My happiest find, though, happens to be the teeny-tiniest Moleskin I have ever seen and is the perfect counterpart to my new pens...
I purchased this pair of green ones for $5.95 and they are the perfect size for my bag or pocket so, now I have no excuse to forget all those great ideas for the blog that are constantly running through my head (did I just say that?! Yeah, yeah I did.)
via Moleskin
I'm hoping to have some project posted for you all tomorrow, but we'll see (I'm still slow moving). Seeing as how I have the first day off tomorrow in who knows how longI may just do a whole lot of nothing. Any special Memorial Day plans?

Hope for Paws

So last night as I was catching up on my weekend blog reading and feeling like poopy, I came across this post on Desire to Inspire. Instant tears...seriously, instant. The story behind this little guy is so touching and sad...

From Desire to Inspire, I linked to Hope for Paws and immediately purchased this book. This non profit, that strives to rescue even the sickest of animals, is raising money to ensure that the good work that they are doing can continue.
I've been looking for coffee table books and for $9.95, I think this is a win-win situation.

Picnic present

So we're in the midst of wedding season, if you haven't noticed, and I've noticed that as I get older and my friends get more established, there seems to be less stress placed upon registry and gifts. If you're older and you're getting married, chances are, you already have silverware and bedding and all those typical registry items. So what do you have give the couple that has it all on their wedding day? I've found one gift that I think would put a smile on anyone's face because really you'd have to be kind of a scrooge to not like picnics.

Blanket Picnic Set $150

source: French Bull {as seen in Real Simple mag}
Not only is the little back pack stuffed with all the essentials for a day at the park, it's really stylish. It's a bit pricey but would be a great gift split between a couple of people. I suppose if I ever get married this would be my ideal "I'm an adult and I don't need a fancy crystal thank you very much" gift...so you know. This is my favorite picnic set I've seen thus far, but I'm still searching so I'll let you know what I come across.
I woke up this morning feeling pretty icky, but for some odd reason, I can't stop thinking about picnics (symptom of swine flu?)
via Real Simple
I mean yummy, right?
via Martha Stewart
Ok, I'm not sure I should be blogging with a fever or while I'm quite so hungry (don't worry, B is fixing linguine with peas, shallots, and shrimp as I type)...I hope you are enjoying your weekend, picnic or not.
{enter this weekend's giveaway by clicking on the lady to the right}

Weekend wishes...

I want to be here, taking a bath, glass of wine in hand and I want B to be in that chair (get your mind out of the gutter, there are lots and lots of bubbles) reading me a book, preferably a good children's story of some sort. I love being read to and children's books have so much to offer...

source: Marie Claire Maison

Good news is I get an actual day off on Monday! Yay! I'm hoping to get some DIY projects documented this weekend so please stop by and tell me how I did.
Whatever you do, make sure you do one thing just for yourself, whatever it is...ok? Promise?

Giveaway: Prints by Matou en Peluche

My closest friends know that when I get really excited about something I squeak (as in my voice gets annoyingly high and kind of whiny). That's how I want you to imagine me explaining this next giveaway because it's that good.

So once upon a time someone new commented on this blog so, naturally, I clicked over to their blog and HOLY COW I recognized the work immediately...
Matou en Peluche (plush tomcat) is an Etsy shop I've been stalking for some time. I immediately e-mailed the very talented Sam (all the way in Sydney, Australia) and she happily agreed to do a giveaway on Down and Out Chic! Not only did she agree to do a giveaway, she agreed to do a VERY GENEROUS giveaway which I'll explain in a sec. First, take a look at some of my favorite drawings...
Blue Pom Pom
All of these women are glamorous in an other worldly kind of way.
Sam knows her fashion as seen by the plush hats, scarves, and clothing that her subjects wear. I totally want this swimsuit.
All American girl next door
Sam's style is uncomplicated yet perfectly tweaked to convey a sort of cheekiness that I absolutely adore.
21st Century Dandy
Sam has a fabulous blog where she introduces new drawings with a back story about the subject. Her stories are well written and so entertaining.
Josephine waiting for her Napoleon
The winner of this wonderful giveaway can choose between
One large print + two blank cards and envelopes
or
Three small prints + two blank cards and envelopes.
Oh my goodness, I'm so jealous of the winner already.
Here are the rules:
1) You must be a "follower" of Down and Out Chic to enter. This is because I like seeing your pretty faces over in that silly widget and because my giveaways are a "thank you" to my lovely readers.
2) check out Maneou en Peluche's shop or blog and tell me what you think.
3) Leave a comment here! It's that easy.
I will be drawing a winner next Tuesday, May 26th at 6 pm-ish. Good luck (and if you win, will you share your loot with me?!)
~Christina