Wishlist 8.31.10

Every fall, the Hunter wellies go back on my wish list and every year, I end up not getting them, much to my regret.  I'm bound and determined not to allow that to happen this year.  I'm not sure if I want the original tall ($125) or the or the sleekly designed Regent ($150), but if you run across a sale let me know because I cannot go another year with a dependable rain boot.  If you have some Hunter wellies, I'd love to know your thoughts.  Are they comfy?  Have you had any problems with them? Which design do you like?

image: black eiffel

Interiors: Cozy Country Chic Bedrooms

Country chic, shabby chic, cottage chic - what have you - this soft style is exceptionally soothing in the bedroom.  Layers of texture, distressed wood, and pale colors create a warm, cozy environment.  If I could choose a different genre of design for every room in a house (which I wouldn't, but let's just pretend) it would definitely be country chic in the bedroom.  So soft yet still sophisticated, these bedrooms make me want to curl up with a good book and stay in bed all day long.  Tempting, isn't it?

images: 1) efrantz. 2) dreamy whites 3&4) scanned via House Beautiful Sept '10 5) house to home (via)

Giveaway: Dixi Gift Certificate

After blogging about the new-to-me UK based vintage/modern boutique, Dixi, I was contacted by the owner to see if I might be interested in holding a giveaway for all of you lovely readers.  Well, who am I to turn down a fun shop with a newly re-designed website and an array of fun clothing and accessories?  So, Dixi is offering a 20 GPB (~$40 USD) gift certificate to one lucky reader and international shipping so anyone can enter!

There are tons of great options for under 20 GPB including this fantastic vintage color block large clutch, this adorable wear anywhere necktie blouse, and sweet black and white polka dot dress.  I wonder what the winner will choose?
How to enter (up to 3 entries)!
Simply leave a comment after you visit the shop.  Tell me what you think you'd spend the gift certificate on.  Additional entries are as follows:  If you're a follower of D&OC you get an extra *separate* entry.  Simply say "I'm a reader."  Spread the word about the giveaway on Twitter, Facebook, or you blog and send me the link in a separate comment.  The winner will be chosen one week from today!

*Special discount for all D&OC readers.  Get 10% off your puchase using code "DOWNOUTDIXI1009" at checkout!

update:  winner is KC! Congrats!

Dixi's links:  Shop / Blog / Twitter

Happy Weekend

Happy Friday!  I want to let you all know how grateful I am for your sweet comments regarding  my mom and her illness.  I'm always hesitant to share personal info on this blog, but when I do, I'm reminded that we are all bound by common human experiences (including physical and mental illness) and this simple fact makes me feel much less alone.  Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Due to my current unpredictable schedule, I've decided to close the Etsy shop for a few weeks.  I'm hoping to have it re-opened with some new items, but I'll keep you updated.  For now, B and I have a weekend ahead of us full of cleaning, re-organizing and general preparation for our wedding and vacation.  I can't wait (for the wedding not the cleaning)!  What are you up to this weekend?

images: beauty in everything (source unknown)

Wishlist 8.26.10

I realize it's a little absurd to include any sort of kitchen related items on my wish list after receiving so many kitchen gadgets at the recent wedding showers, but I can't help myself.

 This sailboat salt and pepper shaker is stinking adorable.  It's available at Our Workshop for £33.00 which also makes it a bit of a splurge (around $50) and although I probably won't be purchasing it for myself, I think it would make a great, unexpected gift for someone else.   Hmmm, I guess that makes this a gift-giving wish list item.

Ruche Fall Lookbook

Ruche's fall lookbook is out and, once again, I'm impressed.  There's tons of fall style inspiration to be found in this lookbook including lots of layering, feminine accessories, and soft pops of color.   To top it off, Ruche is also incredibly affordable so obviously I'm a huge fan.  Some of my favorite new fall pieces include the lime pencil skirt, these sweet lace up booties, and this fun ruffled gray jacket which looks oh so cozy.   See anything you like?

Wishlist 8.25.10

I have a couple of birds tattooed on my arm, and not just any birds but cranes (not to be confused with storks please).  I think cranes are amazing creatures and for that reason, I am sure that I need this baby crane print by Sharon Montrose.  Is this little guy not the sweetest?

image: the animal print shop

Update

Hi friends. I thought I'd update you on the family emergency I referred to yesterday.  Here's the situation:
- My mom was hospitalized on Sunday night in an emergency situation. She's still in the hospital.  She's been sick for a long time.  Her problems are more than just physical and that is the hardest part.
-As you can imagine between this situation, the job change, and the upcoming wedding, I am slightly overwhelmed.
-By "slightly overwhelmed" I mean I'd like curl up in bed and stay there for a long while.
-I have some amazing friends and a loving partner who never gives up on me and I am truly loved.  This is why I am not in bed right now.
-It's in these times, the times I feel like I want to give up, that I realize just how strong I really am.  Sometimes I need a gentle reminder.

image: here

I'm taking a break today due to a family emergency but I thought I'd share a photo of B and I from one of this weekend's wedding showers.   We had so much fun and were ridiculously spoiled (seriously, I have more dish towels and mixing bowls than a girl could ever ask for). 
I hope you have a great Monday!

Happy Weekend + Some Thoughts

Happy Friday dearest friends, readers and supporters of D&OC!  B and I have a big weekend coming up with two wedding showers to attend which is undoubtedly exciting and makes me nervous all at the same time.  The love and support we have received even though we are having a small courthouse wedding is surprising and slightly overwhelming.  We are so fortunate and thankful to have friends literally shower us with gifts and love!
Remember the wedding shower dresses I was contemplating?  Well, I ordered a couple that fit terribly and was pretty worried I wouldn't find something special to wear.  Luckily the sale section at Anthropologie pulled through for me and I found an adorable dress that fits just right!  I even found some fun shoes to work with the dress. Double score.
I ask for your continued patience with the blog over the next month.  Between changing jobs, getting married, and all the in between chores that come with these things, I'm having to find a new pace with D&OC.  Posting may be less frequent, but I will continue to try to to supply a daily dose of affordable design inspiration.  You all mean so much to me and my little space in blogland has become a big part of my life.  I appreciate each and every one of you!
xo,
Christina

image: ruffled

A Pattern a Day

I recently ran across apatternaday, a tumblr of  patterns based off of the ever inspiring Color Collective posts.

Isn't it amazing to see how the creative online community feeds off itself inspiring one another to create?  I don't know about you, but I'm inspired by these gorgeous color schemes and fun patterns. 

images:  apatternaday

inspired by:  color collective, a fantastic design resource

Interiors: Cheery Pops of Aqua

Aqua blue is one of my very favorite colors and it's extremely versatile.  Helps brighten the day a bit, doesn't it?  

images: 1 / 2 design*sponge / 3 / 4 from the right bank / 5 decor8 / 6 house beautiful / 7 house of turquoise

Wishlist 8.18.10

I would love to get my hands one of these sweet little bags from made by hank's new shop.  They're the perfect size to toss into a bigger work bag to help organize all those little essentials that get lost so easily.  Prices range from $16-$24 (which means you can buy one for a friend too!)

images: made by hank (seen on oh, hello friend) 

Art: Amy Blackwell

I'm liking these playful and fun illustrations by British artist Amy Blackwell.  Her imagery and smart use of color (look at those color combos!) makes me intensely happy. This piece particularly reminds me of my sister and I'm thinking it needs to be added to my art wall.
Amy's links:  Flickr / Shop / Blog

Interiors: Liv Lamp

Do you see that lamp?  It's the Liv lamp by Swedish designer Jonas Bohlin. I think in the wrong space, that lamp would simply look WRONG (to put it plainly), but the ethereal design of the pendant adds something interesting to these spaces. It's not a design I would generally give a second thought about (something about tulle as a lighting structure seems flimsy and very flammable) but now that I've seen it in these spaces, I kind of like it.  What do you think?

images: 1) Anna Kern 2) skona hem (via ish & chi)

Fall Shopping: Plum + Olive

1)billowed bow tank $58 via Anthro 2) ecote canvas backpack $68 via UO
3)flannel lined utility jacket $44.50 via Old Navy 4) carson pull on $348 via Frye
5) infinity cardigan $89.50 via J.Crew 6) workwear cargo pants $59.50 via Land's End Canvas
7) seychelle's women's bismuth ankle boot $119.95 via Endless 8) 3/4 sleeve faux wrap dress $98 via BR

What do you think about one of this season's favorite color combos?  I'm not sure how I feel about the return of the uber 90's style cargo pants, but I'm definitely digging backpacks, long cardigans, and menswear ankle boots.  My favorite season for shopping is the fall so I'll be posting more fall shopping options in the coming weeks.  I don't know about you, but I am ready for cooler weather!

Sunny Life

B and I are taking a short beach trip after we get hitched and I CANNOT wait!  While I was looking for some beach inspiration, I stumbled across an Aussie company, Sunny Life, that has all the beach essentials in an array of bright colors and fun patterns.  Did you notice that giant rubber ducky? Love it. Too bad this company doesn't ship outside of Australia because besides the enormous duck, I really want that retro inspired radio. 

images: sunny life 

Photography: I Never Promised

Hello Monday.  I'm starting off the week with some whimsical, dream-like photography from _acido. The title is taken from the photographers url, "I never promise you rose garden." 

 I'm facing a busy week of wrapping things up at work to prepare for my new job as well as preparing for the two wedding showers being thrown for us this weekend. It's only Monday and my to do list feels a mile long. Would be nice to escape into a bit of dream world every now and again, wouldn't it?    

images: _acido

Happy Weekend

Happy weekend dearest friends!  This has been an incredibly busy, tipsy turvy, over the top kind of week.  I'm looking forward to this weekend because it's the last weekend B and I have to ourselves until after we get married!  I'm hoping to catch up on some neglected shop work and blog reading (I'm so very far behind, but I hope to pop and say hello to your blogs very soon!).  My dearest friend's birthday is today- Happy Birthday KTVNO! so I'll be doing a little celebrating tonight if I don't pass out from exhaustion first :)  I hope you have a wonderful weekend filled with lots of laughter and smiles.  

xo,

Christina

images: 1) Jeannine P. 2) alice b. gardens 3) i.Anton

Blog Love: Vintage

I somehow stumbled upon a Swedish blog entitled, "Vintage" the other day and although I have to depend on the not-so-great abilities of Google translator to read the text, it became very obvious that the blogger, Johanna, has some serious design skills.  The photos below are all from her home:

How charming are these mis matched chairs and orange vintage pendant lamp? Let's not even talk about the perfection of that floor.

This is Johanna's office space.  The industrial touches in the locker (found on ebay) and lamp contrast nicely with the soft color and white floors.  

There's another locker!  Isn't that crocheted throw beautiful? She bought this beauty here. 

Here's another view of a bedroom with a sweet chair/nightstand and fun retro clock.

It seems as though Johanna is constantly rearranging with flea market and vintage finds.  Here's one shot of her hall where she took flea market flora books to create a collage on the wall. 

And here's another version of the same hallway, but this time perfectly styled with small objects and layered mirrors.  Wow. 

Check out Vintage to see the rest of Johanna's beautiful home.  Inspiring isn't it?

images: vintage