Etsy Finds for the Home #4

1. brass pineapple // 2. concrete planter // 3. brass sconce // 4. stoneware canister // 5. stone elephant figurine // 6. felt bowl // 7. whiskey rocks glasses // 8. kilim pillow

Be sure to check out my other Etsy finds here.

Trend Watch: Tassels

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I'm loving the plethora of tassel embellishments lately on everything from home decor to clothing.  See how to incorporate the trend into your home or wardrobe in a subtle or major way below:

1. amber interiors llama pom pillow // 2. etsy beaded bracelet //
3. etsy turkish towel // 4. jcrew embroidered tassel top // 5. jcrew chain tassel earrings //
6. anthropologie tassel stitch table runner // 7. clare vivier tassel keychain //
8. etsy moroccan wool blanket // 9. kate spade saturday tassel heels // 10. crochet short tassels dress

I'm dying to get my hands on that pillow!  What do you think of the trend?  Can you handle it?

Look for Less: Make it or Fake it #14

Make it with this Amber Interiors Shoppe otomi pillow for $130

 or fake it with this etsy otomi pillow for $99

Be sure to check out other make it or fake it posts here.

Style Steal 2: Cozy Cottage

I fell in love with Jenny Li and Hans Gissinger's three-story home in Brooklyn featured on Domino.  Their home may be three stories, but the decor in their family room gives off a quintessential cozy cottage vibe.  White floors, walls, and ceiling create a bright and inviting space, accentuated by the absence of window treatments.  Wood accents in different tones and worn in linen are relaxed and family friendly.  Be sure to check out the rest of the tour, and see how to get the look below:

coffee table // sheepskin throw // pillow // vintage silver tray // glass lamp // white shade 

// console // louis xvi accent chair // sofa // image via Domino

Who knew Brooklyn could look so good?  Be sure to check out my other style steal posts here.

Fun Finds for the Modern Office

1. west elm desktop organizer // 2. ban.do agenda // 3. stapler // 4. poppin pen cup // 5. rifle paper co rapido notepad // 6. rifle paper co desk calendar // 7. ballpoint pen // 8. washi tape // 9. clothes pin with magnet // 10. gentle reminders pencils // 11. french riviera page flags // 12. high five sticky note

Look for Less: Make it or Fake it #13

Make it with this Restoration Hardware Cabinet for $4,595

or fake it with this Cost Plus World Market Cabinet for $899.99

Be sure to check out other make it or fake it posts here for more affordable home decor options.

Everyday Essentials for Women and Men

A good guy friend of mine (and loyal reader) recently asked me if I might post more things geared towards men.  Well, ask and you shall receive.  But seriously, if you want to read more about a particular topic, feel free to comment or message me with reader requests!  In any case, I thought I'd outline a few practical essentials for women and men today that are great for everyday use.

Gap denim jacket - I live in my denim jacket year round - it's the perfect weight for those cool California mornings and evenings.

Kiehl's micro-blur skin perfector - This is the first and last primer I'll ever use.  I can't count how many compliments I've gotten on my skin every time I wear it; it does magical things to your complexion - filling in fine lines and making your skin feel silky smooth.

S'well bottle - I'm constantly thirsty, but hate drinking luke-warm beverages.  S'well bottles keep your drinks cold for 24 hours and hot for 12.  Once you try one, I promise, you'll never look at another water bottle the same way.

Madewell leather tote - I'm all about classics, and you can't ever go wrong with a simple leather tote.  This is my carryall for work, travel, and play.

Kindle paperwhite - I can't go a day without reading, and devour books a week or two at a time.  I love the feeling of a real book in my hands, but at my rate I ran out of space for books long ago.  Now I buy e-books and read them on my kindle - with no glare, it's great for reading outdoors, and it's super light-weight as well.

Persol sunglasses - If Steve McQueen wore them, you know they've got to be an everyday essential.  These sunglasses are a classic shape, and fold up for easy storing.

Redwing boots - For the adventurer, these rugged boots go with anything and will take you from a casual cool dinner to a sunset motorcycle ride.

Apolis waterproof journal - this pocket-sized notepad is great when you need to jot down a little something, but with a huge added bonus: it's waterproof.  You never know what sort of crazy situations men will get themselves into!

Filson bag - Filson uses extra durable canvas and bridle leather handles for bags built to last.  I bought this bag for my boyfriend four years ago, and its only gotten better with age and every day use.

Whiskey after shave - This all natural vegan aftershave is the perfect thing to soothe your skin after a shave.  If whiskey hangovers smelled good, they'd smell like this.

Speaking of essentials, I recently came across a newer company that embraces those everyday essentials by creating crates full of survival items.  Man Crates makes great gifts for the men in your life, and saves you the legwork of curating items.  And yes, they come in an actual crate.  Man Crates thoughtfully supplies a crowbar with each order as well - I mean, what fun is a gift if you can't pry it open using your man strength and a man tool?  Check out some of their crates here.  I'm a fan of the clean shave crate, grill master, and whiskey cocktail.  What are some of your everyday essentials?

Style Steal: Get the Look for Less

I've got some major design envy after seeing artist Mary Nelson Sinclair's apartment tour on Lonny.  I love how she uses statement vintage pieces mixed with global accents to create an eclectic space that truly showcases her tastes and personality.  My favorite thing about design is how your home can be a reflection of yourself and your experiences.  See how to get her look below:

abstract painting | abstract print | bag print | rug | table | pillow | moroccan stool | lamp | sofa |
 image via lonny

Be sure to check out Mary Nelson Sinclair's paintings and works on paper.  This one might be my favorite.

Look for Less: Make it or Fake it #12

Make it with this Anthropologie pendant for $198

 or fake it with this World Market pendant for $49.99

Be sure to check out other make it or fake it posts here for more affordable home decor options.

Well-Designed Bathroom Essentials

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Let's face it.  When it comes to the bathroom, we don't often think about design.  It comes down to the essentials, and most of you probably think a toilet plunger is a toilet plunger.  But there's where you're so wrong.  Maybe this is where you say I'm crazy and that all toilet plungers are created equal, but hopefully you're intrigued, and have realized that you, too, want to fulfill your wildest bathroom design dreams with a beautifully designed toilet plunger.

If you caught my inspiring spaces post, you'll know that lately I've been drawn to clean and simple design, and this translates to the bathroom as well.  Because what other aesthetic would you want to go for in the bathroom if not clean?

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While you may not be able to pick out tiling or a gorgeous vintage claw foot tub, you can make the most of your space with these decor and organizing solutions:

1. bath mat: This diamond pattern is neutral but exciting.
2. plunger: As promised, a beautifully designed plunger, and (bonus!) toilet brush for those of us who just can't stand to look at unsightly things.
3. marvis toothpaste: Maybe not practical to buy $6 toothpaste, but great for guests and show.

4. wire baskets: Perfect for storing extra shampoo bottles, toilet paper, towels, etc.

5. ikea cabinet : I love the old school design of this cabinet - it's perfect for storing towels, perfumes, etc. in your bathroom.
6. stop the water hand soap: Playful graphics are easy on the eyes, and remind us to be environmentally conscious with our water use.
7. wood toothbrushes : These are great for guests.
8. whitewash hamper: It may go without saying, but keeping a hamper in the bathroom ensures no dirty clothes on the floor.  This simple whitewashed basket weave is unobtrusive and functional.
9. glass canister: Store things like cotton balls, nail polishes, etc. in these clear canisters so items are easy to locate.
10. towels: White towels always project an air of sophistication and cleanliness, and the texture of these add intrigue.  If you're worried about white towels, you can always bleach them, or go for a subtle light grey.  I love these Nate Berkus for Target towels - they're soft, inexpensive, and dry quickly.
11. teak trays: I use these in the bathroom to coral all my various vessels that hold makeup brushes, q-tips, and every day items I need access to like face moisturizer, floss, etc.

If you're looking for more creative solutions, check out this article to upgrade your bath, and this one for organizing tips.