Shelter Loves..

Hello Friday, it's always nice to see you! It's been a busy week and I've been fighting a damn cold. I am drinking my third cup of tea today as I type this. 'Tis the back to school season I guess. With that said, I am getting excited for all of the upcoming holidays. It's a hectic but fun time of year. October is full of birthdays in my family. (including my own) and it kicks off the celebrating. I'm not a huge Halloween person, my kids complain that we don't have any scary decorations out front or around the house...tough life they have! Here's what I've got the "feels" for this week! xx

1. French dressing (as I have mentioned before). I spent some time checking out all the street fashion during the "Fashion weeks" around the globe, I think Paris was my fave. I mean, look at her!! This image further confirms that my simple hair style is OK! I do own a fat barrel iron and adore the pretty curls but more often than not I don't have the time to fuss with it all. I am more of a messy bun, loose pony kind of gal.
2. Okay, I don't want to bore you with all my sweater talk, but I can't deal with itchy clothing. This one is adorable and I promise it's not scratchy!
3. I think I need these sneaks in my life!
4. I'm kind of obsessed at seeing how interesting people live. New York - Behind Closed Doors by Polly Devlin and Ann Schlecter, shares unique peek behind twenty four dynamic New Yorker's homes.  . 
5. We are hosting Thanksgiving this year! If I can get it together, I'll even share a look at my table setting. I am drawn to interesting layered table settings. This one hosted by Jenna Bush Hager caught my eye last weekend. The beautiful menus were created by Poppy Cox Ink. 
6. Last year as some of you may recall I dressed as Wonder Woman for Halloween, this year I am keeping it simple and am dressing as a stylish black cat. This kitty mask will perfectly finish off my costume. 
7. No one is you!! I love this.
8. I was searching for client art pieces this week and came across the work of Joanne Ho. Her whimsical drawings and water colors draw you in with their saturated color and attention to detail. Joanne will paint commissioned pieces.

Holiday Table

I can't drop gobs of money on holiday decorating but I adore a gorgeous holiday table. I find if you take a great idea and multiply it by many the effect is fantastic! Case in point is the idea below which I discovered on Design Love Fest and was devised and created by the Bash Please girls. This idea is
simple, creative and impactful! Read more about the details and how to pull it together yourself here. 
This would make a perfect piece for a buffet table and at a smaller scale and lower height the dining table. If you weren't up for or didn't have time to paint the holiday balls with color, I think it would look just as snazzy with various sized silver or gold balls!

the autumn table-scape

I tend to nest indoors and entertain more this time of year. It's very simple to create a dramatic table! Here are some gorgeous ideas for your Fall fete! I have a penchant for Faux Bois. I actually framed this wrapping paper. It hangs in my office but could also be used as table decor. If you're feeling very inspired why not create your own runner with a little paint and the proper roller!

Candles in clear bottles? This is so easy but makes a lasting impression! (start saving your clear wine bottles)

I love the texture and various heights created with this array of fall foliage and flowers.

 Images: via the decorista (via pinterest), Citified Blog spot, image 3 - pinterest

"beau" or no?

I won't be hosting Christmas this year, but I still can't resist a bit of holiday table inspiration! Here I'm honing in on the napkin. Do you like the idea of the bow shape or not? Just curious? More then anything I like the added punch of color these napkins add.
images: Coco and Kelley, My sweetrandomness

At the table

Often times you can create beautiful table settings by mixing what you already own! With a few simple additions like ribbons, gourds, pears, place cards, flowers, natural found objects your table will look smashing! Are you entertaining this year?? if so, good luck and happy cooking. 

xx, Julie

Image credits: board one: Eddie Ross blog - Country Living, Martha Stewart, Real Simple Magazine, Apartment Therapy, Eddie Ross via Lonny, board two: Country Living, Pink Wallpaper, Martha Stewart top row, Hostess blog, ?, Martha Stewart

November - Recommended Reading

I can never resist a beautifully set table. In honor of the upcoming holiday season, I'm recommending Alberto Pinto's Table Settings. His book is packed with inspiring ideas and tips! I would love to start a collection of mixed vintage dishes and glasses..My issue right now is storage! I'll think of something. At the moment, I'm feeling like I need to overhaul my life, get rid of unused "stuff" and refine my belongings. Big, unexpected life changes force you to sort of analyze your life and well being don't they?

Have a great day!

Seriously, break out the china

{I have long loved this image and Kelly Wearstler's china patterns for Pickard (below) - am very into these colors right now!}

My husband and I celebrated our seventh wedding anniversary last night {not sure where the time goes}, we relaxed at home over dinner, wine and dessert with our three year old son. {Emerson our 7 month old daughter was sleeping - this is a rare occasion really}. After reading Amy Dragoo's quote via La Dolce Vita yesterday, I decided I had to break out our china! Here's Amy's motto: Life is too short, eat off the good china! I couldn't agree more Amy. It's the simple details, that make the difference! So tonight, I encourage you to "eat off the good china". It was really nice, I think I'll do it more often...

Dreaming of..

stealing a moment in a warm sunny place..It's about this time of year {every year} that I start to get the winter blahs.....I love the retro feel of the pink umbrella above. In fact I love almost all of Santa Barbara Designs umbrella's..

I would love to have a beach bungalow in a place like the Bahamas someday! I imagine my space would be fresh, clean and "under decorated". {think Tom Scheerer's beach spaces} {isn't day dreaming fun?}

The pure simplicity of this gorgeous outdoor dining spot is magical!

What's Cookin?

Keep your Thanksgiving day dinner table simple {because I'm sure you're as busy as I am} + earthy with natural decorations and layered plates in warm color tones..

Are you cooking the whole Thanksgiving she-bang? or just helping with a side dish..

I'm just helping out this year, so I've decided to bring whipped sweet potatoes a la Ina Garten..click the cookbook below for the easy recipe!

while we're on the topic of dinners..The Obamas' hosted a state dinner last night..{wouldn't you just love to experience an event like that just once in your life? } here are a couple photos via The Huffington Post. Michelle's elegant gown was appropriately design by Naeem Khan..

HAVE A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY!

Images: top two: the hostess blog {via Country Living}

Why not = Plum + Lavender

Typically warm colors like umber, orange + brown are associated with Fall. I love the unexpected use of plum + purple! Images five and six are from Martha Stewart Living, Nov. 2009. I think a purple table setting would be gorgeous for Thanksgiving. There are also instructions in the magazine on how to assemble that beautiful sweetgum-fruit wreath. I can post them if you'd like. {just leave a comment} Sweetgum fruit can be purchased here.

Images: ?, ? Oprah Magazine, Pillows: from the amazing shop Niki Jones, Martha Stewart, Martha Stewart, flickr, James Merrell, Kelly Wearstler - i know this image has been around but i still think it's beautiful.

Where I'd like to...

DINE

This is a snapshot of David Jimenez's 2008 table at Diffa. . I love David's fearless style.

I always crave warmth, candlelight and color at this time of year. I'm thinking, turkey day table inspiration? The orange is classic fall but the blue would be unexpected. I've also been dying to paint a wall deep turquoise, this shade is perfection. I just returned from the paint store with similar swatches in hand....

Image: Habitually Chic

GET INSPIRED - Holiday Table Settings

Martha, Martha, Martha

Image: Martha Stewart

Image: Domino Magazine

Image: House Beautiful

Ahhh, The dining table, so many beautiful options...Here's a few tips to get your creative concepts rolling..Never neglect what you already own, don't be afraid to use your fine china and crystal, it only grows dusty in the closet.

Maybe casual dining is more your style, collect evergreens from around the yard and display your collection in similar vases or vessels.... As I've said in the past, just stick with a commonality. Ex, all white, glass, vintage etc. Don't forget to mix textures, scale + height of objects

PURE ELEGANCE

Image: Bijoukaleidoscope

Image: Carolyne Roehm

This table setting is very dramatic and sophisticated; although I do try to stay away from oversized centerpieces, they tend to block your view across the table..

Image: House and Garden, December 2007. {Aerin Lauder's home}

Image: Better Homes and Gardens

Image: Cottage Living

Image: Domino Magazine

Image: Country Living

BUFFET STYLE

Image: Country Living

Image: Country Living

CASUAL BUT STILL REFINED

Image: Domino Magazine

Image: Country Living

Image: Better Homes and Gardens

Image: Country Living

ACCENT YOUR SIMPLE DISHES

{perfect for the first course, or dessert}


Kate Spade + Hermes

Images: Elle Decor

More reading on the subject....

left: From the queen of entertaining, A Passion for Parties by Carolyne Roehm

right: The New Book of Table Settings, by Chris Bryant and Paige Gilchrist

{often naturally inspired}

BON APPETIT