personalized gifts

here's a way to give a gift with a little more thought....personalize it! Check out these great soaps at potterybarn.com:

On sale now for $29 with free shipping. So pretty!

Adorable online store worth checking out: threehipchicks.com! Check out their Personalized Wooden Oval Pendant and Necklace. So great for summer. Retails for $45.50. Choose from nice variety of shapes, fonts and necklace colors - you can also purchase just the pendant.

Love the Monogrammed Large Oval Shell Pendant too! Retails for $21 - check out their gorgeous silk string too!

shoes for thought

I spotted my extremely stylin friend gracefully stepping out with the most beautiful pieces of artwork on her feet. I explained to her that the second I laid eyes on that sugary sparkle mix of pinks and creams, it was as though I was stepping into a whole new world of glittery-goodness (well, I didn't explain it exactly like that, but pretty close!)




Almost too pretty to wear, Miu Miu Perla Sequin Platform Pumps are show stoppers (my friend's pumps were platformless and equally gorgeous). These shoes truly are a piece of art - and a design inspiration as well.


For those who love the eclectic look in their home - a bit of this, a touch of that - a glittery Hollywood glam piece could really do a room justice. Throw pillows are a great way to update a room without breaking the bank. I found this one today at overstock.com. The Carol Basket Weave Pillow retails for about $66. Woven in Metallic leather - I love that it's not too over the top, yet still very elegant.


I also love Jane Seymour's Mirrored Gemstone Pillow. Retails for $50. Very elegant and I love the texture! overstock.com



Check out the Sheesha Pillow (a la Olivia Palermo) at Jayson Home and Garden. Retails from $205-$345. Very clean lines and modern with a touch of glam - very pretty (and pricey!) jaysonhomeandgarden.com

gotta love these chairs!

Some moms prefer flowers or perfume or some expensive jewelry for mother's day.... but how about a chair or two?


I happen to love the look of acrylic furniture when paired correctly with traditional, rustic, and even some contemporary pieces. Use the Acrylic Folding Chair as your kitchen chairs around a square or rectangular table (something with corners), or fold em, stack em, or store em when you have guests! They are fabulous either way. They are a bit pricey for a folding chair - $125 for a set of two (+ Overstock's $2.95 shipping), but after reading tons of reviews they seem well worth it. This particular chair was found on numerous sites but overstock.com seemed to have them the cheapest, and their customer service is superb!

update your lighting

If you're looking for a chic (I'm getting kinda tired of using this word over and over again so let me start over). If you're looking for a chic (writers block) way to update your dining room without breaking the bank, a new, trendy chandelier might just be what the doctor ordered!

When it comes to lighting, as long as you (or your trustworthy handyman) are familiar with wires, fire hazards, and the general safety of your family and house, the sky really is the limit. Street fairs, antique shops, thrift stores, garage sales and hardware stores are just a few of the places to explore (ummm, remember my 75 cent lamp? exactly!)

I happen to love lampsplus.com. They are located on the west coast. A born and raised west coaster myself, I've visited a few of them and am so impressed with their customer service and products. They carry a huge assortment. Being NY-bound now, I take advantage of their great website with fantastic sales and clearances. Check out this great fixture:



Originally retailing for $150, the White Flower Pendant Chandelier is on sale now for $85! I love it. Imagine two of these crisp white chandeliers hanging over your dining table. Remove a couple traditional items, add a few white accessories.....voila! an updated dining room.

I also love the look of a white spray painted chandelier! Take any brass chandelier. You definitely don't have to be in love with it, just appreciate the overall shape. I found this one (and there were plenty of cheaper ones there too) at The Home Depot (homedepot.com).


Monticello Collection Williamsburg Style 6 Light Chandelier retails for about $63 and would work great for spray painting. I especially liked this one because of the shape and the numerous lights. A 3 light chandelier would work especially well in an entry way or little kids room. The look of a modern matte white color on a traditionally shaped chandelier creates a real eclectic feel to the room or entryway. And it works in a completely white room for an elegant 'museum' feel, or in a brightly colored space for a fresh clean accent piece.

Want to get even more inspired? Check out these white AND colored spray painted chandeliers and tell me what you think. I love the blue one:

www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/hot-or-not/hot-or-not-spray-painted-chandelierswashington-dc-054910

And promise me that you'll email me your finish product!

very pretty lips for a very good cause

I was recently introduced to Jessi Howell cosmetics. Her products look great, but I was especially drawn to her P.U.D. (Proud, Unique, and Determined) line. She carries deliciously rich shades of lipstick and perfectly plumping lip glosses. Here's the best part of all - 100% of the proceeds from her P.U.D. line go to Childhelp, and Abused Child Trust, nonprofit organizations that help victims of child abuse and neglect.

P.U.D. Pure Lips retails for $28. Free of synthetic dyes and colourants. I adore her "Determined" color! Five other great colors to choose from.

P.U.D Plumping Pout Gloss retails for $40 - comes in six gorgeous colors. Check out "Prosper" - it's simple and fresh for the summer! And best of all, it's for a great cause! www.jessihowellcosmetics.com

yay or nay?

I've been searching for the perfect rectangular "LOVE" throw pillow to add to the middle of my sectional. I know they're out there somewhere, and I can't seem to get my hands on one. Just today I spotted this incredible deal on the almost perfect pillow (you'll see why I say "almost")

Gosh darn that "s" and the "a" (which really does look like an "o", anyway). I love the black graffiti! I'm so disappointed that this potentially adorable pillow from CB2, on sale for a nice $10, says "save". Granted we're currently in a recession, but I would imagine that no one wants a reminder to "save" resting right beneath their elbow everyday! If, however, you're drawn to the word, then by all means go and grab your "save" while it's still on sale! cb2.com

a cow in the kitchen

I know I recently expressed how chic I think a chalkboard in the kitchen is - but here's another worth mentioning: Socialite Olivia Palermo's! She's so fun to hate, with her closet the size of a small country. And I simply cannot stop thinking about her fabulous apartment in the city. It's very hollywood glam, a little too unpractical with all the white (I'm sure I would have spilled something all over her yummy cream-colored sofa) but I adore her cow-shaped chalkboard in the kitchen above her stove.


The country feel of the cow and the modern zebra rug in the walkway create such a warm balance. And just for fun, here's a picture of a gorgeous art deco chair in her apartment:

The Pink piping is so feminine - and the shape is truly elegant!

Back to chalkboards - they're a great idea if you're thinking you want to change up your kitchen a little and they're really useful for to-do lists and recipes!