the style du jour

a dash of thrift, a sprinkle of stripes and a whole lot of lovely

Neutral Nursery for Baby Boy Preview (Plus Picks from Target’s Online Sale!)

In four weeks, we’ll be bringing home Baby so naturally my nesting and organizing habits are kicked in to full gear at the moment. We’re still in the process of updating two bedrooms before his arrival: a neutral kids’ space for Teddy and Sloane to share (at least for the next year or so!) and a neutral nursery in another room. There are a couple new pieces of furniture, bamboo shades and accent pieces still on their way, but we’ve been able to assemble a good portion of their rooms with furniture and accessories we already own.

Denim Kimono

Slide Sandal

 

Many of these accent pieces for the nursery and the kids’ room I’ve purchased from Target over the years and most of them are discounted today as part of Target’s online-only sale. At first glance, you can tell I’ve been drawn to lots of whites and neutrals which only makes it easier to mix and match these pieces throughout the house (anyone else love to re-organize and re-decorate their rooms on the regular?!) Here are some of those favorite pieces including this uber soft, woven blanket (we have this one on multiple beds in the house) and round mirror (I also own multiples of this one in brass)

I’m eager to complete these bedrooms and share the finished nursery and the kids’ new gender neutral room with you in the next couple weeks! Until then….

XOXO,

Emily

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Small Spaces Decor Inspiration: How to Create a Vanity in Your Closet

I can’t believe we’ve been in our new home for exactly one month today! While we’re starting to feel settled, from a decor perspective, I have lots of plans and feel as though I have plenty to accomplish in order to “complete” any of the rooms. I guess we have the next 30 years to get it done. 🙂

You would imagine I would focus my initial efforts on the most visible rooms, like the family and living rooms, but funny enough I chose to start on a tiny corner located in our master closet.

Our closet doesn’t rival one from Real Housewives, but with its window with beams of natural light, I dreamed up this little cozy vanity nook to organize and store my jewelry and beauty products (none which had a home in our master bath with its little storage space). And on some days, it may serve as a momentary sanctuary/hideout when this mama just needs a minute. 🙂

Interestingly enough, the actual vanity was the last item I purchased for this space. One week ago I read a makeover article in a recent issue of one of my magazines which featured this Ikea dressing table and I knew it would be the perfect fit, both literally and figuratively. The measurements were just right for the wall space and the clean, modern lines seamlessly fit with the boho-chic and antique accessories I assembled.

Here is a peek at the pieces I purchased to create this boho-chic vanity and where to get them:

I can’t own enough faux fur stools (I may have a small collection already) and this one is just the right size for a vanity seat. To help keep the shelves organized, I chose these navy storage boxes with a lid to hold small articles like tops, small handbags and scarfs. All my goodies are contained, but the tags on the front of each will remind me of what’s inside.

Threshold Faux Fur Stool (Target)

Oskar Storage Box, Navy (Container Store, Avail in Other Colors)

Gold and Glass Vanity Tray (Target)

 

Peony Vase/Stainless Steal Gold Wine Cup (Target)

Vintage Initial Embroidered Handkerchief (Tilly’s, Chicago)

 

Acrylic Earring Holder (Container Store). This earring holder is only $5 and I love that I can easily display all my gems, both precious and not, in one spot.

Vanity Mirror (HomeGoods)

The top of the vanity opens up to feature a mirror and storage sections to help stowe away small items like makeup or hair accessories. The left side offers a drawer for more storage space.

Center Medallion Area Rug (Rugs USA). I’m not sure if Andrew will allow a mainly hot pink area rug in our bedroom, but I could get away with this 2×4 size. An antique design feels modern with these bright colors.

 

Rose Quartz Pom Pom Slippers (Gift in Time). A vanity area is not complete without pom pom-detailed house slippers, right?!

I’m pleased with how everything came together and look forward to hours…pffff I mean minutes getting ready in the morning.

Now it’s on to bigger (and more expensive) projects! Until then…

XO,

Emily

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The Big Move

Twelve plus years ago, guy and girl moved to the Windy City (not knowing each other existed). Lifelong friends are made. Late nights and early mornings living and breathing the city ensue. Finally, boy meets girl. Love, marriage and two tiny humans follow. Wow, this city’s been good to us.

“My kind of town, Chicago is…”

Frank’s words pull on our heart strings these days as our little family is headed on to our next adventure beyond Chicago’s city limits.

While we’re not moving too far and the city is only a train or car ride away, moving to the ‘burbs marks the end of one long, well-loved and ear-marked chapter. The kind you like to re-read every now and then because the characters make you happy and there are things that make you laugh out loud on at least every page. You know the kind that bring tears to your eyes and aches to your tummy. The story feels homey because it’s marked with more than a decade of living and learning and so many of life’s firsts: first job, first apartment, first Cubs game, first child, first baby steps across a first condo….

The next chapter has pages so new they stick together. The corners are crisp and white. No ear-marks, yet. Not for a while. Those will come in the next twelve years.

But this we do know. It will start on a quiet, tree-lined street filled with summer nights playing in our own yard, jumping in the pool (yes, we’re gaining one of those!) and, project by project, will result in the home of our dreams.

You can expect to see more posts in the near future about home decor, room makeovers and perhaps a DIY project here or there. With our move out of the city, I guess we can officially start to accept mini van recommendations, too. 🙂

XO,

Emily

 

 

 

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The Most Versatile Home Decor Pieces to Own

When we moved into our Chicago condo almost three years ago, our living space doubled in size, we soon were expecting our second child and it was our first home purchased together since we were married. Read: We had lots of decor to plan and shopping to do. I was more than happy to take on the task.

I’m not an interior designer (I wish!), but with the beauty of Pinterest and my addiction to decor and lifestyle print magazines, I quickly picked out pieces to fit our vintage 1930’s home that also felt fresh and could stand up to little kids.

While not completely intentional, several indoor/outdoor furniture pieces made their way into our home and they look just as new as the day we bought them. Not only are indoor/outdoor furniture pieces made to withstand Mother Nature, they are so versatile and can be used in nearly every room inside or outside the house.

Here are my top three decor investments which also happened to be listed in House Beautiful’s “The Best of the Best” (from the January 2017 issue, I believe).

Garden Stools

“In your living room. They say, at a glance, “I’m always up for a picnic and a G&T.” – House Beautiful

Ceramic Garden Stool

This stool has become just the right spot to nest a pile of new library books, a cup of coffee, a collection of toy cars, or a delicious Gin Gimlet during Happy Hour. I’ve also seen it used on Pinterest in nearly every room in the house from bathrooms and bedrooms to entryways or your home office.

Bistro Chairs

“There is nothing like croissants along the Seine – or getting the same vibe in your kitchen.” – House Beautiful

Riviera Side Chair

These were on my decor wish list from the start. We started off with a couple chairs in our eat-in kitchen, and quickly outfitted our dining room table with them as well. At about $250 each, we considered these one of our splurge investments, but, to me, they’ve been worth every penny. I’ve used our two extra chairs throughout the home including in our bedroom draped with a sheepskin rug for added texture.

Flatweave Rugs

“Soft but sturdy stripes underfoot make for an ideal foundation in workhorse rooms like the kitchen.”

 

Marina Indoor/Outdoor Rug

This rug, with both stripes and polka dots from Ballard Designs, was just what I needed for our dining room. It’s flat-weave provides a little padding for little ones playing and running around, as well as added eye appeal, but is extremely easy to clean. You could literally hose it down. It’s also the most reasonably priced rug you will find.

 Do you have a favorite decor or furniture find?If so, please share!!

XO,

Emily

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20

The Best (Sophisticated) Jello Shots – Fizzy Prosecco Jello Shooters

While we don’t have any wild New Year’s Eve plans this year, I still like to dress up a bit (sans yoga pants) and plan a little special dinner with fun cocktails for the two of us.

To mix it up and try something new, I tested a super easy champagne jello shot recipe – one of the many I’ve come across recently. Apparently bubbly in jello form is the new thing (this is not your average college jello shot, may I add) and I kind of love it. Using Siri Daly’s recipe as a starting point, I made these fizzy, berry-filled jell0 shots to ring in 2017.

With only four ingredients including champagne or sparkling wine, vodka, ginger ale and gelatin powder, this recipe takes about ten minutes to prep and a couple hours to gel together in the fridge. These are sure to impress your NYE mates, whether you’re enjoying it from the couch with your loved one or entertaining friends.

For this batch, I used Lamarca prosecco and added colorful blueberries and strawberry slices for a sweet addition. I tried a few different serving options, including an oversized square ice tray, little glass shooters (repurposing my votive candle holders) and stemless flutes. I used a spritz of cooking spray in each before adding the liquid mixture to make for a seamless jelly removal.

For serving, you can leave them in the glass with a cocktail mixing wand or remove and dust with sugar or top with cookie sprinkles. Dress it up with a pretty toothpick with berries and voila! Your Fizzy Prosecco Jello Shooters are ready to eat (er, drink?)!

*Toothpicks, mixing wands, straws and stemless flutes are from Target’s Bullseye section for $1.00 – $3.00!*

Visit the TODAY website here for the full recipe. If you give these a try, please let me know how you like them and how you gave them your own twist!

I hope you all have a safe and happy start to the New Year! Cheers!

XO,

Emily

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