All posts filed under: inspiration

decor: splashes of white kitchen design

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No matter how hard I try to avoid the color white in the kitchen, the more I seem to lean towards it. I guess it is my way of making sure all things are clean and bright since I spend a good amount of time in the kitchen cooking and baking. For some reason dark cabinetry doesn’t inspire me enough to spend any time in the kitchen. I feel a kitchen is a canvas and all food products are the colors which give it the character to be a warm and inviting kitchen. So, here I go again, looking at white cabinetry as an option, but this time I would use white marble countertops. As for  the floor color, texture and style, that is yet to be determined because it is contingent upon the actual location of the kitchen in the apartment (a.k.a flats and lofts)  I am currently searching to purchase and redecorate. Here are my top pics for ideas, let me know what you think?

decor: the do’s of art walls

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Lately I have been looking at suggestions for art walls. Since I plan to live in an apartment type dwelling I think this decorating suggestion may work, not sure in which room but I am considering the option. Now, art wall is a tricky thing to incorporate in a home and if not done correctly it can be an eye sore for sure. Hanging photos of your family along a hallway, in my opinion, does not constitute an art wall. A true art wall is a group of odd size and shape black and white and/or some tasteful color photos stratigically grouped together to create, well, a work of art 🙂 So, for this piece I have included photos of some of my favorite art walls in hopes I will find a way to dupplicate or even create my own style from it. Tell me what you think?

elle decor you inspire me

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I can honestly  tell you that I cannot pass up the magazine section at any bookstore, especially when I come across Elle Decor. In my opinion, it is the most resourceful, user-friendly, esthetically pleasing  and well-organized interior decorating magazine and I love the fact, it is published globally with  U.K., Australia and French versions to booth. Anyway, I tend to keep most of my Elle Decor magazines because I feel, like fashion, interior decorating is recyclable and what is considered old news will most likely be new trend in the coming years. Besides my eclectic taste in decor is another reason to keep the magazines. Here are some of  my favorite Elle Decor photos from years past which I think can most certainly be included in today’s design styles. Tell me what you think?

boutique hotel pick – grand hotel tremezzo – lake como, italy

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Every year, I pick a destination (mostly in Europe) and run with it. This year it is Italy, so you will be hearing alot about Italy in the upcoming months from travel to fashion to food and wine and photos of where I have been and where I have yet to discover.  In addition, I will share with you, hotels throughout Italy which I love, or have stayed at and some I wish to stay in the very near future. So, here we go 😉 Second hotel pick for 2011, is the Grand Hotel Tremezzo in Lake Como (area) Italy. I first heard about this property through a professor at San Francisco State University, long, long time ago and of course I jotted it down in my journal for future use. Later on when I developed a crush on George Clooney and discovered he purchased a villa in Lake Como, I decided it was time for me to go there and check out the destination and while I was at it, to check out the …

valentino shoes for spring 2011

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Designer shoes are not only inspirational but in essence have a way of making  a woman feel sexy no matter how emotionally unstable she may be on the inside. (Ladies, I say that with love). In light of this subject, I can honestly say I am not partial to any particular designer, I am however particular to the actual design and functionality of a shoe.  So, here we go, first stop Valentino Shoes and since I seem to have trouble with choosing just a few pairs of  the Valentino shoe collection  for Spring 2011, I have decided to include some of my absolute favorites and offer you a link to the website here, just in case you want to go crazy.

2010 in a nutshell and happy new years

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With a blink of an eye, 2010 comes to an end. This year was the most eventful for me because I celebrated a milestone birthday, lost a job, sold a house, lost a family member, rekindled relations with extended family as well  as travelled to some interesting destinations and some not so interesting. I admit I experienced too much and from it learned alot in the course of  365 days. One thing I must say, thanks to maturity and an unexplainable sense of self-control (which I think is associated with maturity),  I was able to cope with the “personal” events which unfolded during  the course of the year  and in a way survived the outcome(s) with minimal damage to my mental health 🙂 . As I result of 2010,  I have decided to pass up on making New Years  resolutions altogether so that I am not too disappointed in myself, should I not be able to uphold the commitment.  Instead,  I have set some flexible goals for myself, which I am going to do everything …

new years eve movie night

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Just in case you have opted to stay home for New Years Eve this year and are tired of watching reruns or  reality shows on television, then consider renting some of the films I have listed below to keep you entertained. So, grab a bottle or two of champagne, pop some popcorn, turn up the fire, snuggle under a blanket with a loved one or not and enjoy a movie or two or three 🙂 1.  The Apartment (1960) 2. Breakfast At Tiffany (1961) 3. La Dolche Vita (1960) 4. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968) 5. Holiday (1938) 6. High Society (1956)

new years eve appetizer and dessert ideas

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Although there are many parties or events happening around the world, in my opinion, there is nothing more rewarding than celebrating New Year’s Eve with loved ones and  close friends, gathered in someone’s home. What I also like is when everyone is asked to bring a dish for the pot luck style dining. I think this is the only night I find myself munching into the wee hours of the morning (providing I am able to stay up that late anymore). So for this joyous occasion or celebration, I have included some quick appetizer and dessert ideas to consider, just in case you are either hosting a party or are invited to one where you are asked to bring a dish. Above photo: Antipasto sausage skewers, click here for the recipe Above: S’mores.  Recipe:  Graham crackers, chocolate piece, marshmellow and sprinkled with toasted coconut Above: Cupcakes in Fancy cups: Dark Chocolate cupcakes are recommended, white icing and silver or gold hard candy drizzled on top. Above: Various cheese and crackers  and dried fruits displayed on …

fireplace mantel holiday decor

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I don’t think I need to remind anyone celebrating Christmas, how significant a fireplace mantel is during the holiday season.  It is a place where stockings are hung, Christmas cards are displayed and/or festively decorated  with holiday trim by those, like me, who do not really care for the stocking scene. In light of this subject, I found some wonderful photos of various fireplace mantel decor which I think are truly “delightful” (did I really say that) and not over the top.