I drink to that

Happy Thanksgiving

elizabeth anne designs

my Missoni

{Missoni for Target pouf}

I think I ordered my pouf a good week or two after the Missoni craziness.  It was never sold out and I think it's still available on the Target website.   I can see why no one ordered it-- the photos on the Target website make it look small and cheapy, but in person the size of the pouf is pretty substantial, the shape is quite unique for a pouf, and the material is much better quality than I expected.  I couldn't be happier with my $99 Missoni pouf!  Not to mention the aqua and white color combo is exactly what I was looking for for my living room.  I would seriously buy one in every color if I had a use for them...

Secrets From a Stylist

It's quite ironic how much I like Emily and her show Secrets From a Stylist, but I'm in awe of every episode, and look forward a new episode every week!  Emily is a prop stylist and styles all her rooms using tons of decorative objects, and I actually really dislike objects in rooms that have no purpose (random animal sculptures, art that has no meaning, antique masks, or any masks for that matter, random objects that are only meant to be looked at, etc.).  But lately I've been feeling like I need more "stuff" in my house so that my rooms look more "complete."  I'm still going to try to stick to my personal rule of "not using things that have no purpose," but I definitely want to put more effort into finding those finishing touches to add more character to each room.

One of the things Emily uses a lot of are tall branch-type floral/plant arrangements.  According to my rule, plants of any kind as decor are OK, and I'm loving the effect of these arrangements in every room.

 

I'm also pro-vases-as-decor, because vases can in turn be used to hold floral arrangements.  But there can't be a ridiculous amount of vases in my home, because that's just ridiculous.  This is an example of just a few too many vases, dishes, and one bird sculpture gone crazy, but I still can't stop looking at it.

Emily styles her rooms using tons of books.  Books are decorative and useful, too!

I love her frame walls-- this has been on my to-do list, but finding the right photos and art is proving to be a challenging and time consuming task!

I love how she incorporates so many antique furniture pieces into her rooms.  I'm still hesitant about this (considering the dirtiness and ugliness of most "old" things), but I'm hopeful that I'll find at least a few antique pieces for my home one day.  I just love the idea of having a one-of-a-kind room.

I'm already looking forward to more Secrets in the next episode!


all photos via Emily Henderson's blog

Happy Flower Friday

{dahlias and spray roses: my favorite bouquet so far from B!} 

This has been a crazy week, what with earthquakes in the most unexpected places, and a major hurricane on it's way to the east coast.  Whenever there is a significant earthquake anywhere nearby it reminds me that we're all just waiting for the "big one" here in California.  I hope this weekend doesn't bring too much chaos, no matter where you are.  I plan to take full advantage of the nice hot summer weather with friends, food, and fun in the sun. =)

Thank you for visiting our blog and I hope you all have a fun and safe weekend!

p.s. Stay safe over there on the east coast, t.lynn!

Made in Hawaii

I am uninspired.

Ever since my last trip to Hawaii, all I've wanted to do is quit my life & move to Kauai & spend my days chasing fish at Tunnels; searching for honu & Hawaiian monk seals; watching the sunset at Hanalei Bay.

I began looking into some Hawaii companies, searching for a sign that I can continue my career when I make the prospective move home. As I kept clicking, further & further I went into blogs & company websites, discovering new local loves across all forms of art - poetry, photography, & prints.

I am now intensely inspired, but not by the crowded city around me, where I have drawn most of my inspiration from for these past few years. I am invigorated & excited by the young artists of Oahu.

-- Chapter 1: POETRY --

An excerpt from "We Two Now One" by Aaron Kandell
Full poem & other works found on Twin Ink

We Two Now One

We stumble into love, we fail, we fly
Perhaps we were not meant for wings

Still we have made our mecca, one by one
All that we were wearing like tattered thrones
We scatter across the salt sky

Like a thousand sea-stained shells
And the wind growl of the ocean
That whistles through the eaves
Will blow back the curtains in the house that you've built
On the shores of tomorrow
Where barefoot and sand swept
You two will walk, hand in hand
Collecting sunsets

-- Chapter 2: PHOTOGRAPHY --

Fashion photography by Dallas Nagata White


-- Chapter 3: PRINTS --

Everything Is Jake retro prints by Nick Kuchar

Explore Kauai Series

Retro Hawaii Map

Haleiwa Town

Splish Splash

It's amazing how difficult it is to find a nice & stylish shower curtain that doesn't look like it belongs in your mother's or grandmother's bathroom! Here are a few options I've found from Anthropologie & Urban Outfitters in my quest for the perfect shower curtain.

Waterfall Ruffle Shower Curtain from Urban - $79

Bustled Shower Curtain from Anthro - $118

Waves of Ruffles Shower Curtain from Anthro - $98

Growing Vine Shower Curtain from Urban - $39

Sculpted Mums Shower Curtain from Anthro - $118

ZigZag

Zigzag prints are popping up everywhere, and I just can't get enough!  From a subtle herringbone to a bold chevron, here are some of my favorites for the home.

{west elm - Organic Chevron Duvet Cover + Shams}

 {Dwell Studio - Chevron Sheet Set}

 {west elm - Herringbone Rugs}

 {Apt. 9 - Chevron Quick-Drying Textured Towels}

{Johnathan Adler - Monogrammed Chevron Coasters}

 

{Jillrosenwald's Etsy Shop - Number 10 V Vase in Buckley Chevron Pearl}

{Anthropologie - Mountain Peaks Bath Baskets}

{Aedrieloriginals' Etsy Shop - Chevron Cake Stand}

{Martha Stewart - DIY Decorative Tray}

DIY: Ikea Dining Table

{Before: Birch colored with red uhpolstery}

In the process of planning for decorating my home, I had decided to wait on investing time and money in the dining room, however, when I stumbled across this post on the Stylizimo blog I was so inspired and decided I could have a brand new [looking] table and save a TON of money "doing it myself!"

I'm not gonna lie, this was NOT easy! I won't bore you with all the details of the numerous difficulties I encountered with this project (let's just say I had planned on staining the wood like she did on the Stylizimo blog but ended up spray painting it), but I do think all the hard work was worth it in the end (and to be honest I know nothing about this kind of crafty stuff so I'm sure it would have been much easier otherwise).

I really love my new table, and although I made more trips to Ace Hardware than I can count, it was a small price to pay for such a significant transformation. Not only is it "new" to me, but the hard work put into it makes it more meaningful and unique than just any decently nice dining table. Not to mention that the overall money spent was less than what I'd end up having to pay for one chair!

{After: Espresso spray painted with new printed upholstery}

{Gray and white printed fabric I ordered from Joann's}

Guest Post: Candle Happy

Hello fellow Four Carats readers! I'm Rachel and I'm excited to be your guest blogger this week. I grew up with these girls and love the concept of this blog. Although our lives took us in different directions, we managed to stay in touch. 

 1. Lollia Milk Blossom Candle 

 2. Capri Blue Etched Jar Candle 

3. Capri Blue Mercury Glass Jar Candle 

4. Capri Blue Mercury Glass Candle

My recent obsession has been trying to find the perfect candle. With a huge variety of candles available, it definitely makes it a challenge to stumble across the perfect one. I know it will take some time, but I think I've managed to pick up some great contenders so far. 

Now, Anthropologie has a pretty large selection of candles but you would never know this because their candles are scattered throughout the store. This makes it more difficult to find THE one, but it also makes finding something you love even more special. I was surprised when I found the refreshing citrus scent of Capri Blue's Volcano candle and I loved it so much that I couldn't resist picking it up in the mercury and etched glass jars. I also bought Capri Blue's Peeled Naval Orange candle, reminiscent of the taste of Orange Dreamsicles or the famous Orange Bang drink! Mmm... Ahh the nostalgia of childhood. These candles burn well and it doesn't take long for the scent to fill the house. 

My other amazing candle buy is from Roger's Gardens. Its one of those shops where you can spend a couple of hours wandering through only to wake up the next day to do it again and somehow manage to find things you didn't initially find. I'm so happy I came across Lollia's Milk Blossom candle during one of my Roger's Gardens escapades. I initially was drawn to the delicately stenciled glass and I knew I had to buy it when I smelled the calming scent of luscious creams and florals. I'm definitely a happy camper with my recent buys but I would love to hear about your candle recommendations- please share!

Happy 4th everyone! 

Soft As A Cloud

{Wrapadoo baby blanket}

As part of a baby shower gift, my thoughtful friends gave me the softest baby blanket and baby blanket square in the whole world. The Wrapadoo baby blanket is literally softer than any blanket you have ever felt before. It feels like heaven...in a little square...so it's definitely a good thing the baby blanket is too small for me to curl up in, otherwise I'd probably steal it from my unborn child. For those of you who have no need for a baby blanket but are interested in owning a little piece of heaven, there is an adult sized throw blanket.

Hanger Appeal (cont.)

With the prep work out of the way, I sat down this week to complete my project. Since I am only painting stripes, here is where the blue tape comes in. Use the blue tape to cover areas you do not want to paint. Remove the tape after the paint has dried & you are left with clean, straight lines.

Here is the inspiration for my frames; the bar at Benoit. (I also mentioned this restaurant on my May 6th post for where to get French pastries.)

Since Benoit is a French bistro, I found it fitting to pair the first & central frame with an image of the Eiffel Tower.

image courtesy of Stardust & Sequins

photo by Phil Poynter

photo by Eleanor Hardwick

Aaand we're done! The frames sit above the right side of my couch, on the wall flanking my kitchen.