nest egg

Throw a Punch

  

With the cold weather approaching I find myself coming home from a long days 'playing Rachel' and all I want to do is plop on a comfortable chaise lounge and curl up under a cashmere throw.

via oyuna

Throw blankets not only add instant comfort to a room but they also can be a key design element. Which brings me to my lesson of the day:

Do not underestimate the power of a throw.

Sometimes, it is all you need to add a punch of color to your room! 

To sum it up: Throw a punch. 

And why not make it cashmere? 

 

Ever since I saw this Bobby Mcalpine bedroom in House Beautiful I have been wanting this bright baby blue cashmere throw. This particular brand is Yarnz and it's a little too pricey for me. So I've been on the lookout for the perfect blue throw ever since. I am YET to find it...under $100.

 Mcalpine tends to throw punches in many of his rooms... 
Example A: *LOVE*

Example B:

 

*that actually might be someone's shirt. Oh well....

 

That throw needs some fluffing!!

james michael howard via things that inspire

 

via country living

 

I love the purple color here. This particular blanket (on the bench) is a beautiful Sferra cashmere and runs around $400 a throw. Yikes... but Yummy. 

via Veranda

 

via cote de texas

 

 

Williams Sonoma has a popular collection of cashmere throws for $268- and as you can see they have every color of the rainbow.

Restoration Hardware's cashmere throws are on sale from $300 to $103.99 

Pretty good for 100% cashmere- might be my best bet! Has anyone been able to find a good one for less?

"A good home should gather you up in its arms like a warm cashmere blanket, soothe your hurt feelings, and prepare you to go back out into that big bad world tomorrow." - Ina Garten (the Barefoot Contessa)

 

first image on post- via coco and kelly

I SPY... Pumpkins

If you haven't gotten your pumpkin yet.... it's time. 

And if you're bored with the usual jack-o-lantern theme here are a few ideas...

via good housekeeping

 
fun displays via country living and BHG

drill hole pumpkins, BHG

 
**glitter pumpkins** via martha stewart, and tracery interiors

pumpkin stripes, and pumpkin candles via good housekeeping

I saw this alot in New Hampshire, pumpkins over the door. If you have the house to pull it off, DO it! It looks really cute.      via katy elliot

Pumpkin House Numbers! Another great idea. via apartment therapy

Or you could add a little harmless humor to your decor...

 
via apartment therapy

 

And if you have all the time in the world you can try to pull off Martha's pumpkins. (If you do, please send me pictures!)  

lace patterned pumpkins, via martha stewart

 pumpkins as flower pots, via martha

flowery vine pumpkin via country living

pumpkin tower via country living

 
polka dot and patchwork pumpkins via BHG

LAST BUT LEAST $ (and amount of effort)

  

pumpkin candle and pumpkin placecard, via country living

If these ideas aren't enough you have a REAL problem you can check out martha stewart, better homes & gardens, and country living- I found most of these images on their websites and they include tutorials for each one. Just google the title I gave for each picture and you'll find it.

Happy Carving!

Ways to Organize Jewelry

Situation: A woman is getting ready for the night and, as always, is running late. “I promise I’m ready now!!” she yells to her husband who has been pacing at the bottom of the stairs for 30 minutes now. She takes one more look in the mirror before flipping the bathroom light off- But wait! She forgot to put on earrings. So she quickly rummages to the bottom of a drawer and pulls out a WAD of mixed metals: necklaces wrapped up in bracelets tangled around dangly earrings.... <woman inserts expletive here>

Oh, the joys of unwadding your jewelry in the car on the way to an event! Jewelry is one of the hardest things to organize and to keep organized. Not only have I found some practical ways to organize your collection, but you can now DISPLAY your precious jewels. Because after all, they are supposed to be our best friends. 

1. Frame It!

 I found this cheap frame at Big Lots (random, i know)-- painted it “Orchid” from Benjamin Moore, took out the matting and glass and replaced the entire back with screen, then got some trendy knobs from anthropologie and drilled them across the bottom. Voila! Jewelry Station. <you can also put a mirror in the center if you need less jewelry storage>

2. Display it like a teen!

You’ll find that I’m a big fan of Pottery Barn TEEN... it’s like shopping in the Juniors section of Macys to find equally great clothes for half the price. These dress forms are super cool- for a less “teen” look get one in the ‘natural linen’ color. www.pbteen.com

3.  Cup o’ Tea?

What else are you going to do with the old tea sets you got from your grandmother? Let’s be honest- not too many tea parties happening this day in age... Display your jewelry in tea cups and saucers- either on your dresser, or arranged in a drawer! 

<image from martha>

4. Branch it Up

All from Urban Outfitters

5. Make a Medicine Cabinet

Or if you'd rather just buy this particular one, click here.

6. Last But Least $

Convert this hand towel rack into a jewelry holder; displaying your necklaces and dangly earrings (much like the twig one above) Find it here. Only $18!!?? Well worth it when dealing with tangled jewels.