November 9, 2017
12 November DIYs
November 8, 2017
10 Tips for Holiday Guest Room Prep
Soho Home Lombard Matelasse Blanket
Tip #1
An Extra Blanket
This is one of the first things I do when preparing for guests no matter the time of year – lay an extra blanket either across the foot of the bed or over a chair. You never know at what temperature someone prefers sleeping, plus it adds a layer of coziness.
Tip #2
Bring in Flowers
One of my favorite touches, a few fresh flowers or some greenery. Set a little vase on the bedside table or dresser for a sweet surprise. Or if you know your guest(s) have allergies opt for a few silken stems in their place as a thoughtful touch.
Remark Tufted Armchair (more colors available)
Tip #3
Someplace to Sit
Having someplace to sit other than the bed is something to consider if you have the space – it can be a cozy armchair that can double as a reading nook or something as small as a stool.
Tip #4
A Place for Luggage
Make sure there’s a spot for luggage to rest. A bench, a stool, or a folding rack all do the trick for when guests need to dig through their bags.
Tip #5
Closet Space
If you store your off season clothing (or whatever else) in your guest room closet, make sure to clear out enough space so that your guests’ clothing won’t feel cramped. Add a few wooden hangers to make them feel like more than an afterthought.
Tip #6
Stock Up on Toiletries + Towels
Throughout the year I keep an eye out for sales on these for just this reason. Super soft Turkish towels are my favorite thing to pamper guests with, and all things travel-sized can be stored in a glass jar or box nearby for easy access.
Tip #7
Set Out Bedside Necessities
Besides making guests feel comfortable in your home, the best thing you can do is leave them wanting for nothing. Leave bottles of water and prepackaged snacks and fruit on a tray or bar cart. Water glasses and a favorite candle on the nightstand will make them think they’re at a B&B.
In-Wall Dual AC USB Wall Outlet
Tip #8
An Easy Access Outlet
Our loves involve a lot of charging these days, so make sure no one has to dig behind the bed or dresser in order to find a free outlet. All the better if they’re USB ready!
Tip #9
The Option of a Nightlight
I can sleep in nothing but near total darkness, however in an unfamiliar place it’s nice to have the option of turning on a nightlight. Have one near the door or bed in case your guests’ would like a little help walking to the bathroom at 3am.
Tip #10
Make Sure There’s a Mirror
Maybe this is vain of me, but I like to have a look in the mirror and adjust as necessary before walking out of any guest room I’m occupying. Hang one over the closet door, set one on the dresser, or use a large one as decor.
November 5, 2017
Quick Picks
November 3, 2017
12 Bathtub Caddies
After childhood I mostly abandoned baths for showers. Maybe I’m not patient enough to sit still for that long, or maybe there’s something about sitting in your own stew. The exception is when I’m under the weather, which I was a few weeks ago with a gnarly cold. Then I want to climb into the hottest water, add some salts, and let the steam do its work. And because the tub ledge is a less-than-reliable location to set a mug of tea – or wine or anything – I got to thinking how nice it would be to buy or make a tub caddy to help me out.
Angelo Chrome Plated Tub Caddy // Bamboo Bath Caddy
Cedar Bath Caddy // DIY Bathtub Tray
DIY Bathtub Caddy // DIY Wooden Bathtub Caddy
Mercer Bathtub Caddy // Teak Bathtub Shelf/Seat
Teak Tub Caddy // Tombolo 10
Aquala Bamboo Bathtub Caddy // Modern Bathtub Tray Caddy
October 31, 2017
October Favorites
1/ Burt’s Bees Natural Throat Drops Honey and Lemon
Seems like everyone has already suffered their first cold of the season, and I’m no exception. Mine lasted about a week and a half and I swear these throat drops saved me from losing my mind from coughing. They’re all natural, which made them more palatable too.
2/ Fifty Type Specimens: From the Collection of Tobias Frere-Jones
These postcards from Frere-Jones’ personal collection will be loved by any type nerd. I’m looking forward to sending some out in the mail soon to brighten the day of some graphic designer friends!
3/ Gretchen Christine Vegan Leather Embroidered Convertible Tote
A sizable bag that’s perfect for toting along a ton of stuff – including my laptop some days – this bag is on point with the embroidery trend this autumn. It’s really well made and will make a great piece all winter.
4/ Honeycrisp Apples
These have been my favorite apple variety for a few years now. If you’ve never ha done before they’re super crisp and fragrant with a sweet-tart taste that varies depending on how ripe the fruit is.
5/ It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown
I will never tire of watching holiday specials from my childhood. I’ve watched this one twice in October and will probably squeeze in one more viewing tonight after trick or treating wraps up. (Please, remember never to jump in a pile of leaves with a wet sucker!)
6/ Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation
After running out of my go-to MAC foundation a few months ago I picked up a tube of this on a Target run and was pleasantly surprised! The whipped gel formula gives my skin a soft matte finish while also hydrating – basically unheard of.
7/ Orange Clove Signature Soy Jar Candle
While this candle smells more like a bonfire to me, I still really like it. The fragrance permeates most of the first floor and even manages to make its way upstairs.
8/ Record Storage Cube
I have one of these birch cubes with a plexiglas garage front in my living room, it acts as a sweet little stand for my portable Crosby turntable and favorite vinyl. The plexiglas is available in 13 colors as well as a wood option.
9/ Google Home
Yeah, I’m a little late to the party but I’m here. So far I love telling it to play music at any given moment as well as the phone functionality.
October 29, 2017
Quick Picks
October 27, 2017
Trending: Mustard Yellow
While I prefer to call it goldenrod (because ew, mustard), I think its’s pretty much a potAto/potAHto situation and either way I love it. As I was gathering resources I realized that the only item I own in this color – whatever you want to call it – is a throw blanket. Might need to rectify that sooner than later!
80 Denier Tights // Ceramic Hanging Planter // Carla Velvet Armchair
Egg Bird House // Chunky Cable Knit Beanie // Georgia Flare Slingback Sandals
Knot Cushion // Large Wood Handle Macrame Tote Bag // Highway Honey Tee
Mini Macrame Wall Hanging // Peplum Hem Cotton Shirt Dress // Polly Pouffe
Pom Pom Blanket // Wool Peacoat // T-Shirt Jersey Pillowcase Set
Posted In accessories, bags, furniture, house and home, living, series, shoes, style, trends, wear it
October 26, 2017
Let There Be Porch Light
This is the story of a porch light fixture that was supposed to be an easy self-install last spring, but my 117-year-old house has something to say about that. Namely that the electrical needed revisited. No sooner had we removed the old fixture that it became abundantly clear that something was amiss – the grounding wire was charred and literally crumbled when touched and there were two black wires rather than one white and one black.
This is the end of any novice’s electrical work ability, and I’m not one to mess with anything that has the capability of burning down my house.
I had picked out a fairly low-profile three-light, energy-efficient, LED Vance outdoor fixture back on April 14th. April 14th. The heads swivel a little for light placement and I loved the modern-meets-traditional design of the piece.
Luckily an incredibly competent electrician was referred my way who was able to get the job done, as well as correct a few things that weren’t up to code. So maybe this was actually a blessing in disguise? Not burning a place down is always a good day in my book.
The LED lights are wonderfully bright and much improved over the old one-bulb fixture that had most likely been hanging up there for decades. And I not so secretly love how my little collection of decorative gourds are on display until all hours.
In fact, here are a few more gratuitous photos. I couldn’t resist adding geometric shapes with some paint pens to these two.
And I’d really like to turn that Hubbard squash into a crow’s face before October 31st rolls around next week.
I’ve also been wondering whether or not that butternut squash will last past next Tuesday so that I might cook with it? Only time will tell! Now let’s talk about how long it will take me to box in those scrollwork pillars…
This post sponsored by Lamps Plus. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help Design Crush create fresh content!
Posted In behind the scenes, lighting, living, my house, outdoors, sponsored post
October 24, 2017
Eldvarm Fireplace Accessories
Lit your first fire of the season yet? These fireplace accessories by Eldvarm elevate the necessary accompanying objects through a collection of elegantly designed and crafted pieces. They’re made with untreated French Beech from sustainably managed forests in France, the powder coating is free of harmful substances, greased Swedish leather, and horse hair bristles. The result is modern with a traditional twist.
October 22, 2017
Quick Picks
