Spotted: Barcelona Chairs

We all know barcelona chairs aren't cheap, but they are so pretty.  I was pleasantly surprised to spot some barcelona replicas in a -wait for it - Value City commercial.  Trust me, I couldn't believe it either.  And since we know these bad boys ain't cheap, I think the VC versions would be a great substitution at $300 a pop.

and here are the Value City versions

Way to step it up VC!

The Nursery Files : Artwork for the Babe

1 , 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7

Can I let you guys in on a "little" secret?  We haven't bought a single thing for the nursery yet.  You know that crazy mama that is in freakish nesting mode?  Well, I've decided to become the head of that cult.  Alaa is in the process of turning the attic into a guest bedroom so that we can make the guest bedroom the babes room - and ummm I need it done like ASAP.  I'm pretty sure  I'm his worst client yet.  Pregnant wife standing over your shoulder while you work - in your own home -  no bueno.   If I wasn't so nervous the nursery isn't going to be done in time I'd kinda feel bad for him.  Since we don't have the new room ready, the guest bedroom has stayed put for the time being.  Hopefully, this weekend I'll order the crib and figure something out for fabrics and such.  I've pretty much got what I want in mind , it's just I haven't bit the bullet and bought anything yet.  I know that I want a gallery wall in the nursery.  I'm hoping it'll be a mixture of whimsy and fun to keep her inspired.  

Truth be told, I'm just looking for any excuse to put these pieces in my home.

:: coffee {table} talk ::

I have always loved a good book whether it's to read or just flip through and look at "pretty pictures".  Even though it's probably much easier, cheaper, and faster for me to just order a book on my iPad, I like the feel of the weight of a book in my hands and being able to physically turn the pages - not slide my finger across the screen.  So for our coffee table I knew I wanted to display a few books that showcased some of my favorite things.  And when I'm laying on the couch I like to reach over to any one of these books and find inspiration in them.    The books are a combination of fashion, food, and fun - so the inspiration is endless.

1, 2, 3, 4, 5

1: The Wonderful World of Fifi Lapin : This book is so stinkin cute.  I've had a huge crush on this cute little rabbit and you may remember the FiFi cookies I made a while back.  This book is full of cute illustrations, plus a lot of recipes and beauty tips.

2: The book that I, personally, own is called The Afternoon Tea Collection but I can't seem to find it online.  The Perfect Afternoon Tea Recipe Book looks like a good alternative.  I like to have sweet little snacks on hand that Alaa can grab with his coffee.

3: The Sartorialist..need I say more?  

4:  Preston Bailey Celebrations.  If you have never heard of Preston Bailey then let me make your life a million times better.  This guy is an event planning genius!  The things he can create out of flowers never ceases to amaze me. One of my favorite things is to throw over-the-top events - whether it's for 5 people or 50..I love throwing a good fete!  This book is filled to the brim with inspiration.  Bailey also has a few other books that I'm itching to scoop up.  Oh, to have only a fraction of this mans talent!

5:  Again, the book that I have Great Desserts  is one that I can't seem to find online.  It's an oldie that I've permanently "borrowed" from my mom, but it's good.  It's filled with classic recipes and it's huge.   Why don't they make good cookbooks like this anymore?!  Martha Stewart is always a great alternative though.

House Call: Rug Hunt

Source: lovelyhappenings.blogspot.com via Deepna on Pinterest

So as I'm attempting to get our living room in order, I keep coming up empty on one certain area:  the rug.  I'd love to get the rug asap since I feel like it's the key element in making the room feel unified and tie everything together.  But here's the dilemma, I'm not really sure what I want.  As much as I'm loving the over-dyed antique rug look, a.) I'm afraid it may be too bold for the room b.) there's none in the size I need - something around 9 feet, both ways.  So I suppose that leaves me looking for an 8 x 10 or a 9 x 12?  So confusing.  

Source: thedecorista.tumblr.com via Alexandra on Pinterest

So while I love ourani/ flokati rugs I don't think their white colors would work in an heavy traffic area.  Navajo/tribal/ aztec/whatever-you-call-them rugs are gorgeous, but I can't seem to find any that aren't "tex-mexy" colors (does that even make sense?)

Source: buddhainteriors.tumblr.com via Alina on Pinterest

Geometric rugs are fun..for a few minutes, then I'm sure I'll get bored and want to change it.  So here is where you come in.  Where can I find a wide selection of rugs that are affordable and big?  I've searched RugsUSA, but never seem to come up with anything.  Help a sister out, would ya?

you can find me...

Today you can catch me over at Jessica's amazing blog.  Just in case you haven't had the honor of discovering her blog here's a little glimpse of what you'll see:

Yep,  she diy'ed faux malachite boxes..so jealous of her skills.  So hop on over to The Aestate today...we're talking about accessories and pretty things.

My Home Office...

Good morning!  Nothing is better than waking up on a gorgeous Saturday morning to the sun shining and beautiful temps.  Love it!  I wanted to let you guys know that the amazing Jen over at Made by Girl has featured my home office on her House Tour series.    

Here's a sneak peak:

It's still a work in progress.   I'd love to add more art, another chair, and would be thrilled to lay some wallpaper on the walls - but I'm holding out for the perfect pieces so until then I shall wait. 

I'd love it if you'd pop on over and see where I do all my blogging!

Go Green

Today, we will  not talk about the Manolos that I lost out on at the last freaking second on ebay.  (There are some cruel people in this world).  Nor will we mention the YSL shoes I didn't continue to pursue on Saturday.  

No.

Today, we will talk about something less vicious and a little bit more reliable : house plants. 

Exciting.  I know.

Growing up, I hated house plants.  They were just so ugly with all of their "take over your whole house" persona.  I never understood why people even bothered with them.  But now that I have my own house, I see the beauty in having something green grow in your home.  As part of my abundance of the x-chromosome condition, I absolutely love being able to nurture something and see it grow.  

As much as I love ivy growing on the outside of a house....

Source: magicalplaces.tumblr.com via Jaymee on Pinterest

I do not like it following me around the inside of my own.

No, No.

Instead, I've been looking for prettier house plants.  Here are a few inspiration pictures.

Taylor Tomasi Hill's apartment

via Vogue

Camille Style's Kitchen

via Design Sponge

and bath

via Camille Styles

you can never go wrong with pink..

Source: thedesignfiles.net via Helen on Pinterest

and you can cluster air plants for a pretty effect

via Etsy

and because I'm embarrassingly obsessed with dinosaurs (it's true..huda's fault) I would love to have these cool guys in my house

via Etsy

and for those who can't keep plants alive even if their lives depended on it, welcome to the sweet world of succulents..

So whether youre a plant killer or not, succulents are a gorgeous and easy way to add a little life to your home.

Inspired by these gorgeous shades, I stopped by Home Depot and picked up a few that I liked and planted them in a pretty pot.  

And incase you're wondering what types of plants I got they are : 'Hibotan', 'Lola', 'Echeveria Mazarine', and 'Rainbow Elephant Bush'

So glad to be able to look at these on a daily basis..they make me smile :-)

Closet Organization

the weather has been consistently warming up lately and all I can think about is light weight shirts, skirts, and dresses.  Since I usually do a bi-annual closet purge ( once in the fall, the next in the spring), I think I may add closet organization to my list of things to tackle this week.  

While I'd love for my closet to look like this:

Source: ariannabelle.com via Nuha on Pinterest

It currently looks like this:

It's not as large as I'd like ( there's another part to it, about the same size), but I'm hoping to get Alaa to build some custom shelving to help me out a bit. Currently, I'm using a book case ( pictured above) to showcase the shoes I wear most often.  My other shoes are on a shoe rack tucked away.

I've started using my clothes to style my house. It's a great way to jazz up the rooms, and give me a bit more space in my closet.  Here's a picture of a few of my favorite shoes lining the jacuzzi.  How fun would it be to have all of my favorite shoes lining the perimeter of the tub?  I may have to give it a shot!

[pink: gianni bini// gold: guess// nude: vince camuto]

I've decided that before I actually start sorting through my clothes, I'm going to make out a list of things that I hope to wear in the spring.  I think this will help me decide what to keep, what to throw out, and what I need to buy.  I'll let you know how it goes!

and finally, here's a little closet mood board i put together

wallpaper- fern living

art - leigh viner + vintage barbie sketches

everything else, via pinterest and olioboard

any tips on closet organization?  i'm a sucker for those things!

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Living Room Inspiration

We've currently lived in Maison Habibi for roughly 6 months- where did the time go?!?!  In my mind, 6 months were going to take forever.  It would be the time where I had a ton of decorating done in the house and my next big purchase would be living room furniture.  Now that 6 months have passed my current living room sofas are reminding me of my previous commitment.  The only problem is...finding what I want!!!!!!!  This is going to be a wee bit of a turd faced rant against this city I live in.  

WHY must you only carry franchised furniture...and not the good franchise either

WHY must you all carry THE SAME STINKING FURNITURE

WHY do you not have a store sample of the only one possible sofa that I just *might* really like

WHY do you insist  on closing at annoying hour of 6 p.m....on a week night.  As if closing the whole town on 9 p.m. isn't bad enough you want to annoy me even further and close at 6?  But I might forgive you because you might be carrying *the one*

I could go on- but I wouldn't want anyone getting the wrong idea , ya know. 

Deep Breath.

 Anyways.

Here are some rooms I'm coveting and they are all basically following the same motif.  I want an eclectic room thats very lux and glam ( kind of like an old parisian apartment)...but casual enough for everyday living.  Yes, I know I'm contradicting myself, but if it were up to me I'd get the sexiest furniture I could and not worry about making a mess.  

Think gorgeous moldings, velvet upholstery, with touches of black,and gold gilded everything.  

Le sigh.

  But I guess I'll be realistic, if only for the sake of my poor husband who keeps praying (aloud mind you) that I will find the furniture of my dreams ASAP.  I don't think he knew what he was getting in for when we bought this house.  We've only been here 6 months and aren't 5% complete with decorating.  Oh Lordy.

Source: kkerrdesign.blogspot.com via Nuha on Pinterest

Source: s752.photobucket.com via Nuha on Pinterest

Source: luxuryd3sign.tumblr.com via Nuha on Pinterest

I especially love this last photo in all of it's vintage settee gorgeousness.  I've found a couple of similar settees, but would obviously have to reupholster them.  Have any of you had to reupholster a sofa sized item?  Is it worth it or way too expensive?  

Source: habituallychic.blogspot.com via Nuha on Pinterest

Basically, my dream living room is like Christine's from Bijou and Boheme.  If there ever was a girl after my own heart it'd be Christine with all of her gold, fur, and glamorous love.  500% my style.

Source: bijouandboheme.blogspot.com via Nuha on Pinterest

anywho, wish me luck that I end up finding something.  I don't want matching furniture, which makes it harder to complete the room at the same time, but I don't mind all that much.  I'd just like to start SOMEWHERE.  Yes, please?  2012 Resolution perhaps?

happy weekend toots

Currently Coveting: Barstools

We've been living in our new home for 5 months now.  While part of me feels like we've always lived here, the other part is itching to finally make this house a home.  I'm still not making any major purchases just yet, but there is one thing that I can't seem to get my mind off of.  And that my loves, is barstools.  

 Dont laugh at me, but the idea was first planted into my head while watching an episode of Keeping up with the Kardashians.  Kourtney K has these amazing barstools in her kitchen, but sadly, I can't find a picture of them.  Basically, they have gold metal legs and are gorgeous.  

Here's something similar to them:

Via Bijou and Boheme - ofcourse

Cute, no?  Very retro glam - my fave :)

While Kourtney's were seats only, I think it'd be comfortable to sit in if it did have a back.  

I also found these gorgeous chairs on etsy...

via here

I like bits and pieces of these.  The overall shape and design is cute..except for the colors, fabric, and bottom base piece.  

I also found something similar ( and new) from ebay.  

via

Again, the colors, and base are not my style..but I think I can reupholster and spray it gold.

These are also kinda-sorta cute, with a fun retro vibe..but the same reupholster/paint rule goes here as well.

via

Since it'd be in the kitchen area, I'm thinking maybe a black leather for the fabric.   I'd love to do velvet..but sometimes even I know that reality does  not always work well with velvet.  

And just some more eye candy for you :)

Source: wetpaint.com via Vistas & on Pinterest

*edit*

just found these gor-geously perfect barstools via Pinterest.  This is exactly what I want...minus the price tag.

Source: gowfb.com via Vistas & on Pinterest

via

office artwork

i've been thinking about what kind of art work i'd like to hang in the office.  i've finally settled on a "theme" if you will.  i want an abstract painting that is predominantly black and white (personally, i'd love to throw pink and gold in there..but i'll be nice to alaa and restrain myself ).  i've searched etsy for something, anything...but to be honest with you, i'm horrible at searching through page after page of things.  give me a thrift store and i will happily hunt for hours...internet searching, not so much.  anyways, i really want to do it myself. i've always loved painting, but was never really good at it.  but then again, this is abstract...it's not supposed to be good

option a: inkblot inspiration

so while watching project runway a few weeks ago, anthony ryan (whom i love, but sadly will not win...my bet is on Anya ) and his team created a collection inspired by the ink blot test.

Source: google.com via Lauren Jaime on Pinterest

very doable, plus, i love the boldness and simplicity of it...

option b:  suminagashi/ marble effect

originally, i knew what i had in mind..but i could seem to find it anywhere.  and when i tried to create the look myself it didn't show up on the paper.  but finally (eureka!)  i found it.  and "it" my dear friends is called suminagashi

Source: frugalfamilyfunblog.com via Nuha on Pinterest

Source: philiptaaffe.info via Nuha on Pinterest

Source: ffffound.com via Nuha on Pinterest

Source: donmadden.blogspot.com via Nuha on Pinterest

what say you?

i'm leaning towards the suminagashi art, but i wonder...should i put it on paper or a canvas?