Tee hee hee...

On my last visit to my happy place ( N.Y.C.) I spied a "new" trend lining the street vendors. Tin signs. The vintage inspired, metal wall hangings that replicate old coffee or ice cream ads, for example.
Of course, they have been around a long time, but there was a plethora out there recently.  Some of them were just too funny and perfect not to document. Take a look:

They make me giggle, what can I say? These ones were available for about $10.00 a piece on the street. But, I have seen some, though not quite as sarcastic, around local stores like Bed Bath & Beyond, The Christmas Tree Shop and Hobby Lobby for under $20.00. They are perfect for a kitchen, home office or small space like a mud room. While great on their own, a collection covering a wall would be quite the witty decorating statement.
Again, I will say: life is short. And, silly's awesome. I like me some silly.

Simply, Sunday...

This is how you spend a sunny Memorial Day weekend.  Happy holiday weekend, everyone.

The end.

It's Easy Being Green...(2.0)

"Tommy" is over. (sniff)
 I'm taking the experience and the people and putting them in my heart and mind where they'll live forever and ever. Now? Time to ride the next wave. And? Blog, of course.
My friend Dan (from, umm, yes, "Tommy"...please don't expect to never hear that name again. You'd be wrong to do so!) is not only an amazing singer, actor and all round fabulous person, he is also quite the decorator. He's downright Chandelierious, in fact. Anyway, he posted a link on Facebook the other day that I think is grand:
New York's Monroe County is finally expanding their recycling program. Plastics labeled #1-7 will now be included in the County's recycling program. This makes me *happy*. Prior  to this, each time I had to dispose of something higher than #2, I'd cringe. And I mean really, there are only so many plastic Chinese food containers you can keep and reuse as psuedo tupperwear, right?
You may have noticed that Mother Nature is a little perturbed right now. That's no accident. No excuses.

Recycling and the general preservation of our plant is Chandelierious. And this is such an easy way for you to be...

Simply, Saturday. Sniff.

I woke up with a bit of a stomach ache today. I'm not "sick" per se, more like a little bit heart sick. Stricken with a case of the melancholies. Tonight is the closing night of "Tommy." My beloved "Tommy" which brought me back to the stage after more than 12 years and introduced me to beautiful new people and experiences (including reintroducing me to myself in many ways). The experience has been a pivotal one.

There will be more shows. There will be more people. But this one? This one is special for many reasons....

But, you know what Fraulein Maria says, "When the Lord closes a door, somewhere he opens a window." (Please, tell me you got that "Sound of Music" reference...)

Pillows. Period.

I went pillow shopping. And? It was gooooood.

As you know if you read this little blog, I recently purchased a vintage (and fabulous) sofa and chair. Part of the fun of buying such things is deciding how to accessorize them, right? Right.

The sofa, as you may recall, is an off white, sort of nubby fabric.  It's in great condition and is neutral enough to go with a variety of other colors and textures. 

The chair, which will be reupholstered in a bold black and ivory houndstooth, will also compliment a lot of other options.

To start with (because, of course, there will be changes as the mood strikes) I am going with basic black, ivory, shades of gray and bright, happy YELLOW. Here is what I have so far:

All from Marshalls and T.J. Maxx. (why yes, those are fur pom poms on pillow #1 and edgy, yet classy, zippers on pillow #2.)

And here's what I am carefully considering for pillows #4-?:

Mod. Happy. Current. Pretty.
The top three are from DwellStudio at Target.com and reverse to either the same print in the opposite color combination, or in the leaf-y one's case, a black and white stripe. The bottom pillow is available through Be Chandelierious, as a matter of fact. I just might have to bring them all home to test them out appropriately, right? 
Yes. I thought so, too.
I mean, who knows? They might all look, well...
Not. Good.
Leaving me with my next option...
Hot pink (well, naturally).

Keep Calm...

By now we have all seen the trendy, but true, "Keep Calm and Carry On" mantra all over prints, pictures, computer images, you name it. 
Here is an example of what I am referring to if you are one of the few who haven't heard of it.

Simple. Blue. Cute.
But, these variations on the phrase float my boat even more.

Right?! These are so cute. They are small, 8x10 sized prints available at Target for $12.99.
I spotting these today shopping for something ultra glamorous and chic. A humidifier for Eloise. 

Derby Day!

Yes, I love my home decor. We all know this....but what you may not know about me is that I am as passionate about fashion. I'm not talking latest trend, couture stuff...I am passionate about great style. Be it something I find at Target, Neiman Marcus or the Salvation Army.
Like shopping for decor, I love the thrill of the bargain hunt. My favorite places to find clothes and accessories are stores like Marshalls, TJ Maxx and yes, the thrift store. I will spend time on my love of clothes another day. My point today is that it's Kentucky Derby Day! You know what that means?
HATS.
I must have been born in the wrong era because I love hats. Bigger the better. You could be wearing a paper bag, but if you have a fancy hat on? You'll be the most fabulously dressed person in the room. Well, ok, maybe not wearing a paper bag, but you get the idea.
My girlfriend and her husband throw a big Derby party every year.

                (my girls and I at last years party)


Party requirements? Appropriate headpieces.
Over the years, I have found my hats in places like antique stores, online (Ebay) or at those "teen" stores like Forever 21 & even Hot Topic. 
I've done feathers and fascinator's. Headbands and hair clips. This year is straight up, slightly over the top, vintage hat. Yellow, like the Queen mum on Royal Wedding Day. There will be pictures.


Here are a few examples of chandelierious millinery:

This custom one is called Miss Lemonade and is available on Etsy.

Absolutely no reason you couldn't go mad hatter style and rock the top hat.

You'd make quite a splash in something as simple as this veil and feather clip. Heads would turn. And really, when it comes to hats, isn't that the point?

Mistakes

So....yeah, mistakes. They happen. Chandelierious makes mistakes, too. I received the chenille checked fabric I blogged about in the mail the other day, and as soon as I opened it up I thought "umm, no." 
It just didn't feel right. The off white was more of a tan/beige. The black and beige woven squares looked more fussy than sleek. I knew immediately I should have gone with my first instinct: the black and ivory houndstooth. 

The houndstooth was double the price, though, and I was trying to keep costs minimal.  I paid $20 for the chair originally and will have put maybe another $100-$120 into it after fabric and upholstery. But, when all is said and done, I will have an amazing, one of a kind arm chair for under $150. That's not bad at all.  It will be a statement piece.
The houndstooth arrived yesterday and it's just delicious.  The chenille is so soft and drape-y it feels more like velvet. The pattern is large and graphic and will provide a bold back drop to a variety of accent colors. I'm really excited about it.
I'm not really psyched about having to ship back/return the 8+ yards of checked fabric, however. But,  you live and you learn and I'm lucky the company even accepts returns. Usually, you're stuck with what you get!
The morals of the story? All tried and true cliche's: mistakes happen and you learn from them. Trust your instincts, design or otherwise. And....life's too short to sit in an ugly chair.

Simply, Sunday

What a difference a beautiful sunny, Spring day makes....
Friday:

 Saturday:

Beautiful...
Enjoy this day.