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.

Thirsty Thursday

It big, it's bright, it's yellow. 
Nope, it's not Big Bird. 
It's a little shout out to "Tommy." It's technically called a Sunkiss, but today it's going to be called the:

                       "Tommy, Can Ya Hear Me?"

* 1.5 oz. Cointreau
* 1.5 oz. pineapple juice
* 1 oz. yellow grapefruit juice


Pour it all into a tall glass over ice and stir.
Cheers!

Couches, Chairs & Musicals, Oh My...

So much is happening right now. Spring is here and the temperature is rising. The green is emerging from a long (an extra long!) Winter's nap. Spring is about new beginnings and growth, right?  That fits into my life both literally and figuratively this year. If you read this little blog, you already know all about "Tommy" and what this experience has meant in my life.

     (that would be me in the go go boots on the left)


But, I am also thoroughly enjoying the new decor projects that are lining up! Soon I will have a new space to fill up with "new" furnishings and fabulous finds. I love the hunt for pieces with great bones...(and I love paying next to nothing for them, as well.)  Here are two great examples of good bones and good deals:

I found this fantastic, vintage French style sofa on Craigslist. It is in amazing condition with a great nubby, neutral fabric that can find a home in practically any decorating style. With me, it will live in a sort of retro mod meets Hollywood Regency styled room. It's long and can seat many, but low profile so it won't feel like so much furniture. I am not touching this. I will just change out pillows as the mood or season strikes me.
I found this matching tufted chair at my local Salvation Army:

This also has wonderful bones and is on wheels which is a nice bonus. At $19.99, it was a steal. The cliche is true, "They really don't make furniture like they used to..."
The fabric on this is well worn, so I will be recovering it. If you have ever priced out upholstery fabric, you know it can be very expensive. I like to scour Ebay for large  remnants. They're a fraction of the cost. I went with a very big, bold black and off white chenille check.  I think I will angle it so it's more of a harlequin pattern, and add black piping and black buttons. I got 8+ yards of this for less than $50. 

I am a total sucker for black check. It goes with everything and brings to mind MacKenzie Childs, which I have written about before. It's a weakness of mine.
So, stay tuned!  As things slow down a bit, I will back, fully inspired by new people, places and things. And? It's almost flea market season!!!!! Yes!

Simply, Saturday: Opening Night!

Happy Saturday! Yes, Chandelierious has been completely MIA for awhile. "Regular" life and hours upon hours of daily rehearsals will do that to a person, or a blog as it were. But, it's finally opening night! After this, believe it or not, aside from performances, life will mellow out a bit again. I will breathe. That's not to say that this experience is overwhelming. Well... yes it IS, but in the most wonderful of ways.  Being part of a cast again, putting my feet back on stage again, has brought many parts of me right back to life. Invigorating me and inspiring me in new ways and even adding a new layer to my relationship with my daughter. We've both had to adapt. This experience was a new challenge for us and it's turned into something very special. Something she and I have been able to share and grow from, together. She has joined me at some rehearsals and made some bonds herself, especially with our "little Tommy's".

I see us being in something together in the future...she has been bitten by the theater bug just like her mommy. So many things to look forward to...

But, tonight? Sold out Opening Night. 

Yes!

There are still tickets for other performances, however! They're available through bftix.com. Please, come.  Even if you aren't a musical theater fan...it's THE WHO!!!! Rock on.

Here's hoping for a lot of broken legs!