Monday Morning Happy

Happy New Week! Did you enjoy the weekend? It was so nice to have an extra hour of daylight! I spent the "bonus" hour going to a Celtics Game and enjoying a great dinner with a wonderful new friend! How did you spend your weekend?

Take a look at our "Cute Picture of the Week" from the Pawblog. An adorable dog with eyes that could melt anyone's heart! Too cute!
Enjoy the new week
jul

(image from Kate Spade/Desire To Inspire)

Have an Inspiring Weekend!

Welcome to the Weekend!
This week was filled with a few ups and downs. As you can see I turned to my favorite bloggers for inspiration and they definitely pulled through! Where do you turn for inspiration or a quick lift your spirit moment? Thankfully the week is ending on a very positive note!

A quote to remember, found over at Creature Comforts

I was reminded once again of the very true statement "if life gives you lemons make lemonade". So when I came across the "Sipping in Style" post over at Hostess With The Mostess I just had to laugh!



Desire To Inspire reminded me there are only a few short months until outdoor dinner parties resume!! I can't wait!




The last thing to leave you with before we head out for the weekend is an adorable, free spirited video "Cloud Nine" over at Coco+Kelley. Check it out, it will put a smile on your face!

Thanks for another fun week here at CreateGirl! I truly appreciate all the comments and for all your visits!
Enjoy the weekend
jul

Galley Sunshine

A great example of making a small galley kitchen bright with sunshiny yellow paint!

Above are 2 of my "go to" yellow paints from Benjamin Moore.
Another favorite is Country Cream by Pratt & Lambert

*note paint colors on computer screens greatly vary from even the paint swatch, always check it out in person
(images from Traditional Home and Living Etc)

Watch the time!

As I was looking for a way to remind us all about Daylight Saving Time, I came across these adorable kitchen timers. I love to add unexpected whimsical pieces to any room and the kitchen is no exception. Any of these would be great sitting out on the counter!
Oh and don't forget to spring ahead on Sunday, more light and one step closer to spring!!









1.Cock a doodle timer at Anthropologie 2. Tape Measure Timer at Delight 3. Dog Timers at Sur la Table (ok cat timers too!) 4. Retro Timer at SITE design nyc

Peaking in the windows of the Transit Building

The building above sits stately on the corner of Newbury Street and Mass Ave in Boston. It's absolutely one of my favorite structures, it blends the old and new seamlessly. Adding to the appeal is the fact the 1918 building received a face lift by the famed Frank Gehry in 1987. He added the top 2 stories along with the parapet and copper struts. Luckily for us, designer Meichi Peng (one of my local favs!) and Boston Home paired up to give us a sneak peak into this amazing space! Peng designed the handsome condo below. With it's minimalist decor and dark finishes it is absolutely stunning!

imagine unwinding to this gorgeous city view every night?

18ft high ceilings with a custom bookshelf spanning 2 floors

minimal decor and furniture create a calm bedroom environment. take note, the only pattern in this room is from the accent pillows on the bed, very serene

the dark floors throughout give off a sophisticated warm feeling

the glass banister adds to the illusion of a floating staircase

(images from Boston Home and Boston.com)

Quick Share - Blue Pendant

I came across this pendant over at the Point Click Home blog and had to share! The vibrant blue is just fantastic! I wonder if it could stand the outdoor elements, in a partially covered area. I would love use it as a hanging pendant by the front door, a great pop of color! Oh and it's affordable at $99.95, just what we like here at CreateGirl!! You can see it at CB2. It's been a while since I have browsed through CB2, let's see what other interesting pieces I come across!

Scouting Upholstered Beds

Inspiration Photo

This week I am scouting for an upholstered bed for a bachelor's home. My search began with the option above found at Home Portfolio. The handsome, dark wood frame and tufted upholstered headboard are very appealing. The only draw back is the price tag, over $5,000. To fit our scheme we are looking for a wood frame with some type of upholstery to soften the look. The search continued for a budget friendly option and these are a few of my finds!

Manhattan Bed at Overstock.com $649

Montgomery Leather Headboard at Pottery Barn $699

Restoration Hardware Portman Upholstered Panel Bed $1299

Do you have an upholstered bed which is budget friendly? If so please share with a comment below, you never know what other readers might be looking for the same bed!

(room image from Point Click Home)

Display your date

Take a look at Mary McDonald's vibrant kitchen, featured in Domino Magazine. Isn't it just fantastic? Of course I adore the window seat but most of all I love the whimsical numbered plates used as wall decor. The sharp white is the perfect contrast against the dark wallpaper. You can purchase the plates here, they are sold in sets of 4 for $150. I might chose a special date, like an anniversary or birthday to display in a fun arrangement! It's a great design trick to look around your home and use everyday items in a new way, just like we see here!





(image from Domino Magazine and dfd Boutique)

Monday Morning Happy!

a quiet city street

Welcome to a new week and new month! How was your weekend? Yesterday we had a snowy, gray day which was the perfect setting to catch up on my stack of magazines! A big cup of hot tea and a warm Sunday afternoon dinner topped off one of my favorite types of winter days. The kitchen smelled wonderful and my creativity peaked with lots of visually pleasing pictures. So get ready, this week on CreateGirl is going to be filled with lots of great finds from my inspiring day!

The "Cute Picture of the week" is the most adorable dog playing in the snow. With his tongue wagging in the air, he looks as if he is trying to catch a few snowflakes!
Enjoy the week
jul

(image by Melissa D'Anello)

Lounge around, it's the weekend!!

This picture is from Coastal Living Magazine and is just spectacular. The view is absolutely amazing and just outside of this room is a swoon worthy infinity pool. The wicker chairs look incredibly comfy too! I imagine a group of us lounging, the table filled with yummy apps and bottles of wine. Doesn't it sound like the perfect way to spend the weekend?! I hope your weekend is filled with great friends, fabulous wine/food and hopefully a beautiful view!
See you all next week
jul

A new view - EA

I popped over to Ethan Allen today and was so excited to see they had finally updated their website. I could not be happier!! It is now filled with bright, LARGE photos and great examples of their pieces used in actual room settings. Their new ad campaign is fantastic, very hip and modern. For decades EA was considered to be old colonial furniture but in the last 10 years they have completely revamped their line and image. I am a big believer in mixing expensive and inexpensive items together. For instance if you absolutely love a custom sofa from EA, go for it, just pair it with a less expensive entertainment unit and accents. Here are a few of my favorite images and as you can see they have a collection for all styles!

Villa - New Country bi-fold media cabinet


Global - British Classic Plantation Bed.
This has been a favorite piece for years, the number of looks that can be created with this bed are endless AND it feel like you are in a tropical hideaway!


Metro - Collectors Classics Sawhorse Desk



Park Place - Modern Glamour Dining


Metro - Savvy Living Room (including my favorite sofa, the Avanti)

Have you been into an Ethan Allen lately? Do you have a favorite piece or collection?

(all images from Ethan Allen)

Just Lovely!

A new Favorite Find and a great gift for anyone who loves their fresh flowers!
Yes, I am adding it to my "wishlist"!

Spiragoya Vase from Graham and Green

Hostel Interiors

Miss Sophie's in Prague

Hostels are definitely not what they use to be and thank goodness! Gone are the metal bunk beds packed into tiny rooms and cramped quarters with barely enough room for luggage. They are now replaced with creatively designed areas. If you are trekking across Europe you can now be greeted with friendly, upbeat colors and even amenities. Gasp! I know, where were these luxuries back in my time of camping out in hostels? Thanks to this article on Boston.com my eyes are wide open to a more comfortable hostel experience. Take a peak below at a few welcoming interiors!

Deluxe Hostel in Valencia

The Lisbon Lounge in Baixa

IYHF Youth Hostel in Stockholm

(images from Boston.com)

Scouting Letters

This week, one of the items I am scouting for are letters for a child's room. We already have decals in the room so I am looking for something with a bit of dimension like wooden or mirrored letters. I have it narrowed down to these options:

mirrored letters; fun and a bit different
from Graham and Green



custom letters available in many different colors/designs in 6", 8", 10"
from "For Your Nursery"




classic white letters from Pottery Barn Kids

Do you have a favorite website for letters?

Monday Morning Happy!

Welcome to a new week! Hope you all had a great weekend. This week I am starting a new post series titled, "Scouting". It will give you an idea of what I am currently searching for and maybe it will even be useful in your own home. I promise to narrow it down to just a few options!! I encourage your comments and also suggestions about stores I might have overlooked.

The "Cute Picture of the Week" is from Graham and Green. Isn't it just adorable? The little onsey they are wearing have wings on the back and the message, "I'm a baby angel" on the front, so sweet! One of my good friends, Carrie is due in about a month and with a few clients about to give birth I have baby gifts and nursery decor on my mind!

Enjoy the week
jul

(image from Living Etc.)

Happy Weekend!

Welcome to the weekend! What a great week it has been. The lovely Holly over at Decor8 linked back to CreateGirl which has introduced me to many new readers! Thanks Holly and welcome to all my new friends, I hope you enjoy the posts here!

I just stumbled upon this picture and am loving it! A ladle used for a change holder, perfectly whimsical! This was displayed in a front hall, great for grabbing change for the city meters as I run out the door. Now I will be on the look out for a great vintage ladle. Do you have any suggestions?

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend
jul

(image from Better Homes and Gardens)

Uplifting Florals

Have you been over to the blog Frolic yet? It is absolutely fantastic! Chelsea has a great way of creating uplifting posts and introducing us to new small business owners with great shops! I just adore her Friday florals posts, its a sweet way to start the weekend! The pictures below are from a summer wedding where all the arrangements were placed in milk glass vases. Which I just love, it reminds me of my Nana who always had milk glass around her home.



Below is a vase of flowers I put together on Monday and look they have lasted all week! When the winter feels like it is dragging on I commit to buying flowers every Sunday, placing them in an area where I will see them a few times a day. It's a little act but it brings a joyful feeling of spring to me!


What flowers are you looking forward to seeing this spring? Do you have any small tricks which help you make it through a dreary winter week??

(images from frolic)