Entry Decision

Thank you for all your wonderful suggestions for my entry dilemma the other day. I have decided to go with the first bench, I just like the way it looks so much better. I'm taking Maggie's advice to go for form over function-I mean, you only live once right? Ha! I also decided to leave the padding white and add a few colorful pillows, that way I can change them out as a please (which, knowing me, will be quite often). I also have a big mirror that I am going to spray paint a glossy black to hang over the bench.

And here are just a few of the pillows I am considering:

Check out my polyvore set here for all the product info on the pillows.

Interior Infatuation: Brad Ford ID

Here's some Monday morning eye candy for you all, courtesy Brad Ford ID. You likey? Me likey.

Simplify: Tip #35

via That is all

A Fond Blog Farewell

Miss Aimee, you didn't think I was going to let you sneak away so easily from the blog world did you? Not without a little farewell speech at least! For those who haven't heard, Miss Aimee of Mostly Mod is hanging up her blogging hat and moving on.

Aimee was one of the first few commenters I ever had on my little ol' blog, and I believe one of the first to add me to her blogroll, so of course I formed a bit of an attachment to her! (Don't you fellow bloggers out there act like you don't know what I'm talking about). I was smitten with her blog from my first visit there and remember leaving a slew of comments on her posts. She always wrote so open and honestly about her life and it seemed every week she had something fun and exciting planned with her family. I remember thinking "Man, this gal has endless energy and creativity!" A true zest for life, if you will. It all really inspired me. Not to mention her amazing photography and her cool sense of style.

Some of my fave photographs by Aimee

When I was fortunate enough to meet her while she was on vacation here in California, I was SO nervous beforehand because believe it or not I am actually pretty shy in "real" life. I was worried about what I would say, how I would keep the conversation going and how not make myself look like a complete dork. Luckily Aimee was super sweet and I immediately felt at ease. We delved into conversation like we were old friends. We talked about our lives and a bit about blogging, and funny enough she was the one giving me advice and consolation after I told her about some of the uneasy feelings I had towards blogging lately. She is truly so lovely and I cannot express enough what a positive impact she has left in my blogging heart.

I will without a doubt miss seeing a new post pop up in my google reader from Mostly Mod. So Aimee, thank you for all you have put out there on your blog, all the time and energy that you spent on it and for your friendship that I will always hold dear.

Dirty Little Secrets

image via

I'm over at wAxyhearts today taking part in her "Real Bloggers" series! Keepin' it real with enticing facts such as my pet peeves, greatest fears, guilty pleasures, secret crush and a shocking pic from my home you won't want to miss. Check it.

Life Voyeur Part III-Another Purse!

Suzanne, whom you may remember from my last "You Oughta Know" interview, sent in her purse contents for us to check out! Here it is peeps:

If you check out her flickr, she has notes as to what each item is. So what do you think it all says about her? I'm bias so I can't really put my two cents in, but I will say it looks like she knows the importance of fresh breath!

I just realized I never gave you guys the answers to the previous little matching game:

Purse A belongs to Tonya
Purse B belongs to yours truly
Purse C belongs to Miss Aimee
Purse D belongs to Maggie

Most of you got them all right, you smart cookies you!

Keep sending in your purse pics and I will post them as they come in, cuz my nosiness knows no bounds.

Interior Infatuation: Tori Golub Interior Design

Do I have a doozy for you today. You know it's good when you've saved practically the whole portfolio of a designer in your inspiration files. My friends, meet Tori Golub. I really don't know what else to say other than holy frijole it's all so perfect!

Yes! Gimme that chest!

There's so much good stuff going on in this room it's ridiculous.

What a dinner party would be had at this table

(*sorry about the white spots on this one-my screen shot does that sometimes for some reason)

Gah! Those lighting fixtures! And the floating shelf with the mirror!

Dreamy

Love that moody photograph over the table
(again with the floor-sorry)

Hitchcock anyone?

Those are some good lookin' trunks

Wall to wall never looked so good

This lady gives good floor

MMMmmmmm, chocolate! Equally delicious on walls or in my tummy

Check out that industrial looking side table/console/whateveryoucallit

Is this all tickling your fancy like it is mine?

Fall Colors: Navy & Berry

Oh fall, how you taunt me so. Almost here, but just not quite. The fall fashion mags are no help in my attempt to remain patient and try to enjoy the last days of summer. When you live where it is 90-100+ degrees for months on end it is hard not to be dreaming of fall so soon. So dream the day away I do, and when I ran across this image of Ali Larter in People Stylewatch I started dreaming of a fall wardrobe filled with yummy navy and berry combos:

image scanned by moi

Here is another look I found on the f21 website, LOVE the whole outfit. Adding an army green to the mix made my heart pitter patter:

Here are a few navy and berry finds I have my eye on:

Marc Jacobs satchel

Anthro blouse

f21 cascading ruffle top

And check out the combo in essie's new fall collection of polishes:

Is it weird to be considering buying the whole set for nearly $50? Because I really do love them all that much.

What color combos are you feeling for fall?

Room Re-Do: Entry Ideas

Happy Monday, I hope you all had a great weekend! I sat around mulling over what to do next around Casa de SPPN. I've had an entry update on the back-burner for quite some time, and I think this may be the time to get around to it. I have a few options swirling around in my head and essentially want to turn this little nook into a seating area:

I want to put a bench with storage for shoes and a padded seat that I can recover in some cool fabric. I will also be painting the walls a new, yet undetermined color. Here are two bench options I like so far:

I like the look of the first better, but the only negative is that you need to lift up the seat to get to the storage. I was thinking of putting a few throw pillows on top, so that would be a bit inconvenient to have to move the pillows every time we wanted to get to the shoes. Option two I like because it has the baskets on the bottom, making it easier to get to the shoes, but am not as thrilled with the overall look of it.

Here are some of the fabric options I am considering:

Option one reminds me a bit of the fabric from hable construction, which I have always loved.

I still love Ikat. The blue would match the colors in my family room, but the red would be a welcome contrast.

Perhaps I should go bold with one of the patterns above?

OR-leave the bench seat white and go wild with the pillows like so:

Via Black & Spiro

What do you all think? Care to put in your two cents?

Simplify: Tip #34

via

Interior Infatuation: Anglo Mania

It's been a bit quiet around here on the blog this week because my hubby is on vacation. Please accept these pretty pictures as a peace offering. I'll be back in full effect next week.

Via John Loecke