BABY SHOWER: catherine botsford

I helped host a sweet baby shower for a close friend a few months ago and of course, I went all out. Since she was having a baby girl, I decided to do a "sugar and spice" theme to carry from the invites to the brunch. I love having everything coordinate! Here are the invitations I designed:

For the brunch we served several breakfast dishes accompanied by a sugar and spice to-go bar for the guests to take home. We arranged the candy bar on assorted china, tea cups, vintage silver and crystal bowls to create a unique, but sophisticated arrangement. We served spice cookies, pink gum balls, white chocolate covered pretzels, pink jelly beans, pink m&m's, peppermints, and cinnamon sticks.

close ups of the treat bags

 Friends of the mommy assembling their candy bags.

The guest of honor's mother-in-law made the beautiful flowers. I love how they matched the invites and candy bar. 

all photos courtesy of the mommy's sister, thanks em!

PATTERNS

Lately my eye has been drawn to rooms busting at the seams with patterns -- patterns on the wall, ceiling, curtains, everywhere. I am saying pattern instead of wallpaper because these beautiful designs can be translated into a room in more ways than just wallpaper. And I have been gravitating more towards these ikat inspired abstract patterns that blend together as a whole. 


I discovered this gorgeous ikat stencil through etsy and have been brainstorming on how I can incorporate it at Melrose. I finally settled on an idea, but I am not telling ... just yet! Check out these rooms covered head to toe with beautiful, intricate patterns. And - one of these images is the inspiration for the next DIY project!  Hopefully these rooms will get your brain turning and inspire you too.

I am a neutral fan but this blue and orange combo is awesome. I think there is just enough white in this room to keep it simple and not too bold. 

 via lonny mag

 wow - what a statement! I salute whoever braved this idea and just went for it!

 The black and white helps keep this wallpaper subtle without screaming fruit and nature.

all sources available through my pinterest home decor board

MORNING LAUGH

To help you survive this exciting hump day ... click here for a mid-morning laugh! My husband was in the dog house for about ten minutes ... 


*story below the instagram portraits

STUDY INSPIRATION

So, I am getting super close to revealing the rest of the additions in the striped study and I can't wait. If you remember, I posted pictures of the new china cabinet here but I had a few little adjustments to make before I photographed the entire room. I just have to find the time to take pictures during good daylight. I plan on making this my goal for the weekend! 


In the meantime, I wanted to share a few pictures that inspired the study. If you remember, I painted the once sage green paneling cream and beige stripes and it really brightened up the room. It has one built in shelf that I still don't know what to do with, but I think I have everything else situated! For now ...

I didn't have the rope for my post on the china cabinet, but it will appear in the next

this was a hoot purchasing at our local Lowe's - imagine 2 girls asking for rustic rope to be used as decoration in a glass bowl ... yes ... that is what they thought too

and what is a study without a cozy reading nook? Exactly. This is where Brandon will do all his reading in all his spare time ...

and an arrangement similar to this appears somewhere!

All will be revealed asap! And don't worry, Brandon's frat desk was definitely replaced! Hope everyone has a fabulous weekend and stays cool.

VINTAGE TRAYS

I am always looking for resourceful ways to decorate and when I spotted this fabulous idea over at a friend's I latched on! Since then, I have spotted several inspirational images of hanging vintage trays in unique arrangements. Vintage trays/serving platters are both sophisticated and ornate, but rustic and simple. To me, the more tarnished, the better - it adds character! 


These can be easily found at flea markets, antique malls, etsy, ebay, your grandmother's attic, etc. for a very reasonable price. Collect a few in assorted sizes, colors, and design and purchase adhesive plate hangers and arrange! Such an easy fix to that empty wall ...

this is a more organic arrangement

 or go for structure and organization

all sources via pinterest - click to follow me!